ACL Preview | Foo Fighters Schmoo Fighters
I have nothing but respect for Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. Dave’s accomplishments in Nirvana and Foo Fighters in the 90’s were groundbreaking. But in this decade, they’ve become overplayed and overexposed. The Foo Fighters are the least exciting band on the 2008 ACL lineup.
The Foo Fighters in the 90’s were fresh, they were new and they were different. In the new millenium, the band seems to have fallen into what I refer to as “The Nickelback blackhole.” Starting with 2002’s One By One, the Foo Fighters have produced nothing but banal, inconsequential radio hits. Their current singles all sound alike and leave me completely uninspired to listen to any deeper cuts. The Foo Fighters have become so one-note that I wouldn’t even download a leaked copy of Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace. When our local modern-rock station plays Foo Fighters, I change the station everytime. It’s just that bad.
I might go see the Foo Fighters performance at ACL, if only out of deference for what they did in the 90’s. All it will take is Long Road to Ruin or The Pretender and you’ll find me sulking at the beer booth furthest from the AT&T stage.
The Foo Fighters headline ACL Sunday, September 28th at 8:30pm on the AT&T Stage.
Image Courtesy RCA RecordsTags: ACL, acl festival, Austin, austin city limits festival, dave grohl, echoes silence patience & grace, foo fighters, nirvana, one by one, Texas
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11 opinions for ACL Preview | Foo Fighters Schmoo Fighters
ttrentham
Sep 10, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I totally agree. “All My Life” was the only decent song on One By One and the last two have been meh. I didn’t even buy the last one. I loved the first two albums and a good bit of the third.
I’ve seen them three times. Once on the first tour at Austin Music Hall. A second time in San Antonio for the One By One tour and then their full-on arena show at Erwin Center a couple of years ago with Weezer. The San Antonio show was their peak. It was an amazing show. I’m only going to Friday of ACL and not the least bit upset that I’ll miss them this time around.
Ryan / The Loyalty Firm
Sep 10, 2008 at 4:45 pm
You lack of love for Foo Fighters crack me up :)
shawn
Sep 11, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I fully agree. The Foo Fighters add nothing to the event - but, ACL as a whole just feels a little off this year. Looking forward to ‘09.
RayRay
Sep 14, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Ya know, I couldn’t agree more. Foo Fighters have done nothing to evolve their sound since the mid 90s. I think Colour and the Shape was their peak and then after that…. meh. Several of Dave’s newer stuff like “Times Like These” consist of 1 chord and only sound good because they are recorded in the nicest studio money can buy at max volume. I’ll be doing after shows the night of their show.
Stacie
Sep 15, 2008 at 12:34 pm
2006 Headliner: Tom Petty: 21 albums (5 Multi-Platinum, 1 Diamond)
2007 Headliner: Bob Dylan: 59 albums (5 Multi-Platinum)
2008 Headliner: Foo Fighters….6 albums (most of which sucked) :/
matt
Sep 19, 2008 at 7:39 am
Great, sounds like there will be more room closer to the stage. Stacie you forgot to list Sheryl Crow and REM who both put on less-than-impressive shows. And tell me your town’s radio station doesn’t overplay Tom Petty.
I’m sorry but you guys are a bunch of haters. Compared to all the endless lackluster crap out there, Foo keeps on rocking.
Ana Wolken
Sep 19, 2008 at 8:17 am
Foo Fighters are currently generating endless lackluster crap!
shawn
Sep 19, 2008 at 10:38 am
Matt, enjoy front row at the Foo Fighters stage. I agree with you about Cheryl Crow. I did not see her perform but I can imagine how bad it was. However, I did attend the REM ACL and I was not looking forward to seeing their performance, but after I did see it I was blown away.
Also, Austin radio really does not over play Tom Petty. KLBJ might play him once a day and 103.5 might play him about every other day. Not sure where you are from but Foo Fighters are way over played everywhere.
Lastly, I did see the Foo Fighters in ‘97 for The Colour and the Shape tour. I will admit that was a great show. Since then they have turned out nothing original. Nothing!
Cameron Harley
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Damn were you wrong….
Ana Wolken
Sep 30, 2008 at 8:18 am
How so? I sat through their set. All the 90’s stuff was fantastic. Anything new started to run together. Kinda like Nickelback!
Tori
Sep 30, 2008 at 8:26 am
how was she wrong? they ARE overplayed, overexposed, and their made-for-radio songs all sound the same. yeah, i’m sure they put on a great show…it’s something bands usually do when the originality is lacking in their music.
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