Poison's
Future Unclear Rockett Declares War On Groupie Photo Book
08-29-04
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(antiMUSIC) The future of Poison is unclear
at this moment. There has been plenty of food for rumors over the past
months, including Bret Michaels foray into country music and where the
future of the band stands after they have completed a summer tour opening
for KISS.
Drummer Rikki Rockett recently checked
in with fans on the Rockett Haus forum to let them in on where he sees
things with Poison. A few days later, Rockett posted another message
on the forum declaring war on the new book "Too Fast For Love" that includes
photos of groupies. Both of Rocketts messages are below.
Poisons Future (posted
Aug 22nd):
I know I don't post here often enough,
but I seriuously can't keep up with all the threads and when that happens,
people think I'm being snotish or something. I do my best.
Anyway, this is how I see Poison as of
this point...
Remember, this is my perspective and I
can't speak for the whole band. I think Poison has oversaturated the touring
market the past five years. I think we need a year break from touring.
Not a break from working, but from touring. If I had my druthers, Poison
would make an entire new record. Not a box set (not that I care if there
is one, fine, we should have one I guess), not another Greatest Hits packaged
somehow, but a new, real record. Then a proper follow up tour with some
newer bands that are similar or at least have respect for Poison. I'm not
interested in having the latest grumpy band out there. I'm not interested
in having another 80's package with no more than 1/2 original members left
with 5 times the ego. I'm more interested in the newer garage scene that
is emerging all around. This type of rock is more similar to what Poison
is and was than anything to come around in the last 20 years.
I also do not support Bret's country career.
I want Bret to be happy and I think what he wants to do is viable, but
I think the timing is wrong. I'm not fighting Bret with it, but I just
think this is a time where Poison can lead the way for more rock n roll
to come. I simply think it's a conflict of interest. It would be the same
as me wanting to have a Rap career. Sure, it can cross over, but only when
one propels the other. This ain't happenin' here (and I don't like Rap
anyway!)
I think Bret should write country if that
is what he wants to do and he feels he has something to say with it. But,
right now, I think Poison needs to be Poison and that requires 100% of
Bret's attention. It also requires C.C. to be sober. As for country, I
really don't care if Poison is a country friendly band. I write and perform
music for adults, not kids. Country is for the whole family these days.
It's marketed that way. It's the epitome of commercialization.
I personally feel that if folks bring their
kids to a rock show they should know what they are getting. Give me southern
rock or outlaw country. That stuff is akin to rock n roll, but not what
is happening now. Please!
As for the future...
I think Poison will take a year off and
put out a box set with the possibility of a few new tracks and then we'll
do a Anniversary tour. That's what I foresee. I think Poison as a creative
force is very handicapped right now.
I have read many of these posts and some
of you are right, Poison doesn't dress up anymore. I try, but as a band,
nope! I don't want to look like I did in 1986. I can't and don't want to
try and pull it off, I think it would be silly, but I do think Poison could
do a much better job.
As for me, I'll keep on tryin' to get
this band to do it's best, but I can't promise anything. I want to have
a kickin' rock record, dress kick ass and have a kickin' tour next time
out. It's time for Poison to move to the next phase of it's career, be
creative, make great rock music and enjoy each other and our fans. Right
now, we are a very scattered lot.
Rikki
Rockett Declares War (posted
Aug 26th):
A few short years ago Helen Garber had
a mission to paint portaits of rock fans and groupies and raise them to
high art. She accomplished that in a succesful show entitled, "American
Groupie" that showed in a posh N.Y. gallery.
Smash cut to 2004 where disgruntled ex
husband David Yellen has taken the reference photos from behind Helen's
back and is now publishing a book with only the photos called "Too Fast
For Love". This book and it's accompanying text bashes Poison, hard rock,
the fans and groupies into the dirt! It is an exploitive, uncreative rip
at hard rock from the 80's.
After these subjects were good enough to
allow themselves to be photographed with the idea that they would be used
in paintings and then going and using the pictures to profit by demeaning
them is out and out blasphemy! Helen is horrified that her concept has
been twisted into an exploitive farse and wishes anyone who was photographed
for this to contact her.
This forthcoming book is an "Unlawful Derivative
Work" based on Helen's concept. Legal actions have begun but the press
is unfettered by the launch of this piece of crap.
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