BOC Buck, Capt Solo?

[John A Swartz]

I spake thusly:

>> The band has never, to my
> knowlege actively promoted themselves as "featuring Albert Bouchard,
> formerly of Blue Oyster Cult"

to which Chip replied:

>        ...well, this isn't true.  I hung about 50 posters around town
        that said almost exactly what you've written above.

        Personally, I don't see anything wrong with it.  We all like to
        have some guidance when it comes to picking music and tBS aren't
        really divorced from the BOC sound (for OBVIOUS reasons).  While
        Al certainly doesn't, um, beat his own drum in this regard, he
        isn't (and shouldn't) hesitant to do so either.

        I've also seen Deb listed with previous band and writing
        references.


Well, ya got me - gee, and I think I have a copy of this poster too!

I'd forgotten the reference, but I really was trying to address the idea
that the band was advertised as "Albert Bouchard and the Brain Surgeons",
and later "The Brain Surgeons, featuring Albert Bouchard" - I had
forgotten that there was some mention of Albert and his BOC days.

I don't see anything wrong with using Al's past to tBS advantage - my
point was that the band really for the most part didn't actively do so.
And my point in the "can Buck do what Al did" comment that I made is that
Albert is far enough removed from BOC these days that he has even less
an association with them these days - meaning a lot of people are not
going to recognize the Al/BOC connections (sure, all the diehard BOC fans
will).  My suspicion from talking with the band and reading things that
Al and Deb have said is that tBS as a band are looking to forge their
own identity (despite similarities in musical style due to Al's songwriting)
and not ride Al's coattails (or his tux shirt ;-) ).  I see no problem
in them exploiting Al's past if they can, although I think they'd rather
not play up that angle.  They of course do some BOC songs, but basically
for 2 reasons: 1) to acknowlege the fans of Al's former work and 2) because
the songs are good.  I don't think they play "Cities on Flame", for
example, so that everyone will immediately think of BOC, but of a great
song that Al wrote.

O.K., I'm starting to ramble...I'm going home and study my tBS flyers
and posters more carefully!  ;-)

John