Original AC/DC singer, Dave Evans recently reflected on the evolution of the rock music scene. In an interview featured on Heavy Interviews, he commented on the differences between the industry then and now.
Former AC/DC singer criticizes young bands
When asked about the biggest differences between the rock scene of his early days and the current landscape, the former AC/DC singer outlined how the competitive nature and diversity of the past have given way to conformity in modern music.
“Well, there was a lot more bands back in those days and we didn’t have the internet and everybody went out,” Evans explained.
“No one stuck around at home. We all were out everywhere and there was so many bands, millions of bands, different types of bands, all trying to get a record deal because there wasn’t many record labels, hardly any in those days. So if you signed, you were like touched by God. Overnight. You were a God overnight.”
Evans said that the competitive environment of the era led the bands to differentiate themselves.
“It was competitive, really competitive, and you had to be different. Every band had to have its own gimmick. That’s it. Stand out from the other lot, the music as well and it was diverse,” he said.
The original AC/DC singer expressed concern about the current state of the industry. He attributed the lack of diversity to record label control.
“Now, just all the guys that live at home with their mom and dad a lot of them, you know, that it’s not exciting. And the record labels these days, they’ve got control again and all the bands sound the same, you know, they want a sameness,” he stated.
“So right now, the record labels, there’s millions of them out there, whatever they’re dictating to the bands what they want and so you’re conforming to what the bands want, the record labels want. Like it was in the ’50s. A lot of the time, the eyes all sort of looked the same and did the same thing and they had songwriters for them. They didn’t write their own songs.”
Taylor Momsen on gender double standards
Meanwhile, Taylor Momsen has addressed the topic of gender double standards in the music industry during an interview on Call Her Daddy.
She shared an honest perspective on her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field. When asked about the double standards she has faced in the rock and music industry, Momsen explained that she takes a different approach than many of her peers.
Instead of concentrating on gender-based challenges, she emphasizes her dedication to competing based solely on merit.
“I’ll be honest. It’s probably an unpopular answer. I get asked a lot what it’s like to be a woman in rock and roll and a woman in music and the double standards. And while yes, it exists, I kind of don’t look at it that way,” Momsen said. “I kind of live in my own world, my own mental bubble. I look at it like music is music, good music is good music, gender doesn’t really matter, and most music’s crap.”
Momsen further elaborated on how gender-based comparisons in the industry can be limiting. Such categorizations prevent a fuller evaluation of talent across the board.
“I want to compete with the best people. The thing with being a woman in the music industry is that you get compared to women in the music industry,” she explained. “There’s a lot of amazing women, which is not a bad thing. However, you’re cutting out an entire sect of musicians and not even putting those two next to each other because of a gender thing.”
Momsen concluded: “It doesn’t affect what I’m doing at all. I own my femininity and I love being a woman most of the time. You just have to look at it like you don’t let it affect what you’re doing.”
