Welcome to the first round of Last Band Standing, an exciting music tournament that we’re trying for the first time, in which fans like you “coach” artists to victories in a series of Best of Seven series. For a more thorough explanation, check out Guillermo’s intro post.
Tonight we’ll post the first set of match-ups. For those who have participated in previous tournaments, the scoring system is identical- in the comment section, post your scores for each match-up on a ten-point scale (i.e., Song A – 8, Song B – 6). The song with the most total points wins the match-up. You can listen to all the tunes here, and vote until 9pm EST on Wednesday.
Thank you to all eight of our inaugural coaches- GMo (Bruce Springsteen), Dem Adam (Super Furry Animals), Midnight Mike (Rolling Stones), Cristina (The Clash), Grant (David Bowie), Lindsay (Sam Cooke), Adrock (Led Zeppelin), and Aiko (Blondie). One of you will coach the last band standing.
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) vs. Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals)
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) vs. Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash)
Janine (David Bowie) vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke)
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) vs. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie)
Living the Dream 
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) vs. Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) = 7 to 9
Great Rolling Stones tune, never heard it before. But ‘Rudie Can’t Fail’ is ruff and tuff and can’t be denied.
Janine (David Bowie) vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) = 4.5 to 6.5
Bowie will surely represent as the tourney moves on, I just wasn’t so into this song.
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) vs. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) = 6 to 4.5
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) vs. Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) 6.5 to 6
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) vs. Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) 4.8 to 8
The Stones would have an uphill battle for me even if they weren’t going up against the Clash.
Janine (David Bowie) vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) 8 to 5
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) = 6.5
Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) = 6
[I appreciated this more as it went on—jarring coming off on the Boss. However, I am not a fan of the beat or the “squishy” synth bass line. But thought the song structure was cool.]
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) = 7
[You’re playing against the Clash–i.e. hardest match-up first. You’ve got to use all you good songs now. e.g. Sympathy for the Devil, Can’t Always Get What You Want, Wild Horses, Under My Thumb, Beast of Burden… basically the Hot Rocks collection.]
Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) = 9.5
[I mean, the Clash and the Beatles should probably be in their own tournament. You could literally just play London Calling and win this thing.]
Janine (David Bowie) = ## [plan is different album for every Bowie song in this round. Stay tuned]
That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) = ##
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) = 5.0
[Man. I just do not like Zeppelin, except for “The Song Remains the Same”. Would a 26 min version of Dazed and Confused or the seminal 12 minute version of Stairway work well in this type of tourney, since there’s no replay? Not sure… but Page’s guitar sounds dated due to imitation… and lack of delay/reverb, etc.)
Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) = 6.0
[lyrics are fun… it’s fun…enjoyed it 1 point more than Heartbreaker… so 6.]
This is really fun, guys:
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen): # #
Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals): # #
[10th Avenue Freeze-Out goes out to Bicycle Ben, who used to do a sick cover of 10th Avenue at the bar under the Ocean Springs bridge, and has the letters B-O-R-N and 2-R-U-N tattooed on his knuckles. Now there’s some commitment.]
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones): 5.5
Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash): 9.1
Rudie Can’t Fail going this early is a pretty strong statement that Castro ain’t f-ing around. This is kinda the Saints-49ers of the tournament, I’d be surprised if this didn’t go to 6 or 7 games.
Janine (David Bowie): 6.8
That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke): 7.0
Did Bad Company rip off Bowie for the opening riff on “Feel LIke Making Love”? Sounds like it. I liked both of these. Sam Cooke’s gonna be a mood-based vote for me, but I’ll give it here by a hair.
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) 7
Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) 6
One of the best guitar solos of all time for sure. The Blondie song ain’t bad, but gotta give it to Jimmy on this first match. I am looking forward to hearing more new Blondie songs, but this is a tough first rounder. I’d echo Grant’s Stones comments for Blondie versus Zeppelin here though- Aiko may need to flex Atomic/One Way Or Another/Heart of Glass sooner than she wanted, and I think the Game 2 response choice is going to be uber-critical here.
not messing around for sure, but i’m glad i didn’t have to vote in that matchup. i would have given both those songs 10’s. loving cup takes the stones to another level for me.
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) vs. Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals)
7: 6.5
Freezeout kindof bores me after so many listens. Cosmic Trigger starts off with a bang, but kind of trails off. But both are solid.
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) vs. Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash)
9: 8.8
Unlike some of you, I love Loving Cup. It’s one of the best songs on what is probably the Stones best album (give or take Let It Bleed). The same goes for Rudie, of course, which may be the best song on London Calling. This is close, but I’m giving it to Loving Cup by a hair.
Janine (David Bowie) vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke)
6.8: 5.5 Sam is a powerful storyteller, but this wasn’t the best story. If Grant can pull out a win with Janine, it’ll bode well for the rest of the round.
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) vs. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie)
7.7: 7.4
These songs were tied for me going into the last lap, but Heartbreaker ends strong, and Rip Her kind of fades out.
i love loving cup too. i’m rep’ing hard for the Clash but i would have given both these songs 10’s.
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) vs. Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) 8 to 4.5
Not a fair contest for me – even without listening to the songs (which I did for the record), could have predicted the Boss putting on a walloping.
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) vs. Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) 6 to 7
Janine (David Bowie) vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) 7.5 to 7
They can both do better, but this is a great matchup and two very solid songs.
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) vs. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) = 5.5 to 4
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) 5
Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) 6.5
Weirdly, I think I prefer the SFA on this matchup. Didn’t think I’d ever say that.
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) 8
vs. Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) 5.5
I’m with Janos on Loving Cup – actually one of my fave Stones songs. I’m not a massive Clash fan and am not digging Rudie so much.
Janine (David Bowie) 7
vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) 4
I am, however, a gigantic Bowie fan – for me he can do very little wrong even when far from his best. I like the energy of Janine a lot. Side by side, for me this Sam song doesn’t come close to touching it.
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) 4.5
vs. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) 4
When Heartbreaker starts up, I always want it to go to more exciting places. In that sense, it’s always a bit of a disappointment for me. Big Debbie fan but edge to the Zepp on this one.
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) vs. Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) 5.5/6
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) vs. Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) 5/7
Janine (David Bowie) vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke)
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) vs. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) 7/6
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) 7.0
Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) 6.6
Surprised by liking the Super Furry Animals, though they do get a bonus point for having a member with the same name as one of my cousins (Cian)
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) 6
Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) 6.25
Janine (David Bowie) 6.5
That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) 7.0
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) 7.25
Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) 6.75
I can’t say that I love this format. I’m not a huge fan of any of these artists, and I’ve never even heard of Super Furry Animals before. I don’t feel invested in this tournament like I did in previous ones. I even felt more invested when I wasn’t nominating songs. I’ll still listen and vote but sadly I’m not that excited about it. And I was looking forward to the music tournament’s return…
Hey Meghan, in the weeks ahead many more artists will get involved, including your artist (if you so choose). Hopefully you’ll be into the next batch of artists, whether or not you’re coaching. -Nos
Thanks, Janos, I didn’t realize it was going to continue with other bands. I guess I should have read the intro post a little closer! Maybe I’ll get more into these artists more as this round goes on.
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) 6
Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) 6.3
Ahh good to have another tournament again. Enjoyed freeze-out more than i thought I would. Not going to lie, I know zip about the Furry Animals, but am definitely intrigued. Really fun sound.
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) 6.8
Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) 8.5
Wow, amazed this happened in the first round… probably going to be my favorite matchup of the whole tournament. Definitely not my favorite Stones song, but still really good. But in a surprise even to me… just well behind the Clash. Really curious to see how this plays out as I’m a little polarized in my Stones and Clash choices, and probably in a different direction of most of the voters. I could easily wind up handing out lots of 9s and 10s in this one, or 5s just as easily. Looking forward to it either way.
Janine (David Bowie) 5
That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) 4.9
Feels a little too straightforward a Bowie track for me (though multiple listens will probably make it grow on me big time, as with many Bowie tunes). Was going to score this a tie, but in a 7-game series, it just felt like someone should win, and Janine has the edge.
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) ##
Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) ##
No Zeppelin comments, but was new to Rip to Shreds. Cool little synth rocker…really nice call, and tough matchup for Heartbreaker.
1) a- 5 b-5
2) a- 6 b-6
3) a- 5 b-6
4) a- 7 b-4
I have to say- Not many of these songs were very moving to me. I have officially lost my erection.
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) 6
Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) 3.5
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) 3
Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) 5
Janine (David Bowie) 3
That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) 6
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) 7.5
Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) 4
10th Avenue Freeze Out (Bruce Springsteen) 6
Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) 3
Super Furry is the one band/ artist I’d never even heard of but I had to be fair and give this song a good listen. Fun, interesting, but sorry they’re facing a juggernaut in Bruce. I don’t even like 10th Avenue as a Bruce song (maybe I’ve heard it too many times). That said, Bruce wins this round.
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) 6
Rudie Can’t Fail (The Clash) 7
I LOVE the Stones, but head to head against this Clash song it doesn’t come up strong. My take on most of the songs off of Exile are to be listened together, instead of as singles. To me this is the strength of that album. Loving Cup can take me to deep spiritual places, but I just want to hear more off the album, whereas Rudie… well that song makes me want to break shit and dance.
Janine (David Bowie) 3
That’s it, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) 8
Bowie may have become the “Cool White Duke”, but he was still in outer space with “Janine”. Meanwhile Sam can make me happy even when a woman breaks my heart. That man’s voice can make a woman lose her shit. Sex sells. Sam wins round 1.
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) 9
Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) 4
I’m not even going to hide that I absolutely worship Led Zeppelin. I could write a 300 page book about this band (that is if it wasn’t already done 1,000,000 times before me). Whatever, Heartbreaker isn’t even my favorite Zeppelin song, but it wins.
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) vs. Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals)-6/4
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) vs. Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash)-5/5
Janine (David Bowie) vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke)-4/7
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) vs. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie)-5/4
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) – 4
Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) – 5
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) – 7.5
Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash) – 8
Janine (David Bowie) – 7
That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) – 5.5
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) – 7
Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) – 4
0th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) vs. Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals)
7: 6.5
Loving Cup (Rolling Stones) vs. Rudie Can’t Fail (Clash)
7:9
in the flavor of “my single is dropping” is dropping, “rudie can’t fail” can’t fail. on my watch anyway.
Janine (David Bowie) vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke)
7:5 I’m voting for Bowie like it says Heroes there instead of whatever other word that is.
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) vs. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie)
7:7
10th Avenue – 4.0 – Not the Boss’s best work, but then I’m not a fan; kind of repetitive
Cosmic Trigger – 4.0 – also monotomous, esp base line, and not particularly listenable but in some respects more interesting; plus 0.5 for the interesting but threw it away for the 2 minutes of dead air to get to the wimpy punchline
Loving Cup – 6.5 -not bad; pleasant listen; didn’t even mind that Mick has no voice
Rudie Can’t Fail – 6.0 – again, musically more interesting but not much and not as pleasant a listen
Janine – 4.0 – oddity is apt but odd might be a better description; not really worth the listen
That’s It – 7.0 – certainly not his best work but easier to listen to and appreciate
Heartbreaker – 6.0 not a big keeper for me but there is no denying the musicianship and talent here; well above the rest of the crowd even if wasted on some of the audience; has its moments, esp when it softens up a tad
Rip Her – 5.5 – such a waste of talent; blah; less talk and more singing; by the way – how many of you know who Brenda Starr is without a trip to Google?
10th Avenue Freeze-Out (Bruce Springsteen) vs. Keep the Cosmic Trigger Happy (Super Furry Animals) 7/ 6
Janine (David Bowie) vs. That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On (Sam Cooke) 6.5/ 7
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin) vs. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie) 7/6 (no diss to Blondie, but for me this song isn’t all that special… though not bad by any means).