Rock ‘n’ roll’s voice of reason Alice Cooper has weighed in on contemporary music and, long story short, he isn’t impressed. The original shock rocker has taken aim at folk rock acts The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons in particular, failing to see any element of rock within the outfits.
Of course, Cooper isn’t being malicious with his remarks, but rather just trying to figure out how it all adds up “Rock ‘n’ roll isn’t about ‘happy happy happy, everything’s ok, hey we’re The Lumineers, lets clog dance” he begins. “But hey, there’s a place for that. If I wanted to go see a great clog dancing band, I’d go see The Lumineers.”
Woodcore juggernauts Mumford & Sons were the next on his list, as Cooper started off by stating that the band “are great at what they do…but it’s not rock ‘n’ roll. Don’t call it rock ‘n’ roll, that’s an offence to rock ‘n’ roll.”
Cooper then continues to explain how he views today’s modern musicians and why compared to the musicians of his era, the songs we hear are seriously lame.
“I guess they want to be folk rock? They want to look like everybody else? I’m old school when it comes to…if you’re in a band, you’re an outlaw. You don’t play those rules you’re a rock ‘n’ roll outlaw. Doesn’t mean you have to be on drugs, you know.”
The timely advice continues as Cooper offers some commentary on the live appearance of contemporary bands.
“But when you get on stage you don’t play the guitar up here, and it’s not an acoustic guitar. You play the guitar down here. It doesn’t come from your heart; it comes from your gut, from your groin. Rock ‘n’ roll’s played down here, it’s sexual, it’s tribal.”
“Rock bands don’t have accordions, or lutes in them, or flutes. Unless, maybe you’re Jethro Tull.”
Cooper hopes similar acts will separate themselves from the label of rock, which will leave “more for Foo Fighters, more for Green Day, more for the bands that really are rock bands. I don’t understand why everyone’s afraid to be in a rock band…”
Cooper concludes by adding “I don’t want to offend anybody” but it’s probably a little late for that. You can watch the full rant below. It’s so hard to argue with his logic.
Watch: Alice Cooper slams Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers
