Dope leader Edsel Dope, who is also believed to be Static-X’s current frontman, has commented on the use of backing tracks during live shows. He says he believes the argument against it “is based on some stupid purist mentality.”
Dope said the following during a recent appearance on the “Battleline” podcast:
“It’s 2024, man. I’m sorry — I know Foreigner was really cool back in the ’70s, and they probably brought a 16-piece band up on stage with backing singers and frickin’ keyboardists and all these things to make that shit happen. Well, it’s 2024 — you don’t need all that shit anymore. How about this one? Efficiency. How about efficiency for touring? How about we can’t feed 26 people. When [Falling In Reverse’s] Ronnie Radke goes on tour and wants to play one of his hit songs that’s got 52 keyboard lines and a full string section and all of this shit going on, it’s, like, yeah, dude he’s gonna hit a button, and that button is gonna do all the work, because that’s what technology does for you.
I get it if a band is outright just like being a DJ, and there’s no lead vocalist — I get it — but I don’t feel like that’s what that argument [against using backing tracks] is based on. I feel like that argument is based on some stupid purist mentality that’s so dated in its way of thinking and thinks of, like,’ I see four guys on stage, so I only must hear what’s coming out of those four people’s bodies or the instruments, the pieces of wood that they’re holding.’ Like, okay, dude.”
He also doubled down on defending Falling In Reverse’s Ronnie Radke over his backing track controversy:
“You’re going after arguably one of the most talented dudes of our generation. If you think Sebastian Bach is the dude of the ’80s and you go, ‘Man, that guy sings his ass off,’ and you’re right — Sebastian’s so fucking talented. That’s who Ronnie is of the younger generation. The dude’s so fucking talented. He’s like the only dangerous fucking rock star that we have out there right now that just does not give a fuck. He’s uncancelable. He’s everything you should be supporting in the rock and roll community right now instead of, ‘Oh, let’s tear him down’ because he’s evolved his sound into having a very — the most modern that it can be. I mean, dude, it’s like an Eminem song mixed with, like, a fucking Lamb Of God song with incredible melodic vocals on it. He’s just cutting down all the boundaries, blending everything together, and it’s done in a very technological way. And the dude’s not gonna bring 35 people on tour so that he can not have a laptop. Could he play without his laptop? Yeah, I’m sure he could, but who the fuck would wanna hear it? And that’s Ronnie’s point, too. He’s, like, dude, no one wants to hear that. And of course, he makes fun of it, and Ronnie’s a real sensible guy. But I just don’t understand those battles. You’re gonna go after the dude that has literally been doing this now for 15 years and he’s constantly — I love the name of the band, too, Falling In Reverse, because he’s constantly ascended against all odds. That dude is now out there playing amphitheaters, co-headlining with Papa Roach. Do you even acknowledge how big the band is, how many fucking streams, how popular that dude has become? And you’re gonna rip him apart because he not organic enough for you? Come on, dude. You’re just a fucking hater.”
[via Blabbermouth]
Metal Anarchy 
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