Twisted Sister’s Trick to Keep Fans from Leaving During New Song Performances
The Legacy Act Dilemma
As a legacy act, Twisted Sister faced a common challenge: their fans loved their classic hits, but the band wanted to play new songs. In a recent episode of "Let There Be Talk," guitarist Jay Jay French discussed the band’s solution to this problem.
The "Piss Song" Solution
French explained that when Twisted Sister recorded a new song called "30," they started playing it live. However, fans would often get up and leave the venue to use the restroom or grab a drink. To combat this, lead singer Dee Snider would announce that the band would be playing a new song, and then give fans a countdown warning: "We’re three songs away from the piss song… two songs away…"
Snider would then embarrass fans who tried to leave, making them feel like they didn’t want to look like "schmucks" by getting up and leaving. This tactic worked, and fans stayed to listen to the new song.
Bob Dylan: The Anti-Legacy Act
French also discussed his thoughts on Bob Dylan, who refuses to play his classic songs in their original form. French called Dylan "indecipherably bad" and said that the average fan doesn’t care about his esoteric approach to music. They want to hear songs like "Blowin’ in the Wind" and "Like a Rolling Stone" in their original form, not some experimental interpretation.
The Importance of Connection with Fans
French emphasized the importance of connecting with fans and understanding their expectations. As a legacy act, Twisted Sister had to find a way to balance their desire to play new music with their fans’ love for their classic hits. By using the "piss song" solution, they were able to keep fans engaged and interested in their new music.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Twisted Sister’s "piss song" solution is a clever way to keep fans engaged and interested in new music. By understanding the expectations of their fans and finding ways to connect with them, legacy acts can continue to thrive and produce new music that resonates with their audience.
FAQs
Q: Why did Twisted Sister’s fans leave during new song performances?
A: Fans would often get up and leave the venue to use the restroom or grab a drink when Twisted Sister played new songs.
Q: How did Twisted Sister solve this problem?
A: Lead singer Dee Snider would announce that the band would be playing a new song and then give fans a countdown warning, embarrassing those who tried to leave.
Q: What does Jay Jay French think of Bob Dylan’s approach to music?
A: French calls Dylan "indecipherably bad" and says that the average fan doesn’t care about his esoteric approach to music. They want to hear songs like "Blowin’ in the Wind" and "Like a Rolling Stone" in their original form.
Q: Why is it important for legacy acts to connect with their fans?
A: Legacy acts need to understand their fans’ expectations and find ways to connect with them in order to continue producing new music that resonates with their audience.
