Oh Noes!: The Hold Steady Disses Radiohead

What kind of motherfuckery is this? The motherfuckery that says I have to choose between two of my favorite groups, that's what. In a recent interview, Hold Steady guitarist Tad Kubler dissed Radiohead and their music. Regarding In Rainbows, the Kub says:

I think they've lost the plot. What are they doing? Where are they going? What's happening? I don't get it any more. They lost me. I still appreciate what they're doing, or what they're trying to do. But I think they're trying too hard not to be Radiohead. That seems a little ridiculous to me.

Strange assessment, considering that, in the context of Radiohead's oeuvre, In Rainbows, while not exactly conventional, is certainly their warmest and most optimistic-sounding album they've put out in quite some time. As far as the music is concerned, Kubler says this:

I like them as a rock band, all the buttons and sequencing and stuff like that I don't really care for. I'm a fan of rock music and what they're doing now I don't think is very good. When you have that kind of money, you can put on a great performance regardless of what you do. If you can't go out and pick up your instruments and play a good show, that doesn't do it for me. I don't have any interest in that

Now, I'm sure the man's been quite busy holding steady for various people's in various nations. But, couldn't he at least make the time to listen to "Reckoner"? Or the Beatles-aping "Faust Arp"? Certainly, he'd have heard something more "rock" in that material. Even the contemplative "House of Cards" is pretty straightforward.

Here's where it gets really strange:

The guitarist has been exclusively talking to BBC 6 Music about his thoughts on the UK music industry, and in the interview he didn't hold back when it came to the 'Creep' artists.

Muse also came under fire, but he couldn't speak highly enough about Mancunian rockers Oasis.

(head explodes)

So, whose side are you on?

Radiohead MySpace Page
The Hold Steady MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)