Rock for the Road

When someone comes into a dealership looking for a new car, it is very likely that person will ask what kind of stereo system a car has.  Now, it’s not a necessity that a car should have a good stereo system, however, what’s the point of having a car without, at least, a decent sound system.  That wasn’t a question if anyone was wondering.  So now that you have a sound system that is equip enough for your model car, what are you going to play on it?  Most cars these days will have CD players in them, so we know that quality sound can come out of most cars.  However, some cars on the road are able to play iPod’s or mp3 players, so we also know that some cars will have a wide selection of music to scroll through.  Whichever profile fits you best, the question still stands, what to play?

Now, I want to specify something for those of you who are wondering.  I’m not talking about how loud your stereo system can get or how frightened you can make the person in the car next to you at the stop light.  In my opinion, I don’t need to hear music from someone else’s car on the road, nor do those people need to hear mine.  However, if I want to listen to my music really loud, I can do so with the windows up.  Make a rule that if you can’t hear normal road noise, (i.e. emergency vehicles, brakes screeching, semi’s clutching) your stereo is too loud.  Also, I don’t need to hear you rapping in your car either.  Most people sing in their cars, but their reason for doing so is because their voice blends into the music enough so they don’t have to hear themselves sing a cappella.  It’s for their own good and ours too.  So if you think you’re a great singer, then sing great on stage and not into my car.

Well that was a nice side note, now back to my point.  Ah yes, great songs on the road.  I know there are great songs for each genre, but I’m going to focus on rock, because to me, these kind of songs have better remembrance for when and where you hear them and the adrenaline level for them is higher, which is sometimes good for on the road.  Naturally, most songs that are in racing games are good songs for being on the road.  But instead of saying what are the best songs to play on the road, because everyone has their own opinion, lets just say, what are the best bands to play?

Two come to mind almost immediately, Metallica and AC/DC.  Of course Metallica…Fuel, Turn the Page, Master of Puppets…the list goes on.  Do I even have to explain AC/DC?  Fine I will in one word, Thunderstruck.  Now, I don’t want keep naming bands that are always played on every rock radio station in the nation.  If that would be the case, I would have to say Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, and what’s wrong with a little Pantera too.  Nothing that’s what.  But for me, I’d have to stray away from the norm of traditional rock.

So here are my favorite bands to listen to on the road and the reasons why.  If you disagree, please leave a comment with your list.  Maybe you can introduce me to some other bands with better road talent.

Alice In Chains: This music can be played anywhere and still be as great as it was meant to be, why not the road too.
Guns N’ Roses: I don’t need to explain, but I do need to say that their new stuff is awesome.  Might be a little ahead of its time, but fans will come around.
Iron Maiden: These guys have too many classics not to be a road feature.  If you haven’t played the Maiden on the road, I suggest “The Trooper” for starters.
Linkin Park: I’ve kind of pushed away from these guys after their latest album, but their early stuff still isn’t bad.
Stone Temple Pilots: Seems like this music was meant for the road.
Wild Card - 3 Doors Down: These guys started to move into my collection by listening to them on the road from La Crosse to Madison.  They remind me of that time and I most likely will have them in a playlist on long trips.

Mardi Gras is coming soon!  I’ll be playing a gig in Winona on Fat Tuesday, February 24th at Ed’s no name bar (252 E 3rd St).  I’ll be sitting in with my former band, the Dixie Midnight Runners (DMR).  I’ll play during their first set from 10-11 p.m.  Come down and enjoy what is the best Mardi Gras celebration in Winona.