"In fact, bands of the recently popular New York New Wave school, such as the Strokes, Interpol or the Killers, would do well to pay attention. When the time comes for their flop album (for the Strokes it already has and for the others it's only a matter of time), one-time fans will be a lot less willing to sit through another haughty, disdainful performance by a singer too shy or bored to interact with the audience. "

A great article on The Darkness and rock n' roll showmanship in Australia's The Age (via Coolfer). While sales of The Darkness' second album, One Way Ticket to Hell and Back fell far short of their debut, their concert attendance has been through the roof.

"In short, the answer is to be a strutting egomaniac, a larger than life showman, supremely confident of the adoration of your audience. Because in a musical climate where one week you're the hottest thing in spandex tights and the next you're washed up hasbeens in, er, spandex tights, the only thing that you can really call your own is your live show. And if you don't cut it as a live band, then you're already yesterday's news. "

This is what I'm talking about! As is mentioned in the article, the record buying populace is more fickle than ever, and growing ever disloyal. The real revenue is in live performances, so musicians don't give it your all in the studio and then drag yourself on stage. It appears you're doing yourself a drastic disservice.