THE SMITHS DEFEAT HUSKER DU!

It was the closet match up in the Temporary Rough Venom Battle of the Classic Bands Tournament. The Smiths would score 15 votes to Husker Du with 14 votes by the midnight deadline. Both bands took the lead several times during a busy day of back and forth commenting and several fans actually sat on the fence and either didn't vote or voted for both, rendering their free voice completely wasted. In the end, The Smiths started something they could finally finish, while Husker Du is stunned and trying to make sense of all the fuss.

The Winners: The Smiths - "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish"

Next week's Wednesday Battle: The Cure vs. Black Sabbath

- Mike C.

The Smiths vs. Husker Du

Today marks the 4th match up in the Temporary Rough Venom Battle of the Classic Bands tournament and it's going to get ugly. This week pits the jangle mope sounds of The Smiths against post-punkers, Husker Du. Vote for the band you think should advance to the next round by leaving a comment here or on facebook. Voting will stop at midnight. Let's get this battle started!

The Smiths

Vs.

Husker Du

May the best band win!

- Mike C.

THE RAMONES DEFEAT DEPECHE MODE!

In the third Temporary Rough Venom Battle of the Classic Bands match up, The Ramones defeat Depeche Mode 16 - 6 in what was considered by most to be a lop-sided contest. In the end, Depeche Mode could just not get enough votes to propel them over punk giants, The Ramones. Wait until the second round when they face another massive punk giant, The Clash. It's going to be a blood bath!

Until then, enjoy this week's winner's song:

Next Wednesday, 9/26: The Ramones vs. The Clash 

Mike C.

Depeche Mode vs. The Ramones!

Here we are for match #3 of the Temporary Rough Venom Classic Battle of the Bands. This week's match up pits electronic synth pop band, Depeche Mode against one of the originators of punk rock, The Ramones. I sense a violent blood bath out of this particular match. Vote for either band in the comments or on my personal facebook post. Voting stops at midnight.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Depeche Mode

Vs.

The Ramones

Mike C.

TRV Battle: SONIC YOUTH DEFEAT THE YARDBIRDS!

Sonic Youth defeat The Yardbirds 13-2 in the second Temporary Rough Venom Battle of the Classic Bands Tournament. Judging from most of the comments, I would have to agree that it's pretty rare that one listens to an entire Yardbirds album. They had some really great hits, but Sonic Youth cultivated a sound and style that stands the test of time. Sorry Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page, but your blues riffs didn't win over music fans in 2012. Sonic Youth will now advance and face Guns & Roses in the second round.

Here's Sonic Youth with "Kool Thing":

Thanks to everyone for participating! The battles will now take place every Wednesday.

- Mike C.

BotCBT: SONIC YOUTH vs. THE YARDBIRDS

It just seems practical and easier to host these battles every Wednesday, so here's the second match up of Temporary Rough Venom's Battle of the Classic Bands Tournament. (See chart for future match ups)

SONIC YOUTH

VS.

THE YARDBIRDS

Vote for which band you think should advance to the second round by leaving a comment with the band name on this blog or on my personal Facebook page.  It might get heated today among music fans. May the best band win!

- Mike C.

BotCBT Update: The Rolling Stones Defeat CCR!

The Rolling Stones defeat Creedence Clearwater Revival in a 12 - 3 vote for the first match up in the Temporary Rough Venom Battle of the Classic Bands Tournament (BotCBT). Mick Jagger slyly tells John Fogerty to get off his cloud and struts his band into round two, where Mick and Keith see themselves up against Page and Plant.

Here is the updated tournament chart:

The next match up happens on Wednesday, September 12th and pits Sonic Youth vs. The Yardbirds. Voting starts when the announcement is made.

- Mike C.

TRV's BATTLE OF THE CLASSIC BANDS 2012

In August, I came up with an idea to pit classic bands against each other in a tournament style single elimination battle to determine the ultimate classic band. I then posted an update on Facebook to ask my friends to nominate 20 bands to enter this tournament to which there were dozens of responses. Today, I filled a tournament bracket randomly with the nominated bands and it's going to be tough to choose between some of the match ups, but that's what makes this battle more interesting. 

A match up will be announced on Temporary Rough Venom every other random day or week and voting takes place all day. A comment posting of your preferred band in the match up will count as a vote. One vote/comment per person. Multiple and/or duplicate votes from the same person will be discarded. A person's first vote will be counted and cannot be changed. Voting stops at midnight Eastern Time of the same day a match up is announced. Comment voting can take place here in the relevant TRV blog posting and on my Facebook. 

Let's kick this battle off right!

The Rolling Stones 

VS.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Vote for either The Rolling Stones or Creedence Clearwater Revival in the comments below or on my Facebook page. All votes will be tallied after Midnight tonight!

May the best band win!

- Mike C.