Battle of the Bands: John Mellencamp vs Bruce Springsteen

Was listening to American Fool and it dawned on me that John Mellencamp is ‘the boss’ of the Midwest.It’s the music of the farmer, the factory worker, and the band used to light it up in Bloomington so they know how to work a Big Ten crowd. I think in his prime (American fool through Scarecrow” I’d have to go go for the master of Heartland Rock. He was better at writing big choruses a crowd could sing along with.

I have a doctor appointment at 12 o'clock today so lunch will probably be a quick swing through Jimmy John's or something really unsatisfying today.

steveschneider wrote:Was listening to American Fool and it dawned on me that John Mellencamp is ‘the boss’ of the Midwest.It’s the music of the farmer, the factory worker, and the band used to light it up in Bloomington so they know how to work a Big Ten crowd. I think in his prime (American fool through Scarecrow” I’d have to go go for the master of Heartland Rock. He was better at writing big choruses a crowd could sing along with.

Scarecrow is a good record.

Motown Spartan wrote:I have a doctor appointment at 12 o'clock today so lunch will probably be a quick swing through Jimmy John's or something really unsatisfying today.

Jersey Mike's > Jimmy Johns

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

steveschneider wrote:Was listening to American Fool and it dawned on me that John Mellencamp is ‘the boss’ of the Midwest.It’s the music of the farmer, the factory worker, and the band used to light it up in Bloomington so they know how to work a Big Ten crowd. I think in his prime (American fool through Scarecrow” I’d have to go go for the master of Heartland Rock. He was better at writing big choruses a crowd could sing along with.

Scarecrow is a good record.

Do you have American Fool? I think it’s got Robert Sakimano written all over it. Seems like an album that would pair up nicely with a six pack of watery domestic.

NigelUno wrote:

Motown Spartan wrote:I have a doctor appointment at 12 o'clock today so lunch will probably be a quick swing through Jimmy John's or something really unsatisfying today.

Jersey Mike's > Jimmy Johns

I agree 100%. However, I don't have the time to drive 3 hours to the closest Jersey Mike's and still get back in time for my afternoon appointments.

I think my favorite thing about John Mellencamp is Lisa Germano.

steveschneider wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote: Scarecrow is a good record.

Do you have American Fool? I think it’s got Robert Sakimano written all over it. Seems like an album that would pair up nicely with a six pack of watery domestic.

might have it downstairs somewhere. I do have Scarecrow on vinyl.

Along with the entire Springsteen catalog. Somehow I have two copies of a few of his records.

NigelUno wrote:

Motown Spartan wrote:I have a doctor appointment at 12 o'clock today so lunch will probably be a quick swing through Jimmy John's or something really unsatisfying today.

Jersey Mike's > Jimmy Johns

Jersey Giant > both.

also, I can't lie - I kinda like a toasted sandwich from Potbelly, too.

Rick Saunders wrote:I think my favorite thing about John Mellencamp is Lisa Germano.

Do you have an album of hers you’d recommend? I had no idea that Indiana had such a robust music scene back in the 80s. Pretty influential as well. Found a performance of Lou Reed playing with JM’s band back in the 80s in Bloomington. They blew the roof off the place and was a legendary gig. Farm Aid really made some good things happen.

Speaking of Battle of the Bands, Lansing peeps, looks like Grewall Hall is doing one.

https://www.hall224.com/

Keep waiting for a show to jump out at me. Was thinking of going to Verve Pipe... didnt.

they also spent some time together at Bruce's house a year or so ago doing some collaboration. Pretty cool.

while you're waiting in line at Jimmy Johns, Jersey Mike's etc.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:while you're waiting in line at Jimmy Johns, Jersey Mike's etc.

Have a call at 10:30 but I can’t wait to hear this. Thank you!

steveschneider wrote:

Rick Saunders wrote:I think my favorite thing about John Mellencamp is Lisa Germano.

Do you have an album of hers you’d recommend? I had no idea that Indiana had such a robust music scene back in the 80s. Pretty influential as well. Found a performance of Lou Reed playing with JM’s band back in the 80s in Bloomington. They blew the roof off the place and was a legendary gig. Farm Aid really made some good things happen.

I have "On the Way Down from the Moon Palace" and "Happiness" for sure and loved them both back in the day. I haven't listened in years and, alas, really can no longer listen to much music.

steveschneider wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:while you're waiting in line at Jimmy Johns, Jersey Mike's etc.

Have a call at 10:30 but I can’t wait to hear this. Thank you!

Gave it a listen. Glad they are both still doing it and like the mural admiration. Two legends that occupied a similar space in music back in the day. Nice tribute here -

Mellencamp is downgraded 1.48 points in my ratings for being so morose and another 1.61 points for occasionally trying to disown some of early work and much of his early persona. Bruce is upgraded 2.77 points for continuing to produce strong output late in his career.

The other two members of the holy quaternity of major league heartland-sounding rock singer-songwriters are Tom Petty and Bob Seger.

Objectively, I'd rank them like this:

1. Springsteen
2. Petty
3. Seger
4. Mellencamp

Subjectively, I would put Petty ahead of Bruce.

Saw Johnny Cougar in Erickson Kiva....meh

Pervis Muldoon wrote:Mellencamp is downgraded 1.48 points in my ratings for being so morose and another 1.61 points for occasionally trying to disown some of early work and much of his early persona. Bruce is upgraded 2.77 points for continuing to produce strong output late in his career.

The other two members of the holy quaternity of major league heartland-sounding rock singer-songwriters are Tom Petty and Bob Seger.

Objectively, I'd rank them like this:

1. Springsteen
2. Petty
3. Seger
4. Mellencamp

Subjectively, I would put Petty ahead of Bruce.

Yeah, I think JM legacy is clearly the high level he achieved in the 80s. I like the guitar playing on his albums as they had that Rolling Stones style guitar weave going on.

Looking at your list there’s a lot of good music from those artists that pair up well with beer.

Never been a bob seger fan. Too many of my friend's parent worshiped him. (all hourly GM guys)

AvgMSUJoe wrote:Never been a bob seger fan. Too many of my friend's parent worshiped him. (all hourly GM guys)

Some of his songs are too corny and the song Night Moves always creeped me out. I love his coked up high energy live album with the silver bullet band.