| Re: The Pants Situation’s "The Ugly Man" CD review, by Jesse Locke, January 19-25, 2006.
Seeing as I am neither a journalist nor a rock ’n' roll journalist, I am uncertain about the details surrounding journalistic integrity and objectivity, but I am sure there is some expectation of such, at least in real journalism. However, in your last issue you allowed a slip in the expectation of journalistic integrity in your Music Reviews section.
I am by no means at the forefront of knowledge regarding the Calgary indie music scene, but I do enjoy good shows and have seen a few good local bands, which I rather enjoyed. My musical excursions included a recent outing to The Pants Situation’s CD release show – a very good band and a very good show. I have also become familiar with another Calgary indie heavyweight, Sudden Infant Dance Syndrome, or SIDS. And it was my elementary knowledge of these two bands that sounded alarms in my head when I read this flattering review of The Pants Situation’s latest release, which reviewer Jesse Locke called "the best local release in recent memory."
The problem, if it is really a problem at all, arises when one considers that Locke, who gave this CD a rating of five out of five, indicating it is a seminal record, is a member of SIDS, a band which also has in its membership the lead vocalist and guitarist from The Pants Situation, Brady Kirchner. All indications are that this is neither the most objective or unbiased review. But, then again, all is fair in rock ’n’ roll warfare, and apparently rock ’n’ roll journalism as well.
This shocking revelation is not intended to be an indictment of either band, or either local rock star, or the reporter. Rather, I would like to tip my hat as an acknowledgment to the cunning and guile exhibited by these musicians and journalists. It is truly one of the more brilliant moves I have ever witnessed in the struggle of an indie band to make it just a little further. If musicians gain any advantage by their wits, these bands are going places. Well played my friends, well played indeed!
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