Halestorm on rappers: "everyone wants to be a rock star"

Back in December, Bring Me The Horizon frontman Oli Sykes commented on the current state of rock music, stating that rappers were “almost the new rock ‘n’ roll.” Now, Halestorm vocalist Lzzy Hale and guitarist Joe Hottinger are chiming in with their thoughts on being a “rock star.”

Check it out below!

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“Rappers are almost the new rock ‘n’ roll or punk or whatever,” Sykes previously said. “Rock’s gone soft, it’s gone miserable and boring, there’s not really much exciting about it.”

In an interview with Kaaos TV, Hale and Hottinger were asked their thoughts on Sykes’ comments.

“I don’t know,” Hale says. “I think personally, whether you’re a rap star, a pop star or a country star, everybody wants to be a rock star. It doesn’t mean you are. But…”

Hottinger chimes in, “It depends on your definition of a rock star, too. They definitely make more money. Rock is a little underground right now, which I love it. We’re down here simmering, and there’s some really cool music happening, and [there are] fans all over the world that stick with you forever, [whereas] these pop things happen and it’s vapid. A band goes up and it comes down real fast ’cause people just move on to the next thing.

It’s the only way we’ve ever known,” he continued. “We weren’t operating in a time like the ’80s and ’90s when rock was at the top of the charts and [was] the biggest thing happening. Now it’s… it has been — whatever. All the money is over there, and that’s fine. They can have it. We have a really cool thing going on here in rock and roll, and I like it.”

The Halestorm vocalist goes on to share how she believes people go to rock shows for the experience, rather than just to have something to do on a Saturday night.

“They’re not there to show off their cute outfits and take selfies; they’re there because it’s a part of their life,” she said. “And some of these kids primally need to be there to make themselves feel like they belong somewhere. And I think that that’s powerful. So we’re very proud of that.”

She adds, “Like I said, everybody wants to wear the leather jacket and be a rock star, but, really, the truth is that unless you’re underground with us, you’re probably not. [Laughs.]”

You can watch the full interview below.

https://youtu.be/5wk6wG8Bbcw

Earlier this month, Sykes changed his opinion on rock music after the band’s performance at All Points East.

The vocalist delivered an emotional speech before performing an acoustic rendition of “Sleepwalking” where he proclaimed “rock is alive.”

“A few months ago I said rock was a load of shite. This festival has shown me I was wrong. I don’t know what I was fucking talking about. Rock is alive,” says Sykes.

What are your opinions on the current state of rock music? Do you agree with Halestorm? Sound off your thoughts in the comments below!

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