That is a question that many of us are debating right now. Chris is awesome and I like Absent Elements songs but is the muscianship good enough for today's market. Are they good enough to be a high powered band?

I honestly am not sure. I was listening to the first Pearl Jam CD this morning and those guys totally JAMMED!!! Now that was excellent musicianship. Is Absent Element muscianship on par to Pearl Jam's. Right now absolutely not.

I think if that band had better musicianship they would be signed along with Chris like that but they have not been.

Any thoughts of the question?






I think they need more help with timing.

I agree, I may not sound too loyal, but after listening to Chris on american Idol with great musical backup and then the AE album, they have a long way to go to be backup for Chris. They over play him in almost every song. Too bad but its the truth.

Well, Lassie, you were brave enough to say it first. I agree with you. I was trying to make some points on the "concert audio" post about upgrading their equipment, as that I believe has something to do with the quality of the sound itself. However, that being said, I don't think that they (AE) are "there" yet---and, certainly, Chris is. So that's a dilemma for Chris because it involves friendship, loyality, and issues along those lines. However, Chris needs to think of himself and his family first and foremost. People in the industry are certainly astute when it comes to matters such as this to give Chris the right advice. Afterall, it his career that's at stake here.

I think that AE realizes that they may not be signed along with Chris in the end.

as great as chris is...i will be honest and say that his group absent element would NOT fare well on the large market..the american idol band was better than absent element...although it may just be the instruments they are using..but if chris is going to stick with them...i suggest they get timing lessons and better playing skills...or chris' time wont last long:(

chris also may have it but he also hasnt stepped on a stage with 50 thousand screaming fans yet either if he goes on stage with absent element performing like that....people especially in NY where we are the most critcal people of talent...its not a good thing...chris needs to help this group perform at their highest capabilities

If you listen to the musicianship of Pearl Jam (very first CD) and AE there is no comparison. Pearl Jam's musicianship is so much better. I don't know if it is the guitar, base, drums, and/or timing but something needs to improve.

The bottom line is that AE sounds very amateurish. Chris is polished and professional. The contrast is glaring. . .Lassie, I'm so glad you brought this up for discussion--it's important but I can't imagine that the "industry" hasn't brought this to his attention. Or perhaps he already knows this himself. Wonder if he(or anyone close to him like his "cousin" reads this and brings it to his attention. We want Chris to have a successful musical career and for that, he needs, a GREAT band.

Believe me, Chris was probably told exactly that. Chris met with Sony BMG executives with his lawyer Sloane in the last few days in New York (that is why he got the Pearl Jam tickets because Pearl Jam is signed with Clive Davis/BMG). I am sure they didn't mince any words and told him exactly that. They probably told him that he needs a better band for his voice. If he wants to be in a band, the band must be a better set of musicians.

Chris has essentially left his band twice: First for auditioning for rock star and secondly for AI.

It is production or musicianship? I don't know. Has anyone seen Pearl Jam (or any other great alternative rock band) and AE live to compare their musicianship and stage presence?

Any AE fans out there that have seen them live?

Well the guitarist of AE responded to this thread in the AE forum and I LOVE his attitude. He didn't get angry or defensive but basically said that he knows that they need work but I/we are comparing apples to oranges when comparing Pearl Jam (early) who was able to practice a whole lot and who's CD was well produced to AE'S demo tape which was done on essentially one take without production and with a whole lot less practice as a band.

Interesting that AI producers listened to their demo and thought that with practice and production many of the songs could be top 40. I actually agree. I think that "Keep Me Close" and "Conviction" could definitely be top 40 and even top 10.

I like that his position is that they will show that with work, practice, and production they can be on par (if not better) then early Pearl Jam. I love CAN DO spirits!!! (He is the kind of band member I would want in my band).

I would love to know what the professional musicians and arrangers felt about Chris on AI when they were working with him on his performances. Even during the competition I thought to myself (especially during the ROCK numbers) that the band was really into it with him. But no matter how intense the band was, Chris' voice and style was always the main force of the number. That experience and professionalism behind him is what brought out his incredible talent. It's great that Chris wants to be part of a band, but if it's AE they would have to step up to the plate and FAST. Hopefully, if that is what Chris wants, they will have an opportunity to prove themselves to the powers that be. Those "powers" representing Chris are not going to be patient, they know they have a hot property and they are going to want Chris out there ASAP.
I've been listening to Rock bands for over 30 years - the great bands not only have great lead singers/songwriters, but also incredibly talented musicians that can hold their own on stage and who fans also come to hear.
..in a way I hope it works out for Chris and AE.... it's kind of all part of the good guy, good friends thing Chris has going... after all, that's part of what makes Chris so special to so many people.

No hate mail to you Deanna ever!! I agree with you on some points: one of the first being the quality of their equipment or the lack thereof, and then as has been mentioned, their lack of practice as a band. They have to sound tight as a band, and all this takes money and time. I'm sure that they're real good guys if they're part of Chris Daughtry's life. Certainly didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. And, yes, I do love KEEP ME CLOSE. Would have to try to listen again to some of the other tracks because I did have a hard time with them, and this isn't meant to be critical but honest. Hey, maybe I'm just getting old! Didn't mean to ruffle feathers: I knew it was a delicate subject and was kind of surprised when it was brought up. In order for any creative artist to perfect their craft, they must be open to constructive feedback. It's great that their response as noted above was receptive and taken in the right spirit. Can't help but love 'em!!!!!The DAUGHTRY NATION RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really like the way Sterling put it. She's right on the money all around.
They would have to step up to the plate real fast, as striking while the iron is hot is what it's all about. I think maybe that's what has me concerned: the time factor. Now, if they make lots of money from all their merchandise sales, they can maybe quit their day jobs and practice like madmen while Chris is on tour this summer!

Big concern for AE is will SonyBMG wait? I don't know. I am sure that SonyBMG are going to want Chris to start recording music when he gets back from the AI concert tour which is end of September. AE would have to prove to the bigwig executives that they are up to snuff by then or they will NOT be signed with Chris. I hope it works out for them. They seem like a great group of guys that get along well and are supportive to each other.

But in the real world...Is that enough?

Sorry about my hot head. I retracted my post. I know you all are having an intelligent conversation. I just found out that I am very defensive of Absent Element. But like Lassie said, Mark, the guitarist of Absent Element gave a response and it was one class act. You really should go over to AE's website and check it out. What an honest guy with a good sense of humor.

*hugs*kisses*noogies*

I agree Absent Elements is not up topar for Chris ! I hope Chris can see this ?

What a lot of people don't realize is that Absent Element was only created last year. They decided to make a demo cd on their own, just for exposure, without a professional recording studio (that requires a lot of $$). They recorded the cd in three days. They know it's not professional quality. They admit it. If you own the cd you will notice it has booking information listed on it. That's because it was made for publicity, to pass out at local gigs, to get work. It sounds raw because it is raw.

I do like a few songs on the cd...I imagine them remastered, redone, resung, rerecorded - all professionally. I think they have great potential.

I'm not ready to write them off. I'm willing to be patient (the AI tour hasn't even started) and let Chris do his thing. We all know his thing will be a masterpiece.

TO: Absent Element & their original fans

What has been said in this forum is merely constructive criticism from people who care about Chris AND Absent Element, and their success in the music business. Believe me, this is sugar-coated criticism compared with what you'll be getting even when you find success.

Those of you who know Chris and AE personally have to realize the rest of us didn't know about Chris or AE before AI. And after seeing Chris on AI felt he was too good for FUEL !!! So our expectations are very high!

If AE has the same drive and determination that Chris showed during AI, no doubt they can rise to the occasion. And hopefully the "powers that be" want Chris bad enough (and I think they do) that he can get AE the opportunity to prove themselves!

We ARE pulling for ALL of you - we really are !!

I think that AE's issue has less to do with talent than with resources. It is very obvious that the quality of the recording on their CD is quite poor. I'm certain that they would sound great after months in a recording studio; I'm also pretty sure that they would sound good in concert after professionals set up their equipment and made numerous sound checks. In addition, I agree with the previous poster: Keep Me Close and Conviction are definately top 40 material. I put both of them on my brother's MP3 player to take with him to Iraq in anticipation that when he gets back everyone will be talking about Chris Daughtry/Absent Element/Both.

OK--Keep Me Close is great and now having listened to Conviction, it IS very good. Now I just relistened to Mystery and as much as Ed's vocals drive me up a wall, the band sounds real tight. So, without beating a dead horse here, let it be known that we do want the best for both Chris AND AE. Chris' star status has been acknowledged---he's ready to go--the hottest and best singer to come along in a long time--and given all the aforementioned factors AE can only get better, but they would have to do it real fast. . .a major singer needs a major band.

Good luck in Iraq!!!!!

I actually think that "Keep Me Close" and "Convicition" would be in the top 10 on both the Rock charts and the Pop charts even if they are rock songs. They are really good.

PS- Amandarae: Our prayers and wishes to your brother and family during his stay in Iraq. . .

Chris loves his band and his passion and performance will only be heightened with his ability to be with those he has known and trusts as he does with Absent Element. Before going on AI they had already won or placed with any Battle of the Bands they came up against....so they just needed the money for the hi tech equipment and the expert sound mixer that has worked with the various hi tech stuff.

But here is the response by one of the band members himself to all you guys kicking Chris' band....(by the way: If you are a true Chris fan...try having as much faith in his band as you do him...they are one).....:

THE POST ON ABSENT ELEMENT WEBSITE BY ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF AE:


"oh oh oh oh my turn! my turn!!!!

being a part of the band i agree with the guys on mrdaughtry.com

Chris needs a GREAT band to back him up. are we there yet? that remains to be seen. I think we have a lot of work to do - The Cd was recorded after the band was together for a little over a year. Mostly done in single takes, no over dubbing, in less than 3 days. If they are comparing the OLD absent element to the caliber of what people saw on AI then hell yeah we got a lot of work to do - we would have needed a professional recording that cost over 30 grand and 2 months to record the album that would stand up to what people are use to seeing on AI.

Now comparing AI's band to AE is a little bias - all musicians are 30+ with 15 years + playing experience - playing already written songs - Thats easy :-p

but im not defending or attacking anyone - simply saying that i think that the arguments made on mrdaughtry.com are valid but more of scarecrow points. Scarecrow meaning using not equal/level ground points -- comparing early pearl jam to ae is like comparing dolly parton to shania twain - 2 totally different time periods.

If you put AE in the time era of pearl jam - we wouldnt stand a chance - but you put early peral jam to todays standards and they would get lost in the void - styles change and so do tastes -- take pearl jams newest album - terrible.. and i love pearl jam. Take metallica's old stuff and compare it to the new stuff -- now take the name away and just listen to the music --- would you buy it? I wouldn't


I will say this - If america has heard the worst of absent element ... and if thats as bad as it gets - the future looks bright

On a more factual side --- one of the AI producers said to chris after listening to the cd "With a better production, and arranging the songs little, most of these could be top 40 hits" --

so dont let 4 peoples opinions worry you too much (i had to go back and count the number of different people that posted.)

Ill take that as motivation to rock their faces off - there are ton of people out there that also thought that chris was not a good singer and that he didnt deserve to be in the top 10 -- opinions are like rear-ends -- everybody's got one and most of them stink!

Rock on"................................

I hope you won't mind my putting my two cents worth in. Chris has a great future ahead of him and perhaps AE does as well. But, and this is a big but, if AE doesn't come up to speed asap, and Chris is determined to stay with them, he will lose and so will they. If they are great friends of Chris's, and it appears that they are, they will not stand in his way. While they let him go ahead, they could be upgrading and perfecting their own skills. I am sure Chris will not only be willing to help, but will actually be in a better financial position to do so. If they are any good, I mean really good professionally, and you all say they are, then with the right musical and technical equipment, it shouldn't take them very long to be one of the best, if not the best, in the business. I trust I haven't offended anyone by saying this. It's just that I want the best for Chris, and for AE as well.

Thanks for posting this response from an AE bandmember (Mark?), FayStarr. First, let me say that there were posts from 8 not 4 different fans--and these are the bravest of the brave, let me tell you. It wasn't easy to voice what amounted to "constructive criticism"---but although the AE spokesperson starts out accepting it with grace, his closing words sound bitter. Sorry. We all realize that their sound is raw, due to lack of equipment, production, etc etc. What I responded to mostly was hearing them perform with Chris at the homecoming. As he says at the start of his letter, time will tell whether time is on their side: we're ALL
rooting for them, can't they hear what is between the lines?? We just hope that time is on their side, that's all.

Edorothyb--glad you put your 2 cents in. Well said.

The one thing I disagree with the AE guitarist about is what he said about early Pearl Jam. If we have never heard of early Pearl Jam but they had released their stuff today, I think it would definitely be a hit!! That stuff is timeless rock!!!

Well, Lassie, I hope we didn't do something irreversible here. I can't pull up the 'absentelement website'---at all right now. Oh, my nerves.

Well, from the perspective of AE this discussion must have been UNINVITED LIKE THE CLOUDS( a song by The Churches), or this is a very weird coincidence. I've tried a couple of times now, and this is the first time ever I've been unable to pull up their site.

Deanna, do you have a hotline to these guys? What's going on?????

I thought Absent Element rocked at the homecoming, I was there and Chris and the band were amazing.

That's great to hear. The little clip shown on the Fox newscast, I guess, didn't do them justice. Oh well, I hate hurting people's feelings and these just aren't any people. They're Chris Daughtry's people. Talk about guilt. When the website is up and running maybe we could hear from the spokesperson/ Mark or maybe Chris himself!!!!! Wouldn't that be something. I know he's home this week before he has to once again return to LA. Boy, I sure do ask for alot!

I am so glad you posted that!....I have tried to restore my pc 3 times to get on Absent Element....Aw....the time lost just booting and rebooting trying to get that website...thought for sure my pc was busted big time.....!!!!!

Or are we black-listed?????I'm getting paranoid



I don't think he is home....according to the white haired, white bearded fellow at the stadium ...he and Deanna left immediately after the show and I think he said rushed to the airport to go on vacation and he said they may just fly directly from vacation to NY when the vacation is over... I shink I dot dat alwhite wot hesh shed.

Bitter?...eh???? I thought it was rather restrained actually!...I may not know rock music but I know rockers and these guys are rockers....and some I have known never needed security to take care of hecklers...they would come off the podium themselves with fist flying....or so did a relative of mine back in the 70's...He was 6'3", 275 lbs, 18" neck...sang like the guy from Blood, Sweat, and Tears, ...played all the Led Zepplin music , etc...and he was known to stop any heckling in an audience himself. The first week after he became a Christian I was riding with him and he got turned around with his car in the wrong direction ...a bunch of tattooed, rough looking guys were standing near and began cursing, etc....he slammed on the brakes, got out of the car ...ran over to the biggest roughest one of all ..literally grabbed him up in the air, and just glared at him....then gently put him down, straightened the guys clothes, put his hand on his shoulder and said.."Aren't you lucky I got saved????"

Don't mess with rockers....even Christian ones...cause they are like handling a tamed lion!!!!!

Well, thank the lord the AE website is up and running! It was down for a couple of hours and I WAS starting to feel somewhat paranoid. Goes to show you how I was raised!

And Faystarr, I wouldn't exactly categorize what I thought was basically an intelligent FAN discussion as us as "hecklers." I thought there was kindness and genuine caring running throughout all the posts. Although, it couldn't have been too easy on AE to swallow--basically, I thought the band's spokesperson's response was very civilized, all things considered. You know, him being a rocker and all! It was just that he saved that one zinger for last!

Judgments, subjective opinions and comparisons are, how shall I put it, rather odious, but they're inescapable. Who knows? we might have done AE a real service by preparing them for the "real" world of the music industry type of business itself which must be a real ba**breaker.

Being one who has also had some questions as to whether the AE members as they are now are up to par with what's in the industry, I'm glad to see this discussion here. As someone already said upthread, this is nothing compared to the type of comments they will attract even if the band does take off. I understand lack of practice time, etc., but WHY they may not be industry-ready isn't going to matter to record executives who only care about where they are right now, no matter the reason.

The "spokesperson" you all are talking about is the guitarist.

When he responded to the post there were only 4 people that had responded.

That's what is bad about reading responses....one can take it as anger when it is not said nor even thought with an anger tone.....But the words really riled the fans over at Absent Element....so lock your doors! Someone over there might let a few of them out of their cages...All these Chrisoholics needing their Chris fix since AI ended!....

"So as Mark with Absent Element stated: 'On a more factual side --- one of the AI producers said to chris after listening to the cd "With a better production, and arranging the songs little, most of these could be top 40 hits" --

I'm sure that they have that nugget to hold onto so we can stand with them believing all will be well and good for the future of AE also!

After listening to the CD, I thought AE was OK. The mix could be better, but that comes with more expensive production. The one thing I noticed is that AE don't know HOW TO END A SONG. Every song goes way past its natural ending point and kind of repeats itself over and over. Good bands know how and when to end a song without wearing out its welcome. It will come with practice.

I can not believe what I am reading in this thread...... People comparing a professionally produced , digitally mastered Pearl Jam CD to a Demo, probably recorded in someones garage. Give me a f**king Break! You people are asking if AE is good enough , well don't expect to hear from Chris on this because you are BASHING his friends ... MORONS !!!

Chris will make up his mind after he finishes his contractual responsibilities with AI not before. You people drive me nuts ! I have sat and read this site for two months and heard people say that, Chris is "too good" for AI.... How the hell do you people think you even know his name ?

As Far as AE goes, for a part time band, that probably practices once a week and plays in local and/or regional shows, they are F**KING AWESOME ! If they had a couple hundred grand to produce an album out of their own pockets then we would not be having this conversation. The fans on the AE site should be pissed, you are disrespecting a group of guys that they have come to love as a BAND that includes Chris. Don't forget when you are talking SHIT about AE you are BASHING Chris' friends and to some extent Chris himself ..... EARTH TO THE DAUGHTRY NATION COME BACK TO REALITY.

If you people had any sense, you would realize that you are bashing other folks who like Chris and probably voted for him in the process.People who will probably buy Chris' album whether he is with AE or not. What kind of loser, fair weather fans are you that you bash your mans band on the basis of a self produced demo HOW F**KIN WEAK IS THAT!!!

You people should go back to making Chris the "sexiest man alive" and leave the music to people that actually can play.

Like someone had stated before--(and I'm not sure who it was... nor do I feel like going back to find it... but props to whoever it was that said it... props, indeed)--there is an extremely large gap between the quality of the music based upon the equipment and then based upon the talent.

Now, personally, I believe AE has the talent. No question. Honestly, don't even ask me about it, because I'll give you the same answer. No. Bloody. Question.

Equipment wise? Maybe they don't have everything they need, and maybe they don't have top-notch yadda yadda yadda. But frankly, it doesn't make a difference to me.

To be completely honest, I'd be a pig in shit if I could play a fraction as good as they play. A fraction of a fraction.

So, to answer your question, I completely believe that the musicianship is good enough. I also believe it can get better, but then again, what can't?

My turn.............. I've listened to a LOT of live music, seen a LOT of live concerts from platinum and multi-platinum artists, and heard a WHOLE lot of CDs made and produced quickly like the AE CD "Uprooted" was. Can they make it? YES!

You're comparing a rough cut, unproduced, 3 day production to Pearl Jam's first CD? Mark is right, apples, oranges.... hell wrong ORCHARD people.

Absent Element doesn't need to "get up to speed", or "step up to the plate".... they're already there. The ONLY thing this band needs to be great is a great producer who recognizes the great points in their music, re-arranges a bit... and better equipment.

PERIOD!!!!! You can not go listen to any CD you got from a signed band and compare it to Absent Element. For anyone that wants to compare apples to apples, go find me the 3 days in the shitty local recording studio version of that multi-platinum band and let's play that. Then I'll compare all day with you.

Well, Mark, if you're still reading this or understandably have tuned it all out completely, please please realize that the input was meant as constructive and, hopefully, as a motivator. You yourself said that you found much of what was said as 'valid.' THe more I write and respond to all of this, the worse I feel. Really.

I know you guys are young and listen to groups that I, frankly, (dare I confess?) never heard of such as Fuel or Live until Chris came along. And, some people (Rolling Stone magazine) even question Chris' taste in music! In my day, the best R&R band was considered to be The Rolling Stones. Just listen to the musical intro of GIMMEE SHELTER and maybe you'll hear what I think, if I can speak for the others, the points some of us have been trying to make. Actually, I agree with you about Pearl Jam--at least from the few tracks I've heard on the radio. Now up here in Philly and on the radio station I listen to, a group called MY MORNING JACKET is immensely popular. They have more of a 60's sound. So, that's the way it goes with anything creative. Different people have different likes and dislikes.

Some points here I hope have been helpful ---I know that not one person here means any ill-will at all. We're all rooting for you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel terrible that the input might have sounded like heckling or bashing. That is awful and would be mean-spirited. No one meant to do any harm. And, you know what, when it comes right down to it, I hope you and AE make us nay-sayers eat our words. . .

I love A/E Cd. Think they are great. Definitely could be more polished with a professional setting but I['m listening to the music and sound. It works for me....love it!

Hey Deanna: maybe you can RETRACT this whole damn discussion.

I think they are great too. It's like what was stated earlier. Their CD is more of a demo not an actual studio recording. They will sound fantastic. I listen to them all the time lol

Like Simon said on AI, Chris is a guy who refuses to compromise. He's taking a big risk doing it on his own, but it's HIS life and dreams, and props to him for not taking the safe way. With a professional production and recording team, AE will be awesome. From what I've heard already, I'd buy the cds as soon as they hit the shelves. Chris has got the magic.

I think that that's a GREAT note to end on. . .

good way of putting it lol