Letters to the Editor - DuPage County

Today's rock music hits a sour note

To those about to rock ... what happened?

Where did everything go wrong? Why is it that local music nowadays is absolutely intolerable?

Why is it that this "Post-Hardcore" genre is taking over local scenes and leaving any other genre in the dust?

When did local music become a clique?

At the age of 19, I feel like an old man in the '50s when rock and roll came around: "Those darn whippersnappers playin' that loud music and hurtin' my ears."

The only problem is that I'm not the only 19-year-old codger.

There are so many people out there who wouldn't be caught dead at a local show because of the awful screaming and repetitive metal breakdowns.

Not to mention, if you're not dressed in their style, you look completely out of place.

It wasn't always like this. I remember attending shows in my own town and being introduced to enjoyable bands around the area.

There wasn't a fashion. Everyone went as themselves. Some bands were political, some were funny, some were punk rock, some were jam bands, some were metal, some were emo, some were hardcore, some were pop. Nevertheless, there was a variety.

This new type of music is completely non-universal in its audience and has produced a clique.

I urge all those who stand up for vocal melodies and rock and roll to break this trend. Start a band to give listeners a break. Let's try to eventually get rid of this screaming.

Most these kids aren't even screaming about anything. If they are protesting, I'm completely missing it. So what's the point of putting up with any of this awful noise?

Whatever these intolerable screaming bands are protesting, I think I want to support it.

Kyle Tasch

Roselle

Roskam in shadow of Henry Hyde

The Daily Herald reports (Stacy St. Clair, July 7 and Saturday Soapbox, July 14) that Rep. Peter Roskam is "tight-lipped" concerning the president's commutation of Lewis "Scooter" Libby's prison sentence.

In contrast, Roskam's predecessor, former 6th District Rep. Henry Hyde, who managed President Clinton's impeachment proceedings, was adamant in proclaiming that we are a nation of laws, and that nobody, regardless of status or position, is above the law.

Thus, though Hyde has not spoken out, it is surely safe to assume that he is appalled by the president's action.

Upon announcing his candidacy for U.S. House, Rep. Roskam said that he could not fill Hyde's shoes, "but would be happy to walk in his shadow" (Daily Herald, May 17, 2005).

Therefore, it seems somewhat surprising that Rep. Roskam was not quick to condemn the president for overruling a prison sentence imposed by the judge (whom Bush had appointed).

That is, it seems surprising until one recognizes that, when exposed to more than one bright light, a person can cast more than one shadow.

During the illuminating congressional hearings on the Iran-Contra Affair, Rep. Hyde was a leading defender of the numerous illegal acts perpetrated by operatives of the Reagan administration.

Thus, clearly, Henry Hyde has cast two shadows regarding the rule of law.

Unless we hear from him that he is shocked and dismayed by President Bush's apparent disdain for the American justice system, it would appear that Rep. Roskam has chosen to walk in the darker of Mr. Hyde's shadows.

Donald G. Westlake

Wheaton