Why Brent Smith Rocks Harder (and hotter) Than Johnny Depp

 

 

 

 

       I know I’m really putting myself on the chopping block here by stating a rather unpopular, unheard-of opinion about the much-loved, much-drooled-over celebrity that is Johnny Depp. But before you start sending me hate mail or I-wish-you-would-die messages, please keep in mind, Depp-heads, that this is only my opinion.

        Now I’m very aware that I’m one of the few who fail to see what’s so great about Mr. Depp. I’m pretty sure I’ve been of this two percentile for quite some time but was never able to put my finger on why.

        Until now.

        Please refer to the photos above.

On the left, we have a black-and-white image of Brent Smith, the lead singer to Shinedown. In the photo on the right, we have an image of aforementioned actor, Johnny Depp.

        By now I think you can guess which one I would pick to have a beer with.

        All hail…

        Brent Smith.

Before you start lobbing your shoes at me, allow me to explain…that is, if you’re still reading this post instead of closing it in disgust, muttering, “Girl’s flat-out, out of her mind,” I would like to draw your attention to three categories in which comparisons can be made between these two gentlemen. Now I realize, one’s a singer and one’s an actor. They both travel in different circles, they’re involved in different things but I just want to emphasize the point that there are truly more awesome, humble people out there than Johnny. So let’s begin, shall we?

First category: looks.

There is no contest here. Brent is H-O-T even with the nose ring. Perhaps it’s the strong jawline covered in stubble, the tattoos (yes, there are quite a few them) or the deep, hooded eyes that are, if you’re curious, a mix of gray and blue. Simply put—he has that careless way of putting himself together without even trying. I get the feeling Depp on the other hand (hang on a minute while I get my shoe-blocking shield) tries way too hard. Did you see him on Letterman the other week? I was so busy counting the scarves that were hanging off him that I couldn't pay attention to what he was actually saying. It was just layers and layers of stuff---shirts, jewelry, and those damn scarves. And let’s not forget the hat. You could easily walk by him on the street and mistake him for a homeless person. I mean, how much money does this guy make? Is he really telling the world that he doesn’t care? Or that he’s too lazy to care? Or that he just takes himself waaaaay too seriously? You be the judge because I have a feeling that not many of you are enjoying my judgment right now.

        Second category: Professions.

Okay, yeah, they’re both in different professions. But Depp has been known to get on stage and “rock out” with the likes of The Black Keys and Aerosmith. A pretty stiff rock-out but a rock-out all the same. Hell, if it wasn’t for the hat, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between him and Steven Tyler. It’s pretty obvious that music is not his first passion. Acting is, so he might need to stick to what he knows best. Brent knows exactly where he belongs---on-stage, belting out relentless, hard-driving music that’s both powerful and haunting. I can only hope that he doesn’t get bitten by the acting bug. I find it extremely aggravating when musicians try to be actors and actors try to be musicians. I mean, really, have you ever seen Mariah Carey in Glitter?

        I thought so. I rest my case.

        Third and last category: interviews.

From the word go, Brent knows how to say something real. He knows where he’s at, what he’s doing and you feel like he actually gives a s***. Maybe it’s from his years of being addicted to drugs and alcohol. Maybe it’s from the hard work it takes to stay clean. Or maybe he simply appreciates what he’s been given. It’s a long road and you need to make the best of it. From Depp, I get the feeling that he works hard at not giving a s***. He looks for the right, smart-sounding words in his interviews that will make him sound, well, smart. He’s the ultimate artist, isn’t he? Looking like he doesn’t care about his appearance, sounding like he doesn’t care about his success and how he got there. He even lives like he doesn’t care, out in France, away from the “Hollywood-ness” of it all. But he doesn’t mind taking the Hollywood money, does he?

        I think the point of this post is that Depp simply annoys me. He’s given such opportunity, such choices and he just doesn’t seem to care about any of it. Brent Smith and the boys of Shinedown seem to be the exact opposite, giving their fans their all at every concert, every appearance and there’s Johnny Depp, slouching around in the background, smoking clove cigarettes, draped in scarves, trying to be Mr. Anti-Hollywood and complaining that having his picture taken is “like being raped.”

        Ugh.

Spare me the over-sensitive actor, please. I prefer someone a little bit more appreciative for what he has.

 

Cheers!

 

       



 

Obsession at the moment....

 

So it's been quite a number of years since the Calvin & Hobbes comic strip ceased productions, which, I have to say, was a very sad time. Not a day had gone by when I didn't flip open the newspaper to find out what kind of trouble Calvin was getting into at school or at the dinner table or just how far his sneakers would fly off his feet when Hobbes pounced on him, stealthy stuffed tiger that he is. But I have to say that the above picture, one that I do not own in any way, shape or form, comdensed my absolute love for that comic strip and my most recent obsession with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
I find it somewhat disheartening that being from New Jersey that I'm only now just discovering how awesome the Boss is and how passionate he is with his music, with his views of the world and how at being in his sixties, he's still sexy as hell and can still put on one hell of a show.
I think my next mission in life, aside from cranking out another book, is to attend a Springsteen concert---just to be able to exist in the midst of all that energy, just to be able to listen, to stand against the massive wall of sound and let that gravelly voice pound at my eardrums and skate down my spine to my toes.
Yep.
A Springsteen concert.
That's a fabulous idea.
And guess what I'm listening to right now on my iPod: "I'm On Fire."

Cheers!