Bad Days at Brit Rock

Though it is nice to have a smidgen of British bands covered in The Times (“Is the Union Jack Coming Back?” by Phil Sutcliffe, Jan. 2), the article doesn’t mention that success has remained the realm of bands and “artists” who have been able to utilize MTV, the current American pop sensibilities and the media’s tendency to pander to the teen markets. Thus the Spice Girls and Robbie Williams find their hoopla well represented across the Atlantic. Gene, Supergrass, Catatonia, Ultrasound and James represent only a small number of artists who have been ignored by their American labels, if not dropped entirely. Bands that have been able to release material, such as the London Suede and the Charlatans UK, find little promotion in the U.S.

My fear is that it will take another Beatles, Oasis or rock band with strong pop or teen appeal to give lower-tier artists a chance at exposure.

CHARLES PROVENCHER

Assistant music director,

K-Beach Radio, Long Beach