Steven's Untitled Rock Show
Encyclopedia
Steven's Untitled Rock Show (SURS) was an American television program that aired on Fuse
from December 2004 to December 2009, in which host Steven Smith
interviewed rock bands and musicians while airing rock
(mostly alternative rock
) videos.
announced that the show would retain its name on April 25, 2006 (its 76th episode, and the first one clocking in at its newly expanded one hour program time). 'Therapy Begins At Home' was the closest runner-up. Over the years, SURS was invited to many tours and festivals, most frequently The Bamboozle
, The Warped Tour, and Taste of Chaos
. SURS was also included as part of the Warped Tour
exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The plug was abruptly pulled on the program before the production team could shoot a farewell episode. The show's final original episode aired on Christmas Eve of 2009, though the channel continued running unhosted episodes featuring music videos from the show's trademark genre for several months. On February 30, 2010, the network discontinued the series run entirely. The following summer, Steven was dispatched to the Vans Warped Tour for a weekly edition of "Steven's Untitled Warped Show".
Outside of fuse, Steven has worked for VH1
as a VJ and was even given a makeover on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (to the eventual amusement of some of the program’s guests). He is the only original Fuse VJ to still be seen on the network today.
The program airs music videos featuring mainly alternative artists (with the bulk of airtime going to indie, emo, and punk), but also includes a “classic” music video from alternative’s past (the videos have ranged from relatively recent acts like Sublime
and Jawbreaker
to older artists like The Smiths
and Pixies).
In addition to the videos, Steven gives commentary on the music, and also interviews bands, giving them the opportunity to discuss their thoughts on their own careers and the music industry itself. Occasionally artists will even perform live in-studio (past performances have included Envy On The Coast
and Straylight Run
).
Steven's Untitled Rock Show also goes on location to shoot episodes at various concerts, festivals, and tours throughout the country. The Vans Warped Tour has been a yearly fixture on the program, while it has also featured Taste of Chaos
, South by Southwest
, and the Nintendo Fusion Tour
.
Fuse TV
Fuse is an American national television network dedicated exclusively to music. It features original series and specials, exclusive interviews, live concerts and video blocks....
from December 2004 to December 2009, in which host Steven Smith
Steven Smith (VJ)
Steven Smith is a video jockey and television personality best known for hosting various show on the Fuse TV cable network.-Biography:Smith's career as a VJ began when he was hired as "the goofy one" for VH1...
interviewed rock bands and musicians while airing rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
(mostly alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
) videos.
History
The show's title was meant to be a placeholder, with Fuse giving viewers the opportunity to give the show a permanent name. Hundreds of suggestions were submitted, with the channel putting its favorites up for a vote. The original "Untitled" title was by far the most popular, and Green DayGreen Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
announced that the show would retain its name on April 25, 2006 (its 76th episode, and the first one clocking in at its newly expanded one hour program time). 'Therapy Begins At Home' was the closest runner-up. Over the years, SURS was invited to many tours and festivals, most frequently The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle is an annual rain-or-shine, three-day music festival held in New Jersey. Every year, new bands compete for spots during the two days. The event evolved out of the Skate and Surf Festival.- The Characters:...
, The Warped Tour, and Taste of Chaos
Taste of Chaos
Taste of Chaos is a hardcore tour that was started in the winter of 2005 by Kevin Lyman, the creator of the successful Warped Tour along with friend and business partner, John Reese. The Taste Of Chaos tour caters for fans of the post-hardcore, screamo, and metal genres, while offering the same...
. SURS was also included as part of the Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The plug was abruptly pulled on the program before the production team could shoot a farewell episode. The show's final original episode aired on Christmas Eve of 2009, though the channel continued running unhosted episodes featuring music videos from the show's trademark genre for several months. On February 30, 2010, the network discontinued the series run entirely. The following summer, Steven was dispatched to the Vans Warped Tour for a weekly edition of "Steven's Untitled Warped Show".
Host
The program is hosted by Steven Smith, a devout disciple of rock music. In the past Steven has appeared on other Fuse programs including hosting Daily Download (for almost two years), F/List, and fuse Action News (which he also co-wrote and co-produced).Outside of fuse, Steven has worked for VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
as a VJ and was even given a makeover on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (to the eventual amusement of some of the program’s guests). He is the only original Fuse VJ to still be seen on the network today.
Format
Steven's Untitled Rock Show is an hour-long dose of rock music that airs every weeknight at 4:00pm EST, 1:00pm PST.The program airs music videos featuring mainly alternative artists (with the bulk of airtime going to indie, emo, and punk), but also includes a “classic” music video from alternative’s past (the videos have ranged from relatively recent acts like Sublime
Sublime (band)
Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell , Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh . Michael "Miguel" Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash." Lou Dog, Nowell's...
and Jawbreaker
Jawbreaker (band)
Jawbreaker was an American punk rock band active from 1986 to 1996 and considered one of the most influential acts of the early-1990s emo movement...
to older artists like The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and Pixies).
In addition to the videos, Steven gives commentary on the music, and also interviews bands, giving them the opportunity to discuss their thoughts on their own careers and the music industry itself. Occasionally artists will even perform live in-studio (past performances have included Envy On The Coast
Envy On The Coast
Envy on the Coast was an alternative rock band from Long Island, New York. They released their second album Lowcountry in March 2010.-History:...
and Straylight Run
Straylight Run
Straylight Run was an indie rock band based in Baldwin, New York. Two of the members, Nolan and Cooper, had been members of Taking Back Sunday and have now rejoined that band. Their final releases are the EPs About Time and Un Mas Dos, preceded by the full-length album entitled The Needles The...
).
Steven's Untitled Rock Show also goes on location to shoot episodes at various concerts, festivals, and tours throughout the country. The Vans Warped Tour has been a yearly fixture on the program, while it has also featured Taste of Chaos
Taste of Chaos
Taste of Chaos is a hardcore tour that was started in the winter of 2005 by Kevin Lyman, the creator of the successful Warped Tour along with friend and business partner, John Reese. The Taste Of Chaos tour caters for fans of the post-hardcore, screamo, and metal genres, while offering the same...
, South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
, and the Nintendo Fusion Tour
Nintendo Fusion Tour
Nintendo Fusion Tour is a touring rock music and video game festival sponsored by Nintendo, which began in 2003.Nintendo's Fusion Tour has provided early exposure for then-developing bands such as Evanescence, Story of the Year, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Anberlin and Panic! at the Disco...
.
Fan Interaction
Steven's Untitled Rock Show has long tried to get Fuse viewers involved with its programming. In addition to being given a chance to name the program, Steven will read fan mail on-air and accept fan questions for interviews with bands on the show. Also, now on Fridays they let the viewers vote on the videos shown and are calling it "Your Untitled Rock Show".Destination Untitled
In an attempt to further allow Fuse viewers to get inside his head, Steven has begun to carry a camera on location when Steven's Untitled Rock Show travels abroad. The web-exclusive program, Destination Untitled, captures Steven’s exploits and misadventures in preparing for, going to, and hanging out at concerts, festivals, and performances with the bands and their fans.External links
- Official website
- Steven's Untitled Rock Show at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Steven's Untitled Rock Show at AbsolutePunk.netAbsolutePunk.netAbsolutePunk is a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate . The website mainly focuses on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it has been known to feature artists who have eventually achieved crossover success, including Fall...