I still think you're missing my point. DMB doesn't write "great songs". They (well, Dave really) write schlock. Lame schlock. These musicians, and I agree that they are very talented, are wasting their talents playing Dave's lame music when they could be authoring mind-blowing, face-melting (ok, the hyperbole is a bit much) music with a quality songwriter.
I'm not advocating that these guys all go solo and never play with another musician.
I see this is going the way of the previous DMB arguments that War Eagle!!! participated in.
I think this, then, is the bone of contention. You think it's schlock, I think the lyrics fit most songs they're written for. But for me, the music is what sells me. I guess it comes down to how each individual interprets art...and we interpret the finished product differently. I'm happy to hear that you think they are each individually talented, however.
I am in no way a DMB fan. Like Wes, I appreciate they are all great musicians. While I can't stand their sound, I acknowledge they have quite a faithful following and would imagine they're knocking down a large stack of cabbage.
I read two weeks ago that they earn over $500,000 in just merchandise sales alone...and that's
at each show, at the official DMB merchandise vendor booth-thingy that travels with them to each show.