Rock Star: Supernova -- Performance Show Week 10

Original song night on Rock Star: Supernova put the rockers in their comfort zones, and the performances benefited from it. Toby, Lukas, and Storm just made Supernova's final decision a little more difficult.

Brooke started the show by encouraging Ryan's disappointed fans not to despair. Ryan's got the top three music downloads on MSN music, so his solo career seems off to a promising start. After showing footage from the reality show, Brooke introduced Dilana, the first of the evening's rockers to perform an original song, as well as the requisite cover tune.

Dilana - "Behind Blue Eyes" by The Who
Dilana tore a calf muscle during rehearsal, so she spent the majority of her performance seated on a stool. She finally used the pretty voice she's been hiding under her smoky growl. It would've been nice if she'd used it a little more liberally throughout the season.

Dilana's Original -"Supersoul"
The verse sounded just like Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box." She used childish-sounding rhymes to sing about how strong she is, and how she's not scared even though she's small. It showcased the same problem she had during the songwriting clinic: writing lyrics that are too literal and specific.

Comedian Dave Navarro said that, vocally, you'd never know Dilana had torn a calf muscle. Dave didn't like her original, but Tommy Lee did. Gilby Clarke said that her lyrics over-explain everything in detail, and that she should use more imagination when writing.

After returning from the commercial break, Brooke announced that the House Band will open for Supernova on their tour. Some of the losing rockers will perform their best songs from the show. I might be willing to pay $45/ticket to listen to the House Band and not have to hear Supernova play.

Magni - "Back in the USSR" by The Beatles
Magni did a fine job, but the House Band stole the show with their "hoo-hoo-hoo" backing vocals.

Magni's Original -"When the Time Comes"
He said that he just translated his song from Icelandic to English. Apparently, the same words rhyme in both languages. Musically, it was a pretty straightforward rock song. It wasn't bad, but not particularly memorable.

Tommy said that both songs seemed kind of the same, and he asked Magni why. Magni replied, "Because both of those songs were sung by me."

"Oh, that's why!" laughed Tommy. Gilby said that Tommy had a point; Magni should've kicked things up a notch for his original.

Storm - "Suffragette City" by David Bowie
Dave interrupted Brooke as she introduced the song and asked if he could play guitar on the song. Storm asked, "Are you kidding me? Get your ass up here." Storm might be the best David Bowie cover singer out there. During Dave's guitar solo, Storm yelled, "Oh, David!"

Storm's Original - "Ladylike"
Creepy and atmospheric, this was the most original of the original songs. The chorus was really heavy, and I'll bet the uncensored version (she changed some words for TV) sounds great. This was Storm's best performance since "Anything, Anything."

Dave said performing with Storm felt like performing with some of the greatest singers he's ever played with. He said that her original was his favorite from both seasons. Tommy said the original was, "Vvvvvrrgh," while Gilby described it as more, "Mmmrrgh." Then Storm kissed Brooke on the lips, in a clip that should be on YouTube in 3...2...1.

Lukas - "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
Lukas played guitar, accompanied only by Paul on keyboard. They turned the song into the first Bon Jovi goth dirge. Lukas sang the opening verse quietly, emphasizing the dire circumstances of Tommy and Gina. If you weren't listening to the lyrics you'd never recognize the song. In fact, since the lyrics were pretty much incomprehensible, I'm not sure I did recognize the song. Still, somehow, it worked.

Lukas's Original - "Headspin"
This song also started out quietly and was a little slow tempo throughout, but it got pretty loud during the chorus. Lukas lurched about the stage in vintage Lukas style, giving a great performance. The House Band rocked again, with Nate adding some cool drum fills and bassist Sasha spraying water out of his mouth in Gene Simmons fashion. I wish I could do that.

Dave praised Lukas for showing his emotional side in his original song. When he said that it was the kind of song an arena full of people would hold lighters up for, Gilby pointed out that now fans hold up cell phones. Dave held up a shaky hand mimicking the lighter pose, and said in an old man voice, "This kid's really good."

Toby - "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers
Toby's voice sounded FANTASTIC. The song was written to be a crowd-pleaser, and the range was perfect for Toby.

Toby's Original - "Throw It Away"
This sounded like a Supernova song, only better. The guitar part was super-fast and oddly reminiscent of Iron Maiden -- fitting since Toby runs around as much as Bruce Dickinson. And he sang perfectly whilst running around.

Dave said the song was instantaneously memorable and noted that the crowd had been singing along with Toby. Supernova was also impressed.

Instead of announcing the early bottom three, Brooke announced the early voting order for all contestants:

1st - Toby
2nd - Lukas
3rd - Magni
4th - Storm
5th - Dilana

My vote went to Toby. He sounded great on both songs and put on a high energy show. If Supernova is a serious band looking for someone with lots of emotional depth, they should choose Lukas. But if they just want to rock and have a good time, Toby is their man.