Thesis Update, Road Trip, and Really Weird "Band"

Ok, so I just logged on here to write an update on my thesis progress and outline our upcoming weekend trip to Harrogate, but first I just have to rant about this really weird musical non sense I'm watching on TV this very moment.  It's a local show called "We Have Signal" on APT highlighting Birmingham's music scene.  I've seen it before and since I have an admiration for original music I was excited to see it was coming on after a program about Children's Television Pioneers I had been watching.  All I can say is what an absolute disappointment.  There is one guy on a dimly lit stage wearing a sparkling golden mask with obnoxiously large white painted teeth.  He is seated on a drum stool with an electric guitar strapped around his neck and resting on his right knee.  In front of him is a bass drum, snare drum, and a hi-hat.  He is fingering the guitar with his left hand, and playing the limited drum kit with his right hand.  And then letting out some wailing chant like vocals, (oh great he just stood up and stuck the drum stick behind the nose in his mask, oh now he took it out and he's hitting his chest with the stick.  And now beat boxing. This just gets better and better).  And all the while there are these people in the front row just bobbing and swaying like he is playing something that's just moving their soul like they never thought possible.  WHAT THE CRAP!!!  How is this on TV??  I mean I'm all for being original and expressing yourself through music and art, and if this is how he wants to do it that's fine, but I just don't get it.  I mean I guess my problem is people seem to do stuff like this because they lack the discipline to put in the work required to become good at playing an instrument the way everyone else does.  So they say "Well I'm being creative and that's all that matters".  I disagree.  What matters is you put time and effort into developing your skill or craft and not sidestepping it.  If you want to create weird monotonous chants thats ok, but prove yourself first.  Show me you got chops then go and play mediocre one handed guitar and drum duets, but prove your skills first.  Earn the right to be weird.  Kinda like Frank Zappa. He was an amazing guitar player and could have written hits if he wanted, but he preferred to write satirical social commentary songs.  Not because he was talentless and needed a gimmick, but because he was awesome and said, 'I'm gonna do what I want.'  So, with that said, Go...  Create, Express, Explore and by all means be true to yourself, but be true to the instrument first and learn how to play it and play it well.  Then your style will be your style and not a gimmick.  In fact that lesson can sort of be applied to most things in life.  Don't take the side road or easy way.  Buckle down, set your mind to it, and pour your talent, time, and effort into becoming the best you can.  Sorry, off my soapbox now.  I'll write about my thesis and trip later, that wore me out.