Move over, Fox's Empire, there's a new music industry drama-based television series on the way. And this one promises a lot of dirty rock 'n' roll, along with the gritty music scene of the 1970s.
Meet HBO's Vinyl, a new rock drama series by Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger and Terence Winter (the creator of Boardwalk Empire). With credentials like that under its belt, Vinyl promises to pack a punch of drug-induced rock 'n' roll fun.
HBO just released the first trailer for the series, and it looks as good it sounds. The trailer ends with the words "It's dirty. It smashes you over the head." And that's exactly what this first look at Vinyl offers. It's "a ride through the sex- and drug-addled music business at the dawn of punk, disco, and hip-hop," HBO's promo says.
The series focuses on a record executive at a rock label trying to make a name and living for himself and his artists, just as two new musical styles – punk and disco – begin emerging.
"Actor Bobby Cannavale (Boardwalk Empire, Third Watch) is set to play the role of American Century Records president Richie Finestra, who must make a 'life-changing decision' amidst the chaos of the ever-evolving '70s music scene," wrote HBO in a press release. "His wife Devon, a former actress and model, will be played by Olivia Wilde (Her, Tron: Legacy). Also onboard are Ray Romano as Zak Yankovich, American Century's head of promotions, and Andrew "Dice" Clay, who will portray the owner of a chain of radio stations. Jagger's son James also appears as Kip Stevens, the frontman of punk band Nasty Bits."
Last year saw Fox's Empire rise in the ratings during its premiere season, so it's obvious there's a demand for television shows about the music industry. With Vinyl, though, it's going old school, back to the days of "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll" with rock music as its backbone. Vinyl also gets the opportunity to capitalize on all the above, particularly the sex, and it's likely the series will portray a lot of nudity, as well as adult language and situations, something Empire can't do because it airs on network TV.
So will audiences tune in to Vinyl? It's likely: HBO knows what works with its series and has the talent to back up its promises of entertainment.
Vinyl premieres on HBO in 2016.
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