Is rock dead?

[eXecutioner]

Just a random thought, really, but it seems to me that it's getting harder to tell rock'n'roll from pop these days...

Of course, it depends on what you're into, but as a metalhead, I think it sucks that I have to wait up until after midnight to hear the really good stuff on the radio(i.e. coal chamber, static X, slipknot, etc.)

Creed, Nickelback, and P.O.D. are okay, but is real heavy metal going the way of the dinosaur? Without radio exposure, will a lot of really good bands just never break out and reach an audience?

Just thought I'd bring it up and see what some of you hardcore rockers think...

 

[siamese dream]

.............

the revolution is coming

 

[Krokus]

No

Rock is FAR from dead. It's funny you say that, because most people are saying that the whole pop/rap thing is going out, and that rock is coming back. The type of rock I listen to though, you will never see on MTV. I am more of an underground guy.....I like bands who are not a slave to the MTV generation. 😎

 

[Frowg]

commercial?

I think the problem is the radio, not the music. Try relying on other sources to find out which bands are good, because the radio is full of shit anyway. Try going to local Rock shows, and seeinbg what all of those people are into. Try going to a non-corporate record store and checking out some of the stuff they have for people to listen to. The world without radio is a glorious thing. Also try going to ubl.com and looking up your favorite bands, and the site will pull up other bands that may sound similar or at least the same genre as those you search for... Good Luck!
p.s. try Quicksand, Clutch, At the Drive-In, Third Harmonic Distortion

 

[guitman69]

Without radio exposure, will a lot of really good bands just never break out and reach an audience?

Way back, you know in the '80's, the really heavy bands never got radio airplay and they were still able to find an audience. They would make demos (usually with a little Tascam 4 track) and sell tapes at their shows. They the kids would take the tapes home and play them for their friends ( and most likely make copies of them).

Now with the internet, and cheap digital recorders, it's much easier to get your music heard without being on the radio.

Don't worry my friend, Rock is gonna be around for a long time.

 

[sushi854]

The leader of ClearChannel will soon become the leader of the Free World

Radio and the music industry in general are in the deplorable condition that they are today mainly because so many people are willing to simply accept what is shoved down their throats instead of seeking out some of the truly great music that is out there. Sad to say, folks, but Blink-182 is NOT punk and Godsmack is NOT metal. These are bands that the record companies have marketed to death to produce a generic sound that is all you hear on the radio today. Forget about hearing good rock on the radio. If you want rock on the radio, turn to the oldies station and listen to the Who and the Rolling Stones (among other things). If you want real punk, hardcore, metal, indie, etc. forget the radio and check out your local independent record store. Check out the smaller clubs in your town that showcase lesser-known national acts. You're bound to find something you like. Support your local music scene. The band that 10 people show up to see today may be part of the "revolution" of which siamese dream speaks tomorrow. There's a vast underground brimming with talent out there, most of which doesn't fit into today's radio playlists.

 

[Biggles of 266]

Re: The leader of ClearChannel will soon become the leader of the Free World

Blink-182 is NOT punk

woohoo! Someone agrees with me!

 

[Cyrano]

It's all a matter of preference. Though heavy rock may not be in these days, it exists and always will.

Rock and/or Roll on, my friends.

 

[Daumantas]

Rock's been pronounced dead since I was in high school, which is longer ago than I care to relate. There will always be someone who will absorb the latest outrage and find a way to turn it into profit; that outrage will always be replaced by something fresh coming from someone for whom the music is about more than money. (We might not believe it will "change the world" anymore, but it sure as hell changes individual lives, mine included.) Or, as Dave Edmunds (of Rockpile, for those who remember) once put it: "There will always be some snotty little kid who wants to make noise with an electric guitar. Rock & roll will never die."

 

[Krokus]

HEY!!

Frowg, is At The Drive In Still Together?? I thought they broke up....😕

 

[Dave2112]

In the immortal words of Y&T; "Rock and Roll's Gonna Save the World!"

As guitman noted, even in the heyday of heavy metal, it got little airplay and only the "hair bands" made it to MTV. Now that MTV is a vast wasteland, folks are getting thier music from other sources.

Metal is still around, and I'm not speaking of the "new" metal, either. Bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Y&T are still recording. A lot of them never stopped, but the music scene changed and they became more underground.

One thing I've noticed about the changing of the guard, though. Today's rock seems to focus more on the lyrics, with songwriting being the focus; in the '80's the lyrics were at times questionable but the music was at the forefront with every guitarist trying to outdo the other. Remember the old "Yngwie vs. Eddie" discussions?

Hopefully we can eventually meld the two and have metal with poetically intelligent lyrics played by guys who know how to rip off a decent solo.

Only the advertising focus towards music has changed, metal's still alive and well.

 

[grippedchimp]

Krokus, At The Drive-In have split up. However, those two afro members Cedric and Omar have gone to form another band. I forget the name, but I saw them on the NME mag in the UK.

Rock and Roll ain't dead, it's just taking a long sleep. Someone said that to me. I'm a musician in my local area that's putting out some excellent music. I've not listened to the radio in ages, because the music I hear by my mates is way better anyway. Perhaps you can move into my area to keep you happy!

 

[Frowg]

At the Drive in

At the drive in did break up, Krokus. They are now two different bands. One is called Sparta, the other is called Mars Volta, and they are both amazing, also check out the band called Refused, and if ya have time, checkout my bands websit at www.agentminor.com , there is a link there to mp3.com where you can hear us for free. Bear in mind, I was not the best singer when some of these songs were originally recorded. but they are good songs anyway...lol

 

[Krokus]

damn

Sucks that they broke up....thanks for the info you guys. Frowg, I'll check it out!! 😎

 

[red indian]

Wether it lives or dies.....

I am looking forward to the day when its fashionable to have done a little wood shedding, and to actually be able to sing or play with some degree of competance what ever kind of genre you are in too. I dont think its been socially acceptable for many years to admitt to having spent some time alone sweating and grafting away learning your instrument. It seems too easy these days to exuse lack of ability or talent as a stylistic statement. I think in the long run musical ability and talent will win the day but its still very depressing to hear dj,s talking about doing "gigs" oh wow that must be really hard to do mate!! put a record on and take another off, blimey!! do me a favour!!!

 

[Dave2112]

I am SO with you, Red. It must hurt thier little artistic fingers to scratch the needle on the vinyl and have the ingenuity to figure out which ripped-off song sample goes best with which prefab drum beat.

Wanna kill your fingers? Play the bassline to "YYZ" as a warm-up for a few hours.😎

 

[red indian]

or.................

listen to Niels Pederson on "Oscar Peterson Live at the Sal Playel Paris" most electric bass players would have trouble trying to play like that but he does it on steam bass.

 

[Daumantas]

Red, I think technology's part of the problem. Musicians used to HAVE to woodshed a bit before they ever got a shot at making a record; witness (obvious example, but it's Saturday afternoon) the Beatles' years in Hamburg and Liverpool before they put out their first 45. Now, everybody has access to CD-burners and the like, so every goon who gets hold of a drum machine thinks all the world ought to hear his "talent." Some talent needs to stay home.