After testing the waters and not finding another club of this type, I have started the OFFICIAL PROGRESSIVE ROCK BASS PLAYERS club.
To join this club, you must be a bass player who plays/writes progressive rock ("prog-rock") music. This isn't a group for people influenced by prog rock, or prog rock players... but for people who actually play it.
What is prog-rock? Wikipedia has a good article on it... check out morrow.com and other Internet prog radio sites. Basically, prog rock is like pornography... hard to define but I know when I hear it.
The point is to exchange info between prog bassists and to be counted!!!
Interested? Play bass? Play/write prog-rock? Join up!
If you're unsure whether or not your genre is prog-rock - submit it to the thread and we'll all have a go around about it.
I'll be issuing numbers to members.
BTW, I'm #1 :D:D:D
wnelson
04-29-2009, 02:19 PM
sign me up brother!!!
I play in a prog/melodic hard rock band: Primal Circus
Love every change!
EBodious
04-29-2009, 02:22 PM
hey
i saw your feeler thread. i play in an "originals" band and we call ourselves prog, but, honestly, i don't know if it is accurate. the other three members are BIG radiohead fans. my history is in jamband stuff.
here is a link:
http://www.otterband.com/
tell what ya think; is it prog?
rtav
04-29-2009, 02:26 PM
Hey
I listened to your link and while it sounded good, but IMHO it wasn't prog-rock...
Best wishes!
EBodious
04-29-2009, 02:27 PM
thanks, i just listened to your link. very cool, very prog.
RobJ
04-29-2009, 02:27 PM
I'm in please. I'm working on a prog rock project right now and have been writing a lot. It's been fun and very challenging to get the feel in the songs while trying to avoid cliches.
wnelson
04-29-2009, 02:30 PM
oh i guess i should put a link...lol
http://www.myspace.com/primalcircus
these were the first songs written/recorded...there more semi-prog rock with the exception of ''breakfree''
the newer material has alot more changes and phrases...
alot more progressive for sure
but enjoy!
rtav
04-29-2009, 02:32 PM
Prog-Rock Bass Club Members so far:
1 - rtav
2 - wnelson
3 - robj
RobJ
04-29-2009, 02:33 PM
Thank you kindly!
rtav
04-29-2009, 02:34 PM
Let me clarify something:
You do NOT need to submit a link or sample of your music to join the club... the only reason you would do that would be if you weren't sure if your music qualified as prog-rock or not.
If you know you're prog-rock - that's good enough for me!
wagstaff
04-29-2009, 02:36 PM
Can I have a number? I write prog rock/metal stuff, play the bass for it and get other people to do the guitars.
mvw356
04-29-2009, 02:37 PM
i play in a prog band, sign me up....
wnelson
04-29-2009, 02:39 PM
number 2!! awesome!! thanks..ill rock it proudly:bassist:
Stealth
04-29-2009, 02:50 PM
Avantgarde-progressive band Kiwi Requiem's bassist, signing up! ERB included in the package. :D
What do we sound like? We have no idea, as we're still putting out our first demo and we've nothing to compare against yet.
Ok, sign me up, too. (although my prog project is not formally a band at this point)
DR Burkowitz
04-29-2009, 03:58 PM
COOL :bassist:
Sign me up and list me among the many...
I am one of the founding members of Dimension X (unicorn records)
and am playing bass & stick in "The Secret Society of Starfish"
and "Lyndenthal" during the DX downtime.
Here's a question for the other members - how many of you prog rockers are playing ERB's?
What flavor of prog would you classify your band as being?
Any interest in doing some gig swaps for those in gig ready prog bands?
I am one of the founding members of Dimension X (unicorn records)
and am playing bass & stick in "The Secret Society of Starfish"
and "Lyndenthal" during the DX downtime.
Here's a question for the other members - how many of you prog rockers are playing ERB's?
What flavor of prog would you classify your band as being?
Any interest in doing some gig swaps for those in gig ready prog bands?
Best,
DR Burkowitz
1. conklin gt7 player myself...however Im probably gonna drop down to 6 soon...high f isnt really doing anything.
2. melodic and leaning more towards symphonic prog...(were at a very experimental point now)
3. define ''gig swap'' :eyebrow:
Pedulla?
04-29-2009, 04:36 PM
Oh yes heres a club where I fit in. Sign me up!
Protest The Hero for the win!
Jaymi
04-29-2009, 04:41 PM
put me in as well!!!! i am doing three different prog albums for people as we speak....nothing like busting out the Rickenbackers!!!!
rtav
04-29-2009, 04:43 PM
COOL :bassist:
Sign me up and list me among the many...
I am one of the founding members of Dimension X (unicorn records)
and am playing bass & stick in "The Secret Society of Starfish"
and "Lyndenthal" during the DX downtime.
Here's a question for the other members - how many of you prog rockers are playing ERB's?
What flavor of prog would you classify your band as being?
Any interest in doing some gig swaps for those in gig ready prog bands?
Best,
DR Burkowitz
Not one of the ERBr's... I think that my band, Chaometry, is somewhat metal prog (ala Dream Theater)... and yes, we would be interested in gig swapping.
:bassist:
WordToHerb
04-29-2009, 04:43 PM
Sign me up! i love playing king crimson and other prog rock covers and on occasion i write prog rock music with my band.
progger here bassist for THT (time honored tradition) as well as a metal project thats in the prog vein no links yet but on there way
EagleMoon
04-29-2009, 08:09 PM
I'll join. Progressive is about all I play anymore.
In Absentia
04-30-2009, 12:31 AM
Favorite bands are Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, Blackfield, Marillion, and Rush. I'll take a number, please.
BASS SUCKS
04-30-2009, 12:34 AM
If Muse is prog rock (which is what my band's music is somewhat similar to), I guess I'm in.
Adelleda
04-30-2009, 12:35 AM
Can i haz a number?
I dont have a band right know, i sometimes play with a friend some maiden but nothing really serious.
I do have some solo material and have noticed that sounds really progressive (without attempting to be), a friend of mine says it sounds like The Cure meets Dream Theater (which is great because i love DT and the bassist form The Cure was the reason i picked up bass)
The bass player from an argentinian band called Catupecu Machu, Gabriel Ruiz Diaz has been a HUGE influence on me, you should check him out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8RoqWN6uWY&feature=related).
Also the bass player from Interpol Carlos D.
I play a 3 band eq stingray, but i make it sound gnarly with some delicious mids kind of like a Rickenbacker, but more juicy if you will.
Bands i like:
The Cure (from Pornography to Disintegration pure bliss *_*)
Dream Theater
Tool (Really into them)
The Mars Volta
Alexisonfire
Iron Maiden (modern)
Interpol
Fugazi
RHCP
beat
04-30-2009, 05:52 AM
Hi guys, I'm playing bass in a prog rock band called Hope to Find. We're working to release an EP in July or August. After recording the tracks I'll give you the link.
You can sign me up..
john turner
04-30-2009, 10:07 AM
pretty cool stuff there.
i'm not much for the "club scene" here at tb, but i think i qualify for this one :). i'll take number #00 :D ;) but i don't really need a number (don't like to play favorites heh)
on my (newly created :D ) myspace, i have some very rough mixes from our 2nd cd that haven't been finished yet (for the past 4 years lol). they're titled dante's cafe, parts 1-4.
http://www.myspace.com/lordonly
these are all intended to go together, 1 through 4. all parts of one big piece, so to speak, so d/l all 4 and then listen in succession.
like i said, rough mixes.:) the 4th piece is not quite finished, has a few minor vocal parts missing, but you get the idea. was fun doing these live, had a chance to do a lot of bass synth on my doubleneck.
cmewhinney
04-30-2009, 10:14 AM
I'm in!
Bass player for the Joe Devenney Band: http://www.myspace.com/joedevenney
Not me on the recordings...
Trapezius
04-30-2009, 10:15 AM
I want a number!
I've always been into the more progressive music, and that's what I play too.
Some influences are:
Dream Theater
Rush
Yes
Genesis
ELP
Spock's Beard
Symphony X
Ayreon
Meshuggah
Planet X
Can i haz a number?
I dont have a band right know, i sometimes play with a friend some maiden but nothing really serious.
I do have some solo material and have noticed that sounds really progressive (without attempting to be), a friend of mine says it sounds like The Cure meets Dream Theater (which is great because i love DT and the bassist form The Cure was the reason i picked up bass)
The bass player from an argentinian band called Catupecu Machu, Gabriel Ruiz Diaz has been a HUGE influence on me, you should check him out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8RoqWN6uWY&feature=related).
Also the bass player from Interpol Carlos D.
I play a 3 band eq stingray, but i make it sound gnarly with some delicious mids kind of like a Rickenbacker, but more juicy if you will.
Bands i like:
The Cure (from Pornography to Disintegration pure bliss *_*)
Dream Theater
Tool (Really into them)
The Mars Volta
Alexisonfire
Iron Maiden (modern)
Interpol
Fugazi
RHCP
Hey
Maybe I have misread your post (entirely possible!) but I don't really see where you play or write prog rock... I see prog influences, but the group is about playing and writing prog rock on bass. if you do and I've misread your post, let me know!
Take care,
Ron
rtav
04-30-2009, 10:35 AM
If Muse is prog rock (which is what my band's music is somewhat similar to), I guess I'm in.
Hey!
Not being familiar with Muse at all, I looked up some info on them and found them consistently aligned as "alternative," (admittedly a loose description), which can be prog influenced, but isn't the same thing as being a representative of the "prog rock" genre.
If there are readers who know Muse's work and want to argue for their description as a "Progressive Rock band" please do so. or more information on what prog rock is, see the Wikipedia article on Progressive Rock - it's really very good IMHO.
Otherwise, it might be a good idea to start an alternative or indie bass players club! :bassist:
Thanks!
Ron
Stealth
04-30-2009, 10:46 AM
pretty cool stuff there.
i'm not much for the "club scene" here at tb, but i think i qualify for this one :). i'll take number #00 :D ;) but i don't really need a number (don't like to play favorites heh)
If the rest of your music is anything like the Versatile Residue in your sig (which I've listened to several times over), that stuff is awesome. :D
john turner
04-30-2009, 10:49 AM
ok, let's start a discussion then, beyond the numbers :).
one thing prog bands are often known for is the multi-instrumental approach a lot of the band members take.
so what instruments, beyond bass, do you play in your band?
i'll start :).
fretted and fretless 7 and 8 (non-doubled) string bass, including a doubleneck 7 fretted/7 fretless
synth, via foot pedals, bass synth (13 pin roland style integrated in the bridges of quite a few of my basses) and the good old fashioned keyboard.
backing and "stunt" vocals (vocoder type-stuff).
i wrote all of our lyrics except for one song on the 2nd cd and wrote or cowrote all the music on both cds.
i also tracked/engineered and produced all of lord only's tracks, co-mixed our first cd with neil kernon(of queensryche fame, among others). i'm doing all the work on our 2nd cd too, now that we're sorta awake from our 4 year old coma.
john turner
04-30-2009, 10:50 AM
If the rest of your music is anything like the Versatile Residue in your sig (which I've listened to several times over), that stuff is awesome. :D
thanks a lot man.
actually, the "song" that is comprised of the 4 links i put in my previous post was considered by most of the folks who listened to it to be the best stuff we'd ever done. in fact, this piece was the primary reason i had the doubleneck built, to perform it. go back and forth between fretted and fretless all over.
we sorta thought so too -it's definitely got the best vocal stuff we'd ever done.
rtav
04-30-2009, 10:55 AM
ok, let's start a discussion then, beyond the numbers :).
one thing prog bands are often known for is the multi-instrumental approach a lot of the band members take.
so what instruments, beyond bass, do you play in your band?
i'll start :).
fretted and fretless 7 and 8 (non-doubled) string bass, including a doubleneck 7 fretted/7 fretless
synth, via foot pedals, bass synth (13 pin roland style integrated in the bridges of quite a few of my basses) and the good old fashioned keyboard.
backing and "stunt" vocals (vocoder type-stuff).
i wrote all of our lyrics except for one song on the 2nd cd and wrote or cowrote all the music on both cds.
i also tracked/engineered and produced all of lord only's tracks, co-mixed our first cd with neil kernon(of queensryche fame, among others). i'm doing all the work on our 2nd cd too, now that we're sorta awake from our 4 year old coma.
Great discussion!
Indeed, we proggers are known for making the most out of everything we can, musically. For instance, in my band, our keyboardist plays electric bass in an excellent Black Sabbath tribute band as well as flamenco guitar in various contexts; our guitarist plays violin and keyboards, and our drummer plays keyboards, guitars, and electric bass.
Me? I play bass (fretted and fretless), guitar (6, 7 and 12 string), and bass pedals (PK-5, JV-1010); I also write lyrics and work on vocal arrangements.
Let's hear it from the rest of you! :hyper:
john turner
04-30-2009, 11:03 AM
w00t for the jv1010 :D
of course, the natural extension of this is that we have rig pics :D.
http://lordonly.net/images/john/racks.jpg
http://lordonly.net/images/john/stomp.jpg
http://lordonly.net/images/john/elkamidi.jpg
http://lordonly.net/images/john/full%20rig.jpg
and of course, the ever-famous and overposted couch pic :D
http://lordonly.net/images/john/jtfamilyx2.jpg
hey, if i can't pull out all the stops in a "prog bassist thread" then where can i pull out all the stops? :atoz::hyper:
rtav
04-30-2009, 11:41 AM
AWESOME SETUP!
That is a PROG as it gets!
:bassist::bassist::bassist:
cmewhinney
04-30-2009, 11:46 AM
So, John... do you like Conklins?
john turner
04-30-2009, 11:52 AM
AWESOME SETUP!
That is a PROG as it gets!
:bassist::bassist::bassist:
thanks :D. need to find my "red satin shirt" pic.
So, John... do you like Conklins?
they're ...o..KAY... but.... :D
:bassist: yeah, bill conklin is the man. if chuck norris and clint eastwood had a kid that they taught how to build instruments, that'd be bill conklin.
DR Burkowitz
04-30-2009, 12:01 PM
Nothing says progressive excess like photos from JT :D
God bless you man
OK, onto multi instrumentalism without posting pics, cuz who can really hang in the realm of JT's
I play bass 4-7 strings fretted and fretless, chapman stick, sitar, a little keys, a little vocal - and I am the dominate music writer for several of my projects past and present. I also do a it of engineering and studio stuff - the last dimension x album had three tracks doen entirely by myself in my home studio.
Let me add one more curiosity questions: Longest track your prog band has written and released?
For me I gotta go with "Xeno's Paradox" at 16:51 from the album "So... this is earth" (unicorn records 2005)
Best,
DR
john turner
04-30-2009, 12:08 PM
thanks dr :D.
we break all our -long- pieces into relatively shorter bits. our longest cohesive song is nosferatu on our first cd, 22 mins give or take, although we broke it into 3 tracks of 6-8 mins a piece.
DR Burkowitz
04-30-2009, 12:24 PM
thanks dr :D.
we break all our -long- pieces into relatively shorter bits. our longest cohesive song is nosferatu on our first cd, 22 mins give or take, although we broke it into 3 tracks of 6-8 mins a piece.
Right On!
When you do it live - do you do it as one song or do you break it up a bit?
The last DX album (Implications of a Genetic Defense [2007 Unicorn Records]) was a concept - and we did it live 4 times as one piece no breaks - we included all of the crossover pieces and backing tracks with our voice over actors and everything - It killed. I am waiting for the label to send me the first dvd sample for us, and it is supposed to have our performance at the mars festival with the unbroken album.
There is supposed to be some prog band from the east coast that does a track that's 112 minutes of unbroken music. wild...
Best,
DR
john turner
04-30-2009, 01:26 PM
Right On!
When you do it live - do you do it as one song or do you break it up a bit?
The last DX album (Implications of a Genetic Defense [2007 Unicorn Records]) was a concept - and we did it live 4 times as one piece no breaks - we included all of the crossover pieces and backing tracks with our voice over actors and everything - It killed. I am waiting for the label to send me the first dvd sample for us, and it is supposed to have our performance at the mars festival with the unbroken album.
There is supposed to be some prog band from the east coast that does a track that's 112 minutes of unbroken music. wild...
Best,
DR
when we would perform the 22 min song, we did the whole thing.
having voice over actors - that'd be wonderfully self-indulgent :D
not sure how long any of the future lord only stuff is going to be, or if we're going to shoot for the "super long prog" thing. we're probably going to go heavier than we were before, faster too, probably. i'm getting more metal with every passing day heh.
DR Burkowitz
04-30-2009, 01:36 PM
when we would perform the 22 min song, we did the whole thing.
having voice over actors - that'd be wonderfully self-indulgent :D
not sure how long any of the future lord only stuff is going to be, or if we're going to shoot for the "super long prog" thing. we're probably going to go heavier than we were before, faster too, probably. i'm getting more metal with every passing day heh.
Loving that - 22 minutes - much prog to be had in one sitting.
Voice actors - is the height of self indulgent tripe - :D
DX started very classic prog - and I have always been a metal leaning guy so the last couple of albums have been very prog metal - it was like going form gentle giant to dream theater or symphony x - we lost some fans but gained some so - I'd say it was a wash, and I am happier. So moral of that story is - Good for you John, go heavy, go low, and go long :bassist:
Best,
DR
john turner
04-30-2009, 01:41 PM
Loving that - 22 minutes - much prog to be had in one sitting.
Voice actors - is the height of self indulgent tripe - :D
DX started very classic prog - and I have always been a metal leaning guy so the last couple of albums have been very prog metal - it was like going form gentle giant to dream theater or symphony x - we lost some fans but gained some so - I'd say it was a wash, and I am happier. So moral of that story is - Good for you John, go heavy, go low, and go long :bassist:
Best,
DR
heh, yeah, and the 22 minute song was played on doubleneck - main parts fretted, plus 3 long distorted fretless solos.
we had the stack vocals on our first 2 cds a lot - especially for a lot of the tunes that will be on the 2nd cd. the links i included above, for instance, have parts where there are 12-15 different vocal parts.
the reformed band is lacking one of the guys who sang, and while we fully intend to replace him, we might not be looking to do the gentle giant/yes full blown vocal orchestration for our newer stuff. we're just writing now, so who knows?
john turner
04-30-2009, 02:34 PM
ruh roh. did i kill it? :hiding: :hyper:
Stealth
04-30-2009, 02:37 PM
ok, let's start a discussion then, beyond the numbers :).
one thing prog bands are often known for is the multi-instrumental approach a lot of the band members take.
so what instruments, beyond bass, do you play in your band?
Well, as much as the band I'm in is multi-instrumental (drummer playing the acoustic guitar, guitarist being a back-vocal, lead vocal being a 12-string guitar player, keyboardist playing all manner of odd wind instruments, heck, lead sopran playing violin), when it comes to multiple instruments I tend to fall short - never really had the time to pick up anything but the basics of guitar and keys (and barely enough skill to hold a decent 8th on the hi-hat). What I considered for a long time was saving up for a Chapman Stick, which a lot of bassists tend to branch to... and I still hang onto the idea. For now, nothing for me except for bass. Yep, I'm still new at progness. :smug:
A few things I've often wondered, aside from the all-too-well-known "how exactly do you make a prog-sounding track" which probably has a million answers are...
How do you "go progressive" without overdoing the odd time and key signatures? This stems from the fact KR's keyboard player tends to overdo it at times, often trying to dazzle us with a 15/8 changing into 5/4 moving into 7/8 switching to 4/4... How do you balance the oddness and the regularity out? Do you even need to?
Where do all the ideas for creating a 10+ minute song come from? How do you commonly come up with way to blend the song from a chapter to another? What trick does it for you?
More questions may spring in time, but these two are off the top of my head due to the nature of the band I'm in.
Jaymi
04-30-2009, 02:37 PM
nah,
to go back to the length of song comment, I am recording a 42 minute piece for a prog rock record right now...it is part of 15 that I am doing..
Jaymi
04-30-2009, 02:39 PM
A few things I've often wondered, aside from the all-too-well-known "how exactly do you make a prog-sounding track" which probably has a million answers are...
I like this well known question....to make a prog sounding track, (depending on which genre of prog you are listening to)
play a RICKENBACKER!!!!
Adelleda
04-30-2009, 02:39 PM
Hey
Maybe I have misread your post (entirely possible!) but I don't really see where you play or write prog rock... I see prog influences, but the group is about playing and writing prog rock on bass. if you do and I've misread your post, let me know!
Take care,
Ron
Don't worry its your club, thats why i asked if i can have a number and didn't demanded a number i wasn't sure either (: .
john turner
04-30-2009, 02:46 PM
A few things I've often wondered, aside from the all-too-well-known "how exactly do you make a prog-sounding track" which probably has a million answers are...
How do you "go progressive" without overdoing the odd time and key signatures? This stems from the fact KR's keyboard player tends to overdo it at times, often trying to dazzle us with a 15/8 changing into 5/4 moving into 7/8 switching to 4/4... How do you balance the oddness and the regularity out? Do you even need to?
first of all, if you play something in odd time and it's been done on purpose ("look at me, i'm in odd time") then it's going to sound that way, and you run the risk of being labeled pretentious (at least, more of a risk of being labelled that. a lot of folks are going to call you pretentious for just -thinking- beyond the pbass/12-bar). you can force something in different time sigs to learn what they sound like, but just understand that it's going to sound that way.
you have to be really feeling a melody, really musically saying something that has meaning to you, and then whatever time sig it ends up in is what it is. if it's built around a melody or riff that has a solid foundation on it, then it's going to sound that way, it's going to sound sincere, and that's the only thing that matters, regardless of genre.
Where do all the ideas for creating a 10+ minute song come from? How do you commonly come up with way to blend the song from a chapter to another? What trick does it for you?
well, you just gotta do what sounds/feels right to you. it's just like any other creative endeavor, it either works or it doesn't. you might think it does and some folks won't think so. shoot, that's like the mantra of prog right there - most folks aren't going to get it at all.
some would say that's sorta the point heh.
a more techinical answer might be that you use certain motifs from piece to piece, like similar guitar riffs but in different keys, or similar sounds/patches on different instruments.
cmewhinney
04-30-2009, 04:09 PM
first of all, if you play something in odd time and it's been done on purpose ("look at me, i'm in odd time") then it's going to sound that way, and you run the risk of being labeled pretentious (at least, more of a risk of being labelled that. a lot of folks are going to call you pretentious for just -thinking- beyond the pbass/12-bar). you can force something in different time sigs to learn what they sound like, but just understand that it's going to sound that way.
you have to be really feeling a melody, really musically saying something that has meaning to you, and then whatever time sig it ends up in is what it is. if it's built around a melody or riff that has a solid foundation on it, then it's going to sound that way, it's going to sound sincere, and that's the only thing that matters, regardless of genre.
Jethro Tull comes to mind as being able to pull off really weird time changes while sounding totally natural. It takes some close listening to realize how complex some of their music is.
john turner
04-30-2009, 04:13 PM
Jethro Tull comes to mind as being able to pull off really weird time changes while sounding totally natural. It takes some close listening to realize how complex some of their music is.
oh, yeah - they're awesome at fluid melodic changes. i'm all about tull. i probably listen to thick as a brick at least once or twice every month. never get tired of it, and i've been listening to it for 25 years.
cmewhinney
04-30-2009, 06:09 PM
oh, yeah - they're awesome at fluid melodic changes. i'm all about tull. i probably listen to thick as a brick at least once or twice every month. never get tired of it, and i've been listening to it for 25 years.
TAAB is a great one! Strange as this sounds, lately I've been on an "electric" Tull kick- I've basically had Under Wraps and A on repeat for a couple weeks! So many great albums... Passion Play, Minstrel, Songs from the Wood and Heavy Horses are also favorites. Their unreleased stuff is great too. Man I could just go on and on and on and on...
Sound Chaser
04-30-2009, 08:40 PM
My band is basically a mixture of everything we listen to, which runs through death metal, doom/stoner metal, prog, 70's hard rock, jazz, jazz fusion, avant-garde, and well just a bunch of stuff. I really love it, it's great to have found a bunch of guys to play with who just write what they want to without any real regard to genre.
rtav
04-30-2009, 08:41 PM
Gotta agree with everyone about Tull - I think of U.K. (especially with Bruford) as having amazing time signatures (Presto Vivace and Reprise) but its only when you sit down and read the music do you realize HOW damn amazing the changes really are - 24/16 (1 measure), 4/4 (one measure), 9/8 (two measures), etc.... and yet it flows gracefully.
Genesis were very good about that, too - "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is a great example,
Awesome stuff....
Stickk
04-30-2009, 08:46 PM
Yes count me in. I'd like number 911,975 if possible. My band doesn't have a MySpace yet, but we shall soon. In my band there's me (bass [duh]), a saxaphonist, a violinist, a keyboardist, a drummer, and a fretless guitarist. We're currently looking for a marimba player (marimbist?) and a singer. I've got loads of lyrics written, however, and I do sing some songs with a vocoder.
Gotta agree with everyone about Tull - I think of U.K.
Interestingly enough, Eddie Jobson played on a Jethro Tull album (A) and tour.
Trapezius
04-30-2009, 10:13 PM
ok, let's start a discussion then, beyond the numbers :).
one thing prog bands are often known for is the multi-instrumental approach a lot of the band members take.
so what instruments, beyond bass, do you play in your band?
i'll start :).
fretted and fretless 7 and 8 (non-doubled) string bass, including a doubleneck 7 fretted/7 fretless
synth, via foot pedals, bass synth (13 pin roland style integrated in the bridges of quite a few of my basses) and the good old fashioned keyboard.
backing and "stunt" vocals (vocoder type-stuff).
i wrote all of our lyrics except for one song on the 2nd cd and wrote or cowrote all the music on both cds.
i also tracked/engineered and produced all of lord only's tracks, co-mixed our first cd with neil kernon(of queensryche fame, among others). i'm doing all the work on our 2nd cd too, now that we're sorta awake from our 4 year old coma.
I'm a keyboardist, really.. I just play bass too, and love it. I also sing the high notes. :smug:
I also write lyrics and play a small amount of synth (i love that midi board in your pics..im completely jealous)
Im currently learning the melodica for fun..lol..next will be electric violin with effects...mainly for some swell work and creating more layers in the studio...nothing too special.
I work 5 minutes for our rehearsal spot,so im up there everyday on lunch writing and phrasing music....whether im playing bass,or creating samples on ''fruity loops''.....I write a few guitar riffs....i mainly gut out the transitions and scales,and they'll come in and put the actual rhythm/spin on it....but it keeps the process moving from all angles....never a wasted moment..
great discussion,keep em coming!!
john turner
05-01-2009, 04:56 PM
talking about multi-instrumentation, i have actually encouraged both the guitarists i've been working with to occasionally play bass (let em play my doubleneck ric 4080, with the guitar and bass) while i do higher register (usually distorted) bass stuff.
Naff
05-02-2009, 06:40 PM
Sign me up! i love prog! ive played a bit of prog but ive left my band for injury reasons :(
Well, it can't be that there's so few of us. Especially so few willing to discuss. :hmm:
Pedulla?
05-05-2009, 02:54 AM
To follow up on the discussion of writing tactics: Writing stuff thats considered progressive or avant-garde or whatever has never been a conscious thing for me at all. Its always just been: this is the music I wrote, the end. I just write music and then the rest follows, questions about time and key and technique and rhythm. When in reality all I was thinking about was the song, not any of that other stuff not even if it sounds good. In fact whenever I listen to crazy stuff never ever do I think about crazy time signatures or key signatures I don't hear that, I just hear music. I don't know hopefully that didn't make me sound like an a$$hole.
Pedulla?
05-05-2009, 02:58 AM
pretty cool stuff there.
i'm not much for the "club scene" here at tb, but i think i qualify for this one :). i'll take number #00 :D ;) but i don't really need a number (don't like to play favorites heh)
on my (newly created :D ) myspace, i have some very rough mixes from our 2nd cd that haven't been finished yet (for the past 4 years lol). they're titled dante's cafe, parts 1-4.
http://www.myspace.com/lordonly
these are all intended to go together, 1 through 4. all parts of one big piece, so to speak, so d/l all 4 and then listen in succession.
like i said, rough mixes.:) the 4th piece is not quite finished, has a few minor vocal parts missing, but you get the idea. was fun doing these live, had a chance to do a lot of bass synth on my doubleneck.
I just listened to the Paradise Lost thing and I liked it. It kinda reminded me of Aprodities Child. :)
tsoaf0_o
05-05-2009, 04:03 AM
heya lads, count me in.
myspace.com/distributorband
btw, listen to Oceansize!
Pedulla?
05-06-2009, 01:26 AM
Really nothing?! Come on I want to talk about prog bass with someone if not in this thread then where?
john turner
05-06-2009, 06:32 AM
I just listened to the Paradise Lost thing and I liked it. It kinda reminded me of Aprodities Child. :)
thanks :).
actually, those three songs are sorta inspired by dante's inferno, purgatorio and paradiso, which of course milton drew a lot of inspiration from as well.
it's really cool and interesting to me that you got milton out of that, because that was not specifically intended in the lyrics, but i can definitely see the connection now, (and will of course embrace it from here on out :D). cool.
john turner
05-06-2009, 06:34 AM
everyone's probably too busy ironing their capes to participate :hmm: :hyper::bassist:
DR Burkowitz
05-06-2009, 03:43 PM
Nah,
Just traveling a bit....
Some milwaukee based prog talk - Vandergraf Generator is coming to town in summer with the strawbs as their opener - thats pretty damn cool - for the oldschool prog fans.
Heard Dream Theater has a new album coming out - I find that cool.
What else should we talk about? :hyper:
wnelson
05-06-2009, 03:49 PM
Nah,
Just traveling a bit....
Some milwaukee based prog talk - Vandergraf Generator is coming to town in summer with the strawbs as their opener - thats pretty damn cool - for the oldschool prog fans.
Heard Dream Theater has a new album coming out - I find that cool.
What else should we talk about? :hyper:
black clouds and silver lining...set to release june 23ish if i remember right:hyper:
I kept hearing ''porcupine tree'' slung around the ''prog'' genre..
whats a good album by them?...Im not familiar.
any bands they kinda compare too?
Jaymi
05-06-2009, 04:13 PM
Nah,
Just traveling a bit....
Some milwaukee based prog talk - Vandergraf Generator is coming to town in summer with the strawbs as their opener - thats pretty damn cool - for the oldschool prog fans.
Heard Dream Theater has a new album coming out - I find that cool.
What else should we talk about? :hyper:
how about the band from Milwaukee, OUTLANDER?
DR Burkowitz
05-06-2009, 07:00 PM
black clouds and silver lining...set to release june 23ish if i remember right:hyper:
I kept hearing ''porcupine tree'' slung around the ''prog'' genre..
whats a good album by them?...Im not familiar.
any bands they kinda compare too?
I dig the fear of a blank planet cd - however I am not the biggest PT fan in the world. I think they kind of have a Enchant vibe.
DR Burkowitz
05-06-2009, 07:03 PM
how about the band from Milwaukee, OUTLANDER?
Haven't heard a peep put of them for a while - I[m hoping that they are just brewing up some new tunes.
I used to run Wisconsin P.R.O.G. - and had booked them at one of our events. Good Guys, Good Players - and total gentlemen. Hardcore rush fans as well.
Jaymi
05-06-2009, 07:18 PM
I have all of their stuff....it is good listening...
bassgod0dmw
05-06-2009, 07:32 PM
Are we limited to prog rock only, or does prog metal count as well?
Pedulla?
05-06-2009, 08:15 PM
Are we limited to prog rock only, or does prog metal count as well?
I should hope we can include prog metal because thats what I listen to mostly.
john turner
05-07-2009, 08:08 AM
yeah, i should think prog metal too.
rtav
05-07-2009, 08:19 AM
Are we limited to prog rock only, or does prog metal count as well?
Hey
Yeah, prog metal is fine, as is folk prog, symphonic prog, classic prog, prog light, prog dry, prog Wheat-Berry, decaffeinated prog, prog with vitamins...
u get the picture... as long as it's a form of prog, and you play or write it on bass - you're welcome to join up!
black clouds and silver lining...set to release june 23ish if i remember right:hyper:
I kept hearing ''porcupine tree'' slung around the ''prog'' genre..
whats a good album by them?...Im not familiar.
any bands they kinda compare too?
Try Deadwing. I wouldnt say the bassist is pushing boundries or anything but they are a great band, lots of synth floaty stuff mixed with hard riffs. Good stuff
wnelson
05-07-2009, 01:50 PM
Try Deadwing. I wouldnt say the bassist is pushing boundries or anything but they are a great band, lots of synth floaty stuff mixed with hard riffs. Good stuff
cool, yea Ill check out a few tracks from that one and the one Burkowitz suggested.....thanks!
anybody got a good way to practice polyrhythms for bass?
just curious if anyone got a better way to approach it.
(i cant view youtube viddy's...work blocked everything good:crying:)
Illbay
05-07-2009, 01:59 PM
I'm not much of a joiner, so count me in. (Yes, I've actually WRITTEN some prog stuff, though it's been awhile...)
Is there anyway I can skip ahead and get to be #2112?
DR Burkowitz
05-19-2009, 07:06 PM
NO WAY! there should be a prog bass off for that number:D
Best,
DR
Trapezius
05-19-2009, 11:14 PM
This might be of interest to the progheads here.
I recently saw an Italian band called The Watch. What they did was play old Genesis songs from 1970-72, and they played it damn well too. Their singer sounds EXACTLY like Peter Gabriel back in the days... I've heard a lot of tribute bands, but this was definitely one of the best, and I recommend everyone to go and see them if you can.
I almost made a wet spot in my pants when they played "The musical box" and "Watcher of the skies".:hiding:
Oh yeah, bassplayer had a blue Ric. Of course he did.
Sound Chaser
05-20-2009, 12:16 AM
I'd recommend you check out "The Musical Box." Officially licensed by Genesis, use their actual props and costumes. Really good stuff. Phil Collins actually played a show with them in Sweden, I think. I've seen them play through the "Selling England By The Pound" and "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" shows, and it's astounding how accurate they are. Bassist uses doubleneck Rics n' such like Mike Rutherford, too.
Anyone ever see a P-bass/Strat double neck? I know that Warmoth make a body for it, and I"m interested in trying to build one out. There's a couple of songs that we play where such an instrument would be perfect in.
I'm considering buying the body from Warmoth, getting them to contour it, buying a beat up Strat with a good enck and a beat up P-Bass with a good neck and having a go at it.
So... anyone seen one or own one? Any critiques or comments on such a doublenecked beast?
fullrangebass
05-21-2009, 03:24 PM
May I apply for a membership in the Club? Many of my songs are melodic progressive (eg ARK-style, DT kind-of songs)
Am I allowed to have membership number: 43/64 for a good measure? (still trying to find a software that allows me to write/transcribe in 43/64. Can anyone help)
john turner
05-21-2009, 03:26 PM
This question is unique to prog players...
Anyone ever see a P-bass/Strat double neck? I know that Warmoth make a body for it, and I"m interested in trying to build one out. There's a couple of songs that we play where such an instrument would be perfect in.
I'm considering buying the body from Warmoth, getting them to contour it, buying a beat up Strat with a good enck and a beat up P-Bass with a good neck and having a go at it.
So... anyone seen one or own one? Any critiques or comments on such a doublenecked beast?
you know, a suggestion - there are loads of doublenecks from south east asia on ebay of all kinds of combinations, and they are super cheap - like 300 bucks or thereabouts.
something you could try out.
Illbay
05-22-2009, 02:57 PM
...there are loads of doublenecks from south east asia on ebay of all kinds of combinations, and they are super cheap - like 300 bucks or thereabouts.
+1. I was surprised recently to discover this.
Marco A. Mayer
05-23-2009, 10:08 AM
Sign me up dude!
Been playing Rush and Pink Floyd for 2 years with my uncles.
black clouds and silver lining...set to release june 23ish if i remember right:hyper:
I kept hearing ''porcupine tree'' slung around the ''prog'' genre..
whats a good album by them?...Im not familiar.
any bands they kinda compare too?
Best album is In Absentia. Their older stuff is more "prog". They feel like a modern Pink Floyd to me.
robkphoto
06-02-2009, 08:28 AM
Just read that Roger Waters is campaigning to get them to tear down the wall in Israel and is offering a Pink Floyd gig if it ever happens. Wonder if David Gilmour will be on board.
conebeckham
06-02-2009, 12:19 PM
I think P Tree's best album is "Signify," personally.
rmkesler
06-03-2009, 10:02 AM
I'll sign up for a number. It's been a while but Volare was a pretty cool group to work with.
Just a general question. Since prog rock is so syncretistic, how would you define your band's style of prog rock, or, if you're not in a band, your favorite style to play?
I'll go first - my band is more on the heavier end of the prog spectrum, closer to Dream Theater than Yes or Genesis.
So, how about you?
:D
Trapezius
06-15-2009, 05:54 AM
How the heck do I answer that one? I'm somewhere between Genesis, Rush, ELP and Meshuggah.
:confused:
mebusdriver
06-15-2009, 05:57 AM
hahahah... AWESOME. Been slugging out the no money making, can't find a venue, why isn't there any singing, prog rock for years. GIMM MY NUMBER!!
Oh yeah, this is where I need to be. My style of prog is somewhere between the styles of King Crimson, Can, Magma, and Caravan. Would it be possible for me to be #42?
Pedulla?
06-15-2009, 11:13 PM
Oh yeah, this is where I need to be. My style of prog is somewhere between the styles of King Crimson, Can, Magma, and Caravan. Would it be possible for me to be #42?
Do you want to be 42 so you can be the answer to everything?;)
PS Thanks for all the fish.
Salty Jon
06-15-2009, 11:22 PM
You know it, if nothing else I can make up an answer to everything ;)
Prog rock is something I enjoy, and even more so, I enjoy prog metal. Sign me up.
Myspace.com/ritualbludgeoning
rmkesler
06-17-2009, 11:02 AM
Hey
Just a general question. Since prog rock is so syncretistic, how would you define your band's style of prog rock, or, if you're not in a band, your favorite style to play?
I'll go first - my band is more on the heavier end of the prog spectrum, closer to Dream Theater than Yes or Genesis.
So, how about you?
:D
Canterbury. Bands like National Health, Happy the Man, Hatfield and the North, etc.
bassplayeroreo
06-19-2009, 09:04 AM
Yeah!!! I wanna join. King Crimson and Yes for life!! Btw I play pretty much all 70's prog. From Uria Heep to Rush. Sign me up!
this is for the only really hardcore of old school prog heads - But Van der Graaf Generator is playing Milwaukee next sat at shank hall -
2nd time in the states ever, last time was like 35 years ago for 1 show. This time it's for 6 shows I heard...
anyway thought I'd share
Best,
DR
Jaymi
06-22-2009, 07:40 AM
sweet!!!wish I was closer....
Trapezius
06-26-2009, 02:07 AM
Ok, this is one for the progressive heads out there... anyone remember the song Black And White by Flower Kings? It's on Unfold the Future.. Has anyone ever found bass tabs for that? The bass playing is simply insane!! Fast and complicated from start to finish.. almost.
I was keen on trying it, but without tabs I would have to do a lot more work.
Mad_Phingers
06-26-2009, 07:37 PM
I would love to be in this club. My band is a power trio called Judith Swan,
myspace.com/judithswan
Very attention span deficient. And Chris Squire is a huge influence on my lines for these songs for what its worth, even play a Ric.
We have combined the bands and are debuting the new progroup and the new band name 08/24/09 @ the battle for planetfest taking place @ Jack Rabbits, Jacksonville, FL. Will most likely be on SyncLive.com. Thanks!
Behind every guitar virtuoso there is a bassist dying to shred.
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/CarlosSoto
ark amps
07-27-2009, 07:37 PM
Count me in! But I actually play guitar (and write) in the prog band Territorial Chant in Michigan, but I am a bassist as well with another group;)
I usually play BASS in more "normal" sounding music like pop, rock, country, folk...
My prog influences are:
Kansas
Gentle Giant
Dixie Gregs
Platypus (with Ty Tabor)
Yes (all versions)
King's X
RickNbacker
07-28-2009, 07:47 AM
Please sign me up to the club!
May I have number 88?
Playing bass for 41 years; 38 years with American progressive innovators: PENTWATER.
www.PentwaterMusic.com
www.Cdbaby.com/Pentwater
www.myspace.com/Pentwater
Long live prog!
Cheers,
Ron LeSaar
:bassist:
(Rickenbacker 4001, Bartell fretless, Chapman Stick SB-8,
Steinberger 5-string, Dean acoustic/electric, Hagstrom 8-sting, Washburn Delta-King, DanElectro Longhorn, Kingston violin, and a Mickey Mouse Gee-tar!)
Thanks! That was the year my playing as a bassist started really taking off!:bassist:
High Elbows
07-30-2009, 07:09 PM
I'll take a number!
I formerly played bass for the late, great, Rapid Dusk (Philly area)... early - mid 90's. I haven't played anything like it since... :crying:
I'd love to get back into a prog band!
RickenBoogie
07-31-2009, 11:53 AM
So, my prog project has just kicked it up a notch. My guitarist, who's been playing an Ibanez Universe 7 string, just got a sweet Jem to go along with it. It's prog-shred heaven for me. ( I don't do the shredding on bass, too distasteful). But I am going to re-introduce another Moog Little Phatty to my arsenal. Trip-a-delic.
I'll take a number!
I formerly played bass for the late, great, Rapid Dusk (Philly area)... early - mid 90's. I haven't played anything like it since... :crying:
I'd love to get back into a prog band!
Ahem... :ninja: :)
capnsandwich
08-05-2009, 06:00 PM
Wayfarer's Journey bassist here. We sound like Kansas, Yes, and a little Rush, mixed with a little Billy Joel for the ladies!!!:smug:
Regardless of my alias (taken from an earlier bass), prog is my main interest. Currently, I'm not playing prog in a band setting, but I use it for 85% of my practice (music from Floyd, Genesis, Marillion to IQ, Flower Kings, and Spock's Beard, for example). The band I've been in for a while was trying to get the prog thing moving, but we were never able to find a keyboardist, so the prog direction kind of stalled. It didn't help that the guitarists were more into the metal side of prog, while I am more into the symphonic, and the drummer is more "prog-curious" than anything.
(By the way, has anyone seen any notation, midi files (which can be converted to simple sheet music with the proper software), or (gasp, tab) for any Flower Kings songs?) Seems to me that there should be something out there.
I enjoy playing prog rock I usualy mix it with some thrash or heavy metal :hyper:
ParadigmBass
08-30-2009, 11:04 PM
This group is just right for me. I would like to join please. I play in a progressive metal band (link down below.) Gimmee a number!!!
The Owl
08-31-2009, 08:04 AM
I'm in an improv band with very deep prog roots, Burgess Penguin:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BurgessPenguin
Also had a studio project called The Owl Watches, which after a new CD is released at year's end (or thereabouts), is folding its wings.
john turner
08-31-2009, 08:12 AM
I'm in an improv band with very deep prog roots, Burgess Penguin:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BurgessPenguin
Also had a studio project called The Owl Watches, which after a new CD is released at year's end (or thereabouts), is folding its wings.
how come phil? that was some pretty interesting stuff.
The Owl
08-31-2009, 09:07 AM
how come phil? that was some pretty interesting stuff.
Glad you like.
I think my muse tends to change and mutate over time, and I got to thinking that it would be better to put out one last really good album and fly off into the sunset, rather than try rehashing the same thing over and over to diminishing returns. It's about 2/3 complete, just have to lay in lead guitar and a few odd keys on the last ensemble track, plus a guest trumpeter on one piece.
At this time I am really enjoying the open territory that Burgess Penguin allows me and my cohorts. I'm seeing it as a logical next step from where I was.
My main 2 bands are:
Progressive power trio: Songs of the Exile http://www.sote.nl/
&
Progressive rock with feminine edge: Illumion http://www.illumion.net/
My regular 'help out" gig is progressive metal: Ulysses http://www.ulysses-online.nl/
So give me a number :p:p
Peter
lowend219
10-15-2009, 09:02 PM
My band:
PHAVIAN
www.phavian.com
prog rock/metal. we love our odd time signatures, dynamic shifts, dissonance and general weirdness. The stuff we are working on now is definitely deeper and more technical than whats online at the moment. Still, we are quite pleased with the album we put out this year.
so....I can haz #?
btw...what amps are you guys using? i'm amassing some cash so I can get a new rig. I'm looking for something with plenty of power, but definitely something versatile as well. with a good clean tone and plenty of umph. thoughts?
rtav
11-21-2009, 07:29 AM
[QUOTE=rtav;7982378]Prog-Rock Bass Club Members so far:
KINETIC ELEMENT of Richmond VA SEEKING PROG BASSIST. We cannot move forward without a prog rock bassist. Our links are at the end of this post.
After canceling three important shows, we are still in the hunt for a bass guitarist to replace a very talented person who could not continue with us. We need a very melodic, near virtuoso type player who is familiar with the great progressive rock bassists and bands of the 1970s such as Chris Squire (Yes), Mike Rutherford (Genesis), Greg Lake (ELP), John Wetton (UK, King Crimson), John Lodge (Moody Blues), or the fusion guys like Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report) or Stanley Clarke (Return to Forever). We have been compared to modern bands Transatlantic, Spock's Beard, and Pentwater.
Our music is along the lines of 70s classic prog. You can hear us at www.myspace.com/kineticelement or www.sonicbids.com/kineticelement.
We released a CD this past September which we would like to support by performing at some of the prog gigs in North Carolina, northern Virginia, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Now we need to get you in here and get you caught up so we can resume trying to get on these shows.
Here are links to the reviews:
http://www.ytsejam.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=1643
http://www.angelicwarlord.com/reviews/k/kineticelement09.html
http://www.prognaut.com/reviews/kinetic-element.html
http://usaprogmusic.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_simple_review&Itemid=28&review=374-Kinetic-Element-Powered-by-Light
It appears we made a good product. We are known to many people in the prog world on the East Coast including the festival promoters. We have financial backing (limited but enthusiastic) and are negotiating with a radio/PR person. If you have chops and love prog, heck, even if it's prog metal, and have online samples we can listen to, please reply.
Mike Visaggio
Keyboards / mad scientist / e-mail: bigroad3@gmail.com
Kinetic Element
www.myspace.com/kineticelement
www.sonicbids.com/kineticelement
www.cdbaby.com/cd/kineticelement
804-677-5428
Jaymi
12-30-2009, 01:06 PM
Still working on some stuff for you Mike!
sloasdaylight
12-30-2009, 01:13 PM
Number please.
Progressive Metal with a hint of Alternative thrown in.
11-30-2009 02:33 PM
57 - lowend219
58 - Peter H. Boer
59 - playbass1983
69 - derJackal
Peter
Peter H. Boer
03-15-2010, 06:20 AM
OK, adjusted my number to the new one :smug:
Still doing prog though :hyper::cool::cool::cool:
Stealth
03-16-2010, 01:34 PM
Since this is still a Prog-club, time to put prog material in.
Kiwi Requiem - Odluka [09:42] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO6RfEHyRlw) (title translated as "The Choice")
Kiwi Requiem's first electric live performance at Tvornica ("The Factory"), a rather well-known club in Croatia.
Kiwi Requiem is:
Tara R., vocals
Jelena K., vocals
Vlatka B., vocals
Zrinka M., vocals and pad-keys
Mak K., vocals and flute
Goran Z., guitar
Gordan K., lead keys, composing and arranging
Ivan Z., drums
Boris M., yours truly, bass and arranging
