If people heard a band like......

scorpionldr · #1 12-09-2008, 10:30 PM

Spazz combined with DRI, would it be popular these days? My old band is trying to reunite, and we're gearing after a sound like the albums La Revancha and Crush Kill Destroy (from Spazz) and disc 2 of Dirtiest Rottenest (from DRI).

whats your take?

baalroo · #2 12-09-2008, 11:04 PM

Man, it completely depends on your definition of popular. It ain't gonna get played in the clubs between T-pain and Timberlake, but I'm pretty sure you know that. OTOH, In the "alternative music" or "DIY" circles I find that pretty much anything done with heart and talent gets at least a decent response.

If you're looking for that middle ground where it's vaguely popular/gets mentioned on pitchfork type of thing, that mostly just comes from a mixture of heart, talent, hard work, and some luck. The exact genre is almost irelevant.

scorpionldr · #3 12-09-2008, 11:06 PM

well i know each band individually was popular. and music i've written with people is similar in terms of sound. but lately with "deathgrind" and "punk" (punk these days sounds too average to me) and "metal" i don't know what to expect anymore from people.

baalroo · #4 12-09-2008, 11:17 PM

Well, I have to admit I've never heard DRI (unless that's an acronym that I'm not catching) but I think it's mostly irelevant. Your use of the term "popular" consistently confuses me. In all seriousness, and not meaning to be condecending in any way, how much experience do you have participating in music scenes? The only reason I ask is that your expectations/aspirations don't seem to be set very high. I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I think it's a pretty major stretch to call Spazz a "popular" band... I guarantee 99 out of a 100 people you stop on the street have no clue who they are. I'm sure they squeeked about playing small-moderate venues and maybe opened for some larger acts with a broader appeal. Don't get me wrong, I'm WAY down with that lifestyle and approach to music (less corporate = more freedom right?) but it's more about getting out there and doing it and forcing your music down the throats of those willing/weird enough to be listening for something different. To be trying to "focus group" genres that a sort of abnormal and almost intentionally abrasive seems rather counter-intuitive to me.

scorpionldr · #5 12-09-2008, 11:19 PM

Dirty Rotten Imbeciles. Notable for one of their biggest tracks "I'd rather be sleeping".

Yea, I have no clue what I wanna do with music anymore.

I've had my fair share of underground stuff that I've seen. I've also seen a lot of bands that I wouldn't find predictably popular to get huge scenes going at venues. My ear's really wrapped around death/grind/cybergrind music lately, and I've sort of gotten back with my drummer (more of a punk), and I've been trying to make things mix.

baalroo · #6 12-09-2008, 11:35 PM

My point is that you shouldn't really worry about how "popular" a certain sound is gonna be unless you're trying to get your CD into Sam Goody or something. Worry more about making it sound badass to you and your bandmates and then promoting the **** out of yourselves locally. Especially with any metal/punk offshot genre, people will get behind the local bands that really get out there and try to "rally the troops" as long as they're good at what they do. If you're interested in making grind then you probably shouldn't be interested in making a lot of money or selling out Madison Square Gardens, so don't even think about how "popular" you're gonna be. Just make some awesome songs and get the kids slamming into each other. Y'know?