Is Rock Dead?

[catcauphonic]

Could someone point me to the bands that a) have tremendous chops; b) play driving, complex, hooky, ballsy material; c) have a sense of humor; and d) write lyrics and sing about things that make the average drooling consumer recoil in horror and/or threaten the band with boycotts and/or violence and/or arrest? Where are the threatening but musically brilliant bands? Where are the entertaining a-hole bands? Would love to hear some suggestions...

Are these lads even 21 yet ???

 

[redwingxix]

If you're a Spotify subscriber, I find they make me a pretty good playlist weekly (Discover Weekly) based on my past listening habits. Also, their artist radio is decent... meaning most all artists listed there have a button on the bottom that will play you somewhat related stuff, though it's hit or miss

I don't have it. I usually use Prime for streaming music, but it's like pulling teeth to try to find anything on that. Still, I've had enough people tell me I'm a dope for not having spotify that I might have to relent and get it. Maybe when Netflix jacks their rates next month I'll swap it out.

 

[QRanc]

Could someone point me to the bands that a) have tremendous chops; b) play driving, complex, hooky, ballsy material; c) have a sense of humor; and d) write lyrics and sing about things that make the average drooling consumer recoil in horror and/or threaten the band with boycotts and/or violence and/or arrest? Where are the threatening but musically brilliant bands? Where are the entertaining a-hole bands? Would love to hear some suggestions...

Could you provide some examples of bands from any era that check all those boxes? That's a tall order. Especially since B and C are almost always mutually exclusive to one another.

 

[Polka1]

I haven't followed them since 'Less Talk More Rock' (too close to metal after that for me), but wow are they tight! More hooks than a fisherman's tacklebox, and complete Canadian A- holes

Just had to go digging thru my old 7"ers now that you mentioned them >

I've been following them since 'How to Clean Everything' which is still an all time classic for me. While much of the newer stuff is on the edge of my metal limit, it's still really well put together. I find that I really like the Potemkin City Limits/Supporting Caste/Failed States stuff. The newest album - 'Victory Lap' - is a backed off a touch in some ways. Without the extra guitarist it's drier on texture and complexity. Hooks still there.

If anyone is looking for an example of a band that has grown immensely over the last 25 years, this is the perfect example.

 

[Gravel Gertie]

I find youtube to be the best source of new music. Click on an interesting video and follow the rabbit trail of suggestions. It's how I recently discovered 80s new wave from Soviet Eastern Europe lol and it's awesome.

 

[Bassblisters]

i think this is a banger, but it’s more pop/math rock than anything else, I suppose (there is cowbell):

 

[Bassblisters]

Marcus King is very young but can do rocking blues, if that counts as rock:

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Write you own music that doesn’t fit into a genre.

Steve Earle & Gary Clark Jr. are perfect examples of that.

And never mention Nickelback here again.

Had to do it ... Hiding

 

[EatS1stBassist]

A variation on a Frank Zappa quote:

"Rock isn't dead--it just smells bad."

That’s what happens when things get old!

 

[Koshchei]

Could you provide some examples of bands from any era that check all those boxes? That's a tall order. Especially since B and C are almost always mutually exclusive to one another.

How's this:

 

[easyj]

Had to do it ... Hiding

I love it. A rock band with multiple mainstream Top 40 hits, as well as #1 hits.....and everybody knows them. It’s important to frown upon this kind of thing. Thank Goodness rock bands don’t achieve that kind of success and popularity anymore.

 

[_Some Dude]

I love it. A rock band with multiple mainstream Top 40 hits, as well as #1 hits.....and everybody knows them. It’s important to frown upon this kind of thing. Thank Goodness rock bands don’t achieve that kind of success and popularity anymore.

Chad Kroger: I really want a signature guitar.

Paul Reed Smith: Why would I make you a signature guitar?

Chad: I’m in the biggest rock band in the world with multiple top 40 hits?

PRS: But who’s going to buy it? All the guitar players hate you?

Chad: The guy from Good Charlotte got a signature guitar.

PRS: Unlike you, some guitar players actually liked Good Charlotte.

Chad: Mr Gibson, I’m in the biggest band in the world and PRS won’t give me a signature guitar. If you make one for me I’ll start playing your guitars.

Gibson: Sure... we’ll make you a guitar, but you can’t put your name on it.

Chad: Sweet. How many of them did you make? I have millions of fans worldwide.

Gibson: 200, and we had difficulty selling all of them.

Chad: Next time, do you think we could put my actual signature on it?

Gibson: Beat it, nerd.

 

[Rojd]

 

[RedVee]

No, it's not dead. It's just tougher – for some of us, anyway – to find and appreciate the next generation of rock superheroes.

I'll admit to being something of a Luddite: I don't own an iPod or its ilk; I've never purchased a music download; I don't do streaming. If it weren't for TB, PBS and NPR, I would be pretty much clueless as to what folks are actually listening to these days. But rock – like jazz – is in an indigenous American art form that has taken sprout across the globe. I would not be surprised in the least if the next "hot" rock band originates from some lesser-known place like Réunion Island.

Interested in why you chose Reunion ?

 

[JRA]

I don't know if it's as dead as jazz, though.

it's not like rock is any more immune to suckage than any other genre.

I think we might need to take a step back and examine what "dead" means

dead =

The "get off my lawn" movement has got to go.

we're leaving, we're leaving ( )! you made a good point. however: regardless of age or generation: some cats just aren't hip.

baby boomers brought the kind of rock most of this thread seems to be about, so if that rock isn't dead yet: it will be...soon. if the young cats don't bring it --- if they're into other forms/styles --- big whup. who couldn't see that coming?

 

[BergerHead]

Sorry, but this goes to close to sounds heard a 30 years ago, bands like Aerosmith did it way better ...

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Sorry, but this goes to close to sounds heard a 30 years ago, bands like Aerosmith did it way better ...

In so many cases, all that “new stuff” is just “indigestible-regurgitated” good old stuff.

 

[BergerHead]

When songs go too close to older stuff, turn out more of an eclectic and predictable i turn them off.
Although there's bands like Tyler Bryant & The Shakedowns brining old manners to new life; i like that.

 

[Vooter]

Could you provide some examples of bands from any era that check all those boxes? That's a tall order. Especially since B and C are almost always mutually exclusive to one another.

FZ...where is today's FZ?

 

[QRanc]

FZ...where is today's FZ?

One was enough.