Starting a Prog Rock Band

[amusicalperson]

Firstly, this is all hypothetical. Secondly, you can skip to the main question in red below. I think my undying love for Prog Rock has finally motivated me to start a Prog band. Now I know a lot of problems are going to stem from this and I think I have most of them figured out.

1) Talent - I know a few musicians in the area who are highly talented and would probably be interested. I, without a doubt, already have a guitarist who would give up everything to join a Prog Band.

2) A Keyboardist - atleast in my area, keyboardist are rare. I play keys myself but I would obviously want to play bass in this band. I was thinking maybe I could fake it by adding another guitarist or double critical keyboard parts.

3) A singer who can sing high - Very fortunate to already have this one covered!

Those are the main concerns I can think of right now. Now, to the reason I posted this. I fully understand that Prog Rock is pretty much a dead art-form. Most of the modern Prog bands are more Metal in nature and this is NOT what I want to go for. I'm going for more of a 60's-70's Prog Band. We all know the bands, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, ELP, etc. So this presents a few problems:

1) I have no problem assembling this band solely for fun. I really don't care if we ever gig. That being said, it would be awesome to present this band live.

2) I also have no problem solely covering old Prog but if this road took us to writing originals, so be it.

3) I'm going to have to find members who would also understand this IS a passion project. I'm in plenty of "make money" bands and do a lot of fill-in work so I don't mind having a passion project band.

Actually, this is what I was getting at. Are any of you guys currently gigging or have gigged in a Prog Rock band? I know it's not the most-marketable music but I believe their has to be SOMEBODY out there gigging Prog Rock. If so, I would appreciate any insight into how you managed to get gigs and your bands' song choices.

I know this was long-winded but I wanted to cover my ground before I get slammed by any anti-Prog guys. Also, I have no problem with any general Prog-related discussions on here.

P.S. I'm highly considering capes being mandatory.

EDIT: I think it's mandatory for myself to get a double-neck as well.

 

[ImNotJoel]

Good luck, it's hard to start up even harder to start up a prog band since you will need all technical players. What can I say keep in mind it may take a number of auditions, don't hire someone who isn't up to par unless you're transparent and let them know they will be temporary until you find a better fit (better player). It may be a long start up but stick with it try and record your own stuff and be credible it's hard and I got this advice here to just go and say I want to make this band without any songs made. As I said good luck.

 

[amusicalperson]

Good luck, it's hard to start up even harder to start up a prog band since you will need all technical players. What can I say keep in mind it may take a number of auditions, don't hire someone who isn't up to par unless you're transparent and let them know they will be temporary until you find a better fit (better player). It may be a long start up but stick with it try and record your own stuff and be credible it's hard and I got this advice here to just go and say I want to make this band without any songs made. As I said good luck.

I appreciate the insight!

 

[ImNotJoel]

QUOTE="amusicalperson, post: 18562078, member: 254286"]I appreciate the insight![/QUOTE]

I don't have much of it but I try and share what I do.

Keep in mind prog is a pretty niche genre and may be hard to gig I haven't myself and haven't seen many prog scenes.

^^ may be a little hard to get that at your local bar.

 

[DaDrew2112]

I vote don't prog. if that stops you then you should have never started. But seriously, don't prog.

 

[amusicalperson]

QUOTE="amusicalperson, post: 18562078, member: 254286"]I appreciate the insight!

I don't have much of it but I try and share what I do.

Keep in mind prog is a pretty niche genre and may be hard to gig I haven't myself and haven't seen many prog scenes.

View attachment 829044

^^ may be a little hard to get that at your local bar.[/QUOTE]
That's the main reason I was posting this. I know it is a very niche market but there has to be somebody on here that is gigging in a Prog band.

 

[amusicalperson]

I vote don't prog. if that stops you then you should have never started. But seriously, don't prog.

What do you have against the Prog, buddy?

 

[DaDrew2112]

What do you have against the Prog, buddy?

Personally I always try to think about the people I'm making music for. We're in the entertainment industry so our job is to entertain people. Prog misses the mark in my opinion because it's not about serving others what they want, it's more about look at the HOLY SH*T 6/18 time and this guy is playing MEGA TRIPLETS while simultaneously playing a whole tone scale with his nose on the double synth he's got set up.

It isn't for me and if you want a band that draws people prog isn't the way to go.

But YOLO dude somebody likes it. You should see how hard my songs got torn up. It was brutal.

 

[amusicalperson]

Personally I always try to think about the people I'm making music for. We're in the entertainment industry so our job is to entertain people. Prog misses the mark in my opinion because it's not about serving others what they want, it's more about look at the HOLY SH*T 6/18 time and this guy is playing MEGA TRIPLETS while simultaneously playing a whole tone scale with his nose on the double synth he's got set up.

It isn't for me and if you want a band that draws people prog isn't the way to go.

But YOLO dude somebody likes it. You should see how hard my songs got torn up. It was brutal.

Well, you could have read above and saw that I have no problem not gigging with this band even though some Prog bands have had small radio hits, "Roundabout", "Long Distance Runaround", "Lucky Man", etc. The way I see it, yes, as a musician I am getting paid to entertain people but as I also stated above I'm in plenty of "money making" Top 40 bands so this would solely be for fun. Besides, Genesis and Yes especially had some beautifully written songs. Regardless, I respect your opinion, especially since I asked for it. I appreciate your input.

 

[DaDrew2112]

And here's the thing I like about what you're stating and how you're acting. You don't get pissy or defensive, you just roll with it because my opinions won't touch what you're doing. It either works for me or not, no sweat off your back.

Sometimes I think I get carried away with what will "Draw" and I like that you're going to do something that has no such goal.

I agree some great music is made that most people won't bother to give a chance. I mean, not to go all classic talkbass on everything here but pop music specifically rap is such a stupid skill-less poopie show that it's basically bad stand-up poetry with a drum machine. And people listen to that.

No if you can rise above the horrid clusterorgy of pop music that may be best. I spend most of my time listening to jazz and classical anyways. Pop is mostly for the kiddies IMO i'm surprised guys past their 30s even bother. Heck they probably don't, most just appreciate the nostalgia that comes with the tunes they loved as kids.

 

[PauFerro]

A drummer I brought on to an originals band loves prog rock. He gets gigs by looking for original music festivals and also playing at places that insist on original music to avoid copyright issues. He makes his money by selling t-shirts and drink cozies and CD's. It's often pay to play, but he doesn't seem to mind because he loves the music.

If you're good at marketing, then getting gigs shouldn't be a problem if you can prove to the bar owner you can get bums in seats and people to open their wallet.

In terms of song selection -- i find prog rock is so complex it tends to be a band decision -- an expression of the skills and passions of the people in place at the time. Since it's a passion project, I think you are pretty much bound to let the band make the decision after bringing tunes the table and deciding as a group what to play.

I have played in bands that are close to progressive rock. We did Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, and a lot of Jeff Beck if you can call his Wired and Blow By Days progressive, although I think they are more fusion than progressive rock.

 

[amusicalperson]

And here's the thing I like about what you're stating and how you're acting. You don't get pissy or defensive, you just roll with it because my opinions won't touch what you're doing. It either works for me or not, no sweat off your back.

Sometimes I think I get carried away with what will "Draw" and I like that you're going to do something that has no such goal.

I agree some great music is made that most people won't bother to give a chance. I mean, not to go all classic talkbass on everything here but pop music specifically rap is such a stupid skill-less poopie show that it's basically bad stand-up poetry with a drum machine. And people listen to that.

No if you can rise above the horrid clusterorgy of pop music that may be best. I spend most of my time listening to jazz and classical anyways. Pop is mostly for the kiddies IMO i'm surprised guys past their 30s even bother. Heck they probably don't, most just appreciate the nostalgia that comes with the tunes they loved as kids.

"Poopie Show" is the best thing I've read all day! I'll go old-school talkbass with you and side with you on Pop and Rap being absolute garbage and killing the music-industry. I side with you on Jazz and Classical. Even bands that I love dearly (ex. Led Zeppelin) get "boring" after a while and I tend to retreat to Classical or Jazz. Sometimes I'll just branch out into a new genre all-together to get away from the music that has been beaten into my head by the radio.

 

[amusicalperson]

A drummer I brought on to an originals band loves prog rock. He gets gigs by looking for original music festivals and also playing at places that insist on original music to avoid copyright issues. He makes his money by selling t-shirts and drink cozies and CD's. It's often pay to play, but he doesn't seem to mind because he loves the music.

If you're good at marketing, then getting gigs shouldn't be a problem if you can prove to the bar owner you can get bums in seats and people to open their wallet.

In terms of song selection -- i find prog rock is so complex it tends to be a band decision -- an expression of the skills and passions of the people in place at the time. Since it's a passion project, I think you are pretty much bound to let the band make the decision after bringing tunes the table and deciding as a group what to play.

I have played in bands that are close to progressive rock. We did Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, and a lot of Jeff Beck if you can call his Wired and Blow By Days progressive, although I think they are more fusion than progressive rock.

Unfortantly, I'm also a flautist so I think any Jethro Tull or Genesis we play will require me working even harder! I appreciate your experience though!

 

[Mickp]

I've been in a prog band here in Austin for almost 15 years. Released a CD in 2005, gigged a bit (for zero $). We do all originals, although we are jamming with Red at the moment. You just need to find the right people and, in my case I'm lucky enough that they've become some of my closest friends. Our progress can be painfully slow (10 years for the second album!), but it can be done, and the satisfaction level can be very high (as can the frustration Level). It helps,that I'm also in a more typical mostly covers band that gigs regularly and gets paid...I find it the perfect combination (and sneak the odd pseudo prog song into our set lists, such as Lazarus (Porcupine Tree), and a few Floyd songs).
Actually, at least in Austin, there's a bit of a prog resurgence, with several bands and the occasional one day festival, and a couple of prog shows on the co-op radio station. It can be done!

 

[amusicalperson]

I've been in a prog band here in Austin for almost 15 years. Released a CD in 2005, gigged a bit (for zero $). We do all originals, although we are jamming with Red at the moment. You just need to find the right people and, in my case I'm lucky enough that they've become some of my closest friends. Our progress can be painfully slow (10 years for the second album!), but it can be done, and the satisfaction level can be very high (as can the frustration Level). It helps,that I'm also in a more typical mostly covers band that gigs regularly and gets paid...I find it the perfect combination (and sneak the odd pseudo prog song into our set lists, such as Lazarus (Porcupine Tree), and a few Floyd songs).
Actually, at least in Austin, there's a bit of a prog resurgence, with several bands and the occasional one day festival, and a couple of prog shows on the co-op radio station. It can be done!

I sincerely appreciate your experience and positive thoughts!

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you can find two godd guitarists, consider getting the Electo harmonix B9 or C9. You can get some fantastic organ, mellotron and other keyboard sounds from your guitar.

No need to find a keyboardist, no need to fight with a keyboardist's heavy left hand.

 

[amusicalperson]

If you can find two godd guitarists, consider getting the Electo harmonix B9 or C9. You can get some fantastic organ, mellotron and other keyboard sounds from your guitar.

No need to find a keyboardist, no need to fight with a keyboardist's heavy left hand.

I was thinking that exact same thing. In the Classic Rock band I am, our guitarist fakes keyboard parts all the time using various pedals like the two you named. It works well enough for us!

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

As someone who wants to do Prog/Alternative Metal, I'm very interested to see how this works out. I hope it does. Although I'm from NY, so people would eat that stuff up.

BTW, very harsh words for rap here , but I get the point you guys are making.

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

BTW, do you have any particular attire ideas for your band, I'm interested in that too. Lyrical content, what are you considering making the songs about?

 

[amusicalperson]

As someone who wants to do Prog/Alternative Metal, I'm very interested to see how this works out. I hope it does. Although I'm from NY, so people would eat that stuff up.

BTW, very harsh words for rap here , but I get the point you guys are making.

I can appreciate the ability to rap and (when they have a good) meaning behind it. I prefer it used in other context (ex. Rage Against the Machine) but what I do not appreciate is the selfish robbing of "samples" of musicians who have actually created music. Especially when I play "Under Pressure" and everyone starts singing "Ice Ice Baby."

 

[amusicalperson]

BTW, do you have any particular attire ideas for your band, I'm interested in that too. Lyrical content, what are you considering making the songs about?

I'm not going to be an absolute dictator about my fellow bandmates' attire but it will have to fit a theme. I'm personally going to have one of these made for me. I can't resist, it's too epic. As far as lyrical content, I guess I'll keep in tradition with my Prog heroes of yester-years. Sci-fi and post-apocalyptic themes, etc. I've always appreciated Peter Gabriels' very sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek humor with his lyrical work in Genesis. Also, concept albums are going to be a MUST!