Starting a Prog Rock Band

[BlueAliceOasis]

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."

But samples are made to create new sounds, kinda like what instrument players do, no? So many things have already been done, so of course in a way one (very cynical person) can say that everyone is copying someone. The important thing is that we take those things and make them into our own, different sound, with credit to the influence.

As much of a crap song as it was, "Ice, Ice Baby" was one of the biggest rap songs of the 90's. How do you NOT expect people to start saying "Ice, ice baby"?

 

[amusicalperson]

But samples are made to create new sounds, kinda like what instrument players do, no? So many things have already been done, so of course in a way one (very cynical person) can say that everyone is copying someone. The important thing is that we take those things and make them into our own, different sound, with credit to the influence.

As much of a crap song as it was, "Ice, Ice Baby" was one of the biggest rap songs of the 90's. How do you NOT expect people to start saying "Ice, ice baby"?

There's also a line between, "Hey, that bassline on that song sounds a lot like this song." vs I digitally cut, copied, and pasted 5 seconds of a song into my song because I can't play an instrument to create my own 5 second sound.

 

[maxschrek]

I've done it, toured to support two albums that sold "modestly well" internationally. Managed to land a "name" vocalist for the second album and managed half a tour for that one. All being said, I enjoyed myself, I was satisfied as a writer/musician/artist/bassist, but were I to advise on whether or not to go through all we went through to another individual, I would have to issue a resounding DON'T BOTHER!....unless you're a glutin for punishment with ill reward. Just my 2 cents
Play virtually any other type of music and you'll do better.

 

[amusicalperson]

I've done it, toured to support two albums that sold "modestly well" internationally. Managed to land a "name" vocalist for the second album and managed half a tour for that one. All being said, I enjoyed myself, I was satisfied as a writer/musician/artist/bassist, but were I to advise on whether or not to go through all we went through to another individual, I would have to issue a resounding DON'T BOTHER!....unless you're a glutin for punishment with ill reward. Just my 2 cents
Play virtually any other type of music and you'll do better.

Well, as stated above, this would mainly be for my own personal enjoyment. I was just curious as to what success others have had with Prog. I really appreciate your experience!

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

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!

My concept for my dream Prog/Alt band is masks and tuxedos or masks and tactical gear. Or masks and racing suits. We'll definitely start out wearing our own clothes in the beginning, but there will be masks. I hope.
As for lyrics, it'll be about a variety of stuff. Existentialism, pessimism, death, mourning, frustrations with self, making fun of this current generation that I despise belonging to, psychosis, misanthropy, interesting books and stories and life events and all. Some stuff I will write are actually going to have to do with God, but subtle, so that the meaning is seen as ambiguous, etc.

Concept albums make for really great music.

 

[amusicalperson]

My concept for my dream Prog/Alt band is masks and tuxedos or masks and tactical gear. Or masks and racing suits. We'll definitely start out wearing our own clothes in the beginning, but there will be masks. I hope.
As for lyrics, it'll be about a variety of stuff. Existentialism, pessimism, death, mourning, frustrations with self, making fun of this current generation that I despise belonging to, psychosis, misanthropy, interesting books and stories and life events and all. Some stuff I will write are actually going to have to do with God, but subtle, so that the meaning is seen as ambiguous, etc.

Concept albums make for really great music.

Please tell me that is you?

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

Please tell me that is you?

No.

 

[amusicalperson]

No.

Darn, you were definitely going to win for "New best thing I've seen all day." I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and ideas with me. It's really helping me formulate my own thoughts and ideas!

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

Darn, you were definitely going to win for "New best thing I've seen all day." I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and ideas with me. It's really helping me formulate my own thoughts and ideas!

No problem. Sharing my ideas actually helps me formulate them better and really helps to motivate my passion for our beloved instrument of choice.

 

[DaDrew2112]

But samples are made to create new sounds, kinda like what instrument players do, no? So many things have already been done, so of course in a way one (very cynical person) can say that everyone is copying someone. The important thing is that we take those things and make them into our own, different sound, with credit to the influence.

Everything is derivative of something yes. The snake eating its own tail is a good analogy to life. I dislike rap personally and i have no reason to except i find the culture it represents to be disgusting. This makes me pro-establishment. But the lifestlyle choices these so called artists make are shameful to humanity. To crown them the way that pop culture attempts to do is also shameful. Take for example this song:



Apparently we're to aim for the lowest existence possible. All because this is marketable. This is the dark side of capitalism. This is why I dislike rap. Our heroes should be great people. There is nothing great about this person except that he was chosen by the media to speak for his class as a representative.

This is why I do not like rap.

 

[maxschrek]

Well, as stated above, this would mainly be for my own personal enjoyment. I was just curious as to what success others have had with Prog. I really appreciate your experience!

In all honesty, we(the band) had a f*****g blast, the real drag was the prog audience, very unwilling to accept any modern interpretation of true "progressive" rock. Ya know, the kind of pocket protector goon squad that stands in the back of the room, arms folded, scowling, criticizing...is there enough mellotron?.,.is it a real one?...is the bassist playing a Rick?...etc.
You see where I'm going. These A holes aren't listening, they're all there to one up each other in a prog nerd frenzy of stupidity all the while we're playing our stupid asses off hoping to move someone with our music...oy vey!!!

 

[amusicalperson]

In all honesty, we(the band) had a f*****g blast, the real drag was the program audience, very unwilling to accept any modern interpretation of true "progressive" rock. Ya know, the kind of pocket protector goon squad that stands in the back of the room, arms folded, scowling, criticing...is there enough mellotron?.,.is it a real one?...https://www.talkbass.com/threads/badass-ii-factory-slotted-bridge.1211690/is the bassist playing a Rick?...etc.
You see where I'm going. These A holes aren't listening, they're all there to one up each other in a prog nerd frenzy of stupidity all the while we're playing our stupid asses off hoping to move someone with our music...it vey!!!

Which is so ironic because of the nature of the genre. Someone should have told them that Prog stands for Progressive Rock as in, pushing the boundaries of Rock forward. I'm glad you guys didn't let it get to y'all (yes y'all, I'm from the South) and had a great time!

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

If you're already in bands that are making money, you owe it to yourself to do something for YOU, as well as other like-minded musicians. Go for it!!
If you're cool with the idea that your following will be somewhere between non-existent and small, don't let that stop you. Prog Rock is a niche market. Who cares?
As someone who also plays Surf Guitar, I know first hand, what it's like to cater to a niche market. Lol!
PS- By all means, wear a cape. It is a part of the time honored 'Prog Rock' uniform.

 

[amusicalperson]

If you're already in bands that are making money, you owe it to yourself to do something for YOU, as well as other like-minded musicians. Go for it!!
If you're cool with the idea that your following will be somewhere between non-existent and small, don't let that stop you. Prog Rock is a niche market. Who cares?
As someone who also plays Surf Guitar, I know first hand, what it's like to cater to a niche market. Lol!
PS- By all means, wear a cape. It is a part of the time honored 'Prog Rock' uniform.

Man, this response warmed my heart! I can't imagine trying to draw an audience while in the Surf Rock genre. I'll wear my cape proudly for you and I owe it to you to go to one of your shows! Where do you live now?

 

[maxschrek]

Which is so ironic because of the nature of the genre. Someone should have told them that Prog stands for Progressive Rock as in, pushing the boundaries of Rock forward. I'm glad you guys didn't let it get to y'all (yes y'all, I'm from the South) and had a great time!

Cool! We're from the south, too
As you can imagine, that did very little to illuminate our image

 

[amusicalperson]

Cool! We're from the south, too
As you can imagine, that did very little to illuminate our image

Did y'all do Prog Rock renditions of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, and ZZ Top?

 

[amusicalperson]

Everything is derivative of something yes. The snake eating its own tail is a good analogy to life. I dislike rap personally and i have no reason to except i find the culture it represents to be disgusting. This makes me pro-establishment. But the lifestlyle choices these so called artists make are shameful to humanity. To crown them the way that pop culture attempts to do is also shameful. Take for example this song:



Apparently we're to aim for the lowest existence possible. All because this is marketable. This is the dark side of capitalism. This is why I dislike rap. Our heroes should be great people. There is nothing great about this person except that he was chosen by the media to speak for his class as a representative.

This is why I do not like rap.

Very well said my friend.

 

[amusicalperson]

@BlueAliceOasis A double-neck is mandatory. I would KILL for a Ric 4080 but seeing as they never come up for sale and when they do they are insanely expensive, I could make my own Jazz Bass/12 string Strat Double-Neck from Warmoth for around $1,500 (painted, pickups, and all.) Thoughts? I'd also have my Ric 4003 onstage for the "Prog Rock Purists."

 

[amusicalperson]

@PortlandBass77 I expect a good comment from you judging by your profile picture.

 

[maxschrek]

Did y'all do Prog Rock renditions of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, and ZZ Top?

We did a rebel rousing version of Stevie Wonder's Just Enough For The City!

Mostly we did this: