Starting a Prog Rock Band

[Kragnorak]

I enjoyed Maxschreks post about the guys who stand in the back and complain about the lack of a real Mellotron, or a Rickenbacker Bass.
We have them, too. "Dudes playing a Jazz Bass, not a P." "Dudes not playing through a vintage Fender Reverb unit."

That makes no sense. "Those guys progressed too many decades with their progressive music!"

I also decided based upon another thread that if you compare "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" with "I Can't Dance" you must conclude that Genesis is regressive rock

 

[Kragnorak]

[QUOTE="40Hz, post: 18563067, member: 73668"
In regards to drums, I know how to spot a good drummer by how small his kit is.

Oh noes, blasphemy! That's like saying "I know how to spot a good musician by how non-existent his cape is" or "I know how to spot a good bassist by how few strings he has"

 

[AltGrendel]

btw, soon to be, EH has a new pedal like the fantastic B9 & C9...the Mel9. they will sell allot of these, get ready...

"Down to it's low A string"

 

[40Hz]

btw, soon to be, EH has a new pedal like the fantastic B9 & C9...the Mel9. they will sell allot of these, get ready...

That has got to be one of the most godawful and cheesy '70s sounding pedals ever made. And it's wonderful!

 

[Kragnorak]

OMG! You've got my attention. Now this is something I've absolutely got to hear.

Last time I heard something that different it was called: Texas Speed Surf. And it not only was - it was also awesome!

For your listening pleasure, are you familiar with this prog psychobilly speed surf tune?

 

[40Hz]

But to get some of the genuine prog rock mojo, you gotta rock a PPG Wave 2.3 sooner or later. Fortunately there are a few incredibly accurate virtual plug-ins that'll get it for you without breaking the bank.

Here's the real deal:

 

[40Hz]

For your listening pleasure, are you familiar with this prog psychobilly speed surf tune?

Now we're talkin'!!! C'mon guys, crank those blacklights, amoeba gells and strobes! Let's make this happening a happening!

 

[40Hz]

For something I consider very much in the prog tradition - but still very modern and non-imitative, check this out. Tom Dolby's one-man show:

 

[AltGrendel]

For something I consider very much in the prog tradition - but still very modern and non-imitative, check this out. Tom Dolby's one-man show:

The man is a genius.

 

[Michael B]

For your listening pleasure, are you familiar with this prog psychobilly speed surf tune?

Awesome live show that year. One of my top 3 best shows of all time. Opening band couldn't make it. As Mike said, they 'punished' us with an extra long set.

 

[amusicalperson]

You forgot:
4. A drummer with a strong jazz background.

They'll need to be able to float through time changes like clouds on the wind.

Luckily enough, I know a drummer with a very strong Jazz background!

 

[amusicalperson]

Good luck! This thread is a breath of fresh air. Too many people on TB seem to think that the only reason for playing is to make money.

Nothing wrong with making money, but it seems like every time someone talks about making music they get shouted down.

Thank you!

 

[amusicalperson]

So did this band ever get going?
Are they defying those that said nay?
Having fun yet?

Hey now, I'm working on it.

 

[amusicalperson]

I'm seeing a very stodgy version of prog rock denoted here...if so, it's gone and will never return because people don't have that kind of musical background anymore. if Genesis is the definition of prog, then it depends on Celtic music and literary fusion and I'd prefer Magma which was a Germanic rock fusion, or Tortoise which has no vocals or "stories" to be told, or Don Cabeliero or Russian Circles who are actually a bit more recent and Are Prog rock, if not, it's more nostalgia. Early King Crimson has lots more jazz in it (and a wide musical background) and Kate Bush certainly absorbed the whole past of British wind band concert and musical theatre. Prog as nostalgia is nice, psychedelic is too, but IMHO, the real spirit of prog rock dictates not capes, but a disregard of labels and a true pushing of music borders to create music, not note demonstrations or nostalgia. It's like playing science fiction rather than a period costume piece. Prog music happens with all sorts of fusions, not just Celtic.

That's what attracts me to Prog. The way I look at it, I listen and love A LOT of music. I think it is only fair that I should be able to in a band where I can play anything I want (instrument, genre, etc) without getting labeled as "this" or "that" because I don't want to make "this" or "that" I want to make music.

 

[amusicalperson]

In Los Angeles, there are a few original prog rock bands. My old band Final Gravity was about equal parts prog, classic rock and metal and we could play on the bill with a variety of other bands. Gigs were not hard to come by. Audiences were relatively receptive, though I think they sometimes got bored during the longer instrumental passages.

Our guitarist was also in a King Crimson tribute band and those guys never had trouble getting gigs or having people show up to see them.

Thanks for your experience!

 

[amusicalperson]

As someone who also loves progressive rock, at least high-quality progressive rock (not the cheesy variety), I can relate to how you feel. And I encourage you to follow your bliss.

Based on what I can tell, you seem to have your head on straight about this. You realize that this is a labor of love, that it doesn't have to turn a profit, and that it will take time to do it right. So jump in and get it started!

A few other things: I think you'll find that, eventually, you'll need someone for keyboards. I've rarely heard any progressive rock band that didn't have them, King Crimson being the only exception that comes to mind. I have no doubt it will be tough to find the right player, but don't give up.

I think you should plan to gig. You may have to think way outside the box about viable venues and situations, as you certainly can't count on your local watering hole to cut you much slack. So get creative about gigging. Get real creative.

If I were in your shoes, I'd develop some original material to go with the cover tunes. Since you already play keyboards, that should make writing more straightforward. In my opinion, progressive rock really lends itself to original material. That's where you really get an opportunity to shine (And "shining" is what it's all about, amirite?).

Don't overlook some of the second-generation and third-generation "neo prog" bands to cover. I agree that many of them have gone metal(ish) (i.e. Dream Theater, Opeth), and "prog metal" is certainly not my kind of thing either, but not all of them have gone that way. There are lots of very good, more recent progressive rock bands, especially if you're into symphonic prog, that could be worth your while to check out, including: The Flower Kings, Iluvatar, Happy the Man, Echolyn, etc.

Get the bass and drums tight. Very, very tight. Then get 'em tighter still. Bass and drums can never be too tight.

Whatever you do, make sure that it sounds good. If you're good enough, you'll get gigs - it almost doesn't matter the genre. But quality has to be Number One. There's nothing more tedious and amateurish than bad prog, badly performed. And at least in my opinion, there's relatively little that's more impressive than outstanding prog, performed masterfully.

MM

Thanks so much for your advice and encouragement my friend! You are getting a free signed cape.

 

[amusicalperson]

Great thread.

Too many people get caught up in their own impression of what they think "prog rock" is supposed to be. They force it into a box with a label ('70s prog, prog metal, neo prog, etc.) ... and that's about as anti-progressive as you can get. I understand the inherent need to identify things. But, the whole point of progressive music is to push the boundaries. Be progressive.

My advice as a prog enthusiast since the '70s: Do what you want to do, without the burdens of worrying about whether or not you are playing a Ric or an authentic Mellotron. Bands like Yes and Crimson used the tools of their time, as do bands like Dream Theater and Symphony X today. If you are worried about presenting an image of identifiable prog rock, then worry about those things. If you truly want to play progressive music, though, just do it with whatever it takes to realize the sounds in your head.

... and by all means wear a cape (if that's your thing).

I agree, I just posed a comment about what really draws me to Prog is the lack of boundaries. I want to be free to create the music I want. That being said, I've just been picking fun at the classics with all the talk about double-necks, Rics, and capes.

 

[amusicalperson]

Even if it's just for self-gratification, go for it. I'd much rather hear a band doing 70's prog than Dream Theater.

Very good news to hear!

 

[amusicalperson]

I admire your ambition. Just realize you are playing to a very select audience and the work involved in nailing these 70s prog rock songs will be arduous to say the least. I'm not sure if you intend making a lot of money from your venture, prog rock can be like marmite, people either love it or hate it. (Especially if you intend playing Thick and a Brick Volume 1 and 2 by the Tull). I think the amount of work involved in playing any songs longer than say 10 minutes isn't really worth it. So that limits you to earlier stuff (before bands like Yes and Genesis disappeared up their own asses). But best of luck in trying something new.

Thank you!

 

[amusicalperson]

btw, soon to be, EH has a new pedal like the fantastic B9 & C9...the Mel9. they will sell allot of these, get ready...

YES!