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Starting a Prog Rock Band

#163
Lee Moses said:
It been close to 3 decades, but I played with a progressive rock band that built up a pretty good following. We never made a ton of money, but we did alright. Part of our appeal is that we were willing to play some crossover songs, like "Why Can't This Be Love" by Van Halen and "The Mission" by Queensryche. And we also made it a point to play prog songs that were well known on the radio, like "Long Distance Runaround" and "Spirit of Radio." When you play some of those, you get a little license to dig into some of the deeper, "proggier" tracks and to play progressive originals.
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Thanks for your experience!
 
#165
Yogi Bear said:
Go for it 100%! I was in a prog band and am looking to start something up again soon – just need to find a keyboard player and a good drummer. Good grief it’s tough to find a progressive drummer who doesn’t want to be the second coming of Portnoy or Mangini. This would just be for fun – if we play out we do, if not, no big whoop. For me creating the music is half the fun.

I too like prog in the vein of Yes (my favorite too), Genesis, etc. I personally think there is a resurgence of good progressive music in recent years – and not progressive metal offerings either. Bands such as Moon Safari, Neal Morse era Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic, The Flower Kings, and especially Big Big Train all put out some really interesting and beautiful music. Big Big Train, in particular has a style that really reminds me of early Genesis recordings – especially their last 5 or 6 albums.

Actually Jon Anderson and Roine Stolt, the guitar player from the Flower Kings, Transatlantic, etc., are working on an album together which should be out this June.

For what it's worth I play a Yamaha BB2025x
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Shhhh, don't say that too loudly. You'll upset the Prog Purists. ;):laugh:
 
#167
jwilson67 said:
That being said - If you want to do a prog thing then do it! Don't listen to the people who say you have to write music for the masses to digest. You are NOT just doing music for others; you have to do some for yourself if you need to. It doesn't matter if girls can dance to it or not. That's the inherent problem with the music industry now anyway. Buck the trend I say!!
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Yeah, I said earlier, I don't want to be labeled as "this" or "that" because what I want to write is music.
 
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#168
StringsNKeys said:
Aaaah - you're breaking my heart. Too bad we aren't in the same area of the country: I cut my teeth on Keith Emerson (RIP) and Rick Wakeman in my youth. Although I've been predominantly playing bass the past few years, but would gladly step back behind the keys for a classic Prog band. In my area (Central NY State), we had a couple of bands that played some classic Prog in the back in the 80's (early Genesis, King Crimson, Yes, UK) but I haven't heard anything like that recently live.

I vote to follow your muse - and good luck!
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I'll take inspiration from your positive vibes! Thank you! But did you make Wakeman proud by sporting a fantastic cape? ;)
 

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#169
socialleper said:
I find it interesting that you separated "keyboardist" from talent. Personally I would say you should try without one. One of my least favorite aspects of prog is the keyboards.
Prog is a tough sell in many ways. You are right, the playing is difficult, there is very little market for it, and honestly little hope of success. That's a big investment to just play covers in your garage. The musicians capable of playing at that level may be interested in greener pastures. Then there is the audience. Louisiana is known for a few musical styles, but I don't think prog is one of them. If venues hire a cover band, they want music that makes people drink or dance. Again, prog isn't either of those.
You've got a good sized boulder to roll up hill; which is to say it will be hard but not impossible.
But seriously think about no keys. Those old Rhodes and Mellotron tones make me want to beat the player to death with their instrument. Its not 1975 anymore. Look into some new technology will ya.
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You are definitely right about Louisiana, though, my Classic Rock band has enjoyed a decent crowd following playing plenty of non-radio hits. So maybe there's hope. One thing I do have to my advantage is Lafayette (about 20 minutes away) is trying to be the next New York and has TONS of small places to play solely focus on original music. I saw a band once, 7 string guitar, djembe, and a digeridoo. Anything goes here.
 
#171
Kragnorak said:
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"
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I'll say this, the best drummer in town, no doubt, has the smallest kit I've seen used for a gig. Bass, snare, hi-hats, and a ride. He's been playing Jazz for 30-40+ years. Dude is a beast. He doesn't even hit any of his drums until the first downbeat. Never fills, extremely solid.
 
#178
40Hz said:
Yeah! Doesn't that just blow the doors off of anything you've seen? Now that's what I call making a fashion statement with your stage outfit.

Capes are less a fashion statement and more a cry for help in my book.
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Rick Wakeman on capes:
Who's idea was it to wear a silver cape on stage, and other than the sheer showmanship of it why a cape?

It came about because an early revue said that I played well but looked like a demented spider with legs and arms stretching everywhere. Yes were playing Hartford, Connecticut, and a local DJ introduced us. He was wearing a cape. I looked at it and realised that that was the answer to my dreams. As he walked off and we walked on I offered him my week's wages ($200) for it. After a bit of haggling he sold it to me. I put it on and walked on stage.

I still have it.

I also have four or five other capes still. Many of the rest were auctioned for charity.​

- See more at: Invalid Link Removed
 
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#179
AltGrendel said:
Rick Wakeman on capes:
Who's idea was it to wear a silver cape on stage, and other than the sheer showmanship of it why a cape?

It came about because an early revue said that I played well but looked like a demented spider with legs and arms stretching everywhere. Yes were playing Hartford, Connecticut, and a local DJ introduced us. He was wearing a cape. I looked at it and realised that that was the answer to my dreams. As he walked off and we walked on I offered him my week's wages ($200) for it. After a bit of haggling he sold it to me. I put it on and walked on stage.

I still have it.

I also have four or five other capes still. Many of the rest were auctioned for charity.​

- See more at: Invalid Link Removed
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See? That's beautiful! :crying:
 

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