Intro to Prog. for 12 year old

Wandering Days wrote: Don Quito wrote: And why is it that you want to introduce him to prog??? I can see it in him, you know? This guys reading habits are way beyond his years (the kid's gone so far as to read the Silmarillion before 6th grade for instance), and he seems to have an adventurous attitude toward music.  I guess I am remembering when I was young myself and didn't like the music on the radio.  Wanted better lyrics and something more complicated that I could actually listen too.  I don't think he is as much of a radical as his tastes suggest.  His folks are a German and Russian who met in a punk club, but listen to U2. I did get a chance to listen to a bit of the Cardiacs stuff.  Sounds like a good direction.  Feels very Punk with a bit of Progressive shining through now and then.  I'll try to listen to more of the suggested bands over the weekend. Thanks again.

It's really impressive that some kids of that age have lots of habits beyond their age and it could be great that he can be introduced to prog music any time... I don't think he will regret this...

I think all of us have been introduced to this music stage by stage. I remember when I was first introduced to Rush, I prefered more their early ages and have a hard time with their 80's material (after Moving Pictures), because I was more into the hard/metal rock stuff, but now I love every single Rush album and I became impressive with their work that I collect every merchandise that comes out. With Rush I became more interested to listen to progressive stuff, including styles such as Canterbury Scene / Kraut Rock / RIO/Avant-prog, as part of the prog universe...

It is just amazing!!!

Don Quito wrote: And why is it that you want to introduce him to prog???

I can see it in him, you know? This guys reading habits are way beyond his years (the kid's gone so far as to read the Silmarillion before 6th grade for instance), and he seems to have an adventurous attitude toward music.  I guess I am remembering when I was young myself and didn't like the music on the radio.  Wanted better lyrics and something more complicated that I could actually listen too.  I don't think he is as much of a radical as his tastes suggest.  His folks are a German and Russian who met in a punk club, but listen to U2.

I did get a chance to listen to a bit of the Cardiacs stuff.  Sounds like a good direction.  Feels very Punk with a bit of Progressive shining through now and then.  I'll try to listen to more of the suggested bands over the weekend.

Thanks again.

stinkfist wrote: since he likes punk- primus system of a down coheed and cambria and the residents are your best bets for getting him into prog

Do you consider System of A Down as Prog????

Stage 1 actually i would at first try to get him into punk bands with a prog influence like some stuff by the Damned (Machine Gun Ettiquette)perhaps some Television (Marquee Moon) Pere Ubu (Dub Housing)Maybe it could scare him away he already likes the Dead Kennedys witch i think have a bit of a prog influence particualraly on the song Ill In The Head has some Zappa Influence others bands Bad Brains (I Against I) these guys are actually virtuosos who play Hardcore punk i would also suggest the album with Jello Biafra And Nomeansno this definetly has some Crimson influence the albums called (The Sky is falling and i want my mommy) Stage 2 hopefully u can get your kid into those bands then i would move him into Primus (Sailing The Seas Of Cheese) then perhaps some Mars Volta i would let him listen to there first album first umm then perhaps Mr.Bungles Debut album also some early Metallica  and some Opeth by now he might like some of the heavier Crimson stuff like Red and there modern stuff and he will probbably respect Zappa because of he kind of had a punky attitude particularly on his first few albums with the Mothers Of Invention and definetly give him some hawkwind (Do Re Me Fa So La Ti Do)or whatever its called Stage 3 by now he should probbably open minded to stuff like Yes,Elp,Genesis and the Symphonic Rock and Fusion and what not still dont think he will be ready for any krautrock or Zuehl Stage 4 give him Van Der Graff Generator,Can,Magma,Henry Cow,Universe Zero by now u should have carved your son into a prog freak WELL THATS MY THEORY

Yeah, I wish my collection were bigger at the moment.  I'm chipping away at a rather major 'wish list'. 

I'm mostly familiar with, and my taste runs to the symphonic and older electronic end of things, as well as some experimental and fusion.  All of which would probably send this guy running for his the comfort of own CD's.  That is why I'm here trying to pick your brains for ideas.  I really do think that he would like this stuff, though, if presented right.

I'd like to put together a sampler.  I know it took me quite a few listens to get the right ear for it.  At first prog seemed overwhelming and busy.  Now it can't have enough layers!

So if anybody has specific tracks they recommend that would be cool.