Geordie Greep [UK] for Eclectic Prog

Artist Image
https://images.app.goo.gl/PNmE2PCmyfrzHoZ5A

One of the most unique musicians of his era, Geordie Wade Greep was the frontman and one of the founding members of British Avant Prog act BLACK MIDI. A band that was one of the most popular amongst a group of bands in a small movement known as The Windmill Scene in Brixton, London, England. After an incredible three album run the band unfortunately disbanded but Geordie Greep was already planning a release of his first solo album, an album similar to the music of Black Midi but with more eclectic influences such as Latin and Samba Rock fused with Progressive Rock. Greep credits his love for music to his father, who's record collection consisted of Progressive Rock, Jazz, Country, and Classical, he was also interested in the "whiz-bang impact" of cartoon scores. Greep first took interest in the guitar when he was given the video game Guitar Hero for his seventh birthday. He grew fond of the music featured in the game, in particular "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand, and later received an electric guitar for his eighth birthday. Around this time, his father would lend him CDs of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin from his own personal collection, as well as those of progressive rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Genesis, and King Crimson and jazz musicians such as Miles Davis. It would be at age 11 when he'd begin playing live in a when he began playing in a gospel band (dispite not being religious) and its said that it's where he learned to improvise. He would eventually form Black Midi at The BRIT School in 2017 with fellow guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin and eventually they'd meet drummer Morgan Simpson and their sound began to take on more rock and funk influence. Their lineup would be completed when they enlisted bassist Cameron Picton a month before their first show at The Windmill, in Brixton, a gig they were lucky to get because it would be which the only venue to accept Greep's emails sent to various music venues. Greep's style is very unique, his most notable feature being his "geographically unclassifiable" voice and one of a kind writing style, paired with the sound of the music itself, Geordie Greep is set to be considered a future legend within the world of rock music

His first solo album is set to debut in October and we already have an idea of what it sounds like

Holy, Holy
https://youtu.be/A4EU_0vFzuU?si=DTZQ9orgASggo_PD

Greep Live at The Windmill
https://youtu.be/LmCKK0qGRjw?si=K7iMG0lrrOe4tqJl

Nice! Added at AP 

It's an amazing album, can't wait to see him added to PA

Great. Restored my faith in prog. Album of the year for sure.
This greep boy will become very important as a torch for the Genre. I get zappa vibes. Much more grown up than hellfire

Great album. Although The New Sound feel like a natural continuation, I will still miss black midi. The most interesting band of the last decade for me. To my ears Cameron Picton's vocal contributions/songs were essential to how perfect Hellfire worked as a whole. An hour of Geordie is simply a lot to take in all at once. But I don't mean to complain. I'm thankful that 25 year old's like this guy even exist:)

I prefer it to Black Midi who were just being edgy at times for the sake of it. This has some of the greatest musicianship I've heard for ages, drawing (I assume) on top jazz musicians working in and around London. I agree with the comment about it giving out Zappa vibes. It also has a lot of jazz-rock vibes with the Billy Cobham like drumming. I agree with this review.

I like it, but it's also kind of a lot to take in (a black midi album is actually easier listening for me). The first song "Blues" sounds much like what I might expect from one of my favourite back midi songs (and not what I was expecting from the title), and then it goes in different directions. I like the lounge crooner qualities, but that's something that I liked with him in black midi. It's very playful, and I like lots of art pop and avant pop (which includes things like Slapp Happy). The track "The New Sound" by the way, was giving me Focus vibes in a kind of Benny Helder-ish way.

I do want more black midi, but I also would like to hear more of Greep's not that new sound. The Zappa-esque lyrics could be toned down a bit for my tastes.

Edited by Logan - October 08 2024 at 14:34

He made it

Decent record, but I miss many elements from black midi. More edge, harder, more avantish.