It Bites Poll

They were a prog band in disguise.

I remember reading an interview with Frank Dunnery in my cousins 'Smash Hits' magazine back in 1986. I remember reading how their influences were Yes, Led Zep and Genesis. Dunnery was going on about how important the 70's were, because you had to be able to play an instrument to get anywhere. I remember thinking 'Cool they sound good'....despite looking terrible.

They were trying to re-introduce prog to the charts without anyone noticing, so chose a very pop approach. Their debut album 'Big lad in the Windmill' caught my attention, because of the musicianship. Behind the 'Go West' style pop production, there was some brilliant lead guitar work, and complex things happening in the rhythim section. Kerrang! and Sounds were also raving about them. I saw them live about 5 times, and they were fantastic every time. I've NEVER heard such good live sound. Their follow up 'Once around the World' was one of the best albums of the 80's IMO, and more prog than it's predecessor. Thats when the penny dropped for the music press and Virgin (their record company) It Bites were a prog band. When this became clear they bit the dust very quickly. 'Eat me in St Louis' was a massive dissapointment, and was recorded to appease Virgin who did not want a prog band on their hands.

It Bites were definitely prog imo, Francis Dunnery a superb guitarist!
I do think Beck personifies most of what was bad about the 80's tho, I really don't like him, and it has kept me away from any Kino output. I do think the earlier albums of IB were better.
But if you are more of a Flower Kings kinda guy, then IB might be quite a large leap!

P-C

It Bites are were a great intelligent musical rock / pop band with prog influences.
They should definitely be in PA and be appreciated for bridging a gap between classic prog and pop-rock. Great musicianship, great vocals and great arrangements.
Give em a break folks!

<<I hate them,just wanted to stick my twopenneth in>>

Well, this poll is a lot closer than I thought it would be. I just didn't hear it. Even the subject matter to their songs didn't strike me as prog. I remember a behind the scenes look at Spock's Beard or Transatlantic, and during the songwriting sessions there was a point where the lyrics took on a bit of a 'romantic' flavor. Morse nixed it and declared, "We're a prog band".

E
    

Edited by E-Dub - May 25 2006 at 16:12

haven't  heard It Bites... so I guess my vote is for Winger...


edit - not that I was a fan of them back in the day...


Edited by micky - May 25 2006 at 16:02

E-Dub wrote: I just heard my first (and last) It Bites disc, and I'd almost be willing to drop them from the Archives, if I were the administrators. There is nothing progressive about this band that I can hear. They strike me as a cross between Duran Duran and Def Leppard. I don't know, guys. This could be one of the worst CD's I've bought in a LONG time. Well, since a Kayak CD a few months back. E

I'll admit I thought the same as you to start with, but repeated listening has persuaded me otherwise. The production is a bit 1980s and hasn't really aged well, but they are a very clever band and worthy of a place here.

Tony R wrote: Eat Me in St Louis is not a great album... ....try their earlier albums.

I think its pretty great, but not as prog as "Once Around The world".

<<They are one of the most underrated prog bands from the '80s.>>

For a reason, my friend.

E

<<Definitely Prog. No question.>>

Please enlighten me because I'm missing something, according to you. Not saying you're wrong. I just can't hear it.

E

Definitely Prog. No question.