How Do You Start a Prog Band - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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The Whistler View Drop Down

Prog Reviewer

Joined: August 30 2006
Location: LA, CA
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Topic: How Do You Start a Prog Band
Posted: July 02 2007 at 02:29

Well, I think my progressive blues/jam band Electric Catfish is dead...that is, it never came to life, so I still don't know how to answer the "big question."

"There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson

purplepiper View Drop Down

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Joined: October 23 2006
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Posted: July 02 2007 at 02:22

All I hear these days is crappy emo, metal, or rap! I AM SICKENED BY IT ALL! Prog is definitely an unknown term in my area. It's like i'm stranded in a sea of trendyness, with my classic prog collection as my only life raft! Hopes for a band seem to go nowhere....

for those about to prog, we salute you.

sonic_mat

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Joined: September 14 2006
Location: Canada
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Posted: September 14 2006 at 21:21

Chameleon wrote:

I actually was looking for a topic like this. My friend wants to make a hard rock band, but I want to try to inject it with prog. I have no idea how, seeing as everyone I know likes either Nirvana or 50 Cent...

Well,

I haven't actually started a band but

I think that ah, You basically come together find out all of your interests and find out how well you play together.

Thats what i tink!

_/\_M*A*T*H*E*W_/\_
Hardware....
Epiphone Les paul custom
Takimine classical guitar
Yamaha Acoustic
30 watt Marshall with effects
Andre Dardeau Flute

Eetu Pellonpaa View Drop Down

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Posted: September 02 2006 at 14:45

We get gigs for out small jazz rock ensemble from the local pubs. Old drunkards actually like improvised jamming!

Edited by Eetu Pellonpää - September 02 2006 at 14:46

The Whistler View Drop Down

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Posted: September 02 2006 at 04:06

Chameleon wrote:

At least your town knows what prog is.

"Prog? Like that place in Europe?"

That's actually somewhat clever; I'll have to remember that.

I seem to recall, from some snatch of memory, that Phil "the Boomer" Collins joined Genesis because the ad for the band said "looking for a drummer who wants to be in 12-string guitar based rock band." Or something like that.

"There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson

Badabec

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Joined: November 14 2005
Location: Germany
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Posted: August 26 2006 at 17:31

There will always be some people who like your music...

Jay440

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Joined: July 25 2006
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Posted: August 25 2006 at 00:15

Chameleon wrote:

I suggest you try to arrange jams with fellow proghead musicians from this forum.

Seems like the best option to me.

Make some flyers and post them in your local guitar shop and see what happens, too.

I'd personally go for the first option, searching through the Internet, because:

1 - It's easy to find exactly what you want.

AND..

2 - I'd post something at Guitar Center but I don't like going there, not only because I have to listen to crappy Punk Rockers, but because I have to LOOK at them too, and I can't stand looking at them.

G*d-d*mned Trendies with their smug facial expressions, shaggy Emo haircuts and covered in tattoos that look like a Clown puked on their arms.

Man, fellow members of my Age Group SUCK!!!

But I digress....

Sorry.

Anyway, I think I might post a thread on here in the near future to see if there are any other Prog-Heads in my town.

Here in Cleveland, OH., USA, there are actually a hell of a lot people my Age who dig Prog/Psych/Free-Jazz, etc. The only thing is that not many of them play an instrument, or at least not well enough to try playing this kind of stuff. However, I do have a Vibraphonist friend who's a big Zappa freak, so there's a possible collaboration right there.

One big reason why my favorite hang-out is my favorite hang-out is because I once went there wearing my Magma T-Shirt and had so many people respond favorably that it completely blew my mind!

It's been a while since I touched the Bass, so I need to get my chops back in shape.

It's been so long since I jammed with anyone.

Edited by Jay440 - August 25 2006 at 00:28

EssentialFaris View Drop Down

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Joined: July 26 2006
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Posted: August 18 2006 at 17:37

just start a band with people who have infleunces of the blues, pop rock, classic rock, hard rock, punk, its doesnt even matter, as long as the music your going for is just rock. from there you can manipulate the band through the songs you write, you dnot have to be prog...to be prog...if you know what i mean...

StyLaZyn

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Posted: August 16 2006 at 13:14

Bastille Dude wrote:

When I was much younger in the mid 1980's, I was very lucky to have three best friends who not only were my fellow musicians in our band but also loved prog and especially Rush. Oh how I miss those days..

Wow...me too, well almost. We all loved Rush. We gigged and played a number of Rush tunes, but that was the only prog we played. I loved it when we did The Camera Eye.

StyLaZyn

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Posted: August 16 2006 at 13:11

If you want gigs, it obviously depends on where you live. (speaking from the USA) Larger cities provide more opportunity to find places to play. Otherwise, at the very least, you better be damn good. Bands comprised of excellent musicians can capture a willing audience for a short time merely on their abilities. And it dies quickly if the music doesn't offer an appeal. If you have a band in a fairly remote area, rather than a thriving metropolis, the odds are that you'll need to play covers because originals will usually flop, especially if they are long and complicated. So, its always luck of the draw.

I'd say to build a following, keep your first originals listener friendly and add small touches of progness. A good hook in the song helps immensely as does a chorus that relates to lots of people. People will love to sing along if the words and melody are simple. Over time, you could build a stronger prog repertoire.

Gravity Eyelids View Drop Down

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Posted: August 16 2006 at 13:05

You were quite lucky. My brother was in a few bands who did'nt even know what prog was. He never stayed in them long, and has realized if he wants to play prog he has to play alone.

Into this wild Abyss the fiend
Stood on the brink of Hell and looked a while,
Pondering his Voyage.

Bastille Dude View Drop Down

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Posted: August 16 2006 at 12:48

When I was much younger in the mid 1980's, I was very lucky to have three best friends who not only were my fellow musicians in our band but also loved prog and especially Rush. Oh how I miss those days..

DEATH TO FALSE PROG!

Leningrad

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Posted: August 16 2006 at 12:16

At least your town knows what prog is.

"Prog? Like that place in Europe?"

And I really want to be in a symphonic band, so it's gonna be pretty impossible to get gigs.

Empathy

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Posted: August 16 2006 at 12:14

Where we are, many consider The Ramones the absolute pinnacle of musical accomplishment. Ermm

Prog is generally hated.

If you live in the Boston area... SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PROGGERS! Smile

Pure Brilliance:

mystic fred View Drop Down

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Posted: August 16 2006 at 11:33

Some time ago i used to keep seeing a young classic rock group with a very good guitarist playing locally at every opportunity they could, every pub, club - even in the local shopping centre one day! I haven't seen them lately, maybe they've moved up from local places! Top marks for persistence if they have.

Prog Archives Tour Van

Stars Die

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Posted: August 16 2006 at 08:03

I am playing in a slightly progressive metal band, and I find it very difficult to find gigs, but I think it would be even harder if we had played Symphonic prog or any of the older styles. The few times people books us, it is because we are a metal band and they want one, never because of the prog influences.

Edited by Stars Die - August 16 2006 at 08:05

Du Skojar om att jag Skojar men jag skojar inte alls

Prog-jester View Drop Down

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Posted: August 16 2006 at 06:34

I have a doom-metal band.I always loved prog more than Doom - actually,I've grown out from Doom-metal and I listen very rarely to it.I've tried to dring some OPETH-like elements to our music - I must admit I've manage to do it!!!Anyway I'm boring with this band and I want to leave it.
Because I want to play Symphonic Prog,not even Neo or Prog-Metal!!!It's impossible...

Leningrad

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Posted: August 15 2006 at 21:34

I tried introducing a friend to prog. I showed him Foxtrot. He zones out and can't listen to it all.

heyitsthatguy View Drop Down

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Posted: August 15 2006 at 21:16

Well, the 2 big bands in our grade (mine and my friends') happen to all listen to prog to some degree or another, I know mine is trying to lean in the prog direction, the other seems to be more of a funk/blues/jam band

Leningrad

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Posted: August 15 2006 at 18:24

Something I've always thought about- does some have to be long and in a funky time signature to be prog?

No. I have just always wanted to do that.