For the prog fan that is not a prog fan

You and I share a pretty similar taste. I'm also really into jam bands as well as prog. I can see why you would like Jazz-Fusion and all since that's basically how jam bands work, improvising and all. I'm guessing you have a pretty broad knowledge of the genre but here are some bands I really like that are on the jazzy side: Galactic, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Victor Wooten (solo), The Big Wu, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Addison Groove Project...

darkshade wrote:   MercyfulFatesWarning wrote: I didn't see Van der Graaf Generator your list?  I know they're old, but I'd think they would be right up your alley..   ive given this band more than 3 tries, they just dont click with me. they're almost, dare i say, booooring. i actually fell asleep to one of their albums (and it was 3 in the afternoon and i wasnt tired prior) so yea, no. thanks for the suggestion though

Either you haven't tried hard enough, or the wrong album. If not, just forget all about all my suggestions.

How about the Roine Stolt interview and his comment re : the "retro-prog" tag that the Flower Kings has ?
I never thought of it, but if he's been playing prog since the mid 70s (Kaipa onwards), why would we say that he's just imitating those 70s icons ?

Have you tried following Bill Bruford's carrer. His first solo albums are absolutely marvellous. So is his jazz band Earthworks. Saw them live last year and they are such talented musicians.

Yes, I love Thrust!

I see exactly what you mean. I've been through a remarkably similar musical journey myself (in fact it's eerie, I love exactly all of the same bands, in all the genres), though mine happened more all at once in a few months than a kind of succession. The only difference is I don't have nearly enough money to pay for most of it.

It gets to the point where the whole complexity and intellectualism of prog gets a bit tiresome and I feel like "progressing" my tastes to something different. For me, jazz fusion and jazz was the answer, Return to Forever, Mahavishnu, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, and especially John Coltrane, and anything similar. I've even expanded to the more progressive Death metal bands, something I would never have expected, and I even enjoy opera now as well.

The thing is I DO go out and hunt for great new progressive bands, some I find are amazing, many I simply can't stand at all. So I think I could probably call myself a prog fan. I guess my main point is prog rock shouldn't be the only thing you listen to, or at least not for me. Just because prog rock isn't all you listen to, doesn't mean you don't like it as a genre. One should have an open mind!

Great blog, it's one's such as this that make this site really worthwhile!


Edited by Draith - August 29 2008 at 01:53

Easy Money wrote: darkshade wrote: Easy Money wrote: In the time it might take me to describe these bands you could already hear their music on myspace, their own website or on PA. Click on my profile and then my homepage and you will find Birds and Buildings and Maserati in my 'friends' section, also a band called Bogdanovich, ha ha ha. haha you do know that was my band right? Mos def, you and I were the only site members to submit fusion bands to the unsigned band thread.

heh, i think you're right. everyone else's bands are either metal bands or wanna-be prog bands. Your band and mine are the only (from what I know) that are actually serious and could see being listened to by a lot of people on this site.

it sucks, though, cause we broke up. But i'll have a new band in no time.

Easy Money wrote: In the time it might take me to describe these bands you could already hear their music on myspace, their own website or on PA. Click on my profile and then my homepage and you will find Birds and Buildings and Maserati in my 'friends' section, also a band called Bogdanovich, ha ha ha.

haha you do know that was my band right?

Rocktopus wrote: darkshade wrote: The Mars Volta The Flower Kings Mr. Bungle Dream Theater Liquid Tension Experiment Phish (yes they are prog!) Umphrey's McGee Ozric Tentacles Spock's Beard or Transatlantic so do not suggest them. I would have like Transatlantic had Neil Morse not been there. Hm, suggestions from me might be a little irrelevant to you, because I don't like the modern bands you list except Mr. Bungle (maybe you have been checking out the wrong bands), to some extent. But I can relate  to your opening post, and we share a lot of jazzfavorites. My favorites among the newer bands are: Non Credo: (a must hear!) Try Happy Wretched Family or Impropera Guapo: any of their three latest Kayo Dot: Blue Lambrency Downward. Surely album of the year! (you've probably heard them already) Secret Chiefs 3 Elephant9 (brilliant, brand new jazzrockfusion) Maybe not to your taste at all, but I love them. And I think they all have a unique sound. I think many of Dave Kerman related bands are great. U Totem, Motor Totemist Guild, 5Uu's... Tried anything from the Japanese scene? Its not all hysterical.

my tastes are weird. Even by describing the music I listen to, I could still get into a band you wouldnt think I would. it's weird.

But i will check out these bands. thanks for the suggestions. Ive seen Kayo Dot mentioned a lot on this forum. Maybe I'll check them out first.

I find contemporary prog so dissappointing, and always return to prog's best days or jazz rock fusion

darkshade wrote: Easy Money wrote: Hey Darkshade, You know I share your enthusiasm for Hancock and Miles, we both keep showing up in the same threads ha ha. I was raised on classic early 70s prog rock. It's great stuff but there's only so many times I can listen to the same records. I keep looking for newer prog rock that I like, but there is a lot of weak material to wade through. Some post 70s bands I like include Ozric Tentacles, Birds and Buildings, Jaga Jazzist, Shining, Maserati and Kensos. There is also a lot of great progressive music in the modern world of electronic music, not exactly prog-rock but similar. P.S. I don't care for new prog bands that sound like old prog bands, it's time to move on, most of the bands I listed draw on the past but still sound fresh and new. i have some Ozric Tentacles, and I like them a lot. They have a jazz-rock feel to them sometimes, but i enjoy their overall sound very much (even the newer stuff which i know some people dont agree with)the others i have no idea about. any good suggestions, or descriptions of those other bands?

In the time it might take me to describe these bands you could already hear their music on myspace, their own website or on PA. Click on my profile and then my homepage and you will find Birds and Buildings and Maserati in my 'friends' section, also a band called Bogdanovitch, ha ha ha.