The Prog Mind

 

There may be a reflection of self-pity inside musicians/prog fanatics who maybe experienced the 70's where the original introduction + development of this music was cemented in their minds. A progression of time passed where something unique was developed in your youth and in the present ..you don't fit into the scheme of things. More or less, we are dismissed and placed in the catagory of being a cult following for the music we like.. To deal with such an awkward and moronic position, one must weigh the balance of positive and negative. To be an outcast is a blessing. Isolation is very important to our lives and our progression to think things over and develop an honest brotherly understanding. A Prog composer will spend 12 hrs. straight composing and recording, give or take 15 minutes to use the bathroom along with the occasional 5 minute breather outside to view the nightsky. And...so it is an art. Your social surroundings/environment has a different but..negative force behind it. You are extremely limited with those around you who enjoy other styles of music , but seem to dislike Prog. What the Progressive rock bands were is never to be what they will become. That is my view over the last 2 decades with Prog fests not selling enough tickets and promoters going for broke. Ironically..this is what originally put us on the map. That part of history ..wiped out and the music continues with Neo-Prog and in many cases, young diverse progressive musicians are supporting themselves and fighting with a power struggle to survive.  This is the negative force. One particular idea of force was to form Prog tribute bands and tour theatres. We need the interest of wealthy individuals who are personally interested in paying our way. Booking orignal Prog bands 5 or 6 times a month in the monster cities of the U.S. instead of once or twice a month.

 

In the 70's a typical booking for a Philadelphia concert would be The J. Giles Band, King Crimson, and Humble Pie. Prog was on second and upon that week a wider variety of music fans bought the King Crimson album after being generally impressed with their performance. Bookings today are so compact with the choosing of a specific style of music genre and to a point where a Irish music festival is built around a theme, mentality, a cult following. I remember when Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention opened for Prog bands. Maybe if the promoters who design these concerts took on a few Prog bands, people might develop interest. Especially in America.