Serialism in rock?

As ought to be well known, serialism has been the dominant paradigm in academic avant-garde music for much of the 20th century.  However, I am not aware of any example in rock that uses such techniques.  Is there really no such thing as serialism in any branch of rock music, or do you know any?  (Not that I am much into serialism myself.  IMHO, the whole serialist business was a dead end, and resulted in mostly ugly and unintelligible music.)

Best I know of is Sonic Youth, in their album of covers of avant garde orchestra pieces SYR4, doing versions of two of John Cage's Number Pieces: one version of Four and two takes on Six. How rock they turned out is debatable, but they are wonderful takes on the pieces.

I don't think Terry Riley was an exponent of serialism - minimalism is closer to the mark I think.

ProgBob wrote: I don't think Terry Riley was an exponent of serialism - minimalism is closer to the mark I think.

Yes.  Riley is a minimalist, not a serialist.

WeepingElf wrote: ProgBob wrote: I don't think Terry Riley was an exponent of serialism - minimalism is closer to the mark I think. Yes.  Riley is a minimalist, not a serialist.

I thought Reilly started as serialist and switched to minimalism as a kind of rejection to serialism. Oh, well.

Best example I can think of is Henry Cow's "Ruins." Few rock songs are actually serialist, just like few rock songs are actually atonal, even when many claim otherwise. 

Polymorphia wrote: Best example I can think of is Henry Cow's "Ruins." Few rock songs are actually serialist, just like few rock songs are actually atonal, even when many claim otherwise.

Yes, Tim Hodgkinson in particular was really into serialism, I think a number of his compositions incorporated it, but in general I too am hard pressed to think of prog rock compositions that are explicitly composed using the twelve-tone technique.

I'm not sure I'd be able to recognise 12-tone serialism with a rock beat if it bit me on the arse. For example Henry Cow's Ruins is apparently based upon the Fibonacci series but you'd be hard pressed to figure that out just by listening to it.

Similarly I'm not sure I would recognise atonality if it's done well as it just means it lacks a tonal centre.

Dean wrote: I'm not sure I'd be able to recognise 12-tone serialism with a rock beat if it bit me on the arse. For example Henry Cow's Ruins is apparently based upon the Fibonacci series but you'd be hard pressed to figure that out just by listening to it. Similarly I'm not sure I would recognise atonality if it's done well as it just means it lacks a tonal centre.

Good Point.

It's easier to find serial killer in rock than serialism.

Edited by SteveG - September 23 2015 at 10:14