instrumentally speaking (was Re: Tweedy quote/alt.country (REAL LONG))
Excerpts from internet.listserv.postcard2: 9-Mar-99 RE: Tweedy quote/alt.countr.. by "Jon Weisberger"@fuse.ne I'd be hard-pressed to think of examples of instrumentals in the alt.country field that don't fall pretty clearly into the out-of-classic-country stream, rather than the, er, UT-and-before-and-after one. One problem I see with your logic, Jon, is that much of the rock side of alt.country's influences (especially the punk artists), for whatever reason, don't include many instrumentals. Bands influenced by the Clash, the Sex Pistols, and the Velvet Ungerground tend to sing (or shout), because vocals are essential to their music. Having said that, Victor Krummenacher's past two records each feature a nice instrumental -- the one on his last album owes a bit to Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross". The Sadies have a few on their album (I think the surf influence has a lot to do with it -- Alex, can you think of other surf-influenced alt.country types?), and Pinetop Seven's been known to do one or two. The Waco's did Geronimo on their first record. But these are atypical examples. Waiting to see mention of a Greg Ginn-influenced Western Swing instrumental band, Carl Z.
Re: instrumentally speaking (was Re: Tweedy quote/alt.country (REAL LONG))
Sez Carl: One problem I see with your logic, Jon, is that much of the rock side of alt.country's influences (especially the punk artists), for whatever reason, don't include many instrumentals. Bands influenced by the Clash, the Sex Pistols, and the Velvet Ungerground tend to sing (or shout), because vocals are essential to their music. Sez Jon: That's my point. Even hedged with all kinds of qualifications, I think it's fair to say that in general, where vocals are essential, there's an orientation toward communicating emotions, ideas, etc., and technique and, well, skill - at least instrumental - are more than occasionally seen as, at best, irrelevant to that. See, now, and I thought the whole *point* of punk was to *not* be able to play well. I am not being facetious here. I thought the general punk stance was "F**k this elitist, bourgeois, closed music system. We're gonna play even though we don't know how, and maybe that'll turn the world of music on its ear, and even if it doesn't we'll have a good time with our mates making a whole lot of noise. Being all tied up in technique and knowing how to play is for wankers. Tear up everything." Why have instrumentals if it's important not to be one of those wankers who know how to play? Kelly, ready to have her simplistic understanding of punk adjusted NPIMH "All I Am Is Loving You" by The Teardrop Explodes
Re: instrumentally speaking (was Re: Tweedy quote/alt.country (REAL LONG))
Excerpts from internet.listserv.postcard2: 9-Mar-99 RE: instrumentally speaking.. by "Jon Weisberger"@fuse.ne The Sadies have a few on their album (I think the surf influence has a lot to do with it... Not to mention the bluegrass/country one g, which I'm reminded of because there was a fairly recent inquiry about the Good Brothers over on bgrass-l. True. I offer surf for a reason, as it is an instrumentally-based style of rock. Off the top of my head, I can't think of many twang bands who incorporate surf other than the Sadies (though I haven't heard Jimmy Wilsey's new band yet). Does anyone on this list play music in the style of Dick Dale? For that matter, can anyone think of a twangy band influenced by Camper Van Beethoven's trippy instrumentals? As for technical proficiency, I think David nailed that one on the head. Johnny Ramone's musical vocabulary, while small, is not limiting he does a lot with a few chords. Few Ramones songs could be called instrumentals, though they aren't exactly wordy. Carl Z. fave Ramones song: Warthog.
Re: instrumentally speaking (was Re: Tweedy quote/alt.country (REAL LONG))
In a message dated 3/9/99 3:02:04 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: True. I offer surf for a reason, as it is an instrumentally-based style of rock. Off the top of my head, I can't think of many twang bands who incorporate surf other than the Sadies (though I haven't heard Jimmy Wilsey's new band yet). Does anyone on this list play music in the style of Dick Dale? I think only Dick Dale does Dick Dale, but Junior Brown did a pretty mean surf medley on Semi-Crazy. Joe X. Horn Pledge Drive Survivor
Re: instrumentally speaking (was Re: Tweedy quote/alt.country (REAL LONG))
In a message dated 3/9/99 3:22:44 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I can't think of many twang bands who incorporate surf other than the Sadies Deke dickerson did a few surfy numbers at the Cheapo instore on saturday. Good stuff. Slim
