At The Drive In and Refused to reform in 2012!
Re: At The Drive In and Refused to reform in 2012!
I will make a post later tonight. Im at work now and I have band practice right after. I do like both bands but i'll say im not too stoked on reunions anymore.
[ XBL: downedcity | PSN: biggry | Steam: Merchandise ]
Black Lodge Amplification: http://blacklodgeamps.tumblr.com/
Black Lodge Amplification: http://blacklodgeamps.tumblr.com/
Re: At The Drive In and Refused to reform in 2012!
Sorry for the huge post, but I've been thinking about this all day. Probably a ton of errors because I didn't proof read this. 
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Firstly I'll start off by saying I enjoy both bands but I could do without them.
Band reunions... where to start? I enjoyed going to see Gang of Four three times, but countless bands have reunited that I've loved, but I just don't care to see them. For me, when a band breaks up, especially for an extended period in time, they become antiquated and static. Not to say that the music is not good anymore, but the creative process has stopped or at least been put on pause. When a band reunites, you get either completely new stuff that is hard to digest or they just play the same old stuff which can get pretty boring. It makes me feel akward, but I don't hate it. It's like divorcing your spouse (being in a band is like being married...) and then 10 years later getting back together and pretending like nothing ever happened. Sure, you still know each other, but it just isn't the same.
That being said, I would go to both shows if it was cheap. I'd even go to a Fugazi reunion, but do I want one? Not particularly... and they are my favorite band!
@NIODE: Addressing Political Agenda in Music.. specifically in Punk music.
Punk is an interesting genre because it mainly exists to be a "fuck you". I'm sure you're familiar or at least hard of such bands as the Clash, Sex Pistols, Black Flag, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Crass... etc. Most of these bands sing about a few things. Sex, Drugs, Abstinence from Sex/Drugs, Politics (whether it be Anarchy or down to being more Aware of politics). These are just examples. Song content goes way beyond that, but the point of politics in an edgy genre is because it can be addressed openly by people with radical beliefs or just plain frustration. This doesn't just go for punk, any genre can sing about politics. The reason why so many people get offended when a band reunites/sells out (not that they are equal) is because the artistic integrity of what they've created - everything that embodies them beyond the simple scope of their sound is compromised.
I'm not saying you can't enjoy the music, go right ahead! If the actual sound of the music is the most important part for you, that's okay. I hate lyrics for the most part unless I can completely identify with the what they are about, so I often ignore them.
So Niode, I agree with you about fuck everything if you enjoy it. I'm just stating why people get their undies in a bunch over this stuff.
This might be cheesy, but I'll use Fugazi as an example because they are "extreme" and also my handle is the band name.
Here you have a band that;
- Played ONLY shows with affordable ticket prices. $5-$7
- Did not charge more than $10 for an LP
- Played EXCLUSIVELY benefit shows in their hometown area of DC
- Preformed many protest shows
- Were openly against the corporate greed of the music industry
- Refused to be featured in magazines or interviews with that associated with tobacco
product or drinking ads.
- Turned down multiple major label contracts
The idea behind that group of 4 friends over 14 years was to promote community safety, political awareness no matter what belief you held, safe AND fun live show environment. They weren't a band defined by just their music, but their integrity as a whole, and they happened to be very successful with it (which doesn't matter in the long run anyway)
Would I be utterly pissed and discouraged if they acted in a manner that contradicted what they sang about? Hell yes!!! The band shaped my late teens and early twenties and inspired me on several levels.
Enough about Fugazi, because they are not the only band that acts in a manner like that, they just became famous from extensive touring and confronting people.
@Aaron: Politics in music - I agree with you.
--non relevant replies--
@glynnahab: Addressing Moshing / Singing. I agree mostly.
I think "moshing" is probably defined too loosely. I sure DO NOT approve of people getting beat up or hurt at shows. I love to dance and go crazy at shows, but I think the problem that most people such as Ian Mackaye deal with is people who are unaware. You should not be throwing windmills and floor punching if you're in the middle of people who don't want to do it. Go find an open spot or a less crowded area and do that shit. You're not the only one at the show. You can always go to a NYC hardcore show where 25 Ta Life, Madball, or VOD is playing. Chances are 97% of the people there are just tough guys who want an excuse to beat people up.
If someone ever got hurt at a show I played you're damn right I would stop the set and help them. It's just not excusable. I'd rather someone just up on stage and start swinging than do it near people who are clearly there just for observing. Not everyone has to participate to that extent.
@neilencio: Impossible to Moshing to odd time sigatures.
Sorry, but this is just ridiculous. If you're in odd time you just have 1 extra beat no matter the time signature. A time signature is just a pattern. You can break 9/4 into 4/4 and 5/4 or a bunch of 2/4's and a 3/4. Watch a video of a Messhugah, Dillinger Escape Plan, Hella, or any other band with odd time signatures. I can guarantee there are tons of people moshing.
Flamenco music has a lot of 9/8 and some of the patterns are ridiculous but people still dance with an incredible flow to it.
-----
Firstly I'll start off by saying I enjoy both bands but I could do without them.
Band reunions... where to start? I enjoyed going to see Gang of Four three times, but countless bands have reunited that I've loved, but I just don't care to see them. For me, when a band breaks up, especially for an extended period in time, they become antiquated and static. Not to say that the music is not good anymore, but the creative process has stopped or at least been put on pause. When a band reunites, you get either completely new stuff that is hard to digest or they just play the same old stuff which can get pretty boring. It makes me feel akward, but I don't hate it. It's like divorcing your spouse (being in a band is like being married...) and then 10 years later getting back together and pretending like nothing ever happened. Sure, you still know each other, but it just isn't the same.
That being said, I would go to both shows if it was cheap. I'd even go to a Fugazi reunion, but do I want one? Not particularly... and they are my favorite band!
@NIODE: Addressing Political Agenda in Music.. specifically in Punk music.
Punk is an interesting genre because it mainly exists to be a "fuck you". I'm sure you're familiar or at least hard of such bands as the Clash, Sex Pistols, Black Flag, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Crass... etc. Most of these bands sing about a few things. Sex, Drugs, Abstinence from Sex/Drugs, Politics (whether it be Anarchy or down to being more Aware of politics). These are just examples. Song content goes way beyond that, but the point of politics in an edgy genre is because it can be addressed openly by people with radical beliefs or just plain frustration. This doesn't just go for punk, any genre can sing about politics. The reason why so many people get offended when a band reunites/sells out (not that they are equal) is because the artistic integrity of what they've created - everything that embodies them beyond the simple scope of their sound is compromised.
I'm not saying you can't enjoy the music, go right ahead! If the actual sound of the music is the most important part for you, that's okay. I hate lyrics for the most part unless I can completely identify with the what they are about, so I often ignore them.
So Niode, I agree with you about fuck everything if you enjoy it. I'm just stating why people get their undies in a bunch over this stuff.
This might be cheesy, but I'll use Fugazi as an example because they are "extreme" and also my handle is the band name.
Here you have a band that;
- Played ONLY shows with affordable ticket prices. $5-$7
- Did not charge more than $10 for an LP
- Played EXCLUSIVELY benefit shows in their hometown area of DC
- Preformed many protest shows
- Were openly against the corporate greed of the music industry
- Refused to be featured in magazines or interviews with that associated with tobacco
product or drinking ads.
- Turned down multiple major label contracts
The idea behind that group of 4 friends over 14 years was to promote community safety, political awareness no matter what belief you held, safe AND fun live show environment. They weren't a band defined by just their music, but their integrity as a whole, and they happened to be very successful with it (which doesn't matter in the long run anyway)
Would I be utterly pissed and discouraged if they acted in a manner that contradicted what they sang about? Hell yes!!! The band shaped my late teens and early twenties and inspired me on several levels.
Enough about Fugazi, because they are not the only band that acts in a manner like that, they just became famous from extensive touring and confronting people.
@Aaron: Politics in music - I agree with you.
--non relevant replies--
@glynnahab: Addressing Moshing / Singing. I agree mostly.
I think "moshing" is probably defined too loosely. I sure DO NOT approve of people getting beat up or hurt at shows. I love to dance and go crazy at shows, but I think the problem that most people such as Ian Mackaye deal with is people who are unaware. You should not be throwing windmills and floor punching if you're in the middle of people who don't want to do it. Go find an open spot or a less crowded area and do that shit. You're not the only one at the show. You can always go to a NYC hardcore show where 25 Ta Life, Madball, or VOD is playing. Chances are 97% of the people there are just tough guys who want an excuse to beat people up.
If someone ever got hurt at a show I played you're damn right I would stop the set and help them. It's just not excusable. I'd rather someone just up on stage and start swinging than do it near people who are clearly there just for observing. Not everyone has to participate to that extent.
@neilencio: Impossible to Moshing to odd time sigatures.
Sorry, but this is just ridiculous. If you're in odd time you just have 1 extra beat no matter the time signature. A time signature is just a pattern. You can break 9/4 into 4/4 and 5/4 or a bunch of 2/4's and a 3/4. Watch a video of a Messhugah, Dillinger Escape Plan, Hella, or any other band with odd time signatures. I can guarantee there are tons of people moshing.
Flamenco music has a lot of 9/8 and some of the patterns are ridiculous but people still dance with an incredible flow to it.
[ XBL: downedcity | PSN: biggry | Steam: Merchandise ]
Black Lodge Amplification: http://blacklodgeamps.tumblr.com/
Black Lodge Amplification: http://blacklodgeamps.tumblr.com/