bands
Rock n' roll, boy bands, jazz trios, and more; the greats, newbies, and forgotten icons who create our favorite groups.
Most Underrated Bands of the 90s
One thing that I'm thankful for, as a Millennial, was my ability to be alive during the 1990s. It was a glorious age —, especially for the arts. The 90s was a time when music was really at its pinnacle. You had amazing subcultures blossoming thanks to the creativity that the overall social climate encouraged.
By Skunk Uzeki9 years ago in Beat
Despise You/Coke Bust Split 7" Review
For those so far uninitiated, "powerviolence" is a hyper aggressive style of music taking its main cues from 80s hardcore punk, grindcore, and, oddly enough, certain styles of progressive rock. This means short songs at blinding speeds, blast beats, sludgy breakdowns and tempos that can shift on a dime. Half the fun of powerviolence, coming from an admitted superfan of the genre, is the twists and turns you get while listening to each 30 second burst of high-speed noise; you might think that you may be only getting two or three riffs per song with those kinds of lengths but in 30 seconds it's easy to get blindsided by a half a dozen different riffs that don't even share a similar tempo.
By Charles Spitzner9 years ago in Beat
Into the Slipstream: The Internet's Undiscovered Talent
With the popularity of platforms like Bandcamp and Soundcloud it's now literally easier than ever to throw your artistic talents out into the wolfish world of picky consumers and bask in the due adulation (or sulk in the corner if you suck or something and everybody calls you names). Combing through these sites opens up whole worlds of creativity previously inaccessible from your home a decade ago and, you know what, some of them definitely aren't getting the celebration that they deserve for putting themselves out there in the world. It's not easy wading through the creating process in the hopes of releasing something you can be truly proud of, but I bet a few worthy souls deserve more listens than they get.
By Charles Spitzner9 years ago in Beat
Hip Hop Is Still Dope, Calm Down
It’s 2017, and I’ve just listened to a 12-year-old white Philadelphian by the name of Matt Ox bang out an autotune studded jam and I’ve heard it a handful of times. 5 Million plus YouTube views later, Hip Hop done changed, B. After another Soundcloud crawl I'm onto Global Dan (who looks like a million strung out emo kids from Jersey at a VFW hall show circa 2008). He loves lean, women, and being cool. I’m not going to go further, but if you’re interested in seeing what’s been up in young hip-hop recently, Gothboi Clique, $uicideboys, and the highly influential Astari YouTube Channel might like to have a word with you when they sober up.
By Triple Decker Sandwich9 years ago in Beat
Best New Wave Bands on Spotify
In the 1970s and 1980s, one of the most uniquely iconic genres of pop-rock was invented. That genre was new wave, and it's characterized by its uniquely electronic take on punk rock. It's not quite pop, it often has darker undertones, and it's almost inextricably linked to the glitzy, club-heavy scenes of the 80s.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart9 years ago in Beat
Louis Tomlinson Talks About Being the 'Forgettable' Member of One Direction And New Music
When One Direction announced their infamous and indefinite hiatus in December 2015, the industry was abuzz in anticipation of the new direction each of the band members will choose after. Zayn Malik, who left the band in March 2015, was the first to go solo, venturing into R&B music. Post Zayn's departure, One Direction released their final album, 'Made In The A.M.' before disbanding temporarily.
By Shivani Agrawal9 years ago in Beat
How Do Musicians Make Money?. Top Story - June 2017.
If you have ever seen a guitar player busking for money, you're probably under the belief that musicians really are almost always either totally broke or filthy rich. Speaking as someone who has a lot of friends in the music industry, I can tell you that being a career musician is really brutal.
By Skunk Uzeki9 years ago in Beat
Experimental?
Does experimental music involve the giving up of music? To answer this question both music and experimental music needs to be defined. Composer Elliot Schwartz (n.d) defines music as ‘the organisation of sound and time’. Similarly, composer Larry Austin (n.d) uses the word sound rather than harmony in his definition: ‘music is wanted sound’. The use of the word ‘sound’ is interesting as John Cage (n.d) said that the ‘more meaningful term; the organisation of sound’ should be used rather than the word music when talking about all music not played on ‘18th and 19th century instruments’, suggesting all post 19th century music is experimental music. However, the definition of experimental would contradict this suggestion. The dictionary definition of experimental is ‘involving a radically new or innovative style’, suggesting that experimental music is music that involves new and innovative ideas, for example, Royal Blood (band) can be considered experimental music as it features the use of heavy processing and FX to create a full rock band (four - five piece) sound from a two-piece band (drums and bass guitar). This definition of experimental music is heavily linked to John Cage’s use of non-traditional instruments and prepared piano, for example, in the piece ‘Water Walk’ (1960), which features heavy use of items not considered to be instruments (radios, water, a bath etc.) to create the sonic content of the piece.
By CHEM USERS9 years ago in Beat
Guide to Metal Subgenres
Any newcomer to metal is almost immediately overwhelmed by the cornucopia of metal subgenres in existence. When you look on paper, names don't mean too much. Doom metal? Black metal? Death metal? They basically sound the same, so what's the big deal in mixing the terminology up a little? Who's gonna care?
By Bethany Tiamat9 years ago in Beat
Signs You're Getting Dropped From the Band
Being part of a band isn't easy. There are constant practice sessions, rehearsals, and work involved in touring. At times, even just squeezing the time to play at different venues and sync up schedules can make you want to cry.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart9 years ago in Beat
Review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming The Beatles: 7 of X
Been a bit since I posted a review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles, mostly because this is not a book to be rush-read or even normally read (whatever pace that might be), but savored, and also because I've been writing some science fiction, and there's also the lure of the cool water and soft beach of Cape Cod Bay. But I wanted to record a few words about Sheffield's chapter on "Ticket to Ride", about as rich and satisfying an extended analysis you can find of a Beatles or any worthy song.
By Paul Levinson9 years ago in Beat
#OverloadMondays: New Releases From Big Boi, DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz and More
Okay so here's some of what happened last week (6/12-18). DJ Khaled is known for bringing together some major heat, or “major key(s),” in music. This week he brought together Rihanna and Bryson Tiller for his new joint “Wild Thoughts” - watch the video above. This is the latest taste for the upcoming album Grateful, to which his son Asahd is the executive producer for. Asahd doesn’t talk yet, but he's producing albums. This kid is good, I wish I were him. Produced by Khaled and Nasty Beatmakers, as well as co-written by PARTYNEXTDOOR - watch the video below. Khaled is taking over this summer for sure.
By Sadé Sanchez9 years ago in Beat
