Music Banter - View Single Post - Avant-garde/Experimental?

PopIsDead · 04-17-2007, 04:20 PM

Alright. So an important music scene that was often considered avant-garde or experimental was the no wave scene in late 70's/early 80's New York City. This music which was called "no wave" was basically consisted of a strong rhythm section throughout with abrasive atonal sounds on guitar and other instruments (sometimes saxophone or keyboard to name a few). It often didn't have a melody and instead focused on musical texture. An essential album from this genre is No New York, which was a Brian Eno produced compilation album of some no wave artists. A few important no wave artists include Teenage Jesus & The Jerks (as well as frontwoman Lydia Lunch), James Chance & The Contortions, DNA, Mars, Swans, and Sonic Youth. Sonic Youth only got their beginning in no wave and eventually mixed the noisy sounds of no wave to a larger audience. No wave has had a widespread influence on noise and industrial bands such as Big Black, Live Skull, and Helmet. No wave has also had a widespread influence on other bands including Liars, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and even !!!. It has influenced the sound of other genres like post-hardcore.

Now, here's a list of some important artists that are often considered avant-garde or experimental (some of these could easily be placed in other more well known genres, others not so much): John Cage, Buckethead, Can, Bjork, Aphex Twin, Boards Of Canada, Brian Eno, Mr. Bungle and other Mike Patton related projects, Yoko Ono, The Residents, Sonic Youth, Swans, John Zorn, Secret Chiefs 3, Gastr Del Sol, Jim O'Rourke, Thurston Moore, Wolf Eyes, and many more. The influence of avant-garde and experimental music is apparent in almost every band that is more "unconventional" or "against the grain".

Here are a few favourite albums of mine that are avant-garde or experimental and are difficult to put in any other genre: Mr. Bungle and Disco Volante by Mr. Bungle, God In Three Persons and Tweedles! by The Residents, Book M and Second Grand Constitution and Bylaws, Hurqalya by Secret Chiefs 3, DNA On DNA by DNA, Everything by Teenage Jesus & The Jerks, and Solo Guitar by Alan Sparhawk. That's all I'm gonna talk on the subject in this post.

04-17-2007, 04:20 PM	#18 (permalink)
PopIsDead Edgyswingsetacid Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 342	Alright. So an important music scene that was often considered avant-garde or experimental was the no wave scene in late 70's/early 80's New York City. This music which was called "no wave" was basically consisted of a strong rhythm section throughout with abrasive atonal sounds on guitar and other instruments (sometimes saxophone or keyboard to name a few). It often didn't have a melody and instead focused on musical texture. An essential album from this genre is No New York, which was a Brian Eno produced compilation album of some no wave artists. A few important no wave artists include Teenage Jesus & The Jerks (as well as frontwoman Lydia Lunch), James Chance & The Contortions, DNA, Mars, Swans, and Sonic Youth. Sonic Youth only got their beginning in no wave and eventually mixed the noisy sounds of no wave to a larger audience. No wave has had a widespread influence on noise and industrial bands such as Big Black, Live Skull, and Helmet. No wave has also had a widespread influence on other bands including Liars, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and even !!!. It has influenced the sound of other genres like post-hardcore. Now, here's a list of some important artists that are often considered avant-garde or experimental (some of these could easily be placed in other more well known genres, others not so much): John Cage, Buckethead, Can, Bjork, Aphex Twin, Boards Of Canada, Brian Eno, Mr. Bungle and other Mike Patton related projects, Yoko Ono, The Residents, Sonic Youth, Swans, John Zorn, Secret Chiefs 3, Gastr Del Sol, Jim O'Rourke, Thurston Moore, Wolf Eyes, and many more. The influence of avant-garde and experimental music is apparent in almost every band that is more "unconventional" or "against the grain". Here are a few favourite albums of mine that are avant-garde or experimental and are difficult to put in any other genre: Mr. Bungle and Disco Volante by Mr. Bungle, God In Three Persons and Tweedles! by The Residents, Book M and Second Grand Constitution and Bylaws, Hurqalya by Secret Chiefs 3, DNA On DNA by DNA, Everything by Teenage Jesus & The Jerks, and Solo Guitar by Alan Sparhawk. That's all I'm gonna talk on the subject in this post. __________________ "No one likes a smart-ass but we all like stars."