What Makes a Good Band?

Howard the Duck · 07-15-2012, 08:45 AM

The Rolling Stones

**Janszoon** · 07-15-2012, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holerbot6000

It may be that there are fewer bands full of superficial, posturing mega-Aholes than there were back in those days.

jackhammer · 07-15-2012, 05:27 PM

Gastric and Elastic.

Sounds like a Drum and Bass combo

ama542blake · 07-15-2012, 08:31 PM

In a band I mostly look at their reliance on electronic things, especially electonic drums. I do realize that electronic sounds, such as an electronic drum set, actually need to be played to sound good. But it makes me wonder why they don't strive a bit harder for new sounds. I play drums and there are a lot of tricks to get cool sounds. Of course, they aren't the same. Bottom line, the less electronics (besides guitar amps and a microphone) the better.

I also want to hear more than three chords from the guitar and the same note repeated from the bass. In guitars, repeating chords are okay, but the amount of cool things you can do not relying on chords is amazing. But I admit, I love Green Day, and they are massive offenders. I like the vass to be loud, whether it be a walking bass line or jumping around to different notes, it want it to be loud. A good example of this would be Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He is my favorite bassist. I am a huge critic of drums, being a drummer myself. The kick on 1 and 3 and snare on 2 and 4 just isn't enough (ehemm ACDC). There needs to be innovation. Something like snare on 2 and the and of 3 or something. Don't just double bass the hell out of it (ehemm metal drummers). A wide use of cymbals. Not just an open hi-hat or a crash. I love it when people use splash or China cymbals.

Also, I like it when bands do songs in different time signatures like 7/8 or 5/4. It changes the feel. It's not what you'd expect.

I like the lyrics to be meaningful, about more than sex, drugs, and love. Two bands that stand out here are Cartel and the Red Jumpsuit Aparratus.

Two bands off the top of my head that do these thing best (even though they are very different styles) are Cartel and the Red Hot Chili Peppers (not meaningful lyrics here, beides the 'I'm With You'd album, somethat). I highly reccomend Cartel, especially if you like rock/alternative.

I could go into much greater details, but I won't.

davebon · 07-15-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rjinnx

In your opinion what do you think makes a good band?

Bands producing an inimitable sound, that have their own way of playing. Not knock offs like say... Cold Play.

We could be cynical and say, one that makes a lot of money, but money and art do not always go hand-in-hand. Some great bands “sell out” leaving their earlier works, (usually) superior to their more commercial releases. So, maybe a good band is one that can retain its roots and yet still appeal to the masses?

**Janszoon** · 07-15-2012, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ama542blake

Bottom line, the less electronics (besides guitar amps and a microphone) the better.

Why? And why do you make an exception for amps and mics?

ama542blake · 07-16-2012, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Why? And why do you make an exception for amps and mics?

I just don't like the sound of fake drums and other electronic things for the most part. Mics, without special effects systems, only simply make the sknger louder. Amps, are somewhat required for an electric guitar, and yes, you can change the sound of a guitar with an amp but you can still play the guitar, as quiet as it may be, without electricity. Like I said, I realize that synths and stiff can be difficult to play, I just don't like the sounds that many musicians choose from it. When I listen to a guitar, I still know that they have to do a good amount on their own skill. They still have to find the frets, still have to strum, and still have to get creative with palm muted and slides and bending the strings and so on. You still really have to play it, regardless of the effects you pit on it. And with a drum set that is electronic, well maybe instead of doing a legit rim shot, you could just have another pad set up and you just hit it to make the sound. If you don't know what a rim shot is, look it up.

**Janszoon** · 07-16-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ama542blake

I just don't like the sound of fake drums and other electronic things for the most part. Mics, without special effects systems, only simply make the sknger louder. Amps, are somewhat required for an electric guitar, and yes, you can change the sound of a guitar with an amp but you can still play the guitar, as quiet as it may be, without electricity. Like I said, I realize that synths and stiff can be difficult to play, I just don't like the sounds that many musicians choose from it. When I listen to a guitar, I still know that they have to do a good amount on their own skill. They still have to find the frets, still have to strum, and still have to get creative with palm muted and slides and bending the strings and so on. You still really have to play it, regardless of the effects you pit on it.

So for you music isn't so much about artistic expression as it is about physical accomplishment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ama542blake

And with a drum set that is electronic, well maybe instead of doing a legit rim shot, you could just have another pad set up and you just hit it to make the sound. If you don't know what a rim shot is, look it up.

lol. Why wouldn't I know what a rimshot is?

ama542blake · 07-16-2012, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

So for you music isn't so much about artistic expression as it is about physical accomplishment?

lol. Why wouldn't I know what a rimshot is?

Some people don't and I do, but I find it more artistic when people make the sounds themselves. Mostly the drummer. I understand the appeal to electronic music it just isn't my thing.

Neapolitan · 07-16-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ama542blake

I just don't like the sound of fake drums and other electronic things for the most part. Mics, without special effects systems, only simply make the sknger louder.

What's a sknger? Honest question I don't know what it is. Well Bonham recorded his drumming using a flanger, right, I thought his sound was the bee's knees. Neil Pert & Bill Bruford are excellent examples of drummers who uses both acoustic and electrictronic drums.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ama542blake

If you don't know what a rim shot is, look it up.

I think it is spelt "rum shot" - actually I prefer a shot of rum in Coke.

07-15-2012, 05:27 PM	#23 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Gastric and Elastic. Sounds like a Drum and Bass combo __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

07-15-2012, 08:31 PM	#24 (permalink)
ama542blake Groupie Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 11	In a band I mostly look at their reliance on electronic things, especially electonic drums. I do realize that electronic sounds, such as an electronic drum set, actually need to be played to sound good. But it makes me wonder why they don't strive a bit harder for new sounds. I play drums and there are a lot of tricks to get cool sounds. Of course, they aren't the same. Bottom line, the less electronics (besides guitar amps and a microphone) the better. I also want to hear more than three chords from the guitar and the same note repeated from the bass. In guitars, repeating chords are okay, but the amount of cool things you can do not relying on chords is amazing. But I admit, I love Green Day, and they are massive offenders. I like the vass to be loud, whether it be a walking bass line or jumping around to different notes, it want it to be loud. A good example of this would be Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He is my favorite bassist. I am a huge critic of drums, being a drummer myself. The kick on 1 and 3 and snare on 2 and 4 just isn't enough (ehemm ACDC). There needs to be innovation. Something like snare on 2 and the and of 3 or something. Don't just double bass the hell out of it (ehemm metal drummers). A wide use of cymbals. Not just an open hi-hat or a crash. I love it when people use splash or China cymbals. Also, I like it when bands do songs in different time signatures like 7/8 or 5/4. It changes the feel. It's not what you'd expect. I like the lyrics to be meaningful, about more than sex, drugs, and love. Two bands that stand out here are Cartel and the Red Jumpsuit Aparratus. Two bands off the top of my head that do these thing best (even though they are very different styles) are Cartel and the Red Hot Chili Peppers (not meaningful lyrics here, beides the 'I'm With You'd album, somethat). I highly reccomend Cartel, especially if you like rock/alternative. I could go into much greater details, but I won't.