Todays Rock/Metal

[leftyguitarblue]

Thanks for posting that interview. I was wrong about their music being why they rule. THIS is why they rule.

Seriously though, are you guys really jumping to Dream Theater's defense? I mean, really? Who gives a crap what Mastodon thinks of the music you like. If they have said they hated The Cardigans (whom I love and you all probably hate), would I get angry about it? You're acting like JP is your friend because you bought a guitar. I guess I'm not allowed to visit this part of the site and mention a band unless they like Dream Theater.

Not at all Rad, they are extremely talented, I just lost a little respect for them for acting like middle school kids with those comments. it has nothing to do with owning a JP or liking Dream Theater.

They could have been speaking about anybody, even the Cardigans.

 

[Astrofreq]

I'm not defending with what they said, because obviously it's completely unprofessional. Let's be honest though, bands/musicians do this all the time. Yngwie was a total jerk in the 80s, but half of us still listened to him. EVH totally knocked other guitar players in articles, but that has nothing to do with why I listen to him.

Geez, I love Pearl Jam, but vedder is against pretty much everything I believe in. It's okay, because I don't pay him to agree with me. I'm sorry that I caused a commotion in this thread. I didn't mean to. Before I list any other bands, I'll make sure to wiki them to make sure they like Dream Theater.

 

[leftyguitarblue]

I'm not defending with what they said, because obviously it's completely unprofessional. Let's be honest though, bands/musicians do this all the time. Yngwie was a total jerk in the 80s, but half of us still listened to him. EVH totally knocked other guitar players in articles, but that has nothing to do with why I listen to him.

Geez, I love Pearl Jam, but vedder is against pretty much everything I believe in. It's okay, because I don't pay him to agree with me. I'm sorry that I caused a commotion in this thread. I didn't mean to. Before I list any other bands, I'll make sure to wiki them to make sure they like Dream Theater.

hahaha, sorry Rad, I really didn't mean to cause commotion, that's my fault, I posted the interview.I see your points and I get it. It's just an interview that stuck in my head and it happened to be about Dream Theater. I like Mastodon and yes, their drummer is sick. Don't send any bounty hunters or Jedi's after me.

 

[73h Nils]

As much as reading it riles me up, it was a loaded question. The magazine could have stated any other band and Mastodon would probably have said something similar.

That "Chinese girl" could probably rip them in half, though Don't even get me started on JP...

 

[A.J.]

I'm totally with you there. I also grew up in the '80's and went to college in the early '90's and I just can't get into today's bands, no matter how much i want to keep up with music and not become an old fogey trapped in the past.

Maybe we miss different things, but for me, I'm always asking, "Where's the next G'n'R, Jane's Addiction, Faith No More, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins etc?" Why haven't we seen something really new and exciting? It all sounds the same to me, using tired old formula's.

What made me feel a little better about this was reading comments on You Tube by teenagers today saying the same thing and wishing they grew up in that time period because the music was so good.

Although I came to be about 10 years later I love those same groups. Too bad you don't live in SLO, I think we'd hit it off!

 

[glockaxis]

It all comes down to respect. Is it too much nowadays to ask for some simple respect among musicians? It's one thing for a band to say something like "I really don't care for JP as a guitarist or his band..." and then list some legitimate reasons. That I could respect.

 

[Mon_AM_lunatic]

Hi general question. I grew up in the 80's and went to college in the early 90's. I grew up listening to great shredders and great bands. I don't want to be trapped in the past and I do enjoy some stuff that's new, but I just can't seem to get into the new rock/metal bands. There are some great players out there, but not the same types of "virtuosos" today that the 80s produced. Plus, most of the rock/metal songs of the past were built upon great "licks" and creative solos but I don't seem to hear that as much today. For my taste, too many modern bands seem to tune way down and use drop-d and other open tunings instead of playing well. Why?
Your thoughts.

I would recommend checking out Mike Slamer...great guitar playing in the style you mentioned
-his latest solo cd - Nowhere Land (2006)
plus, Seventh Key w/ Billy Greer of Kansas & Streets

 

[DanTheMan]

Although I came to be about 10 years later I love those same groups. Too bad you don't live in SLO, I think we'd hit it off!

Nice to hear A.J.

If I ever get out to California we'll definitely have to have a beer together and listen to some good tunes.

 

[tommydude]

Guitar Players

I am from that same 80's/90's era.... There is hope out there, but not on Pop Radio. Find an Independent Music Store and ask around!

Check out this player: Welcome to the Neil Zaza Website!

 

[deadtotheworld]

It was funny reading about the 'macho' Mastodon mentioning ego and then bitching about another bands clothes! I saw Mastodon live a few years ago and they were terrible - even their own fans thought they were terrible.
If a band like Metallica had released some of the stuff Mastodon have released they would be slated even more than the St Anger era - but because of the rock press telling you to buy their stuff and they are the next big thing, people just lap it up.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

I can certainly relate to what is being said in this thread! Growing up, my parents had ...And Justice For All and the "Black" album by Metallica, so I could be found running around the house playing air guitar at about five years old.

The constipated bear vocals of today are simply something I cannot get into, and it compels me to roll my eyes. At the same time, the excessive use of neo-classical licks gets old for me as well; I want energy and emotion, and I don't care how you achieve it, so long as you do put it out. And frankly, I believe St. Anger is THE best rock/metal album of the early 2000's, and I also feel that if another band would have released it, people would worship it as something new and fresh.

The solution to your discomfort? Write your own music, and start your own band, provided you have the means. I have recently sucked it up and started working on vocals (playing while singing is a real adventure!), found a great group of guys, and we are writing away. It's a real blast, and very exciting! It is all about taking matters into your own hands, and making it happen. Complaining about other bands and current music has gotten me nowhere, nor do I see it doing anything for me in the future.

Someone has to do it... why not any of us?

 

[ngutenson]

Wow, talk about old news with that Mastodon article - if you really knew anything about either of the bands in question, you'd realize the silliness of the argument. As far as the bands themselves are concerned, there's no bad blood.

If you're a fan of Dream Theater, you should be able to appreciate what Mastodon does. If their hardcore side isn't your thing, then I advise you, and EVERYONE else, to give a listen to their new album 'Crack the Skye'. It's streaming on their Myspace right now.

If you actually were to read more into the band, and see more interviews, you'd know that that particular commentary was out of character for them and mostly in jest as a condition of being wasted in one way or another.

 

[deadtotheworld]

I realise it was said in jest hence the reason I said "it was funny reading about..."
Ive tried getting into Mastodon, even seeing them live, but I just feel that too much unfocussed music these days seems to get tagged with the 'prog' label. Hell, I dont really stoop so low as to slag off bands because everyone has their fans and their own place in music, but I just feel that Mastodon are crap. Sorry. I hate slagging bands off but I cant come up with anything constructive to say about them. Saw Gojira a few years ago and they were also terrible - but good luck to them both, as they are gaining popularity all the time.
I feel though over the last few years my favourite rock/metal albums have been:
Machinehead - The Blackening
Paradise Lost - In Requiem
Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos
Guns n Roses - Chinese Democracy
So they are all bands that have been going for years. Death Magnetic disappointed the hell out of me!

 

[Headstock]

Mastodon is absolutely my favorite metal band these days. Very original.
Opeth
Porcupine Tree
King's X

 

[deadtotheworld]

I went to see Dream Theater at Progressive nation in Orlando. Dream Theater totally stole the show but the main surprise of the night were the band '3' They wiped the floor with Opeth.
So Headstock - Id definitely recommend checking '3' out if you aren't already familiar with them!

 

[Headstock]

I went to see Dream Theater at Progressive nation in Orlando. Dream Theater totally stole the show but the main surprise of the night were the band '3' They wiped the floor with Opeth.
So Headstock - Id definitely recommend checking '3' out if you aren't already familiar with them!

Thanks, I have not heard of them so I will check them out !
Edit = just picked up one of their older ones. Very cool - will have to pick up the latest 2 releases from the store this weekend, thanks again.

 

[rhynster]

I'm a child of the 80s too.

College in the early 90s also.

There are some great freaking bands out right now for people our age, but you won't find them in the guitar mags.

If you want harder edged stuff, check out bands like:

• Wolfmother
• Death From Above
• Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
• Black Stone Cherry

If you like more pop sensibility, then check out:

• The Raconteurs
• Jet
• Powderfinger
• Buckcherry

Of course there are the big names, too, like:

• The White Stripes
• Radiohead
• Audioslave
• Velvet Revolver
• Foo Fighters