Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with rock

Indie Yule Music

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:34:49 -0800

I need some Yule music. With kind of an indie rock feel if possible. Stuff that is a cross between Belle and Sebastian and the sountrack for the Wicker Man with a winter yule theme. This is anon because its for a surprise evening dinner/birthday party. Please suggest any songs/whole albums. Thank you!

Rocking with a tuba?

Chocolate Pickle — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:52:51 -0800

30 years ago I had several albums from a rock band, who sometimes used a tuba. Who were they? They were British. One of the members of the group was able to play the tuba, but he usually played something else. But they would includ one novelty cut on every album where he did a tuba solo.

Anyone remember such a group? Who were they? (NOT "Billy and the Boingers".)

Which shot of the Rock is the best?

Dasein — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:17:47 -0800

Help choose which photo of Ayers Rock to print out as a present for my parents and my girlfriend's parents for Christmas. We've narrowed down a ridiculously large number of photos to the 10 you see at the link. We were leaning towards the first one ("11") but have also received good feedback about the sixth ("90"). Help us decide! I realize that since it's a free Flickr account you can't get the full detail on every picture. I'm more looking for feedback about which has the best colours, the best balance of land and sky, sun and shade, that sort of thing. Thanks in advance for your help.

Loud, fast, noisy bands that sound like Lightning Bolt

iivix — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:41:23 -0800

I saw Lightning Bolt play live last night and they were stupidly awesome. Recommendations for similar bands would be greatly appreciated. So after being a fan of their stuff on CD for a few years now I finally got the chance to see Lightning Bolt play live, and what an experience it was. (See here for a little taster of what they sound like if you don't know them already).

So basically I'm looking for recommendations for similar bands, by which I mean: very fast, very noisy, very extreme bands, that have a live element to the sound (I don't mean they have to play gigs necessarily, just that it doesn't sound too sequenced or sampled).

For reference, I already dig breakcore like Kid 606, and extreme metal like The Berzerker, and although I'm always up for new recommendations in those genres, I guess I'm looking for things that aren't too obviously sampled (I know the Berzerker stuff is guitar based, but it's still my understanding that it's essentially sampled riffs).

What is the rock genre called that contains

otto42 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:00:55 -0800

What is the rock genre called that contains The Records, Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, The Jags, possibly The Knack and the Jam?

What other bands might be included in this genre that I may or may not have just made up?

Zig a zag ahhh!

Jubey — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:05:23 -0800

Help me dress as a rock star for Christmas! My office Christmas party theme is come as your favourite rock star and I need ideas! So, it's a fancy dress party and the theme is come as your favourite rock/pop star. For added excitement, it's also karaoke and there is an excellent chance we'll have to get up and actually perform as that star on stage in front of the entire company (I know, I know...I can't sing either and I hate being the centre of attention). Anyway I need ideas.

Additional information, I'm a petite white girl with long dark straight hair in Australia if it helps. It would be nice if I didn't have to spend a fortune on an outfit but I'm open to anything. Lady Gaga and the Spice Girls are already taken. I'm open to dragging in a few others and going as a group, and I'm open to dressing as a guy too. I was thinking Chrissie Amphlett from the Divinyls (Aussie band) as I can cobble together a school uniform from home, or Madonna from her dark haired Like A Prayer days but I was wondering if the hive mind had any other suggestions?

Hot, dangerous… rock music?

nuala — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:03:45 -0800

Help me make a raunchy rock playlist! My best friend is looking for a playlist populated by dark, sexy rock music. Something that brings to mind tearing off clothes and messy passion. My recommendations (R&B based) were rejected so I'm turning to you. She wants something along the lines of NIN's Closer or Kings of Leon's I Want You. Help? I'm boggled by my own library.

Too twee for me.

invitapriore — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:56:42 -0800

Draw a line from the 1981 release of This Heat's album Deceit to today. What do you get? A little while ago I realized that all of my favorite bands are at least twenty years old. I'd like to fix this, but I haven't heard anything rock-related recently that's grabbed me. Most of the new bands I've heard seem to fall in a few orbits that I'm not too interested in: Man Man, Girl Talk, The Antlers, Beirut, Devendra Banhart; all different styles that I can't muster much enthusiasm for.

My problem is that it all feels very safe to me. I don't want polite music. I don't even want impolite music. I want something seething, like the This Heat album I mentioned above, or The Fall, or something wild like The Red Krayola. I've had a little luck with Angels of Light, Michael Gira being someone I can rely on for transgression and Swans being one of the aforementioned 20 year old favorites. Still, it's not quite what I want. Come to think of it, things outside of rock are very welcome, too. Help me, AskMefi.

(Note: I'm probably not interested in anything metal or hardcore or etc., but if you can make a really good case for it I'll give it a whirl.)

Animal Control killed our pets, what steps to take to make sure this doesnt happen to others

Relly70 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:08:27 -0800

What can we do to keep this from happening again? Round Rock Texas Animal Control killed our dogs for barking and growling. The AC officer acted as Judge, Jury and Executioner .. All within two hours. Boomer was about 3 years old. He was part pit bull, part who knows, black with a white chest and paws. I had went with my daughter when she went and picked him up from Pet Smart. He was a pound dog, adopted through Paw Match, and had spent the day in a small corral in front of Pet Smart, waiting for someone to pick him out. He tore our house to shreds, and Pookie, our Lab/Beagle mix hated him, but he was a loving dog. He had been through obedience school (and passed!) and never met a person he didn't like. Coming home, he would throw his paw on your chest until you had bent over to get a kiss.
Dart was about 2. My daughter had decided that Boomer needed a friend, so Dart entered our life. He was the goofiest dog in the world. He wasn't very smart, but he loved everybody. He would push Boomer out of the way any time he felt he wasn't getting enough attention, and force himself under your petting hand. Where Boomer chewed up furniture and carpet when he was a puppy, Dart just got into the trash and spread it everywhere. I've got a picture of Dart somewhere, I came home from work and he was sitting on the coffee table, trash completely surrounding it and he looked like the king of refuse.
My daughter moved out and bought her own home, and Boomer and Dart left my house to go with her. Today, they knocked a hole in the back fence, and the neighbor whose yard they gotten into called animal control. The animal control officer says that Dart rushed at her when she went into the back yard. This dog that I've never seen growl, EVER, charged an animal control officer. I don't know what happened, but I almost bet he was running to her to play. The animal control officer then hit the dog with a baton. Boomer is Dart's friend and protector. He 'circled' the animal control officer and showed his teeth. My daughter got the dogs back into her yard and into the house. I don't even know if she knew what had happened.
Just to be clear, The dogs never bit or attacked the officer.
The animal control officer called a police officer to assist her the vicious dogs. They knocked on her door and told her she could either surrender the dogs to be put down, or she would be fined $500.00 a day, per dog, until they were out of the city. At this point my daughter had been awake for 23 hours due to her work schedule and her baby. She asked if she could keep them until her husband got home, they told her no, surrender the dogs now or the fines started immediately. She did not have the money, so she took the dogs out. On the way to the truck, the cop actually pulled a gun on the dogs!
At this point, she started calling everyone, my wife, her husband, trying to figure out what to do. My wife called animal control, we were going to get them out of town, we were going to do whatever we needed to get our babies out of there. My son-in-law left work and headed for the animal control office to get them out of there. This all happened at 2:45, at 4:20 animal control called my wife back, and while pleading for their lives, was told that they had already been put down. In less than 2 hours, our friends, our family, were killed, with no appeal process, no burden of proof.
These dogs were loving, caring, beautiful and most of all friendly.
Our friends are dead, but, we do not want this to happen again, tomorrow, we start our crusade against the Round Rock Texas animal control office. This will not happen again, we will make sure of it.
How can we change the procedures that they follow, what can we do to get the law changed that there has to be SOME type of time limit, cooling off period, some appeal process.. they murdered our cherished pets.

Not your grandma's Schumann records: give me piano bands that will rock my face off.

JaiMahodara — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:37:13 -0800

I'm looking for piano-based rock bands that rock really, really hard. I've seen this question, but I'm specifically looking for bands - not songs - that are led by a badass, hard-rocking pianist, like the Led Zeppelin of piano rock.

I love Ben Folds, Fiona Apple, Brad Mehldau...and suggestions in this genre are certainly welcome as well, but I'd love to find bands leaning more towards punk, heavy metal, hip-hop, or any hard-rocking, unconventional bands that are piano driven.

Bring me audio ecstasy, hive mind.

I wanna shred you up!

sprocket87 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:14:12 -0800

Looking for recommendations of modern indie rock artists that aren't afraid to shred & solo - on the electric guitar, not a Casiotone. I'm a major music fan with tastes all over the board. For the past couple years I've been super heavy in the indie world. Much of what I've been listening to is quite, shall we say, "eclectic", and very experimental. I've noticed that prominent use of the guitar seems to be languishing in such music. It's present, yes, but subdued, scrubbed through a sea of effects, and diluted either into a wash of supplemental melody or a wall of noise. The Moog solo has replaced the guitar solo - and though that isn't a bad thing per se, I want to get back to my roots, so to speak.

I feel like I'm ready to go through an electric guitar rennaissance. I miss the riffs, energy, and lead of yore. Few 90's alt songs were lacking a decent solo, and I really miss that.

So, what can you recommend? I'm NOT looking for "classic" examples of solo-centric bands (classic rock, 90s alt, metal, etc). I've got plenty to choose from there (though, for examples' sake, Pink Floyd fits the bill nicely - really experimental music that employed guitar solos masterfully, yet weren't a silly shredder hair band either).

I'm looking for recent/up & coming bands that aren't afraid to turn the amps to 11 and bust out some righteous solos, or, at the minimum, that use the guitar in a technically impressive fashion, instead of just a yawn-inducing strum box.

Note: I'm not just looking for loud, power-chord-weilding indie bands (Glasvegas, Pains of Being Pure at Heart, etc). I love this stuff too, but I want to hear some riffs, man!

Examples:

The White Stripes (their older, more guitar-centric stuff - Ball & Biscuit, etc)
Apollo Up! (This is pretty much exactly what I'm talking about)
Some B.R.M.C.
Alberta Cross, a little
Eh... can't think of any others at the moment?

Don't feel that it has to be restrained to a certain genre, per se, but I'm not looking for pure metal (Uneath, Skeletonwitch, etc). Like I said, lots of easy choices there. I'm looking for more eclectic, indie-oriented groups that incorporate heavy guitar lead into their music.

Thanks!

Something a little deeper than "brutal, dude."?

Bookhouse — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:51:49 -0800

Where can I find intelligent writing about (current) heavy metal, preferably online? As my love for heavy metal blossoms, I'm finding that there's lots of places to find reviews of new albums, but the vast majority of the reviews are ... um ... crap. Ideally, I'd like to find a single go-to site or (better yet) single critic whose opinion I trust and whose writing is strong and thought-provoking. (I'm mostly into the sludgy doom stuff like Electric Wizard, but I'm open to other stuff as well, so that's secondary). Just to be clear, I'm having no problem finding reviews ... it's well-written reviews that I'm looking for.

Thanks!

Body and beats, for whom does he stain his sheets?

Jon_Evil — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:17:23 -0800

Celebrity Sexual Preference-filter: Does Gordon Gano, singer of the Violent Femmes, like boys, girls, or both?

Rock Reggae Punk Funk Alt Goth Metal Thrash, who's playing?

ElmerFishpaw — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:08:10 -0800

What do you use to see what bands are playing in your area? Im tired of finding out a kickass band just played and I could have gone but didnt know about it. There should be a website with a massive database where you put in your postcode or town and it tells you what bands are playing within a specified radius. Shouldnt there? Is there? Any band that wanted to get seen would register their show to this website. Myspace kinda comes close but you have to go to each band's myspace account to see if theyre touring. Unless Im doing it wrong. The bay area has "The List" which is really close to what Im talking about but I want more! How do you find out who's playing around you?

Help me make a rock/metal playlist!

Sufi — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:47:28 -0800

I need about 40 musical artists that would please a crowd that likes mainstream rock & metal. The catch: I'm trying to avoid stuff that can easily be heard on the radio. Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Nightwish, Switchblade Symphony and Type O Negative are on the list because they are the few "heavy" bands that I actually enjoy and believe my audience would like. Could you guys help me put together a list of other artists that would fit with this genre?

I'd prefer not to play too much stuff that is or has been overplayed on the radio, and it must be danceable!

(I have looked at this askme post but I'm worried most of those recommendations may be too far off base. You tell me.)

Stop running and identify yourselves!

Acacia — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:18:54 -0800

Help me identify the 4 running dudes pictured on this button. I found this bag of buttons at a garage sale, and have had them banging around the house for about 15 years. A few friends have thought the image to be that of the Beatles, but I'm not so sure. I have no back story on the bag o' buttons to help solve the mystery. Can you identify what I assume is a rock band?

Modern Rock for the Classic Rocker?

Alabaster — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:41:44 -0800

Best modern bands for a classic rock fan and musician who wants to hear some genius? Who are the best *musicians'* bands out there today?

I'm a big classic rock fan, especially Led Zeppelin (for sheer awesomeness), and The Beatles (for variety, creativity, and brilliant songwriting).

I tend to like interesting music with variety in harmony, structure, and arrangement. But I also like a good 3-chord jam if it's got some real grit and groove to it, especially if there are genuine soloists. (Lynyrd Skynyrd's 3 chords, yes; Limp Bizkit's 3 chords, not so much).

Current bands I do like:
Radiohead
The White Stripes
The Mars Volta

I'm NOT a stylistic purist -- it doesn't have to sound like classic rock. Hip hop elements are fine, electronic elements are fine (I like System of a Down), metal is fine, genre-crossing is fine. Also, when I ask for musicians, I don't necessarily mean progressive/virtuosos -- I'll take brilliant songwriting, clever arranging, etc. Basically, who are the really, objectively, *great* bands out there today?

Bonus question: What did I miss in the 90s when I was listening to my Zeppelin box set instead of joining the grunge era? I like Radiohead and NIN, and I'm prepared to take a dip in the Nirvana pool to catch myself up -- what other worthwhile 90s bands should I seek out?

Seeking dark, sexy rock music.

hazyspring — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:32:07 -0800

Looking for rock music that has a dark, sexy edge to it. The only thing that comes to mind at this moment is Queens of the Stone Age. I'm open to music from any time period, but primarily thinking modern rock.

Whole albums or individual songs are fine.

Why rock vocals are in such a high register?

BrooksCooper — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:18:21 -0800

Just a curiosity - why do you think that the overwhelming trend in rock 'n' roll / pop style music with male lead vocals is for the male vocalist to sing in a tenor / high tenor / contratenor or higher range - viz. Steve Perry, Triumph, etc.? I just wonder because that isn't the trend so much in other popular music - blues, R'n'B, country, traditional folk, etc. It's simply puzzled me for years and I wonder if MeFi has any theories?

Songs that are a throwback to the 1930s-1960s?

flibbertigibbet — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:29:49 -0800

I like Amy Winehouse, psychobilly, the Pipettes, the Acid House Kings, the O Brother... soundtrack, and even that throw-back-to-the-Andrews-Sisters Christina Aguilera song. I have a craving for music produced in the now but inspired by the 1930s to early 1960s, with my favourite era being the 1940s. Can you recommend anymore good contemporary rock/pop bands along these lines, including psychobilly bands I may not have heard about yet? I have seen this question, but I tend less towards Motown and more towards rock, pop and punk.

I know most O Brother songs are traditional, but except for the vintage recordings, they've all got that contemporary kick that draws me in.

I've only just gotten into psychobilly, so I've yet to plumb its depths.

Help me play with my feet!

metajc — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:59:19 -0800

I play guitar with my hands and want to play beats with my feet. Can't figure out what kind of (digital) equipment I would need to accomplish this. I didn't get the idea from Bob Log III but he definitely inspired me push for it. I already fool around with a little bass drum and cymbal stand but it would be nice to be able to rig up some triggers (?) and a drum machine. Is that what I would need?

Any ideas for the fullest foot-powered percussion possible?

if u live on the road theres a new highway code

Potomac Avenue — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:17:26 -0800

My band is going on a national rock tour: what should I know? Unexpectedly, a pretty big-time act wants this indie/psych group I play with to open for them on about 40 dates this fall. The dates are almost all booked, with a little break in the middle.

I have read this thread, and this thread, so I've got a pretty good idea about what to bring in the van, but mainly I'd like to know what you wish you'd known before your own band headed out on tour, or what you, as someone tangentially involved in the music scene in your town, wished that touring bands knew about.

Also: It's been 10 years since I went on the road what kinda stuff should I expect to have changed or be vital to know about now? What resources (besides BYOFL, which as far as I can tell is useless now) most came in handy when you were playing shows around?

FYI I am also the manager/publicist/booking agent and everything else. We have a self-released album and some t-shirts as a starter kit. We're buying a van. We walk the streets at night, we go where eagles dare.

Theoretical geek in 1981 needs records.

Weighted Companion Cube — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:53:47 -0800

More than a playlist, I'm trying to make an entire sub-set of my music collection: I want the music that a 17-year-old D&D playing geeky almost-metalhead would be listening to...in 1981. For the purposes of this, obviously the range goes 1981 (somewhat arbitrary, 1982's fine too, (I was just slightly too young at the time to have much recollection of the music.)) and backwards. It's actually the backwards that's tripping me up -- I can find 'best of 1980' and so on, but hunting through that for what someone would be listening to as part of their own collection is somewhat difficult.

As regards to availability: I'm not going out and finding rare LPs -- I'm looking for music that is available today. That being said, if it's not available in stores but is 'available,' that's ok.

Buying a keyboard amplifier

Tlogmer — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:55:37 -0800

I'm looking for a keyboard amplifier for use in a rock band. Is the roland kc-150 (65W) going to be loud enough or should I spring for the KC-350 (120W)? Or should I look for a bass amp?

What's the PIT like at a rock concert in Camden, NJ? (Susquehanna Bank Center)

thankyoumuchly — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:55:25 -0800

Will I like PIT area tickets for a rock concert at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ? Thinking about attending a rock concert at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ. I am considering purchasing tickets in the PIT area dead center in front of the stage.

Will I like these tickets? I'm an averaged size guy so I can take a little shoving but I want to watch the concert and enjoy it.

Here's a pic of the seating chart. The PIT is orange, smack dab in front of the stage:

http://www.indux.com/map/131_TweeterCenter_EndStage_tn.jpg

Have any of you MeFites attended a concert there? Can you speak to the experience of the PIT in front of the stage? Will my neck be craned the whole time (is the PIT way below the stage?). Will I get moshed into oblivion. Are there seats or standing only? Can I move around within the entire PIT area or are there "front PIT tickets", "back PIT tickets" etc?

I've been to a concert there on the Lawn back when it was the "Tweeter Center" (note: Camden, not Boston). But the lawn was wayyyy back from the stage and I don't remember if I saw the PIT.

Please let me know you experiences. Details are a plus, please elaborate!