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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
 Posted - 06/18/2004 : 16:09:37
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There's a Jools Holland special on now, only British acts, which got me thinking. How come the UK is such a creative goldmine? Whatever you may think of the mainstream, and whatever differing opinions you may have about the music, its impossible to deny that some of the biggest and greatest bands ever have come out of the UK.
I wonder: how is this? Britain is slightly larger than an American state, yet its been at the forefront of pop for, well, forever. For example:
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
The Kinks
The Who
Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin
Black Sabbath
Sex Pistols
The Clash
I could go on and on. My point is proved I think, there is so much talent and creativity in the UK, and it is, beside America, the driving force in music today. Obviously America has produced a vast number of major artists, but I still think the Brits are alright.
Any explanations as to why this is? Or general comments at all? Did everybody else get Britpop or was it just an insular UK thing? What do you reckon to new music in this country?
 "Ee-hee! Shamone!" |
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Malax
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
1340 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 16:57:55
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Queen
I May've Joined The Cult Of Frank If I Knew What The Balls Was Going On.
*Adapted By Carolynanna* |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 17:02:58
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I would add Bowie to that list.
One advantage (as far as producing successful rock bands) that the UK has over say France or Germany is that the native language is English (obviously) and English is now the predominant language in the popular culture.
I wonder how much of it is also tradition. A kid growing up the UK has seen the success of previous bands and sees it as an option. Also the machinery (labels, promoters, studios, magazines) is there and waiting to make a new star. |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 18:28:38
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Aww, and here I thought this thread was going to be about what they used to build Stonehenge!
Okay, I really didn't. But it would have been funny if I had, wouldn't it?
My personal favorite British band is XTC, but I don't think they can be considered "big" by the standards of the general public.
Cattle in Korea / They can really moo. |
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Sir Rockabye
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1158 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 18:46:50
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Speaking of XTC, I just got Skylarking, and am having trouble getting into it. Was it the wrong album to start off with, or should I just give it another listen?
I lift weights, but I don't sweat. I go for a swim, but I don't get wet. |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 21:17:14
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I don't know. That's my personal favorite, and I've always thought it would be a good starting place. XTC is fairly diverse, though, and if you don't like the more pastoral sounds of Skylarking, you still might like the rock of Black Sea, or the psychedelic pastiche of the record they did as the Dukes of Stratosphear. But I'd say to give it a few more listens first.
Cattle in Korea / They can really moo. |
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fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 21:46:05
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| Everyone has their faves, and brings them up in these threads, but you guys are forgetting one of the greatest masters, and the quintessential Englishman: Robert Fripp. I remember a trip to Vancouver when I was wearing a Discipline T-shirt, and a girl behind a counter (who obviously knew I was American; what gives us away so easily?) remarked exactly to the effect of the current proposition. "Those Brits really know their music, don't they?" |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2004 : 01:26:26
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Well there you go, seems I'm right.
I reckon its to do with tradition as well, we've seen so many great bands come out of her that we're spoilt into thinking we're as good as a big country. Which we are.
We also have taste: remember where the Pixies made it big first?
"Ee-hee! Shamone!" |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2004 : 11:42:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Cheeseman1000
we're spoilt into thinking we're as good as big country. Which we are.
"Ee-hee! Shamone!"
It all comes back to Big Country. The greatest band from the British Isles.
I know alp4eris loves them too.
Listen to Nine Black Alps. |
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TheCroutonFuton
- Mr. Setlists -
USA
1728 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2004 : 12:50:30
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Although I'm not a huge fan, I know Radiohead is British too...
"Freedom is a state of mind and the condition and position of your ass. Free your mind and your ass will follow." - Funkadelic |
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fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2004 : 13:17:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Homers_pet_monkey
It all comes back to Big Country. The greatest band from the British Isles.
I know alp4eris loves them too.
I have this record on my wall of shame. Anyone else? (But I DON'T have a copy of Frampton Comes Alive!) |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2004 : 18:10:10
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The Smiths
Depeche Mode
Echo and the Bunnymen
The Cure
and a gazillion others.
I gotta get some food, or I'm going to sit here until I rot, filling out this and the American Rock thread...
Do you guys know we just passed thru a BLACK HOLE in space? |
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rockmusic84
= Cult of Ray =
USA
256 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2004 : 18:20:55
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How about The Yardbirds? Or The Small Faces (which later became), The Faces? Mott the Hoople and/or Ian Hunter? Procol Harum? All great British acts, most of them highly underrated in their own time, but now are cited as major influences for some of today's top acts.
Join The Cult of U-MASS - IT'S EDUCATIONAL!!! |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2004 : 20:29:08
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Mancunians O' Plenty:
The Fall
The Chameleons
Buzzcocks
The Naked Acidhead Second Head of Tamworth:
Julian Cope
And lest we forget:
Killing Joke
Gang of Four
The Ruts
Too many great bands to mention! I salute them all.
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GypsyDeath
Zapped Profile
3575 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 04:34:26
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Has no one mentioned....
Oasis?
I bet you never thought your movie would turn out this way
You crossed the other way, youd hope i wouldnt see you, you say youre doing fine, but thats not what it looks like, your undercovers on...
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GypsyDeath
Zapped Profile
3575 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 04:35:35
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I dont know why im so obseesed with oasis right now.
Oh, and Ozzy! hes from birmingham.
A band that will come in to these threads in the very near future - The Subways. watch out for them. they rock.
I bet you never thought your movie would turn out this way
You crossed the other way, youd hope i wouldnt see you, you say youre doing fine, but thats not what it looks like, your undercovers on...
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 06:20:02
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Cheese, I've always felt that way too: that Britan tends to be the source of the best music. I'll add The Clash, Sex Pistols, Big Audio Dynamite, and PiL.
I also have theorized that the further north you go, the funnier people are. Think about it. Canada and Great Britan are at about the same latitude, more or less. What comedic gems have they given to the world? Monty Python, Kids in the Hall, SCTV, SNL. Do you know any really truly funny people from Florida? Or Columbia? No, I think not.
I'm still waiting for that really great comedy troupe to come out of China.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://www.cvanepps.com |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 07:17:17
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The Pixies, we can't forget them.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
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fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 07:22:33
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| Or Jimi Hendrix, or Janis Joplin, or Iggy, or the Ramones, or the B52s... yeah, we've got nothing compared to all these great British acts. |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 09:23:51
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quote:
Originally posted by fudd
Or Jimi Hendrix, or Janis Joplin, or Iggy, or the Ramones, or the B52s... yeah, we've got nothing compared to all these great British acts.
The B-52s? You're kidding right? They're a good band and everything but they really don't belong in the same sentence as the ones you mentioned.
Also, just because someone says, "the UK is a creative goldmine" or "some of the biggest and greatest bands ever have come out of the UK" does not mean they can come from nowhere else. Just because "A" is true does not mean that "B" is automatically false. So relax.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://www.cvanepps.com |
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GypsyDeath
Zapped Profile
3575 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 09:27:23
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Yeah, get over yourselfs.
Its rarely spoken about - British rock. Its automatically assumed that the US has all the great bands...end of. But no, sorry, there are at least 5 other countries I can think of off the top of my head that have amazing rock bands.
No one is saying ones better than the other - just recognising the fact that other places DO have, have had some fantastic acts come out of them.
Sorry America, You dont rule everything in this world. 
I bet you never thought your movie would turn out this way
You crossed the other way, youd hope i wouldnt see you, you say youre doing fine, but thats not what it looks like, your undercovers on...
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 09:33:40
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quote:
Originally posted by GypsyDeath
Yeah, get over yourselfs.
Its rarely spoken about - British rock.
I think British rock is spoken about often. It's no big secret that many great bands have come from the UK.
I thought the original question of why this is was interesting, but we once again got off track by throwing up lists of great bands. |
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GypsyDeath
Zapped Profile
3575 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 09:37:15
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Well its not often spoken about in the uk - unless its an anniversary of something or other.
I always wondered if brit pop was big anywhere else.
I bet you never thought your movie would turn out this way
You crossed the other way, youd hope i wouldnt see you, you say youre doing fine, but thats not what it looks like, your undercovers on...
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 09:57:33
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| Has anything in rock/pop ever been bigger than the Beatles? They still set the standard. |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:07:18
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I would say that, popularity-wise, the top three most played bands on American radio ever aren't even American:
1. The Beatles
2. The Rolling Stones
3. Led Zeppelin
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
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n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:08:24
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the beatles *YAWN* I am not a big fan. Just because it was years ago doesn't make them any less of a bloody boy band.
And whilst British music is amazing at times it can be unbelievably shite at times also! remember Gay Dad? Bis? (I own a single... jeez) The stone roses? heh heh heh
can't get into anything these days. Always on the peripheral. Always terrified, exhausted, annoyed, pissed, anxious, out of it-out of the loop, out of my mind, out of time.
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:09:46
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Also fuddy, remember where Hendrix started his career? And don't go spouting no Little Richard at me boy, you know what I mean. I just found he played to about 20 people in Darlington once, thats so funny!
There's a whole bunch of smaller acts that have been hugely influential as well, its not just the monsters. I think we've done well.
Its funny really, because we don't really have any major tradition in classical, jazz or blues. I'm happy to admit that alot of big Brit bands have ripped off America, but I still think they've done better. There's a vein of creativity running through British bands, that is often lacking in some of the bigger American bands.
Then again, I could name tons of hugley influential, creative and ace American bands, so what am I proving.
Maybe we should start a thread for rock outside of the UK/US.
Kraftwerk anyone?
"Ee-hee! Shamone!" |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:20:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Tre
the beatles *YAWN* I am not a big fan. Just because it was years ago doesn't make them any less of a bloody boy band.
Eek gads!! Boy band? Yes, they started off as boys, but boy band?!?!
I can understand revolting against the hype of the Beatles, but that was one hell of a band. |
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GypsyDeath
Zapped Profile
3575 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:26:19
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Meh, who cares what people think of the beatles. I watched help! for the hundredth time yesterday. man, whyd they let them do films? hahaha. I love em personally, alot of people these days will say they dislike them to be different., but thats there opinion.
Not saying you are doig that Tre - but boy band was a little harsh. the term hadnt even been invented back then. such crap music didnt exist then!
I bet you never thought your movie would turn out this way
You crossed the other way, youd hope i wouldnt see you, you say youre doing fine, but thats not what it looks like, your undercovers on...
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n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:28:35
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oh ho no! there are a few ok songs but when they started they were 4 stylised boys appealing to hordes of young girls with their catchy generic pop tunes with god awfull lyrics and over emphasised sentiment directed towards afore mentioned young girlies
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can't get into anything these days. Always on the peripheral. Always terrified, exhausted, annoyed, pissed, anxious, out of it-out of the loop, out of my mind, out of time.
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Edited by - n/a on 06/22/2004 10:54:33 |
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GypsyDeath
Zapped Profile
3575 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:30:54
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you should really put a line above your sig Tre...its really annoying, i keep reading it then realising its your sig!
I bet you never thought your movie would turn out this way
You crossed the other way, youd hope i wouldnt see you, you say youre doing fine, but thats not what it looks like, your undercovers on...
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:50:45
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| I usually don't feel the need to defend the Beatles-- their music speaks for itself-- but I have to echo Darwin when I say, "BOY BAND?!" Regardless of your feeling toward their music, two facts exclude them from "boy band" status: 1) They wrote and played their own songs; 2) Their existence was not a result of corporate marketing (quite the opposite). |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:51:14
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The Monkees were the original "boy band".
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:57:26
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The Beatles are not a "boy band".
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
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n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:57:48
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Don't want to argue about this but I believe McFly write their own songs and as far as I am concerned they are a boy band... And Gary Barlow wrote songs also but does that make Take That any less of a boy band? I just don't like them, if the boy band sentiment has upset anyone I apologise but it is the opinion of tre and it will stay the opinion of tre.
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 10:59:27
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I am a one-man "boy band".
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
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Topic |
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British Rock
