Rap Rock
Rap vocals mixed with popular music, rage against the machine, red hot chilli peppers, outkast, addition of patter talk to any type of music outside the hip hop culture
Nirvana
From Aberdeen, Washington, influenced by nearby seattle bands. Captured the angst and anxiety teenagers around the world felt. Provided an identity for many young people. Smells Like Teen Spirit: Singer: Kurt Cobain, ani-establishment. Dave Grohl: drummer formed Foo Fighters.
Grunge
Name represents the loud crunch of the typical guitar sound. Roots can be found in Sonic Youth. Used experimental guitar tunings and sound effects. Progressive-influenced punk rock. Prepared instruments by placing screwdrivers, drum sticks and other items between the strings from art music. Feedback, dissonance added with thick layers of sound.
Salt-N-Pepa
Cheryl James: Salt, Sandra Denton: Pepa, Deidra “Dee Dee” Roper: Spinderella, best selling female rap group, 6 certified platinum or gold albums.
Kid Frost
Arturo Molina, Jr. latino rap
N.W.A.
Niggas with Attitude. Straight Outta Compton. LA ganster rap. One of the most outspoken wet coast rap groups of late eighties. Ice Cue: O’Shey Jackson, Eazy-E: Eric Wright, entered pop charts at number one: efil4zaggin. Dr. Dre: Adre Young, M.C. Ren: Lorenzo Patterson.
Ice-T
Tracy Morrow. Practiced first with rapper’s delight while in the army. Had a heavy metal band, released Cop Killer.
Chuck D
Carlton Ridenhour. Referred to his rap lyrics as CNN Cable news Network for African Americans. Goal to let people know what life was really like for African Americans. “ghetto life”. Fired Professor Griff for anti-semitic statements made to Washington Times. 911 is a Joke. Public Enemy.
Public Enemy
sometimes called the black panthers of rap. Spoke about the low-class status of African americans. Primary rapper Chuck D. (Carlton ridenhour)
Hard-core rap
new hip hop style is non-funky clarity of the instrumental production and the vocals that stressed stark realities of urban life.
Grandmaster Flash
Joseph Saddler. One of most successful turntablists to follow DJ Kool Herc. Either invented or perfected techniques such as scratching, backspinning, cutting and use of varispeed control. Rap vocal group called the Furious Five. Lead rapper Melle Mel
Sampling
involves taking selected sections from other recordings and repeating and mixing those sections to create a background sound
Sugar Hill Gang
named after their record company, first ever hip hop hit. 336 pop charts and #4 on R&B charts. Rapper’s Delight
Sugar Hill Gang
named after their record company, first ever hip hop hit. #336 pop charts and #4 on R&B charts. Rapper’s Delight
Last Poets
60s group from Harlem. Musicians expressed poetic vision of revolutionary leaders like Malcolm X. graphic lyrics
Afriak Bambaataa
Kevin Donovan named after an African zulu chief. Translates to Chief Affection. Organized his neighbors into the Zulu Nation. He encouraged people of all races to join. Freedom, justice, equality, knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Organized clean up projects, food drives, mentor programs, and talent shows. Identified with Hip Hop.
D.J. Kool Herc
Clive Campbell. One of first to manipulate records. Called his sound system herculoids after his stage name. influenced by Jamaican dj and toasting. Saw that dancers like parts of songs more than others, so started playing off two turntables so he could switch from part to part. Father of Hip Hop
Breakdancing
form of competition required a great amount of practiced skill, but also provided positive relief from life in neighborhoods of gang violence. Hip hop provided music for the dancers
Hip Hop
began with breakdancing in south Bronx ghetto of New York. DJs played for dancers
Rap
involved spoken lyric performed in a rhythmic patter over complex, funk-styled beats. Wrote about ghetto life. Used common street language
George Clinton
Parliament and Funkadelic: singer, songwriter for Parliament. Styled after motowns temptations. Used Jimi Hendrix like distorted guitar lines and funky polyrhythms. Scifi characters and stage sets that made reference to social conditions. Then formed Funkadelic, in both at same time, but kept separate entities. Replaced electric bass guiar with synthesized bass lines. Flashlight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3flYZ6LOsw. #16 on pop charts. #1 rhythm and blues chart. Had a career resurgence with sampling in rap
The Pretenders
Chrissie Hynde: signer. Strong, tough, female image. Worked in London as music reviewer. James Honeyman-scott: lead guitarist, Pete Farndon: bass, Martin Chambers: drummer (all british), formed in britian
Elvis Costello
Declan MacManus. Born in Liverpool. Influenced by buddy holly, change buddy holly look from niave to neurotic. Songs about relationships, insecurity and politics. Backup band the attractions. Radio, Radio
Pub Rock
English (british) back to roots movement during the early seventies. Alternatives to punk one was Elvis Costello
B-52s
Athens, Georgia. Lighthearted new wave. Chatty conversational vocals. Early sixties teen dress and slang. Name was slang for a heavily ratted and smoothed over bouffant hairstyle. Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Songs and stage acts poke fun and dance steps of the early sixties
Cars
Boston. Monotone vocals, chuck berry style guitars, Ric Ocasek singer, guitarist, writer
Blondie
played reggae, disco, commercial rap, singer: Debbie Harry band named after her (blond)
Talking Heads
75 David Byrne: singer guitarist, Chris Frantz: drummer. Tina Weymouth: bass, synthesizer. Jerry Harrison. Monotone singer, simple, pounding beat
Devo
Mark Mothersbaugh, singer keyboardist, Jerry Casale bass player. Band formed to produce The Truth about De-Evolution a film that took a humorous and sardonic look at dehumanization of modern society. Jocko Homo
Sex Pistols
London group: Malcolm McLaren put it together as manager: glen Matlock: bass, Steve Jones: guitar, John Lydon (Johnnie Rotton), John Simon Ritchie (Sid Vicious): vocals. Loud distorted guitar ment to annoy. Repluse establishment, provoke authority.
God Save the Queen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeP220xx7Bs. Made its way up the charts as a black line. Reached #2
X
LA-based, produced by Ray Manzarek of the doors. Formed in 77 signer/bassist John Doe, signer Exene Cervenka, guitarist Bill Zoom and drummer Don J. Benbrake. Beat poets, 50s influenced most popular punk band of LA.
Black Flag
black flag is a symbol for anarchy. Banned by most Hollywood clubs due to violence. Singer: Henry Rollins.
Dead Kennedys
SF in 78. Jello Biafra, singer (Eric Boucher), Kill The Poor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgpa7wEAz7I.
The Clash
all experienced musician except for Paul Simonon the bass player. Joe Strummer (John Mellor) singer guitarist, Mick Jones guitarist and Tory Crimes (Terry Chimes) drummer, weren’t just angry, sang about causes: racism, employment, police brutality. Also used reggae beats. Only #1 hit was Should I stay or Should I Go after song re-released as Levi ad.
The Damned
brit punk. Influenced by Iggy Pop and MC5, managed by Malcom McLaren. Taunted and spit on the audience. Influenced California punk scene.
Pogo
punk dance jumping straight up and down. Popularized at sex pistol shows
Ramones
named after pseudonym used by Paul McCartney, all adopted last name of Ramone for the band.. fast high-energy music and monotone vocals became prototype for much punk to follow. Songs two mins or less, written by band as team. Phil Spector produced End of the Century album.
Patti Smith
sang her poetry. John Cale produced debut album Horses ’75.
Richard Hell
bassist for Television. Wore torn clothing and spiked hair crating the standard british punk image.
Television
formed ’73. Influenced by French symbolist poet Paul Verlaine. Used symbolism, metaphor and lyricism in lyrics. Bassist first to wear spiked hair and ripped clothes
New York Dolls
added glitter to punk, formed in 71, lipstick, eye makeup and heels. Less serious than VUnderground. Distorted guitars, pounding beat, rolling stone rhythm and blues. Personality Crisis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctg5FCS1wCM
Iggy Pop
james Jewel Osterberg. Sang, played drums, name came from first band Iguanas. Then in Iggy and the Stooges, first Iggy Stooge. Called the Godfather of Punk. Cut and hit himself on stage. Self-distructive image.
MC5
Motor City 5, from Michigan moved to Detroit 67, Kick Out the Jams 69 banned for obscene lyrics, two guitars lots of distortion. Power of heavy metal, raw garage band sound and belligerent attitude. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM6nasmkg7A
Punk Rock
Developed from garage bands of 60s. Raw, engergetic. Expressed interest of teenagers.
New Wave
New wave, less violent answer to punk. Added electronic keyboard and sax. Produced clear clean slick sound. Simple compared to glitter and progressive rock. Sorta of a return to the rock of the 50s.
Bob Marley & the Wailers
I Shot the Sheriff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK4F9yUlnaY. Rastafarian reggae. Rastafarianism is taken from the name Ras Tafari (the real name of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassi. Part of religion was to not comb hair and allow it to mat into dreadlocks, smoke pot (called ganga) and vegetarian.
Toasting
Talking in a rhythmic patter with ska and rock steady records were playing. (Jamaican origination).
Rock steady
Gospel call and response, heavy rhythmic bass, slowed down tempo ska.
Dubbing
Spoken patter over a rock steady beat in which some of the original recording is dropped.
REGGAE
a form of music that developed out of fast rock steady ska. First song was Do The Reggay. Reggae meant the King’s Music. And the king was Haile Selassie the emperor of Ethiopia. Bass: melodic pattern repeated throughout that involved syncopation avoiding first beat of bar. Lead and rhythm guitar, piano, organ, drums, electric bass and Jamaican percussion instruments. 4 beat pattern like ska, but instead accented first and third subdivision like rhythm and blues. Included latin influences.
SKA
Influenced by R&B, Cuban brass, Mexican mariachi, 40s jazz and swing, modern instruments, traditional folk instruments. Common elements were: four-beat pattern, plus some instruments playing a very strong accent on a subdivision (even or uneven) just after each of the four beats. That accent was strong enough to be heard as if it were the main beat, creating a feeling of a delayed beat. The ska pattern is often called a hesitation beat.
Kraftwerk
German techno band, band name is german for power plant. Electronic rock pioneers. Repetitive rhythmic electronic music, avante guard. Used synthesizors, influenced 70s music, electronica, and techno. Autobahn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gChOifUJZMc. Robots ’78: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXa9tXcMhXQ. Kingklng studio built own drum machines. 75 end of first US tour.
Yes
Odd meter, virtuosity. Roundabout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byeSPOIffVE.
Rush
2112: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDjx6aM-7VM. Alex Lifeson: guitar, Geddy Lee: bass and vocal, Neil Peart: percussion and lyric.
Pink Floyd
Darkside of the Moon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d78K4rCEfAo. Brain Damage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwNYqHRHUOQ.
Genesis
Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins (drums), Cinema Show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqZUVP_rtzs. And the Lamb Lies on Broadway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1UT8N5obbQ
Frank Zappa
Band: Mothers (of Invention). Training ground for virtuosic musicians. Music was atonal (with random elements). Don’t Eat That Yellow Snow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmVvgo1wxh4.
Art rock
Complex arrangements, orchestral instruments, odd meter rhythms. All albums themed/concepts, fancy cover art, benefited from technology.
Iron Maiden
English band who used twin dual lead guitars and punk influences. Images of death and destruction. Named after a medieval torture and execution device.
Judus Priest
British heavy metal band. Included twin lead guitars like alman bros. Victim of Changes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O-FHDeITMc, black leather biker look, rebellious image. You’ve Got another Thing Coming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWhInhE6emE
AC/DC
Alternating current/direct current indicates style is based in British riff-based tradition. But only used at beginning and end of songs. Sex and violence themes, Vocalist Bon Scot died and was replaed by Brian Johnson. Austrailian band. Malcom and Angus Young scots who moved to austrailia. Wore school boy outfit.
Van Halen
Brothers Edward (Eddie) (guitar) trained on piano used classical techniques to take advantage of natural and artificial harmonics and Alex Van Halen formed band in 74. Moved from Netherlands to Pasadena in late 60s. Singer: David Lee Roth, Bassist: Michael Anthony. Gene Simmons of Kiss helped produced their first album. Eddie also worked out new techniques for slurring and hammering the guitar using both hands on the strings instead of plucking or strumming. David Lee Roth created stage performance flamboyant like James Brown. You Really Got Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB8WHA3WWz0
Aerosmith
Formed in 1970. Influenced by rolling stones/blues. Singer: Steven Tyler, guitarist: Joe Perry. Also influenced by folk and country.
Led Zeppelin
Jimmy Page: guitar. John Paul Jones: bass, John Bonham: drums, Robert Plant: vocals. Good Times, Bad Times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm2-K6ttHYs. Stairway to Heaven most played FM radio song ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcL—4xQYA.
Black Sabbath
Influenced by Cream’s and Led Zepplin’s hypnotically repetitious bass. Vocalist: Ozzy Osbourne: John Michael Osbourne. Paranoid #61 US charts, top 10 in Britain. 1 lead guitar, 1 bass and 1 drummer. Paranoid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCdOVThsWEg
Mingus
bassist played With Joni Mitchell on Dry Cleaner from Des Moines 1973: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cyw3foWTyo.
Chicago
Peter Cetera: bassist
Weather Report
Bass player with Jaco Pastorius. Song Birdland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae0nwSv6cTU. Fusion
Jaco Pastorius
Played fretless electric bass. Created a distinct “Jaco” sound. Played with Weather Report. Bass had a melody not just rhythm. Fusion
Miles Davis
Fusion. Bitches Brew more commercial with more rock influences. Kind of Blue more jazz.
Steely Dan
70s band, released ? dozen albums combining jazz, rock and roll, R&B and pop. Jazz Rock
Blood, Sweat, and Tears
Spinning Wheel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4iNw1Hvcu8. Highley organized music that allows for improvisation. Jazz Rock.
Jazz Rock vs. Fusion
Jazz Rock is rock influenced by jazz, Fusion is an experimental style of Jazz. Miles David was Fusion, Peter Cetera was jazz rock.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Southern rock named after teacher Leonard Skinner who made fun of their long hair. Twin guitar players. Simple Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSeIcSFZ8PI&feature=fvst, Freebird: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np0solnL1XY, Sweet Home Alabama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye5BuYf8q4o
ZZ Top
Southern rock from Texas. Tush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqF7ZGfFaD0,
Charlie Daniels Band
Imitated allman bros twin guitar and twin drum player technique. Charlie Daniel played hillbilly fiddle souther rock. Devil Went Down to Georgia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDm_ZHyYTrg
Eagles
Country rock. Don Henley: drummer, dinger. Randy Meisner: bass, singer, Glen Frey guitar, banjoy, mandolin, Bernie Leadon singer (replaced by Joe Walsh in 76). Lyin Eyes #2 on pop charts, #8 on country charts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN1iYFxF0O8, Take it Easy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zuhxfrXocw, Best of My Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaO-kgG7eCQ. 5-string banjo gave country flavor. Honky tonk piano.
Country vs Southern Rock
Southern rock influenced by blues, country rock influenced by country music.
Jimi Hendrix
One of greatest electric guitar players of all time. Cosmic feedback, distortion theatrics, guitar was an extension of his body. Debuted in US in 67 at Monterey Pop Festival. Song Little Wing released in 67, Hendrix played bells on song was well as guitar. Played Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock in 69.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad2EPO_y0ps
The Doors
LA based band. Light My Fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flOvM4Z355A. named derived from Huxley’s Doors of Perception. Jim Morrison: vocals, Ray Manzarek: keyboard, Robby Krieger: guitar and John Densmore: drums.
Santana
Carlos Augusto Selva Santana. Jazz rock with salsa, Mexican American guitarist. Born in Mexica, moved at young age to Tijuana, played music there, but then family moved to San Fran., discovered by Bill Graham: big event promoter at the time. Black Magic Woman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaKnRUfh_5I. Smooth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXp413NynFk
Grateful Dead
Mickey Hart: drums and percussions, Jerry Garcia: Lead guitarist. Though songs composed not divided into sections that repeat, instead a sucession of ideas. (modal): dream-like and leading. Dark Star: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1igVj3w8KE
Monterey Pop Festival
Jimi Hendrix debut. First heavily promoted and attended rock fesitival. In Monterey, Cali. Embodied the themes of cali and is considered the start of the summer of love.
Summer of love
San Francisco, 1967
Hippies
counterculture or subculture that stood for peace, freedom and nonmaterialism
Beats vs. hippies
Beats from beatniks from beatific meaning blissfully happy. Inner peace could only be achieved if free from the artificial constraints of society. Influenced by Existentialism developed by Kierkegaard and Sartre: free self from hostility of tradition-bound world, once not constrained by other expectation could act as their own mood or beliefs dictated, but still responsible for their actions. Response to death rate in Vietnam.
Psychedelic Rock
An attempt to recreate the effects of mind-altering drugs: feeling of timelessness, increased physical and visual sensitivity, unreal or rather dreamlike connections between thoughts and vivid hallucinations. Musicians used long instrumental improvisations on one or two repeating chords.
Tracy Chapman
Street performer. Give Me On Reason #3 on the charts. First album Tracy Chapman 1988. Give me one Reason: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2kEx5BLoC4.
Suzanne Vega
Song Luka about child abuse 1987. Wrote first song at 14, born in Santa Monica, grew up in NY. Luka: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZt7J0iaUD0.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Federick Joseph Springsteen. Band: E Street Band. Plays heartland rock. The River: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAB4vOkL6cE.
Billy Joel
Played piano. Piano Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxEPV4kolz0&feature=artistob&playnext=1&list=TL2YFmSYZV6eo
Jackson Browne
Band: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Played folk first. Simple compelling lyrics/melodies born in German, but considered an LA musician. Doctor My Eyes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqFUmo8VVg0
Joni Mitchell
Roberta Joan Anderson. Canadian musician/painter. Help Me released in 1974 was 37 on pop charts. Big Yellow Taxi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlNZN94_u-s.
Van Morrison
George Ivan Morrison. Played with band named Them. Someone like You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIrJK19dADI. Here Comes the Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXD1B2651X8
Singer Songwriters
General characteristics
Both write and sing their own material. Intimate songs about themselves and their lives.