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[Chris]

Interesting article by Julian Cope in todays Guardian:
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/...852426,00.html

[stuartmaxwell]

i was at that gig

[Diesel]

Interesting, so far anyway - will read it in it's entirety when I get home.

Loved this bit tho'...

"...especially in Britain, where the kingmakers of the music press have inadvertently created generations of musical whores, all doing their utmost to produce what they think the NME will want, rather than the music they want to make"

Spot on

[Larsen B]

I read this today, it seems to suggest that the bands mentioned all have in common the fact that they are, or grew up as, metal fans, rather than actually make metal music.

[HairyScaryMark]

Interesting but disagree on a number of fundamental points.

"America's underground leads this immense musical experiment."
I very much disagree with this. Most genuine American metal fans (that listen to current bands) will tell you that the European metal scene is currently much healthier and more varied than the US one.

It missed out much mention major touring acts which combine folk, jazz and classical qualities in a rock band. There are already quite a number inside of specialist scenes or particularly popular in other countries.

And what about 70s progressive rock and the influence of Robert Fripp on guitarists? Most rock musicians of the 80s who were doing 'experimental' rock music of the time were fans of bands such as Yes, Genesis and Focus. Isn't this also a large factor as progressive rock seemed to a formidable attempt to combine jazz, classical, folk and rock into one uber-style in the 70s.

Metal fans are often quite open minded but not always. Metal has also largely been a european dominated style for the last 10 years. Europe being a more open minded and tollerant society may also be a factor here. There is also a greater tradition of learning folk instruments in some other countries, making it more practical to create such bands.

The 90s was a conservative decade, culturally as well as politically. Aren't we just beginning to see a move away from this for at least part of society?

[Stripey]

I just think it's quite amusing to see "rock" and "avant garde" in the same sentence. Makes me think of the cast of the last of the summer wine with bayonets fixed staging an assault on a london pirate radio station, but suffering multiple heart attacks before they get half way up the tower block.
No, the avant garde of rock is the equivalent of the military band, miles away from the action, entertaining children and pensioners at the village fair in an entirely harmless and cloyingly nostalgic manner.

Whats more ironic than the self titled "patron saint of bullshit" writing for "the guardian"..........???