Has Prog achieved 'inmortality'?

Well the title is a bit of a catch, but let me explain what I mean. Prog is a genre which originated already 45 years ago, that’s quite a long time considering the speed at which things change in the modern world. It did not last in its prime for very long, it was severely criticised by the media and the mass public quickly forgot about it. Most people have only a loose idea of what it was if they have any idea at all. And yet, it is not dead at all, it’s survival may be rather in the underground but we know that there are a sizable handful of bands who still express themselves through this genre. We have PA and other Prog sites as a proof that there is a community of people keeping Prog alive, old and new.

Now, let’s compare with other styles in modern music history. The Big Band music is not played anymore. Rockabilly may have its followers but I don’t think it has a body of modern bands still playing it (I mean new music, not bands playing covers in some US town festivities). Beat was much bigger than Prog, but as far as I’m aware there is no sizable underground scene still playing Beat. Is there any internet site of Beat fans doing for Beat the same as we do for Prog in PA? There is no sizable underground scene keeping Disco alive, if by this we mean the classic Disco of the 70’s. Now and then there come modern Pop hit-songs reminding of Disco sounds, but is there a sizable number of modern bands and internet sites keeping the classic Disco alive in the way Prog has? Or Punk? Sure some modern bands use some of the Punk elements but I don’t think we can talk of a body of modern bands and fans and internet sites which keep Punk really alive. The same about the 1980’s New Wave or the Hair Metal wave of Europe, the cheesy period of the Scorpions etc.

So, it seems to me that as minoritary as it may be, Prog may have already entered the club of perennial genres such as Classical music, Jazz or Jazz-Rock. Styles which are out of mass fashion but which seem to be here to stay, thanks to the musicians who still want to play them and to the few underground public who still want to support them.

What do you think? Do you agree that among the modern genres (but excluding what is now the trend, say post 1950 but older than 2000), Prog is perhaps the style which is staying more alive? (besides pure Pop-Rock which is undoubtedly everlasting).

You would be surprised by how much melodic hard-rock/AOR has survived, it is almost unexplainable. On the rest of your points, I tend to agree.

To your question, I think it actually has, there may be highs and lows but it will probably always be there in one form or another and always in the underground. Maybe if it becomes popular, that would signal the end...

Well, in the current musical climate, just about all genres are immortal. There are always those who look back fondly on the past glories of genres, and bands love reviving genres and mixing them at will. Post-Punk and New Wave have had plenty of revivalists, and the latter is being mixed into modern dance trends like Chillwave. Punk was probably close to having a revival back around 2003, just off the strength of The Exploding Hearts, but their tragic demise snuffed that out. Prog got its revival in the '90's, essentially setting the trend, and is by far the strongest genre amongst all those revived or that have had attempts to revive them.

I don't know about disco, rockabilly, or hair metal, but, in most of the genres you mentioned, there are still plenty of artists expressing themselves and gaining some public attention. Also, New Wave isn't a genre, but a media term for a movement. The genre is synthpop, there is a ton of it, and plenty of the artists try to emulate the 80s. In fact, the general spirit of a lot of groups today is revivalism.

With big bands, there are still plenty around and kicking. Most colleges have big bands as well. My dad has played with several big bands. So I know plenty exist, even if they aren't extremely popular.

There are also prominent punk artists today. Parquet Courts and Iceage come to mind (and they are well-recognized critically). Punk, the subculture, still exists too.


Edited by Polymorphia - November 23 2014 at 19:31

When will Electronica music fade away?

I can't believe that stuff is still around and growing.  I remember first hearing techno in 1988 thinking it would last about 8 months. 

No one is playing anything.  Soulless music that has more to do with elevator music or the old Muzak.  I would say I probably hate that kind of music.  I would rather listen to country or even rap than Electronica. 

This is the dumbest generation in the history of humanity and the youth culture's love of electronica proves it.

If I had kids I would not allow it in the house.  I would rather they listen to Slayer, King Diamond or some other Satan worshiping garbage than techno.

We have progressed from classical being kept alive by sheet music to recording of music.  Prog will never die because it's just more interesting than today's pop...

Hell I might have had a different opinion if I hadn't discovered AOL's prog streaming station and this site almost 10 years ago.  AOL prog is gone, but now we have progstreaming.  I do think the internet has injected new life into prog.  This year I have discovered six new prog acts, and by new, I mean they aren't merely new discoveries, these bands are only a few years old...

Surrealist wrote: When will Electronica music fade away? I can't believe that stuff is still around and growing.  I remember first hearing techno in 1988 thinking it would last about 8 months.  No one is playing anything.  Soulless music that has more to do with elevator music or the old Muzak.  I would say I probably hate that kind of music.  I would rather listen to country or even rap than Electronica.  This is the dumbest generation in the history of humanity and the youth culture's love of electronica proves it. If I had kids I would not allow it in the house.  I would rather they listen to Slayer, King Diamond or some other Satan worshiping garbage than techno.

Harsh words, my friend. I actually love electronica. Not sure if you've heard the more sophisticated varieties but it matters not. I don't really need to convert you, just wanna let you know that some of us are equally in love with many genres. I'm equally at home in the prog world as i am with electronica, hip hop, classical jazz or the most extreme varities of metal. I think electronic music has some of the most diverse and outstanding landscapes of them all. To make a blanket statement that we are all dumb is well not accurate and displays your lack of exposure.

The thing is who is buying it? Those same fans that bought anything ELP,Genesis, Yes and Pink Floyd released are still (mostly) alive and well and in many cases with spare cash to spend. That's what keeps it going. In 30 years it will be gone as will most of us.

richardh wrote: The thing is who is buying it? Those same fans that bought anything ELP,Genesis, Yes and Pink Floyd released are still (mostly) alive and well and in many cases with spare cash to spend. That's what keeps it going. In 30 years it will be gone as will most of us.

Edited by Svetonio - November 24 2014 at 02:55

I don't even know where to start with you Surrealist. You come here a couple of times a year spreadikg the same bull without any proof or examples to back up your claims. Now you put down an entire style of music that you obviously know nothing about. The Future Sound Of London? No? The pioneering electronica outfit that even managed to entice Robert Fripp. Fripp found an interest in the scene so much so that he cut an album together with another UK electronica act, The Orb, under the moniker of FFDW.
Electronica is NOT music made by computers. Would you say the same about Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze? Electronica rather mimics the way these guys approached the old synths, only it's done with new electronic devices....and no you have to play these ones yourself as well;)

Either come up with a way of making your point clear without trashing other artists (or entire styles of music) or simply go elsewhere to spew your uninfomed vile. We certainly don't want it here - as you can probably see from all the posts before mine as well as all the other ones dating back from the last time you visited PA to spread the analogue gospel.....which I am perfectly fine with. Just not in the manner you're going about it.