Velvet Underground for Proto

^what's the cause of your laught Micky?

debrewguy wrote: I have no problem with their inclusion being put to a vote. As long as anyone who is part of, influenced by, or in any way under the sway, associated or informed by the East Coast "artsy fartsy" critics' clique is excluded in the decision.

Don't find myself agreeing with the above very often but I do here. Yes, I do concur that the Velvets were a hugely influential band but cannot help but sound a note of caution here:

Apres nous la deluge eg Lou Reed, John Cale, Nico, Stooges, Seeds, Television, Patti Smith, Richard Hell etc (Where will it end ?)

Yep, as fine a collection of urban poets utilising simple stripped down rock music as you could ever possibly hope to meet, but does the east coast bohemian art loft scene even anticipate prog ?

I do think that we are guilty of being seduced by both Reed and Cale's namedropping of avowed avant garde influences more than anything else i.e. Lou Reed's citing of Coltrane as having a significant bearing on VU is just risible 'hipper than thou' posturing and even John Cale's collaborations with Lamonte Young do not carry over the slightest residue into the Velvets. Let's face it, it Mr Young did not patent the drone as exploited by 60's rock music.

VU were probably of more lasting value to the post-punk movement and blazed a trail more for confrontationaly adult lyrics wedded to guitar based chromaticism in their song writing than any genuine musical progress ?

Hey ho....


Edited by ExittheLemming - June 10 2008 at 11:32