VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14143
Printed Date: May 20 2024 at 18:09
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR
Posted By: video vertigo
Subject: VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 03:35
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Sorry for my ignorance, I had not heard of this band until I started coming to this site, how did they get their name? What does it mean? ------------- "The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse." - Zappa |
Replies:
Posted By: NutterAlert
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 03:39
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they adopted the name of Van der Graaf Generator as a tribute to Robert Jamison Van de Graaff (1901-1967), the american physicist who had invented an electrostatic accelerator (the "Van der Graaff Generator"). ------------- Proud to be an un-banned member since 2005 |
Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 03:45
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A Van der Graaf Generator is a device created in around 1931 with the ability to create millions of volts worth of static electricity - not sure why it was created originally, but its usual use nowadays is in science lessons at school where a group of people will stand hand in hand with their hair standing on end. Now the band.... that's a different matter; they can cause thousands of people to stand in a hall with their hair standing on end, if only for Hugh Banton's incredible organ work, or Peter Hammil's stunning vocal range. Buy 'Pawn Hearts' - you'll see what I mean. -------------  Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: Citanul
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 04:01
Why the change in spelling? ------------- Be or be not. There is no question. - Yoda, Prince of Denmark |
NutterAlert wrote:Posted By: magog
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 04:07
How lucky you are...when you 'll be listening VdGG it will be your FIRST TIME.... |
Posted By: NutterAlert
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 04:12
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Dunno really... but I do know that a new book about VdGG is shortly to be released by Phil Smart who runs http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk - www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk Well worth a read I am sure and I bet it will answer questions like this one. ------------- Proud to be an un-banned member since 2005 |
Posted By: Lindsay Lohan
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 04:15
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You can also see a picture of a van der graaf generator on the album: The least we can do is wave to each other... ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Fjuffe/?chartstyle=sideRed - [IMG - http://imagegen.last.fm/sideRed/recenttracks/Fjuffe.gif - |
Posted By: Manunkind
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 04:16
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...but do give it a second time and possibly also a third time, if you're disappointed after the first time. ------------- "In war there is no time to teach or learn Zen. Carry a strong stick. Bash your attackers." - Zen Master Ikkyu Sojun |
Posted By: Bob Greece
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 04:20
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According to Wikipedia, it was accidental but after they'd started using the mis-spelt name, they had to continue with it. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/BobGreece/?chartstyle=basicrt10">  |
Posted By: flaxton
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 10:53
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They did change their name to VAN DER GRAAF for a little while. ------------- flaxton |
Posted By: Bob Greece
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 10:56
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I read that it was because the line-up and the sound changed so it was like a different band. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/BobGreece/?chartstyle=basicrt10"> |
Posted By: Marc Baum
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 15:26
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Thankfully they're back with the classic line-up on the superb "Present". ------------- "All you need to do is sit back, and acquire the taste." - GENTLE GIANT |
Posted By: Biggles
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 16:09
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I've only got "Godbluff" and "Still Life," and I intend to get "Pawn Hearts," but "Godbluff" is far superior to "Still Life" IMO. "Still Life" is too lyric-focused, and as such the music has to be forcibly and awkwardly shaped to fit the lyrics. It also seems like an excuse for Hammill to annoy the hell out of people with raucous and noisy vocals. Both of these things also happen in "Godbluf," but to a much smaller degree. I don't think any of the musicians in VdGG are virtuosos at all (I really don't understand why everyone goes on about Jackson; he's an average saxophonist at best), but then again that band isn't really about virtuosity, more about composition. I haven't heard "Pawn Hearts," which is supposed to be good, but "Godbluff" is a good purchase if you're looking to get into it. "Still Life," however... you can pass up on that as far as I'm concerned. ------------- The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe. http://www.last.fm/user/sbonfiglioli/?chartstyle=red"> 
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Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 16:13
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Posted By: chamberry
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 17:13
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if i where you, i should start with H to He who am the only one. i find it more accesible(?) and then proceed to godbluff and pawn hearts
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Posted By: Marc Baum
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 17:24
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H To He is my favourite VdGG album, with close second Pawn Hearts. Love that band! ------------- "All you need to do is sit back, and acquire the taste." - GENTLE GIANT |
Posted By: Pseud0
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 17:52
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_de_Graaff_generator
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Posted By: kenmeyerjr
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 18:03
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I guess I started with the wrong one, then (Still Life), as I haven't listened to it more than once, not getting into it the first time. I have heard a lot about Hammill, though. ------------- If you like art of musicians, check my site (the music section) and tell me what you think! http://www.kenmeyerjr.com |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 18:29
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How many VDGG threads do we need???? Seriously guys! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: video vertigo
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 18:31
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I was just wondering, couldn't find it on their site, so I tried here. If you don't like them, then ignore posts called Van der Graaf Generator ------------- "The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse." - Zappa |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 18:46
You mean like you have? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: video vertigo
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 20:34
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yes, I only post on pages that I'm really into that band, thats why I only have a few posts even though I've been coming to this site for over a year and a half ------------- "The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse." - Zappa |
Posted By: MoodsWings
Date Posted: November 08 2005 at 20:46
As many as all the other bands that are discussed here numerous times, but hey...who's counting? |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: November 09 2005 at 07:06
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: November 09 2005 at 07:11
I mean Like you have ignored posts about VDGG! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: November 09 2005 at 08:06
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You do have a point, Snow.Posted By: NutterAlert
Date Posted: November 09 2005 at 08:13
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What we need is a spin-off from PA archives.... a VdGG Forum So..... Think I'll create a new VdGG thread to discuss this, setup a poll to vote for its name and create a silly thread called Mariah Generator.
Thanks for the idea Snowie ------------- Proud to be an un-banned member since 2005 |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: November 09 2005 at 08:14
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^ b*****d!
Oh dear, I've created a VDGG overflow problem on the front page!! Wombat has gone crazy!! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: MoodsWings
Date Posted: November 09 2005 at 08:19
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Well I guess you are counting. Can you do the same for all the Genesis, Yes, Dream Theater threads too? |
Posted By: tolstoievski
Date Posted: November 09 2005 at 08:42
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How about World Record? ------------- we're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year ... |
Posted By: video vertigo
Date Posted: November 09 2005 at 13:01
I know, you are totally correct! I'm just beginning to get into them. ------------- "The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse." - Zappa |
Posted By: BleedingGum
Date Posted: November 09 2005 at 13:26
Yeah... you will find a lot of them..  I have listened to them all.. so that's right.. consider yourself lucky ------------- ...this is called....BleedingGum ... ! |