Have these bands been forgotten by most prog fans?
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Topic: Have these bands been forgotten by most prog fans?
Posted By: Prog_Traveller
Subject: Have these bands been forgotten by most prog fans?
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 14:36
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With all the younger music fans getting into prog these days it seems that many of them are forgetting about some of the important but lesser known older bands. Sure they know about Yes, ELP, PF, KC, Genesis and a few others but it seems some of them have gone under the radar. I'm not even sure how familiar most younger fans are with Gentle Giant. With all the new stuff that comes out or gets discussed it's easy to get sidetracked by prog bands from the past ten to fifteen years or so and forget about the older ones. So I'm wondering if you feel these bands have been neglected. I'll list about twenty or so. Also, if you are under 40 please state that too(if you want) so I know you weren't into these bands 20 plus years ago. These are just some bands off the top of my head: Nektar Barclay James Harvest Triumvirat Twelfth Night (from the 80's) Mastermind (90's band) Mannfred Mann's earth band The Nice (one of the founders of prog imo) Procol Harum The Strawbs Banco (del mutuo soccorso) Eloy Starcastle Happy the Man Crack the Sky (more art rockish) Focus Argent Renaissance Gong Supersister Clearlight (French band) Finch Ange Rare Bird Captain Beyond Cathedral (US band that did Stained Glass Stories) Atomic Rooster Colosseum Greenslade Cast (90's band from Mexico) FM Just about any seventies Italian band Just about any seventies French band Heck just about any seventies band from any country other than England. Please add any band you feel is significant but overlooked from around 1967 or so up to the 90's. The 90's or 80's could be another thread entirely. The point is to not have them be too recent. I saw Nektar mentioned on another prog site and it got me thinking. If Nektar aren't mentioned much in prog circles(especially these days)then probably most older bands aren't. With all the newer stuff coming out it seems that most prog fans especially younger ones get caught up in the flavor of the week and either forget about or don't bother searching out long lost classics or bands that maybe sang in a foreign language. Lots of good stuff out there pre 2000, pre 1990 and of course pre 1980. |
Replies:
Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 14:39
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Genesis is better though.. ------------- Crushed like a rose in the riverflow. |
Posted By: mohaveman
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 15:08
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Good list.I agree that many younger fans know little of these bands. At 49, I don't know a few myself! I have introduced a young friend of mine to Manfred Mann, Eloy, and The Move and he loves them all. On the flip side, my girlfriend hates almost all my prog music. Oh, well. ------------- And it's only the giving that makes you...what you are". |
Posted By: pianoman
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 15:14
| I'm a young guy (as in 21 next month), and I like a lot of them, especially Renaissance, Crack the Sky, Happy the Man, and Gong. I've also seen 3 out of those 4 |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 15:16
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Nektar I like only the first album Barclay James Harvest Never checked them enough Triumvirat Same As Above Twelfth Night (from the 80's) Same Mastermind (90's band) Who? Mannfred Mann's earth band I still listen to them sometimes. The Nice (one of the founders of prog imo) 5 Bridges suite is one of my fav tracks ever Procol Harum Great. The Strawbs Sometimes but I don't love them too much Banco (del mutuo soccorso) Sometimes but not a fan Eloy A band that I still love Starcastle Nice clone. Not bad. Happy the Man Never heard Crack the Sky (more art rockish) Totally unknown to me Focus Just Hocus Pocus Argent Nexus is not bad but it's the only thing I know of them Renaissance In my top 10 bands Gong Together with Renaissance Supersister Not bad Clearlight (French band) Never heard Finch Love Glory Of The Inner Force Ange I think I miss something Rare Bird Captain Beyond Cathedral (US band that did Stained Glass Stories) Three bands I don't know Atomic Rooster Good but non essential Colosseum Another big band. They have one of the best lives of the history Greenslade Good band but I don't know much Cast (90's band from Mexico) Unknown FM Same Just about any seventies Italian band Just about any seventies French band Heck just about any seventies band from any country other than England. There's a lot of great stuff out of the traditional countries. ------------- Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half. My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: pianoman
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 15:29
Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 15:33
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I am familiar to one degree or another with most of these bands and I have not forgotten them. Indeed, I have been (re)discovering many of them over the last few years. But then I am not among the younger crowd here. Are most Prog fans younger? Or Older? At 52, I count myself older. ------------- The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty" |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 15:44
I'm 51. At least younger than you   ------------- Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half. My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com |
Progosopher wrote:Posted By: pianoman
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 15:51
| Fixed my previous post. |
Posted By: Anthony
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 15:54
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I'm 34. As I'm Dutch myself, I know all about Focus and Supersister. Renaissance and Eloy are also big favourites of mine. The others bands I don't know too well, but I'm checking out some of them. Procol Harum is quite good, but I'm not impressed by Barclay James Harvest. ------------- Future prosperity lies in the way you heal the world with love (Introitus - The hand that feeds you) |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 16:09
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Nektar - never stuck with me Barclay James Harvest - meh Triumvirat - decent (though I'm mostly unfamiliar) Twelfth Night (from the 80's) - thumbs up Mastermind (90's band) - Idk them Mannfred Mann's earth band - lol The Nice (one of the founders of prog imo) - never listen to, but do know of Procol Harum - meh The Strawbs - good Banco (del mutuo soccorso) - top notch Eloy - good to very good Starcastle - average to my ears (but I was never the biggest yes fan around) Happy the Man - top notch Crack the Sky (more art rockish) - don't know Focus - good to very good Argent - don't know Renaissance - enjoyable (though a bit out of my taste range at times) Gong - love Supersister - pretty good (if uneven to my ears) Clearlight (French band) - good to very good Finch - don't know Ange - good (though mostly unfamiliar) Rare Bird - don't know Captain Beyond - ditto Cathedral (US band that did Stained Glass Stories) - SGS is excellent Atomic Rooster - good Colosseum - good to very good Greenslade - don't know Cast (90's band from Mexico) - ditto FM - fitto I feel like I had a point in doing this. Guess I didn't.  ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: imaginedmind
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 16:16
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Nektar Never heard of em Barclay James Harvest Like a couple of their songs but generally not a fan Triumvirat Never heard Twelfth Night Never heard Mastermind Never heard Mannfred Mann's earth band Love them The Nice Like a couple of their songs but generally not a fan Procol Harum Like a couple of their songs but generally not a fan The Strawbs Love them Banco (del mutuo soccorso) Like them Eloy Never heard Starcastle Never heard Happy the Man Love them Crack the Sky Never heard Focus Love them Argent Never heard Renaissance Love Them Gong Love them Supersister Love them Clearlight Never heard Finch Never heard Ange Never heard Rare Bird Never heard Captain Beyond Never heard Cathedral Never heard Atomic Rooster Not a fan Colosseum Never heard Greenslade Never heard Cast Never Heard FM Never heard Just about any seventies Italian band (PFM) Just about any seventies French band (Harmonium, Morse Code, Magma) Heck just about any seventies band from any country other than England. (Bo Hansson, Eden, Kebnekajse, Earth And Fire, Anglagard) I also think Egg, Hatfield & The North, Family, Caravan, Camel (too well known?), National Health, Illusion, Supertramp (too well known?), & Van der Graaf Generator (too well known?). (I'm less than 40) |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 16:18
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Devil Doll Gryphon Gnidrolog -------------  
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Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 16:54
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Forgotten?
Not by me!!
In there, you've got a good chunk of my record collection.
BJH - have 7 albums and they're very good to OK but their Live album is stunning
MMEB - have 6 albums and they're all good to very good
The Nice - have 2 albums, both good
Procul Harum - 3 albums, all good
Strawbs (NOT The Strawbs!) I think I have every album they ever recorded and some albums are complete masterpieces (From the Witchwood, Grave New World, Hero & Heroine)
Eloy - have 4 albums, all of which are very good
Focus - have 5 albums, Moving Waves beng the pick
Renaissance - have 7 albums (and 2 Illusion albums made by the original line up) all of which are excellent
Rare Bird - have 4 albums, As Your Mind Flies By being the best
Atomic Rooster - have 3 albums, Death Walks Behind You being the best
Colosseum - have 3 albums, all of which are very good
Greenslade - have 4 albums; love the music, don't like the vocals
Other criminally ignored bands: The Enid (have 7 albums: In the Region of the Summer Stars and Aerie Faerie Nonsense are brilliant), Uriah Heep (7 albums; Salisbury is their best), Gryphon (have everything; Midnight Mushrumps is the best whole side track ever and Red Queen their best album), 10cc (have 5 albums; the original "Art Rock" band - Sheet Music is brilliant), Be Bop Deluxe (have 5 albums; another superb "Art Rock" outfit). I don't think Caravan are as revered as they should be, either.
I'm sure there are others but I can't be bothered to trawl through 1500 albums to find them.
------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: Argonaught
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 16:54
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I am well above forty .. from your list, I listen regularly to one and only band, namely Renaissance: Nektar: heard them, not impressed Barclay James Harvest: have them, very rarely listen to Triumvirat: heard them, not impressed Twelfth Night (from the 80's): heard them, not impressed Mastermind (90's band): no idea Mannfred Mann's earth band: had some great moments long ago; not interesting any more The Nice (one of the founders of prog imo): had some great moments long ago; not interesting any more Procol Harum: have them, find rather boring to listen to The Strawbs: had some good moments decades ago; not interesting any more Banco (del mutuo soccorso): not bad at all, but couldn't tell them from other RPI bands of the same time period Eloy: OK-ish for those who like band like Eloy Starcastle: don't remember Happy the Man: no idea Crack the Sky (more art rockish): no idea Focus: had some good moments decades ago; not interesting any more Argent: no idea Renaissance: a decent band with quite a few good albums - have them and listen to them Gong: heard them - not impressed Supersister: no idea Clearlight (French band): no idea Finch: no idea Ange: no idea Rare Bird: heard of them Captain Beyond: no idea Cathedral (US band that did Stained Glass Stories): heard of them Atomic Rooster: had some good moments decades ago; not interesting any more Colosseum: heard of them Greenslade: no idea Cast (90's band from Mexico): no idea FM: no idea |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 17:07
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People cannot forget what they never knew. There is a reason why obscure bands are obscure and lesser known bands are lesser known. ------------- What? |
Posted By: Duke of Rother
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 17:21
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Argonaught. In what way are several of the bands "not interesting anymore" to you? Is it because you find the music dated, or are you following the newer prog bands and, having moved with the times, find going back in time is just not for you? Personally speaking I am still discovering new and old bands and find them equally rewarding but then I wasn't really listening to prog (beyond the obvious ones) back then so a lot of it, despite being 30/40 years old is still new to me.
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Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 17:52
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QUOTE=Dean]People cannot forget what they never knew. There is a reason why obscure bands are obscure and lesser known bands are lesser known.[/QUOTE]
Are you implying that these bands are lesser known and less good?
Because Barclay James Harvest, Focus, Renaissance, Strawbs and Mannfred Mann's Earth Band were all bigger than (say) Van de Graaf Generator and probably even King Crimson in terms of fans and record sales in the 70s. Uriah Heep also were massively bigger than either. They were not obscure then for sure. ------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: RBlak054
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 17:53
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I am nineteen and have admittedly only heard roughly a quarter of the bands on your list. I find it is commonly only the most popular and highest regarded bands that remain in the spotlight decades later, especially with a genre like progressive rock that does not have the same number of fans as many other types of music. Besides, with so much incredible music to discover, it makes sense that new fans are most familiar with the names that made the biggest impact on the scene! |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 18:09
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I can't help but think ALL of the bands mentioned in that original post have a small devoted little following, and the Archives is perfect for bringing all the fans of those acts together! Prog fans will continue to love, cherish and support these acts, and I'd hope all those artists feel humbled and a sense of pride being involved, no matter how long ago, in something that is still appreciated now, and slowly but surely adding a new fan here and there as they go! 
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 18:14
I'm implying nothing, I'm saying these bands are lesser known because they are less well known, they are less well known because a lesser number of people know about them, a lesser number of people know about them now because less people heard them "back in the day".
Van der Graaf Generator where less well known than many bands in the 70s, they sold fewer albums and had a smaller fan base, they were less popular then than many bands and they are less popular now than many bands, but they were more well known than most of the bands in the OP's list and even if there are a couple of bands in the list that may have had a higher level of short term popularity, the level of popularity VdGG enjoyed lasted longer than all of them. And that's just how it works - the longer you are in the public eye then more people will get to know you. To most of the 1970s record-buying public the bands you listed were known for: Mockingbird, Silvia, Northern Lights, Part Of The Union and Blinded By The Light - a few of those could possibly name a second track by a couple of them, I doubt that many could name a third - in other words, they were bigger for a very short period and then forgotten. ------------- What? |
Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 18:56
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Nektar: Great band. Maybe the third best on this list. Barclay James Harvest: Never heard. Triumvirat: Another really good band. Twelfth Night (from the 80's): Never heard. Mastermind (90's band): Never heard. Mannfred Mann's earth band: Love 'em. The Nice (one of the founders of prog imo): Can take or leave. Procol Harum: Never cared for them much The Strawbs: Hero & Heroine is very good. Otherwise indifferent. Banco (del mutuo soccorso) Never really got into them. Eloy: Good. Starcastle: Very good group but too darn happy Happy the Man: Never heard. Crack the Sky (more art rockish): Never heard. Focus: Never did much for me. Argent: Don't think of them as prog Renaissance: Second best group on list. Gong: Some days brilliant, some days not. Supersister: Never heard. Clearlight ( Finch: Never heard. Ange: I love French prog, but Ange seems just middle of the pack. Rare Bird: Never heard. Captain Beyond: Best group on the list by far. Cathedral (US band that did Atomic Rooster: Never heard. Colosseum: Very very good. Greenslade: Colosseum was better ------------- 
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Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 19:02
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And all of you who never heard Captain beyond need to find their first album ASAP, esp. the second side. -------------
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 19:23
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Nektar - awesome esp their first 3 albums Barclay James Harvest - i like some of their stuff Triumvirat - great Twelfth Night (from the 80's) - okay Mastermind (90's band) - who? Mannfred Mann's earth band - okay for a few songs The Nice (one of the founders of prog imo) - essential Procol Harum - essential to have a compilation The Strawbs - okay Banco (del mutuo soccorso) - great RPI Eloy - brilliant - I even have a thread dedicated to them here Starcastle - ok Happy the Man = ok Crack the Sky (more art rockish) - who? Focus - essential Argent - hold yr head! Renaissance - awesome Gong - terrific Supersister - who? Clearlight (French band) - ok Finch - ok Ange - good Rare Bird - ok Captain Beyond - good Cathedral (US band that did Stained Glass Stories) - who? Atomic Rooster - essential Colosseum - one good album Greenslade- good Cast (90's band from Mexico) - who? FM - who? Just about any seventies Italian band - great overall Just about any seventies French band - great Heck just about any seventies band from any country other than England. - well they are all great not forgotten just not well known by those outside of the prog community ------------- 
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Posted By: Prog_Traveller
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 19:25
OK. Maybe neglected would be a better term. However, I kind of disagree here anyway. You would think that if someone was a real prog fan they would go searching stuff out and not just jump on whatever just happens to be thrown in front of them. You say how can they forget what they don't know but how do they even know of something in the first place. Prog isn't played on the radio. You have to look for it. But the internet(including many prog sites) is as responsible for just promoting the flavor of the week(only in the form of prog)as the radio is for all the non prog stuff. All I had to do was look at the last ten reviews here. All stuff from the past ten years or so. I have noticed this. It wasn't like that ten years ago. But with the constant barrage of newer stuff the older stuff gets lost in the shuffle. That is my main point here. You either have to know about it(know of it)or go looking for it. Also, many of the responses here are very telling. Many of you aren't saying your age but I can only guess. For those fifty and older who don't know most of these bands shame on you for buying the last five Spock's Beard discs and not owning some of these that you missed the first time around. Yeah, I'm being preachy here. YOu got a problem with that?  And for crying out loud stop saying "who?" about Mastermind. It's not like they aren't listed on progarchives. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=237 Instead of saying "who?" which I find rather insulting (not to mention the name of a rock band who only had a few prog moves here and there ;) )I think I a better response would be "never heard of them" or "not familiar." |
Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 19:31
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Mastermind? I dont know every band in existence but now I can look em up. So dont get so pent up about someone not knowing an obscure band.
EDIT: ah, they are from the 1990s... now I can see as that era rarely appeals to me. hardly any reviews either...., still i can download from itunes this and see what they are like. Cheers!  -------------
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 19:42
Actually this is easier to get hold of so thatll do listening now and I like the heavy use of synths. I actually think they are very good musicians. there ya go - another discovery! -------------
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Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 19:48
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I'm 55, and I've heard and appreciate most of these bands. With the amount of bands and music out there, is almost impossible to hear/know them all. Obviously some are well know, yes, genesis, Kc, Tull, etc, but a lot were/are not that lucky, a principle that applies not only to music, but to all forms of art. |
Posted By: zravkapt
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 19:59
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Nektar - Not discussed much Barclay James Harvest - Ndm Triumvirat - Not discussed hardly at all aside from being called an ELP clone Twelfth Night (from the 80's) - I've heard of them but I don't recall a discussion involving them Mastermind (90's band) - Not sure who they are exactly Mannfred Mann's earth band - Other than "Blinded By The Light" few talk about them anymore The Nice (one of the founders of prog imo) - Hugely influential to what became 'progressive rock' but not discussed Procol Harum - Other than "Whiter Shade" few talk about them The Strawbs - Probably only known these days for once having Wakeman Banco (del mutuo soccorso) - How popular were they outside Italy? One of the more discussed Italian bands today Eloy - Not sure how popular they ever were but I read a lot about them Starcastle - Described as a Yes clone Happy the Man - Described as an American Gentle Giant Crack the Sky (more art rockish) - I'm vaguely familiar with them, don't hear much about them Focus - AFAIK the most well known Dutch prog band Argent - Not discussed much Renaissance - I read a lot about them Gong - Lots of people know who these guys are Supersister - Not discussed much Clearlight (French band) - I've never heard them and never hear about them Finch - ditto Ange - Supposedly the most well known French prog band Rare Bird - Not discussed much Captain Beyond - Ndm Cathedral (US band that did Stained Glass Stories) - Ndm Atomic Rooster - I hear/read quite a bit about them Colosseum - ditto Greenslade - Not discussed much Cast (90's band from Mexico) - Heard of them, haven't heard their music or hear much about them FM - Got airplay in Canada but not sure how well they did elsewhere. Some discussion once in awhile ------------- Magma America Great Make Again |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 20:26
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Really dig the Renaissance. Can't say anything about other acts on the OP's list. There are so many bands out there, old and new. I don't think one would want to focus on all of them all the time. Some bands get to be more popular than others. It is what it is. I see no problem in that.
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Posted By: Prog_Traveller
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 20:29
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[Ange - Supposedly the most well known French prog band] No, that would be Magma. Ange would probably be number two though. Gong had some French members but also members from other countries so they can't really be considered purely French. In fact I didn't put Magma on the list because they are too well known. Same thing with PFM. I should have put Grobschnitt on the list though. Some bands get through the cracks and there seems to be a secret word of mouth thing going on in PA where some obscure bands get discussed but others even if they are still pretty famous(ie Nektar)not so much. |
Posted By: ginodi
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 20:29
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Since getting on this site I have made up for lost time and ordered quite a few CDs (over 40), and lots of them were Italian Prog from the seventies. My six-year old loves Banco. I just ordered one each from Ange and Osanna. |
Posted By: Prog_Traveller
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 20:33
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Ok folks now for the mother ship list. Here is a similar list with many of the same bands from the first list but a bit more comprehensive. This one is strictly seventies(since it was initially intended for a local radio station who does an only seventies prog show once a year). Have at it(I almost feel like I'm unleashing steak to a bunch of hungry sharks. ;) ). Many of these bands are pretty essential for the serious prog collector imo(your mileage may vary). PFM (Premiata Forneria Marconi) Banco (del mutuo soccorso) Le Orme (these are considered the big three of Italian prog) King Crimson (an obvious choice of course) Gentle Giant (also rather obvious at least for those really into this stuff) Hawkwind (well known space rock band) Kraan (German band who were a bit in the jazz rock vein) Can Amon Duul II Ash Ra Tempel (another German band and should be a virtual shoe in for Chuck's segment) Eloy (The German Floyd) The Strawbs Nektar Alan Parson's Project (maybe something from their first or Irobot) Greenslade (overlooked band but fairly well known in prog circles) England (no points for guessing what country these guys were from) Flash (Yes offshoot band featuring Peter Banks) Fruupp (similar to PG era Genesis but from Ireland) Finch (instrumental symphonic from Netherlands) Supersister Focus (kind of obvious but just don't play hocus pocus since that's too obvious ;)) Kayak (another Dutch band) Wigwam (Finnish band) Magma (weird but great band and one of the most well known French prog bands of all time) Ange (another French band but more in the Genesis/symphonic school of prog) Clearlight Gong Van der Graaf Generator (one of my personal favorites-they could have been huge and were in Europe but never cracked the US much at all) Chicago (I think some of their early stuff qualifies as prog but their later stuff seems to convince some people otherwise) Kansas (ditto above but obviously were influenced by Yes, Genesis etc at least on their first five or so) Happy the Man (one of the best US bands 70's prog bands) Crack the Sky (also from the US and had some scattered success) Fireballet (rather obscure US prog band that did a version of night on bald mountain) Camel (a very important band in seventies prog-those who like mid seventies Genesis need to check them out) Caravan (more of what is referred to as Canterbury-you guys opened the show last year with them which was very cool) National Health (more jazzy but also in the Canterbury school) Hatfield and the North (ditto above) You already mentioned Renaissance and Soft Machine so I'll just add my approval (not that it matters much) Kraftwerk (also kind of obvious but what the heck) Tangerine Dream (ditto above-I'm sure Chuck will have them in his playlist) Rush (Much of their mid to late seventies stuff was just as much prog as it was hard rock or metal) FM (another Canadian prog band but far less known than Rush) Harmonium (another Canadian band but I think they sang in French so they might not be appropriate)Far East Family Band (Kitaro's first band and often considered the Japanese Pink Floyd-might be hard to find though) Ambrosia (Their early stuff before they went pop) Journey (maybe some of the very early stuff before Steve Perry just to show people what this band were capable of) Frank Zappa (Yes he does belong here since much of his stuff was very progressive especially in the late sixties and seventies) |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 20:42
| There are many bands on that list that I didn't really know about, some others that I have heard about well enough but haven't listened to yet (though I expect to do so at some time in the future), and a few others which I do know and like a lot, such as Focus, Renaissance, and Banco. |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 21:12
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I'm 50, and 90 percent of the rock music i listen to and care about, prog or otherwise, is from the seventies-i have scores of lesser known bands from then that i truly admire. Wouldn't want it any other way. Triumvirat are my favorite band btw. |
Posted By: Master of Time
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 23:01
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I'm 17 Barclay James Harvest Like em Triumvirat Not a big fan Twelfth Night (from the 80's) Not a big fan Mastermind (90's band) Never heard of Mannfred Mann's earth band Like em The Nice (one of the founders of prog imo) Like em Procol Harum Like em, and seen them live The Strawbs Love em Banco (del mutuo soccorso) Like em Eloy Love em Starcastle Like em Happy the Man Like em Crack the Sky (more art rockish) Heard of, never listened to Focus Love em Argent Heard of, never listened to Renaissance One of my favorites Gong One of my favorites Supersister Heard of, never listened to Clearlight (French band) Heard of, never listened to Finch Heard of, never listened to Ange One of my favorites Rare Bird Never heard of Captain Beyond Not a big fan Cathedral (US band that did Stained Glass Stories) Love em Atomic Rooster Not a big fan Colosseum Heard of, never listened to Greenslade They're okay Cast (90's band from Mexico) Never heard of FM Never heard of |
Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 23:08
Looks like Mastermind has some of their albums on bandcamp as well. I have, and like, the following:![Mastermind Volume Two "Brainstorm"](http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/237/cover_387718102009.jpg "Mastermind Volume Two "Brainstorm"") http://mastermind.bandcamp.com/album/mastermind-volume-two-brainstorm" rel="nofollow - http://mastermind.bandcamp.com/album/mastermind-volume-two-brainstorm  http://mastermind.bandcamp.com/album/mastermind-iii-tragic-symphony" rel="nofollow - http://mastermind.bandcamp.com/album/mastermind-iii-tragic-symphony Warning, while the music is generally quite good, the vocals are generally quite not. So I personally most recommend this one:  All instrumental! And much more in the jazz fusion mode than the other two I know. However I wasn't able to find a free streaming version of that one. Apparently later albums have some nice female vocals. I've not heard them. ------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: Prog_Traveller
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 23:45
| I've seen Mastermind twice. They were at the very first Nearfest back in 1999. They were a key band in the nineties prog scene but then sort of went off most people's radar. I saw them at a bar near me in 2004 or so. A really nice bunch of guys too. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: March 31 2013 at 23:47
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I'll be 58 in a few months....I've seen many of these bands, my favorite in the pile is probably Captain Beyond (I saw them backing up Alice Cooper, 28 July 1972!). I worked on their attempted comeback in 2001, but it was not to be. RIP Rhino and Lee Dorman. However, nearly all of these bands have been discussed regularly on PA, either for specific albums or for the talent of individual artists in the bands. Starcastle? I was friends with 'em. Happy the Man? Check 'em out. I've always liked them. NebelN'est is another band that could be added to the list....French lads, really talented! |
Posted By: King Manuel
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 01:41
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Nektar - Great Band - love them! Barclay James Harvest - Made some nice songs! Triumvirat - Cool Band, at least their eralier releases! Twelfth Night (from the 80's) - I like! Mastermind (90's band) - ?? Mannfred Mann's earth band - Yeah, very good, although not all albums! The Nice (one of the founders of prog imo) - haven´t actually ever hear a song by them. Procol Harum - Some good tunes, but I am not too familiar with them. The Strawbs - ?? Banco (del mutuo soccorso) - Not a big fanof them but I enjoy some of their stuff! Eloy - Love them!! Starcastle - ?? Happy the Man - I only know and own Crafty Hands, which I kind of like! Crack the Sky (more art rockish) - ?? Focus - Cool! Argent - ?? Renaissance - OK Gong - know some stuff but can´t really say much Supersister - ?? Clearlight (French band) - ?? Finch - ?? Ange - Horrible, can´t stand them! Rare Bird - ?? Captain Beyond - ?? Cathedral (US band that did Stained Glass Stories) - Not too bad! Atomic Rooster -?? Colosseum -?? Greenslade - ?? Cast (90's band from Mexico) - ?? FM - ?? Just about any seventies Italian band Just about any seventies French band Heck just about any seventies band from any country other than England: NEUSCHWANSTEIN!!!!! Their album Battlement is a masterpiece!!!!! One of my all time Top 5 albums. ------------- Don't Bore Us, Get To The Chorus |
Posted By: Metalmarsh89
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 01:56
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I'm 23. I've heard of nearly every band listed on the provided list, but Focus is the only one I've actually checked out to any extent, and with much pleasure. I've also heard Manfred Mann's and Procol Harum's popular songs on the radio, but nothing aside from those. I'm still pretty new to the prog scene. It doesn't mean I will never check these bands out, as I probably will sooner or later for some. As far as the classic prog acts go, I haven't even checked out everything from the Big 7 (Rush included). Part of it is that I don't limit myself to prog. I've begun exploring other types of music as well. There's just so much music to check out and so little time to listen to it. You can hardly fault one for not knowing all the classics, especially when trying to keep up with the modern and in-between eras as well. I do believe you are not trying to do that though.  |
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 04:08
Just as a point of interest/debate - why do you assume that Prog's longevity is best served by 'serious prog collectors'? Ain't those the guys who kill the butterflys in jars? Most of us come to PA to seek out interesting and adventurous music irrespective of what preceded it or followed on. We don't want to become curators in a museum do we? ------------- 
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 04:26
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Discovering and learning to know music takes time and trial and error. It's only normal if some younger prog fans did not discover some or many of these bands yet, I'm 46 and I am only vaguely familiar with several of them. They will discover them eventually if they want to, no worries. I don't think younger proggers (or older ones for what matters) should give any priority to buying a 70's Greenslade album to buying Big Big Train's English Electric or the latest Glass Hammer album. There's a time for everything.
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Posted By: Sagichim
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 04:45
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I know what you mean Prog Traveller, I believe most people getting into prog these days are doing so via modern bands, simply because they have bigger coverage for their music and are easier to find. Of course the road to getting into more famous 70's bands from there is short, thanks to sites like this. Happily I know all the bands from your list and like most of 'em, but sadly I can come up with even a more obscure list. About 90% of my music are 70's bands, I found out about modern prog after I got into 70's prog and I was so glad the torch have passed.
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Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:10
| I think that the OP is trolling us: I never heard of any the bands he's talking and most of the names he wrote sound so phoney that I think he just made them up. |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:17
Never heard the Nice ?  Manfred Mann ? Banco del Mutuo Soccorso ? Renaissance ? ------------- Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half. My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:20
------------- What? |
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:21
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^ I suspect the accuser is in danger of being hoisted by his own
-------------
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:23
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Is this an April Fools thread? How can one not have heard of most of those bands? -------------
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Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:32
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I thought we were still on March.....didn't realize that's the Jour de Poisson ------------- Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half. My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:34
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Definitely not March. It's July! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:39
all the bands in the list exist so this cant be an April Fools joke. more about suggesting we havent heard of any of em -------------
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:40
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Oh dear.
Scott, it is the happy Frenchman Mr. Picard who is joking with us, not Mr Traveller. ------------- What? |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:43
Yes..the thread was started in march. A bit obvious really.  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:44
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Ah the Frenchman strikes again...... tho its almost 10pm here in Australia so April Fools is over for us -------------
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Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:46
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Now that we are joking, why don't we use instead of stars to rate poor albums? ------------- Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half. My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 05:49
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Good grief, if I have to count with the time difference, how can I do a joke to the Japanese, Chinese, Indian or Australian forumites?! |
Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 06:00
------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 06:36
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To be honest I think this thread is rather uselss since this is PA, only the complete newbies or those reluctant to explore 70's music will be unfamilier with the majority of bands listed in the OP, regardless of age. It also sounds from the tone of that OP like Prog_Traveller has a problem with people listening to modern prog, or that it's some how inferior to the classics. For the record I'm 27 with a collection of nearly a 1000 albums, with somewhere between a quarter and a third of which are all from the 70's. Not really surprising since I joined the site a week after I turned 20. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005  |
Posted By: Argonaught
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 08:18
But mon Capitaine, ALL band names have been made up? by someone? at some point?
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Posted By: DJMarkuss
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 08:21
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I feature these artists you've listed on my weekly prog show, The Prog Rock Palace, kdvs.org, from 12-2 PM PST. I really love the 70s-era prog and those more obscure bands, including some that you listed, are featured prominently. ------------- DJ Markuss, The Prog Rock Palace, KDVS Davis |
Posted By: Surrealist
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 09:02
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I prefer the pre digital era Prog because I know for a fact the artists were actually playing the music. If I even suspect that the bands or artist has been copy and pasting sound files, using someone elses samples or digitally altering the timing of the rhythm tracks.. it goes right into the trash can. Why? Because they are not playing it. There are kids releasing songs now on itunes that have never even held an instrument. It's become silly and I won't support it. You support that "Apple Garage Band" stuff, not me. |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 09:20
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Oh God, he's back. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 09:51
Do you also only read books that were written with a quill pen? -------------
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Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 10:00
| I agree with Dean. I heard of Renaissance completely by chance and if I had not checked out sub genre pages and the bands mentioned there, I may not have heard of the other bands mentioned in the OP either. You don't often see these bands figuring in forum discussions either, so how does one get to know in the first place, let alone forgetting about their existence. |
Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 10:01
Frankly, I suspect that most of the 70's Prog artists were also a fraud: there's a reason for the Beatles to stop performing live. There's a reason for Pink Floyd using synthesizers and effects or Rick Wakeman or Keith Emerson using electric keyboards instead of true pianos. And don't start me about Fripp and its "Frippertronics", another proof that Prog artists are nothing but conmen and swindlers!!!  |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 10:11
Why, those fakers!!!! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: akamaisondufromage
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 10:13
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No. Never heard of any of them. Umm hang on um .......
(PS Did some one call Flying Teapot C.R.A.P ? Surely not? ------------- Help me I'm falling! |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 10:54
The sound quality of the Charly CD issue is crap. The music is good but is easily my least favorite of the Trilogy.
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Posted By: Eppingforest181
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 11:10
| I'm (18)some older bands(slightly lesser known) I like although still pretty well known include : soft machine, camel, mahavishnu orchestra, jean luc ponty, magma, caravan, gentle giant, mothers of invention, eloy, and gong. that being said i don't a fair amount of the bands on the list you've posted |
Posted By: akamaisondufromage
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 11:20
I've only got it on Vinyl oddly. But, either way glad you don't think the music is crap  ------------- Help me I'm falling! |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 12:15
------------- What? |
Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 12:34
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None of the bands cited are forgotten, anyone into prog has heard of them. There are other bands/artists that recorded some fantastic music but that don't have that much echo those days : Steel Mill Castle Canyon Narita Rhesus O Sacros Fort Mudge Memorial Dump Eishtlinn Bergendy Piramis Games Tamarisk Space Art Aquelarre Mahagon Diana Express Egba Wara The Cosmic Jokers (w/ Klaus Schulze) ------------- "Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood) |
Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 12:55
^Okay, these ones are really, really obscure - except for the Cosmic Jokers, but I'm not sure this project was the best thing from Germany (at least, the musicians involved in it don't sound very enthusiastic about it). |
Posted By: Prog_Traveller
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 12:57
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Some folks seem to be misunderstanding my intent and some seem to think I have bad intentions or am a troll. My friends, nothing could be further from the truth! I have a degree in sociology and therefore find it interesting that certain age groups tend be exposed to certain eras of prog while the younger fans give a wtf reaction many times when I mention these bands. Back in the day prog bands were either symphonic or not, heavy or not but usually weren't heavy plus complex etc. These days it's anything goes. Back then the bands followed certain unwritten rules more closely and in that sense things were maybe a bit more predictable compared to today. However, the point is many of you young fans are missing some great stuff and many of the older fans too. A lot of these bands go under the radar even in prog circles these days. THat is the point of this thread. It's not about being a hardcore collector. It's about being exposed. Don't get sucked into buying something just because it's new. Explore for yourself. I am not going to keep repeating myself here. |
Posted By: Prog_Traveller
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 12:59
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This was not an April fool's joke folks. But maybe the joke is on me.
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Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 13:54
No Poissons here....I don't know any single band of the list ------------- Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half. My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: Canterzeuhl
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 14:11
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Mind if I contribute some bands wholly unmentioned so far? Fields (Greenslade for children) Arzachel (It's Egg with whatshisname) Gotic (Spanish Flamenco Folk) Buon Vecchio Charlie (RPI, and damn good too.) If (Chicago from the UK) Iceberg (Spanish Mahavishnu) Isotope (Gary Boyle's fusion group) Jukka Tolonen (Jazz rock from Sweden. Or Norway. Perhaps Findland. Maybe even Denmark.) Marsupilami (Pass. But it's good.) Murple (Penguin obsessed Italian stuff) Paladin (A bit like Colosseum, less keyboards though.) Solution (Mix Supersister with Caravan and Freddie Mercury.) Trace (Dutch keyboard abuse) Yellow Magic Orchestra (Japanese wonderment.) These bands are all late 60's to late 70's (and drifting into the 80's as well) and really have some fantastic songs to discover, but they're lesser known because their whole albums aren't as solid as the well known ones which is why they're lesser known because people are more likely to have not bothered buying the albums when they first came out. That's how it works right? And thumbs up to the person who mentioned Gryphon, they baroque and roll! |
Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 14:18
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^ I am not the best prog expert, but I know them all (except Paladin). ------------- "Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood) |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 15:09
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Some other overlooked 70s bands which deserve a mention Dzyan (excellent Krautrock/fusion from Mannheim, Germany) Brainstorm (brilliant jazz rock from Germany) Passport (same-band is still going!) Beggar's Opera ( a cross between Heavy prog and Symphonic) Quatermass (brilliant overlooked keyboard based trio) Wallenstein (led by classically trained keys player-great) Andromeda (great Heavy prog guitar based trio) |
Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: April 01 2013 at 16:26
There's a French animation movie - Approved for Adoption - which featured one of their songs: "Firecracker". I won't say it will bring a new generation of fans, but it could do it. |
Posted By: Jbird
Date Posted: April 02 2013 at 07:02
| I'm almost 49, started listening to prog in the '70s (Kansas, Yes, Rush, etc.) and I've never listened to any of those bands the OP posted. Heck, I haven't even heard of some of them. |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: April 02 2013 at 07:10
You've never listened to Barclay James Harvest or Mannfred Mann's earth band or The Nice or Procol Harum or
The Strawbs or Focus or Argent or Renaissance or Gong or Greenslade? Your prog listening has missed an awful lot!
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 02 2013 at 23:10
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Solid list of bands that deserve to be listened to and in a true prog heads collection...imo. I play at least 6 or 7 of those bands-Strawbs, BJH, Procol, etc on a fairly regular basis... and the others every now and then. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Jbird
Date Posted: April 03 2013 at 07:11
I tend to listen mainly to metal/hard rock though, and have since the late '70s. I DO like other styles, I just don't actively seek other stuff out for the most part.
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: April 03 2013 at 07:17
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Hard enough rock: ------------- What? |
Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: April 03 2013 at 07:24
Music died in the late part of the 1800's
 NB: Early prog was all about manipulating sounds, wasent it ? ------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: April 03 2013 at 07:27
------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: April 03 2013 at 16:50
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In the late part of the 1800s, you had the late romantic composers like Bruckner and Mahler creating great music with their symphonies, and then came Elgar, Franck,etc. I wish i was around in the late 1800s |
Posted By: Canterzeuhl
Date Posted: April 04 2013 at 00:49
But then you wouldn't have lived to hear Helmut Köllen! |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: April 04 2013 at 09:11
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Posted By: AreYouHuman
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 21:30
| It's a shame so many who have posted to this thread are so quick to write off some of the bands listed with a ?? or a Never Heard of 'em. To which I can only answer "Well, now you have." As Prog_Traveller said, it's all about exposure, and you can't dislike what you don't know. Neither is it fair to write off someone on the basis of one or two songs. |
Posted By: humor4u1959
Date Posted: June 02 2013 at 01:16
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To the original poster of this thread. Sorry, but I am not familiar with most of the bands on your list. However... Procol Harum was on your list. They never got their due. And, it's a fact that they were the first progressive rock band. Period. Listen to 'Repent Walpugis.' Nobody had done music like that before, ever. Procol predates King Crimson, Yes, ELP, and most others by 3 years and 3 albums! Also, the Strawbs were great! I love them too. They were overlooked as well. |
Posted By: VOTOMS
Date Posted: June 02 2013 at 01:48
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I'm only 19 right now (2013) and I know about every band at this topic, but Cast (90's band from Mexico). I have been living for music since my first guitar at 5 years old. I have a virtual library with more than 1.100 discographies. I collect original rare albums and favorites. I have been into too many genres and working at many musical projects. I think the youth don't know about the past because they won't. I can't stand the "now". Radio sucks. Oldschool poor movies are way better than 3D movies. Goddamn, I born at the wrong time. But I'm proud of been living today, as time passes, more bands we have to check.
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Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: June 02 2013 at 08:27
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When prog first started making a comeback in the early 90s, I was in my early 20s and really getting into it. So I've noticed a few bands that seemed like a pretty big deal back then, but which I don't really hear mentioned much since I became a regular here. The OP's list brought back a memory of one of them, CAST (from Mexico). I saw them live once and they were classy and professional, and had already been around for many years by then. I wonder what's up with them. A PIEDI NUDI (Italy) was another one, and some Canterbury band from Athens Georgia (!) whose name I keep forgetting. Who else... BOUD DEUN? Now there was a hot band. These are bands that mostly stopped making new albums long ago, but weren't part of that classic 60s/70s scene. Gone, and somewhat forgotten.
------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: June 02 2013 at 08:50
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Have these fans been forgotten about by most prog bands? ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |