Are proghead nerds?
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
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Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=134988
Printed Date: June 14 2025 at 10:26
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Topic: Are proghead nerds?
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Subject: Are proghead nerds?
Date Posted: May 25 2025 at 17:01
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I've never really considered myself a nerd, apart from my interest in computer science. I'm quite sporty, and my taste in literature and film leans more toward the classic and art-house end of the spectrum than toward fantasy or sci-fi. While some branches of progressive rock could be labeled as nerdy, genres like RIO, Krautrock, post-rock, or the Canterbury scene evoke a completely different atmosphere—more psychedelic, experimental, and offbeat. To me, listening to that kind of music suggests an eclectic, countercultural, and intellectually curious mindset rather than the stereotypical sci-fi/fantasy nerd identity. I don’t have anything against nerds, but I think the label is often used too broadly and simplistically. Even classic prog bands like Yes, King Crimson, or Rush—despite their fantasy and sci-fi themes—can’t be reduced to “nerd music.” Their work intersects with psychedelic traditions and even elements of classical philosophy. Ironically, most of the nerds I know don’t even listen to this kind of music. Anyway, that turned into a bit of a rant, but I’m honestly just tired of the cliché. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Replies:
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: May 25 2025 at 19:42
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Depends on how you define a nerd. One definition is a person who is extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about a particular subject, especially one of specialist or niche interest. Prog rock is certainly a niche interest. You could arguably call someone a "prog nerd," but that doesn't mean they fit some other characterization of nerd. Certainly, not every sci-fi/fantasy nerd is into prog rock. Using what I think is how you are characterizing a nerd, the answer to your question is some are and some aren't. |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: May 25 2025 at 21:10
| Some are and some aren't. Like a bit like my brother in that I have nerd in me but neither of us are full on nerds. |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 25 2025 at 21:48
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If we go by the definition mathman0806 mentioned, then I guess I'm a movie nerd, a book nerd, and definitely a music nerd—in the broadest sense. 😉 When it comes to sci-fi and fantasy, though, I couldn’t care less. Call me superficial if you like, but I’m only in it for the music—not the lyrics. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Enchant X
Date Posted: May 25 2025 at 22:11
No! we are very cool 
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: May 25 2025 at 22:30
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Like progressive music, one might say that nerdism is a spectrum, in which case I might fall on that spectrum. I have been very enthusiastic about things including film, TV and music. I have been very big on so-called international art house cinema but I also love lots of sci-fi and fantasy (I think of the arthouse film aficionados as nerdier in ways). I do tend to favour music under the Prog umbrella (the prog spectrum) that might come from the more RIO and Avant side, love Krautrock electronic, acid folk, experimental music, post-rock, Canterbury Scene, kinds of jazz... I also like a lot of music outside Prog that might be considered hipsterish such as Indie. I'm an individual with individual tastes (much of which is shared by various people here) and don't consider myself to be a Proghead. It's more like I like a lot of music covered at PA, and not in PA, and a lot of music at PA is not my thing. ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: May 25 2025 at 23:18
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Honestly, I'm a massive prog nerd myself. Almost a textbook example. ------------- 
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Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 25 2025 at 23:56
I mean we do love Steely Dan on PA, right? ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Enchant X wrote:Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 25 2025 at 23:57
Dude why are we so alike? ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: May 26 2025 at 01:22
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I think I'm a nerd, but it's mainly a reaction to those who don't understand why a song can last more than 3 minutes and have unusual signatures. I'm not only into prog, even if it's what I prefer. I like blues, some country-rock, celtic folk, pagan metal other than jazz and classical, but I'm everything but an expert on the last two. So I'm probably a music nerd, more than a prog-only nerd. I'm a sci-fi lover, but I'm also into politics and because of that I've had some problems with the police when I was young. So I can love the lyrics of Jon Anderson, David Bowie and Roger Waters. (three different kinds) Can I be considered a proghead if I don't like Genesis? ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 26 2025 at 02:13
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TBH, when I first joined in 04, I was taken aback by dozens auto-qualifying themselves as nerds or geeks. In the 70 & 80's, this was an insult hurled at losers (those that couldn't get laid - even by their own fists - if their lives depended on it), and had 50's looks like we regularly saw in those 80's teen comedies like Porky's & others. i suppose that the insults became a claim or advocacy (like queers and sluts) by those proud to be so in the 90's & 00's.
You'll be referred as Spaz from now on (see the movie Meatballs) .   . ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: May 26 2025 at 04:50
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I am a bit of an obsessive researcher on topics that I'm passionate about - not sure if the makes me a prog nerd (or geek). [This has been going on for around 50 years now.] ------------- "Christ, where would rock & roll be without feedback?" - D. Gimour |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: May 26 2025 at 05:23
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I'm an obsessive nerd when it comes to music of all kinds*. No one I know in real life go as far - or in depth in that regard. Not even the other music nerds amongst them. But I'm a social butterfly, good with small talk and make friends of both sexes easily. So not your typically awkward nerd like the ones from those 80's teen comedies:) * & what I work with for a living, but that's not exactly the same thing, I think. |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: May 26 2025 at 05:59
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Today, I consider myself mostly as an aficionado of progressive music, and thus as something else than just a progger, even Progressive Rock (rather strictly defined) surely still is the genre, I'm most fond of. Anyway, I've definitely been quite a music nerd in the largest part of my now long life.  ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Themistocles
Date Posted: May 26 2025 at 14:02
Ive found that understanding what one likes and why is a very important form of self knowledge most never achieve. I wish the at laest mentioned it in schools. But yes I too enjoy skill, while challenging forms (in music, art, literature etc) is enriching. Im definitely a geek as Im a practitioner in all of those things. Is that a nerd? No idea but it brings me happiness. Im glad that there other people out there who have some similar values, though relieved that nobaby is in 100 alignment with my tastes. Are there alaignments in Prog like alaignments in D&D? Does asking that question make me a geek or nerd?  ------------- Sjå, my first album in 25+ years is out now: https://jeffjahn.bandcamp.com/album/sj I am told its quite original |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 26 2025 at 15:03
I never considered myself a nerd or a geek in whatever I forayed in (music or others), even when I spent many hours in the early times for this site. "PROG" (fùck I hate that word) was never the only style of music I liked and I'd even given up following whatever was still around in the later 80's... and if it wasn't for a Scandinavian mail-order catalogue that fell onto my desk, I might've missed the whole 90/00's slew. In some ways those same catalogues got me interested in those RIO bands that I only discovered in the mid-90's. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Panda55226
Date Posted: May 26 2025 at 22:57
| I am definitely a nerd, i feel like i would not have ended up on this forum if i was not. I feel like i tend to intensely dive various areas of interest including my degree -biology (molecular, micro and marine) but i also enjoy geology/history/astronomy/philosphy/fine art/MUSIC/film. |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: May 26 2025 at 23:57
-I've met plenty of genuine Progheads of the ELP/Yes/Gabriel-era Genesis-worshipping ilk. Some of them only like the first King Crimson album (but not Moonchild), are mostly indiffernt to Jazz Rock Fusion, RIO etc (they might do an exception for the worst Return to Forever album, Romantic Warrior) and want to talk about time signatures, often do a lot of air drumming, are into sci-fi etc... And their idea of an interesting topic seem to be: but is Rush/Pink Floyd/Canterbury Scene etc... really Prog? Many of them are unable to snap out of it, and talk about other stuff. I got nothing agianst the prog nerd-type. I still like him (sorry, it's a him ca. 95% of the time), but we don't seem to share much common ground. It's usually easier for me to have a conversation with someone who's not into prog at all. |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 03:06
welcome to Prog NerdArchives.  We're a scary bunch (some are really worrysone, like Spaz), but fairly harmless. I also work in science (applied, not fundamental) and regularly I stop my colleagues from blowing up this planet 
Gink/King is relatively close to my profile, I think (except that I'm a loafer when it comes to sport in the last three decades, though my previous job kept me relatively fit until some 20 years ago, when I switched. Saperlipopette describes what is sometimes called in circles a "symphonic weenie": basically someone who tends to fantasy that all symph and neo are "the classical music of the future" and pride themselves as open-minded, but in reality they wear blinkers/blinders and denigrate everything not in this style. I've had countless arguments with symph weenies when PA was born about people angry and insulting when JR/F (that jazzy sh*t) or anything outside their own little sphere of interest. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 03:20
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^ It's interesting because even when PA began Symphonic Prog was already 30 years old. Now it is about 50 years old and has not replace classical music yet ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/release-polls/pa" rel="nofollow - Release Polls Listened to: 
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 04:16
Anyone that starts a sentence ''dude'' is probably a nerd.  I kinda consider myself a nerd. I'm single and intend on remaining that way. I don't like socialising. I enjoyed being a chess player as I didn't have to speak to people and I like prog because it's something I can obsess over endlessly. I wear my prog nerd badge with total pride although I think I'm a lightweight as I'm too lazy to check out everything and tend to stick what I think is 'prog' (Yes being the centre of that universe). |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 07:15
It's just a word, and I think there's been too much criticism of being "nerd", as the way I see it, there're both some pluses and minuses in it. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 11:53
Man, they really get on my nerves. These guys act like they own progressive rock just because some albums have a fantasy vibe—when in reality, it's often rooted in British history and philosophy. In my opinion, prog bands are much more significant for their music than for any so-called "lore." Honestly, the themes could be about anything—it doesn’t matter to me. Area tackled the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Pink Floyd addressed left-wing politics. Caravan sang about quirky, whimsical worlds—not far off from gnomes in the forest. Who cares? Do you have to be a gnome fan to appreciate Caravan lol. Not mentionning some borderline prog bands are very popular such as Queen, Radiohead or The Beatles. So "normies" too can be into prog. Anybody. Nobody owns prog. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 14:30
I am single and intend on remaining that way. My family members are obsessed with pickelball, and to be nice, I play it a bit with them. My fixation is with prog and older classical music recordings, which my friends and family don't really get, but I guess that is ok.....Bruckner and Mahler and Triumvirat are my musical "triade", even though most don't "get it"... |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 14:56
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"Progheads" are almost entirely nerds. But in its day, liking Tull and Yes and Floyd and ELP was entirely acceptable and even cool. Which is to say proggies are nerds now, but not so much then. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 16:11
Same goes for jazz. Used to be cool, now it's seen as a bunch of snobby intellectuals or music nerds.  ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 16:38
A nerd isn't necessarily bad at socializing. I am very good at socializing, probably even better than most people. I've demolished job interviews even though I didn't have the qualification for the job (having lied on my résumé). Likewise, I'm a smooth talker, quite charming, and I am rather street smart (I've pulled myself out of some very very tough spots out of smooth talking). Nevertheless, I am a huge music nerd who can spend hours and hours in his bedroom making a music collection as much as I can spend hours trying to solve a math problem instead of going to a party. But if I decide to go to said party, I won't be in an unfamiliar ground. I realized when I was young that academic knowledge alone wouldn’t take me far—I had to navigate both worlds. Otherwise, I’d probably be a total dork today. NOTE: not saying you are a total dork or that there is anything wrong with being introverted and into niche stuff. As a matter of fact, I am. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Themistocles
Date Posted: May 27 2025 at 16:39
I call the process "dynastic metabolism"... something innovative and exciting comes along... it could be a type of music, literature or even government, Eventually a certain professionalism sets in and starts to drain the life out of things because its about control and gatekeeping. A thousand midlevel managers serving a few major gatekeepers as consolidation happens. Then there's epistimology etc etc. Honestly when talking music most effective musicians dont draw lots of lines. Thats the sort of things priests do... interceeding between the gods and the people. Meh. We have the technology to do and end run around that now. So let's... ------------- Sjå, my first album in 25+ years is out now: https://jeffjahn.bandcamp.com/album/sj I am told its quite original |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 01:10
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Svettie is obviously a nerd, that's a certainty. He's soooooo obsessive about posting in PA, that only major-league nerds can compete with him .
Mmmhhh!!! about jazz, since Kamasi and Shabaka, jazz crowds are absolutely not nerd-crowds anymore. 15 years ago, I was one of the tougest in the crowd, nowadays, I'm one of the oldest (notwithstanding the 15 years ellapsed since). David: if the only bands you were into back in the 70's were "prog", than you were probably a weirdo for the cute and sexually-active chicks, and a case to be avoided for body-fluid exchanges with them. Personally, I had not only "prog" albums (which was called Art-Rock back then), but blues-rock, hard-rock , a few glamrock (that I kept well hidden), folk-rock and a few more. Of course, back in the 70's, I wasn't into 70's JR/F or 60's Jazz or even funk (jazz or rock), but the mid-80's solved that. When the 80's pop scene invaded and avoided it like the plague, I might've appeared to be a weirdo myself, but by that time, I had a chick network going for cross-gender interactions. . ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 02:31
I agree. Jazz isn't considered uncool. I do however think people can get a little intimidated by a Jazz-connoisseur, in similar ways as they might get around someone with expert knowledge about classical music. In a respectful way. While a progger isn't intimidating at all, just an awkward nerd who listen to nerd-music. |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 07:00
I've always been into much more than just Progressive Rock (strictly defined), and that certainly includes the '70s too - which btw has probably been the main reason for my previous fondness of a very broad definition of Prog. When talking about my female acquaintances in the '70s, I had my fair share. Edit: If you by "prog" meant what I now call "progressive music", that doesn't make much difference. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 14:32
This. Expand your knowledge. Also, that is a very sad comment. Maybe it was only a joke. But your musical tastes should not prevent you from speaking to other people. Or perhaps the 70's were very tough times, I don't know. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 14:44
I was talking to David/Atavachron, not you You can talk to all the ladies in their 70's and try getting laid - who knows, maybe they're desperate enough at that age to acceot your offer. Sorry, I couldn't resist - too easy, though. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 14:46
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I agree with Greg that this is more of a spectrum thing. I'm an introvert and hate crowds. Always had a small number of friends, but could socialize if needed. I can pull off giving a presentation to 100-200 people. But this "extrovert" activity just drains me. I usually needed one day a week by myself to "re-center myself" and recover from a week of dealing with people (at work, while shopping, wherever...). I guess the stereotypes fit me: prog rock, science fiction, have degrees in astronomy and computer science, all my friends are and were "nerdy" or quirky in their own ways. But on the flip side, I was good at baseball in my teen years, used to run five miles twice a week (now I walk about four miles a day on average), and used to be able to bench press my own weight (not sure if I can still do this or not since I don't have that kind of equipment in my home). But even my athletic side has a "nerdy" feel to it. I still collect baseball cards and have a keen interest in baseball statistics. When I was younger I combined the nerdy and athletic sides of me by listening to prog rock on an exercise bike for 3-4 hours, often on the day I lived inside my little bubble away from the rest of the world. We are what we are and giving ourselves a label is about as useless as trying to pigeonhole a prog band into a subgenre. ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 16:46
Then sorry for my interruption. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 17:06
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The only people Nerdier are Birdwatchers and KC completists. Oh, and Bikers... Gay Bikers... On Acid. ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 17:10
I don't know, seems to me the STDs were probably far more common among the Sabbath/Aerosmith/Zeppelin crowd than the tiny handful of female prog fans. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 28 2025 at 21:43
You're completely wrong. I'm speaking as someone who has been a jazz enthusiast since I was 12. In the 21st century—during my childhood and teenage years—jazz was never considered cool, unless you wanted to hang out with people over 40. Back in high school, it was actually much cooler to talk about bands like Pink Floyd, Yes, or Jimi Hendrix. Mentioning Miles Davis or John Coltrane, on the other hand, would get you labeled as someone who listened to music for old people. Also, is this really what you think of progheads, or are you just joking? You guys should stand up for yourselves and drop this whole “proud dork” mentality. Don’t let yourselves be boxed in. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but it honestly frustrates me when people with eclectic tastes are reduced to a stereotype. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: May 29 2025 at 01:49
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^ I'm not wrong. Actually I know I'm right. My jazz collection and obsession is positive social cultural capital/currency, while in a normie context - Prog is the complete opposite. Selecting my Sunday at the Village Vanguard LP over... Aquiring the Taste is crucial to whether a woman stays or leaves. We obviously have different experiences, and I'm not talking about a 12 year old into jazz - which obviously made you a complete weirdo. -What I write about progheads is not an opinion, but an observation. I've already stated that I usually enjoy their company (up to a point), although I don't count myself as being one of them. You (and Sean) are the one that seemingly can't stand them. I hang out with nerds of all sorts "all the time" - until I tire of listening to whatever the one-or two things they go on about are. I personally listen to Progarchives-related music maybe 25% of music my listening time, and it's usually artists not normally associated with Prog Rock. I know who I am and I'm far form a "prog dork". But I bump into them every one in a while. As far as I'm concerned, the average progger is one track minded and doesn't really have eclectic tastes. I have. If I introduce them to say some rhytmically complex Avantgarde Jazz or Eastern European folk music - suddenly odd time signatures or whatever isn't all that interesting anymore. It's like it has to sound like Gentle Giant for them to count. |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 29 2025 at 03:06
Cool, considered by whom, though??  By vinyl-buying hipsters, who think they're cool?? They're about as uncool as it gets outside their own little t**tty circle. Even them are buying jazz vinyls. Jazz is "cool" nowadays and it's nothing to do with Cool Jazz. Gnik/King, apparently, you're a late 30's "dude"  , who barely knows what went on before you, including 70's prog bands and general public perception. I've been to jazz festivals over the last three decades, and of late, seats are getting pulled out, because the aboundant young flocks don't want them - they want to stand close to the stage, and not have seats blocking them in front where the standers.
Please don't include with Gnik (nothing against him, though) Outside the bracket you put me in, I agree with most of your post. The "PROG" sect started in the early 90's, once the style went underground and their lovers started building a citadel, besieged by heathens. At that point, once it appeared to climb up the stairs - but never managed to get back to ground floor - the "truth-fighters" were those that adored anything by the Magna Carta label and the Scandinavian wave (I only adhered to the second). The rabid PROG fans I met in those years (basically the 90's), some of them became friends, some just buddies, others mostly acquaintances that I never meet outside concerts. The latter's "gardian of the faith" attitude sincerely pulls me somewhat back from them - even if I somewhat admire their involvement for "the cause", as most of them actually get personally involved in the organisation of the "masses". You wouldn't believe the hatred when PA broadened its scope to widen the database to other bands that were encompassed in GEPR (Gibraltar Encyclopedia or Prog Rock), ProGGnosis and other sites trying to survive and build its chapel. Don't get me wrong, I actually read Gibraltar and learned of quite a few bands I didn't know about, but the rate of success up my tastes was not garanteed at all. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: May 29 2025 at 06:40
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Now I'm a bit confused about the semantics. To tell you the truth, I've never encountered the term proghead outside of Progarchives.com How do *you* define "proghead", guys? Does such person in any way differ from a normal progressive rock fan? Or a progressive rock geek? -------------
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Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 29 2025 at 09:36
I want to apologize for my earlier comment. That wasn’t meant as a dig at the members of ProgArchives — in fact, I’ve always found this community to be refreshingly open-minded, which goes against the stereotype often associated with prog fans. The reason I brought this up stems from stumbling upon a subreddit where nearly every post came from self-proclaimed “proud dorks” who spoke in a rigid, almost dogmatic way about what prog is — as if there’s one definitive version of it — and insisted that being into prog automatically makes you a massive nerd, no exceptions. When I read your comment, I initially lumped you in with that crowd, and I reacted poorly because I really don’t like being reduced to a label. That said, I understand where you're coming from now. I’m not convinced a girl would literally run for the hills if she heard Gentle Giant, but I agree — it’s probably not the best idea to start a conversation about them with someone who isn’t already into prog. Which is why I’ve made a point of keeping my musical taste diverse — from the funk and soul of Earth, Wind & Fire, to the Nordic psychedelia of Tusmørke, all the way to the experimental alt-rock of Radiohead.
I am actually in my mid 20's. You're absolutely right — I only got into prog a few years ago. My roots are actually in jazz, and I’ve also always had a soft spot for yacht rock. Back in high school, my playlist was dominated by bands like The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, and Byrne & Barnes. That sound — the smooth, polished vibe of the late ’70s and early ’80s — was surprisingly popular among my friends at the time, and it definitely helped me connect with people. Maybe it still holds up today? Over time, my musical tastes have become increasingly eclectic. My library is a mix of progressive rock, fusion subgenres, and a solid foundation of classic jazz. I’ve come to see prog as a natural extension of blues and jazz — branching into classical, folk, electronic, and beyond. For me, it felt like the next logical step after diving deep into jazz and fusion. That progression is clearly reflected in my collection, much of which comes from albums listed on ProgArchives and JazzMusicArchives. I don’t really identify as someone confined to a niche. I see myself more as a traveler exploring the vast and varied landscape of experimental music. That’s partly why I clash with gatekeepers or the kind of “nerds” who lock themselves into narrow definitions of what prog should be. Music — especially progressive music — should be about discovery, not limitation. That said, I’ve got nothing against the users on PA. I know many of them have completely different tastes and approaches, and I respect that diversity. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: May 29 2025 at 10:38
One of the reasons I see myself as a nerd is because I'm too young to have experienced the heyday of prog rock naturally. I discovered the genre back when it was already a lingering niche, completely on my own, thanks to Progarchives and YouTube. :P As a largely hip-hop and chiptune focused musician at the time, I was immediately drawn by the complex and rich structures of 70s prog music. Moving onto prog from the repetitive and formulaic conventions of the so called beats felt like an epic adventure. A challenge. Intimidating yet rewarding. Studying the classics helped me push the boundaries of my comfort zone and continue the journey to improve my craft. I still have a long way to go. -------------
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Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 29 2025 at 12:29
Another young boy! I was born in 1999. I'm a bit younger. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 29 2025 at 16:18
Dorks are definitely a nasty form of nerds, precisely because they go out of their way to be dorks. Nerds are +/- their own victims and can't help themselves being losers. Then again, you've got the rare Prog Jerk (there is one on this forum) I've never made a point of widening my musical tastes. It happened right from the start and increased as time went on. TBH, I'm not a big fan of what is called "classic jazz", because it encopasses too many styles I don't really care for. Not just the different Bops, Cool, Swing, Big Band, Soft (the worst kind), Acid, etc.... What I really like is the Modal jazz "new thing" from the Impulse! label (Coltrane, Mingus) and what ensued in the 70's (Tyner, Alice, Pharoah, etc...), Mwandishi, RTF, WR, MO etc... I'm also into the LDN scene that calls itself "spiritual jazz" and other stuff. . ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 29 2025 at 17:55
I don't really care about them. I just get the sense that they label you that way because they want you to be like them—just because you might share some of the same tastes. Then they act like they own those tastes, as if they're the gatekeepers. Likewise, they have this awful tendency to homogenize everything under the banner of geek consumerism. Being interested in mythology, history, and philosophy makes you, in their eyes, a fan of board games and a cringe-worthy collector of figurines (even though there's nothing fundamentally wrong with being into that). That's where I draw the line between what is essentially an intellectual and a nerd/dork. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 30 2025 at 02:25
by boardgames, I supose you mean the Dungeons & Dragons stuff, as opposed to Cribbage or Monopoly. I actually like some of these latest generation of BG, but f**k these people are so geekish that there almost dorks (but harmless ones) https://boardgamegeek.com/ in some ways , they're scarier than the symph weenies of the 90's. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: May 30 2025 at 07:07
I'm sorry. But you certainly came across as someone who weren't too much of a fan of these types of nerdy progheads. I don't really see how it could have been interpreted in any other way. |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: May 30 2025 at 17:23
I actually enjoy board games, just more in the vein of Monopoly than D&D though. What bands do symph weenies worship? I'm interested in what you call "symph weenies". I personally enjoy retro prog, much more than neo-prog. I just think it's not very innovative. But it sounds great. Is it as revolutionary as Kid A or Soundtracks for the Blind though? Absolutely not. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Themistocles
Date Posted: May 30 2025 at 17:47
When I played in symphonies we would have called the oboe section the symph weenies... but that's the viola section for you. The Portland of any orchestra. Yeah Im not so into neo-prog,,, you cant really recreate the conditions that created something that happened 40-50+ years ago. ------------- Sjå, my first album in 25+ years is out now: https://jeffjahn.bandcamp.com/album/sj I am told its quite original |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: May 31 2025 at 01:55
I also enjoy most retro-prog (as all symph weenies do as well) and yes, it's not innovative or inventive, but something in them was grabbing me by the tripes. The limit between neo & retro is fuzzy and difficult (IMHO) to draw the line & justify, but most of us know retro when we hear it. One of the albums that drew me gradually back into the rock realm (which I'd +/- fled since 85) was Lenny Kravitz's Let Love Rule, which was voluntarily made in the 70's manner. (other albums that brought me back to "rock" were RHCP's SBSM or Neil Young's Ragged Glory). Maybe, my crossing back the pond to Europe played a role, but when I left Canada (first Mtl, then Tor if you care to know) really disinterested by anything rock, and music was playing less impiortant a role for me, despite foraying in 60/70's jazz. Discovering Anglagard, Anekdoten, Tangle Edge, Per Lindh Project and Landberk, that really gave me a real boost (energy-wise) that none of those soporific neo bands managed to do. ============== Neo-prog was symph-weenie rock that started in the early 80's with IQ, Marillion, in the UK, that wave in Japan (Bio Ky Ran shouldn't be included in "neo", though), then in the 90's, the Polish wave (Collage, Lizard, Abraxas, etc), quite a few Italians (Asgard, Nuova Idea , A Piedi Nudi, anything that Fabio Zuffanti ever participated in, Germinale, etc...), the Scandinavian tribes (Galleon, Gazpacho, TFK & stuff). Of course they spread like the plague all over the planet (even in Ozzie-land with Aragon).The US neo-prog (Magna Carta label, Spock Beard, etc...) was a bit different musically, because less symphonic I saw many of those bands on stage, and all too often came home very disappointed, though I was clearly in a minority in the attendance. The mood installed by the crowd was like as if you were in a mass from some obscure sect that didn't really want to spread more (which was not the case), and the least comment or yawn wasn't tolerated. Don't get me wrong, I don't like neo-prog, but admire their tenacity in whatever they did for so little rewards (outside the unconditional adoration they got from the weenies).  So more than the bands themselves, I've got more snarks towards their rabid fans. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: June 01 2025 at 11:26
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What I appreciate about retro prog is that, unlike many modern throwback bands—particularly in the neo-prog or crossover scenes like Big Big Train or Phideaux—it doesn't come across as popish cheesy or too modern (except for The Flower Kings, who at times sound fantastic and at other times downright awful). These bands genuinely aim to capture the essence of '70s progressive rock. For example, Wobbler not only uses the same types of instruments but also employs authentic recording techniques from that era. While it may not be groundbreaking in terms of innovation, the sound is rich, immersive, and experimental enough to keep me thoroughly engaged. Lars Fredrik Frøislie, in particular, stands out in this regard. I think this all comes down to the vocals. I despise The Flower Kings vocals. In general, vocals are hit or miss. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: June 01 2025 at 12:41
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^In principle, I don't really mind anything so called "retro" at all. I tend to think that it's overtly critizised and often unfairly dismissed, and many do so simply by default. If a band (or someone) comes across as honest at doing what they do out of love, manage to reattach themself to a part of history that I have an affinity or longing for (just like them. I suppose), and are good at it - I'm not complaining. The essential part of any art or artist to me, isn't so much that they create something "new". Originality is of less importance to me than idiosyncrasy. That last part, while difficult to state what it exactly is - I know it's something I look for in the arts. I think I can hear-or see it when it's there, and when it's missing. Plain copycats with nothing genuine to express, obviously don't have "it". Originality and "the new" is vital when history is written, and of course there's a reason why Miles and Beethoven are historically more important figures than those who followed in their footsteps. But is it really optimal for the experiencer of the arts to approach all works with a mindset like that? I don't think so. |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: June 01 2025 at 12:59
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Posted By: Jacob Schoolcraft
Date Posted: June 01 2025 at 17:01
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I started listening to Art Rock in 1970 and continued as such for years until people began referring to it as Progressive Rock. In the early 70s as a teenager...people were generally aware of ELP, Genesis and Yes. It was widely accepted...however as the years progressed ...the generation of teenagers began taking to mainstream Rock ...which wasn't necessarily commercially viable Rock.. Albums like Robin Trower Bridge Of Sighs and different bands playing a hard edge sounding Boogie started to attract a large audience of hard- core teenage rockers. Right around this time I crossed paths with people who disliked Progressive Rock and I was treated like a misfit or outcast...not necessarily a nerd though. Or perhaps in some people's vision the same. Several music teachers in high school admired ELP , Yes and Genesis though musicians in orchestras often criticized it and found it laughable or disgraceful to Classical Music. It was a mixed bag reaction ..particularly with snobs.. however they were outnumbered when teenagers who had been classically trained on piano began buying Mellotron and Synthesizer to form cover bands and play Battle Of The Bands or High School Dance. Either way...what Emerson once stated about smiling in a band photo or album cover. It didn't work....and the audience were just as serious as the musicians. No one was particularly interested in smiling ...or selling out...If someone in high school heard about your band having a Mellotron or Synthesizer they'd show up just to see it. That's ancient fossil and as time progressed people generally expected bands to use either one in a Pop song..for example...but in the early 70s it was a new interest. Even though The Moody Blues had used a Mellotron in the late 60's people still treated it as something new. Something exciting for people to enjoy. In 71' people were still retracing King Crimson's steps and Mellotron was very much a new idea to them. Even though The Rolling Stones used it in "2000 Light Years From Home" in 67' ...the Progressive Rock composition of YES featured it on Fragile and people went crazy and gave new birth to it. It wasn't until the late 70s I noticed rockers trying to outcast progress. Especially if you had an interest in Gong, Hatfield and the North, Camel or Pulsar. You were toxic |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: June 02 2025 at 01:00
Absofùckinglutely. I'd never heard in North Am (Central Canada) of progressive rock in the 70's , even if the qualificative was sometimes used) and even less of "prog" (or "PROG"). And yes, we had teachers that enjoyed Crimson, Floyd & ELP. Certainly, back then, today's "PROG" pioneer-bands and their fans were not ostracized, especially if they enjoyed other type of rock. Trouble arose when punk started happening in 77, but by that time, it was the birth of all these chapels: the different camp were mostly hard rock (and heavy metal), Funk/Soul, Country/soft Rock (Yacht rock didn't exist back then), disco, AOR (the latter two were where most of the girls to be found) Upon return to western Europe in 91, when asked about my musical tastes in the Belgian-state owned TV/Radio where I found my first job (and where I made most of my friends & buddies, still today), most everyone understood "hard rock", when I spoke of "art rock", so when specifying the groups, some spoke of "progressive rock", but the term "PROG" wasn't coined yet. This IMHO came about in the mid-90's, when progheads/nerds/jerks/dorks started appearing and the scene was growing from non-existant to a secular & secretive gigs out in the boondocks. In some ways those nerds/dorks were very helpfull in creating that second (or third) golden age ( or wave), because it's mostly their devotion and labor that helped it grow. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: June 02 2025 at 04:35
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Back in the day, my brother and his friends were huge prog fans. My brother was our high school's starting running back. He ran track and wrestled. He served four years in the marines and he became a professional firefighter. His friend Steve was the starting quarterback. He was in the Air Force and a professional firefighter. Wendel ran track and was the starting middle linebacker. He served in the Marines and he's a gynecologist. Greg pitched for the baseball team and played point guard on the basketball team. He played college baseball. He owns a major car dealership. This foursome loved Yes, ELP, King Crimson, Bowie, Queen, Rush, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Styx, and Kansas. They saw all these bands live. All four men are alpha males. All four are married and still listen to prog. However, they didn't listen to Gentile Giant, VDGG, or Genesis. |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: June 02 2025 at 12:29
That's what I'm talking about! ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: June 02 2025 at 18:03
I love pretty much everything from the 70's (even punk) so I would have fit everywhere. Great times. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 02:58
Surely there must be a certain trace of nerdism stuck in between those layers of muscle 
let's not overdo things with rampant nostalgia either The 70's were troubles times (Nam, Cambodia, birth of modern terrorism, Petrol Crisis, etc...) and some awful habits abounded: that rampant heterosexuality  , heavy use of tobacco everywhere  , birth of disco (and queerism) , country music  even Le Séparatisme de La Belle Province killed partly the spirits and ruined an economy. So yeah, I enjoyed the 70's tremendously, but it wasn't a golden era. . ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 09:16
I meant musically, not politically. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 09:32
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^ I too can't help but think of the 1970's as a cultural golden era (I'll include th 1960's as well. People actually listen to-and bought quite challenging Jazz records - and watched works of art in cinema). There was actual artistic freedom even within the mainstream - at least to an extent. -and one can't blame the 1970's for country music. I don't really mind tobacco, disco (in fact I find it too easily dismissed and UNDRERRATED) or queerism either (or maybe I'm misunderstanding what queerism means). |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 10:23
Disco, AOR and yacht rock are dope. Also, New Hollywood was amazing and many great underrated directors such as Altman, Cassavetes or Lumet emerged from it. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 11:18
| ^ yes to all of that - I'll admit I carefully handpick one or two gems from most albums (and often none at all), but from that I got days of lovely music to enjoy. |
Posted By: Themistocles
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 11:50
I am a cultural historian and the way Id characterize the 70's was that moment when the USA's hegemony was acting out in full flower, culturally and corporately (economically). It was in many ways a crest and coast that lasted till the real squeeze on the middle class began to be felt in the 90's. The 50s and 60's with the end of WWII and all the GI bill expansion of education and worldiness from GI's returning + space race etc was this sense of climbing a hill (those challenging Jazz records, abstract expressionism etc... thenm the kitsch came in the 70's)... 70's were a kind of crest and picnic spot. Not really a peak moment or golden age but as sense of enjoying the view. In many ways the 70's were nostalgia for its current moment. Sadly that moment was very pornstache and polyester. I enjoyed the prog though. Pretty nerdy but not in an uncool unselfconscious way. I was a kid and films like The secret lives of altar boys feels more nostalgic to what I experienced... you know Schwinns in suburbs with banana seats etc. ------------- Sjå, my first album in 25+ years is out now: https://jeffjahn.bandcamp.com/album/sj I am told its quite original |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 14:23
I get what you mean , but "the cultural 70's" sort of didn't start until 77 with punk's advent. Culturally-speaking, the 50's (which started in 54/5 with Elvis and Buddy Holly lasted until 63/4 and the sixties started in 67 until 74/5
Yessss, it seemed the public was really "out there", ready to experiment and follow the counter-culture, which seemed quite un-commercial, but sold massively, precisely because the mainstream public was following suit. The New-Hollywood generation (from Corman to Fonda, Hopper, Nicholson, and many more) also took power in the studios, the same way The Beatles took power in the studios as the old-guard technician were still wearing white lab-coats but knew nothing about the new techniques & technologies. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 14:56
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 16:36
I have the impression that the world of today is quite full of nerds, of one or another kind and maybe not least food nerds.  ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 16:44
I could hope so. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 17:20
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^ At the time it seemed like it would last forever. Who'd've thought people would abandon rock and go back to dance & pop music. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 18:01
https://youtube.com/shorts/g6uFsotwf-Q?si=NvjzM2986UobpEbN" rel="nofollow - It’s about control and what’s forced on the average listener ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: June 03 2025 at 18:55
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^ No it's about what new generations like and listen to. Nothing more, nothing less. If you're listening to Diddy, that's on you. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 03:28
Absofùckinglutely
Yess, we're in a modern world where old insults are being branded as "raison d'être"  Queer & nerd were fighting words back then (dorks & geeks as well). Nowadays they're the base of new religions. BTW, I remember a time when queer did not necessarily mean "homo", but odd or peculiar (anchorman Less Nessman in WKRP in Cincinnati)
Well if you were thinking that in 69, it was hardly foreseeable that disco, punk and electro-pop successively would rule by 75 to 79 to 81.
not really. when AOR became AOR (album-oriented rock & radio Vs adult-oriented rock & radio) around 75/6, it was the business taking back control of the medium. Artistes were spending more & more money on increasingly average projects, with vastly diminishing financial returns. So the managers favored cheap projects (like the DIY punk stuff) to maximize profits and used payolas on radios to force-feed (or brainwash, if you prefer) the crowds. Much easier for radios to make profit by sticking commercial ads between two 3-minutes single, rather than no commercial between album sides. Early 70's radios were a dead business model right from the start. The fact that these uncommercial radios pioneered the superior-sounding FM band (and also much cheaper to broadcast over the airwaves) gave them freedom and room to exist, but soon enough the commercial AM-type of radios invaded that new hertzian continent. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 06:44
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Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 06:57
Spaz, you may insukt of boomer, but I'm definitely aware of what goes around, even if I don't like much of it. my point is that back then queer either meant odd/strange or homo. I didn't make claims for today's meaning, though I'm even aware of queerism (which most queers aren't yet). ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 07:00
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Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 07:04
Earlier in this thread, you claimed you were a nerd, so I made you the king of nerds And you're still unhappy?? What ingratitude !!!!  ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 07:10
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Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 07:41
you've not been the kindest of members (let's stay polite, here), making fun of others in your signature.  you reap what you sow. He who blows the wind creates storms. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 07:54
In your case, you act like you have a special privilege to be this 'rogue vigilante', a Karen of Progarchives. If you insist of playing dirty, sure. You said, I quote: "You're already on a close watch by the Admins, you wouldn't want thunder & lightning hitting your nerdy head." This is a Karenism. "Speak to my manager!" = "Speak to the Admins!" A Karen keeps acting like she's entitled to start fights and come out victorious with the help of her privileges. And one thing a Karen doesn't do is apologize. I've never seen you apologize. -------------
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Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 09:40
Not quite as simple as that. You’ll notice that diddy said “we” control, not “I”. Then go and have a look at the top music execs for the last 10 years you will see that there’s not much going on besides hip hop , pop, and rap . Influencers of popular culture have always, in the end, been businessmen, Not the young listeners of what’s being pushed out over social media, TV, and the airwaves. Even much of the music we love was marketed directly to us. And today, social media influencers with any clout are often paid well to push new music. Clive Davis (92) is a star maker who has fully embraced hip hop and rap because it's very profitable, not because he likes the music. As was David Geffen, who has/had contracts on 40,575 records. As was Berry Gordy... Nothing has changed in the music business world except the music (if you want to call it that). Sure, you have choices when all is said and done, but these are billionaire moguls who care not about "The Music" and act as gatekeepers...For Money… The closest thing to Rock being pushed nowadays is “fall out boy”. So, when Diddy says “we control” he’s’ correct to a great degree. Why wouldn’t you believe that? when literally Trillions of dollars are at stake for clowns like him? Diddy, R.Kelly, both in jail… Many Others murdered. It’s an EXTREMELY high stakes racket. The music I grew up listening to is re-released and re-released yearly... These moguls OWN much of these rock artist's catalogue. The Music belongs to THEM! They don't want to bring back this music for you... They only want to sell it. Because boomers still buy it. ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 13:05
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^ Because more people like that music. Like any business, the music business is based on the market which is governed by what people enjoy and purchase. You may not like that, but people aren't sheep. Michael Jackson sold records because a lot of consumers enjoyed his music...same for Hip hop and any other style. It's easy to say people are controlled, not so easy to accept what is popular. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 13:37
| ^ People are sheep in a sense, but more than that they are force fed with one type of music and have no idea about existence of most alternatives. While in the 1970's everyman was exposed to a wider variety of sounds. There's no modern equivalence to Roundabout being played on the radio or whatever. Most people don't know about the newer music they could potentially enjoy more than... godawful Drake. They wouldn't know where to find it. I do think people in general are tired of everything sounding the same though. Young people do love a lot of older songs when they are exposed to it. Anyway Diddy is the 1165th most streamed artist on Spotify just behind Cat Stevens and over 1000 spots behind Beatles, Radiohead and The Police. Things could have been even worse than it is, and better music is actively chosen than what's being served (not that Diddy is served much these days). |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 13:58
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^ If Diddy is behind Cat Stevens, the Beatles, and the Police, that proves my point. There is no modern equivalence to 'Roundabout' being played on the radio because it's 8 & 1/2 minutes long and a blend of classical, rock, and pop, and people just don't have the patience or appreciation for something like that anymore. But it's not because they're robots controlled by a cabal of industry puppetmasters. What sells, sells. What doesn't, doesn't. It ain't rocket science and it ain't a grand conspiracy. If extended progressive fusion made money, that's what you'd hear on the radio like you did in 1975. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 14:04
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All I know is when the next new fad in music is realized, the money men will be on the scene immediately to push it on the masses, and race each other to create more of it… and then bleed it for every red cent. And the music business has been that way since Sinatra and Elvis. The masses are so easily sold. The sellers lay in wait… In mansions. ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 14:08
Exactly. And it's not the masses that are easily sold, it's the sellers. People buy, sellers sell. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 14:17
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^^^ I guess is was the 3:27 edit of Roundabout that got radio airplay. What sells tickets at venues and festivals does not refelct the charts or radio airplay at all. Modern Rock, Jazz etc. is doing much better than a lot of artists with forgettable hits. I think the music listeners and their hunger for - if not Progressive Fusion - maybe something that feels "real and authentic" is underestimated by labels and others who push the songs we're forced to listen to whether we want to or not (not we as I). And I think they will die out eventually. -I'm not sure what point that young much people rather listen to The Police over Diddy proved for you btw. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 14:26
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Diddy is an idiot, and I very much doubt in ten years anyone will care about his opinions or his music. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 14:57
^Of course. I didn't even know he had opinions. I only used him because you wrote this
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Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 15:13
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Agreed he is a tool . Sting sold his entire catalog to UMG and its many satellites. Yeah they market him heavily. McCartney is a music mogul in his own right who has a deal with Sony. His music is marketed worldwide. Cat Steven’s has a sweet deal with BMG and it’s conglomerate, and they make sure he stays relevant sales-wise. marketing is how they stay relevant at all. Taylor Swift was able to buy back her catalog but they fought her tooth and nail for it. Bakullama has 150.00 and a Bandcamp page . lol. Bands are relevant as long as they can be sold. I admire the many prog bands who take ownership of all facets of their music from production to online sales. I’m sure there are those that have been offered exposure to the worldwide audience for a price, and have turned down the offers. That’s about all I’ve got. Diddys boastful rant only serves to expose the power these people think the wield over the listeners and he is a moron but he is not wrong. Judging from the testimonies of so called victims, I’m willing to bet his mansion and underground tunnels and deep connections will be no more. Prince, who I admire as a musician and as a man had a few things to say about the music business. Deep dark and dangerous. As are all things, when billions of dollars are floating about. ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 15:22
I still have that short 45 rpm record. Alas, no sleeve. ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 15:37
Valdez posted the Diddy link, not me. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 15:41
Yes I did…. I’m a music nerd. ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: June 04 2025 at 16:01
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Unfortunately I dragged this topic away from its original premise. I got sidetracked. I confess to being a music nerd. Not just a prog nerd, but music History from the 50s through the present. I read about music, search the webs for things I like, I even roll out a song of my own once in a while. I collect vinyls, I buy and sell old vinyls on eBay to supplement my income. My computer is full of wav. Files long lost by me. I’ve been a music nerd since I purchased “paperback writer” some time in the 60s when I was still a kid. My first prog album was aqualung. Then I went out and got T. Rex electric warrior. In high school my friend Audie introduced me to Hawkwind, King Crimson, and Gentle Giant. I did not care for Gentle Giant. I spent 2 years as a DJ at our college radio station. ( miserable job I don’t recommend). My wife and kids hate just about everything I listen to, so I know I’ve reached the pinnacle of Nerdism. My be latest musical crush is for Anje Plasch (soap&skin) . It’s a gentle kind of music with a classical piano and a haunting beautiful strange voice. Not Rock or Prog but super engaging. ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: June 07 2025 at 09:49
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Mmm it’s a definite No! I just enjoy complexed music! ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: Gnik Nosmirc
Date Posted: June 07 2025 at 12:26
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One thing I want to point out is that I'm just as much frustrated with nerdy gatekeepers as I am with rock boomers who only ever talk about Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Dire Straits—turning the entire 1970s into a dull era of hard rock and bluegrass, as if nothing worthwhile happened until the 1980s came along and 'saved' music. ------------- Eclectic/RIO/RPI/Canterbury |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: June 07 2025 at 12:51
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I have been quite annoyed with certain "nerdy" "Prog traditionalists" who act like you are mentally deficient or deranged if you don't mention various big names in topics where such names could be relevant as well as people who complain about names getting mentioned in topics that are not so traditionally Prog or typically prog genre. One person used to say of people like me that I liked obscure music for the sake of being obscure, which was not true. I did, however, like discovering lesser-known music and sharing it (and suggesting it for PA inclusion back in the day). And some of us just have less mainstream tastes in the context of "prog circles" than others. As for gatekeepers/ traditionalists, one would get people complaining about letting in less traditionally Prog (less recognised as of a Prog genre) music into PA, opening up to more categories and styles, acting like the sky is falling when an act they knew little of beyond reputation or a song would get in that is not as associated with Prog generally. This used to happen a lot. Complainers would say that X has nothing to do with Prog and then it could become clear that they were hardly experts on X, nor experts on similar music already in PA. And then there were those who would complain if one, say, brought up Radiohead in a topic in the Prog lounge, and those who come across like they look down on music included in PA if they think it is not worthy of the Prog label. And there are those who act like Prog is better than other music. One person said it's obviously the best genre, and people responded with, you really believe it's better than all classical, all jazz etc. etc.? Turned out he just meant pop and popular rock music. Whatever... *current mood, ranty* ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: June 07 2025 at 13:43
Greg, I do that just to annoy you, knowing that you are indeed an obscurantist, and find actual good albums to be anathema. But find a recording of a Zeuhl duck clucking along in some exotic Anseriforme dialect accompanied by a mellotron? You are there!*** ***No Logans were actually harmed in the making of this post. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: June 07 2025 at 14:31
Ẁurdah waterfowl... I basically see myself as Dï Destruktïẁ Duk Kommandöh. ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: June 07 2025 at 14:34
Yes, please notice I indicated the duck was clucking. A duck quacking would be way too mainstream. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |