Comments for Where Worlds Collide

Comment on Landfill Prog by Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:18:45 +0000

The best bands always manage to transcend their influences, and do something creative with those influences. The worst bands simply remind you of how much better their influences were than they are.

And the trouble with Landfill Indie is that all the bands fell into the second category; they sounded like third-rate retreads of The Kinks or The Jam, without a single creative idea of their own.

Comment on Landfill Prog by PaulE

PaulE — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:11:14 +0000

A few thoughts …
Some people hear “influences” and immediately issue the “derivative” condemnation. Who knows how they manage to find any music to listen to. It all has influences.

It seemed that Indie was doomed to a rapid burnout because so many commentators were determined to use “new” as a synonym for “good” – a recipe for a revolving door. No wonder we heard so much landfill.

If people do want to split Prog from Progressive then I think the Prog section will still contain plenty that is good (as well as bad, as you described). And Sturgeon still holds, so both sections have the obligatory 90% tripe!

Comment on Landfill Prog by Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:24:57 +0000

Some people claim “prog” (Bands that sound like the progressive rock bands from the 70s) and “progressive” (bands that are trying to do something new and original in the spirit of the progressive rock of the 70s) are two separate things. But I don’t buy that argument, because in practice it’s near impossible to state which bands fall into which genre. So “Prog” just becomes the dumping ground for bands whose music is formulaic and derivative. Which is why I call phooey on the division.

Comment on Landfill Prog by Chuk

Chuk — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:20:15 +0000

Oh my god — “prog” is not just short for “progressive” but the two actually cover different genres?

Comment on Panic Room and The Reasoning sign to Esoteric Recordings by Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:11:41 +0000

As for other bands, I’ve found it varies, and often depends on how heavily the venue promotes gigs.

Bilston Robin 2 always gets good crowds whoever is playing. Mostly Autumn usually get decent-sized audience, and Heather Findlay’s debut solo tour was pretty well attended too. And The Reasoning sold out The Borderline last July.

Comment on Panic Room and The Reasoning sign to Esoteric Recordings by Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:08:28 +0000

Yes, right about Porcupine Tree and Opeth playing to a younger (and much bigger) crowd – Opeth filled the 5000 capacity Brixton Academy last November. But they’re more metal-orientated in their sound, and metal fans are both more numerous and younger than typical prog fans.

Saying that, when I saw Sonata Arctica (who are power metal rather than prog), I was struck by how close to Mostly Autumn many of their songs were; the biggest difference was how the guitars sounded. They attracted a big crowd midweek in Reading, and I’m sure it ought to be possible to sell bands like Mostly Autumn, The Reasoning or Touchstone to that sort of audience.

Comment on Panic Room and The Reasoning sign to Esoteric Recordings by Nathan Page

Nathan Page — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:50:31 +0000

Well I know for a fact porcupine tree and Opeth have younger audiences and are very well attended generally.
Oh and I’m one of the young Prog fans out there and love Porcupine tree especially.

Comment on Panic Room and The Reasoning sign to Esoteric Recordings by delly

delly — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:16:11 +0000

Further to the comments on live gigs.
I have attended quite a number of gigs of the progressive persuasion at Bury Met, Robin Bilston, Holmfirth et al and have always been surprised by the smallish turnout, largely of 40/50ish blokes with some interesting haircuts or lack of!
Has anyone been to see Porcupine Tree, Opeth or Riverside as I would be interested to see the turnout and age/gender for those gigs.
Pure Reason Revolution was a poor turnout at Holmfirth for the final tour but I believe the London gig was well populated.

luv Delly

ps Jerry Ewing is a star and I wouldn’t have discovered the Reasoning, Panic Room or any new prog without his support and excellent magazine.

Comment on Panic Room and The Reasoning sign to Esoteric Recordings by Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

One thought I’ve had, which I was reminded of last night while listening to last.fm.

What impact will Panic Room’s signing a record deal have on the Italian metal band of the same name? As far as I can tell, “our” Panic Room have been in existence for longer and have a prior claim to the name.

It probably didn’t matter much as long as neither band had an international profile, but now Panic Room seem destined for bigger things, it may well become an issue. I hope it can be resolved amicably by both parties.

Comment on Summer Stabcon 2011 by Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:21:09 +0000

The Game of Metal – An interactive storytelling game (GM-less) about rival metal bands; amass scores in Stagecraft, Technique, Fanbase and Ego. But if Ego gets too big, the band may split!

By the way, you may be interested in this