History of Rock N Roll
After calling Barry to complain about my history of rock n roll professor all the time, he has urged me to post some of the stuff that pisses me of about her.
She gave Frank Zappa a quick mention because she was talking about indie record labels that were merging with larger ones, he had Bizarre. She never really touched upon anything about his music.
She feels she needs to introduce us to the women of every genre, regardless of the importance they had in those movements. And a side note: did anyone know that there's actually a genre of music called "Women's Music."
She's biased about how she portrays bands because of her personal opinion.
We spent about a good 20 or 30 minutes talking about the Sex Pistols and she failed to mention that they were completely manufactured and essentially the Back Street Boys of their day.
Apparently, LA never had a punk scene. Which is funny because she explained a few classes later that there was a big metal scene in LA, heavily influenced by punk.
Until I told her, she had no idea who Lester Bangs was.
Barry did I leave out any good ones?
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Re: History of Rock N Roll
We spent about a good 20 or 30 minutes talking about the Sex Pistols and she failed to mention that they were completely manufactured and essentially the Back Street Boys of their day.
could you elaborate on the Sex Pistols / Backstreet Boys comparison. That's a new one to me.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
yeah,. that's crap about the sex pistols though.....she must be referring to malcom mclaren hand picking each some members of the band (rotten) and putting them together........plus he kind of orchestrated some of the wild shit/stage persona that the band was known for.
but comparing them to the BSB, come on man.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
oh god, I hope your teacher does not spend a lot of time on Janis Joplin.
I can see it now "Kevin, can you stand up in front of the class and tell us how Janis Joplin contributed to rock and roll and also paved the way for female rock vocalists to follow" ?
Me: Nope, I'll take the zero.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
yeah,. that's crap about the sex pistols though.....she must be referring to malcom mclaren hand picking each some members of the band (rotten) and putting them together........plus he kind of orchestrated some of the wild shit/stage persona that the band was known for.
but comparing them to the BSB, come on man.
That's pretty much it. Malcolm McLaren was just a business man, he was good at marketing. They were trying to start a revolution, they were put together to make money and that was about it. Obviously they Back Street Boys didn't have the same effect as the Pistols did but they are basically a product.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
by the way....In my opinion, the best Sex Pistols song ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAVlRoGW5wc&feature=related
GOOD BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE....................A and MMMMMMMMMMMM
hahah, i always loved that.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
oh god, I hope your teacher does not spend a lot of time on Janis Joplin.
I can see it now "Kevin, can you stand up in front of the class and tell us how Janis Joplin contributed to rock and roll and also paved the way for female rock vocalists to follow" ?
Me: Nope, I'll take the zero.
Haha, Janis Joplin's actually on the cover of our textbook. She talked about that whole period of time a lot, but she didn't accentuate Joplin. Although, she did keep bringing up Joni Mitchel.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
Wait until you get to the section on Vixen.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
yeah,. that's crap about the sex pistols though.....she must be referring to malcom mclaren hand picking each some members of the band (rotten) and putting them together........plus he kind of orchestrated some of the wild shit/stage persona that the band was known for.
but comparing them to the BSB, come on man.
That's pretty much it. Malcolm McLaren was just a business man, he was good at marketing. They were trying to start a revolution, they were put together to make money and that was about it. Obviously they Back Street Boys didn't have the same effect as the Pistols did but they are basically a product.
naw, the circumstances of the Back Street Boys and the Sex Pistols were pretty different. Sure they both had managers but every band has a manager that is trying to market and sell the band. I think that is a gigantic leap to say they were anything like Backstreet Boys in the way they were formed and marketed. Lou Pearlman held auditions and created Backstreet Boys out of nothing. The Pistols were a band that went through some lineup changes but started organically.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
What writers/critics does she mention in class? I can't imagine a rock instructor not knowing Bangs; it's like an English teacher not knowing Strunk & White.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
yeah,. that's crap about the sex pistols though.....she must be referring to malcom mclaren hand picking each some members of the band (rotten) and putting them together........plus he kind of orchestrated some of the wild shit/stage persona that the band was known for.
but comparing them to the BSB, come on man.
That's pretty much it. Malcolm McLaren was just a business man, he was good at marketing. They were trying to start a revolution, they were put together to make money and that was about it. Obviously they Back Street Boys didn't have the same effect as the Pistols did but they are basically a product.
naw, the circumstances of the Back Street Boys and the Sex Pistols were pretty different. Sure they both had managers but every band has a manager that is trying to market and sell the band. I think that is a gigantic leap to say they were anything like Backstreet Boys in the way they were formed and marketed. Lou Pearlman held auditions and created Backstreet Boys out of nothing. The Pistols were a band that went through some lineup changes but started organically.
Alright...so not exactly the Back Street Boys, but I still don't think we should have spent 20 or thirty minutes talking about them.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
You mean you can't learn as much about Rock & Roll in a classroom as you can hanging around in a rock bar or a band space? Wow. WOW. That's SHOCKING.
...
Re: History of Rock N Roll
What writers/critics does she mention in class? I can't imagine a rock instructor not knowing Bangs; it's like an English teacher not knowing Strunk & White.
She talked about Patti Smith and mentioned that she was a rock journalist. Some of the names she's mentioned are Robert Christagau, Jon Landau, and Jann Wenner. Bangs is in the text book a number of times.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
Alright...so not exactly the Back Street Boys, but I still don't think we should have spent 20 or thirty minutes talking about them.
I don't want to argue the extent of McLaren's involvement with putting the band's roster and/or image together... But regardless of one's opinion on that matter, the Pistols will ALWAYS deserve a sizeable mention in any discussion of Rock & Roll history. The impact of Never Mind the Bollocks, and a handful of other recordings from that era cannot possibly be overstated.
I don't think your band is very good.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
Alright...so not exactly the Back Street Boys, but I still don't think we should have spent 20 or thirty minutes talking about them.
I don't want to argue the extent of McLaren's involvement with putting the band's roster and/or image together... But regardless of one's opinion on that matter, the Pistols will ALWAYS deserve a sizeable mention in any discussion of Rock & Roll history. The impact of Never Mind the Bollocks, and a handful of other recordings from that era cannot possibly be overstated.
I agree with you Pez. I am not a fan of the band, or the music, or really even the genre, but they were significant and still continue to be. I read a book called 12 Days on the Road
years ago, I might have mentioned it up here before. It was written about one of the Pistols tours of America and it was very interesting, and helped me gain more of a understanding about their impact at the time. The way that they impacted music and trends is probably more like The Backstreet Boys than their formation or management. It's still a stretch to compare the two, but I would say that from a sociological point of view both bands are interesting.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
"one of the Pistols tours of America "
There was only one.
And yet, I've lived your future out, by pounding stages like a clown
Re: History of Rock N Roll
"one of the Pistols tours of America "
There was only one.
right. sorry about that. Did you happen to read that book?
If we are splitting hairs, they did re-unite and tour the US in 1996, 2003 and again this year. :)
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I haven't read that book but want to. And yeah, I hadn't considered the reunion tours.
"Bollocks" is still one of my all-time favorite records. I was a huge punk and New Wave fan from the beginning, and caught massive static from my pals about it at the time.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I'll loan you the book. I have a lot of music books actually, maybe I can organize some sort of music book swap.... hmm
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I have pretty strong opinions on this subject and I say that no matter what class you take in college, you will learn what the professor decides what is important, that is fact. So that she is catering to what she likes or deems worthy is how that is going to work. As for not knowing Lester Bangs, he is really not that important in the grand picture of rock. My guess is that she is either a music professor that is teaching this class that is not her specialty or an american studies professor that is coming from a non musical point of view. Either way, enjoy learning someone elses point of view on the music.
Also, remember that if she is a music professor, not knowing critics is the norm. When you study music in college or as a career, critics play little to no roll in the process from all genres.
www.beeskneesmusic.com
Re: History of Rock N Roll
Suicide's "Frankie Teardrop" is the most dangerous song ever written.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
Suicide's "Frankie Teardrop" is the most dangerous song ever written.
Wrong.
www.louiedespres.com
www.elbrendel.com
http://louie1967.blogspot.com/
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I believe Erin told me that she talked about Blondie being a big part of the Punk movement...and played Heart of Glass as an example. How do you have a discussion about punk and not mention X? She also said, and even I find this ridiculous, Phil Collins has the best voice in Rock+Roll.
As for the Sex Pistols...not a fan. Give me X, or the Clash anyday. Duncan, wasn't it Peter Buck who said "The Sex Pistols were the angry Monkeys"?
Slightly off topic.
Punk or not punk...
Stooges
Talking heads
Television
Modern Lovers
Joy Division
Velvet Underground
Siouxsie and the Banshees
I know What I Like And I Like What I Know
Re: History of Rock N Roll
1.y
2.n
3.y
4.y
5.n*
6.y
7.n
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I completely agree that the Sex Pistols were a staple in the punk movement but so was the Clash and she didn't spend nearly as much time on them, and they had a lot more to say.
I also fully appreciate learning other opinions on people's musical taste (how do you think I get along with Barry so well?) but I think it's possible to do it in an unbiased way.
Duncan, I'd be completely down for a book swap.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
This discussion could go on and on. I was taking a class the history of U.S. film from the beginning until 1950. The professor just could NOT squeeze every bit of film, innovation, movement, style changes, etc. in a 1 semester course. They have to edit and choose what is the best for the students and that is a personal decision.
I doubt very much that the professor in Erin's class spent any time on the 100's if not 1000's of garage bands that sprung up in the U.S. during the 50's and 60's. Or the incredible DIY movement in the UK in the mid-70's.
I certainly think the Sex Pistols were important as a "starter band" for anyone interested in punk but then you dig deeper and realize there were MUCH better bands. The Pistols have the name and reputation, but the Ramones to me were much more important, as were the MC5, The Stooges, and the Pagans.
Like I said, we could go on and on.....................
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I was a huge punk and New Wave fan from the beginning .
who were some of the new Wave Bands you were into?
..also, weren't the New York Dolls also credited in some circles to be a pioneer in the punk movement as well, sort of paved the way for the punk movement to arrive...yeah, they were sort of labeled a glam rock band, but had something to do with starting the punk movement as well?
The Cramps were also a great punk rock band as well.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
Well, the NY Dolls were McClarens first experiment before the Pistols.
And YES, the Cramps were/are an AMAZING rock band.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I have pretty strong opinions on this subject and I say that no matter what class you take in college, you will learn what the professor decides what is important, that is fact.
Michael is right. A topic such as the History of Rock and Roll could be a college major instead of a one semester class.
http://www.hatondrinkingwine.com
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I have pretty strong opinions on this subject and I say that no matter what class you take in college, you will learn what the professor decides what is important, that is fact.
Michael is right. A topic such as the History of Rock and Roll could be a college major instead of a one semester class.
Invest all that college money on a good stereo and a lot of music.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I have pretty strong opinions on this subject and I say that no matter what class you take in college, you will learn what the professor decides what is important, that is fact.
Michael is right. A topic such as the History of Rock and Roll could be a college major instead of a one semester class.
I think there's only 13 schools in the country that you can study musicology as a major at.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I think there's only 13 schools in the country that you can study musicology as a major at.
And the professors I had in school, who actually had Musicology doctorates, were largely a bunch of jerks.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I have to make these same kinds of decisions when I am picking books for the courses I teach, one of which is a survey of British literature. No two professors are going to choose the exact same list, and no matter what you choose, someone will vehemently disagree with what you put in and what you left out.
But yettitibbs is right that you can still learn plenty from the course no matter what. The purpose of such a course should be the same as the purpose of any college course--to help you learn to think, write, or speak a little bit better than you did before. The specific content choices will always be less important than this broad goal.
http://www.hatondrinkingwine.com
August 20th Worcester On the Commons
September 4th at the Open Road Festival
September 16th at Worcester Art Museum (Opening Third Thursday Night!)
October 22nd: CD Release Party at Ralph's
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I have pretty strong opinions on this subject and I say that no matter what class you take in college, you will learn what the professor decides what is important, that is fact.
Michael is right. A topic such as the History of Rock and Roll could be a college major instead of a one semester class.
I think there's only 13 schools in the country that you can study musicology as a major at.
Not true at all. Most colleges that offer music degrees offer musicology as a major (it was one of my concentrations).
You can also major in rock/pop music at some schools though the music department, but most through the American Studies department.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
the professors I had in school, who actually had Musicology doctorates, were largely a bunch of jerks.
Most colleges that offer music degrees offer musicology as a major (it was one of my concentrations).
Hey-O.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I kind of think being an expert in musicology lends itself to being a jerk. No offense to anyone, it's just kind of the reality.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I kind of think being an expert in musicology lends itself to being a jerk. No offense to anyone, it's just kind of the reality.
I think only jack asses dispatch trucks.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I think only jack asses dispatch trucks.
Oh this is a time tested fact.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
Interesting take on Erinnn's post here.
www.landlubber.com/2008/11/a-critique-of-rock-school/
Re: History of Rock N Roll
I hope your class spends at least 2 hours on the often overlooked, "NEW ROMANTIC" era of rock and roll.....some of the most influential bands ever came out of this movement. Puffy shirts for everyone, I say.
Re: History of Rock N Roll
Interesting take on Erinnn's post here.
www.landlubber.com/2008/11/a-critique-of-rock-school/
I really like this response.