Your favorite Prog bands (aka what is ProgRock?)

[Carnival Man]

Well I've been around HS for a little while now & another hobby of mine is Indie Prog Rock. I am always interested in hearing from folks who are fans of Progressive Rock Music, especially about indie & unsigned bands & artists. If anyone here knows of any good local Prog Rock or Progressive Metal bands that I might have not heard of then please feel free to post them here...Or just post your personal favorites.

What is Prog Rock anyway?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_rock
and/or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Metal

Some of my classic favs include:
Genesis
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Yes
King Crimson
Dream Theater

And if you like the above, check out these:
Marillion/Fish
Enchant
Magellan
Kevin Gilbert
Shadow Gallery

Thanks in advance! :wink:

[ej]

http://www.rogerdean.com/logos/images/33-YesClassicBlue_jpg.jpg

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

Not much of a progrock fan, but I think I could grow to enjoy it if exposed to it on long car rides.
On many camping trips, I was subjected to my brother-in-law's tape playing blasting Genesis Live.
For my horror/sci-fi needs, I was particularly taken to "Return of the Giant Hogweed"

I always loved the cover to that album. Is Gabriel playing a...bass drum while in costume?
http://tralfaz-archives.com/coverart/G/genesis_front.jpg

[DrRansom]

http://clients.choppingblock.com/archive/phish/nye_miami2004/nymiami_tickets.gif

My favortie band in HS. :) Love the mix of Jazz, folk and space.

[soberman]

My brother was my roomie in the 70s, and a generation ahead of me. I attribute this to my like of Yes as only one of 2 70s bands I enjoy. The other, as per my avatar, is Midnight Oil. They are one of the greatest examples of the type of sonic experimentation that was going on in Australia during the latter half of that decade. As such, much of their early albums feature jazz bass lines coupled with odd arrangments, signature changes, and bombastic guitar riffs. They are almost to punk as King's X, another favorite, is to metal. It is especially evident on earlier albums, culminating in the stunning 1986 opus Red Sails In The Sunset, which is more of an exploration in the art of noise than it is a proper pop record. Latter day examples, though fewer, are still present, on songs like "Blot", "Mountians of Burma", "Poets and Slaves", or "The Real Thing". EDIT: The early Oils CDs are indie releases, and they actually managed to earn gold and platinum certifications and get airplay. It was indeed a different time...

I would suggest looking into this nation's output during this era. Though not as big as British bands, due largely to relative geographic isolation, Oz rock probably had a measure of influence that can never be truly guaged.

On the indie and metalic fronts, I would suggest Saviour Machine. Unless you have an aversion to Biblical prophesy. Even then, the goth/opera/metal fusion of their earliest discs could be captivating, and is not at all as silly as Malice Mizer from Japan, who they sound a bit like.

Also try Narnia, Trytan, Wedding Party, and, if you like doom, anything Ian Arkley has done, especially recent stuff like Century Sleeper.

I do like Dream Theater, though I went to their show to see Galactic Cowboys. I also used to listen to Marillion all the time. Good stuff!
________________________
now playing: The Saints Eternally Yours

[EyeOfSauron]

No question my favorite prog-rock/metal band is Tool!



http://www.utrum.cz/wp-content/uploads/2006/02/lateralus.jpg

[Onacara]

Old Time Genesis is pretty good stuff...of the newer stuff I will have to say that Oysterhead was amazing as was Animal Logic (both Stewart Copeland bands)


But you failed to mention the Godfather of Prog Rock--FRANK ZAPPA!!!


The problem w/ the term "prog rock" is that what once was prog rock is now plain old classic rock.

Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Rush, Led Zepplin and Kansas are all "prog rock" bands.

[Carnival Man]

Old Time Genesis is pretty good stuff...of the newer stuff I will have to say that Oysterhead was amazing as was Animal Logic (both Stewart Copeland bands)


But you failed to mention the Godfather of Prog Rock--FRANK ZAPPA!!!


The problem w/ the term "prog rock" is that what once was prog rock is now plain old classic rock.

Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Rush, Led Zepplin and Kansas are all "prog rock" bands.

True, there have been many debates & discussions as to what is really Prog Rock...and without sounding like a plugmiester, our station pretty much covers all the established & imagined sub-genres of Prog.

Oh yeah, notice to Marillion & Fish fans: Fish will be headlining the first night of NEARfest on June 20th (nearfest.com) which is in PA every year & there is a rumor that he will also be touring the rest of the US around that time... Last time Fish toured the US was in 1997 so don't miss this one!

[Sci-fi Messiah]

No question my favorite prog-rock/metal band is Tool!



http://www.utrum.cz/wp-content/uploads/2006/02/lateralus.jpg

Seconded! They just so happen to be my favorite band of all time!
Floater is my second favorite band and they're considered art metal, so I do think they would be included.

[DrRansom]

Old Time Genesis is pretty good stuff...of the newer stuff I will have to say that Oysterhead was amazing as was Animal Logic (both Stewart Copeland bands)


But you failed to mention the Godfather of Prog Rock--FRANK ZAPPA!!!


The problem w/ the term "prog rock" is that what once was prog rock is now plain old classic rock.

Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Rush, Led Zepplin and Kansas are all "prog rock" bands.

Great points man.. all of what I love about classic rock is actually what you all are calling progressive. Cept zappa of course. His progness extends beyond classic. :)

[Carnival Man]

Old Time Genesis is pretty good stuff...of the newer stuff I will have to say that Oysterhead was amazing as was Animal Logic (both Stewart Copeland bands)


But you failed to mention the Godfather of Prog Rock--FRANK ZAPPA!!!


The problem w/ the term "prog rock" is that what once was prog rock is now plain old classic rock.

Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Rush, Led Zepplin and Kansas are all "prog rock" bands.

Great points man.. all of what I love about classic rock is actually what you all are calling progressive. Cept zappa of course. His progness extends beyond classic. :)

Frank Zappa was in a genre that was all his own...I only own ten or so Zappa albums, which is only a small fraction of his discography! :wink:

[DrRansom]

So where do 90's prog rock bands like Phish, Rusted Root, Widespread Panic, Flaming Lips, etc.. fit in?

Then you've got the whole Chrisian Music festival side, Seeds, Waterdeep, Infradig.. or go way back to the likes of Phil Keagy.. that dude rules.

[EyeOfSauron]

Seconded! They just so happen to be my favorite band of all time!
Floater is my second favorite band and they're considered art metal, so I do think they would be included.

Whoa! SFM, I just checked out Floater based on your post and I can't believe I've missed out on this band all this time! I really like them!

Which album should I buy to start me out? I am leaning toward the latest one (are they putting out a new one soon?...seems like their latest is pretty old).

[Sci-fi Messiah]

Seconded! They just so happen to be my favorite band of all time!
Floater is my second favorite band and they're considered art metal, so I do think they would be included.

Whoa! SFM, I just checked out Floater based on your post and I can't believe I've missed out on this band all this time! I really like them!

Which album should I buy to start me out? I am leaning toward the latest one (are they putting out a new one soon?...seems like their latest is pretty old).

It's hard to recommend. I don't even have their newest release (which was an 06 release I think). I'd say start with Glyph, their second album, it didn't leave my CD player for a month. Sink is really experimental and their heaviest album I've heard. I have those plus Angel in the Flesh Devils in the Bone(concept album that takes you through a persons birth to their death-very good), Alter (which is where they started doing some really stand out guitar work), and Burning Sosobra (closer to Glyph's sound than anything, really hard to describe). I recommend them all. I can't find any other stuff since they're based out West and I live in Kentucky. My uncle knew a guy who used to hang out with them in bars before their shows, so I got my stuff from him.

[kboleen]

Tangerine Dream in the 70's was thrown in the Progressive Rock genre though they're not now. Their 70's stuff was more edged and rocking than the New Age crap they put out now.

Also, Rush's 70's stuff was considered Progressive. So...

70's Tangerine Dream and 70's Rush.

[Carnival Man]

Shoot, I should've mentioned this a week or two ago, but anyway: John Young from the UK is in CA doing some solo shows...He's played with/for many prog & rock bands in the past. The cool thing about his SF Bay Area dates is that they are all at coffee houses, so all ages are welcome. I'll be going to the Friday night show in Campbell, so if any local 'scapers want to meet over coffee & tunes then check out his myspace @ http://www.myspace.com/johnyoungband for times & locations! :wink:

[jbbnbsmith]

The greatest prog rock album of all time has to be "Wham! Make it Big"

Either that or ELP's "Brain Salad Surgery"

[K/H_Addict]

Kansas for the win.

EDIT: And Styx.

EDIT2: As far as metal goes, Angra wins.

[Carnival Man]

The greatest prog rock album of all time has to be "Wham! Make it Big"

Either that or ELP's "Brain Salad Surgery"

:lol: Yup, I wore out a few vinyl copies of Brain Salad Surgery before CD's came out! Wham, not so much... :wink:


Also: If anyone is a Fish or Marillion fan, see this thread
http://www.heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=17129

[massivenewbage]

I have heard Coheed and Cambria described as progressive rock before. I'm a big fan of theirs' so I will throw them into the mix.

[Elstree]

I was in a band in Birmingham, AL for awhile that played something between prog rock and jam band. Both I and the other guitarist had these Boss GT pedals and we could create some amazingly crazy synthed-out sounds. Sometimes it sounded like we had three keyboards and no guitars in the band! Good times...

We rehearsed in this big warehouse downtown, had the whole place to ourselves and could really spread out. Our drummer owned a scenery design business. They built sets for plays as well as corporate displays for conventions, pieces for weddings--you name it. We rehearsed in this space that had things like an archway made of two dolphins kissing, an 18 foot tall functional smoking volcano, even a partial stonehenge. It was a truly inspirational place.

We'd turn down the lights and just jam, improvise. Some of our best stuff came out of those jam sessions, when something beautiful would emerge from the chaos and everyone would just catch hold of one feather of it and we'd just fly...

Of course a whole lot of it was a steaming pile of doody too.

At our shows we'd bring all this crap with us that no other bands had: stage lights, smoke machines, a cut-out Orion slave woman from Star Trek, this enormous idol we called "Buddha Fish" that looked like something out of Lovecraft. The drum kit was tricked out with rope lights and a stormtrooper helmet. We may not have been the tightest band in town but we put on quite a show.

I eventually left to go back to school, and the band went through some other line-up changes. Now the drummer and the keyboardist (my brother) are the only two original members left. New members brought new influences. They still play some trippy stuff, but I think they've moved more towards the jam band-southern rock end of the spectrum and somewhat away from prog.

If you're curious, google them. They've got a MySpace page with some rough live recordings posted.
Alo's Meds: http://profile.myspace.com/alosmeds

My brother, the scientist, at work:
http://www.alosmeds.com/Pics/show-photos/4-16-03pic2.jpg

[Carnival Man]

Very cool Elstree, I'll check them out!

Here's what I played last Friday on my show:

April 11, 2008
1. D'Cückoo - One World (4:23)
2. Critic's Carnival Intro (1:28)
3. D'Cückoo - No One Receiving (5:26)
4. Cairo - Between the Lines (9:31)
5. Cairo - Coming Home (7:11)
6. Opeth - Death Whispered A Lullaby (5:49)
7. Dream Theater - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding - live (10:49)
8. John Young - Significance (4:20)
9. Shawn Bishop - Ten O'clock Roll Call (0:22)
10. Fish - Rites of Passage - live (5:58)
11. Fish - The Lost Plot - live (4:53)
12. Fish - Slainthe Mhath - live (5:12)
13. Fish - Chelsea Monday - live (6:11)
14. Fish - Scattering Crows - live (5:21)
15. Fish - Tara - live (5:29)
16. Fish - Raw Meat - live (7:01)
17. Fish - Numbers (5:39)
18. RadioTune (0:09)
19. SirenTruck (0:13)
20. Shawn Bishop - Eleven O'clock Roll Call (0:22)
21. artie exits (0:35)
22. 2006-05-15 sh!tty caller + aqualung fun.wma (3:41)
23. Magellan / Stan Johnson - A Tull Tale (2:32)
24. Magellan - Aqualung (8:09)
25. Jethro Tull - The Chequered Flag (Dead or Alive) (5:24)
26. Sweetcheeks (0:36)
27. John Young - When I was Young (4:15)
28. Kevin Gilbert - A Long Day's Life (7:29)
29. Kevin Gilbert - The Way Back Home (4:55)
30. Dream Theater - The Rover/Achilles Last Stand/The Song Remains the Same - live (7:28)
31. Kevin Gilbert - Johnny's Last Song (2:15)

[Karza]

Hawkwind, anybody? The world's greatest 3-chord prog rock band. Still wish I had Space Ritual with the fold-out cover.

[Carnival Man]

Hawkwind, anybody? The world's greatest 3-chord prog rock band. Still wish I had Space Ritual with the fold-out cover.

Yeah I haven't played Hawkind in quite a while..."Cronicles of The Black Sword" 2CD set...the story of Elric as told by Hawkwind! ;)

[LarryKruger]

No question my favorite prog-rock/metal band is Tool!



http://www.utrum.cz/wp-content/uploads/2006/02/lateralus.jpg

Seconded! They just so happen to be my favorite band of all time!
Floater is my second favorite band and they're considered art metal, so I do think they would be included.

Thirded! This band is so awesome, I cannot even put it into words. I caught them live last year at Summerfest in Milwaukee.

Thanks for the thread; I'm definitely going to check out some of the recommended Prog Rock bands. I had not realized that Prog Rock was a 'style' of music, so it is helpful to find others like Tool & Genesis.

[ej]

I just caught a Peter Gabriel concert on Ovation TV (never heard of it either... must be a 2am thing). Anyway, he's still doing trippy stuff. His Upside Down song he and another band member suspended themselves from an upside-down platform. In other song he was walked around the band in an inflatable ball. Another had him wearing a jacket made of lamps.

Gabriel's been a favorite of mine for quite a long time. I bought So when Sledgehammer and Big Time were popular, but didn't really like the rest of the album much. Then I saw Say Anything and fell in love with the song In Your Eyes... then I gave the album another chance and loved it all.

[Carnival Man]

For fans of Fish, here's the setlist from last night's gig in SF...Brilliant show all 'round & if you've ever been a fan of Marillion or Fish (or both!) then don't miss this US/CAN tour that kicked off last night!

Setlist Spoiler!!!
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Slainte M
Circle Line
Square Go
So Fellini
Manchmal
Hotel Hobbies
That Time of the Night
Warm Wet Circles
Arc of the Curve
Dark Star
Faithhealer
White Russian

Cliché
Incommunicado

The Last Straw

[Carnival Man]

A message from the band Shadow Gallery:

"It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the passing of
Shadow Gallery vocalist, Michael A. Baker. Mike suffered a heart attack,
Wednesday afternoon, October 29th, 2008. He was 45 years old.
Mike was a founding member of Shadow Gallery and for the past 16 years,
helped shape the sound of the band with his magical voice.
Additionally, he made many appearances on rock records around the world.
Those who knew him best were moved by his gentle spirit, sincere
kindness , fun nature and passion for both music and sports. He was a
warrior in the studio, a true professional. Mike was our friend, our
singer and our brother. We loved him and will miss him enormously, but he
will always be remembered in our hearts and through his music."

I was wondering if anyone else here was a fan of Shadow Gallery? Anyway I'll be doing a SG retrospective/tribute during the first hour of my show tomorrow night.

[atmospro]

That's a crying shame, He had a wonderful voice. I've been listen to Shadow Gallery for a long time. They have never given proper recognition, especially in North America. any one into progressive music should give them a listen. Favorite album is 'Room V'.

[Carnival Man]

That's a crying shame, He had a wonderful voice. I've been listen to Shadow Gallery for a long time. They have never given proper recognition, especially in North America. any one into progressive music should give them a listen. Favorite album is 'Room V'.


True all of the above, but my favorite SG album is "Tyranny." I'll be starting my show tonight at 9pm Pacific with the Michael/SG tribute. Please feel free to listen live & join our chat room during the show.

The DLBN server died early yesterday, but it's back up just in time for my show tonight: www.thedividingline.com (http://www.thedividingline.com)

I'd love to see other 'Scapers in the chat room during my show sometime!

[fetelgeuse]

When I think of the term prog-rock, i think of something that is not only technically challenging on the level of musicianship, but something that also pushes of the boundaries of what music can do. This of course changes in time, and like Onacara pointed out, what was progressive 40 years ago is now considered plain old classic rock. Bands like Zappa and Pink Floyd were monumentally groundbreaking at the time, and in some ways still are. But at this point, as great as that music still is, we've heard it all before (except some of Zappa's really wierd stuff).

That said, I would never consider Phish, or Fish, or Fisch, or whatever, progressive. Yes they are very talented musicians, but their sound is still very much within the confines of standard rock instrumentation. And personally I have always found those 20 minute "space jams" to be exceedingly dull.

Bands today that get me excited about their music and leave a strong impression of hearing something completely fresh and "progressive" include; The Mars Volta, My Brightest Diamond, Joanna Newsom, and pretty much anything that Mike Patton touches.

[Carnival Man]

That said, I would never consider Phish, or Fish, or Fisch, or whatever, progressive. Yes they are very talented musicians, but their sound is still very much within the confines of standard rock instrumentation. And personally I have always found those 20 minute "space jams" to be exceedingly dull.


Actually, Fish (aka Derek W. Dick) is not Phish, he was in a little band from the UK called Marillion. Now Fish's biggest influence was Peter Hammill, who was never as popular as say Yes or ELP, but is considered by many to be the father of Prog Rock. I just wanted to clear that one up...

And yes, the ease of which "Progressive Rock" was applied to many bands with different styles of rock over the years has deluted the genre to where now anything different sounding (or any band with a moog) is considered Prog Rock. ;)

[Nyx]

I have to recommend Porcupine Tree as a good modern prog rock band, they've done some interesting stuff.

I have to throw myself in as another Tool fan. I missed seeing them live the past couple years and have regretted it each time. Some day I'll see them!

[Gypsy]

A friend of mine gave me a CD;

Attila & Dave Project - Illuminated

Does that count?

I listen to it at least once a week & that's more repeat play than anyone else gets.

:shrug:

Rock On, Dude!

:headbang:

[rouby44]

Formerly the best prog-metal band in the world was Pain of Salvation, before their leader started dressing and acting like an emo girl. Despite that, they still have produced my favorite album of all time, The Perfect Element. This is the title track. Prepare to be blown away if you have the mindset to appreciate this.

RMqW3MNbz5I


Planet X is pretty much the greatest prog-metal supergroup around.

CHD1_AIc7nQ

[Carnival Man]

A friend of mine gave me a CD;

Attila & Dave Project - Illuminated

Does that count?

I listen to it at least once a week & that's more repeat play than anyone else gets.

:shrug:

Rock On, Dude!

:headbang:

A little late noticing this thread was revived!

I played pleanty of Attila & Dave last month...8th anniv. of my show. I might play some tonight too. ;)

PS...My one & only album cover painting..
http://gnosis2000.net/pics/attilasongsof.jpg

[Einar's puppy]

My friend's uncle plays guitar for Shadow Gallery, and they're a pretty awesome prog rock band.

[Carnival Man]

My friend's uncle plays guitar for Shadow Gallery, and they're a pretty awesome prog rock band.

Shadow Gallery is one of my favorite US prog bands...I have all their albums & play SG at least once a month on my show. I even have a promo with Brent plugging my show that someone asked him to do after an interview years ago.

[Carnival Man]

Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater?!?!? :confused::shock::cry:

www.dreamtheater.net (http://www.dreamtheater.net)

[Dredd Stev]

No love for Coheed&Cambria in this thread? They are a personal favorite of mine, are are definitely one of the premier prog-rockers on the go in recent years.

Their newest album is pretty stellar too, a different sound for them to be sure (exactly what you expect out of a good prog band) but I don't think they will ever surpass their third album (Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV: From Fear through the Eyes of Madness) that whole CD is a freaking masterpiece!

[Neurosion]

Wow. I wasn't expecting to see anything remotely like this thread when I popped in here to pimp the Roger Waters reboot of "The Wall" tour.

Huge prog rock fan. I'll stop in later with my list.

[Mongofa]

My favorite is Yes

I also like Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Genesis, ELP, Rush, and King Crimson

Has anyone listened to the whole version of Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull? Just wondering, cause nobody I know seems to have the pactience except me.

[Mongofa]

Recently got into Gentle Giant, Soft Machine, Magma, Anglagard, Nektar, Focus and many others

[Carnival Man]

Last Friday I did a Kevin Gilbert birthday show...if you haven't hear him before, or even heard of him, my Nov. 18th show is a great place to start...

Just click through the link below to listen or download to save for later. ;)

http://www.thedividingline.com/cc.html

[Resistance]

some modern prog rock bands worth checking out are Tool, Porcupine Tree, Anathema, Hidria Spacefolk, The Mars Volta... the list goes on

Camel and Nucleus have been overshadowed by Yes and Pink Floyd in the late 60s/early 70s, but are definitely one of my favs.

As far as prog metal goes, Protest the Hero and Mastodon is what I suggest. More recent Porcupine Tree albums also demonstrate some aspects of prog/doom metal