Rock II Final

Compare British punk to American punk in the 1970s. Your answer should make reference to the political outlook of each, and to at least one representative band or artist from each side of the Atlantic.

Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1973 and 1976 in the United States, and the United Kingdom. Punk was an international movement, especially in London, New York and Los Angeles. Punk bands created fast, hard-edged music, typically with short songs, stripped-down instrumentation, and often political, anti-establishment lyrics. By late 1976, bands such as the Ramones in New York City and The Clash in London were recognized as the vanguard of a new musical movement. Bands from the UK often yelled about monarchies, rising unemployment, problematic inflation and a decline in economic growth, whereas the US bands refocused after vietnam on environmentalism. The country celebrated the first "Earth Day" on April 22, 1970, the environmental movement was successful in raising awareness about the need to protect the environment. The United States bands also faced significant changes in its demographic portrait because of the economic problems the country faced and changes in immigration laws. British punk was much more focused than American punk, which was often just loud. United Kingdom: (The Clash) The Clash: This punk band may not have been the first punk band to rise in England, but they do represent English punk music well. Compared to the American Ramones, The Clash focused more on political issues, protesting monarchies and oligarchies and speaking their minds. They also encouraged white youth to riot in protest like their black peers in the song "Career Opportunities" in 1977. The Clash's music seemed to have developed in their active years. Compare their first song on their debut album, "Janie Jones" with "London Calling". In three years difference, they go from screaming, power chords, and fast tempo to more organized, complex playing (not in general, just compared to their early days), and meaningful lyrics. "Janie Jones" sings of a man that likes to smoke pot and listen to rock music, but none of it compares to being with Janie Jones, a girl he likes. However, "London Calling" speaks of the end of the world coming near, or at least, how much the world has changed over the years. The Clash maintained a bad boy image that really appealed to England and helped make punk music what is it in both England and the US. United States: (The Ramones) The Ramones: It can be argued that this band started punk rock, period. The Ramones changed the rock sound with a fresh approach. This band aspired others to be rebellious bad boys of the 1970's. Their tough guy image really shaped the reflection rock had now portrayed on the audience. They captured people with their fast, repetitive, power chords and their lyrics of deformity and anti-society. The song "Blitzkrieg Bop", is an early and still very popular Ramones song. When people think Ramones, they think of this song. This song truly paved the wave of punk rock not only in the US, but also in the UK, and eventually, around the world. The song mostly features three power chords that played loud and fast. Blitzkrieg Bop, interesting enough, is German for Lighting War. This was a tactic the Germans used during WWII to strike their enemies fast and lethal. Anyway, the image of leather jackets, sunglasses, fast power chords, and the "bad ass" attitude not only represents The Ramones, but also punk in general.

REM

R.E.M. was one of the first alternative rock bands. They experienced mainstream success in 1987 with "The One I Love", through 2011. Popular worldwide, frequently addressed political and environmental concerns.

Slayer

Slayer is an american thrash metal band. They rose to fame with the 1986 Reign in Blood album. They are controversial for allegedly making satanic and nazi references.

Eminem

Slim Shady is an american rapper/hiphop artist. He rose to fame in 1999 with the release of The Slim Shady LP and is still active. He was mentored by Dr. Dre.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop is a gangsta rap artist. He became popular in 1993 with Doggystyle and still is active. He recently converted to Rastafarian and released a reggae album.

Grunge

Subgenre of alternative rock emerging in Seattle in the mid 1980's. Characterized by angst or apathy in lyrics and heavy guitar distortion, pioneered by Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

The Bangles

The Bangles were a female pop rock/new wave band active from 1981 to present with a 10 year break. Famous songs include Eternal Flame and Walk Like an Egyptian.

Madonna

The Queen of Pop was active from 1982 until present. She began her career with an iconic pop song "Everybody". She is known for her risque music videos.

Public Enemy

Thrived 1982-1985 -Style - rap (east coast) -Controversial rap group - social problems, condoning social activism and revolutionary tactics -Chaotic and invigorating -Chuck D = DJ

Run-D.M.C.

Thrived 1983-1987 -Style - rap -Known for blunt, skillful and hard beats and powerful, literate and daring vocals -Known for "Rock box" and "Jammaster Jammin'"

The Sex Pistols:

Thrived from 1977 to 1978 -Style - Punk Rock -Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the sex pistols (album) -In 1978 they went to America for a tour that only lasted 14 days before the band broke up -Best known for "God Save the Queen" and "Anarchy in the UK"

U2

U2 is an Irish alternative rock band active from 1976 to present. The 1987 album The Joshua Tree put them on the map. They are one of the all time best selling groups.

Van Halen

Van Halen is an american heavy metal band. They achieved popularity with their 1978 album Van Halen and are still active. Their single "Jump" was number 1 on the billboard top 100.

Punk

aggressive and offensive lyrics (often about politics) and performances; stripped down instrumentation; short songs (The Clash & The sex pistols)

Progressive Rock

evolved in late 60s early 70s; avoided pop culture structures; often use classical and jazz elements; extended musical passages; tend to be long. (Emmerson, Lake and Palmer & Pink Floyd)

New Wave:

much like punk but with more electronic aspects; experimental music ; displays characteristics of pop; (Elvis Costello & Devo) mid 1970s

DJ

plays recorded music; uses sampling and scratching to create new music from old music Example - Chuck D (DJ for Public Enemy) & Jammaster Jay from Run DMC

Sampling

taking part of one song and using it as an instrument or recording in another piece Example - Sugarhill Gang "Rapper's Delight" & Grandmaster Flash's "White Lines"

Bridge:

usually after the second chorus; starts with different chords than the verses; contains the song meaning Example - "Upside Down" Somehow someday You will love me too One day will be the day when all my dreams come true

Heavy Metal has tended to splinter into a range of subgenres in the course of its unfolding. Discuss three different heavy metal bands we have covered in class who seem to represent three distinct subgenres; name those subgenres, and discuss the differences between them

Black Sabbath vs. Led Zeppelin vs. Slayer -Many songs by Led Zeppelin ("Stairway to Heaven," "Battle of Evermore," "Achilles Last Stand") have a lighter feeling to them than the songs by Black Sabbath. Zeppelin's songs frequently feature melodies based around notes, not chords that give make them sound lighter (not in a major chord vs. minor chord way) . Lyrically, Led Zeppelin had a lot of songs about women/love ("Babe I'm Gonna Leave You," "Going to California," "All my Love") or that invoked a sense of fantasy ("Battle of Evermore, "Achilles Last Stand"). However, these songs don't maintain the blues origin of hard rock. These make it representative of traditional metal. Black Sabbath's songs are frequently based around chords, have more guitar distortion than those of Led Zeppelin which makes the songs sound heavier. Black Sabbath had a lot of songs which focused on dark lyrics ("War Pigs," "Children of the Grave"). Black Sabbath's lead guitarist also down-tuned his guitar following the severing of two of his fingertips which lends to their heavier sound, characteristic of dark metal. Slayer implements a lot more aggressive percussion and low guitar, and are considered one of the four main thrash metal bands. Their lyrics are often about going against established societal principles, specifically referencing satanism and necrophilia. They also represent this subgenre well with shouted lyrics and criticism of warfare.

The term "New Wave" was applied to many kinds of music that did not necessarily sound all that much alike. Compare the styles of two acts (individuals or bands) that have both been described as "New Wave," but whose work is markedly different from one another. What seem the most crucial differences? What are the most crucial similarities?

Devo: -Thrived 1979-1983 -Style - new wave -Innovation, known for use of technology and electronics (synthesizers) -1986 moved towards electronic drums -Fell apart in 1990 when members began to concentrate on own projects Devo took its name from their concept of "de-evolution" -- the idea that instead of evolving, mankind has actually regressed, as evidenced by the dysfunction and herd mentality of American society. Their music echoed this view of society as rigid, repressive, and mechanical, with appropriate touches -- jerky, robotic rhythms; an obsession with technology and electronics (the group was among the first non-prog rock bands to make the synthesizer a core element); often atonal melodies and chord progressions -- all of which were filtered through the perspectives of geeky misfits. Devo became a cult sensation, helped in part by their concurrent emphasis on highly stylized visuals, and briefly broke through to the mainstream with the smash single "Whip It," whose accompanying video was made a staple by the fledgling MTV network. Cheap Trick: Thrived 1973-Present Often Referred to as the American Beatles in Japan Known for use - and large collection - of unusual and vintage guitars and basses Since the 70s they've been blending elements of pop, punk and even metal in a way that is instantly catchy and recognizable. With timeless classics such as "I Want You to Want Me," "Surrender," and "The Flame". Have a poppy, catchy sound with Similarities: Highly innovative groups. Cheap trick was responsible for the 12 string bass, Devo was one of the first to make synthesizers a core element, Devo helped pioneer the music video. Both went on world tours While musically different, both "Whip it" by Devo and "Surrender" by Cheap Trick embody late 1970s/ early 80's nostalgia. Differences: Entirely different sounds, electronic vs. guitar. Cheap trick is vanilla ice cream, everyone can bob their heads and recognize cheap trick, the description of "American Beatles" is very appropriate. Devo had some popular songs, but did not achieve anywhere near the success of Cheap Trick, one would be hard pressed to hear a clip of a Devo song and place the artist. Devo embodied more of the electronic aspect of new wave, Cheap trick was decidedly more pop. Cheap Trick was able to adapt and maintain success, touring for 40+ years, Devo fizzled into individual projects. Devo maintained more punk elements than Cheap Trick, which had more classic rock sounds. Song content: Again with the "American Beatles", Cheap Trick often focused on love songs and relationships, while Devo focused more on other topics.

Gangsta Rap

Evolved from hardcore hiphop and pioneered by artists like Ice-T in the mid 1980's, popularity with groups like NWA and snoop dogg. Characterized by extreme violence, sex, and profanity.

Was Nirvana a heavy metal band? Why or why not?

Heavy Metal: Nirvana has many elements that are reminiscent of Black Sabbath and other early metal bands. Heavy metal is an incredibly flexible term, encompassing bands from Slayer to Led Zeppelin. Songs like "Lithium" and "Heart Shaped Box" provide the thick, amplified and heavy sounds characteristic of metal, and if one looks deep enough they are certain to find a subgenre of metal that Nirvana fits into. Their style of quiet verses with loud, heavy choruses also support this assertion. Not Heavy Metal: In 1993, Kurt Cobain told Spin that he frequently wrote lyrics minutes before they were recorded, and that as long as they put down some negative lyrics they'd be fine. "I can jump to several topics in a song and have them mean nothing at all". This is not characteristic of metal, which nearly uniformly has substance in lyrics. Nirvana also had an nonchalant apathetic sound, which contrasts basic metal aggression and manliness. More present in their music was their influence by alternative bands like R.E.M., and for these reasons I believe Nirvana is better classified as an alternative rock band. Most importantly, while doing the research for this essay I found out that the term grunge was coined by record labels describing the way people acted and dressed, not as much the music they made. I will make an effort to not use this description for Nirvana's music in the future.

Heavy Metal

Heavy metal developed in the late 1960's from blues rock and psychedelic rock. This genre was pioneered by groups like led zeppelin and black sabbath, and is characterized by a heavy bass sound and amplified distortion.

Is Eminem a gangsta rapper? Don't get cute and try a one-word answer. And, whatever your decision, lay out a brief essay that lays out both sides of the argument.

If you ask anyone, I think they'd tell you that Marshall Mathers is a revolutionary rapper, but is decidedly not a gangster rap artist due to the anthematic sound and content of the majority of his songs. However, some of eminem's work does reflect elements of gangster rap. For gangster rap: "Kill You" 2000 - violent lyrics, heavy profanity, views women as just sexual amusement. "Kim" is a song about murdering his wife because of adultery. Not gangster rap: Though the title sounds contrary, the song "'97 bonnie and clyde" is representative of many of Mather's songs about the difficulty of being a good father to his daughter Hailie, referenced in many of his songs. Even in the case of the song "Kim", which is littered with violence and profanity, we are getting in touch with Mather's emotions. Gangster rap is about being hard and emotionless, one doesn't identify with the personal struggles of a gangster rapper because they are never presented with their issues. Lastly, gangster rap often deals with being a gangsta, and though Mathers has had a few weapons and drug arrests but does not affiliate with a gang.

• Discuss the evolution of rap from the '80s to the present day. Make specific reference to at least two acts at work in the '80s, and at least two active in the last twenty years.

In the early '80s rap was largely composed of party anthems. The artists such as Run-DMC (1983-1987) and Public Enemy (1982-1985) were just beginning to integrate the DJ into the music, and established the hardcore rap genre. Public Enemy began to politicize rap, a theme which persists to this day. Public Enemy's Flavor Flav also began to introduce the idea of being a pimp or a player into the rap game, and emphasized his wealth. These acts gave way to harder gangsta rap which focused more on extreme sex, violence, and profanity for groups like NWA. Building on NWA, gangster rap artist Snoop Dogg thrives from 1993 to present, helping the genre explode and produced mainstream music. The early 1990's marked the excessive use of materialistic subject matter, discussing money and high society living. While the gangster rap themes are still present in many artists, Eminem revolutionized the path rap music took. He rose to fame in 1999 with the release of The Slim Shady LP and is still active. He was mentored by Dr. Dre, and 2002 received first Oscar in hiphop for "Lose Yourself". This changed the rap game permanently, the public was completely on board with the sounds of hip hop and rap, perhaps because Mathers is white. The genre has expanded such that there are still gangsta rap and party rap artists, but the evolution of rap has really made the music accessible for anyone to enjoy.

Iron Maiden

Iron maiden is a heavy Metal band from London. They reached popularity in the early 1980s and are still active. Their album Number of the Beast (1982) was hugely popular.

L7

L7 was a female grunge band active from 1985 to 2001. Their most popular album was the 1992 Bricks are Heavy. A controversial event was when their vocalist threw a used tampon at a rioting crowd.

Moby

Moby is an alternative and electronic rock musician. He became popular in the early 1990's and is still active. He is known for his internationally successful album Play and many subsequent albums.