Punk Rock Simplicity

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kwasi Jelani Atiba on February 1, 2010 at 2:39pm

true man. But I wanna live in mansions, drive nice cars and such. All Im saying is simple and catchy might be the way to go. I could leave creativity for da solo

Permalink Reply by Kwasi Jelani Atiba on February 1, 2010 at 3:01pm

u got a point man. thanx

Kendrick Irvin said:

I feel you. I want the same thing. However, I don't want to become that guy who only does it for money. It can consume you quickly. I want to make sure that I keep my creativity involved heavily. I believe it can be done.

Permalink Reply by Kwasi Jelani Atiba on February 1, 2010 at 3:02pm

by the way have you heard Brainstew?

Permalink Reply by Kwasi Jelani Atiba on February 1, 2010 at 3:21pm

K. Ill check them out

Permalink Reply by Geoff on February 1, 2010 at 3:52pm

Dude, have you listened to The Mars Volta? They're all about crazy creativity. You can go crazy on a song and you can make it as simple as a song like Brain Stew.

Permalink Reply by Geoff on February 1, 2010 at 3:55pm

Better yet, listen to At The Drive-In. I haven't really heard any of their albums, but I know that they're a highly influentual punk/post-hardcore outfit.

Permalink Reply by loungepunkisto on February 1, 2010 at 10:12pm

Berry Gordy got hip many years ago after chasing his passions by opening a record store. The jazz, which he felt was closest to his heart , was not selling as hot as the rhythm and blues. His response to this was to start MOTOWN, which would prevail beyond anyones imagination.

Permalink Reply by Kwasi Jelani Atiba on February 2, 2010 at 6:00pm

yea. I heard a lil mars volta. creative.

Geoff said:

Dude, have you listened to The Mars Volta? They're all about crazy creativity. You can go crazy on a song and you can make it as simple as a song like Brain Stew.

Permalink Reply by Soulcraft on June 30, 2010 at 7:54am

Shred, sweep picking and scale study will get you NOWHERE. Learning how to write a good song is key. I can play all that wild style guitar theatrical stuff but I only use it if it's necessary. I love Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, John Pettrucci and all those geek nerd guitarist but honestly none of those guys could write a good memorable song to save their lives. They're so swallowed in technique and formality that it keeps them from being creative. Honestly it's disgusting to hear a guy masturbate on a guitar for a song that's just background to his weedele woo woo wahhhhhh. His cool appregios, trills, harmonies and whatever else are lost on a song that's basically elevator music kind of bad. If you want to learn about writing passionate songs, you have to go the simple route. Listen to some old folk songs from the 50's and 60's: Woodie Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and the heavy as hell Neil Young. Of course Motown can give you a winning formula on how to make something catchy with groove. And master Jimi Hendrix even with his 6 string assault was at the heart all about simple but effective song structures. All the best songs are simple. Look at the ABC's and Twinkle Twinle Little Star. Both songs have the exact same melody, up the scale down the scale, everyone knows it and nobody forgets it.

Permalink Reply by Sticker-aka Danny Lopez on August 10, 2010 at 3:24pm

There are literally tens if not hundreds of thousands of technically great guitar players, shredders and what-not...most of them will end up working in music shops across the land and basically go nowhere due to the fact that QUALITY ART is an expression not an exhibition. the heart of a "hit" is content not packaging (unless you're looking for Pop fame) Fancying it up with sweet licks is great and can definitely complete a piece but it shouldn't be the foundation. Queens of the Stone Age is one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite, band. I consider them post-punk rock and roll and they have a great balance of the two. technically advanced but with meaning. In my opinion though, mansions and fancy cars isn't what punk rock is about, neither is writing a "hit" for the masses. i don't see anything wrong with wanting financial security and some nice things but i think we all need to look past the fleeting and fading glimmer of material possessions. See the world instead.

Permalink Reply by Sticker-aka Danny Lopez on August 10, 2010 at 3:35pm

I agree. George Lucas once said, and I'm paraphrasing, "special effects are great and everything but the storyline and character development are what makes great movies." of course he said this WAY back during the making of the original Star Wars (eps 4-6) then he went against all that and paid millions to digitally smear shit on our eyes and faces. I wish i were more technically sound and capable but i wouldn't trade it for my humble lyrical prowess. Leonard Cohen (referred to as the Canadian Bob Dylan) is another example of a great old school singer-songwriter. simple but often times mind blowing. At the Drive-In and Mars Volta are great too as stated by others. good luck to all

Soulcraft said:

Shred, sweep picking and scale study will get you NOWHERE. Learning how to write a good song is key. I can play all that wild style guitar theatrical stuff but I only use it if it's necessary. I love Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, John Pettrucci and all those geek nerd guitarist but honestly none of those guys could write a good memorable song to save their lives. They're so swallowed in technique and formality that it keeps them from being creative. Honestly it's disgusting to hear a guy masturbate on a guitar for a song that's just background to his weedele woo woo wahhhhhh. His cool appregios, trills, harmonies and whatever else are lost on a song that's basically elevator music kind of bad. If you want to learn about writing passionate songs, you have to go the simple route. Listen to some old folk songs from the 50's and 60's: Woodie Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and the heavy as hell Neil Young. Of course Motown can give you a winning formula on how to make something catchy with groove. And master Jimi Hendrix even with his 6 string assault was at the heart all about simple but effective song structures. All the best songs are simple. Look at the ABC's and Twinkle Twinle Little Star. Both songs have the exact same melody, up the scale down the scale, everyone knows it and nobody forgets it.