A snare drum beat, a pounding bass, a graceful melody that's cuts through your ear and touches your soul. We've all said the next three words before. "Who is that?" These are a handful of artist that fly a little bit below the radar. You may be familiar with some of these, other, you may have not heard of. But you would be well served to better acquaint yourself with these bands. By the way, the music of all of these artists can be found on internet radio.
Nico: Best known for being a drug addled chanteuse, that should not repel anybody from the fact that she sang (a term I use loosely) some really beautiful songs. Listen to "These Days" off of the late 60's album "Chelsea Girls." With song contributions from a teenage Jackson Browne and a love smitten Bob Dylan, the album evokes a warmth and elegance unmatched by many that followed.
Syd Barrett: Almost every music fan in general knows Pink Floyd. And some of you may be familiar with the group's leader in its first few years. But Syd Barrett is most remarkable to me as a damaged but brilliant (and brief) solo artist. He created two albums in 1970, "The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett." They were not very robust in content, some say far from complete, but listen to "Terrapin" (off of the more superior "Madcap" album) and no musical creation has a more psychedelic tone. Every one from Bowie to Ray Davies cites Syd as essential, and for good reason.
The Velvet Underground: Words cannot adequately describe the first time I listened to this artist, they are truly a classic. From they're artsy, pop minimalist of 1967's "Velvet Underground and Nico," (with the famed 'Banana" album cover from Andy Warhol) to the FM friendly country rock of 1970's "Loaded," they really do not disappoint. Although it is best to avoid any material created during their reunion in the 1990's. The Velvet Underground is a fantastic rock and roll band that Americans never fully understood or appreciated.
The Meters: An extremely funky band under the leadership of Art Nellville of The Nellville Brothers. Since their beginnings in the 1960's, 'The Meters' have created more funky music than any other. Listen to "Cissy Strut" and you'll know. Although largely instrumental, that should not stop anybody from checking them out.
The Dictators: Having released arguably the First "New York Punk Album" (1974's Go Girl Crazy) The Dictators exude a more lucid Twisted Sister and Quite Riot than an artsy Television. They were considered quite abnormal in their era, now we can glance back and appreciate how talented they were. They sometimes came off childish ("I Live for Cars and Girls") or invasive ("Two Tub Man") but it was all in good fun. And you can't deny their biting songs! You can find 'The Dictators" on free online music.
The Cramps: Formed by Lux Interior in the late 70's, "The Cramps" recorded some of the most vibrant rock music of the twentieth century. Think boogie, punk, and swamp. If it wasn't for front man Lux's tragic death in February of 2009, they would still be playing somewhere in the country pleasing all fans, from punk to rockabilly.
Nico: Best known for being a drug addled chanteuse, that should not repel anybody from the fact that she sang (a term I use loosely) some really beautiful songs. Listen to "These Days" off of the late 60's album "Chelsea Girls." With song contributions from a teenage Jackson Browne and a love smitten Bob Dylan, the album evokes a warmth and elegance unmatched by many that followed.
Syd Barrett: Almost every music fan in general knows Pink Floyd. And some of you may be familiar with the group's leader in its first few years. But Syd Barrett is most remarkable to me as a damaged but brilliant (and brief) solo artist. He created two albums in 1970, "The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett." They were not very robust in content, some say far from complete, but listen to "Terrapin" (off of the more superior "Madcap" album) and no musical creation has a more psychedelic tone. Every one from Bowie to Ray Davies cites Syd as essential, and for good reason.
The Velvet Underground: Words cannot adequately describe the first time I listened to this artist, they are truly a classic. From they're artsy, pop minimalist of 1967's "Velvet Underground and Nico," (with the famed 'Banana" album cover from Andy Warhol) to the FM friendly country rock of 1970's "Loaded," they really do not disappoint. Although it is best to avoid any material created during their reunion in the 1990's. The Velvet Underground is a fantastic rock and roll band that Americans never fully understood or appreciated.
The Meters: An extremely funky band under the leadership of Art Nellville of The Nellville Brothers. Since their beginnings in the 1960's, 'The Meters' have created more funky music than any other. Listen to "Cissy Strut" and you'll know. Although largely instrumental, that should not stop anybody from checking them out.
The Dictators: Having released arguably the First "New York Punk Album" (1974's Go Girl Crazy) The Dictators exude a more lucid Twisted Sister and Quite Riot than an artsy Television. They were considered quite abnormal in their era, now we can glance back and appreciate how talented they were. They sometimes came off childish ("I Live for Cars and Girls") or invasive ("Two Tub Man") but it was all in good fun. And you can't deny their biting songs! You can find 'The Dictators" on free online music.
The Cramps: Formed by Lux Interior in the late 70's, "The Cramps" recorded some of the most vibrant rock music of the twentieth century. Think boogie, punk, and swamp. If it wasn't for front man Lux's tragic death in February of 2009, they would still be playing somewhere in the country pleasing all fans, from punk to rockabilly.
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