Not quite this... not quite that... but often quite heavy... Hard Alternative [Metal Tree: 20]
That's not metal. Some of the times it is, some of the times it is not. They are still part of the metal evolutionary tree. On the chart by Sam Dunn this branch as shown as being influenced by Grunge and going on to be a big influence on Nu Metal.
This post as with previous ones is a series that began with an original post you can reach by following this link. It was inspired by the documentary series Metal Evolution by Sam Dunn and Banger Films.
Let Us Begin
It should be noted before we dive in that the Metal Evolution chart had all of these acts listed. They are all from the United States, so I will not be listing nationality. This style is very eclectic. If you look at the list they are not at all consistent in sound. They may be rock, they may be funk, they may be metal, they may be all of the above. Some of them would likely be just as good as fits for Progressive Rock, or Progressive Metal. In fact Primus appears in my post on Progressive Metal. Some of these I would not have considered as fitting here, but they likely do in many regards. In this post I am deferring to the scholarly wisdom of Sam Dunn.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Band First Released: 1984
My same friends that were into Hardcore Punk, Punk, and some Industrial were the same friends that I first heard Red Hot Chili Peppers. I hadn't really begun to broaden my horizons much. It wasn't until the Mother's Milk album that I really started paying attention. The crazy funk inspired works on that album were something I really got into. I do remember my mohawk laden punk friends in earlier days telling the story about how Red Hot Chili Peppers performed in some cases wearing only Socks over their penises. That was some interesting marketing to say the least. Flea is a pretty amazing bass player, as well as being charismatic and energetic in unique ways. The vocals are awesome, and the guitar work is unique and memorable. Overall this is a skilled, gifted, and diverse band.
Californication (Official Music Video)
Otherside (Official Music Video)
Dani California (Official Music Video)
Can't Stop (Official Music Video)
Under The Bridge (Official Music Video)
Give It Away (Official Music Video)
The History of Red Hot Chili Peppers [Subtitles PT-BR] [RARE] - 46:55
Faith No More
Band First Released: 1985
Faith No More was big and successful in the early days when MTV actually represented what that acronym supposedly stands for. They made some extremely unique music that didn't sound like anyone else. The guitarist for them from 1985 - 1992 Jim Martin was a big friend of Metallica's bassist Cliff Burton. They were in high school bands together. Faith No More definitely has the metal guitar style, mixed with other things. It also has quite a bit of that Funk feel that the Chili Peppers also had.
Epic (Official Music Video)
Easy (Official Music Video)
Evidence (Official Music Video)
Falling to Pieces (Official Music Video)
Jane's Addiction
Band First Released: 1988
I do remember Jane's Addiction hitting the scene. MTV loved to play their songs. I want to admit that I was mostly annoyed by them when I heard them. I still don't really enjoy them. Back when they came out I suspected it was due to certain songs being overplayed, but in reality this was just one of those bands that didn't really do anything for me. I do know a lot of people were way into them. Some people I know and liked were way into them.
Jane Says
Benn Caught Stealing (Video)
Just Because - I don't know that I've heard this prior to now, I didn't really stay current with them. For this reason this song does not particularly annoy me. :) Maybe it WAS just being overplayed that killed my interest in them.
Irresistible Force
Stop (Video)
Living Colour
Band First Released: 1988
I wrote about Living Colour briefly in an earlier post I believe. If not then I may be simply remembering my series on guitarists, as Vernon Reid of Living Colour was a Jazz Inspired guitarists that was really fond of chromatic scales, and playing in chromatic modes. I remember reading about him a lot in guitar magazines as I was younger and learning my craft. Their big song they are remembered for of course is Cult of Personality.
Cult of Personality
Love Rears Its Ugly Head
Glamour Boys
Type
Open Letter To A Landlord
Prong
Band First Released: 1989
I remember when Prong appeared. I was learning guitar and this was the band that really made me notice artificial (aka pinch) harmonics as a technique. I had done them on accident as I believe all guitarists do from time to time. This was really when I noticed people intentionally using them. They were by no means even close to the first to do so. They were just when the technique came to my attention. Musically they were not earth shattering, but they had catchy tunes and some unique sound, and attitude.
Snap your fingers, snap your neck - none of the harmonic style really displayed here... this is probably they most famous song though.
Revenge Best Served Cold (Official)
Whose Fist Is This Anyway?
Beg To Differ
Beg To Differ (1990) Full Album - The Harmonic stuff is in various places in this album...
Primus
Band First Released: 1990
I already posted about Primus in the post on Progressive Metal. I've also covered Les Claypool in my series on bass players, and Larry LaLonde in my series on guitarists. I will not be showing Tommy The Cat, or My Name is Mud on this post as they are already in the Progressive Metal one.
Wynona's Big Brown Beaver
The Devil Went Down To Georgia - Charlie Daniels band cover
Jerry Was A Race Car Driver
Mr. Krinkle
Lacquer Head
John The Fisherman - First exposure of Primus to most of the world I believe... I immediately went out and bought this CD.
Winona's Big Brown Beaver - David Letterman Show
Smashing Pumpkins
Band First Released: 1991
I can honestly say I never really got into Smashing Pumpkins. I didn't dislike them, and I don't recall being annoyed by them. They were one of those bands in my peripheral vision that I had some respect for, but I never felt a big urge to go out and listen to their stuff or purchase it. This is of course not true of a large amount of people. They ended up being a very successful band.
1979
Tonight, Tonight
Bullet with Butterfly Wings - I like this song okay. It is likely songs like this that landed them in this category.
Today
Disarm
Ava Adore - a bit of that Industrial feel in this one as well.
Rage Against The Machine
Band First Released: 1992
I know this band and Tom Morello are very popular with a lot of people. It was a melding of sounds, in a new and unique sound. It was high energy, and very activist oriented lyrics. It appealed to the intellectual side of things, especially with those who might be questioning the actions of "authority".
Killing in the Name
Bulls on Parade
Guerrilla Radio
Sleep Now in the Fire
Know Your Enemy
No Shelter
Closing
I believe what distinguishes these acts at the time they came out is that there was no other band that quite sounded like them. That seemed to be the defining characteristic. As such they could have also been lumped into the Progressive Metal, or Progressive Rock sub-genres just as easily as having this sub-genre. So this seems to also define a specific period of time that spans the time period between Grunge and Nu Metal. It is potentially one of the bridges between such places.
As always if you feel I missed a band from this TIME PERIOD (Late 80s - 90s) that should be here then please feel free to share a video in a reply.
Steem On!
Anyone else notice how that image for the "Sleep Now In The Fire" video for Rage Against the Machine kind of looks like @ned if he had dreadlocks?
I chuckled.
I don't get it.
Love Primus! My daughter used to dance to Faith No More when she was little...this reminded me of that. Glad to see Rage, but without this in a metal post???
It really shows Tommy's metal guitar mastery!
Yeah, I think I have that in the post... oops no... that is what was supposed to be there and instead I accidentally pasted the URL to Tom Morello on Wikipedia... I'll go correct this, but yes this was supposed to be the first video I showed for Rage.
I was wondering... By the way, check this guy out. Being a guitarist, you should like him. he reminds me a little of Satriani.
I think you forgot to include the link...???
Ah, the joys of old age ;-))
He does sound a bit like Satriani. Not bad.... A guitarist I like for his rhythm and song arrangements released a video today... he is the guitarist for the Australian band Psycroptic. I'm not a fan of their vocals, but I love Joe Haley's guitar work.
I LOVED this! Of course I also love Satriani as well. The video was nice showing the dubbed in parts too.
I really enjoy this series of yours!
In listening to the Prong tune "snap your fingers...", you mention a guitar technique, pinch. Would you give me a time index that illustrates that?
As a commentary on that particular tune I find the overall sound is similar to Disturbed, especially the vocal.
The Pinch/Artificial Harmonics only really show in the Beg To Differ full album at the end... 1:30 the slight squeel is the technique applied to a lower string. The song at 3:24 mixes the squeels in with the little riffs you can tell these harmonic pinches as they stick out. There are other bands since them that use this even more than they did. Dimebag used them quite a lot in Pantera, and Zakk Wylde uses them a lot as well.
Right between 4:09 and 4:10 is a distinct one... The technique involves barely touching the string with the flesh on your picking hand right after the pick hits it. If you do it just right you'll get a squeal. 36:25 - 36:27 you'll hear it clearly. It is not difficult to do if you have separation between notes. It takes more skill to mix those pinched notes in with clean notes.
I simply never really noticed the technique myself until I had heard this album. It had existed and been used, the difference was I wasn't paying attention as a guitar player to that particular sound until I heard it here.
Hey thanks for the lesson. I probably can't identify it visually not being a guitarist, but I can easily hear it thanks to your identification. Not only that, but I believe I could explain it well to novice guitar players who don't know how it's done. Of course perfecting the technique is way different in practice than simply describing it.
BTW, have you heard of SteemStock? Are you planning on attending? Austin is awesome if you haven't been...
Thx for the reply!
I haven't heard of it. I was born in Texas and have been to many parts of it but not Austin. When is it?
Here is an article about it. It will be this fall, October timeframe. They call Austin the Music Capitol of Texas. As a musician I know you'll love the place. Home of Eric Johnson and formerly Stevie Ray Vaughan. I hope to attend, and would love to see you come too.
As for "liking" the article, I voted for it 100%. What did you mean?
I've seen Eric Johnson front row, and yes I've heard of Austin all of my life as a musician, I simply have not been there.... you didn't like the article by the way.
Here is a good tutorial on it... Rob Scallon is a great player.
That was a fantastic demo, thx for sharing!
I read your post. Interesting. I don't like such type of music. But very thank for your work. Upvoted ))))