Fully aware of the fact that I'm getting older and more codgety, I nevertheless continue to get annoyed by much of the newer music coming out lately and that certainly applies to the "Jam Band" scene on SiriusXM 29.
These names aren't just awful, but obvious --- pretty much know what it will sound like before ever listening.
Deep Banana Blackout ( Silly funk, right? yep.... )
Ominous Seapods ( Happy, goofy, repetitive music, right? yep.... )
Hypontic Clambake ( electronica trance stoner music right? check.... )
Granola Funk Express ( hippy funk music? you guessed it... )
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey ( long exploratory jams? bingo.... )
The Polyphonic Spree ( Free form long noodling jams? righto... )
Who is telling these groups that these names are gonna work?
Although I love a great Jam....the Jam Band scene is void of good "songs"....It seems that the jam is the focus and the song is simply a kick off point and that lyrics and arrangements mean little....
What drew me to the ABB was not the jams they were frosting on and already delicious cake. Songs drew me to the ABB.
Dreams....it's more than just a guitar solo.
Whipping post how about when they added the jam they added parts and places for those jams to go. Ques to take the audience to another place and set you back down home
Even the instrumentals had beautiful themes and arrangements. Songs are where its at and the Jam is meaningless if there isn't a great song it originates from
Jam bands bore me to the teeth because they don't have a solid base in song writing....there is no message....just noodle....I get a full ear full at my cuz's house because it's all jam radio for him all the time....
So bad band names are right up the alley....lots of great music out there but it come from great songs not endless improvisation with no direction
[Edited on 12/28/2015 by goldtop]
some are strange indeed, but if you look at history, some of those are weird too looking backward:
grand funk railroad?
REO speedwagon?
new riders of the purple sage?
electric light orchestra?
these classic bands are not far off form your list.
FYI - deep banana blackout have been around since the early/mid-90s. saw them a bunch and they rocked. haven't seen them in years, but they obviously have staying power.
Deep Banana Blackout has been around since the 90's and opened for the Allman's one summer. Hope Clayburn, their females sax player, sat in for a very nice Southbound when I saw them at PNC.
The Ominous seapods have been broken up for about 8-10 years. Upstate NY band from Albany. They were a great band!! Saw them probably ten+ times and they were super fun with great original tunes and excellent musicianship. Far from happy or goofy...they were tight and right....wish they were still around.
Twiddle is one of the bands I hear on Jam On frequently. I dig it and the singer reminds me of Dave Matthews a little.
I was at that PNC show Alan! Totally agree about Southbound....
