Topic: What makes a band a good band? (Read 17865 times)

kitsunefire · « **on:** 08 Nov 2005, 15:09 »

Does it have to do with their talent as instrument players? There gift as a vocalist/song writer? The fact that nobody has heard of them before?

what makes a band/group or solo artist great?

Everybody here has an opinion so lets here them

Kai · « **Reply #1 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 17:38 »

For me, it's if they happen to bring anything new or special "to the table", if you will. Every single thing they do musically, whether it be the instruments, to the singers, to whatever, influences it. Basically, if a band rehashes what others have done before and doesn't try to do anything different, I don't want any part of it; at all.

Philybe · « **Reply #2 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 18:02 »

I'd say originality is the biggest thing for me. Musical skill is important, and virtuosity is always nice, but if they're just rehashing old stuff then it's not going to grab me.

La Creme · « **Reply #3 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 18:05 »

If a bandwants to be the band it is, and is capable of playing what they want to play and doing what they want to do, they are already 50% to being good. The other 50 is split equal between:

- Appeal to a certain audience (if you appeal to nobody, you are really suck).
- Interesting and original ideas.
- Good songwriting / musicianship.
- Everyone in the band doing their own thing, but contributing to the sound as a whole.
- Fans, listeners, and audience can tell that you enjoy what you play.

practicality · « **Reply #4 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 18:05 »

I think musical ability and tempo is the most important. I don't mind remakes, unless I didn't like the song in the first place.

Inlander · « **Reply #5 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 18:40 »

As others have said, originality. Or failing outright originality, then at least the ability to do something new with old materials: witness all the bands in the U.K. currently rehashing the old X.T.C. sound; I don't need to hear X.T.C.-lite, I've already got the original version on C.D. That, I think, is the biggest hurdle facing new bands these days: the fact that pretty much the entire history of music is easily available on C.D. If a band doesn't do something new or interesting with their inspirations, then I'm not going to bother listening to them.

The other major thing is enthusiasm. A band's got to care about the music it's playing, and it's got to be willing to go all-out on the attack with its music. Too many bands hold back out of fear of over-reaching themselves: a case in point would be Architecture in Helsinki, who to my ears sounded timid and uncertain on their first album. It's still enjoyable, but every time I listen to it I get the feeling that they're holding something back from me. Fortunately, on their second album they were much bolder and more willing to back themselves, and consequently the album is more exciting and more enjoyable.

a pack of wolves · « **Reply #6 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 18:51 »

For me, originality of some kind is necessary for a truly great band, but not for a good one. To be good, what I require most is passion. This accounts for my love of fast hardcore. Let's be honest, there's not a world of difference between a lot of those bands, but if they play hard, tear things up and preferably have a good sense of humour and songs slagging off cops, governments and annoying things about the scene then I'm going to love it.

Excecior · « **Reply #7 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 19:10 »

obviously originality like everyone has said is vvery important. who wants every band to sound like every other band? no one. another big one is personality, members of the band have gotta be cool, nothing bothers me more than a stuck up musician.third is musical ability and singing but they have to have good songwriting too, Rammstein for instance, i love the way they sound but their lyrics are just so incredibly bad.

TheLoweringTide · « **Reply #8 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 19:29 »

I know I'm probably just talking crazy talk here, but I think that generally speaking what makes a band a good band is good songs.

Valrus · « **Reply #9 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 19:50 »

That or a totally wicked hott singer, amirite?

La Creme · « **Reply #10 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 20:00 »

Quote from: Inlander

As others have said, originality. Or failing outright originality, then at least the ability to do something new with old materials: witness all the bands in the U.K. currently rehashing the old X.T.C. sound; I don't need to hear X.T.C.-lite, I've already got the original version on C.D. That, I think, is the biggest hurdle facing new bands these days: the fact that pretty much the entire history of music is easily available on C.D. If a band doesn't do something new or interesting with their inspirations, then I'm not going to bother listening to them.

You know that band I am always plugging, the Sugarplastic? Well, they are (XTC + The Beatles)^Ben Eshbach's Genius. Seriously, they were doing this sort of thing in the early 90's and are basically the kickass side of everything you are refering to.

The Sugarplastic - Set Me Up 11

La Creme · « **Reply #11 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 20:02 »

Quote from: Inlander

As others have said, originality. Or failing outright originality, then at least the ability to do something new with old materials: witness all the bands in the U.K. currently rehashing the old X.T.C. sound; I don't need to hear X.T.C.-lite, I've already got the original version on C.D. That, I think, is the biggest hurdle facing new bands these days: the fact that pretty much the entire history of music is easily available on C.D. If a band doesn't do something new or interesting with their inspirations, then I'm not going to bother listening to them.

You know that band I am always plugging, the Sugarplastic? Well, they are (XTC + The Beatles)^Ben Eshbach's Genius. Seriously, they were doing this sort of thing in the early 90's and are basically the kickass side of everything you are refering to.

The Sugarplastic - Set Me Up Eleven

Gryff · « **Reply #12 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 20:02 »

The most important thing is if the band wears ties over t-shirts. That look is so hot right now!

Also, lots of eye make-up.

fathertoasisterofthought · « **Reply #13 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 20:04 »

As someone who hopes to make their living from words some day, truly good lyrics are the first thing that grab me about a truly great band. Something I can make my own or something universal; maybe a bit literary, but not at the expense of the music. Crypticness is not frowned upon either (I like a bit of a chase).

That being said, there needs to be some degree of accessibility as well. I realize accessibility is relative (Everybody falls in love with The Velvet Underground and Nico the first time they hear it, right?), but if I haven't penetrated the exterior of a band's music within my first ten (or so) listenings to said band, I don't think they're worth my time.

normz · « **Reply #14 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 20:10 »

i like bands who are constantly changing and exploring their ability to create music, I mean sure you can have a really great best-selling albumn but it if you keep repeating the same old sound and never really evolve well then thats boring, but if you are constantly changing in search of musical perfection well then that kicks ass!

Storm Rider · « **Reply #15 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 21:00 »

As far as I'm concerned, the three things I look for in my music is musical talent (The big one, really. I'm not going to listen to something a twelve-year-old could learn to play in about 20 minutes.), songwriting (which encompasses both lyrics and song structure), and originality. One of the main reasons for my fiery hatred of AC/DC is that every one of their albums sounds more or less the same. How a band can find not two, but THREE vocalists that sound like Elmo with a severe case of lung cancer is beyond my comprehension.

Storm Rider · « **Reply #16 on:** 08 Nov 2005, 21:02 »

Double-post.

McTaggart · « **Reply #17 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 04:54 »

Sincerity. Seriously, if you don't enjoy and believe in what you do, you shouldn't bother. If you're in it to make a quick buck off a new fad, it'll show. You ever wonder why all those people who say that they could spill paint on a canvas, call it modern art and make millions don't?

Of course, originality and talent help too.

rive gauche · « **Reply #18 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 09:17 »

if a band can make you want to throw a vcr at your wall, then they're pretty good.

Fabio · « **Reply #19 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 09:22 »

Quote from: Valrus

That or a totally wicked hott singer, amirite?

My band has a hot singer...if you're 15 that is

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/carlgrossi90/BeBe.jpg

and i think the band just has to be inventive and has to be comitted to be decent.

Trollstormur · « **Reply #20 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 09:44 »

kvlt lyrics, trve nekrogrim battlebeats, and krieg black hategvitars.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #21 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 09:59 »

Kriegly nekro-grim!

Kid Modernist · « **Reply #22 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 11:34 »

Man, everybody screams "Originality!" Does anybody here like just listening to a tune you know was really easy to write? I mean, there is a place for cerebal cutting edge stuff (I know I like it, at least) but there should also be a place for ".. man, this is simple and groovy and traditional."

What I mean is Bob Dylan relied on some old stuff, and he still kicked ass. Grateful Dead played stuff that I'm sure has been played before, and they still kicked as. Stephen Malkmus still plays Pavement, and he kicks ass.

Sometimes relying on the past kicks ass.

TheLoweringTide · « **Reply #23 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 11:50 »

Hence my original (somewhat sarcastic) assertation that good bands play good songs. You don't need to qualify that by requiring a certain level of technical proficiency or originality. Just good songs. I think we all know what those are; they're songs that you like.

JLM · « **Reply #24 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 11:52 »

From an objective point of view, a lot of the bands that people hate are probably good bands.

For me, Lyrical content isn't really that important. A professor of mine once told me that "really bad writing usually makes really great lyrics," and I've often found this to be true. That's not to say that there aren't excellent lyricists out there making fantstic music today, just that most of the time musicians are not practicing something I would consider "literary."

Structure and a bit of pop sensibility are much more important to me. Also, more than anything else, STAGE PRESENCE. A great stage presence can often tip the scales for me. Sondre Lerche - not the greatest lyricist in the world (doesn't help that he writes in a non-native language) but probably one of the best live performers I've ever seen. I was on the fence about The Helio Sequence until I saw them live. I wouldn't take an album of theirs for free now.

TrueNeutral · « **Reply #25 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 12:21 »

What makes a band a good band isn't something that can be described since it's different for everyone. I mean, most of us hate it, but to emo lovers, emo bands are probably really good.

If my ears think their songs are pleasant, that's what I consider a good band. It all comes down to the music, afterall.

Kai · « **Reply #26 on:** 09 Nov 2005, 13:44 »

Quote from: Kid Modernist

Man, everybody screams "Originality!" Does anybody here like just listening to a tune you know was really easy to write? I mean, there is a place for cerebal cutting edge stuff (I know I like it, at least) but there should also be a place for ".. man, this is simple and groovy and traditional."

What I mean is Bob Dylan relied on some old stuff, and he still kicked ass. Grateful Dead played stuff that I'm sure has been played before, and they still kicked as. Stephen Malkmus still plays Pavement, and he kicks ass.

Sometimes relying on the past kicks ass.

Originality doesn't necessarily mean really easy to write. You can write something that is interesting and awesome in a good four minutes or forty years. And Bob Dylan brought stuff to the table, namely the fact that he can take simple chords and arrange them in a way that is intersting, and the lyrics are bitchin. The Grateful Dead bring certain little things that distinguish them from others. And I can't really tell you anything about pavement, but that's because I've never listened.

Thrillho · « **Reply #27 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 09:52 »

There is absolutely no criteria. It is entirely subjective.

I don't even care if the music I listen to is good any more, it's about whether I enjoy it.

jariku · « **Reply #28 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 10:00 »

Rob Halford.

ASturge · « **Reply #29 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 10:01 »

Quote from: Valrus

That or a totally wicked hott singer, amirite?

Niiiiiiiightwiiiiiiiish

tweedyfarrar · « **Reply #30 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 10:12 »

I think good band comes from a combination of pretty much everything listed above. Good songs, passion, skill, a sense of urgency, the willingness to push their music (whether sonically, emotionally, or lyrically) and connect with their audience are all part of the equation. Passion alone isnt enough (see emo bands) nor is skill (no emotion=no connection to artist), nor is a sense of urgency (if what you have to say is stupid or unnecessary), nor is originality (you can push your music to the edge sonically and really sound like shit), but the real key is to connect with your audience. The ability to connect is what wins you life-long diehard fans.

MilkmanDan · « **Reply #31 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 10:18 »

Bleeps.

Originality is a retarded answer. The amount of music that is truly original is astronomically tiny. We're talking tens of songs. Ever. Music is all about building on current ideas. Doing what people are already doing but slightly better, or slightly differently. In fact, basically any answer is stupid. The only real answer is "I like them".

L337ninja71 · « **Reply #32 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 12:08 »

If a Band can move you emotionally (in a good way) then they rock. Its always a personal kinda thing.

The best bands I found have all had wonderfully written lyrics.

Also Tallent with you insturment isan't as crucial (I think) but then again I'm a weird cookie o_O

SpacemanSpiff · « **Reply #33 on:** 10 Nov 2005, 14:50 »

If I like them, they're good. Otherwise they're not and most likely also sold out.

Patrick · « **Reply #34 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 03:23 »

"What makes a band a good band?" is a very hard question for me. The ability to produce brilliant guitar harmonies, like Led Zeppelin and Queen, is a good quality, but it rules out NOFX, who are also awesome. Well worked-out lyrical content is great, but if you went strictly by that, you'd only be listening to stuff like Joni Mitchell or Bob Dylan. Like, I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but rhyming variations of "Yeah check that girl out over there I wanna do her" aren't really the most poetic stuff out there, which would rule out a good 90% of Led Zeppelin.

Long story short, I guess it all just depends on the style.

rive gauche · « **Reply #35 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 07:10 »

Quote from: KimJongSick

"What makes a band a good band?" is a very hard question for me. The ability to produce brilliant guitar harmonies, like Led Zeppelin and Queen, is a good quality, but it rules out NOFX, who are also awesome. Well worked-out lyrical content is great, but if you went strictly by that, you'd only be listening to stuff like Joni Mitchell or Bob Dylan. Like, I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but rhyming variations of "Yeah check that girl out over there I wanna do her" aren't really the most poetic stuff out there, which would rule out a good 90% of Led Zeppelin.

Long story short, I guess it all just depends on the style.

k, I didn't read this post except for the guitar harmonies part. uhh.. could Led Zeppelin do guitar harmonies, since they only had one guitarist? I know he had that ridiculous dual-necked guitar and everthing, but...

just wondering.

Patrick · « **Reply #36 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 13:27 »

Yes. Jimmy Page overdubbed guitar track onto guitar track.

And I'd nail babies to walls to have that guitar.

Thrillho · « **Reply #37 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 15:09 »

Quote from: KimJongSick

Yes. Jimmy Page overdubbed guitar track onto guitar track.

And I'd nail babies to walls to have that guitar.

Whether you got the guitar or not you'd end up with a broken neck.

Patrick · « **Reply #38 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 15:53 »

Haha, how would I have a broken neck? You considering hanging me?

Thrillho · « **Reply #39 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 15:55 »

Quote from: KimJongSick

Haha, how would I have a broken neck? You considering hanging me?

Someone would murder you for nailing their kid to a wall.

Someone else would thank you, but you know.

Patrick · « **Reply #40 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 16:06 »

Hah, fair enough.

More on topic, another thing that makes a band good would be having a decent natural sense of music theory. I heard this one band on their myspace (they tried to befriend mine), and I swear to god I thought they were drunk, stoned, and in the middle of having intercourse with a hedgehog the way the guitarist was playing.

IronOxide · « **Reply #41 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 18:14 »

There are two things:

First, the band must be able to play a range of song types. The Ramones are not a vey good band.

Secondly, they must be fun to listen to. You can be however good and original as you want, but if you're boring nobody will like you.

ObsoleteDonkey · « **Reply #42 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 20:01 »

Most people say originality. I don't think this is the case, basically every area of music has been covered in some way, from droneworks to death metal, the music is there. So, instead of doing something 'new' I think it's important to create hybrids. A band that listens to a lot of different artists, from classical to electronic to anything, is going to fuse that into their music somehow. That's where the good stuff comes from, and the real originality.

I also HATE the band sensibility, if you will. I don't like it when bands say, "Oh, Jim is the guitar player, and there's only one Jim, so all he can play is guitar and he can only play one guitar line". I like layers, I like attention to detail. You can't get that with "bands", you can get it with a group of four guys making good music though.

That was a little all over the place, but basically it comes down to listening to a lot of music and being influenced by it, and not being afraid to make the music very dense.

Kai · « **Reply #43 on:** 11 Nov 2005, 20:52 »

I do believe (At least, this is how I meant it) that when they say originality, they mean that the artist has to have some sort of trait that they themselves have and they do pretty well, rather than being just completely different from everybody else. Take the Talking Heads; they're similar to your little new wave band, but they have little quirks and whatnot that differ them from others of that particular genre, namely with their later albums they get more... Latin-y? whatever.

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Author Topic: What makes a band a good band? (Read 17865 times)

kitsunefire

Philybe

La Creme

practicality

Excecior

TheLoweringTide

La Creme

La Creme

fathertoasisterofthought

normz

rive gauche

Fabio

Kid Modernist

TheLoweringTide

TrueNeutral

jariku

ASturge

tweedyfarrar

MilkmanDan

L337ninja71

SpacemanSpiff

rive gauche

ObsoleteDonkey