Battle of the Bands -- Round 2, Battle 8

[theFijian]

If we're talking pop appeal, radiohead wins. If we're talking about the quality of musicianship, Phish wins.

Are we seriousy suggesting that Phish are better musicians than Radiohead just because they like to jam? And comparing Radiohead to Ashlee Simpson just doesn't cut it.

 

[musicPhan#41]

I think a band's greatness should be measured mainly on how they influence the music that comes after them. A great live show is a blast to go to, but memories fade, and generations pass...albums theoretically could last as long as our species. Radiohead's material pretty much changed the alternative rock scene; it's hard to find an alternative/indie band these days that doesn't have certain Radioheadesque elements.

i might agree if we didn't have recordings of every live phish show. but those will be around forever. and the dvd's too.

 

[musicPhan#41]

Are we seriousy suggesting that Phish are better musicians than Radiohead just because they like to jam? And comparing Radiohead to Ashlee Simpson just doesn't cut it.

no, i was comparing studio talent to live talent

 

[ps139]

Are we seriousy suggesting that Phish are better musicians than Radiohead just because they like to jam? And comparing Radiohead to Ashlee Simpson just doesn't cut it.

Nope. Phish excels in jamming, because they are excellent musicians. Many of their songs are tight compositions reminiscient of classical music. Trey, who writes most of the songs, is both a genius in musical theory and a virtuoso when it comes to raw talent. Phish will also take a tight composition and unwind it, then come right back. Really, to understand them, you need to listen to a bunch of their shows. I think a lot of people here have been emphasizing Phish's amazing improv skills because thats something Radiohead doesn't really have.

When it comes to songwriting and composition, (and of course how good it sounds, not just how fancy the sheet music is) the only modern band I can think of that does the same things is Dreamtheater.

Blackwasp also mentioned how you can't find an indie rock band thats not Radiohead-eqsue. I challenge anyone to Phish a jamband that was not influenced by Phish. The simple answer is there is none. Trey is a hero to many young guitarists in modern jambands, and the "sum is greater than the parts" idea that Phish operates on is seen now in all jam music.

 

[ps139]

I checked out some Phish stuff (and DMB too) on the strength of what people here said about them, and they both left me utterly unmoved. Just not my cup of tea I'm afraid.

Andy, I'm glad you took the effort to listen to some of their stuff. That is great!
Its not your cup of tea, well we all have different cups of tea, but do not give up on them. As obsessed as I am with Phish, do you know that 4 years ago I absolutely detested them and thought they were the worst band ever? Its true! One day, it just "clicked." There is no other way to put it. They inspired me to take up guitar again after I'd quit for 8 years too.

Have Phish tried to do anything like what Radiohead did with Kid A? (honest question)

What's Kid A?

Someone repped me that phish "were" one of the best live bands around. I take it that means they have finished? If that is true then I'm sorry to hear that I'm way behind in the world of music of what’s going on with bands these days, (my apologies).

Unfortunately, they called it quits . I am lucky I got to see them 5 times before they broke up. Those shows were some of the best musical experiences of my life. I am hoping for a reunion tour in like 10 years or something. Trey Anastasio still tours but its just not the same without the other guys. They formed in 1984, and they are so tight musically, 20 years of touring, usually 200+ shows a year, forms a bond that can't be wrought any other way.

 

[Links234]

I am underwhelmed by both choices.

 

[blackwasp]

Blackwasp also mentioned how you can't find an indie rock band thats not Radiohead-eqsue. I challenge anyone to Phish a jamband that was not influenced by Phish. The simple answer is there is none. Trey is a hero to many young guitarists in modern jambands, and the "sum is greater than the parts" idea that Phish operates on is seen now in all jam music.

How many other jam bands are there?

 

[drew.dominguez]

I have some revealing info on Radiohead....

I'm an expert in all things Prog, Art Rock and Ground Breaking.

Radiohead was not in anyway, shape, or form ground breaking. They copied other bands, like Dream Theater, No-Man, Depeche Mode etc...

As much as I like radiohead, Phish is a much better band.

 

[drew.dominguez]

Sorry,
A band that isn't Radiohead influenced?

*laughter on the highest*

I love this forum, but you guys all need a refresher course in modern music that doesn't involve watching MTV or VH1.

 

[ps139]

How many other jam bands are there?

Here are some links to check out which are all about jambands.

http://www.jambands.com
http://www.jambase.com/
http://www.jammys.com/ - the Jammy Awards

Some of my favorites (aside from Phish of course ):
The Steve Kimock Band
RAQ
Stringcheese Incident
moe
Medeski Martin & Wood
Galactic
Trey Anastasio Band
Particle
Keller Williams
Gov't Mule

 

[Arwen Undomiel]

Sorry,
A band that isn't Radiohead influenced?

*laughter on the highest*

I love this forum, but you guys all need a refresher course in modern music that doesn't involve watching MTV or VH1.

Perhaps you need a refresher course in the musical knowledge of folks who post in this forum. And come back and tell us how much of an expert you are when you're my age. Remember, the older you get, the less you know.

 

[blackwasp]

Sorry,
A band that isn't Radiohead influenced?

It was a bit of an exaggeration, but Radiohead's footprints on music are obvious. Oh, and no apologies neccessary.

 

[nadroj1985]

I think a band's greatness should be measured mainly on how they influence the music that comes after them.

That's a cool way of judging it. Personally, I think a band's greatness is measured by the tingly feeling that their music gives me. No tingly feeling, no greatness. By that standard, Radiohead is pretty clearly superior.

 

[ps139]

That's a cool way of judging it. Personally, I think a band's greatness is measured by the tingly feeling that their music gives me. No tingly feeling, no greatness. By that standard, Radiohead is pretty clearly superior.

Well that makes 2 of us!!! Except that Phish give me that tingly feeling .

 

[nadroj1985]

Well that makes 2 of us!!!

Well then what in the world have you been talking about this whole thread?

This is the great thing about the tingly feeling: it needs no justification. Why are you trying to justify it?

 

[DJ B.K.]

You guys are making this debate too technical. It's just music. LOL!

 

[blackwasp]

It's just music. LOL!

Not to me.

 

[Arwen Undomiel]

Especially when you consider the Tingly Factor.

 

[musicPhan#41]

Here are some links to check out which are all about jambands.

http://www.jambands.com
http://www.jambase.com/
http://www.jammys.com/ - the Jammy Awards

Some of my favorites (aside from Phish of course ):
The Steve Kimock Band
RAQ
Stringcheese Incident
moe
Medeski Martin & Wood
Galactic
Trey Anastasio Band
Particle
Keller Williams
Gov't Mule

moe is the shiiiiiiiz.

 

[theFijian]

What's Kid A?

Err....Radiohead's 4th studio album.

Radiohead was not in anyway, shape, or form ground breaking. They copied other bands, like Dream Theater, No-Man, Depeche Mode etc...

Hehe, you're funny! If by 'copied' you mean 'influenced by' I might possibly have agreed with you. Closer to reality would be that they were influenced by the post-punk bands of the 80s and they owe their post-OK Computer sound to artists from the Warp Records roster eg. Aphex Twin, Squarepusher.

Actually I'm annoyed that I let myself get into this 'debate' as I usually don't really care why people like/dislike a certain band, but at least I now know that we're really comparing apples and oranges here. Having said that, Radiohead are still winning!!