TheCockSportif Posted December 31, 2021 Share Posted December 31, 2021 As noted in the singers / Mt Rushmore thread, I recently launched a second career where I mix music. It was a segue from my original career in music (playing in bands, being under contract here and there, writing tunes, making albums that nobody ever heard, basically learning how to fail at music for a living) where I ended up finishing college and took a job in tech -- then just doing music by way of engineering and mixing with some playing on the side. Listening to the work of people Who Are Very Good At This is a strong motivating factor that pushes me to carry on. And it's always great to chat about music with people who know music very well, who listen to all kinds of stuff that maybe you never thought of. Almost everybody I've mixed for will offer some kind of reference tracks -- from which you extract certain bits of ways other songs were mixed, to get the "vibe" that the artist is looking for. In this case I'm mixing a rendition of Naive Melody (This Must Be the Place) by the Talking Heads, but the artist wanted a more lo-fi / organic / pop presentation of the mix than what was originally tracked in... Sweden, by this guy called Christoffer Lunquist (Brainpool, Roxette, and I believe The Cardigans, and so on). The tracks that were given to me by the artist are easily some of the best source material that I've ever heard before starting a mixing process. And yet, he hated the mixes that people did for him, so here I am, trying to make something organic out of something that already sounded pretty darn slick. That got us into a conversation about unique bands, and initially I was all like, "yeah, the Beatles and Led Zep." But he made a good point that the Beatles and Led Zep, while unique at their inception, have been copied time and time again (King's X, Kingdom Come, Matthew Sweet, etc., all say hello). So he told me to make a list of 10 unique bands before I started the mix, and this is what I came up with, and as always, in no specific order. The Talking Heads Frankie Goes to Hollywood Faith No More (Angel Dust, and ... King for a Day era) The Pretenders Supertramp The Smiths Devo They Might Be Giants (I actually don't care for the band, but they are unique IMO) Patti Smith Throbbing Gristle Who are your top 10 unique bands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted December 31, 2021 Share Posted December 31, 2021 13 minutes ago, TheCockSportif said: As noted in the singers / Mt Rushmore thread, I recently launched a second career where I mix music. It was a segue from my original career in music (playing in bands, being under contract here and there, writing tunes, making albums that nobody ever heard, basically learning how to fail at music for a living) where I ended up finishing college and took a job in tech -- then just doing music by way of engineering and mixing with some playing on the side. Listening to the work of people Who Are Very Good At This is a strong motivating factor that pushes me to carry on. And it's always great to chat about music with people who know music very well, who listen to all kinds of stuff that maybe you never thought of. Almost everybody I've mixed for will offer some kind of reference tracks -- from which you extract certain bits of ways other songs were mixed, to get the "vibe" that the artist is looking for. In this case I'm mixing a rendition of Naive Melody (This Must Be the Place) by the Talking Heads, but the artist wanted a more lo-fi / organic / pop presentation of the mix than what was originally tracked in... Sweden, by this guy called Christoffer Lunquist (Brainpool, Roxette, and I believe The Cardigans, and so on). The tracks that were given to me by the artist are easily some of the best source material that I've ever heard before starting a mixing process. And yet, he hated the mixes that people did for him, so here I am, trying to make something organic out of something that already sounded pretty darn slick. That got us into a conversation about unique bands, and initially I was all like, "yeah, the Beatles and Led Zep." But he made a good point that the Beatles and Led Zep, while unique at their inception, have been copied time and time again (King's X, Kingdom Come, Matthew Sweet, etc., all say hello). So he told me to make a list of 10 unique bands before I started the mix, and this is what I came up with, and as always, in no specific order. The Talking Heads Frankie Goes to Hollywood Faith No More (Angel Dust, and ... King for a Day era) The Pretenders Supertramp The Smiths Devo They Might Be Giants (I actually don't care for the band, but they are unique IMO) Patti Smith Throbbing Gristle Who are your top 10 unique bands? I don't have 10 off hand..... but these come to mind: Ghost The Mummies Warlock Pinchers Bloodhound Gang (early to mid 90's new wave/hip hop mix) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted December 31, 2021 Author Share Posted December 31, 2021 Just now, BADOLBILZ said: I don't have 10 off hand..... but these come to mind: Ghost The Mummies Warlock Pinchers Bloodhound Gang (early to mid 90's new wave/hip hop mix) I LOVED Bloodhound Gang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 No top ten for me, but I'll add the Grateful Dead to the list. Nobody, absolutely nobody, sounds like them. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 1 hour ago, TheCockSportif said: As noted in the singers / Mt Rushmore thread, I recently launched a second career where I mix music. It was a segue from my original career in music (playing in bands, being under contract here and there, writing tunes, making albums that nobody ever heard, basically learning how to fail at music for a living) where I ended up finishing college and took a job in tech -- then just doing music by way of engineering and mixing with some playing on the side. Listening to the work of people Who Are Very Good At This is a strong motivating factor that pushes me to carry on. And it's always great to chat about music with people who know music very well, who listen to all kinds of stuff that maybe you never thought of. Almost everybody I've mixed for will offer some kind of reference tracks -- from which you extract certain bits of ways other songs were mixed, to get the "vibe" that the artist is looking for. In this case I'm mixing a rendition of Naive Melody (This Must Be the Place) by the Talking Heads, but the artist wanted a more lo-fi / organic / pop presentation of the mix than what was originally tracked in... Sweden, by this guy called Christoffer Lunquist (Brainpool, Roxette, and I believe The Cardigans, and so on). The tracks that were given to me by the artist are easily some of the best source material that I've ever heard before starting a mixing process. And yet, he hated the mixes that people did for him, so here I am, trying to make something organic out of something that already sounded pretty darn slick. That got us into a conversation about unique bands, and initially I was all like, "yeah, the Beatles and Led Zep." But he made a good point that the Beatles and Led Zep, while unique at their inception, have been copied time and time again (King's X, Kingdom Come, Matthew Sweet, etc., all say hello). So he told me to make a list of 10 unique bands before I started the mix, and this is what I came up with, and as always, in no specific order. The Talking Heads Frankie Goes to Hollywood Faith No More (Angel Dust, and ... King for a Day era) The Pretenders Supertramp The Smiths Devo They Might Be Giants (I actually don't care for the band, but they are unique IMO) Patti Smith Throbbing Gristle Who are your top 10 unique bands? Captain Beefheart/Magic Band The Tubes Arthur Brown Electric Light Orchestra Frank Zappa/Mothers of Invention King Crimson Spirit Yes The Fugs Wall of Voodoo Just some that no one else really sounds like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 2 minutes ago, T&C said: Captain Beefheart/Magic Band The Tubes Arthur Brown Electric Light Orchestra Frank Zappa/Mothers of Invention King Crimson Spirit Yes The Fugs Wall of Voodoo Just some that no one else really sounds like. The Tubes, Wall of Voodoo, ELO (I somewhat discount given their Beatles-inspired nature, but VERY cool band all the same), and how could I forget the avant garde master, Frank Zappa?! Very cool list. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Cool idea for a topic. A couple bands that jump out to me for having a unique sound: Smashing Pumpkins and Flaming Lips I'm sure I can add some more after I think about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmotionallyUnstable Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Check out “Our Last Night” They are a heavy rock/metal group who are almost exclusively know for their covers over modern pop and hip-hop (Britney, Bruno, Drake, etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 13 minutes ago, TheCockSportif said: The Tubes, Wall of Voodoo, ELO (I somewhat discount given their Beatles-inspired nature, but VERY cool band all the same), and how could I forget the avant garde master, Frank Zappa?! Very cool list. Thanks for sharing. I should have included The Traveling Wilburys... the greatest supergroup of them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 2 minutes ago, T&C said: I should have included The Traveling Wilburys... the greatest supergroup of them all. But are they unique, tho? That's the whole point of this challenge and what makes it so fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 3 minutes ago, TheCockSportif said: But are they unique, tho? That's the whole point of this challenge and what makes it so fun. If that isn't unique then I don't know what is. 5 legends in one band is just that imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 (edited) One that I forgot was... Steely Dan. I can't think of a single band that's crafted itself after Steely Dan. Plus, regardless of genre, I aspire to mix like the people who mixed those SD albums: the instrumental separation and width of the mixes is something of envy to be sure. 17 minutes ago, T&C said: If that isn't unique then I don't know what is. 5 legends in one band is just that imo. Okay, I see what you're saying here. Yes, the lineup is unparalleled in my lifetime, and the music is really great, but when I listen to TW -- it sounds like I think that it should sound. And each player's style has been riffed on, pun intended, many times over. Heck, even Petty was riffing on Dylan! Edited January 1, 2022 by TheCockSportif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 57 minutes ago, WhoTom said: No top ten for me, but I'll add the Grateful Dead to the list. Nobody, absolutely nobody, sounds like them. Spot on. Not even Phish nor Moe can capture the essence of the GD, and I say this as one who does not care for the GD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 A few guys here know I’m an alt music buff. Here’s a list of my favorites in no particular order: Muenster Cheese Droppings Slit My Calf Bungee Banging Bobbles Questionable ***** No, No, Yes, Maybe (perhaps my favorite of the bunch) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotAGuy Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Crash Test Dummies - that baritone! Decemberists - historical subject matter making for interesting songs Rickie Lee Jones - Unique voice Rhye - just two guys as far as I’m aware, unique vocals Thomas Dolby - his autobiography is very interesting 10,000 Maniacs - Natalie’s vocalizations are unique Blue Man Group - The Complex is a great album with guest vocalists. Enya - vocals 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 36 minutes ago, TheCockSportif said: One that I forgot was... Steely Dan. I can't think of a single band that's crafted itself after Steely Dan. Plus, regardless of genre, I aspire to mix like the people who mixed those SD albums: the instrumental separation and width of the mixes is something of envy to be sure. Okay, I see what you're saying here. Yes, the lineup is unparalleled in my lifetime, and the music is really great, but when I listen to TW -- it sounds like I think that it should sound. And each player's style has been riffed on, pun intended, many times over. Heck, even Petty was riffing on Dylan! Steely Dan is a great example... no one can touch the Dan. Have you ever listened to the Record Plant recordings... used to be a bootleg but I don't know if it still is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, T&C said: Steely Dan is a great example... no one can touch the Dan. Have you ever listened to the Record Plant recordings... used to be a bootleg but I don't know if it still is. Actually, I've never heard this. Thanks for sharing, and this might be my background music tomorrow during day 3 of rewiring the basement. 19 minutes ago, BringBackFergy said: A few guys here know I’m an alt music buff. Here’s a list of my favorites in no particular order: Muenster Cheese Droppings Slit My Calf Bungee Banging Bobbles Questionable ***** No, No, Yes, Maybe (perhaps my favorite of the bunch) Very interesting, and this must be very, very alt. Here's the canonical list of weird band names, and I'm having an problem finding some of these. Edited January 1, 2022 by TheCockSportif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinceThe70s Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Fun topic, but disagree with the following from OP: "But he made a good point that the Beatles and Led Zep, while unique at their inception, have been copied time and time again" Just cause you were copied doesn't mean you weren't unique IMO. A few off the top of my head: Zappa Sex Pistols Pink Floyd A case could be made for Rush Someone already mentioned Devo - I wouldn't have thought of them, but spot on. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 7 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said: Fun topic, but disagree with the following from OP: "But he made a good point that the Beatles and Led Zep, while unique at their inception, have been copied time and time again" Just cause you were copied doesn't mean you weren't unique IMO. A few off the top of my head: Zappa Sex Pistols Pink Floyd A case could be made for Rush Someone already mentioned Devo - I wouldn't have thought of them, but spot on. The Stooges could never be replicated... many have tried but, no. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Sublime 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 23 minutes ago, T&C said: The Stooges could never be replicated... many have tried but, no. Yep, and it still blows my mind when I listen to the differences between Iggy's and Bowie's "China Girl". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBBills Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Prodigy- Fat of the Land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 40 minutes ago, TBBills said: Prodigy- Fat of the Land Oooh! Good one! I forgot about Prodigy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Ian Dury and the Blockheads would fit into the unique area for sure. Like so many others they didn't last long. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain_Quint Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Cake has a pretty unique sound to them. They've put out some really good albums. 3 hours ago, BringBackFergy said: Slit My Calf Their second album was better than the first. Just my opinion.... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 (edited) 34 minutes ago, Captain_Quint said: Cake has a pretty unique sound to them. They've put out some really good albums. Cake! Yes!!! Their cover of "I Will Survive" is amazing. Edited January 1, 2022 by TheCockSportif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills4everNY Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 The New York Dolls. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Info Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Root Boy Slim ’Dare To Be Fat’ ’Boogie ‘Til You Puke’ ‘Heartbreak of Psoriasis’ ’Xmas At Kmart’ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlCowlingsTaxiService Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 14 hours ago, T&C said: Steely Dan is a great example... no one can touch the Dan. Have you ever listened to the Record Plant recordings... used to be a bootleg but I don't know if it still is. My “nerd” hobby is collecting 70s era stereo gear, and there’s no better recording to show off a system than “Aja” …. Their pursuit of excellence in the recording studio is second to none 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 16 hours ago, WotAGuy said: Crash Test Dummies - that baritone! Decemberists - historical subject matter making for interesting songs Rickie Lee Jones - Unique voice Rhye - just two guys as far as I’m aware, unique vocals Thomas Dolby - his autobiography is very interesting 10,000 Maniacs - Natalie’s vocalizations are unique Blue Man Group - The Complex is a great album with guest vocalists. Enya - vocals Just read this again. Decemberists: YES, please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f0neguy Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 The Ramones, Supertramp, and the original lineup for Little Feat will never be copied. Agree with Zappa, ELO, Devo, King Crimson as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 16 minutes ago, f0neguy said: The Ramones, Supertramp, and the original lineup for Little Feat will never be copied. Agree with Zappa, ELO, Devo, King Crimson as well. Lowell George was in Zappa's Mother of Invention... so that legacy lives on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 Claypool Lennon Delirium Primus Flaming Lips Cake Mr Bungle Muse 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCockSportif Posted January 2, 2022 Author Share Posted January 2, 2022 1 hour ago, f0neguy said: The Ramones, Supertramp, and the original lineup for Little Feat will never be copied. Agree with Zappa, ELO, Devo, King Crimson as well. If I'm correct, the drummer for Little Feat (RIP) played on "You're No Good" by Linda Rondstadt. I loved warming up (drums) to that tune! 45 minutes ago, May Day 10 said: Claypool Lennon Delirium Primus Flaming Lips Cake Mr Bungle Muse Awesome list, and spot on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony P Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 On a lark a couple years ago, we decided to check out a concert by this band who we'd never heard of. Definitely "unique". Squirrel Nut Zippers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenorthremembers Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 Not sure if I have 10 but Mindless Self Indulgence is way out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 Radiohead is certainly unusual. Also, not so much for the overall sound, but purely for LYRICS....The Who. Study their lyrics closely; they are weird and not like other rock bands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 Very heavy and very skilled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhg Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 Dread Zeppelin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIrvine Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 B-52’s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.