The Case For Music -- Entry III

The Case For Dubstep, and by extension, electronic music

Dubstep isn't really that bad. I have heard the jokes. Yes, it's not for everyone. However, I've heard people say it's "not music," to which I disagree. I've heard of more than one person insisting that electronic music in general takes no talent. Talent is necessary, but is more akin to production than typical instruments. However, there is talent, necessary.

With stage performance, talent is also necessary in a more instrumental form. There are keyboards, turntables, and other machines that make music, but they don't just do it (unless you just play prerecorded tracks.) Someone has to make the songs. There is a presence, and there is talent.

I suggest (general electronic music and dubstep): Eiffel65, Darude, Daft Punk, Dubba Johnny, Nero, Pendulum, and Skrillex

It wouldn't hurt to check out DJ Sammy and Dirty Vegas while you're at it.

Related: The Case For Skrillex

Everyone I know who isn't a Skrillex fan says his music sounds like a fax machine. I get the joke, yeah, it's electronic music. Here's the thing. I've heard a range (not as wide as some people) of electronic styles, amateur to professional, and it's good. It's interesting music, and I listen to it, and I listen to it, again. Now, Skrillex isn't straight dubstep, but he's the name you'll most likely hear.

I have songs by him I don't like, but I have stand out tracks I love. Bangarang was the first track I heard, and I was really into it. I went out and bought the EP, and while I was there, a friend of mine who worked there suggested his first EP, too, and I got both. Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites is where I can get the fax machine joke, but after relistening, I became a fan. I actually really like the song, now. I also really enjoy Devil's Den, Rock n Roll (Will Take You to The Mountain), and Kyoto. In reality, it's enjoyable music (for the right listener) and not worth passing up because of jokes.

The Case for Greek Fire

So another of my favorite bands came from the same thing as my favorite band of all time (to be in an upcoming post. I will address them when I address my pet subgenre. The stall is related to wanting to be sure I say all I want to.) I went to an Eve 6 concert, and Eve 6 was good, but one of the opening acts at this concert stole my heart. Straight from the Wiki: Greek Fire involves two members of >Story of the Year and two members of a band called Maybe Today. The style is... once again I reference yet another band in my attempt to describe a band I deem unique: Angels and Airwaves (even though their initials are AAA, it's often written as AVA). They're fantastic. Much like my previous entry's discussion of Mutemath, they're a very performance-oriented band.

Stylistically, while I reference Angels and Airwaves, and I am a fan of AVA, I prefer Greek Fire. I can't separate the two, as far as style, however. They're the only two bands I know of this exact species of music (though I would love to know more). The music is upbeat, engaging, and what I can only call "space-y."

The same show I found out about the band (barring having heard Break Me Down on YouTube to brush up before the concert,) I heard about the tragic situation with their drummer, Johnny Venus. Johnny and the band had just returned from a country I love, and have visited three times, Japan. They did a very short tour overseas, and when they returned, Johnny discovered he had leukemia. The band was asking for donations to help pay for treatment and medication. They even, a while later, released a song specifically for his struggle If This Is The End (The Sound of Belief), which still gets me teary-eyed every time I watch the video.

A positive update in this situation is that Johnny was able to play a few shows in November with the band. He is apparently doing well, which is always great to hear.

Definitely check this band out if you have a chance. Phillip (Moon) is a fantastic guy, very personable. The whole band is nice, in person. (I haven't met Johnny, but I imagine he's a nice guy from what I've heard. He is definitely thankful for the support.) The performance involved more time with Moon in the crowd than on stage: He serenaded a couple of strangers slow dancing during a song; he went into the balcony and sang; he is also the only person I have witnessed tell the crowd to "sit down" at a concert. I just have to say, give Greek Fire a try, they're absolutely worth a listen.