Band (rock and pop)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
(Difference between revisions)
| Revision as of 08:31, 5 March 2019 Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) ← Previous diff |
Revision as of 08:32, 5 March 2019 Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) Next diff → |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
| The smallest ensemble that is commonly used in rock music is the trio format. Two-member rock and pop bands (such as [[Steely Dan]], [[The White Stripes]] and [[The Black Keys]]) are relatively rare, because of the difficulty in providing all of the musical elements which are part of the rock or pop sound (vocals, chords, [[bass line]]s, and percussion or drumming). In a hard rock or blues-rock band, or heavy metal rock group, a "[[power trio]]" format is often used, which consists of an electric guitar player, an electric bass guitar player and a drummer, and typically one or more of these musicians also sing (sometimes all three members will sing, e.g. [[Bee Gees]] or [[Alkaline Trio]]). Some well-known power trios with the guitarist on lead vocals are [[the Jimi Hendrix Experience]], [[Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[the Jam]], [[ZZ Top]], and [[Green Day]], while power trios with the bass guitarist on lead vocals include [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[The Police]] and [[Motörhead]]. | The smallest ensemble that is commonly used in rock music is the trio format. Two-member rock and pop bands (such as [[Steely Dan]], [[The White Stripes]] and [[The Black Keys]]) are relatively rare, because of the difficulty in providing all of the musical elements which are part of the rock or pop sound (vocals, chords, [[bass line]]s, and percussion or drumming). In a hard rock or blues-rock band, or heavy metal rock group, a "[[power trio]]" format is often used, which consists of an electric guitar player, an electric bass guitar player and a drummer, and typically one or more of these musicians also sing (sometimes all three members will sing, e.g. [[Bee Gees]] or [[Alkaline Trio]]). Some well-known power trios with the guitarist on lead vocals are [[the Jimi Hendrix Experience]], [[Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[the Jam]], [[ZZ Top]], and [[Green Day]], while power trios with the bass guitarist on lead vocals include [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[The Police]] and [[Motörhead]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | ==Two members== | ||
| - | {{Main|Pop duo|Power duo}} | ||
| - | [[File:Blackkeys022011.jpg|thumb|[[The Black Keys]] are a two-part band consisting of drummer and a vocalist/guitarist line-up.]] | ||
| - | Two-member rock and pop bands are relatively rare, because of the difficulty in providing all of the musical elements which are part of the rock or pop sound (vocals, chordal [[accompaniment]], [[bass line]]s, and percussion or drumming). Two-member rock and pop bands typically omit one of these musical elements. In many cases, two-member bands will omit a drummer, since guitars, bass guitars, and keyboards can all be used to provide a rhythmic pulse. | ||
| - | |||
| - | Examples of two-member bands are [[The White Stripes]], [[Pet Shop Boys]], [[Hella (band)|Hella]], [[Flight of the Conchords]], [[the Ting Tings]], [[Hall & Oates]], [[Twenty One Pilots]] and [[T.Rex (band)|T. Rex]] (until shortly after scoring [[Ride A White Swan|their UK breakthrough hit]], at which point they expanded to a four piece). | ||
| - | |||
| - | When electronic [[Music sequencer|sequencers]] became widely available in the 1980s, this made it easier for two-member bands to add in musical elements that the two band members were not able to perform. Sequencers allowed bands to pre-program some elements of their performance, such as an [[electronic drum]] part and a [[synth bass]] line. Two-member pop music bands such as [[Soft Cell]], [[Blancmange (band)|Blancmange]] and [[Yazoo (band)|Yazoo]] used pre-programmed sequencers. Other pop bands from the 1980s which were ostensibly fronted by two performers, such as [[Wham!]], [[Eurythmics]] and [[Tears for Fears]], were not actually two-piece ensembles, because other instrumental musicians were used "behind the scenes" to fill out the sound. Modern bands that use this format include [[Ninja Sex Party]] and [[Death Grips]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | Two-piece bands in rock music are quite rare. However, starting in the 2000s, blues-influenced rock bands such as [[the White Stripes]] and [[the Black Keys]] utilized a guitar-and-drums scheme. [[Death from Above 1979]] featured a drummer and bass guitarist. [[Tenacious D]] is a two-guitar band; [[One Day as a Lion]] and [[the Dresden Dolls]] both feature a keyboardist and a drummer. [[Ratatat]] are a two-guitar band that utilize a drum machine for beats. [[W.A.S.P. (band)|W.A.S.P.]] guitarist [[Doug Blair]] is also known for his work in the two-piece [[progressive rock]] band [[signal2noise]], where he acts as the lead guitarist and bassist at the same time, thanks to a special custom instrument he invented (an electric guitar with five regular guitar strings paired with three bass guitar strings). Heisenflei of Los Angeles duo [[the Pity Party]] plays drums, keyboards, and sings simultaneously. [[Royal Blood (band)|Royal Blood]] is a two-piece band that uses bass and drums along with [[electronic effect]]s. | ||
| - | |||
| - | ==Three members== | ||
| - | {{Main|Power trio}} | ||
| - | [[File:Jimi Hendrix Experience in Fenklup.png|thumb|right|200px|[[The Jimi Hendrix Experience]], a [[power trio]], performing for Dutch television in 1967. From left to right: singer-guitarist [[Jimi Hendrix]], bassist [[Noel Redding]] and drummer [[Mitch Mitchell]].]] | ||
| - | The smallest ensemble that is commonly used in rock music is the trio format. In a hard rock or blues-rock band, or heavy metal rock group, a "[[power trio]]" format is often used, which consists of an electric guitar player, an electric bass guitar player and a drummer, and typically one or more of these musicians also sing (sometimes all three members will sing, e.g. [[Bee Gees]] or [[Alkaline Trio]]). Some well-known power trios with the guitarist on lead vocals are [[Campsite 85]], [[Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] and [[Muse (band)|Muse]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | [[File:Green Day at 2009 MTV VMA's.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Green Day]], a [[power trio]], at [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards]]. From left to right: Bassist [[Mike Dirnt]], singer/guitarist [[Billie Joe Armstrong]] and drummer [[Tré Cool]].]] | ||
| - | |||
| - | A handful of others with the bassist on vocals include [[Thin Lizzy]] (from 1970 to 1974), [[Primus (band)|Primus]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Motörhead]], [[The Police (band)|the Police]] and [[Cream (band)|Cream]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | Some power trios feature two lead vocalists. For example, in the band [[Blink-182]] vocals are split between bassist [[Mark Hoppus]] and guitarist [[Matt Skiba]], or in the band [[Dinosaur Jr.]], guitarist [[J. Mascis]] is the primary songwriter and vocalist, but bassist [[Lou Barlow]] writes some songs and sings as well. | ||
| - | |||
| - | An alternative to the power trio are [[organ trio]]s formed with an electric guitarist, a drummer and a keyboardist. Although organ trios are most commonly associated with 1950s and 1960s jazz organ trio groups such as those led by organist [[Jimmy Smith (musician)|Jimmy Smith]], there are also organ trios in rock-oriented styles, such as [[jazz fusion|jazz-rock fusion]] and [[Grateful Dead]]-influenced [[jam bands]], for instance [[Medeski Martin & Wood]]. In organ trios, the keyboard player typically plays a [[Hammond organ]] or similar instrument, which permits the keyboard player to perform bass lines, chords, and lead lines. A variant of the organ trio are trios formed with an electric bassist, a drummer and an electronic keyboardist (playing synthesizers) such as the [[progressive rock]] band [[Emerson, Lake & Palmer]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | A power trio with the guitarist on lead vocals is a popular record company lineup, as the guitarist and singer will usually be the songwriter. Therefore, the label only has to present one "face" to the public. The [[backing band]] may or may not be featured in publicity. If the backup band is not marketed as an integral part of the group, this gives the record company more flexibility to replace band members or use substitute musicians. This lineup often leads to songs that are fairly simple and accessible, as the frontman (or frontwoman) will have to sing and play guitar at the same time. For example, in the band [[Psuperbrain]] guitarist [[Bob Schaeffer]] is the primary songwriter and vocalist, drummer [[Bubba Dixon]], bass [[Kurt Morgan]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | ==Four members== | ||
| - | [[File:Rhcp-live-pinkpop05.jpg|thumb|[[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] is a four-part band with a lead vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer lineup.]] | ||
| - | |||
| - | The four-piece band is the most common configuration in rock and pop music. Before the development of the electronic keyboard, the configuration was typically two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer<!-- PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ADDING MORE BANDS TO THE LIST, UNLESS THEY ILLUSTRATE SOMETHING NEW THAT THE OTHERS DON'T (and please explain); THERE ARE ENOUGH AS IS :) --> (e.g. [[the Beatles]], [[Kiss (band)|KISS]], [[Metallica]], [[Rise Against]], [[the Clash]] and [[the Smashing Pumpkins]]). | ||
| - | |||
| - | Another common formation is a vocalist, electric guitarist, bass guitarist, and a drummer<!-- PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ADDING MORE BANDS TO THE LIST, UNLESS THEY ILLUSTRATE SOMETHING NEW THAT THE OTHERS DON'T (and please explain); THERE ARE ENOUGH AS IS :) --> (e.g. [[Van Halen]], [[the Who]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Led Zeppelin]] and [[Blur (band)|Blur]]). Instrumentally, these bands can be considered as trios. | ||
| - | |||
| - | In some rock bands, keyboardists are used in place of bass, performing with a guitarist, singer and drummer, for instance [[the Doors]]. Some bands will have a guitarist, bassist, drummer, and keyboard player, for example the [[Talking Heads]], the [[Small Faces]] and [[Pink Floyd]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | Some bands will have the bassist on lead vocals, such as [[Thin Lizzy]] (a four piece from 1974 onwards), [[Pink Floyd]], [[Motörhead]] (as a four piece 1984-1995), or even the lead guitarist, such as [[Dire Straits]], [[Megadeth]], [[Weezer]], and [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]]. Some bands, such as [[the Beatles]], have a lead guitarist, a rhythm guitarist and a bassist that all sing lead and backing vocals, that also play keyboards regularly, as well as a drummer. Others, such as [[The Four Seasons (band)|the Four Seasons]], have a lead vocalist, a lead guitarist, a keyboard player, and a bassist, with the drummer not being a member of the band. | ||
| - | |||
| - | ==Five members== | ||
| - | [[File:TheStrokes.jpg|thumb|[[The Strokes]] are a five-part band with a lead vocalist, two guitarists, bassist, and drummer lineup.]] | ||
| - | |||
| - | Five-piece bands have existed in rock music since the development of the genre.<!-- PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ADDING MORE BANDS TO THE LIST, UNLESS THEY ILLUSTRATE SOMETHING NEW THAT THE OTHERS DON'T (and please explain); THERE ARE ENOUGH AS IS :) --> [[The Beach Boys]], [[Aerosmith]], [[AC/DC]] and [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] are examples of the common lineup of vocalist, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. An alternative lineup replaces the rhythm guitarist with a keyboard–synthesizer player (examples being the bands [[Journey (band)|Journey]], [[Dream Theater]], [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]], and [[Deep Purple]]). Another alternative replaces the rhythm guitarist with a [[turntablist]], such as in the [[Deftones]], [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]] or [[Limp Bizkit]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | Further alternatives include a keyboardist, guitarist, drummer, bassist, and saxophonist, such as [[the Sonics]], [[the Dave Clark 5]], and [[Sam the Sham|Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs]]. Three guitarists may be present with a bassist and a drummer, such as in the bands [[Radiohead]] and [[the Byrds]]. Some five-person bands feature two guitarists, a keyboardist, a bassist and a drummer, with one or more of these musicians (typically one of the guitarists) handling lead vocals on top of their instrument (examples being [[Children of Bodom]] and [[Styx (band)|Styx]]). The four piece arrangement can be augmented to five with a [[Double drumming|second drummer]] playing a separate full drumkit, such as [[Adam and The Ants]] from 1980 onwards although other formations can also be expanded using two drummers such as [[Pink Fairies]] 1970-1971, [[The Glitter Band]], [[Wizzard]], [[Sigue Sigue Sputnik]], [[Add N to (X)]] and [[Rialto (band)|Rialto]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | Other times, the vocalist will bring another musical "voice" to the table, most commonly a harmonica or percussion; [[Mick Jagger]], for example, plays harmonica and percussion instruments like [[maracas]] and [[tambourine]] in the Rolling Stones. [[Ozzy Osbourne]] played the harmonica on some occasions with [[Black Sabbath]]. Flutes may also be used by vocalists, most notably [[Ian Anderson]] of [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] and [[Ray Thomas]] of the [[Moody Blues]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | ==Larger rock ensembles== | ||
| - | [[File:Iron Maiden in performance.jpg|thumb|[[Iron Maiden]] is a six-part band with a lead vocalist, three guitarists, a bassist, and drummer lineup. (Not shown in this image are [[Bruce Dickinson]] and [[Nicko McBrain]].)]] | ||
| - | |||
| - | Larger bands have long been a part of rock and pop music, in part due to the influence of the "singer accompanied with orchestra" model inherited from popular [[big-band]] jazz and [[Swing music|swing]] and popularized by [[Frank Sinatra]] and [[Ella Fitzgerald]]. To create larger ensembles, rock bands often add an additional guitarist, an additional keyboardist, additional percussionists or second drummer, an entire [[horn section]], and even a flautist. An example of a six-member rock band is [[Toto (band)|Toto]] with a lead vocalist, guitarist, bassist, two keyboard players, and drummer. Other examples include Australian band [[INXS]] and American [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]]; both consist in a lead vocalist, two guitarists, a keyboard player, a bassist and a drummer. The American heavy metal band [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]] is composed of nine members, with a vocalist, two guitarists, a drummer, a bassist, two custom percussionists, a [[turntablist]], and a sampler. Brazilian band [[Titãs]], currently a three-man band, had as many as eight members in the late 1980s, with three lead singers, two guitarists, bassist, keyboard player and drummer. | ||
| - | |||
| - | In larger groups (such as [[the Band]]), instrumentalists could play multiple instruments, which enabled the ensemble to create a wider variety of instrument combinations. More modern examples of such a band are [[Arcade Fire]] and the [[Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros]]. More rarely, rock or pop groups will be accompanied in concerts by a full or partial symphony orchestra, where lush string-orchestra arrangements are used to flesh out the sound of slow ballads. [[Rhys Chatham]] and [[Glenn Branca]] started doing performances in the late 1970s with orchestras consisting of ten to hundred (Branca) and even four hundred guitars. | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Revision as of 08:32, 5 March 2019
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
A rock band or pop band is a small musical ensemble which performs rock music, pop music or a related genre. The four-piece band is the most common configuration in rock and pop music. Before the development of the electronic keyboard, the configuration was typically two guitarists (a lead guitarist and a rhythm guitarist, with one of them singing lead vocals), a bassist, and a drummer (e.g. the Beatles, KISS, Metallica). Another common formation is a vocalist who does not play an instrument, electric guitarist, bass guitarist, and a drummer (e.g. the Who, the Monkees, Led Zeppelin, Queen, and U2). Instrumentally, these bands can be considered as trios.
The smallest ensemble that is commonly used in rock music is the trio format. Two-member rock and pop bands (such as Steely Dan, The White Stripes and The Black Keys) are relatively rare, because of the difficulty in providing all of the musical elements which are part of the rock or pop sound (vocals, chords, bass lines, and percussion or drumming). In a hard rock or blues-rock band, or heavy metal rock group, a "power trio" format is often used, which consists of an electric guitar player, an electric bass guitar player and a drummer, and typically one or more of these musicians also sing (sometimes all three members will sing, e.g. Bee Gees or Alkaline Trio). Some well-known power trios with the guitarist on lead vocals are the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Nirvana, the Jam, ZZ Top, and Green Day, while power trios with the bass guitarist on lead vocals include Cream, Rush, The Police and Motörhead.
Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Band (rock and pop)" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.
