Brief 2: A curation of the rock bands who have remained at the top of their game
- Holly Dashwood
- Mar 31, 2018
- 14 min read
Throughout the duration of rock history, various bands would surface into the spotlight, burning bright but flaming out and breaking up after scoring a hit or two. A few in bands particular survived throughout the ’90’s alt-rock explosion unscathed whilst some started producing music subsequent to such times. Bands including the Foo fighters and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers have consistently and steadily racked up success after success, filling stadiums throughout the world whilst remaining on top of the charts all the way into the second decade of the new millennium. These including other particular bands have been commercial without pandering yet creatively restless without being alienating as well as supplying a sound with wide appeal, have been able to sustain an engaged, active and loyal fan base. These bands include: Foo Fighters, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, U2, Radiohead, Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, Green day, The Pixies and Blur. In Order to truely grasp the popularity and longitude of these bands careers, an exploration through their discography is relevant and necessary.
Foo Fighters
Kurt Cobain’s 1994 suicide left a giant hole in the rock world. Grieving fans looked anxiously to the band’s surviving members, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, to see if either could pick up the Nirvana baton. It didn’t seem particularly likely. Novoselic subsequently formed two bands—Sweet 75 and Eyes Adrift—and released an album with each. But Grohl was clearly more creatively inspired in the wake of Cobain’s death. Foo Fighters started out as a solo project and a one-man demo; after recording the band’s first album, 1995’s Foo Fighters, by himself, Grohl drafted legendary Germs guitarist (and Nirvana touring member) Pat Smear and the rhythm section of another storied Seattle band: Sunny Day Real Estate’s bassist Nate Mendel and drummer William Goldsmith.
Foo Fighters’ follow-up, The Colour And The Shape, Is the most commercially successful in the band’s now-considerable discography, selling two million copies. Two decades later, some of its tracks hold up remarkably well. The album still stands as the effort that showed that Grohl’s Foo Fighters were not some pet one-off project, but a band he remains committed to.
Grohl, with Colour And The Shape, was trying to craft a specific vision for this new band, which was especially daunting since he had come from one of the best ever. While juggling band personnel, Grohl also had some serious songwriting to accomplish. Foo Fighters have never had Nirvana’s bite: Grohl seems to be a fairly cheerful, laid-back guy, unlikely to ever write a song like “Rape Me.” But he did have his own emotional trauma to work out on Colour And The Shape. He refers to it as his breakup album, as he was in the process of splitting from his first wife, photographer Jennifer Youngblood. Instead of the illogical mutterings on the Foo Fighters first album, The Color And The Shape lays out Grohl’s divorce like a diary. It’s that enthusiasm that sells The Colour And The Shape and, in fact, Grohl’s entire career. He’s a rock fan as much as his own fans are.
But on The Colour And The Shape, Grohl was still in the thick of it, still trying to figure it all out. He’s also pushing all that rock passion to the forefront as he tries to examine his crumbling relationship. The heart of Colour And The Shape is “Everlong,” a composition so emotional that Grohl recorded an equally effective acoustic version a few years later. “Everlong” is committed to capturing a fleeting, perfect moment—“If anything could ever be this good again”—that only exists in the first flushes of love, before all the bullshit seeps in, before the first fight, before cross words are ever spoken. The song’s video tries to protect that same moment but does it in a stylized way.
The waxing and waning pace continues throughout Colour And The Shape, as Grohl appears committed to continually transforming the tempo, with the sweet rat-a-tat and tambourine of “See You” juxtaposed against the blinding rock rage of “Enough Space.” “February Stars” starts out as a musical speck that expands into a supernova ballad. It’s significant that Grohl ends the record with “New Way Home,” offering hope for his post-divorce life. After another alpha-to-omega climb in volume and intensity, he triumphantly proclaims, “I’m not scared,” as he discovers this divergent path in his life. It’s a long distance from where Grohl started out the record, but apparently he needed the journey to get him there.
The Colour And The Shape was truely the album that displayed the Foo Fighters true talent and soul, however the successive albums lack the cogent package of Grohl’s relationship troubles and efforts to get his band on the map. That initial inspiration may have faded over the years, but on those first two records, when we really needed it, Grohl and his Foo Fighters were making music that continues to resonate, so that we’re still likely to catch “My Hero” on the alternative-rock station. It was clear from the beginning that he just really wanted to rock you. On The Colour And The Shape, he succeeded. Kurt died, but rock survived.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Yes, Chili's are still popular
Even though kids and teens of this generation may not be as influenced or informed regard the RHCP, the band is sill popular among the original generation of followers. The fact that the band is able to have new, and old songs on the radio or even tour gives reason that they are still relevant and will be popular until their fan base dies out. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an institution in American rock. Thirty years, 10 studio albums, and seven guitar players later, the band has evolved from sex-obsessed jerks into laid-back rock-and-roll legends.
On August 10, 1984, the group released its first album. Led by frontman Anthony Kiedis, the four-man band debuted at small Los Angeles clubs with a high-octane, sex-charged set that mixed 1980s punk with earlier funk tunes. By the 1990s, The Red Hot Chili Peppers were superstars. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are notoriously spontaneous, reckless, and kind of obnoxious. They are loved by many and hated by many, but the band that played at the Super Bowl this spring with Bruno Mars was markedly different from the 20-year-olds who jumped on stage in the '80s. Their sound has moved from punk, through funk, and into straight rock-and-roll. They've moved from frantic, sometimes arrest-worthy stage performances into lip-synching scandals. Some particular songs from The Red Hot Chili Peppers discography stand out and enable you to understand the band's enduring popularity:
"Under the Bridge" was the height of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' commercial success. The song hit number two on the Billboard charts, and it brought the band into the spotlight. In fact, in 1992, the only two bands who outsold RHCP were Nirvana and Pearl Jam. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, to this day, have never had a song perform better than "Under the Bridge." A song written as a lament about drug addiction became their most popular, a constant reminder of that despair. Blood Sugar Sex Magik, the album containing the song, was an international sensation, and it made The Red Hot Chili Peppers into superstars.
Throughout all of this swirling cast of characters and Kiedis's life-destructive drug addiction was Flea. After Navarro left the band, it looked like RHCP might fall apart. But John Frusciante returned after Flea coached him back from a heroin addiction, and almost immediately the band hit the studio and cranked out another album. Some might pick "Scar Tissue" as the song that revived the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1999, but no single song held this band together. It was Flea that helped RHCP maintain an audience, and it was Flea who found new members and provided the songs with continuity, just like his bass line does on "Around the World." The little punk band out of Los Angeles had become international superstars. It's sound became more commercialised. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were a part of a wave. They had ascended to the height of rock and roll and were curling back toward their roots, toward funk. By The Way is groovier than Californication. The band traveled the world. It released a Greatest Hits album. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were at the pinnacle.
If the Red Hot Chili Peppers have done one thing for the last 30 years, it's deliver music that evolves, and if they stay true to form, they'll continue to do so. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have confirmed that they are recording another album. Whether or not that album will deliver the same heavy bass line and funk-rock sound is yet to be seen, but one thing is certain: the heart of the Red Hot Chili Peppers hasn't withered yet.
U2
Listen to the Irish pre-grunge rockers' grungy early-'80s anthems - such as "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day" and you hear passion. Fire. Something to live for, and possibly, to die for. The Joshua Tree was the creative and sales apex for the band. U2 just released its 14th studio album, “Songs of Experience,” a continuation of one of the most storied careers in mainstream rock music. No band of its generation remains as popular, and as ruthlessly copied by younger acts.
After the release of 2000's "All that you can't leave behind" U2 reinvented itself as an upscale dance-rock band, a pretty cool parlor trick. But their problem was, there was no substance behind the beats, and the band's relevance eroded. There is no denying that U2 recaptured its politically astute fan base, by projecting poppy, say-little-if-anything tunes, trying to speak to the iPhone generation on TV commercials. Even though U2's sound may have evolved for the worst for the majority of their original fan base, the fact that they have so many perennial classic songs which are going nowhere, enables the continuation of engagement from their older fan base. Even though U2 may have diverged from their origins, their engagement with such a varying demographic enables the continuation of their popularity as a legendary rock band.
Coldplay
Coldplay’s creative momemtum never seems to fade, propelling them forward to engage with many versions of their fan base including fans of rock, pop and synth. However an acknowledgement should be made for Coldplays 2002 album A Rush of Blood to the Head. This was probably the last time Coldplay didn't sound like the biggest act in the world. 'In My Place' and 'Clocks' were grander and more expansive than Parachutes but they weren't overcooked in an oven of synths. 'The Scientist' was very simple piano and heartbreak, yet it's a ballad so hard not to sob at even 12 years on.
It was the non-singles that made this album so great, though. 'Green Eyes' and 'Warning Sign' were bathed in gorgeous, understated melodies missing from later works, and the title track had frontman Chris Martin on a philosophical high. Before being swept away by Hollywood actresses and big-time producers, Rush of Blood was Coldplay on the border of stadium anthems and at their finest. However Coldplays sound has since evolved in order to captivate a much younger audience. This adaption began with the release of Mylo Xyloto. This album took Coldplay's sound to uncharted landscapes. It was a liberating yet bittersweet evolution for a band who've never made the same album twice and who were so unashamed about sweetening their music. Coldplay’s team up with Rihanna in Princess of China proved to be commercially very successful pop ballad however it severely lacked the melody and soul that existed within Rush of Blood. A Head full of Dreams continued down this path of giant pop hooks and vows of joy, appealing to a pop audience to the dismay of original Coldplay fans. Although it seems Coldplay will never return to their rock roots, they still continue to ceaselessly evolve and for this, we can only respect them.
tHE Rolling Stones
The rolling stones are the oldest performing rock band in music history, starting in London in 1962 until the present day. They have been commercially successful for over fifty years. Up to today, the rolling stones have sold more than 200 million albums. Their first US tour in the year of 1964 was not very successful, partly due to the lack of a hit record at the time. However international breakthrough came in 1965 with their number one hit ‘Satisfaction’. The Stones originally played songs from famous rhythm and blues rock musicians. Later on Jagger and Richards began writing their own songs, with hits including ‘As the Tears Go By’ ‘Paint it Black’ ‘Brown Sugar’ ‘Honky Tonk Women’ and many others. In 1989 The Stones were honoured in The Roll and Roll hall of Fame. During the same year the band went on let another world tour. Having reached middle age, the band proved that they could still rock. Thousands flocked to the stadiums around the world to see them live in concert. On stage they were electrifying, especially the unique performance of lead singer Mick Jagger. No rock band has played longer than The Stones, today at the musical age of 50, they are far from quitting and their loyal fan base appreciate it. They have recorded a total of 400 sings, made two dozen studio albums and have embarked on ten world tours. While other rock bands have come and gone, The Stones have endured. Critics comment that the The Stones are not only clever businessmen but extraordinary musicians.
rADIO HEAD
Radiohead started a sonic revolution 25 years ago and is still leading it.
Radiohead burst into the rock world with their 1995’s smash-hit album, The Bends. The suburb follow up to their simplistic debut, Pablo Honey, The Bends was a milestone in the rapidly expanding rock-alt road map, cutting through the noise with a stew of hummable tunes encased in pretty soundscapes and intriguing videos. The bands next release was 1997’s Ok Computer. It took all the beauty and relative rock stability of Bends and mashed it all together, melding a cacophony of electric ribbons and shredding guitar lines. The album hits it’s fever pitch in lead guitarists Jonny Greenwood’s recklessly primal guitar solo that splits the middle of the deceivingly beautiful ‘Paranoid Android’. This song is still a staple of Radiohead’s live setlist, still shocking every time. Culled from dozens of songs and split into two studio releases (2000’s Kid A, and 2001’s Amnesiac) the work from Radiohead’s Kid A period represents one of the biggest transitional points for any band in rock history. Kid A became a monster hit, reaching number one on both U.K. and U.S. Billboard charts, pulling in an avalanche of new fans, from jazz, audiophiles to pop fans and ravers. Everything changed for Radiohead after the release of Kid A. Since then they have released just four studio albums.Radiohead’s stage shows have continued to progress, adding more elaborate visual aids, new methods of sonic delivery, and an ever-spooling thread of connected songs, until each show has become something like one giant composition.
They are legends in their own time; a modern Pink Floyd with a punk-rock pulse.
Radiohead is one of the few bands of their stature who still understand how to push things forward, and that’s something many popular artists these days are still struggling to learn.
That’s why, over 20 years on, we need Radiohead now more than ever.
gREEN DAY
13 Years after American Idiot, Green Day still want to start a revolution.
Green Day may be in their mid-40’s, but it wasn't obvious from their show Monday night at the Palladium in Hollywood. Billie Joe Armstrong, the bands lead singer appeared to be closer to the age of 4, not 44, as he jets around the stage like a pre-schooler on a sugar high. It is interesting to see how the bands music has aged in the years since it was released. Surprisingly, the songs from American Idiot, the bands most politically charged record, are as relevant today as they were in 2004. However in a recent concert performance, Armstrong grabbed the megaphone and warned the audience of an impending Donald Trump presidency if they don’t take action, changing the lyrics of ‘Holiday’ to reflect the current political landscape; from “Pulverise the Eiffel Tower” to “Pulverise the Donald Trump towers”. It has been 32 years since Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt formed Sweet Children, the scuzzy teenage punk group that went on to become Green day. Forging the sound of rock-pop-punk, they influenced everyone from Blink-182, My Chemical Romance to Paramore. More importantly they would continue to create melding riffs to catchy tunes and politics, making it all seem so effortless. Some excellent bands like Green Day burned briefly but brightly. Green Day proved to the music world that there was another way to make it in the industry and that you didn't have to go out in a blaze of cigarette butts and empty beer bottles to be legit and gain respect. Green day themselves would have probably laughed in your face back in the late 80’s if you’d told them they were going to be one of the biggest bands ever, playing arenas, stadiums and headlining festivals the world over. Green day have never stopped making young fans, so unlike many veteran bands, they still see plenty of fresh faces in the audience.
But last year, a month after their Hall of Fame induction, Green Day returned to 924 Gilman to play a secret show for the oldest crowd they've ever seen: It was a class reunion for their early-Nineties scene, a club packed with grown-up punks. "That was so emotional," Armstrong says. "Looking out in the crowd, you see familiar faces that once had piercings and dyed purple hair, and now it's covered in gray." Some of those punk kids are now "educators, they're artists, they're authors," who used punk as Armstrong did, as a door "into the idea of being able to express yourself."
"It's like running into an old friend," he says, "and you're playing catch-up on all the things that happen in a 40-year life span – you think of how much has changed in your own life. It's a trip. Fuck! But here we are." Armstrong sighs. "If that was the last gig I ever played for the rest of my life," he says, "I could walk away happy."
The pixies
The Pixies basically invented indie rock as we know it today. Most famously they influenced grunge rock band Nirvana, as they constantly continue to be described as Kurt Cobain’s favourite band. There is no doubt the well crafted melodies, bruised and battered by guitar riffs, the primal screaming and feral wailing and barking had an impact on Aberdeen’s finest like they did Radiohead and P.J. Harvey as well as everyone else. But it’s not just about their legacy as rock legends that makes them so vastly popular. There’s something else about their music, a quality that seemingly makes their sound never age. In fact as time passes, even their oldest songs seem to grow more relevant. “Classic” isn’t quite the word; it’s timeless.
The Pixies, on the other hand, somehow still feel contemporary, just a part of our musical landscape — but a permanently disruptive part, in a way that’s reserved only for weirdo greats like David Bowie, the Velvet Underground, and few others. (Nick Drake? Nina Simone? Wu-Tang Clan?) So much so that they’re too easy to take for granted; you almost forget about them for long stretches of time, in a way no one forgets about Nirvana – until you expose yourself to ‘Debaser’ or ‘River Euphrates’, and your blood runs cold again.
Fleetwood mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band, formed in London in 1967. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best selling bands. Rumours Was commercially the most successful album release by the band, as well as highly loved amongst fans to date. But why is Rumours so beloved among generations? it’s resilient popularity is, of course, in part due to the timeless quality of the music within the album. Warm tunes, sweetly melodic with coruscating harmonies, breezy rhythms and guitar flourishes made up the 1977 masterpiece. By 1977, Fleetwood Mac had almost a decade to hone their song crafting skills via subtle changes style. Rumours portrays a band at the pinnacle of their pop powers. To date, the album has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, making it one of the bestselling albums of all time. This is a true testament to the bands broad appeal. For the fans, Rumours stands out as not only Fleetwood Macs greatest album, but for it’s artistic merits. It is loved for it’s easy hooks, unmistakably raw emotions with real stories of love, heartbreak and despair that still resonate. Anguished, vulnerable and embittered lines such as “players only love you when they're playing” will always strike an emotional chord.
Blur
After numerous successful side projects and solo acts over the years, Blur has collectively made it clear that the band still has a lot to offer. Lead vocalists Damon Albarn revolutionised hip-hop and rock crossovers as the leader of Gorillaz. Guitarist Graham Coxon recorded eight solo albums between 1998 and 2012.They've already given mainstream music one of the riches legacies any rock band ever has — after all, Coldplay only rips off the finest acts. After numerous fall outs, the members of Blur found their way back to each other, even when many rock bands split over creative differences. Blurs rock legacy is a significant part of the industry; a reunion album would be a best seller no matter what. But like true artists, the band wouldn't make a record until they had something new and revolutionary to say. "You have to keep moving forward," Albarn told the Guardian last year. "Something terrible happens to you if you just stay the same. We are only here for a very brief time, and if you are not inhaling as much as you can — excuse the metaphor — you're just wasting precious moments of time.”
It seems that a deep breath was all the band needed; now they're back to remind us what it sounds like when Blur exhales.
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