Prog Ears: Is Prog all the better due to PE?

[Sean]

Saw this angle over at PA today and wanted to try it here.

Curious your thoughts!

"Is progressive rock music all the better because of PE's existence?"

[Paulrus]

I Prog, Therefore I Am.

[Yves]

I would say that anywhere the music is discussed in an intelligent, articulate, positive way benefits the genre. PE, by and large, manages to do so. My answer is,therefore, yes.

[chalkpie]

Totally!

[bob_32_116]

This is probably an example of a theorem that is true but unprovable.

[Sean]

Sort of a loaded question, isn’t it?

Prog has seemed to have a resurgence in some ways; it’s not the dirty word it once was 20+ years ago. Not sure we can take any credit for that though! Though, maybe a bit.

I think what we do best here is show that the scope of one’s musical awareness can always be wider and continue to grow. That it’s great to know what you like, but don’t stay stuck with merely that.

If that makes prog “better” then I guess we might have made a difference in our corner of the net. I don’t think it affects the genre or it’s musical quality directly but maybe helps cultivate fans that are more aware than an average listener and eager to listen to (or even, GASP! BUY) something fresh. They are in search of a new musical buzz on a regular basis. If so, that’s a pretty cool thing that IS good for the genre.

[Facelift]

I would think that sales and attendance have to be better, at least somewhat. Lots of people learned about numerous bands that they otherwise probably would miss, from internet discussion boards.

[Phlakaton]

I was thinking about this the other day... has to be. I've been buying more music because of all the fine people here and all the great recommendations.

[Scott Bails]

I think, given that many of us use this site as a resource to find out about new releases, bands, tours, etc., that it must have had a positive impact upon Prog.

It's far from perfect, sure, but from the standpoint of sheer exposure, it's great.

[markwoll]

I think it has a very positive influence, due to the congenial atmosphere and wealth of musical knowledge.
That being said, the genre drags a substantial anchor from the past which many members have chained themselves.
It can sometimes stifle forward thinking/movement towards more modern elements of prog.

[Klonk]

If not for PE, I would never have been introduced to a lot of the Prog (or any music for that matter) I am so passionate about today. I'm sure there are many others who feel the same way, so I would have to say yes.

[Supersonic Scientist]

In a word: Yes (no, not the band)....topic for a different discussion

And by-the-way....Phil Collins ruined PE.....

[Dave (in MA)]

Somebody should ask Geoff Downes.

[NogbadTheBad]

For the fans I think it's a great resource, it also will help the bands some in getting the word out about releases, gigs, etc. If you are only selling a couple of thousand cd's per release then every little helps. Overall, given that there are what 1,000 members on the site and probably 200 active, I doubt we have any impact at all on the broader music scene at all.

[Don Arnold]

Countless times a poster has exclaimed "because of this thread I picked up << insert album here >>". Or "thanks for starting this thread as I wasn't even aware of << insert band here >>. I'll have to check them out". And within the last week a poster commented about not being aware of a festival/concert (forget which one) that was practically in their own back yard.

For the above examples, plus the general discussion on PE that's mostly congenial and keeps the Prog flame burning, I'd say a resounding yes!

[Poisoned Youth]

Saw this angle over at PA today and wanted to try it here.

Curious your thoughts!

"Is progressive rock music all the better because of PE's existence?"

Isn't the real question... "what were you doing over at PA?"


Anyway, the short answer is...absolutely. With that said, it's not all that measurable. But I think where it has the most impact is on smaller acts that end up getting discussed on a site like this one where others can be turned on to their music. That doesn't mean they are going to suddenly sell 1,000 CDs, but I definitely thinks it lifts the exposure by and large quite a bit.

[Staun]

Because of the brain bank here at PE, my knowledge of prog has been expanded X fold. I would say yes. Now if someone would tell me what it is that I know so much about, that would be great.

[JJ88]

Go back even 10 years or so and prog was in a very different place- it was still treated as the 'mad woman in the attic' of rock. In the UK, beyond Classic Rock Magazine, it was given basically no print coverage and no mainstream TV/radio exposure at all. It was IMHO only sites like this which did cover the genre with any consistency or regularity.

[Sean]

Isn't the real question... "what were you doing over at PA?"

Indeed! LOL! I was Googling, looking for some old PE stuff elsewhere and ran across a fresh thread there about PE. So I dropped by to say Hi!

http://www.progarchives.com/forum/fo...e9925080208333

[No Pride]

The prog is (and will continue to be) what it is, but I think the audience might be a bit bigger and better because of PE. Which obviously helps the bands, not just monetarily but with more encouragement to continue on their plight. And that's a beautiful thing; kudos, Sean, Cozy and Duncan!

I've definitely discovered a fair share of fine music I wouldn't have been aware of without PE and the wealth of members' knowledge. And not just prog either. For better or worse, this site has become an addiction... so thanks for another monkey on my back!

[Sean]

You are welcome, E! We like how the monkey claps with the cymbals on his hands while you jam!

[Steve F.]

I think it has a very positive influence, due to the congenial atmosphere and wealth of musical knowledge.
That being said, the genre drags a substantial anchor from the past which many members have chained themselves.
It can sometimes stifle forward thinking/movement towards more modern elements of prog.

I was going to post a joke about 92 page Yes threads. This says it better.

[Sean]

Ian said it pretty well recently-

"Just avoid the Yes and Neal Morse threads and PE is an informative & cool place!"

And honestly they inspire the stupid fervor their fans get whipped up into. One being a "religion" for many and the other, just downright religious. We merely funnel the (huge) threads on them.

If anything I think we have tried to set an example where it's best to expand your musical consciousness beyond the bands we loved at 15. That said, that isn't for everyone and I learned long ago my ability to "change" people here is minimal at best.

Early on I foolishly thought PE could unite different fans of the different subgenres. Then I realized bickering is part and parcel of online discussions and thought better of my foolishly lofty goal... Though I do think they have become more tolerant of each other so maybe that's progress?

[No Pride]

You are welcome, E! We like how the monkey claps with the cymbals on his hands while you jam!

Well, me too, especially considering that my dad (R.I.P.) was a classical percussionist who's specialty was cymbals. He wrote the first real textbook on classical cymbal technique, which every "legit" percussionist I've met is familiar with as a part of their education.

Except the monkey, who (based on his technique) obviously never read it.

[Scott Bails]

What the monkey lacks in technique, he makes up for in enthusiasm.