MetaChat - America's Greatest Rock'n'Roll Band?

Currently working or of all time?

Currently working: The Bell Rays
Of All Time:The Band (I know, they're Canadian, mostly, but close enough)/The Replacements/The Ramones (three way tie)

posted by jonmc 27 March | 09:55

The Blasters.

posted by danf 27 March | 09:58

I would've liked to say the Allman Brothers Band, but I know enough people who either hate them or have never heard of them to know that's a bad choice. Same applies for Lynrd Skynrd: The other day I met a recent college escapee who was hip to the "Free Bird!" in-joke but had never heard of the band by name. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band might work -- they've been doing stuff longer than the Replacements, anyhow, although the lineup's changed some. (WP link). In spite of their solo careers, maybe Crosby, Stills and Nash (& Young) might fit the bill.

On preview, if danf can cite the Blasters (they're tremendous) I can likewise mention Beto y los Fairlanes or the Fabulous Thunderbirds, or maybe Omar and the Howlers.

posted by PaxDigita 27 March | 10:02

The Beach Boys? A truly American sound, anyways.

posted by Pips 27 March | 10:08

The Archies. Hands down.

posted by mygothlaundry 27 March | 10:09

The Residents.

posted by BoringPostcards 27 March | 10:16

Dread Zeppelin

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 10:19

*slaps head*

D'oh!

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:20

The Heartbreakers. Or the E Street Band, but they have more personnel turnover.

Maybe the Crickets.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:21

Springsteen!

posted by backseatpilot 27 March | 10:22

Yeah, E Street Band period Bruce. No other group encapsulates both the 'American' and 'rock and roll' sides of the quation so perfectly.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:23

From your question I thought you meant a current band, but if you mean, like, EVER, then I have to answer, "The Band," because they wove together the Blues, Soul and Country roots of American Rock better than anyone, in my opinion.

posted by PlanetKyoto 27 March | 10:25

Are you talking about bands, or bandleaders, or both? 'Cuz I agree with jonmc if you include the frontman. But I think, just as a band, the Heartbreakers are up there.

Oh yeah, and the Rolling Stones. They only have a few English songs, the rest is all-American.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:25

I have always found Bruce Springsteen to be disingenuous, despite his good musicianship and his excellent band, which includes a guy named Nils (my name).

posted by PlanetKyoto 27 March | 10:27

Oh, ZZ Top.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:27

Does 'America' mean US? North America? Western Hemisphere? And does 'rock 'n' roll' exclude, say, the JB's, or the Funk Brothers, or Public Enemy, for that matter?

Also, do you Heartbreakers partisans mean the Tom Petty ones, or the Johnny Thunders ones?

posted by box 27 March | 10:28

No other group encapsulates both the 'American' and 'rock and roll' sides of the quation so perfectly.

You mean "white, middle-America male" American rock and roll, I presume. /faux outrage.

Dread Zeppelin, I say.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 10:28

I have always found Bruce Springsteen to be disingenuous,

Huh?

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:28

No - I don't really mean it.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 10:30

Tom Petty, box.

And I was gonna say The Commodores, until I realized it was rock'n'roll, which also disqualifies that reggae band IRFH is on about.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:30

I would nominate Booker T & the MG's as well.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:32

I think we'd have to establish what rock'n'roll is before figuring out who's best.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:33

The Band's certainly my favorite, if we can overlook the Canadian thing...

Other nominees: Grateful Dead? Charlie Daniels? Nirvana? Public Enemy?

(Melting pot or salad?)

posted by Pips 27 March | 10:34

The Cramps.

posted by soundofsuburbia 27 March | 10:35

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs are pretty great, I'd nominate them for the South American title.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:35

I agree, Hugh.

See, I'm glad that other people are taking part in this discussion, because if I was having it with myself, it would quickly degenerate into me trying to shoehorn people into the definition of 'rock n roll' when they clearly don't belong there? The Revolutionaries? The Bitches' Brew-era Miles band? They kinda rocked, right?

posted by box 27 March | 10:36

And I'd be shoehorning people out. Like, Mick Jagger is more American than Neil Young. HA!

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:37

The Coasters. The Kingsmen. The MC5. The Dictators. The Impressions.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:38

Sonic Youth

posted by Otis 27 March | 10:42

Sonic Youth would definitely be a contender.

posted by BoringPostcards 27 March | 10:42

But the Pixies would be even contenderer.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:44

The Bottle Rockets. The Mothers Of Invention. The Ronnettes. Los Lobos. Sly & the Family Stone. Parliament-Funkadelic. Metallica. The Supersuckers. The Muffs.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:45

Your definition of rock'n'roll is spinning wildly out of orbit, jonmc.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:45

The Velvet Underground. The Stooges. Devo. Van Halen. Suicide.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 10:47

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS WASHINGTONIANS!

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:48

My definition of rock and roll (as opposed to rock) has always been very broad, hugh.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:48

LET'S NAME EVERY AMERICAN BAND!

posted by iconomy 27 March | 10:49

I know, jonmc, I'm just stirring the pot here. How about Louis Armstrong?

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:50

Blueshammer.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 10:52

LET'S NOMINATE AMERICA!

Or, rather, United States Of America. At least they were aaaamazing.

posted by soundofsuburbia 27 March | 10:52

I thought of the Pixies too, but IMHO, Sonic Youth is much better live. I saw the Pixies once and they just seemed really bored and aloof. At one point, Mr. Francis stormed off the stage in a huff because a couple of people were stage diving. Kim Deal seemed really nice though and she stayed after the show to chat with fans and sign autographs.

By contrast, I saw Sonic Youth open for Neil Young once. The small crowd that was there was openly hostile and just didn't 'get' the whole Sonic Youth thing. The band was completely oblivious and just kept on a rockin' like I'd never quite seen a band rock out before (rolling around on the stage doing 10 minute feedback drenched guitar solos). Awesome.

posted by Otis 27 March | 10:54

Yeah, the USA was cool while it lasted.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 10:54

Creedence Clearwater Revival. Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. The Iron City Houserockers. (and if were nominating honorary Americans) Van Morrison.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:54

Blueshammer? Devo?

You're my boy, hellbient, but don't make me get out the icepick for the lobotomy, dude.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:55

Yeah, hellbient, where do you get off, comparing Blueshammer and Devo to The Supersuckers and The Iron City Houserockers?

The United States of America was better than The Residents, who are better than America, who are better than The Presidents of the United States of America. I can't decide where dead prez fits in, other than that they're worse than The Residents.

posted by box 27 March | 10:57

Also, how could we forget:
≡ Click to see image ≡
and
≡ Click to see image ≡

(box, hellbient's a buddy. he knows I'm only fuckin' with him)(also, have you heard the Houserockers? they are incredible)

posted by jonmc 27 March | 10:59

Disingenuous. The fake down-home accent, the so-very-relentlessly-downtrodden workingman-with-lungs-full-of-coaldust pose. It's too much. Just points out how much better Dylan is and always was as a writer.

posted by PlanetKyoto 27 March | 11:01

I saw the Pixies in reunion mode, and they looked like they were fun. But I saw Frank Black solo a few times (once with The Catholics) and he was great. You can tell from his solo stuff that Deal et al didn't have shit to do with why the Pixies music was so great, except for Gigantic is a pretty great song. That band Deal built after the Pixies broke up really sucked. But she inspired a generation of female bassists, which is good. Blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda, I'm just yammering, todays data entry is a bit stultifying.

The Doobie Brothers!

And aren't we talking bands here, not artists with backup?

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:03

THE DELAWARE DESTROYERS!

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:04

PlanetKyoto: That is his actual accent, his neighborhood in Freehold was called 'Texas' because of the transplanted southerners who moved there to work at the Nescafe coffee plant nearby. And Dylan (who I consider probably the greatest songwriter of the 20th century) is as disingenuous as anyone. Liking or not liking Bruce is a matter of taste, but I don't doubt his sincerity at all.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 11:06

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 11:06

Damn Yankees, now close the fucking thread.

posted by Divine_Wino 27 March | 11:07

Heehee--I'm trying to fuck with you, jon, not hellbient. He's just a bonus. Seriously--The Muffs? Yeah, they're right up there with CCR and The Band.

These kinds of questions come up a lot, or it ought to, when thinking about this kind of stuff. Does fame count for anything? Obviously, it shouldn't be the deciding factor, or America's greatest rock'n'roll band would be The Eagles or Michael Jackson or something, but it ought to count for something, right?

And maybe the Band of Gypsies. But the Experience was more British than American, and Janis never played with a great band.

posted by box 27 March | 11:09

Serious this time. Also - Dylan is the most overrated act since... The Beatles. There: I said it.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 11:09

uh, Blueshammer is a fake band, right? Please, tell me they are.

And yeah, that's right, fuckin' Devo. Suck it.

While we are at it, Fuck:
Janis Joplin
Supersuckers
Iron Horse Cityfuckers
Los Lobos
The Pixies
The Band
The Allman Brothers
Van Morrison
Southside Johnny and the Jukeheads
The Muffs

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 11:10

The fake down-home accent

That's Jersey shore, dude. Where are you from?

the so-very-relentlessly-downtrodden workingman-with-lungs-full-of-coaldust pose

His dad was a bus driver. What did your dad do?

It's too much.

It's authentic.

Just points out how much better Dylan is and always was as a writer.

Great, well, thet's true about everyone, before or since. Nobody has the oeuvre Dylan does. Because Springsteen isn't Dylan, he's a faker? Since you can say the same about everyone, it follows that everyone's a faker. Bravo.

Your tastes run to anything in particular, or just against stuff?

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:12

I loved 'em before they changed their name, when they were the Iron City Horsefuckers.

posted by box 27 March | 11:13

You can't take us high enough, wino.

Hendrix played with British musicians, but he was as American as it gets. Big Brother was a good garage-band who were elevated by Janis' presence, I'd argue.

Also:

≡ Click to see image ≡

(hellbient: I actually kind of like both Devo & Blueshammer. i was fuckin' around)

posted by jonmc 27 March | 11:15

The fake down-home accent

That is his actual accent, his neighborhood in Freehold was called 'Texas' because of the transplanted southerners who moved there to work at the Nescafe coffee plant nearby.

That's Jersey shore, dude. Where are you from?

Hee! So which is it? Fake Southern, or Jersey shore? Because even I feel like I should be able to tell the difference between those.

*loves this thread*

fight! fight!

posted by gaspode 27 March | 11:15

The Clash, because what's more American than doing American music better than the Americans.

posted by drezdn 27 March | 11:17

Actually, according to USA Today readers, it's Pearl Jam. I could actually support the case for that.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 11:17

Sorry, PlanetKyoto, I'm just being a dick. I didn't mean to get so wacky about that. I'm a dick. My bad.

And there are people up and down the Eastern Seaboard speaking with incongruous accents. Shit, I'm from Maryland, the Delmarva peninsula sounds like it's located somewhere south of Birmingham and west of the Pecos, with a little Mainer thrown in for grit.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:18

you fell right into my Devo trap, jon.

Seriously, Blueshammer is not a band. Right?

If I was more of a nerd and knew their stuff a little better, I'd mention
Half Japanese. Worth a mention I suppose.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 11:19

With all props to Hugh, I'm giving you the straight scoop. Freehold is actually about 40 miles from the shore, he didn't move to Asbury till later after his parents moved to California. The general gist I've gotten from interviews and bios is that he picked up the minor twang from his dixie ex-pat neighbors.

(also: give the Boss and the Jersey Shore crew this much: when they arrived on the scene, rock and roll had kind of gotten out of hand with the baroque frippery. Bruce and Southside (among others) brought some of the source material back down to earth)

posted by jonmc 27 March | 11:21

The pride of the Chesapeake - New Potato Caboose!

Damn, I was really starting to hope this thread would go Pearl Jam free.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 11:22

Now, I promised pips I'd go do laundry. See y'all in a while.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 11:23

I'm probably a nerd, and I know their stuff, mm, somewhat well, but the Fair brothers have that Arthur Lee/Roky Erickson/Bob Pollard problem. Wait, I need to be more specific--that's the problem where nobody knows your name, not the problem where, in a long long career, you've recorded a few great things and a lot of mediocre ones.

posted by box 27 March | 11:24

The Runaways

posted by mischief 27 March | 11:24

Roky's 'Click Your Fingers Applauding The Play' is a fucking masterpiece.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 11:25

No way it's The Boss cuz I'm sick to death of hearing about him and his stupid shuffle band. Yawn.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 11:26

Well, no surprise jonmc has the whole story to my half-assery. But it doesn't make it any less authentic, and I've heard people from the Jersey shore who talk like the Boss. So, uh, there. *tugs collar*

Hüsker Dü

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:28

David Fair does have that great quote on how to play guitar, though, box. I gotta give him that.

posted by gaspode 27 March | 11:28

Prince and the Revolution!

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:29

Wow. This thread makes me feel older and whiter than usual. 68 posts in, and nobody is showing any love for Chicago.

posted by paulsc 27 March | 11:31

I have to agree with my father who was a teenager during the Rock 'n Roll era. If it's not a I-IV-V progression and it does not feature that fifth-sixth phrase, it's not Rock 'n Roll. Since very few bands after the 50s and 60s used that musical basis almost exclusively, and further, one man is pretty much synonymous with Rock 'n Roll, then America's Greatest Rock 'n Roll band is Chuck Berry.

posted by mischief 27 March | 11:33

Now, if you wanna argue over America's Greatest ROCK Band, then I'll put the gloves on, just so I can beat myself up.

posted by mischief 27 March | 11:35

I can think of three bands, Springsteen and the E Street Band, Allman Brothers Band and Little Feat. But I notice that all three had an early creative peak and then slowly declined into a comfortable mediocrity. So now I don't know.

posted by tommasz 27 March | 11:36

Prince and the Revolution. Now there's a contender.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 11:37

Now, if you wanna argue over America's Greatest ROCK Band

So who would you choose, mischief ?

And what's the difference between rock and rock'n'roll? Besides more letters and apostrophe abuse, that is. I could never knowed that what be the difference is.

posted by iconomy 27 March | 11:39

I think The Eagles pretty much sums up Rock for me. Maybe The Little River Band.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 11:41

The Greenpoint Avenue Freight Handlers Association, Nuff Said!

posted by Divine_Wino 27 March | 11:41

Seriously, Blueshammer is not a band. Right?

Its safe to say we've all heard a Blueshammer before.

posted by drezdn 27 March | 11:42

I agree, mischief, the trouble's in definitions. Both of "rock'n'roll" and of "band." I'd disqualify Chuck Berry and Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis on the grounds that they're band leaders, not bands. Same goes for Hendrix and Joplin and Springsteen. That's why I mention the Crickets without Holly, The Heartbreakers without Petty, and the E Street Band without Springsteen. But I think rock'n'roll is wide open -- it's not just what happened back then, it's what came after. The rock'n'roll era continues to this day.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:45

The Greenpoint Avenue Freight Handlers Association

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by iconomy 27 March | 11:45

agreed, drezdn.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 11:45

Oh yeah, I almost forgot Kix and Crack the Sky.

Performing unto eternity at Hammerjacks. I'm Sarah Fleischer, and you're listening to WIYY 98 Rock!

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:49

yeah, I'm starting to think this thread was created just to start trouble.

*rips chair from floor and goes after box*

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 11:49

Kix! Man did I love that band back in the day.

Kemp Mill Records breaks it's own records!

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 11:51

Aaaaaaaand the winner is:

CELINE DION!

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:54

My favorite political philosopher is Scott Stapp, because he changed my heart.

posted by box 27 March | 11:55

Also, here's a song:

Johnnie Taylor - Take Care of Your Homework

posted by box 27 March | 11:58

My favorite rock'n'roll singer is Ho Chi Minh, because he's a winner.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 11:59

Joan Fucking Jett!

posted by me3dia 27 March | 12:00

I can't believe this thread is as long as it is and NO ONE HAS MENTIONED THE RAMONES! Or did I miss that?

posted by bmarkey 27 March | 12:01

First comment, b. But nobody's mentioned the Bad Brains yet.

posted by box 27 March | 12:02

Wow, how in hell'd I overlook the Eagles? Major soundtrack ingredient of my adolescence. So was Boston; although they did just one album, what an album it was!

I also overlooked Springsteen mostly because, by the time Born in the U.S.A came out, I was more than a little tired of ol' Bruce -- he was just too good for his own good. Or something. Bob Seger's more my speed, I guess.

And yeah, let's give the Beach Boys their due. They were the Beatles of West Coast rock.

posted by PaxDigita 27 March | 12:02

Technically speaking, iconomy: Beyond the fifth-sixth feature in the lead guitar with thirds and sevenths picked up by a rhythm guitar or piano (or implied in the turnaround if only a single guitarist or pianist), rock 'n roll also has a distinctive backbeat, which is emphasis on beats two and four and gives rock 'n roll that driving feel. Rock 'n roll can also fall out of a straight-eight beat and into a shuffle beat, either for entire songs or during breakdowns.

Rock on the other hand is distinctive for its removal of thirds from chords and accenting all beats in 4/4 time with a weak 1/8 note in between. Punk rock is the epitome of this style.

The greatest American Rock band: KISS
The best American Rock band: Television or Patti Smith Group (mainly due to the presence of Lenny Kaye)
My favorite American Rock band: The Alice Cooper Group

(all of which will probably change if you ask me tomorrow)

posted by mischief 27 March | 12:03

What's today, Tuesday? Tuesday it's the Bad Brains and Wednesday it's the Band and on Thursday you have to pick a new band from the last year or you get your underwear frozen when you fall asleep. All other days are wildcard days, except Saturday between 11pm and midnight when it's CCR NO MATTER FUCKING WHAT.

posted by Divine_Wino 27 March | 12:05

Also, rock 'n rollers understand my previous comment, rockers will go "Wha???" heheh

posted by mischief 27 March | 12:05

Thanks, mischief. Interesting. I'm going to have to pay closer attention to the beat now.

posted by iconomy 27 March | 12:06

The greatest American Rock band: Van Halen.

posted by justgary 27 March | 12:07

I do all my investing exclusively with the Alice Cooper Group.

posted by Divine_Wino 27 March | 12:07

The most technically proficient American rock band: Van Halen

posted by mischief 27 March | 12:08

When I reviewed the Alice Cooper Group's books, I found some shocking inefficiencies. How can you own that many steakhouses, yet spend that much money on fake blood?

posted by box 27 March | 12:09

box: That's Michael Bruce's doing.

posted by mischief 27 March | 12:12

You see, Alice pushed the fake and the sell-out, while Neal Smith went into real estate.

posted by mischief 27 March | 12:13

Well the Alice Cooper Group does have a Solid Rock Foundation.

posted by Otis 27 March | 12:14

I can't believe no one has mentioned Four Non-Blondes.

Oh no wait, yes I can. I can believe that easily.

posted by Lentrohamsanin 27 March | 12:14

devo.

posted by stynxno 27 March | 12:16

Except the Cars, who even though they sound exactly like Ric Ocasek's demos (which I've never heard, but you know it's true) are a great rock band, but Ocasek's a clever enough arranger to invert the backbeat for the first half of the verse on "My Best Friend's Girl" and then revert it to normal for the second half, creating a tension and essentially turning the seecond half of the verse, which is the same as the first half, into a dynamic pre-chorus.

And marrying Paulina Porizkova was a stroke of genius.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 12:17

And so I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath
And I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
What's goin' on

posted by mischief 27 March | 12:18

It's true Hugh, and to think he did all that with a head just one third the width of a normal persons.

posted by Divine_Wino 27 March | 12:19

OMG, I completely forgot.
fucking USA for Africa
≡ Click to see image ≡
pretty hard to argue with that. Kim Carnes, Kenny Rogers, and the rest...

/end of thread

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 12:19

Plus Ocasek produced some of the classic Bad Brains albums, thereby following the model of Ray Manzarek and X, and establishing that he's cooler than his material.

posted by box 27 March | 12:20

The greatest English band ever is Tears for Fears. A close second is Neil Young.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 12:20

Dan Ackroyd's great on We Are The World, but I don't know if it stands up to his genre-defining work with the Blues Brothers.

Correction: Ocasek produced one classic Bad Brains album. God of Love is a piece of crap.

posted by box 27 March | 12:23

Ziggy Stardust killed rock 'n roll.

posted by mischief 27 March | 12:24

oh yeah when stynxno says it no one blinks...

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 12:26

...and The Beatles invented Rock. Ziggy certainly perpetuated it.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 12:27

Well, Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes went on to produce Pink and Christina Aguilera. So consider that when voting.

posted by Otis 27 March | 12:29

No, hellbient, Billy Idol invented Rock, and the Eurythmics perpetuated it.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 12:34

First comment, b.

D'oh! Must remember: caffiene first, then comments.

I thought Billy Joel invented rock.

posted by bmarkey 27 March | 12:48

Billy Joel invented Canadian Club on the rocks and is the fourth signer of the Declaration of Independence. Louis Armstrong invented rock'n'roll.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 12:55

Louis Armstrong invented lemon Italian Icee's and knew how to cook a chicken with a clothes iron. Bix Beiderbecke invented rock and roll on accident one day when he was painting a mailbox.

posted by Divine_Wino 27 March | 13:00

I thought Billy Joel invented rock.

only Russians believe that, bmarkey.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 13:00

hahah hellbient. i didn't even see what you said.

because i prefer to practice safe metachat reading. i don't read comments before posting my own.

posted by stynxno 27 March | 13:03

I tried to tell Thor he didn't invent rock-n-roll. That didn't go well.

BTW, if you went to do laundry during this thread, you have no say in who is the greatest American RnR band.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 13:04

King Tubby

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 13:08

Mantovani

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 13:09

In the annals of both Rock and Roll, truly there has never been a greater American band than Air Supply. The fact that they are Australian only proves my point.

posted by bmarkey 27 March | 13:09

I'm going to go eat lunch, by which I mean I'm going to drive my hot rod down to the crossroads, where I'll meet my childhood sweetheart, a good girl gone bad and a hooker with a heart of gold.

posted by box 27 March | 13:11

Rock'n'Roll, not Rest'n'Relaxation!

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 13:12

Burger'n Fries, not Booger'n Farts!

posted by mischief 27 March | 13:17

Well, actually that's not true either, especially if you ever sat in a band room.

posted by mischief 27 March | 13:19

Gas'n'Grub?

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 13:22

There's no eating lunch in rock-n-roll!

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 13:30

I don't feel tardy!

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 13:37

Who said anything about lunch? That's breakfast!

posted by mischief 27 March | 13:39

one break(fast), comminnn up...

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 13:44

Wha? 138 comments and no one's mentioned Bon Jovi?

posted by TheDonF 27 March | 13:45

The rest of the world can have Bon Jovi. Good thing too since the rest of the world pretty much adopted Bon Jovi after "Blaze of Glory".

posted by mischief 27 March | 13:48

So many bands have been mentioned, but there are only one or two that are in the running for the single best.

I say if you're gonna allow The Band, then you gotta allow the Stones: neither are from the USA but both play American music. And the Rolling Stones are the Greatest Rock'n'Roll Band in the World, so they're the GR'n'RBiA by some mathematical property I don't care to name.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 13:55

The Byrds

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 14:09

Or 'N Sync. Same difference.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 14:10

Aerosmith
The Bell Rays
The Band
The Replacements
The Ramones
The Blasters
The Allman Brothers band
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Beto y los Fairlanes
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Omar and the Howlers
The Beach Boys
The Archies
The Residents
Dread Zeppelin
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
(Tom Petty and) The Heartbreakers
(Buddy Holly and) The Crickets
The Rolling Stones
ZZ Top
The J.B.'s
The Funk Brothers
Public Enemy
Booker T & The MGs
The Grateful Dead
Charlie Daniels
Nirvana
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
The Coasters
The Kingsmen
The MC5
The Dictators
The Impressions
Sonic Youth
The Pixies
The Bottle Rockets
The Mothers of Invention
The Ronettes
Los Lobos
Sly & The Family Stone
Parliament
Funkadelic
Metallica
The Supersuckers
The Muffs
The Velvet Underground
The Stooges
Devo
Van Halen
Suicide
Duke Ellington and His Washingtonians
Louis Armstrong
Blueshammer
America
United States of America
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes
The Iron City Houserockers
Van Morrison
Jimi Hendrix
Janis Joplin
The Doobie Brothers
The Delaware Destroyers
Damn Yankees
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
The Clash
Pearl Jam
Half Japanese
New Potato Caboose
The Runaways
Husker Du
Prince and the Revolution
Chicago
Chuck Berry
Little Feat
The Eagles
The Little River Band
Kix
Crack the Sky
Celine Dion
Joan Jett
Bad Brains
Boston
KISS
Television
The Patti Smith Group
4 Non Blondes
The Cars
USA for Africa
Bix Beiderbeck
Billy Joel
King Tubby
Mantovani
Bon Jovi

Did I miss anybody?

On preview: dammit.

posted by box 27 March | 14:12

I'd listen to (most of) that set.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 14:18

In the elevator.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 14:19

(We're old.)

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 14:19

That's quite the spasmodic list of bands.

And if you're going to let The Stones in, then you have to let Laibach in as well, being as they're pretty much adopted Americans at this point.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 14:25

I'm shocked and mildly upset that Journey has not yet made anyone's list.

posted by muddgirl 27 March | 14:35

Don't stop believin', muddgirl. Don't stop believin'.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 14:38

You missed the Archies. What's with the mad hate for the Archies? Sugar, sugar! Mmmmmmm, honey honey!

posted by mygothlaundry 27 March | 14:39

They're on the list, toward the top, right under the Beach Boys. And stop calling me sugar.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 14:44

I like Journey, muddgirl, but I've been drinking. (I just got back from the laundromat/bar. The guy next to me says that that his uncle was in the Soul Survivors ('Expressway To Your heart'), who knows, but I had the old barflies singing along to 'I Want You Back' and now I'm home on the back porch in beautiful weather with the wireless working and a cold beer and the iPod Hi-Fi playing 'Oh Lonesome Me.' and I've got two bags of peanuts and some oreos. Life is OK sometimes.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 14:45

Life is OK sometimes

Fucker. I'm working. Cold coffee & sick flourescent lighting. People coughing up random pieces of lung and hope.

p.s. to Jon: I never got around to commenting on your nifty blog. It's quite the accomplishment. Very well done. I haven't spent half the time there that I'd like. Even though you're clearly wrong about almost everything. (I keed.)

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 14:49

I'm gonna crash your party, jonmc.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 14:52

Flo, you're one of the people who I'd truly enjoy being told I'm completely wrong by. Box, wino, the Janus, and matteo are some of the others. (I put up the first 'early recordings entry' late last night, BTW. I'll do another tommorrow, it'll thrill a few MeChazens)

Janus, you are welcome to swing by. Just call first and I warn you, I'm pretty toasted.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 14:54

I've got an hour left in the automat, then I'll call.

Journey have great bassists -- both Ross Valory and Randy Jackson are studs.

You know who else is a great bassist? Matt Freeman of Rancid. One of the Very Best.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 15:00

James Jamerson, the house bassist at Motown is the greatest bassist ever. Duck Dunn from Stax/Volt is second. John Entwistle is third.

posted by jonmc 27 March | 15:04

"Maxwell Murder" is teh hawt bass bukhaki, Hugh.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 15:10

Yup, Jamerson's the greatest; Entwistle, Paul McCartney (see? I said something good about the Beatles), Lemmy, Jack Bruce, John Deacon from Queen. And Steve Harris. And Larry Graham. And Ronald La Pread. And Bootsy. Matt Freeman deserves to be listed among them.

Gee, come to think of it, there are a lot of kickass bassists out there.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 15:16

Journey also has great ass layers, interestingly enough.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 15:16

Greatest American rock band? Has to be the Damn Yankees.

Ha! Just kidding, but it's a good name.

I heard the song High Enough today at Tijuana Flats. Husband told me Ted Nugent was in this band. I didn't know that and never would of thunk it.

posted by LoriFLA 27 March | 15:17

Does anyone remember the Journey: Escape video game? They had one in each of my local pinball/video arcades, The Boardwalk and The Outer Limits. The Boardwalk was for drug dealers; The Outer Limits was for quarter-a-day Q*bert wizards.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 March | 15:21

Christine Woodbridge of Alpha & Omega is a pretty great bass player. Jah Wobble. Peter Hook from New Order/Joy D. Joe Preston of Melvins/High on Fire is a total badass.

yeah, there's lots.

posted by Hellbient 27 March | 15:24

William Parker, Charlie Mingus, Mike Watt, Errol Walker.

There was also an Aerosmith video game. Revolution: X. Wikipedia says it's one of the worst videogames ever.

posted by box 27 March | 15:32

quarter-a-day Q*bert wizards sounds like a Ghostface line if I ever heard one.

posted by Divine_Wino 27 March | 15:33

I nominate X.

posted by black8 27 March | 15:51

From what I understand, that Journey video game cabinet had a cassette player in it that rewarded you with a Journey song (Separate Ways?) when you beat the game. Sadly, I have only beat the game in MAME emulation. So, no Journey song for me. :(

posted by Otis 27 March | 16:05

WTF? Nobody has said it yet? You insane fucks.

Guns N' Roses, man. Appetite for Destruction? Remember that? It will not be topped in my lifetime.

posted by weretable and the undead chairs 27 March | 16:06

Personally, I never travel far without a little Big Star.

posted by scody 27 March | 16:07

The most technically proficient American rock band: Van Halen
posted by mischief

I'm a big kiss fan and a moderate van halen fan. That said, kiss was pretty gimmicky (more than most) and I can look back now and see my interest in kiss came at least partly from that aspect. They had great anthems but also some atrocious stuff. I'd put up van halen (up to 84) against kiss any day. Add to that every guitarist, for better or worse, wanted to be eddie for more than a decade and I think it you have to bottle one band as the quintessential american 'rock' band and I think van halen is hard to beat.

posted by justgary 27 March | 16:15

Since we're no longer naming real Rock n Roll bands, I'm going to throw Talking Heads into the ring.

posted by muddgirl 27 March | 16:43

Oh, and speaking of bassists, Tina effin Weymouth.

posted by muddgirl 27 March | 16:45

Bassists? Jaco Pastorious. Scott La Faro. The dude who played on the Barney Miller theme song. Geddy Lee. And yeah, Ross Valory doesn't get near the props he deserves.

posted by bmarkey 27 March | 17:01

Bassists? Chris Squire, John Wetton, Tony Levin.

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 27 March | 17:10

Also Graham Lewis from Wire, Sarah Lee, Youth from Killing Joke, Clint Conley from Mission of Burma.

posted by bmarkey 27 March | 17:33

I can't believe how many comments this post has! Thank god weretable mentioned Guns n Roses. I was about compelled to.

posted by rainbaby 27 March | 17:51

Has anybody, anybody, mentioned the Stooges yet?

posted by gaspode 27 March | 18:11

Has anybody, anybody, mentioned the Stooges yet?

Yes. I'm glad I'm not the only one who does that.

posted by bmarkey 27 March | 18:16

Hee. Good. It's a long thread you know, and using CTL-F is just so time-consuming.

posted by gaspode 27 March | 18:27

I vote CCR :)

...though I wish I could vote for the Stooges.

I'd also like to nod in furious agreement with Hugh Janus about Freeman from Rancid--he blows me away.

posted by mullacc 27 March | 18:42

You know, another American supergroup from 1970, which never gets mentioned anymore, is Cactus. Which is too bad, now that they're gettin' the band back together. And I can't believe you people threw down 182 comments and never mentioned Jefferson Airplane/Starship. I'll forgive you for linkin' Janis and forgettin' Grace, 'cause, trust me, she couldn't care less. Or Seals & Croft. Jimmie Spheeris is never mentioned. Blood, Sweat & Tears get no love. Huey Lewis and the News ain't cool enough for school. Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes gotta find another audience.

Fickle folks, y'all.

posted by paulsc 27 March | 22:18

Cactus was a good band, but they were far more popular outside the US.

Jefferson Airplane is one of my favorite bands, but not even in the same ballpark as rock 'n roll (their earliest goal was to eliminate as much r'n'r influence as they could and focusing on electric-folk).

Seals & Croft and BS&T also not r'n'r (folk/folk-pop [Your Mama Can't Dance was considered a novelty hit in the US] and R&B respectively). Southside Johnny, while an excellent r'n'r band, were never very popular more than a few hundred miles from the Jersey shore.

The problem with using the "Greatest" description is you must weigh popularity as heavily as conformance to the genre.

posted by mischief 28 March | 05:02

Good thread. I have no idea.

posted by safetyfork 28 March | 05:50

Besides popularity and conformance to the genre, I think that consistency must also be mentioned. And as much as I love Jefferson Airplane (up against the wall, motherfuckers!), pretty much everything that any of those folks have been associated with since the mid-'70s has been uninspired or worse. The nadir was 'We Built This City.' Like a Diane-Warren-penned late-90s Aerosmith power ballad, 'We Built This City' is so soul-crushingly pointless, banal and phoned-in that it actually makes its creators previous efforts worse.

posted by box 28 March | 09:58

I know I'm ringing in late, but: The Fastbacks.

posted by matildaben 28 March | 10:41

box: good point about consistency.

posted by mischief 28 March | 13:06

Yeah, but an unintended consequence is that it often gives people bonus points for dying young. Maybe that's not such a bad thing, though.

posted by box 28 March | 13:26

Big Star,Love,Stooges,Patti Smith Group,Husker Du,and could this possibly be the first mention of R.E.M.?
This Springsteen you speak of...a regional phenomenon?

posted by nimmpau 28 March | 15:40

erm, also Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Boyd Rice, G.G. Allin, and Dinah Shore Jr.

posted by nimmpau 28 March | 15:47

How'd I miss this thread?

Springsteen, with E street, definitely.

But I have to clear up a couple things -- I grew up in the Springsteen-associated towns. The accent is a legitimate Jersey Shore accent, because the Jersey shore filled up with people from Oklahoma and Texas and the Deep South when World War II got started. They escaped Southern poverty and came up for the abundance of war work. Southern speech influenced the local accent pretty deeply. You can hear that accent in any shore bar where townies hang out.

Freehold's not that far from the shore - it's actually under 20 miles from ASbury Park. It's not like two different worlds - people zip back and forth among all these towns several times a day.

Comparisons with Dylan don't go very far. Dylan's an incredible songwriter and I'm a big fan. But he's even more of a poser than Springsteen, if you believe in poserism -- he's a Minnesota small-town kid who decided to take on the persona of a mysterious rootsy hobo rambler, rode that train to fame, and then reformulated himself as rebel enigma. You can't even know who Dylan is, properly. Springsteen is exactly what he seems, and very intelligent and politically active, too.

Spingsteen and his band do the best job of combining influences from MoTown, rock, jazz, and roots music to create a sound that the world absolutely identifies with America.

posted by Miko 28 March | 16:05

I know I'm ringing in late, but: The Fastbacks.

Seconded.

posted by jonmc 28 March | 19:56

27 March 2007