in Pencil Music

in Pencil

Sub Genre


I know nothing about Psychobilly music. I generally try and steer clear of sub-genres for obvious reasons. These labels usually refer to such a specific aspect or minute detail that a couple bands share, and they simply rebrand them for scenesters desperately trying to set themselves apart from the pack. Even if the pack isn’t all that big to begin with. 

So 2 weeks ago I received a flier for the band, Tiger Army. Never heard of them. And then today I got an email blast from Live Nation reminding me that they’re coming to my area soon. Enter Wikipedia. Apparently, this band gets the credit for finally bringing Psychobilly to the US after decades of thriving (or at least existing) overseas. Enter youtube.
I watched the latest videos from the band, and I just didn’t get it. All I really knew about Psychobilly was the look. Punker dudes with chains wearing hints of 1950′s garb, sporting Greaser hairdos, and playing in threes (guitar, drums, and up-right bass). Did Tiger Army look like this? Yes.
But what about the sound? Well I expected it to be some sort of mash up between Bill Haley and the Comets and The Sex Pistols. But it wasn’t. It sounded like…well…generic, forgettable, slightly dark modern rock. (in costume) How is this Psychobilly? Enter iTunes.
I figured that maybe their new stuff was a departure, so I went back in their discography and listened. Sure enough, their first release from ’99 was more what I imagined. Twangy telecasters (I think), mixed with sped-up swing beats and modern style rock vocals. So now I get it, but that makes you think. What’s the point of these silly sub-genre labels?
Sub genres by their nature have smaller audiences than their parent genres. So even the most avid music fan is likely to be “late to the party.” Add in the fact that the criteria needed to be a part of these sub genres is so specific; now the bands have to almost work to remain true ambassadors to this 2 dimensional category. 
My point is, Tiger Army is not Psychobilly. Maybe they were, but they wanted to branch out and try something new, or at least new to them. (Probably got sick of writing the same song over and over again) So the clothes are the same, but the sound, which is paramount, is not. So why bother? So we have something to type into wikipedia?
Another thing that sort of got me thinking was how this genre took so long to take hold of US audiences. I think the answer is simple. Music snobs like exotic music. Things that sound like something they can’t do themselves, because it’s not part of their cultural fabric. Read the book ‘High Fidelity.’ Why do the characters love American Rhythm and Blues music so much? Why did Led Zeppelin and Eric Clapton like Blues and Country so much? Why does Billy Joe sing with a half british accent in early Green Day recordings? Why does Eminem speak in ebonics? And then there’s the whole Reggae thing….but that’s enough examples.
 Perhaps the reason why Psychobilly was so much more popular overseas was that American audiences just didn’t think it was that cool to look like Johnny Cash’s punked out step child. That is until the ’50′s was so far in our rearview mirror. But apparently even Tiger Army is over the “movement.” Thankfully generic rock is alive and well.

Related posts:

  1. Britpop, the USA, and (Oasis)
    I’m a fan of Britpop, but I’ll admit I was late to the celebration. Chalk it up to being too focused on other genres, and a sincere obsession with live...
  2. My Chemical Romance turns Rocker
    My Chemical Romance recently played a show at the Roxy in LA – but it wasn’t what many were expecting. No makeup and grandiose set props this time – instead...
  3. "Smile…..it's free."
    No one lives in a vacuum. What you like is at least in some way influenced on what others around you like (or don't like). Everything you're little brain digests needs context....

Filed under: Uncategorized, opinion by Dan in Pencil

Comments are closed.

« »