It's funny because I remember Cheap Trick being thought of in the UK as really uncool, just another rock band wearing some funny clothes. The Pixies were huge though (signed to a British record label).
I assume it was different in the US (I only came here in 2000), but I must admit that this is the first time I've heard that Nirvana were influenced by Cheap Trick. Like Deb said, it was probably Kurt f**king with someone as he's certainly brought up the Pixies thing on many occasions.
The Great "Rhythm" Guitar Players?
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- Banned
- 9890 posts since 14 Nov, 2006
Dan DeLeo of STP, Ed O'Brien from Radiohead, Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine, Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl all come to mind.Sleek Month wrote:Oh, and the Graham Coxon thing is both sincere and a challenge. Of the '90's generation, who is better?
...and don't go naming some blues revivalist hack or metal shredder. I'm talking all-around, for-the-song playing.
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- KVRian
- 637 posts since 5 Sep, 2001 from Hollywood, Ca. one block East of the Jack in the Box
Well, it's not coming from me, it's Kurt...debra1rlo wrote:It's funny you see that influence in Nirvana, because I didn't notice that...
Kurt Cobain wrote:Ever since this band has been popular, I've always thought of us as just a '90s version on Cheap Trick or the Knack. They had two sides of appeal that made them kind of a cool band - a commercial side and kind of a new-wave side. We have that.
...but, yeah. I hear it more than the Pixies thing. Nirvana was a lot sweeter sounding and more conventional...hard rock+melody=Cheap Trick.Kurt Cobain wrote:We sound just like Cheap Trick, only the guitars are louder"- Kurt Cobain, Rolling Stone magazine.
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- KVRAF
- 2844 posts since 1 Jan, 2003
I've read, on several occasions, Paul Westerberg mention Elton John as an influence. IIRC, he was impressed with Elton John's ability to write memorable tunes using such simple chord changes.
I believe both Paul Westerberg and Kurt Cobain were being sincere. I think it's funny that the thought that Kurt Cobain liked Cheap Trick, or that Paul Westerberg liked Elton John might bother some people.
Back OT...
I believe both Paul Westerberg and Kurt Cobain were being sincere. I think it's funny that the thought that Kurt Cobain liked Cheap Trick, or that Paul Westerberg liked Elton John might bother some people.
Back OT...
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- KVRian
- 637 posts since 5 Sep, 2001 from Hollywood, Ca. one block East of the Jack in the Box
That's exactly what I'm talking about.Cordelia wrote:I think it's funny that the thought that Kurt Cobain liked Cheap Trick, or that Paul Westerberg liked Elton John might bother some people.
I'm almost the exact same age as the Kurt, so I'm pretty aware of what was in the culture when he was coming up...
People seem to forget sometimes that "cool hipster" music simply didn't exist before '78 or so, and didn't really penetrate to non-hip markets until after that.
...which, as far as I'm concerned, was a good thing. The hipsters made music divisive. Before that, it was more inclusive...there was nothing "wrong" to listen to or be influenced by, no hypocritical "indie cred" heirarchy.
...so, yeah, it only makes sense that a Cobain or Westerberg would have '70's pop influences. Nirvana famously stated in their "musician's wanted" ads that their influences were stuff like Sabbath and Zeppelin.
No mention of "cool" bands.
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- KVRAF
- 2844 posts since 1 Jan, 2003
Except disco. I definitely remember the "disco sucks" era.Sleek Month wrote:...The hipsters made music divisive. Before that, it was more inclusive...there was nothing "wrong" to listen to or be influenced by...
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- KVRian
- 637 posts since 5 Sep, 2001 from Hollywood, Ca. one block East of the Jack in the Box
Don't be talkin' smack about no disco now!Cordelia wrote:Except disco. I definitely remember the "disco sucks" era.Sleek Month wrote:...The hipsters made music divisive. Before that, it was more inclusive...there was nothing "wrong" to listen to or be influenced by...
I blame the hipsters, anyway...I bet it was Tom Verlaine or Richard Hell or some such proto hipster icon who spread the "Disco Sucks" thing.
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- KVRAF
- 2844 posts since 1 Jan, 2003
It was me.Sleek Month wrote:Don't be talkin' smack about no disco now!
I blame the hipsters, anyway...I bet it was Tom Verlaine or Richard Hell or some such proto hipster icon who spread the "Disco Sucks" thing.
Noooo. I'm no proto hipster.
There were some disco singles I liked quite a bit, anyway.
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- KVRAF
- 1665 posts since 22 Oct, 2004 from Schmocation
You've convinced me. Incredibly versatile guitarist who managed to put some very strange and wonderful guitar parts into music that topped the charts.Sleek Month wrote:Oh, and the Graham Coxon thing is both sincere and a challenge. Of the '90's generation, who is better?
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- Banned
- 9890 posts since 14 Nov, 2006
Nah, I just hadn't ever heard that about Kurt and thought I had read a lot about him, especially in Rolling Stone, and I don't ever recall that. It doesn't bother me that Kurt liked Cheap Trick at all, because I like some of their stuff. And Elton John for that matter... I just didn't see the connection in the music, that's all, but maybe that's just me...Cordelia wrote:I've read, on several occasions, Paul Westerberg mention Elton John as an influence. IIRC, he was impressed with Elton John's ability to write memorable tunes using such simple chord changes.
I believe both Paul Westerberg and Kurt Cobain were being sincere. I think it's funny that the thought that Kurt Cobain liked Cheap Trick, or that Paul Westerberg liked Elton John might bother some people.
Back OT...
I do recall the RS article where Paul mentioned Elton John and in that context, I can see that philosophy in the 'Mats music... but I seem to recall when he mentioned Elton John, he also mentioned Lynyrd Skynyrd and a few other 70s dinosaurs and then just kind of trailed off his quote with something to the effect of "I don't really know where our influences lie", which is why I thought he may have been joking a bit.
EDIT - Oh yeah... let me get back on topic and add some more nominees:
David Byrne (and later on, Alex Weir) of Talking Heads
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- KVRAF
- 4673 posts since 25 Mar, 2006 from The city by the bay
A few suggestions from the "old days":
If you like Clapton's playing check out Robert Johnson, the 3 Kings (B.B., Freddie and Albert), and Skip James.
The early Jeff Beck owes much to the Chicago blues guitarists: Muddy Waters, Hubert Sumlin, Buddy Guy, etc.
For those interested in what jazz guitarists can do behind a band, check out Freddie Green with Count Basie. For basic accompanying behind a singer Joe Pass with Ella Fitzgerald is a great source.
For those interested in good old early rock'n roll and R&B, T-Bone Walker, Chuck Berry and Steve Cropper were great at creating riffs that could keep a tune going for ever....
If you like Clapton's playing check out Robert Johnson, the 3 Kings (B.B., Freddie and Albert), and Skip James.
The early Jeff Beck owes much to the Chicago blues guitarists: Muddy Waters, Hubert Sumlin, Buddy Guy, etc.
For those interested in what jazz guitarists can do behind a band, check out Freddie Green with Count Basie. For basic accompanying behind a singer Joe Pass with Ella Fitzgerald is a great source.
For those interested in good old early rock'n roll and R&B, T-Bone Walker, Chuck Berry and Steve Cropper were great at creating riffs that could keep a tune going for ever....
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- KVRist
- 243 posts since 1 Oct, 2005
Reg Smithies and Dave Fielding!debra1rlo wrote: Can't remember their names, but the guitarists from The Chameleons were subtle geniuses
The Chameleons ... wow! Great memories ...