Standard band setups that push the boundaries

saurus · Post by **saurus** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:50 am

Hi everyone, I have been very interested in this concept in music recently. I wanted to start a discussion about bands that begin in a traditional setup i.e 3 pieces or ones who employed "traditional" setups and methods at the start of their career but have since experimented. I'd like to find bands like this that perhaps you guys know about.

The first one that comes to mind is Radiohead, for quite obvious reasons regarding their experimentalism yet their tendency to stick it as a band with their individual roles despite the inclusion of electronics. Also Super Furry Animals for the same reason, and just the fact that the sheer scale of their experimentalism and vision is, at times, breathtaking.

Also I have a soft spot for bands operating like a traditional unit but who have created a unique sound such as Talking Heads, Pixies, Deerhoof and my recent favourites WE//ARE//ANIMAL. In a way, creating a sound that's unique using "traditional" instrumentation is experimental and forward-thinking in their own right.

So Twoism: which bands can you recommend to me that work like this?

ShammenDelly · Post by **ShammenDelly** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:57 am

MOGWAI, King Crimson, Godspeed You Black Emperor!

Elephant Face · Post by **Elephant Face** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:29 am

Health- Traditional instruments, non-traditional sounds. When I saw them live I was shocked to see that all those sounds I was sure were coming from samplers and synths were coming from guitars.

Also, Liars, Deerhunter, Battles, Saroos, Future Islands, Why?, Belong, and Autolux's new album.

ShammenDelly · Post by **ShammenDelly** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:47 am

Forgot about my bloody valentine and slowdive. all shoegazing pushes to the limits, until the stars.

none_more_epsilon · Post by **none_more_epsilon** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:32 pm

I agree about the furries, they are possibly the greatest combiners of experimental sounds with a pure melodic edge.

I think Pavement were a genuinely unique band; their melodies often seemed atonal and kind of out of place but the more you listened to the sounds, the more it worked and gave the sense that it was every other band that was wrong and not Malkmus et al.

none_more_epsilon · Post by **none_more_epsilon** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:34 pm

Elephant Face wrote:Health- Traditional instruments, non-traditional sounds. When I saw them live I was shocked to see that all those sounds I was sure were coming from samplers and synths coming from guitars.

I agree, Health are astonishingly good.