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I am beginning to think that the golden age of American bands is either wayy gone, or has yet to be seen. There seems to be few current bands that can actually be called "greatest" (I read that NOT as being our favorite necessarily, but as earning their stripes being all things influential, good, popular and consistent), and we have found ourselves to be dipping either into the past, or have named our fave up-n-coming bands. I mean no offense, but naming The Melvins or Them Crooked Vultures as America's greatest band is not exactly one that would stand up to heavy scrutiny, regardless of how good they are (and they are).
Ted, I agree with you 100%, heck 10000000000000000000000000%! If the best band we can offer is Wilco, Kings of Leon, Big Head Todd, Melvins, or Crooked Vultures, Cannibal Corpses, etc., the state of American bands is very, very sad. Many of these bands are good, and I'm probably going to piss some people off but none of them are on par with great bands of the past. There are great musicians, some of the best ever, but they do not have the cultural relevance of great bands of the past. Most of the bands in this thread are regrettably foregettable. To put it differently, 100 years from now, I don't think anyone is going to be listening to songs from the Melvins or the Cannibal Corpses, etc. Heck, I don't think most people will recognize most of these bands ten years from now. Where is the next Led Zepplin, or Rolling Stones? The next Beatles, AC/DC or even U2? Does anyone think Kings of Leon will be the next Rolling Stones? Which current band is going to be as big and transformational as Pink Floyd or as culturally relevant as the Doors, The Who or Jimi Hendrix Experience were in their day? It's not about the bands. There are lots of talented bands in America today. I listen to as much music as I can and still love Rock and Roll music. Unfortunately, there are NO active American bands that have achieved the heights of the greatest bands and none on the horizon. Sad...
Based on your post and Ted's, I would say the closet thing we have is Phish or Dave Matthews Band. While neither of them is as influential and transcending as the bands you listed, I think they are two of the biggest rock and roll acts currently still putting out new material.BTW, if you look back over the last 20-30 years, there aren't too many bands that could say they were the next Zep, Stones, Beatles, U2, etc...George
If Phish and Dave Matthews are the closest things, we are in real trouble. Those guys suck. IMO they aren't far from The ear torture of Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber. Bad.
I think Pearl Jam would still fulfill their criteria. They sell out arenas in minutes and did have an influential period. They may not have the highest grossing tours but I think because they don't rape their fans for $200 a ticket.
Agreed.I think I blocked them out because I missed their tour and I am anxiously waiting for them to tour again in the States. George
