King Gizzard better than Phish and the Dead? "Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava" review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- Plus a review of the "Timeline" duopoly. I try to define what makes a jam band good and what makes a jam band great. Also, what endows a jam band with the confidence that they need to be great? @KingGizzardAndTheLizardWizard
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Fun fact: Each song in ice death follows one of the seven modes of the major scale: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian. Also the initials of the album title are the same initials of the seven modes. :D
as per the Gizzymail:
‘Laminated Denim’ was the first one we finished. After we did ‘The Dripping Tap’ we started getting together again more and more in the studio to jam, click record and see what came of it. It was a great therapeutic routine to get into after spending so long at home staring at the wall during lockdown. We had so much fun making LD that we decided to continue working in this way.
‘Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushroom and Lava’ was a result of taking this concept even further. Each day we would go into the studio, pick a key and mode to play in. The jams would last about 4 hours or so then Stu would take the recordings away and condense it down into a song by cutting up all the best bits. Eventually we went through each of these modes:
Mycelium - Major scale
Ice V = Dorian
Magma = Phyrigian scale
Iron Lung = Aeolian scale
Hells itch = Mixolydian scale
Lava = Lydian scale
Gliese 710 = Locrian scale
Once the songs were starting to take shape we decided to take this collaborative approach a step further by encouraging everyone to write lyrics. Stu picked the subject matter for each song and we all threw in our own different interpretations of it. This was really exciting to see everyone get involved and throw in their two cents.
This is a lovely factoid to have discovered. I often think there are ultra-dimensional layers to the art they continue to produce like each listening can take me you on a new journey. I think this is just an introductory level proof of that.
The japanese band Fishmans tended to straddle the middle of the Dead/Fish dichotomy in their later live sets, would definitely recommend giving any of the live albums between 1996-1998 a listen
wlspann moment
I would like to issue a formal apology for my treacherous misspelling of Phish. This conduct is not acceptable and I take full responsibility for my actions. I will make my best effort to ensure that this never happens again.
Oh hell yea Fishmans are goated
kuuchuu camp is so great
I looooove Fishmans! The live version of Long Season is an incredible experience itself!
King Gizzard transcends the label of jam band. Yes this album is jammy and it’s great, but the amount of musical ground they have covered is incredible. From heavy metal, to folk, to synth pop. They are great at writing tightly constructed songs and albums too. Just take a listen to Polygonwanaland and Butterfly 3000.
I mean many other jam bands have equal range
"jamband" is not a type of music. Jambands usually cover multi genres. Gizzard never was and will never be a jamband tho. Complete wrong stage presence.
am i crazy for finding them the opposite almost, songs on albums like oddments and paper mache are tightly constructed songs to me, but a lot of their discog are kinda just cool performances over well crafted songs
@@atlargeauteur no. not phish, not dead. they never covered this much ground. whom else can or did across all their albums?
have you seen them live tho? they totally do some type 1 and type 2 jamming, they both transcend and perfectly fit the label
I think King Gizzard are far beyond a conventional jam band. This era that we're in at the minute, with lengthy, meandering tracks on official releases, and even longer versions at live shows is fairly new for these guys, yet it seems like they are at home with this style. When you compare the 2016 era of King Gizz, where they played super tight setlists, they excelled and really brought the albums such as Nonagon Infinity to life. But seeing them weave in many different tracks into one long jam is a whole new level in my opinion, and I think part of the reason why they can do it so seamlessly is because of their earlier years of playing concise setlists. I'm a huge fan of these guys and I have been for many years. I got to see them for the first time in 2019, and even then there were elements of prolonged jams, but the current output and live performances is a whole new level. For anyone wanting to hear some of the live shows, I highly recommend Mystery Jack's Channel! th-cam.com/channels/_nJOSthA7oUlizlfO3tmEg.htmlvideos
"conventional jam band" 🤣 they would have to actually be any type of jamband for that. I wish yall would stop talkin about genres you know nothing about
I just saw them three nights ago at redrocks! They played for three hours and only stopped to play a track from their new album (even newer than this one)!!!! Often they would play for at least 20 minutes/song! jamming hard!!!! Highly recommend seeing them if you get the chance.
that river
@@walterlippmann6292 and that rattlesnake was insannneeeeee
I’m still vibrating, I don’t know how they are going to top RR. I’m still in tears
gonna be seeing them at Red Rocks november, i can't wait
greatest concert i’ve ever been to
the reason king gizzard isnt put on the "jam band" category its cause for a lot of their projects, they werent a jam band, they were a psychodelic rock band, a metal band, a progressive rock band, etc
I just got back from the first two Red Rocks shows and let me just say....you HAVE to witness it. Completely unbelievable performances. Damn near life changing for myself. I have plenty of friends who have always been into The Dead but it never stuck fir me...but after seeing those two shows....man i just get it. Completely mind blowing to see what those guys were doing on stage. Truly unreal. Do everything in your power to get to Red Rocks for that third night. You will not regret it. Wish i could join you
I’ve been saying that King Gizzard is our generations Grateful Dead/Phish. They have built a cult-like following and just pump out music non stop while also touring. They just played two back to back 3 hour long marathon concerts at Red Rocks. They are absolute mad lads and I love them so much.
No. They are far more important and far better musicians than either of those bands.
@@forrestrichard8133 better musicians? definitely. more important than the dead? no
Great review as always. You're becoming a real gizz guzzler
Lololo😅
They're the most musically diverse and prolific bands in the last .....well forever
Long live the Gizz
Magma is an experience.
It’s worth every penny to go out to Red Rocks! I just saw them play 3hrs In Berkeley and it was the greatest show I’ve ever been to. I would love to hear a concert review about it if you go, especially since you say you haven’t heard a lot of their discography and they play a ton of it during those shows.
Oh ok Skye, wow, I was not expecting that title. As what is maybe the only consistent viewer of the channel that would be willing to talk about how Phish is their favorite band ever (and how the Dead isn't far behind), I have this jumbled mess of thoughts to say.
Well, the thing about Phish and the Dead is that they both lasted a very, VERY long time. The Dead lasting 31, and Phish currently on their 39th. Both of these bands have gone through many, MANY different phases of exploration. The Dead went from being a simple blues band to psychedelia in the late 60s to country folk and jazz in the early 70s to disco in the late 70s. Phish went from a quirky prog band in the 80s to a band that picked genres out of a hate in the early 90s to arena rock in the mid 90s to funk in the late 90s to more ambient and drone stuff in the early 00s. These bands went through a fuckton of different changes. King Gizzard, has also gone through almost as many changes, and their only in their 11th year.
I've been listening to a lot of King Gizzard bootlegs from this year (you can find them very easily on TH-cam), and I must say, that if this is the start of King Gizzard becoming the greatest jam band of all time, according to you, then this is a step in the right direction. They just played 2 back-to-back shows at Red Rocks earlier this week, both of them being 3 hours and not repeating a single song, something Phish is known for doing.
Another thing that I'd say is that all the other bands in the "jam band" scene don't seem to take much influence from bands that aren't the Dead and Phish. Phish certainly didn't take much influence from the Dead (seriously, I hate when people say this, if you listen to both for a few hours and you can not tell the different between the two on some random jam, uh, ouch). And King Gizzard have said in interviews that they barely listen to any Phish. This is good! We want the Big Jam Band #3 to sound like something not at all like the Dead or Phish! That would be great!
King Gizzard on the surface is probably the best band out of the 3 overall. Can they become the best "jam band?" Well, we'll wait and see. All of this was written with me pausing approximately 2 minutes into the video, so I'll see what you have to say, and then respond accordingly.
Pausing 10 minutes in, and I do have this, because I see that you haven't seen a Phish show since 1993. I'd say that a lot of that "try-hard" stuff and the "do you play with a soul" comments... I feel like those are very phased out at this point and have been for approximately the last 25 years. Yeah, they still put on visual spectacles during NYE and Halloween, but a lot of the "giving the fans what they want" vibe is dead. There's really nobody that hates Phish more than Phish fans, and if you've ever interacted on a board or whatnot you'd know that I'm right. There's a lot of people that despise the new songs, and they've despised the new songs since like 1999.
Also, about that comment about you staying sober during shows... thank you. I'm 16, have seen Phish 10 times, stayed sober during all 10, and have no plans to undo that.
Also great that you mentioned wanting Radiohead to do a jam band album, because Ed is actually a massive fan of Phish and said that his tour when he released with solo album would have taken a lot of inspiration from them. This tour unfortunately never happened because of COVID. Huge loss.
Thanks for the comments. I do plan on seeing Phish again. Oddly enough, the 93 show was amazing and totally blew my mind, yet I never went back. I think I got turned off to them because of my college roommates.
And I've never heard the Dead influence. Instead I just hear Zappa.
And also, I have two friends who have seen something like 40+ shows totally sober as well.
The dead and phish continuum segment was great. Encapsulates how i feel about phish too. Just couldn’t connect to it like i did with grateful dead. But man gizz changed my life, been almost the only music i listen to since 2015.
Ahhh man. I love the King Gizz reviews! Thank you so much. Wait till you hear Laminated Denim!
You're right to want to see them at Red Rocks on November. I saw their first show there this week, and I thought it was a such a transcendent show! (Partially because they played Inner Cell, Loyalty, and Horology, which I've been wanting to see live for 6 years)
I'm excited to hear your thoughts on Laminated Denim. I like Ice Death Salt Fat Acid Heat, but I think Laminated Denim has stolen the spotlight for me.
Same. I saw their second red rocks show and it blew my mind. Came home and was blown away by laminated denim and bought tickets for November. They pretty much have to play those 2 new songs since they're not repeating any. To me they're not really a jam band. Their creative process includes jamming but once they're at the stage of performing it is much more structured and flows better than a band just improvising, which is why they keep their sound so tight and transition between songs so well
They’re the best jam band because they actually make good studio albums at a consistent rate while also tearing up every live set.
factsssss
Eeyupp!!!
Rift, Billy Breathes, and A Picture of Nectar are all amazing Phish studio albums
King Gizz has never released an album that could hold a candle to, say, American Beauty. or Workingman's Dead.
@@thejamnasium6447 Agreed
Skye, I’ve seen many red rocks shows but this king Gizz show that just happened was incredible. It was my first time seeing them and I definitely turned from an average KGATLW enjoyer to a proper fan. I got sucked into the Merch table and bought an album they just released and it came in a denim sleeve haha. The band themselves were the most musically tight group I’ve ever seen 3 hours of goodness
you just bought a killer album. Their most recent - Laminated Denim.
Fun fact they made laminated denim specifically for the original two planned marathon sets at red rocks
I was actually turned on to KGWL by Trey himself. He loves that band. He thinks they are the best jam band! They are an amazing band!
My first Phish show was 1989. I've been to over 100 Dead shows and I've lost count of Phish shows back in the late 90's. I was one of those early fans that loved both. Most did not. Towards the end of the Dead the fans between the Dead and Phish did not like each other. I never understood that.
My only advice to you is to listen to where Phish is now. I've been listening to them for 33 years. And their music now is definitely the best in my opinion. Much more mature. More mature lyrics. Trey's song writing is completely different than it was in the past. Their jams are a lot different now and I would dare to actually say more Dead like actually. Their music now gives me that same feeling I got back when I saw the Dead! It is so similar in vibe now! And Their shows are just so freaking fun! Their fans are so much fun too!
I would like to suggest you go and catch a Phish show now. They are a LOT different than they were in 1992.
trey doesnt think theyre a jam band at all. in that interview he said that he really likes king gizz, but that they arent a jam band. trey has said numerous times that the grateful dead are the best jam band and hes right.
Feel so lucky to grow up in the same city as gizz. Seen em a bunch of times and have had a chat with a few members. Very lovely people and love their fans
I love these types of videos! I am a huge fan of both Phish and the Dead, as well as really dig King Gizzard. Before Jerry died, I saw GD about 100 times ( and JGB about 20 times) starting in 85 and have seen Phish well over 140 times (and still going) starting in 86 . Good analysis and fun video!
I disagree with you about the lyrics' seriousness both of the Dead and Phish, particularly of the Dead. Robert Hunter was one of the greatest poets of the 20th Century (Workingman's Dead and American Beauty demonstrates this). And while Phish certainly has plenty of songs that are just weird and/or non-serious, especially from their early days, I would argue that a majority of their songs are pretty well composed and thoughtful from a lyric perspective - Look at the entire album of Rift which is a concept album about a man dreaming about the rift in his relationship with his girlfriend.
I went to my first concert ever and saw king gizzard live in Toronto this week. Honestly makes me feel lucky to be able to experience it, probably like being a deadhead back in the day! You should absolutely go to a show whenever you get the chance. Such a special experience.
Always love your insightful reviews!
Dude - thanks so much for turning me onto them! Dunno if I'd say 'they're the best Jam Band ever', but they're definitely great! Their videos are next level also!
GIZZGUZZLER
hahaha
King Gizzard is actually only recently a jam band. Their older stuff is WAY tighter and way more considered and in my opinion a lot better. I know you're only a Gizz fan from 2020 onwards but goddamn you're missing out on so much if you don't hear Nonagon Infinity or Polygondwanaland. That said their next album 'Changes' is supposed to be really tight and considered so can't wait to see your review of that one too!
I agree there were tight songs, and tight shows, before the current era, but the long jam song was there from near the beginning. For example, with the Float Along - Fill Your Lungs album of 2013, they were playing the 2 long jammy songs, Head On/Pill, and Float Along. Then Quarters! album of 2015 had 4 long songs (which can be jammed and get even longer when played live. Then Flying Microtonal Banana of 2017 had Rattlesnake, which was being jammed long and live as well.
@@joannamiller9698 this comment made me pause and go listen to FAFYL
Your take on how it feels to be in the flow on a jam is completely on point with my experience. No matter how unimpressive my jam may have been haha!
from a musician of 2 decades: great commentary. you have a vast and interesting understanding of the music you consume
I've seen six dead shows with Jerry and 71 phish shows. I just saw the two King Gizzard red rocks shows. They are the real deal. Great sound, good light show, the sets flow really well. I will never miss a gizzard show if they come to town and would travel to see them. Iron Lung was a highlight of the second night.
Idk if The Dead inspired Ambrose’s decision in the Boogieman Sam>Cutthroat Boogie>My Babe>Mojo>Going Up Rap on 10/11/22 or not but the dead played My Babe once, 11/8/1970 and Mojo three times (once on ‘77 and twice in ‘78). The October 28, 1978 show actually does Mojo>GDTRFB
I appreciate your breakdown of what makes a jam band. I find that most bands that are agreed upon as “jam bands” are not for me. I’ve tried to really place what quality it is that doesn’t resonate with me, but it’s hard to pin down since many “jam bands” are actually quite different, sorta like you describe on the Dead-Phish continuum. The thing is, I love Gizz with all my heart. Maybe because the “jammier” stuff is just a part of their toolbox. It’s hard for me to classify them as a jam band, but I’m not sure if that’s because they are indeed a different kind of band, or if I just associate “jam” with stuff I don’t like. I haven’t figured out the answer to that yet, but I will definitely have to consider your jam band framework in my thought process while working through this problem in the future. Thanks for the vid, Prof!
Jam bands are bands that Jam live its that simple. It does not automatically mean they noodle.
Yeah I don’t think that’s necessarily true though. I don’t think most people would describe a jazz quartet as a jam band for example.
@@piratefrawgee I made a post and I listed a lot of jazzy bands Butcher Brown for example started as a quartet but they incorporated Hip-Hop, Rock, RnB and they freestyle a lot. So due to the fact that they freestyle live and perform at Jam band fests I group them that way. Lettuce is very jazzy but they absolutely are a jam band they do headline sets that are completely improvised i saw them improvise a 4 hour set to a crowd of at least 100k. Anderson.paak and the free nationals are very poppy and hip-hop oriented but they freestyle a lot live so I group them into the jam band category i have seen them surprise themselves live and I saw them Jam with Flying Lotus on the boards vocoding the. It was dope. Some are more obvious though like Khurangbin because they remix stuff into their Arabic style and freestyle in a traditional Jam band way. Sone bands are completely synonymous with "jam band" like string cheese they have the best shebangs and only do themed party sets I loved their 90's themed shebang that fused grunge with rap.
@@piratefrawgee ironically the best improvised Jam sets I have seen were at EDM fests like Hulaween, Electric Forrest, Buku, Shambahlah, Lightning im a Bottle ect.
@@piratefrawgee sorry to disagree I am biased as I mostly am thinking about this from a live music perspective. I do think any band that crosses genres and improvises sets live is a Jam band, so yes by that definition a traditional jazz quartet would not be a jam band because they stick to a pre ordained style.
just got into The Dead and Phish over the past year or so and cant get enough of them, im 21 and ive been a hip hop head my whole life. My friend just got me into King Gizzard and i was just telling him the other day i see some similarities between Phish and King Gizzard. Love the new album and they also just dropped a new 2 song EP that is really enjoyable
did you just get into the Dead/Phish for the scene surrounding their shows or do you actually enjoy the music? Ive been a Dead/Phish fan since I was 15 and now at 35 I see so many people that just get into the Dead because John Mayer is playing with them and the party on lot at the shows
Listen to Ween.
@@dustintaylor112 I guess you could say both, I’ve listened to a ton of dead shows at this point and got into the music fairly quick after listening to a few shows
It has been a *good time* being a Gizz fan. Jump on board folks, these guys are the real deal. Legends.
Skye, I've been waiting to see some thoughts about this album -- I can't stop listening to it and can't believe I haven't seen more discourse on it. Thanks for your commentary. I really appreciate the way you approach this music and these videos.
I actually went to one of their October shows in Van and really recommend going to a gizz show if you can (whoever is reading this). Seeing Stu paying the flute is incredible in and of itself. lol
Since you're a hip-hop fan, you should check out omnium gatherum. They have two songs on that album, which are their first foray in the hip hop direction. Also starts with a 16 minute mind melting song.
Dude, I just saw KGALW at Red Rocks and I will just say, drop everything and get to Denver for the November show. It was an absolutely beautiful event. They are in their element on stage. Very jam-bandesque for sure. The way their concert flowed from song to song, transitioning from one song to the next so fluidly. Starting a track, going into another track, the back into the first track. Jamming out on songs for 10 minutes at a time and really just feeling one another. I'm an avid concert junkie, Ive seen at least 50 shows/concerts this year alone (from vaporwave at the knockdown center in new york, to george porter jr in new orleans, to techno, hardcore electronica, rock, psyche, punk, hip hop, rap etc.) and let me tell you, they are at their peak right now and I wouldn't miss it if I were you. I used to be a big deadhead, not really much anymore honestly. I've always really searched for the fringe artist and experimental artist. That's what brought me to the dead. I was born in 1993 so I never saw jerry, but Ive listened to a lot of their shows and I've seen dead and co 4 times and bob weir a few times. That being said, I think they are kind of in the same vein as a jam band, but I wouldn't put them in that category personally. Mainly due to the fact that they are more than that and I wouldn't want to pigeonhole them. They genuinely kick ass.
Also for the record I've done drugs at many concerts, but I will say I went into red rocks sober and it was one of the most viseral and emotional shows Ive seen in a while. I really don't think you need to do drugs to have a great time at their shows.
Been a fan for 5-6 years now, started with Mind Fuzz and Nonagon Infinity, grew to love Sketches, Papermache Dream Balloon, and Gumboot Soup. This October was the first time I ever heard KG live, it was... insane. It was like you said, it was like a serious high. Surrounded by my best friends, listening to a band that visibly fed off the vibes. It was an awesome set, loved it to pieces and I wish I could afford to chase them all around the world and back to Australia.
I can be a very obsessive person, and so I've decided to only give attention to the first 20 KGLW albums- Everything after this I could only hear at a live show. I appreciate that you are sharing your perspective on this music I won't listen to.
Aside from this October Trio of albums, there will be one more this year to make a new Pentet, and I'm interested to compare the 2022 Pentet and the 2017 Pentet.
The band is indeed all vegan, very astute.
Part way through the video I was inspired to write some long winded comment expressing all the ways that I really like this video. Then I listened to Mycelium again more closely are remembered the video of close /listening/. I'm so caught up in other aspects of my life that I forget to appreciate art in its full capacity most times. This makes me want to learn more about music. I love it. Thank you.
I personally love Gizz lyrics. Yea they are a bit campy but thats what makes it great.
Does KGATLW ever do anything bad? Not really.
BTW their ouroboros of albums, Nonagon Infinity, just went Platinum!
There really is no debate, their volume of work is already overshadowing so many other bands.
so many others but not the dead, phish, abb, ttb, govt mule, or widespread panic.
I’m with you on everything except the harmonica. Don’t want more of it, but where they use it, it works for me.
It feels like King Gizzard with Cavs as the only drummer is kinda going through the same transitional period as the Grateful Dead after Mickey left and the possibilities for taking a jam somewhere really opened up.
Musically there are obviously a lot of differences between the two bands, but tracks like The River developing new themes and being stretched to 20 minutes this past tour is pretty much identical to how The Other One, Dark Star and Playin' matured into jam vehicles that go somewhere completely different every night on the Europe 72 tour exactly 50 years ago.
As a drummer myself, Bill Keutzmann is my favorite drummer of all time because of his ability to take control in a jam and really push the rest of the band where he wants them to be, as well as his amazing, almost melodic ride cymbal driven playing during solos. Both of these things are something the remaining King Gizzard drummer is really good at as well and it certainly helps the music
I'm very excited to see them develop as a band in the coming years, and it wouldn't surprise me if in 50 years there will be people having an argument over if The River from 19-6-2022 is the best ever or if 2023 versions are better, just like we still do for the dead.
Oh yeah and before I forget, 3/24/1973 for your favorite Dead show question, there's really nothing like early 73 imo
2/15/73 is fantastic. Phish is much more of a party and I resisted them for a long time on their Zappa-esque randomness and silliness alone. I would argue that The Grateful Dead had a couple of fantastic lyricists. I love Phish and I've seen them a dozen or so times, but for me they don't have enough of the emotional balance that The Grateful Dead had.
Fantastic video, thank you very much Prof!!
Brilliant summary!
I tried multiple times to get into Dead, but failed. Phish I get, especially their earlier days. Perhaps I'm leaning to the nerd side ?
KGLW is the coolest musical phenomenon in decades ❤️
saw Kind Gizzard a few weeks ago in Seattle, they put on a really really good show
I was just listening to this one in the morning , you got perfect timing ! 👍
I’ve been more excited for this video than the album itself.
It may be a stupidly broad question, but I’d be dying to know what your top book recommendations would be for a college student with far too few humanities classes in his schedule. I think it’s hard for students to discern which books are worth what little time they have to read them, and I’d love to know your take.
Also, love the video as always. If these videos were a class, I’d have probably taken it more than once by now.
Stay tuned to my spam channel (From the Desk of Professor Skye) where I'll eventually release a kind of "reading list"
You seriously took the words out of my mouth! I'm at least glad I don't have to be the one to propose this, because I felt it needed to be said! I just saw KGLW for the first time at Red Rocks both nights, and going to the third night as well. Just saw Phish at Dick's for the first time in 20 years. While all the shows were amazing, KGLW is the best jam band ever, nuf said!
The videos for The Land Befor Timeland, Hypertension and Smoke & Mirrors all include the countdown clock as an overlay to what is just a visualizer style video..
I find it hilarious that people are saying it’s psychedelic rock not a jam band. All jam bands play psychedelic rock. King Gizzard Jams (improvises during a song for an extended period) so they can def be called a jam band.
I don't think Hell's Itch is simply about a sun burn. I think it's a spiritual successor to Self Immolate from Infest The Rat's Nest. "I'd slice my skin to get within.
Lacerate my own linchpin. Nominate my next of kin. Destroy myself with no chagrin." Themes of self mutilation and and self destruction.
I bet you could get one of the members to do an interview if you ever wanted. Especially Stu and Ambrose have been good about talking to fans
Better? What kind of competition would be held in order to determine who is better?
I caught both that Phish 92 Orpheum show and the 91 and 93 Boston Dead run.
I tend to see King Gizzard as singular among jam bands. They are a bit like early Phish with their tight compositions, but early Phish seemed to be focused on Trey's guitar playing as opposed to a more group centered jam style. Neither King Gizzard or Phish could flirt with the howling void like the Dead could, especially in 1972-1974.
omg ur doing the good stuff again
I love this loose, essay form
Love love love this vid/review! Ok, agree with 98%, and only disagree with a very mild 2% haha! Great job, and thanks for sharing! Liked and subscribed!
I am a KGLW fan w/o being either a Dead or Phish fan. I'll listen to both, but only truly love my Gizz boys.
The term "jam band" being associated with King Gizz is very new. It sounds weird to hear them grouped in with modern jam bands, although with the way their live shows have evolved I can see why. During the mid 2010s they were mostly associated with lofi psychedelic garage rock. Yes they always had a jammy side, such as on Quarters, but with their fans there was very little overlap with the jam band crowds. In 2017 they started exploring more proggy stuff and it's been consistent genre-hopping on albums since, each one probably drawing in a bit of fans from those respective musical backgrounds. In the Gizz shows I've seen this year, there was definitely a bigger contingent of jamband fans but you get still get a mix of people that come from more of the garage rock or even metal side of things (based on band T-shirts I saw and the few people I chatted with).
I get why jam band fans would be into them... but they don't jam. Definitely proggy, but no group improvisation.
my name is Gumbo Gary and i'm here to endorse this message
Waiting for this one!
I'm 67, hugely into music through many phases including 60s pop and rock, prog rock, punk, 80s, alt rock. There are a couple of essential jam bands that emerged from the prog scene in Europe--Gong (multinational, but led by an Australian!) and Can (German)--that may have provided the Gizz some inspiration. Like Gong's space-rock, King Gizz constructed a whimsical mythology called the Gizzverse--although it seems to have played out in recent years.
But the German influences are even more overt. Much of their earlier music featured the "motorik" beat popularized by Neu--another krautrock influence. I think it's no coincidence that their TH-cam channel recently featured release of "a neu can of demos". (Btw, "Iron Lung" seems to me VERY Can-influenced.)
I think of the Gizz as a postpunk and postprog jam band. They're capable of pummeling with garage rock or thrash metal, or chilling with jazzy dream pop--while exploring microtonal tunings, or rotating through musical modes.
I just saw both shows at Red Rocks, a bucket list experience, and I came away with the realization that I had finally become a jam band fanatic. I had never much cared for jam bands, wanting music that was more challenging, not locked into any genre, dynamic, melodic (Gizz music is full of hooks), and with a terrific sense humor. In 55 years of music listening, King Gizz has given me more music I've loved than any other band.
Would love to see what you think of Made in Timeland and Laminated Denim
As to the crossover of the communities, I saw 64 Dead shows (all with Jerry), have seen 13 Phish shows (so far), and I will be in Detroit tomorrow for my third KGATLW show. So yes, there is overlap. Multiple Radiohead shows and tickets for The Smile later this year, and I am a vegetarian so I guess you pretty much have me figured out.🤷🏼
I know it’s a clickbaity title meant to incite, but I think the KGLW vs Phish/Dead is just silly. Phish and the Dead aren’t just the best at what they do, they’re the only ones who do what they do. If you can find me a KGLW that can morph into something like Riverport Gin or really anything that can touch some of the Type II jams that are the reason they’re so beloved. KGLW are incredible and dynamic musicians but they just don’t “jam” on anything approaching what Phish does.
Agree with the love for King Gizzard. They have put out a lot of stuff that has been extremely refreshing to listen to.
However, I went to see them live back in 2019 I believe, and was completely underwhelmed to be honest. They seemed to play all their more metal stuff, which is not what I listen to them for. Mabye it was an off show? I would go check them out again anyway because they are obviously super talented.
What's happened is that KGLW has set their sights on BEING A JAM BAND like they did with BEING A THRASH METAL BAND and BEING A PROG ROCK BAND and BEING A JAZZ BAND and BEING A GARAGE BAND and BEING A PSYCH ROCK BAND...etc. Their strength is that they can do f'ing anything.
I saw them at the Greek a few weeks ago! It was absolutely amazing they ROCKED the Greek best show I’ve been to sooooo farrrr!
best reviewer out there ngl
If you don’t go to RR in Nov. You are doing yourself a disservice, if you can get tickets. You will come thru the Nonagon a different person. - Everytime I go to a show, I’m completely changed and more in love with KGLW
I'd be really curious what your thoughts are on the new RHCP album Return of the Cosmic Canteen since King Gizzard's lyrics so much.
Iron Lung is my fave from the album, for me it was very tight and enjoyable. I listened to the whole album while on a long walk. Very enjoyable.
As a big Phish and somewhat Dead fan, I appreciate this video. I tried getting into KG prior and just couldn't get into them for whatever reason. But after watching this vid, I went and checked out their new stuff, which I really dig! Not sure if I think they are right in the middle of Phish and the GD. I think both Phish and GD are more accessible to the average person than KG is.
Just saw them Sunday in Detroit
Bought the tickets before quarantine
Amazing show!
Also, I would not consider them a jamband
Really wish I could see KGLW at Red Rocks
if you enjoyed the jammyness of this album, youll love laminated denim. in regards to you opinions on harmonica, in my opinion Ambrose Kenny Smith (the member who play it) is one of the greatest harmonica players, his father is actually blues and country rock musician, Broderick Smith, to say the harmonica runs in the family is an understatement, Broderick actually narrates the second studio gizz album "Eyes like the sky", its a fairly underrated album in the fandom but its a great little western audiobook
King Gizzard do seem to be following in a similar trajectory to the Dead and Phish, in that they have cultivated their own very devoted following. But, as some who loves both the Dead and Phish, King Gizzard have something they don't: an incredibly solid collection of records that aren't jammy at all. They have a deeper catalog of good studio material than either the Dead or Phish (even if I think the Dead also have pretty great traditional songs too).
I don’t agree with the whole “meaningless words” thing in relation to the Grateful💀Dead. Or was that a comment on Phish?
Dead/Phish-head for years, keep trying to listen to these guys, but they haven't caught on yet. They usually sound annoying, but I'll try some more. lol (The lyrics matter man!)
Hey Professor, there's an album by Charlotte emcee Mavi, "Laughing so Hard, it Hurts" that I think you might enjoy. He was featured on Earl's FEET OF CLAY EP a few years back
ETA:
Open Mike Eagle also just released an album and mentions Biz Markie too
Seeing gizz for the 10th time in Melbourne in December, the only band that I regularly see everytime and always get a different set
Great video!. I'm in the love The Grateful Dead and King Gizzard, Phish not so much along with you. I just like their covers. I also traded tapes in Relix and Dupree's back in the day. I think KG kind of reminds me of Zappa. Not in the sound at all but in the many genres and the massive quality output of material.
For whatever reason there's something about KGLW that reminds me of moe. I think it's their willingness to blend genre and while moe. isnt' as experimental as they once were maybe they were creative as well with things they would choose to use etc. They are certainly well deserving of being in the conversation as one of the best to have done it.
I liked your video but I don’t think you gave Robert Hunter (particularly) and Perry Barlow (secondarily) enough credit for their brilliant and timeless lyricism. I just saw Gizz Monday night at Red Rocks and it was a blast! That said, jamming seemed to be secondary to volume and variety of songs played. What I think is exciting about Gizz is that they are entirely unique and true to their own style. I feel the same about Billy Strings. I also love Goose but their style is derivative. I’ll close by saying Phish is my favorite band that’s still playing and The Grateful Dead is my favorite band of all time. I don’t think that Gizz fits into this jam band dichotomy, they are something different and that’s why I love them.
Agreed about Grateful Dead lyrics. Robert Hunter is a true poet. Lyrically, very few artists can achieve the lyricism of Hunter. His lyrics are always open to interpretation and mean different things to different people. His lyrics tell stories and paint pictures.
Please don't dominate the rap, Jack
if you got nothing new to say
If you please don't back up the track
This train got to run today
Spent a little time on the mountain
Spent a little time on the hill
Heard some say better run away
Others say you better stand still
Now I don't know but I been told
it's hard to run with the weight of gold
Other hand I heard it said
it's just as hard with the weight of lead
Who can deny? Who can deny?
it's not just a change in style
One step done and another begun
in I wonder how many miles?
Spent a little time on the mountain
Spent a little time on the hill
Things went down we don't understand
but I think in time we will
Now I don't know but I been told
in the heat of the sun a man died of cold
Do we keep on coming or stand and wait
with the sun so dark and the hour so late?
You can't overlook the lack, Jack
of any other highway to ride
It's got no signs or dividing lines
and very few rules to guide
Spent a little time on the mountain
Spent a little time on the hill
I saw things getting out of hand
I guess they always will
I don't know but I been told
if the horse don't pull you got to carry the load
I don't know whose back's that strong
Maybe find out before too long
One way or another
One way or another
One way or another this darkness got to give
One way or another
One way or another
One way or another this darkness got to give
In my younger days I liked to choose who was better but now I figure why deny myself great music to any of the bands. I love king gizzard, the the Grateful Dead, widespread panic and phish. If the music don’t jam then no thank you ma’am
I always thought they were more prog-rock due to the technical brilliance and how tight they are.
I had to turn it off when he said that there was a general low emphasis on lyricism in so-called jammed band music. The Dead's lyrics are great. As for low emphasis on composition, Phish has some incredibly elaborate compositions.
I went to the 10/11 show at the red rocks. It was the best show I have ever been too in my life.
I’m not familiar with the dead or Phish but the way you describe them it seems like Gizz lean slightly more towards phish. The title of the album is annoying but it becomes more annoying when you get it. The first letter of every word is the same as every mode of the major scale. Ice = Ionian, death = Dorian, planets = Phrygian etc. and each song is in one of the modes
They (or at least Stu) are total music nerds. I still love them a lot for it
As a Gizz Guzzler, I can understand thinking the lyrics aren’t too great. I love ‘em but for sure they are not for everyone. I like your personal insight overall, very cool stuff.
I was at the second red rocks show it was awesome
Prof, take the whole family, obviously.
I am, indeed, a Gizz-Guzzler.
Gizz guzzler = Stu when a mic is placed in front of him.
Check out Goose; they use a gong fairly often too.