Experimental rock

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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Art rock. (Discuss)

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Experimental music. (Discuss)

Experimental rock or Avant rock is a type of rock and roll which experiments with the basic elements of the genre, and/or which pushes the boundaries of common composition and performance technique.

Performers may also attempt to individualize their music with new time signatures, instrumental tunings, compositional styles, lyrical techniques, elements of other musical genres, singing styles, or instrumental effects.

[edit] History

The mid- to late '60s was an era of explosive growth and experimentation in rock music. As artists expanded their tastes, taking elements from free jazz such as John Coltrane, or Sun Ra and experimental composers such as John Cage. Groups such as The Velvet Underground and Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band were beginning to explore a more noisey and unexplored style of rock music.

Influenced by the experiments of these groups came another wave experimental rock bands in the early 1970's, from the krautrock era in Germany with bands like Can and Faust taking new directions in this style with tight unconventional rhythms and sounds. Brian Eno would be another large contributor to the style with his departure from Roxy Music to make his own which would be a large influence on post-punk. In the later 70's some artist such as David Bowie and much later Scott Walker were departing from their more pop oriented style to a more experimental rock influenced sound.

In the late 70's punk rock movement, a new style would emerge from it called Post-punk which would have its own experimental sides, from arty punk rockers like Pere Ubu and Suicide to Britain's noise-rock of Public Image Ltd.. Many experimental styles came from these styles experiments, such as Industrial music and No Wave.

The late 80's alternative scene became dominant with Experimental sound structures influenced by the Velvet Underground, such as Sonic Youth, Big Black, and many others. Many indie rock bands became experimental and devulged into their own style known as Post-rock led by innovators such as Slint who were influenced by Hardcore punk and Talk Talk's later works that were influenced by Miles Davis and ambient music.