Expert: Gabe Johnson - 9/19/2004

Question
Dear Gabe,

I am a bachelor of music student and one of our current assignments is to research a band that has brought something out in the last 5 years.  We have to say how influential we think their music will be on music to come in the future for example like the beatles were.  We have to talk about new things they have created and why we think they will be influential.  Any assistance would be great.

Thanks
Kristy

Answer
Kristy,

Interesting task you have there. To call Radiohead influential on Rock would be quite a standard statement. However, to say that they "impacted society"? Well, that might be stepping their limits.

Firstly, Radiohead simply cannot be appreciated by anyone with a closed mind. This immediately eliminates a gigantic proportion of "society". Nonetheless, they have had a huge impact on music for the following reasons:

-Proof that a love-it-or-hate-it singer can be extremely successful.
-Proof that dark, brooding, depressing, and most importantly, meaningful lyrics can change the philosophies of people in this ridiculously controlled society we live in.
-Proof that experimentation in music can STILL be welcomed, just so that it is unlike any sort of "experimentation" that many bands attempt to pull off.
-Proof that not everyone is shallow: Looks, image, and even dancing have nothing to do with Radiohead's success.
-A record can succeed through tons of producing and not be labelled as "over-produced"
-A band can successfully change, album after album, and everytime the same people are able to appreciate what they're doing.
-Proof that musicianship and composition are important in order to be universally respected by a well-seasoned crowd of music fans

You get where I'm going with this? If you know Radiohead at least partially as much as I do, this list can go on for very long. The fact is, they're unconventional. Bands like Radiohead are needed, especially in the last five years with Kid A in 2000.

I hope this helped at least somewhat. I'm not up for writing your paper for you, but maybe this got you started.

Sincerely,
G. Johnson