It seems to me that in the US we haven't had a rock band get really big, like Coldplay big in a VERY long time. What is it about the British/European bands that allows them to get so huge all over the world?

It's funny that we invented rock n roll in the US yet haven't had any of our acts really hit it big in a long time. Arcade Fire is the last band I can think of that got quite a lot of attention but even they're more of a niche type of act.

guitarslinger44 said:

This is a good topic personally I cant stand coldplay and have no idea why they are big in america. However I believe the answer lies in the fact that in england musicians always look to the past for inspiration whereas in america they are always looking to the future and that is why in america generally they invent the genres. IE blues, jazz, rock n roll, soul, rap, its all from america specifically black america. England has always been great at selling americas own stuff back to america new and improved. It goes back to the 60s when the beatles and stones where selling the music you invented back to you improved. I mean alot of americans learned about the old blues guys through English bands I mean whats that about dont you know whats going on in your own back yard??

I think the last truely global american band was Nirvana who very much looked to the past for inspiration I mean Kurt cobain was a huge beatles fan. The only genre I can think of that was invented in England was Jungle music and that lasted long didnt it.

In answer to your question america will have another global band when they get a band that embrassess the past which whether you like it or not is when the best music was made! Anything that happens now is only ever going to be recycled just embrase it.
[Edited 6/20/08 8:48am]

Also before I forget the no1 music in England is rock n roll thats why theres so many festivals, whereas in america its rap/hip hop.

Yes. I'm a big fan of Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Pink Floyd and Radiohead. I don't think it's a coincidence they're all from the UK.

But what is it about living in the UK or being a band in the UK that gives these groups an edge? WHy were Arctic Monkeys hailed as the second coming when we have a billion bands that sound like them in the US?

With the artic monkeys who I personally am not a fan off its not one they sound like its the lyrics!!!

rolling said:

Also its the places and the people the english are generally more intelligent than americans which also helps. For those not in the know Manchester in the North West of England is the most consistantly creative musical city in england just look at the bands that have come from the fine city.

Bee Gees, New Order, Smiths, Happy Mondays, Stone roses, Oasis.

You wouldnt get those bands coming from anywhere else!!!

I keep thinking this "rolling" person above me is actually me, and that I typed these responses in a drunken stupor or something because Ken used to be my avatar here for a while.

rolling said:

WTF r u talking bout, Rap has never and never will be the #1 music in America,rock n roll/ punk rock/ wut ever else version of rock is and will always be #1

guitarslinger44 said:

They don't have the charming accents though.

The Arctic Monkeys have grown on me a bit though. I'm a total Anglophile, especially when it comes to music, but quite of few of the bands that I'm really into at the moment are from the U.S., like MGMT, The Eagles of Death Metal, Queens of the Stone Age, The Kings of Leon, as well as tons of local Mpls. bands.

qvgangsta18 said:

Urban music, rap, hip hop, r&b or whatever is America's #1 music, not Rock. It's been that way since the early 90's.

minneapolisgenius said:

Really Ken was your avatar too. Well you might want to check out my worst album covers thread at the link below if you havent already I think you would enjoy it.


http://prince.org/msg/8/273282
[Edited 6/22/08 4:47am]

Coldplay is like Moby; advertisement music for the masses that bores the shit out of me.

And it is big cuz it is generic tumtidum. Listen to one song and you can hum along to their entire discography. It's easy music for people that like to singalong. Nuf said. They like Robiie Williams, but I at least wanna shag Robbie, you know? I just want to send that Coldplay singer to the barbers to have his head shaved. WTF is on the top of his head?

speeddemon said:

Exactly and dont get me wrong I hate rap/hip hop so its a good job Im english.

speeddemon said:

Maybe on the charts but not in the hearts!

rolling said:

We'l forgive you.

Now go back to watching My Fair Lady on BBC and shut up.

Plain and simple, the UK and the rest of the world "CHAMPION" longevity, the USA does not! The us market geared to the flava of the week or month, where as other markets the artists are more invested in and actually have catalogs of music. Which is why when a band from overseas has a hit here, we call them one hit wonders, but they still remain constant forces overseas. Even the Latin Music market, with the exception of maybe "reggaeton", that market champions its elders, and you will still see artists well into their 30's and 40's still getting PLAY, but here if you are over 25 you are old and finished.

HamsterHuey said:

Typical Thick as a brick american thinks all english are descended from royalty.
[Edited 6/22/08 10:29am]

rolling said:

Who's American?

guitarslinger44 said:

Well, it may have to do with the way artists are being downplayed now. There's no more of the "superstar" kind of things that people we grew up liking had (Prince, MJ, Madonna, etc.). And there's so many acts out there now that are trying to become superstars. And it gets a bit harder since music has become much more accessible these days with the internet and stuff.

In regards to the British bands being successful. Well, some do and some don't. I'm still waiting for Jamie Lidell, Foals, and the New Young Pony Club to become household names. They have cult status here in the States, but not much has changed. It may have to do with how they're being marketed. A group like Coldplay must have had a really good marketing team in addition to being a good band who writes good songs. That's what it's about really: good marketing. If you're a band from a foreign country and you do very well in your region, the real test is whether you can break in America. I don't know why, but that's how it is. If us Yanks dig the sounds, then the foreign band is going nowhere but up.

And for the record, The Arcade Fire is Canadian, so they had to take that test too.

This is the only good thing ever to come out of Britain:

You know what, Dance, I think you just like to come here and sadistically push people's buttons. Come on man, don't front.

Dance said:

Thats really one of the worst.

rolling said:

Really Tyra?