mart Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 My son started listening to Chic this morning (which means, scarily, that probably before the year is out he'll be doing Bernard Edward lines better than I will ever be able to, and the blighter is only 12). And it got me to thinking about the Nile Rodgers documentary, and the impact of the "Disco Sucks" campaign on the band. So what was going on there? Why did Disco provoke such a reaction amongst rock lovers? Even punk didn't seem to arouse the same ire amongst music lovers. Was it a generational thing? Can anybody remember? (Or guess?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I think it was nstarted as a kind of joke by a DJ, but turned into a bit of a riot. To be honest, amongst the really good stuff was some total dross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxf2KCSyvgQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxf2KCSyvgQ[/url] Oops, misread the thread title Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 And yet Kev, also it would seem answered the question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='KevB' timestamp='1375884220' post='2166904'] Oops, misread the thread title [/quote] Thanks for your contribution, Kev. Now kindly go to the back of the class, and pay attention next time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1375884512' post='2166914'] And yet Kev, also it would seem answered the question! [/quote] That might be true, but don't go encouraging him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='Pete Academy' timestamp='1375883452' post='2166891'] I think it was nstarted as a kind of joke by a DJ, but turned into a bit of a riot. To be honest, amongst the really good stuff was some total dross. [/quote] Yeah, I guess I'm trying to understand how it caught on and became such a big deal. Sure there was a lot of total dross, and some good stuff. But you could surely say the same about any musical genre ever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='mart' timestamp='1375882844' post='2166877'] My son started listening to Chic this morning (which means, scarily, that probably before the year is out he'll be doing Bernard Edward lines better than I will ever be able to, and the blighter is only 12). And it got me to thinking about the Nile Rodgers documentary, and the impact of the "Disco Sucks" campaign on the band. So what was going on there? Why did Disco provoke such a reaction amongst rock lovers? Even punk didn't seem to arouse the same ire amongst music lovers. Was it a generational thing? Can anybody remember? (Or guess?) [/quote] It's fairly well established what was going on... working class, white men saw disco as a threat as it was associated with afro-americans, latinos and the lgb community. Some of the backlash was quite violent: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disco_Demolition_Night"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disco_Demolition_Night[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 OK, sensible reply then - I think the answer lies within any genre being diluted. The early disco stuff was great music but once it catches on, the bar is somewhat lowered and acts of a substandard nature kick in - this is why a genre sucks. I remember in rock circles the debut Guns 'N' Roses album coming out in 1987 and it was fresh and exciting. By the time Nirvana came along we had 1000s of clone bands who were mostly awful so Nirvana broke through. Same with Britpop, any genre. I guess this is why Disco sucked even though a lot of it was actually very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 (edited) ^ Good replies above above. I think disco also suffered from the same plight as modern pop music, in that it was seen by some as being too "fun and frivolous" and didn't reflect the plight of the average working Joe (especially given the social and economic unrest that was happening during the 70s). The phrase "dead as disco" stills crops up today - and in many ways it's true; the original disco vibe is a thing of the past. Although that said, Daft Punk have done something to help resurrect it a little in recent times (I was DJ'ing at a friends 40th birthday recently and 'Get Lucky' proved to be a guaranteed floor-filler and a great link to play some Chic tracks ). And besides, our very own lowdown (Garry) has been keeping the disco fires a-burning only last month in the composition competition... check this out: [url="http://soundcloud.com/garrycribb/club-retro-75"]http://soundcloud.co...b/club-retro-75[/url] Edited August 7, 2013 by Skol303 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 i think Disco was hatted by rockers because Disco at the time was seen as a hedonistic lifestyle, and talking about "Good Times", at a time when America was financially in trouble. not for a second do i think that these rioters were knocking the talent that goes into some of the classic disco record, i think they were just pissed off, that times were hard and people were having a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Pete Academy' timestamp='1375883452' post='2166891'] I think it was nstarted as a kind of joke by a DJ, but turned into a bit of a riot. To be honest, amongst the really good stuff was some total dross. [/quote]as was any other genre Pete. when it was bad it was just like any other, when it was good it was epic dance music that will last forever.. For me Disco came from something amazing and turned into something amazing. it was just a blend of soul music. just someone put a stupid name on it. its like some idiot called Jazz Funk 'Acid Jazz' .. moron Edited August 7, 2013 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1375884938' post='2166923'] OK, sensible reply then - I think the answer lies within any genre being diluted. The early disco stuff was great music but once it catches on, the bar is somewhat lowered and acts of a substandard nature kick in - this is why a genre sucks. I remember in rock circles the debut Guns 'N' Roses album coming out in 1987 and it was fresh and exciting. By the time Nirvana came along we had 1000s of clone bands who were mostly awful so Nirvana broke through. Same with Britpop, any genre. I guess this is why Disco sucked even though a lot of it was actually very good. [/quote] Now, you see, that all sounds reasonable, but doesn't seem to explain why there was such a widespread and violent reaction to disco, and not to any other genre. And I think the comparison with punk is an interesting one: punk as a musical and fashion movement aroused a lot of anger among the general populace (in the UK, at least), but not just within the musical community (by which I mean both musicians and also people who listen to music and consider that as an important part of their lives). Whereas disco seemed to provoke less reaction among the general populace, and much more of a reaction among the musical community. [quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1375884883' post='2166922'] It's fairly well established what was going on... working class, white men saw disco as a threat as it was associated with afro-americans, latinos and the lgb community. Some of the backlash was quite violent: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disco_Demolition_Night"]http://en.wikipedia....emolition_Night[/url] [/quote] A-ha, so wikipedia has the answer, again! Except that, even then, I'm not convinced that this explains the narrow-ness of the reaction to disco, in comparison with the breadth of the reaction to punk. Mind you, I am basically comparing the reaction to punk in the UK with the reaction to disco in the US. And I've heard that the US might just possibly not be exactly the same as the UK culturally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Disco Sucks had more to do with the socio-political makeup of Disco than it did the sound of the records. Music made by black men and popularised in gay clubs was never going to go down well with conservative white Americans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='mart' timestamp='1375882844' post='2166877'] Was it a generational thing? Can anybody remember? (Or guess?) [/quote] I'll guess that there will be a lot of the latter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowender Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I didn't see it as any of those things. Rock was a music of rebellion but also an art form -- something to listen to. Disco was about partying -- something to dance to. Rock music was progressing as was the musicianship. Solos and wild experimentation were a growing part of it. Disco was about precise rhythm, repetition and simplicity. Rock lyrics spoke of angst, revolution and insight. Disco spoke of Love to Love Ya Baby and Boogie Oogie Oogie. When disco emerged, the clubs that hired rock bands switched to DJ's. So naturally, to the rock crowd, disco SUCKED. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1375900255' post='2167200'] [size=4]Disco was about precise rhythm, repetition and simplicity.[/size] [/quote] Mostly true, but simplicity was not always order of the day. Arrangers ruled the roost as well as musicians and producers. (but I do get your point) Two of many........... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXmmWBzS-_o"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXmmWBzS-_o[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJPWXq6b1fA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJPWXq6b1fA[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 ....and then there's the original version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asA5mPZDCW8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 (edited) Another influence at the time was teenage cult identity. By that I mean the difference between mods and rockers i.e. I belong to this group, you belong to that group, usually identified by style of clothing, hairstyle etc. Teenage cults identity was a really strong influence then, unlike today. Teddy boys and greasers were still knocking about In the 70's ! So there were the rockers, then the disco types and the punks, as mentioned above. However, many rockers secretly went down the disco for a good time (and there were usually more girls in the discos too). This doesn't account for the whole answer to the OP's question, but it was definately a factor at the time. So disco sucks ? a theme of the other teenage cult. Then again, the 'disco sucks' campaign also gained strength as a result of the top of the pops tendancy to re-issue every song in history with a disco beat. That really did suck (not a term I like to use, but it fits here) Edited August 7, 2013 by essexbasscat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 BetaFunk' ....and then there's the original version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asA5mPZDCW8 MB1. Great Tune from Chaz (Blockhead) Jankel But that's gotta be one of the weirdest promo vids I've seen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1375884883' post='2166922'] It's fairly well established what was going on... working class, white men saw disco as a threat as it was associated with afro-americans, latinos and the lgb community. Some of the backlash was quite violent: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disco_Demolition_Night"]http://en.wikipedia....emolition_Night[/url] [/quote] This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 (edited) [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1375902249' post='2167250'] ....and then there's the original version. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asA5mPZDCW8[/media] [/quote] Yep great, track.. And yeh MB1.... an out there video... What I should have said was "Two of many covers" Edited August 7, 2013 by lowdown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1375900255' post='2167200'] I didn't see it as any of those things. Rock was a music of rebellion but also an art form -- something to listen to. Disco was about partying -- something to dance to. Rock music was progressing as was the musicianship. Solos and wild experimentation were a growing part of it. Disco was about precise rhythm, repetition and simplicity. Rock lyrics spoke of angst, revolution and insight. Disco spoke of Love to Love Ya Baby and Boogie Oogie Oogie. When disco emerged, the clubs that hired rock bands switched to DJ's. So naturally, to the rock crowd, disco SUCKED. [/quote] That's getting closest to the attitude I remember getting instilled in me - something about some inherent artistic superiority in rock and triviality in disco (and many other genres too). In fact, going slightly off the disco topic, I remember when I was a Floyd-obsessed teen, arguing with a mate who was equally obsessed with Tears for Fears, and me trying to persuade him of the innate superiority of what I was listening to. He was polite enough not to disagree too fervently, but the real irony is that now, a few decades later, I'm probably more likely to be listening to TFF and him to Floyd! But although there are examples of rock trying to push the boundaries, and do something artistic (man!), there are plenty of crap rock records where the only boundaries being pushed were those of how much money could be earned by so few for so little. And it's not exactly as if the gay/disco scene had a monopoly on hedonism! Anyway, lots of good thoughts here folks, keep 'em coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1375900255' post='2167200'] I didn't see it as any of those things. Rock was a music of rebellion but also an art form -- something to listen to. Disco was about partying -- something to dance to. Rock music was progressing as was the musicianship. Solos and wild experimentation were a growing part of it. Disco was about precise rhythm, repetition and simplicity. [/quote] This kind of illustrates the whole rock=authentic, pop=artificial conceit - no offence intended Lowender, it's a long established phenomenon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1375904457' post='2167294'] Yep great, track.. And yeh MB1.... an out there video... What I should have said was "Two of many covers" [/quote] I had to mention it as it was a really weird video. It was a bit odd when it was released but looks even stranger now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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