Coheed and Cambria is an up-and-coming band from New Jersey that seems poised to break the door down into a more mainstream fan base. As indie/emo keeps rising in popularity there will be a select few bands that will be able to come in and appeal to the larger market of consumers and music listeners. I feel like if there is a band that is ready to do it, it might be Coheed and Cambria. They are aggressive enough for the heavy fans. They are melodic enough for those who want a lot of emotion. They are poppy enough for those who like to bounce their head. And best of all, I don't think anyone has any idea what the hell they are talking about with their vague lyrics and seemingly sci-fi themes. After seeing their show last week at the Agora in Cleveland, I am more sure than ever that given the right circumstances, Coheed and Cambria can be the "next big thing" like their NY/NJ brethren, Thursday was last year.
Writing good songs is important for every band, but to write good songs that are good candidates for fans screaming along are few and far between. I would say that the fans at last week's show proved that Coheed and Cambria have an anthemic quality to their songs as most of the crowd reached back and screamed most of the words to the songs. We are talking about a group of indie fans who are known more for their "scene" clothes and haircuts along with an attitude of self-seriousness that is unmatched in most crowds. These fans absolutely just let themselves go in their giddy excitement over seeing the band. This is not to be overlooked.
Article comments
1 - Craig Lyndall
Damnit. I hate posting in front of Marty. Nobody can push you off the front page faster! :-)
2 - Tom Johnson
. . . Coheed broke into "The Trooper," by Iron Maiden . . .
I knew these guys had to have some Maiden influence in them!
I would urge anyone who likes these guys and the Mars Volta to check out Thought Industry's first couple of albums, Songs For Insects especially. They may be 10+ years apart, but these bands share a similar inspirations. TI is just a little thrashier in sound, but there's a spirit there that's common to all of them.
Could prog-rock be making a comeback? I think it just might.
3 - Craig Lyndall
Prog rock will make a fine comeback assuming it doesn't get all pretentious and self-indulgent again. As long as it can be mixed into the structure of a good song, it won't be a problem and it could very well make a comeback.
4 - Eric Olsen
Since prog-rock isn't that far afield from certain elements of the jam band spectrum, I'd say the odds are good. It will be interesting to see who can bridge the gap between the very cool and the very uncool.
5 - Tom Johnson
I hope they don't make it too cool. Prog's geekiness is part of what makes it fun much of the time.
6 - Craig Lyndall
I am constantly looking for bands who play with the technical ability of prog bands, but also with the songwriting ability. Some of the geekier aspects of prog are the blatant masturbatory displays of technical ability which don't seem to have the songcraft aspects to back them up. I avoid that like the plague.
7 - Craig Lyndall
Oh, thanks for pushing me back on the front page Eric.
8 - Tom Johnson
Some of the geekier aspects of prog are the blatant masturbatory displays of technical ability which don't seem to have the songcraft aspects to back them up.
I concur. This is probably why I prefer old Genesis to most of the prog-metal bands that have come out in the wake of Dream Theater. I like DT, but if anyone overly exploits their abilities it's this band. Solo after solo after solo with no real progression in the song gets tiring very quickly. Give me "Tarkus," it may be masturbatory, but it's still fun (dumb as it may be.)
9 - Craig Lyndall
I would like Dream Theater a lot better if someone would choke their cock-rock lead singer. Eff him.
10 - BrownBoognish
Coheed's new cd is a great step forward for the band. Its metal.
11 - Craig Lyndall
Yeah, I know what you are saying. I have a good friend who I think has the best strategy for labeling music. Instead of having indie, emo, screamo, metal, hardcore, blah blah blah...
Either it is Rock or it isn't. Coheed and Cambria? Rock. Jay-Z? Not Rock. Thursday? Rock. Coolio? Not Rock. Dying Fetus? Rock. Outkast? Not Rock.
It is much easier than calling a band a prog/indie/emo/jazz fusion band.
12 - Fish
I personally wouldn't want to listen to new prog if it didn't have instrumentals, but I certainly agree that it should have structure to it. For example, I love Close To The Edge by Yes because the instruments set the mood for the songs and add feeling and emotion to them. If they were there just to display technical ability, I wouldn't really be fond of it. But I love long solos. For example, one of my favorite songs is the Atom Heart Mother Suite by Pink Floyd, which is a full 26 minutes long; but it progresses and changes structure, so I thoroughly enjoy it.
13 - Mike
Does anyone know the name of the song that the chorus goes ".....so man your battle stations"?? i am cracking my head trying to figure it out. thanks
14 - FilteringCraig
That is the title track from "In Keepin Secrets" It is number two on the disk after the phone ringing song thing.
15 - lindsey
hey can someone please tell me the name of the song that goes "i'm giving up girl, i'll find someone new" my brain is going crazy trying to figure out the name.
16 - Jordan
ummm...is the lead singer gay? like a friend wants me to find out and I'm really tired of looking does anyone know?