Page 27 - 1986 VES Meteor

OCTOBER 17, 1986
THE METEOR
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As the fall campaign opens, old and new students alike begin to fill the ranks in a war which goes back more than 20 years, the "great band conflict." For some, as in any war, this is a traumatic experience
- should they join the Classic Rockers, the Punk Rockers, Pro- gressive Hard Rock, Reggae, or stick with Top 40? You like the Doors and U2, but this is war and you must decide. Confusion, nothin' clear? Well, we have tried to help, cutting through the muck to the facts, with interviews with the commanders in the field and a few troops, so
you too can understand and join up.
Let us start with the Classic Rockers, for they make up the
largest army. Unlike most forces, they can not unite and this maybe their downfall; we have the Dead, the Doors, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Stones, and the list goes on for about 20 others. When one looks at last year's casualities, there's no contest - the Dead won and walked over everybody else; with the official school concert trip and
the 'Dead' bracelet they reached an alltime high. "It's a family unit, everyone enjoys the music, some dedicate their Jives to the Dead. Foc them Jerry is their leader, people freak out, some die, it's the karma. They say no matter where you go in the world, there's a Dead fan." Will this last? The Grateful ones have gained a new faculty member (check out the red hatchback) as a new champion in their crusade to stay "top dog" - but is it enough? Sources close to the command of the Zeppelin claim it's all hope. "We were No. 1 before many had heard of the Grateful Dead and we'll be here long after they're dead
and gone. Zep is the most incredible band, great guitar. We have con· trolled music in the 70's and 80's, Zeppelin has sold more albums t han the Beatles and the Stones 3 to 1. "Stairway to Heaven" is t he most requested song in rock history and still No. 1 on D.C. 101." It is true that the band that won the "Battle of Evermore" dominated the V.E.S. scene for many years but can it stand up to "Casey Jones" and
"Uncle John's Band?" While this super human struggle goes on one cannot forget the doors, and their spiritual leader, Jim Morrison. Though each year their ranks drop, they claim Jim's body was never found and he will return to light his fire around his opponents.
While these old bands fight among themselves, a new face has come across the sea. The punk revolution grows with a new band every month to the long list already compiled. We have: U2, the Cure, Depeche Mode, Smiths, Dead Milkmen, Dead Kennedys, Bauhaus and slam groups like: DK, Stiff Kitten, Agent Orange, Surf Punks,
Strawberry Switchblade, and Suicidal Tendencies. Have you heard of a Killing Joke, if not ask Jim Battle or Edmund Potter - they know. Songs like "Add It Up" by the ever-popular Violet Femmes have stuck spikes in the Zepplin and cause hippies' hair to turn green.
"Punk is bitchin," that's all I can say, as people get bored with the
other stuff like Top 40, they turn to punk, new wave, the more open
they become about things. When people get tired of "boy meets girl,
they fall in love" song and they want music to relate to, this i.s when punk will rule!"
If you decide that a Progressive Hard Rocker is you, then you need to know this group is not like another in the field. Led by bands like RUSH, these Bandits of the battlefield strike hit and run mis-
sions when no one expects and then return to hiding. Their boldest hit came last year during G period when through the hot muggy air, half- asleep students heard RUSH's "Tom Sawyer" blasted from Ran-
dolph, watching with amusement as Mr. Smith tried in vain to find the culprit.
"We may not have many fans, but our fans are very dedicated; and with the beat basa druma in the world how can you lose? Their concert• are aweaome and every album is different."
Poll Results
1. What type of rock music do you prefer?
classic rock: 45% · punk:1oh
heavy metal: 9% reggae: 7%
beach music: 2oh big band/swing: 1%
other: 7% progressive rock: 5% folk/folk rock: 4%
top40:6% jazz: 1% classical: 2%
2. What is VES' favorite band?
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