Originally posted by u2met86I have copied my post from the "Best U2 Stage Walk on" thread and am pasting it here in a new thread, because I feel it is more appropriate.
This is in response to djrlewis, who hasn't yet heard of Dave Matthews Band. I'd like to briefly explain because, even if they're not your cup of tea, I think every popular music fan should at least know about Dave Matthews Band. This is just the tip of the iceberg (if you're interested, of course), but I think it is a decent, accessible introduction...
Dave Matthews Band became superstars around 1994 in the United States. It's a shame they haven't reached that level of popularity everywhere, but they are definitely one of the biggest bands in the world today. Dave Matthews regrets that the band is named after him, because it's misleading and singles him out. They really are a band in the deepest sense of the word.
They single-handedly changed the face of American music. Nobody had heard anything like them before or since. They're already guaranteed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because they transcend a "genre;" you just say "Dave Matthews Band," "DMB," or even just "Dave" and people know who you're talking about. There's no Killers / Bravery rivalry here, nobody who really sounds like them, nobody you can claim they ripped off of... it's just Dave.
In the beginning they were especially popular with the stereotypical, suburban upper middle class American "college crowd," so to speak, but they now have mass widespread appeal across ages and countries.
They're a "jam band," and they are incredible musicians, but they still put out songs that are extremely popular. Get this, they have 3 black guys, 2 white guys (one is from South Africa), no electric guitarist, lead singer / acoustic guitarist (Dave Matthews), bass guitar, drums, lead violin(!), and saxophone.
They have much in common with U2:
-Live is where they live, by far.
-They have repeatedly worked with Steve Lillywhite.
-They played a famous gig at Red Rocks and made a fan-favorite album out of it: "Live at Red Rocks 8-15-95"
-They have a HUGE diehard fanbase who tapes and trades shows.
-They encourage taping but not selling bootlegs. I think they actually have a taper's section, but I could be wrong.
-They also cover "All Along The Watchtower" (their version is different, but incredible).
-They are also vehemently hated for stupid / ignorant reasons by small constituents of people who simply don't "get" their appeal.
Only a Few Representative Songs (not necessarily the most famous singles):
-Ants Marching
-Dancing Nancies
-Warehouse
-Crush (famous bass line)
-Everyday / #36 (two separate songs usually played one into the other live, sort of like The Cry / Electric Co.)
-Satellite
-Two Step
-What Would You Say
Fantastic Albums for Starters:
-The Central Park Concert: represents them live, large collection of songs spanning most of their career to date.
-Under The Table And Dreaming
-Crash
Sample song: "Ants Marching (live)"
[YouTube Video]
Watching the whole thing at once may be an acquired taste for a beginner, so here's some important parts not to miss:
0:00 - 2:15: an extended jam based on the opening riff
2:15: the "proper" opening to the song
4:15 - 4:30: famous line, "People in every direction / no words exchanged, no time to exchange"
3:40 - 3:55: one of the choruses
6:35 - 6:50 a key turning point in the song right before it finishes
...any other Dave fans feel free to adjust or comment on what is posted above.
Originally posted by u2met86
...
This is in response to djrlewis, who hasn't yet heard of Dave Matthews Band. I'd like to briefly explain because, even if they're not your cup of tea, I think every popular music fan should at least know about Dave Matthews Band. This is just the tip of the iceberg (if you're interested, of course), but I think it is a decent, accessible introduction...