Holy ship, February is almost over and I still have yet to pay my respects to the brothers and sisters out there. For many of us, Black History Month seems to glide by as briefly and inertly as the short 28 days it contains. Well I do so declare- not this year!
In considering what I could do as a mere music snob to show my support for the annual celebration, I looked upon an area of music that is often overlooked in black culture: the rock-metal spectrum. Many unspoken racial boundaries exist in the world of music, but these rank among the most pervasive: rap and hip-hop: black; rock and metal: white. Prolific rappers like Eminem and The Beastie Boys, in addition to a number of more recent recent talents, have proven the former bias false, but can the same be said of the other?
Abso-fricken-lutely. Black musicians have never been more prevalent in rock and metal scenes. On this post, and tomorrow's continuation, I'll feature twelve remarkable bands with black members who have either left an eduring impact on rock and metal or are in the midst of leaving their influential mark. Get ready for an ebony-ass kicking 'cause 1-6 are comin' at-cha!
1) Jimi Hendrix - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Hendrix is such an obvious pick that I almost feel silly for pointing him out. However, I'd be even further out of line for omitting him. The mythical man who could do more with one upside-down six-string than three guitarists could with three right-side-up sevens, is a legend in his own right, and one that certainly doesn't require my elaboration. He, along with his band mates, Noel Redding (bass), and Mitch Mitchell (drums), pioneered the "power trio" style of the mid sixties, bringing a mind-blowing mix of musicianship and loud, psychedelic sound to the public ear.
Little known fact: The lyrical content in his popular hit, "Fire" actually has little to do with love or any innuendo; it was quite simply about a fire and Jimi's desire to stand near it. Following a winter performance in 1966, the group reconvened Redding's mother's house. It was rather cold on that evening, a condition that prompted a, now, famous response from the frontman. "Let me stand next to your fire," he said to Noel's mother. Their dog, at the time, occupied much of that space, hence the line, "Move over Rover, and let Jimi take over."
Most Recent Release: Valleys of Neptune (posthumous)
2) H.R, Dr. Know, Darryl Jenifer, Earl Hudson - Bad Brains
If the idea of mixing punk with reggae sounds peculiar now, you can surely imagine how odd the notion must have been thirty years ago. D.C.'s all-black jazz-fusion unit cum hardcore- punk innovator was an instrumental force in the legitimizing of the genre. Their manic mix of sweater-fuzzy guitar riffs, shreddy solos, blistering beats, and totally frenetic vocals made a tremendous impact on punk acts to come as well as many later black musicians in rock and metal. Unfortunately, the group's bipolarity of styles proved just as beneficial to them as it did damaging.
Their spastic approach was one of a kind, but it drew deep divides into the band's personnel. As they progressed, vocalist H.R. (Human Rights) and his brother and drummer Earl Hudson became more interested in reggae while guitarist Dr. Know and bassist Darryl Jenifer continued their love affair with heavy music- it was a recipe for continued disaster. Since 1977, Bad Brains have broken-up and reunited twice. But as of 2007, the quartet has been together, still bringing the punky-Rastafarian love to new generations.
Most Recent Release: Build a Nation
3) Slash - Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver/lots of other obscure projects-
"I thought those guys were all white" you say...
GNR's lead guitarist had good reason to be irked by Axl Rose's use of the "n-bomb." Slash (a.k.a. Saul Hudson) was born to an African American mother and British father (of Jewish descent).
His beyond-popular main act defined hard-rock in the late eighties and did more than a little to pave the way for the impending grunge movement. Made especially famous by his earworm of a lead in the hit, "Sweet Child O' Mine" as well as his epic intro in "Welcome to the Jungle," the man typifies "Guitar Hero" status in the most legitimate of manners. Slash wrote the kind of solos that made you wish you played guitar (or, at least, do better than "Smoke on the Water").
In his later years he's gotten involved with some questionable projects with some questionable characters (cough M. Shadows cough Fergie cough), but his legacy is all too apparent, even among young musos of the current day.
Most Recent Release: Slash
4) Corey Glover, Vernon Reid, Muzz Skillings/Doug Wimbish, Will Calhoun - Living Colour
And how can we not talk about Living Colour?
When this all-black heavy metal quartet dropped their debut album, Vivid, in 1988 they made serious waves in the world of rock. Indebted equally to funk, punk, soul, metal, rock, and even prog, Living Colour had a sound that was both entirely their own, and so far ahead of their time that few even realized just how brilliant they were.
Living Colour was a rare act in which each member contributed equally to the success of their sound. Reid's virtuoustic guitar talent in conjunction with Skilling's rubbery bass, and Calhoun's creative beats established the perfect musical environment for Glover's striking pipes. This sonic personality was matched by their socially and racially-conscious lyrics that hit at a number of the issues afflicting African Americans at the time.
Their claim to fame, "Cult of Personality," is the kind of song that never fails to knock you flat on your arse with it's pure profundity of bad-assery. More than 20 years after its release, the single still sounds fresh as always with its impassioned vocals, jarring time-changes, and that unbelievable riff (the song was recently featured on Guitar Hero III).
Living Colour had the unfortunate fate of being largely forgotten by the mainstream after this monumental single, but like contemporary genre-benders, Faith No More, they were worth far more than their weight in radio plays. The consistency of Vivid and their critically-acclaimed follow-up, Time's Up, are evidence of this. A remarkable group worth rediscovering.
Most Recent Release: The Chair in the Doorway
5) Lajon Witherspoon - Sevendust
Perhaps the clearest heir to Living Colour's throne, Sevendust took the sound of the "black metal" pioneers to a new level of crunchiness. Incorporating riffs and effects that gave equal props to Pantera's groove metal and Reznor's edgy industrial, Sevendust tipped the 90's rock norm far off its axis of complacency.
While recognized by many for the unique talents of drummer Morgan Rose and strong songwriting capabilities of lead guitarist Clint Lowery, a lot of their appeal, no doubt, stems from Lajon. This brotha can SING!
During their formation, Rose, Hornsby, and Connolly, searched for a vocalist for months on end, before stumbling upon the young soul singer in an Atlanta club.They asked him to play metal- and he agreed.
Given Witherspoon's background, it's remarkable how seemlessly he applied his rich voice to to a rougher sound. Able to switch nimbly between clear, soaring tones and corrosive barks, the man has become one of the most distinctive voices in rock and metal today (Sevendust has always squatted right on the border).
Ironically, they never achieved the stardom of many of their opening acts (Staind, Disturbed, Godsmack, Shinedown, Drowning Pool, just to name a few...), yet they maintain one of the most dedicated followings in the industry. These guys love what they do and it's apparent at every show; a great, great live band.
Most Recent Release: Cold Day Memory
6) Skin, Cass - Skunk Anansie
Skin is the kind of woman who could scare any man; a six foot plus, head-shaven black woman with a voice as piercing as the sharpest of katanas. This rare frontwoman drives the English alt rock band with her polemic lyrics, striking voice, and enigmatic persona.
Not to be further overlooked, is dread-sporting bassist, Cass', sinister, percussive playing. His runs dance wildly around the riffs and driving rhythms, rounding out the needly belts of the group's power-house vocalist.
Despite remaining defiantly original and irreverent throughout their non-consecutive ten-year career, maturity is a subject Skunk Anansie have never shied away from. While gradually abandoning their abrasive hard rock roots, they steered toward a more experimental/epic sound with their magnum opus Post Orgasmic Chill. This pivotal release saw them drawing upon dark strings, electronics, and more complex arrangements to masterful effect.
Yes, they play "angry chick music," but it's some of the best around. An incredible singer in a criminally underrated band.
and what about Derrick Green¡
ReplyDeletePart II dude¡
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