OFF: Techno (was: What's Progressive?)

[Carl E. Anderson]

> I get the same buzz of techno I get off the Hawks. _Exactly_ the same
> buzz. It's head music isn't it?

        Hmmm, well, the problem I have with most techno is that it's
just that--techno.  The mechanical nature of it removes much of the
gestalt function of a live band.  Watching some of the technoid acts
at the solstice gig, I kept thinking they've got close to what Hawkwind
has, the swooshy noises, the repetition ... but it's almost _all_
repetition.  With Hawkwind (ideally) you get a repetitive pattern with
tonal variation and the option of the band to change what they're doing
as they go--work off each other.  Speed up, slow down, change rhythm.
When the all lock in on what each other is doing it can be incredible.

        This is why the sequencers are so annoying--it stifles the
possibilities.  For me the real pinacles of Hawkwind moments are things
like "Time We Left" on Doremi.  You just _can't_ get that with a techno
band.  Well, you might be able to but it would be a stupid waste of time ;)
Much easier and more fun with a live band.

        Techno is too _consistent_ for me.  Humans aren't consistent :)
and I guess I get a kick out of human inconsistancy, planned or otherwise :)
I just can't get excited about something I know comes from a box.  I
can't relate to boxes the way I can to people ...

        Right, enough senseless rambling .... :)

Cheers,
Carl

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Carl Edlund Anderson                           "So that's Terra.  Oohwee,
cea20 at cus.cam.ac.uk                             look out wenchlings, here
http://wjh-www.harvard.edu/~canders/hem.html    come the Hawklords."
cea20 at cus.cam.ac.uk                                -Lord Lemmy (Hawkwind)
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