Where have all the young bands gone?

Rural Ramblings

A long, long time ago in a faraway place, I was young. During my late teens before the yoke of work had fully settled on my shoulders for the next 40 years there were places to go and things to do.

Pubs in the UK were and some still are happening places. Some had and have regular musical entertainment, mostly young local bands, striving for a career or just plain enjoying the gigs.

While I liked to listen to good music I was a complete duff at the subject at school. I blame my dyslexia and a cruel teacher who delighted in playing my compositions for the class’s amusement. I admit I had no clue or interest in the notes and would jot down a random selection in less than five minutes. The result was like something out of a Monty Python sketch. While the teacher’s mission was to humiliate me into doing better the rest of the class thought the compositions were hilariously “cool” and asked for more. The teacher was not impressed. She also gave me numerous detentions for refusing to sing. Signs of future stubbornness there. I never did sing and got a zero in my music exam, another first for the school.

I digress. There were good bands, mediocre bands and there were terrible bands that would make you want to put cheese in your ears. The fact is the bands were young, mostly, and some went on to find fame and fortune. Others played for fun and beer money and others gave up the dream altogether.

During my time as a community journalist I’ve been to a lot of events. Some good, some not so good and others. Well, the least said about those the better. I’ve noticed that even some of the large events like K- Days in Edmonton and The Wild Mountain Music Festival featured some great acts. The Beach Boys for K-Days and the Good Brothers for Wild Mountain, the groups were formed in 1961 and 1969 respectively. The first album I ever bought was a Beach Boys one.

I’m over 60 years old. These bands and others, great as they still are, can often be still playing into their 70s or beyond. Kudos to them I say. However, when I visit events even some of the local bands look to be at least as old or older than me. Where have all the young bands gone? Is it a city thing? Young people still like music. Are they putting demos together in their bedrooms and not playing live? When these great musicians from the past have passed on who will replace them?

Is the music industry dying from the bottom up? I find it weird that the music I like is far heavier and progressive than most of the stuff I hear today. Is that right? Is it a sign of the apathetic times? Answers on a postcard please.