weird

Weird: A Groovy History of the Unconventional

“Weird” isn’t a genre so much as a feeling, a mood, a sonic rebellion against the norm. It’s the music that makes you raise an eyebrow, scratch your head, and wonder “What in the world am I listening to?”

Roots in the Avant-Garde:

Before “weird” became its own beast, it lurked in the shadows of the avant-garde. Artists like John Cage, with his iconic “4’33″” piece of silence, challenged the very definition of music. Artists like Yoko Ono pushed the boundaries of performance art, creating music that was more about experience than sound.

The Rise of Psych:

The 1960s brought a tidal wave of psychedelic music, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination. Bands like Pink Floyd, with their sprawling, experimental jams, and The Velvet Underground, with their gritty, unsettling sound, opened the door to a new era of sonic weirdness.

The Punk Revolution:

Punk rock, with its DIY ethic and anti-establishment attitude, embraced the unconventional. Bands like The Ramones, with their simple but infectious energy, and The Sex Pistols, with their raw, rebellious aggression, gave a voice to the outsiders, the weirdos, the misfits.

The Birth of “Weird” as a Concept:

While “weird” was always a part of music, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that it became a distinct concept. The rise of independent music labels and the internet created a space for artists to explore their most bizarre and outlandish ideas without the constraints of mainstream expectations.

Funny Facts:

• The “Silence” of John Cage: The most famous piece of “weird” music might just be John Cage’s “4’33″”, where the “music” is actually the ambient sounds of the environment. One performance even included a dog barking in the middle of the “song”.
• The “Toilet Paper” of The Residents: The enigmatic band The Residents, known for their bizarre masks and theatrical performances, once released a “toilet paper” record, where the music was encoded on actual toilet paper.
• The “Meat” of The Butthole Surfers: This punk rock band, known for its outrageous antics, once performed a concert where they threw raw meat into the crowd.

Weird is Still Alive:

From the experimental sounds of Aphex Twin to the experimental electronic noise of Death Grips, “weird” music continues to evolve and thrive in the 21st century. It’s a testament to the power of music to challenge our expectations, push our boundaries, and make us question our understanding of the world. So, put on those headphones, crank up the volume, and get ready for a sonic adventure into the bizarre and the beautiful.