Geek_rock

This article may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (October 2007)

Geek rock (also known as nerd rock, but distinct from the hip hop subgenre nerdcore) is a musical subgenre of alternative rock, although unlike many genres, the term is somewhat loosely applied as far as the style of music performed is concerned. Rather, the phrase is more often used to describe the artists and performers, whose personalities and/or appearance are considered "geeky" or "nerdy".

However, there are certain common musical traits that many geek rock artists share, although a good number of the bands described as such may display a sound far removed from the considered standard. Such elements include heavy use of synthesisers and electronic keyboards, vocoders, harmonic vocals (and, sometimes, extensive use of female-led backing vocals) and idiosyncratic use of instruments not usually associated with alt-rock, such as accordions. Some mainstream bands that exemplify the geek rock "sound" include They Might Be Giants,^[1] Jonathan Coulton,^[2] Weezer,^[3] The Rentals,^[4] Guster,^[5] Ben Folds^[5], Nerf Herder^[6], I Fight Dragons, Barenaked Ladies^[7] and Hard 'n Phirm.^[8][9]

In addition, a number of lyrical themes are quite common to the genre, including themes of isolation, loneliness and failing love lives, and a fascination with "geek" pop culture such as comic books, science fiction and fantasy. In addition, significant doses of irony and humor can be found in many geek rock lyrics.

See also

Geek Chic (style)

References

1. ^ "The AV Club Interviews They Might Be Giants". The A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/content/node/23081. Retrieved 2008-02-18. 
2. ^ "How To Become a Rock Star". Yahoo news. http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/61785/how-to-become-a-rock-star. Retrieved 2008-02-18. 
3. ^ ""Weezer Brings Geek Rock to London". http://media.www.bcheights.com/media/storage/paper144/news/2002/04/09/ArtsReview/Weezer.Brings.Geek.Rock.To.London-230449.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-18. 
4. ^ "10 Geek Rock Bands". http://geektrio.net/?p=1486. Retrieved 2010-06-05. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Rufus Wainwright, Guster and Ben Folds 6/13/2004". http://www.glidemagazine.com/Articles/46581/Rufus-Wainwright,-Guster-and-Ben-Folds-6_13_2004.html. Retrieved 2008-02-18. 
6. ^ Grossman, Lev (July 3, 2008). "Parry Gripp of Nerf Herder: The Nerd World Interview". Time. http://nerdworld.blogs.time.com/2008/07/03/parry_gripp_of_nerf_herder_the/. Retrieved 10 July 2009. 
7. ^ "Geek rock that grew in the midst of grunge". http://media.www.tuftsdaily.com/media/storage/paper856/news/2001/04/01/UndefinedSection/Geek-Rock.That.Grew.In.The.Midst.Of.Grunge-1485257.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-18. 
8. ^ http://comedians.jokes.com/hard--n-phirm/videos/hard--n-phirm---interview
9. ^ http://comedians.jokes.com/hard--n-phirm/videos/hard--n-phirm---comedy-feud