Leave them all behind

psmealey — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:41:58 -0800

Shoegazer 101 Shoegazing (also known as shoegaze or shoegazer; practitioners referred to as shoegazers) is a genre of alternative rock that emerged from the United Kingdom in the late 1980s. It lasted until the mid 1990s, peaking circa 1990 to 1991. The British music press (notably NME and Melody Maker) called this genre "shoegazing" because the musicians in these bands often maintained a motionless performing style, standing on stage and staring at the floor while playing their instruments; hence, the idea that they were gazing at their shoes. The shoegazing sound featured extensive use of guitar effects, and indistinguishable vocal melodies that blended into the creative noise of the guitars. Some notable bands are Ri de, Lush, Swervedriver, Slowdive, Curve, and American bands Lilys and the Swirlies. Some notable songs: Jesus and Mary Chain - North London Poly Riot Curve - Chinese Burn Curve - Horror Head Curve - Crystal My Bloody Valentine - Soon My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow My Bloody Valentine - Cigarette in Your Bed Ride - Vapor Trail Ride - Leave Them All Behind Ride - Twisterella Swervedriver - Wrong Treats Swervedriver - Duel Swervedriver - Rave Down Slowdive - Allison Slowdive - Shine Slowdive - Catch the Breeze the Swirlies - Bell Blonde Redhead - My Impure Hair Lush - Superblast Lush - Nothing Natural How did they make such beautiful noise? Here's a look at some of the guitar/effects rigs of some of the genre's foremost progenitors: Andy Bell Adam Franklin Jimmy Hartridge Belinda Butcher Kevin Shields Christian Savill Neil Halstead Rachel Goswell And, of course, no discussion of Shoegaze would be complete without a mention of its George Martin, Alan Moulder.

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