Discover the Eclectic Taste of Cedric Bixler-Zavala

Discover the Eclectic Taste of Cedric Bixler-Zavala

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Cedric Bixler and At The Drive-In
3. Sleaford Mods: A Magical English Band 3.1. Introduction to Sleaford Mods 3.2. Watching Sleaford Mods Perform 3.3. The Unique Style of Sleaford Mods
4. Cluster: German Krautrock Rebellion 4.1. German Music Scene Post-Nazism 4.2. Krautrock and Cluster 4.3. Drawing Inspiration from Cluster
5. Syd Barrett: A Strange Obsession 5.1. Introduction to Syd Barrett 5.2. The Influence of "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" 5.3. The Quirkiness of Syd Barrett's Solo Albums
6. Big Star: The American Beatles 6.1. Introduction to Big Star 6.2. Chris Bell: The Tragic Figure 6.3. Alex Chilton: The Godfather of Underground Music
7. Guided By Voices: Late Bloomer's Delight 7.1. Introduction to Guided By Voices 7.2. Exploring the Vast Discography of Guided By Voices 7.3. Falling in Love with "Motor Away"
8. Flaming Groovies: Harmonious Punk 8.1. Introduction to Flaming Groovies 8.2. Their Connection to Big Star 8.3. The Timeless Appeal of "Shake Some Action"
9. John Carpenter: The Master of Soundtracks 9.1. John Carpenter's Contribution to Film and Music 9.2. Exploring the Soundtracks of John Carpenter's Movies 9.3. The Legendary Synthesizer Music of John Carpenter
10. Van Dyke Parks: A Strange Pop Record 10.1. Introduction to Van Dyke Parks 10.2. The Unique Sound of Van Dyke Parks 10.3. Van Dyke Parks and Brian Wilson's Collaboration
11. Conclusion

Sleaford Mods: A Magical English Band

Cedric Bixler, the lead vocalist of At The Drive-In, recently discovered a fascinating band called Sleaford Mods, thanks to his friend Ethan from the band Heron Oblivion. In a conversation about their shared love for The Fall and Mark E. Smith, Ethan introduced Cedric to this English duo that has left a lasting impression on him. Sleaford Mods, consisting of a vocalist and a musician manning the beer bottle and computer, captivated Cedric with their unique spoken word style infused with a Pistols attitude. Their music reminded him of the lo-fi sound of Le Tigre, and he has become a staunch advocate of their talent.

Watching Sleaford Mods perform is an experience filled with magic. Cedric describes their live performances as something special to behold. As a two-piece band, they manage to Create an atmosphere that is both mesmerizing and distinctly English. Cedric was particularly drawn to songs like "Jolly Fucker," which exudes an English Charm in the way the word "fuck" is pronounced. For Cedric, Sleaford Mods has become a go-to recommendation whenever someone asks him about modern music. If someone shares his enthusiasm for the band, he knows they can be friends.

Cluster: German Krautrock Rebellion

Cedric has long been fascinated by the German music scene, considering it a hub of interesting and out-there music. He sees Germany as a country that, after the devastation of Nazism, gave rise to a rebellious spirit that rejected Western rock music. This rebellion birthed the distinctive genre of krautrock, which in turn led to the formation of bands like Cluster. Cedric finds drawing to this kind of music puts him in a state of connection with the characters he creates.

Cluster's music, while not strictly krautrock, evokes a feeling of being inside the world Cedric envisions while drawing. He describes it as making him feel like he's in a John Carpenter movie, ready to commit some kind of crime with his gang in a desolate alleyway. Cluster's record became an essential addition to Cedric's collection due to its ability to transport him to a different realm.

Syd Barrett: A Strange Obsession

During his late teens in El Paso, Cedric and his friends, including fellow musician Omar, developed a secret appreciation for Syd Barrett. The eccentricity and occasional breakdowns in Barrett's songs resonated with them, much like the Tiny Rick storyline in the animated series "Rick and Morty." Cedric believes that Syd Barrett, like Rick and Morty, was too smart for his own good, and owning his solo records became a significant marker of musical significance.

While some may question whether Syd Barrett was mentally present during his recordings, Cedric views the slightly unraveling nature of his songs as an essential part of his genius. Exploring Barrett's solo work is, according to Cedric, a crucial endeavor for any music lover. Cedric acknowledges that not everyone may appreciate Barrett's music, but he encourages rebellion and individual taste in music consumption.

Big Star: The American Beatles

Cedric holds Big Star in high regard, considering them the American counterparts to The Beatles. He recognizes their immense influence on modern-day music and finds their story fascinating, particularly their association with Stax Records despite having a Beatlesque sound. Cedric believes that bands like REM owe a debt to Big Star, as their music fueled the alternative rock movement of the 90s.

Within the world of Big Star, Cedric gravitates towards Chris Bell, a tragic figure whose songwriting prowess he deeply admires. Bell's solo album, "I Am the Cosmos," holds a significant place in pop culture, with one of its songs featured on a famous TV Show. Cedric sees Bell as an important figure in the development of power pop and considers his work a gateway to exploring his solo discography.

Guided By Voices: Late Bloomer's Delight

Cedric confesses that he was a late bloomer when it came to appreciating Guided By Voices. The sheer volume of their releases initially overwhelmed him. However, thanks to a friend named Dan Elkman, Cedric discovered their music through a single song that Instantly won him over. Falling down the wormhole of Guided By Voices, Cedric discovered his favorite song, "Motor Away," which has become a treasured gem for him.

Guided By Voices, led by a teacher named Robert Pollard, has adopted a prolific approach to music production, unafraid to experiment with big productions or four-track recordings. Cedric recognizes their influence from Big Star and appreciates the way they Continue to create great records while respecting their musical predecessors. He sees them as a band that has thrived from the foundation laid by Big Star and encourages listeners to explore their extensive catalog.

Flaming Groovies: Harmonious Punk

Cedric expresses his love for the Flaming Groovies, particularly their song "Shake Some Action," which has been a frequent companion during his drawing Sessions. He finds it fascinating that the Flaming Groovies, with their harmonious sound, were considered England's version of punk during a time when they were opening for The Ramones. To Cedric, it's a cool testament to the diverse influences present within the punk movement.

While acknowledging his uncertainty about the exact year, Cedric finds it intriguing that this version of punk was presented to England, laden with harmonies and irresistible coolness. Cedric's fondness for the Flaming Groovies led to his decision to pick up their record during his recent visit to Amoeba Records, as it was missing from his vinyl collection.

John Carpenter: The Master of Soundtracks

Cedric holds filmmaker John Carpenter in high regard, particularly for his ability to Compose captivating soundtracks for his own movies. Carpenter's work resonates with Cedric, evoking a feeling of being transported to alternative worlds. Cedric considers Carpenter's music to be a treasure trove waiting to be sampled by hip hop artists, as its coolness factor remains constant.

In awe of Carpenter's ability to create strange and unusual movies while simultaneously crafting the accompanying soundtracks, Cedric admires his genius. With just a small synthesizer, Carpenter established a legendary reputation for his distinct and influential music. His contributions to the world of film and music have left a significant impact and continue to inspire contemporary artists.

Van Dyke Parks: A Strange Pop Record

Cedric attributes his knowledge of Van Dyke Parks to his friend and drummer, Ryan Sawyer, who played with At The Drive-In. Parks' music, dating back to 1968, is described by Cedric as a strange pop record that could easily be mistaken for an Animal Collective album if they had the opportunity to time travel and serve as Parks' backing band. Its unique sound sets it apart from traditional pop music of that era.

Parks' record represents a specific moment in the history of Hollywood, where artists were given the freedom to create unconventional and risky projects. Cedric appreciates that even though the album may not have enjoyed commercial success, it still warrants a listen, even for those who may not immediately connect with its eccentricity. Cedric highlights Parks' collaboration with Brian Wilson, emphasizing the close bond between the two artists.

The FAQ Q&A at the end was not provided in the conversation prompt. However, Based on the content, we can generate a few FAQs:

FAQ Q&A:

Q: How did Cedric Bixler discover Sleaford Mods? A: Cedric learned about Sleaford Mods through his friend Ethan from Heron Oblivion.

Q: What is Cedric's opinion about Sleaford Mods' music? A: Cedric finds Sleaford Mods' music magical and describes it as spoken word with a Pistols attitude.

Q: Which band does Cedric compare Sleaford Mods' sound to? A: Cedric draws similarities between Sleaford Mods' sound and the lo-fi Le Tigre sound.

Q: What is krautrock and how does it relate to Cluster? A: Krautrock is a genre of experimental rock music originating in Germany. Cluster is a band that emerged from the rebellion against Western rock music associated with krautrock.

Q: What is Cedric's fascination with Syd Barrett? A: Cedric and his friends developed an intrigue for Syd Barrett's musical style during their late teens. They appreciate the strange allure and occasional breakdowns in his songs.

Q: Why does Cedric view Big Star as the American Beatles? A: Cedric sees Big Star as a band with a Beatlesque sound that greatly influenced modern-day music.

Q: What inspired Cedric to explore Guided By Voices' music? A: Cedric's friend Dan Elkman introduced him to a song by Guided By Voices, which piqued his interest and led him to discover more of their music.

Q: Why does Cedric consider John Carpenter a master of soundtracks? A: Cedric admires John Carpenter's ability to create captivating soundtracks for his movies using only a small synthesizer. He believes Carpenter's music is a missed opportunity for hip hop sampling.

Q: How did Cedric discover Van Dyke Parks' music? A: Cedric's drummer friend, Ryan Sawyer, introduced him to the music of Van Dyke Parks.

Q: What makes Van Dyke Parks' music unique? A: Van Dyke Parks' music is described as a strange pop record that stands out from the conventional pop music of its time. It presents a distinct and eccentric sound.