Rock & Pop: What would you do in this situation?

Question

Hello, Rock & Pop. I want to play a little game with everyone today, where we're all involved in a scenario. For this scenario, imagine that you were transported to the year of 1980. You're 21 years old, and you're going to the bar for the first time. You go over to get a drink, and you see that Robert Smith has magically appeared next to you. He has a copy of The Cure's Seventeen Seconds, and Ian Curtis is next to you, as well. Additionally, Siouxsie Sioux & Peter Murphy are sitting at a different table, but they've joined you for some drinks. However, there is a twist to this situation: You have to murder all of the musicians that I mentioned previously, or you can go back to the 1960s & kill the members of The Velvet Underground & King Crimson. Regardless of the decision that you choose, your actions will change the face of music forever. Each of these choices will have massive consequences, and entire bands & genres could be eliminated and/or turn out differently because of you. Which option, do you choose?

BQ: Which band would you say was more innovative, controversial and/or influential for their time: The Velvet Underground, or King Crimson.
BQ2: In general, what is your take on 1980s post-punk/gothic rock?
BQ3: In your opinion, which bands from the 90s alternative rock scene came the closest, to being spiritual heirs of Husker Du, Sonic Youth & Dinosaur Jr.?
BQ4: Would you consider Radiohead to be a progressive rock band, in some ways?

BQ: Which band would you say was more innovative, controversial and/or influential for their time: The Velvet Underground, or King Crimson. 
BQ2: In general, what is your take on 1980s post-punk/gothic rock? 
BQ3: In your opinion, which bands from the 90s alternative rock scene came the closest, to being spiritual heirs of Husker Du, Sonic Youth & Dinosaur Jr.? 
BQ4: Would you consider Radiohead to be a progressive rock band, in some ways?

simone · Answer

I'd go with the 1980 option to disrupt the music timeline at a later point with the hope that it would cause less of a ripple besides prime 1980 Siouxsie Sioux could probably kick my a** thus preventing the massacre.

BQ: VU
BQ2: Some of the most interesting and passionate music of the era.
BQ3: Pavement
BQ4: Passing on the Prog question.

BQ:  VU
BQ2:  Some of the most interesting and passionate music of the era.
BQ3:  Pavement
BQ4:  Passing on the Prog question.

? · Answer

Hi Brandon.
I think I would do in the 80s artists. I agree that it will change things forever, but ultimately there could be no worse happening than having VU erased for music history (maybe with the exception of the Beatles). VU is one of the crucial cornerstones of most of the music that I listen to. The 80s groups have heavy influence as well, but not even close to VU's extent.

BA: I've never really listened to King Crimson so I can't speak to it. One of those to-do list items that I never seem to get to. I will say the VU set the bar in all of those categories immensely high.
BA2: It's never been my bailiwick, but I've got some records and there are artists that I like a lot. You are completely correct that the sort of "influence tree" is an incredibly healthy tree. 
BA3: I'm tempted to say Sonic Youth, particularly dealing with their really early work, but I don't consider my opinion terribly educated on the matter..
BA4: I would certainly call Radiohead a progressive, rock band. I'm not so clear on the parameters of the genre. I've always thought of them as a modern classic rock band.

Anonymous · Answer

ah, but i couldn't do that because i myself am influenced by all those bands, and so killing them would create a causal loop and possibly destroy the universe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVUUNPgVlCc

Anonymous · Answer

I regard The Velvet Underground & King Crimson higher than any other band you mention, but it would not make sense to me going back to 1980 because I was younger than 21 back then, and you don't  mention if I will be able to get away with murdering all those individuals.
BQ: I'm not very familiar with The Velvet Underground, so I'd consider King Crimson. 
BQ2: that kind of music never appealed to me
BQ3: again, I have little to no idea who those bands were
BQ4: Radiohead is an overhyped band.

Sorry for the poor input.

Hurricain · Answer

Aloha Brandon!

I'd use your time machine to send me back to 1965, where I could murder both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton as young adults.  Hopefully then when the 2016 Presidential Election rolls around, we would actually have at least one decent candidate to elect as President.

Rock & Pop: What would you do in this situation?

Trending Questions