Stonerrock Has Become The Most Important Scene For Preserving Unpretentious Rock and Roll Culture
Five years ago, I wrote a rare music article in my Medium blog. All the rest of my over 150 blogs have been about mathematics education — how it sucks and how it needs to get back to killer content. Not ironic, as the music I have written about is 100% centred on the highest quality rock and roll.
Just last month, the highly anticipated “Becoming Led Zeppelin” was released in theatres.
Arriving soon, will be the another giant of a film. This time from Pink Floyd.
In some coincidence, both films depict bands in their early stages, and as such, the birth of rock and roll culture — which would completely dominate the landscape in the 70's.
That culture, while enormous with teenagers and young adults of the time, was also dangerous. It dabbled in all the vices, and most importantly, really gave zero fucks to anything outside — a compromised society of rules and regulation.
The best rock and roll to ever come out reflected the non-negotiable freedom that the fans championed. The message — probably best articulated by Bowie — “be who you are and never play to the gallery”(society).
Being 60 years old, I have clear memories of that time, which at least followed me into high school in the late 70’s. There was this ineffable washed out/burned out aura that surrounded the teenagers who were the poster children for this rock and roll culture.
Long hair. Jean jackets with patches and black marker drawn logos of bands. 70’s basements with panelling, carpeting, bean bag chairs, and lava lamps. Weed, beer, and promiscuous behavior. It was all Caligula-like, except there was a killer soundtrack of music — one that wouldn’t be rivalled…until now. Dad rock got killed by its “kids”. And, that should surprise nobody.
What should also not surprise anyone is that the reimagining and resurrection of the the absolute best rock music over the 60 years has also reestablished the hippie meets slacker vibe of rock culture.
You’re not going to find that organic dedication and preservation of community, inclusivity, and chill attitudes anywhere outside of the stoner/doom scene. Not only do you get exercise all this with fans — it’s a pillar of expectation to do this with the actual artists who make the magic.
The parallels between mathematical and musical truth are many. The highest realms of mathematics have transcended all barriers. It’s been on death beds. It’s been in concentration camps. It’s been inside prisons. It’s been with thoughts of suicide.
It’s been there as a place of hope and restorative energy — for everyone.
Rock and roll, in its purest form — unvarnished, unfiltered, and unhinged — has been the home of simple truths and simple pleasures. It doesn’t care if you get dressed up or dressed down.
As the Nirvana song goes, “Come As You Are”…
“Life’s splendor forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come.”
― Franz Kafka, Diaries of Franz Kafka 1914–1923
Rock and roll’s splendor is stoner. Always has been. Always will be…
