Jump to content

Wizard rock

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 128.252.254.37 (talk) at 00:11, 15 January 2011 (→‎Continued popularity (2006–2010)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Wizard rock
Stylistic originsMusical: Alternative rock, Indie rock, Punk Rock


Ideological: Harry Potter series
Cultural originsEarly 2000s, United States
Typical instrumentsGuitar, bass, drums, keyboard, vocals
Regional scenes
Global, but centered in the USA
Other topics
Timeline of alternative rock, DIY ethic

Wizard rock (sometimes shorthanded as Wrock) is a rock music genre that developed between 2002 and 2004 in the United States. Wizard rock bands are characterized by their performances and humorous songs about the Harry Potter universe.[1][2] Wizard rock initially started in Massachusetts with Harry and the Potters, though it has grown internationally.[3][4] Wizard rock embraces a do it yourself ethic, with many bands self-producing their recordings and distributing them through online social networking channels.

Characteristics

Top bands in this genre include Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, The Remus Lupins, the Whomping Willows, Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills, Gred and Forge, Tonks and the Aurors, Swish and Flick, Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls, Ministry of Magic, The Moaning Myrtles, The 8th Horcrux, and The Parselmouths.[5] Although most listeners of the genre are fans of Harry Potter, some bands have attracted listeners outside of the books' fanbase.[6]

Musical and lyrical elements

Wizard rock songs are often written from the point of view of a particular character in the books, usually the character who features in the band's name. In contrast to mainstream bands that have some songs incorporating literary references among a wider repertoire of music (notably Led Zeppelin to The Lord of the Rings),[7] wizard rock bands take their inspiration entirely from the Harry Potter universe.[8]

Visual and other elements

When performing live, wizard rock bands often cosplay, or dress as, characters from the novels.[8] In preserving the promotion of reading, too, bands like to perform in libraries, bookstores, and schools.[9] The bands have also performed at the fan conventions.[10]

History

Pre-history

The earliest Harry Potter-themed song is conventionally traced to 2000 when the Los Angeles based pop-punk band Switchblade Kittens released an "Ode to Harry" from the perspective of Ginny Weasley.[11]

Origins (2002–2005)

Harry and the Potters originated the Harry Potter-themed band which became the genesis of a fandom centered genre of music called wizard rock.[11]

As Harry and the Potters increased in popularity, other wizard rock bands started to emerge. Ross and Mehlenbacher originally conceived Draco and the Malfoys as a parody of Harry and the Potters, who were performing at a local house party.[12] In April 2005, Matt Maggiacomo invited Harry and the Potters to play at an all-Harry Potter show at his Rhode Island home. That night, Maggiacomo made his debut as The Whomping Willows, and his friends, Mehlenbacher and his brother, Brian Ross, played for the first time as Draco and the Malfoys.[3]

Continued popularity (2006–2010)

The wizard rock scene has expanded to at least 880 bands.[13] Some popular bands in the wizard rock movement are Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, The Whomping Willows, The Moaning Myrtles, The Remus Lupins, Ministry of Magic, The Parselmouths, Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls, Hermione and the Crookshanks, Basilisk and the Kreachers, Ginny and the Weasleys, The Butterbeer Experience, Riddle TM, Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons, MC Kreacher, Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills, House of Black, and Gred and Forge.

References

  1. ^ Brady, Shaun (2006-11-28). "Yule Ball rolls into Philly". The Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved 2007-02-27. [dead link]
  2. ^ Humphries, Rachel (2007-07-13). "Harry Potter 'Wrockers' Conjure Musical Magic". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
  3. ^ a b Loftus, Meghan (2007-07-20). "Wizard Rock". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 2007-07-31. Cite error: The named reference "poststan" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ Davies, Shaun (2007-07-20). "The unexpected wizards of rock and roll". MSN. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
  5. ^ Grossman, Lev (July 20, 2009). "The Boy Who Rocked". Time magazine. Retrieved 2009-07-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ Rose, Lacey (2005-07-13). "Wizard Rock". Forbes. Retrieved 2007-01-26.
  7. ^ Gleason, Janelle (2007-01-04). "Four reasons you should raid your parents' music collection". Fort Wayne News Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2007-03-30. Retrieved 2007-01-26.
  8. ^ a b Sweeney, Emily (2004-09-16). "Sibling musicians bring out the 'punk' in Harry Potter". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-01-26.
  9. ^ "Harry and the Potters: The Band". Harry and the Potters. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
  10. ^ Traister, Rebecca (2007-06-01). "Potterpalooza". Salon.com. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  11. ^ a b Zumbrun, Joshua (2007-07-08). "Wizard Rock Has Fans in Hogwarts Heaven With an Assist From MySpace, Bands Ride Harry Potter Mania Into the Spotlight" (newspaper). The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-08-06. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Harry Potter 'Wrockers' Conjure Musical Magic
  13. ^ Wizrocklopedia band listings
Bibliography
  • Anelli, Melissa (2008). Harry, A History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon. Word Dancer Press. ISBN 1-416-55495-5.
  • Beahm, George W. (2007). Muggles and Magic: An Unofficial Guide to J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter Phenomenon (3rd ed.). Hampton Roads Publishing Company. ISBN 1-571-74542-4.
  • Gilsdorf, Ethan (2009). Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms. ISBN 1-599-21480-6.
  • Gunelius, Susan (2008). Harry Potter: The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0-230-20323-X.
  • Paré, Joelle (2009). "Magical Musical Manifestations: A Literacy Look at Wizard Rock". In Diana Patterson (ed.). Harry Potter's World Wide Influence. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 181–200. ISBN 1-443-81394-X.
  • Pyne, Erin A. (2007). A Fandom of Magical Proportions: An Unauthorized History of The Harry Potter Phenomenon. Nimble Books. ISBN 0-978-81388-X.
  • Thomas, Scott (2007). The Making of the Potterverse: A Month-By-Month Look at Harry's First 10 Years. ECW Press. ISBN 1-550-22763-7.
  • Turner-Vorbeck, Tammy (2008). "Pottermania: Good, Clean Fun or Cultural Hegemony?". In Elizabeth E. Heilman (ed.). Critical perspectives on Harry Potter (2nd ed.). Routledge. pp. 329–342. ISBN 0-415-96484-9.
  • Koury, Josh (director) (2008). We Are Wizards (DVD). Brooklyn Underground Films.
  • Schuyler, Megan & Schuyler, Mallory (directors) (2008). Wizard Rockumentary: A Movie About Rocking and Rowling (DVD). GryffinClaw Productions.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wizard_rock&oldid=407932544"