How would you classify the punch bros

[Capt. E]

I haven't heard too much of them, but from the clips on youtube etc I would put them in a jazz catagory. Jazz/Folk/Bluegrass/Pop Fusion perhaps? Kind of reminds me of what Dire Straits or even Spyro Gyra did back in the 70's/80's.
I do like what they are doing...very much. Would certainly try and see them if I had a chance.

[woodwizard]

I've already got my tickets for the Nov.22nd Fayettville Ar. show and have great mid front center seats... can't wait. What ever catagory you put the Punch Brothers in I would say they would be close to the top if not at the top of it. IMHO

[Chris Biorkman]

You are unwittingly stirring up a hornet's nest.

[g-mac]

I don't generally worry too much about classifying music, but about the only label that fits with the Punch Bros. is "acoustic".

Stylistically, as you point out, they draw from everything.

[swampy]

Not my particular tastes, but this looks like fun.

Punch Bros. =

Neo-classical jazzgrass.

[sgarrity]

I'm thinking more like Jazz-Fusion-Chambergrass http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Lou Scuderi]

Well, besides "awesome," it would have to be newgrass/classical/jazz/acoustic folk/pop fusion. Really, the only category they can be in is "Punch Brothers."
Works for me.

[MikeEdgerton]

You are unwittingly stirring up a hornet's nest.
I'm thinking I'll get some popcorn and sit back and watch...

[Jim Broyles]

You're not allowed to watch, Mike. You have to babysit.

[Jim Broyles]

Oops, no I guess you don't, this one is Big Ted's forum. I'll get the salt and butter.

[250sc]

contemperary

[MikeEdgerton]

Oops, no I guess you don't, this one is Big Ted's forum. I'll get the salt and butter.
Good thought. Ted will be along shortly.

[Gutbucket]

I'd catagorize them as experimental. They borrow from a lot of different styles of music and blend them all together. That's probably why die hard grassers don't care for their music. Bluegrass it ain't. But music, it is. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[man dough nollij]

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/boley011/architecture/flamethrower.jpg

[Sean Greer]

I'm thinking more like Jazz-Fusion-Chambergrass # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
"Chambergrass", that's hilarious!

How about "different, but in a good way"?

[mrmando]

I understand that photo is a top-secret shot of the finishing process for Gibson's new "Extreme Distressed Master Model."

"Experimental chambergrass" works for me. Now I will have to make a new divider tab for my CD collection, just so I can put the Punch Bros. CD where it belongs.

[des mando]

did man dough just flame this thread ?

[Capt. E]

I think the point is clear... The Punch Brothers are the Punch Brothers. No catagory possible.

They'd be a great booking at One World Theater and any number of other venues here in Austin. Probably get a spot on Austin City Limits too... If they are listening: Please come, will you? I saw no dates in Texas on their schedule.

[man dough nollij]

Somebody was bound to, sooner or later. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Threads related to Thile are funny, in a disturbing kind of way. People really get their knickers in a twist over what other people think about music, for some reason.

[Keith Erickson]

How would you classify the Punch Brothers?

I would say that their music is really good http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

They are "doing their own thing." I prefer early to mid Nickel Creek stuff but what they are doing is their own. It's breaking down walls and making their own unclassifiable stuff. That alone makes it cool (& true art).

[Hallmark498]

I think the point is clear... The Punch Brothers are the Punch Brothers. No catagory possible. #

They'd be a great booking at One World Theater and any number of other venues here in Austin. Probably get a spot on Austin City Limits too... If they are listening: Please come, will you? I saw no dates in Texas on their schedule.
They will be at the House of Blues (in Dallas)end of Sept. I already got tickets!

[kmiller1610]

The Punch Brothers can do:

Straight ahead bluegrass (as can Mike Marshall, John Reischman, David Grisman, Tony Rice and many others who do other forms). I honestly would love to see a contest with strict rules as to form and selections and see if they can do bluegrass. To quote Chris, "everything we do is based in bluegrass.." But to Chris and Punch, bluegrass is not a container, just a jumping off point.

Newgrass

Classical Grass (see Stravinsky, Paganini, many others)

Jazz Grass

I think the entire point is to make music that crosses genres and defies classification. In other words, they are anti-limits, anti-conventions, anti-destinations.

[MikeEdgerton]

man dough nollij could you give me a hand here...

[MandoBen]

Acoustic Prog Rock.

[jim_n_virginia]

I would classify there music as...

Abstracted Noodling Fusion http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[JEStanek]

In an effort to pseudo-seriously answer the question... based in an NPR article today on (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93626857) the contemporary classical music scene in Houston of all places, I would put the Punch Brothers in Contemporary Classical Stringband music. The segment linked to above had some humorous and serious takes on Contemporary Classical music. As I was listening on my drive home I thought of the Punch Brothers.

Jamie

[SternART]

Strength in Numbers / The Next Generation

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

For a interview about what The Punch Bros. call their music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK7TeNlPLp0

They make it clear that IT IS genre defying.

[Jim MacDaniel]

How would you classify the punch bros
Neo-classical kitchen-sinkgrass

[Steve-o]

man dough nollij could you give me a hand here...
Too funny Mike. Thanks for keeping it light. So far the natives are well behaved.

[Greg H.]

It's simple. I call it 'what I put in my CD rack next to the Edgar Myer/Mike Marshall CDs.' http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Pen]

Listening to PB, I feel much like a 8 year old would feel in a college level Calculus class.

[West]

I think that brothers usually are classified by age. Occasionally you'll find a person who uses height, body temperature, or resting heart rate. I prefer to classify alphabetically: Eldridge, Garrison, Pikelny, Thile, Wichter. This usually is controversial among the people who prefer Dewey Decimal.

Oh snap.

[mandroid]

by ISBN number?, Dewey is one , library of congress another.
heck probably a conundrum for the record stores too, stick it up by the register..

[Joel Spaulding]

SUPERB Musicians who are playing what they wish and probably are not terribly concerned #how they are classified. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[JeffD]

Listening to PB, I feel much like a 8 year old would feel in a college level Calculus class.
There is a lot to that.

[Stephen Lind]

SUPERB Musicians who are playing what they wish and probably are not terribly concerned #how they are classified. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
what he said

[man dough nollij]

I think that brothers usually are classified by age. #Occasionally you'll find a person who uses height, body temperature, or resting heart rate. I prefer to classify alphabetically: #Eldridge, Garrison, Pikelny, Thile, Wichter. #This usually is controversial among the people who prefer Dewey Decimal.

Oh snap.
The Richter scale? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[kmiller1610]

SUPERB Musicians who are playing what they wish and probably are not terribly concerned how they are classified. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
It's more than that. It's ANTI-limits, genre, classification.

It's the drive to "wander" keep moving, go against whatever tide one happens to find. I think making great music is the primary motivation, but after that they are really the opposite of someone trying to emulate a particular thing and do it to perfection. There has to be a twist, extension, new ground or they (CT) are not satisfied. Some of CT's explanations of why NC ended sum this up pretty well (no new ground to cover....)

[mandopete]

Acoustic Prog Rock.
Funny, but sometimes that's how I hear it too! #In high school all I listened to was English progressive bands like Genesis, ELP and Yes. #At times when listening to the Punch Brothers I get the same vibe.

[Capt. E]

"Straight ahead bluegrass (as can Mike Marshall, John Reischman, David Grisman, Tony Rice and many others who do other forms). I honestly would love to see a contest with strict rules as to form and selections and see if they can do bluegrass. To quote Chris, "everything we do is based in bluegrass.." But to Chris and Punch, bluegrass is not a container, just a jumping off point."

The same thing goes on with Cajun music. Quite a few traditional "purists" complain about the new young bands, about how the don't play "real" cajun music anymore. I'm sure some of the old-time traditionalists complained about Bill Monroe and his fancy new fangled music he called bluegrass. None of us come out of a vacuum.

[garyblanchard]

I haven't a clue how to classify it, which I think is a positive thing. We spend too much time classifying and not enough time enjoying. Whatever it is they do, they do it well.

Long live creativity and tearing down the genre walls. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Doug Hoople]

Champagne grass... tall and delicate and filled with bubbly.

[lovethemf5s]

I can't classify it but their album is in the group on my shelf with the ones that don't get played much. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[45ACP-GDLF5]

There's too much trolling here!

[first string]

"I'm sure some of the old-time traditionalists complained about Bill Monroe and his fancy new fangled music he called bluegrass. None of us come out of a vacuum."
Ain't that the truth. I've heard more than a few old time purists, bemoan the "destructive" force that is bluegrass. Many will tell you that thanks to to Earl Scruggs there are almost no original unbastardized old time banjo players left.

[Gutbucket]

"I'm sure some of the old-time traditionalists complained about Bill Monroe and his fancy new fangled music he called bluegrass. None of us come out of a vacuum."
Ain't that the truth. I've heard more than a few old time purists, bemoan the "destructive" force that is bluegrass. Many will tell you that thanks to to Earl Scruggs there are almost no original unbastardized old time banjo players left.
Sour grapes. They just can't get that forwards-backwards roll right. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[tango_grass]

SUPERB Musicians who are playing what they wish and probably are not terribly concerned #how they are classified. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Yep, I agree.

It may not be my cup of tea, but I have to hand it to them, it is good music. and interesting too.

[jefflester]

I think the point is clear... The Punch Brothers are the Punch Brothers. No catagory possible. #

They'd be a great booking at One World Theater and any number of other venues here in Austin. Probably get a spot on Austin City Limits too... If they are listening: Please come, will you? I saw no dates in Texas on their schedule.
They will be at the House of Blues (in Dallas)end of Sept. #I already got tickets!
The 13th is not "the end of Sept". :-) Thile will be touring with Edgar Meyer at the end of September.

They're in Austin on Sept 14th at the Cactus Cafe.
link (http://www.utexas.edu/txunion/ae/cactus/current.php?section=ae)

[MikeEdgerton]

There's too much trolling here!
Actually I've only seen one post that could even remotely be called a troll. I'm very surprised.

[man dough nollij]

A very short flame war, but no trolling. Too bad.

[Stephen Lind]

"I'm sure some of the old-time traditionalists complained about Bill Monroe and his fancy new fangled music he called bluegrass. None of us come out of a vacuum."
Ain't that the truth. I've heard more than a few old time purists, bemoan the "destructive" force that is bluegrass. Many will tell you that thanks to to Earl Scruggs there are almost no original unbastardized old time banjo players left.
Sour grapes. They just can't get that forwards-backwards roll right. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif



dang youts
they always gotta

grow http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Mikey G]

Never heard of 'em.

[JeffD]

SUPERB Musicians who are playing what they wish and probably are not terribly concerned #how they are classified. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
On the contrary, I believe they are very cognizant of how they may be classified, and they are deliberately avoiding established classifications for any of a number of reasons -

-traditional form is too limiting - there is more for their music to say.

-"transcending" an existing tradition to garner a younger audience and be heard.

-easier to make a unique contribution, as existing categories are so over trampled, there is no trail to blaze.

-they can.


They are superb musicians, and it will be interesting to watch them as a group and individually as they get older.

[chasray]

I bet when their next album is out, this will have to be done all over again, 'cause it will be different, too!

[lovethemf5s]

I bet when their next album is out, this will have to be done all over again, 'cause it will be different, too!
You can bet it will be different.

[fatt-dad]

I've got tickets to see them later in the Fall. I have no expectations and the uncertainty of this thread (i.e., jazz, fusion of some ilk, etc.) keeps me interested in what I may see. Heck, I don't even want to check out youtube in advance.

f-d

[Thomas Chapmond]

Capt. E. Punch Bros will be at Cactus Cafe Sunday Sept. 14th.

[GVD]

Catagories smatagories, as far as I'm concerned they're a bunch of wussies if they don't play poly-ethnic Cajun slam-grass.!!!

GVD

[jasona]

Catagories smatagories, as far as I'm concerned they're a bunch of wussies if they don't play poly-ethnic Cajun slam-grass.!!!
...but they DO!

[JeffD]

"I'm sure some of the old-time traditionalists complained about Bill Monroe and his fancy new fangled music he called bluegrass. None of us come out of a vacuum."
Ain't that the truth. I've heard more than a few old time purists, bemoan the "destructive" force that is bluegrass. Many will tell you that thanks to to Earl Scruggs there are almost no original unbastardized old time banjo players left.
Sour grapes. They just can't get that forwards-backwards roll right. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif



dang youts
they always gotta

grow http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
There's many an old timey banjo player who, when admitting to playing banjo, will add: "but not that way."

[Tom Gibson]

Shouldn't the question be "WHY would you classify the Punch Bros?"

[allenhopkins]

Shouldn't the question be "WHY would you classify the Punch Bros?"
Or, "How hard would you punch the Classified Brothers?"

[man dough nollij]

Maybe give 'em a dry, woody CHOP!

[Jakester]

Nextgrass/Bachgrass

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Capt. E]

At the Cactus Sept 14th..?? What a perfect place to see them... I'm going...

[Clyde Clevenger]

Shouldn't the question be "WHY would you classify the Punch Bros?"
Lot's of folks on the Cafe with opinions that I take into consideration before I decide not to listen to them. Music is always "classified". I don't spend a lot of time trolling the Hip Hop or Rap sections at Borders, but as a Campus Monitor at the largest middle school in the country, I do get exposed.

[Rick Schmidlin]

I'm thinking more like Jazz-Fusion-Chambergrass # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Ditto

[kmiller1610]

I'm thinking more like Jazz-Fusion-Chambergrass http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Ditto
Wow. I like that one too..... Time for a poll (:

[woodwizard]

I think they have their own sound. Daaahhhh ....So I call it Punch Music. Grisman has Dawg Music so why not. Anyway I really liked their show last night. I think one of my favorites of the show was when Gabe sang The Band tune "Ophelia". That was so cool. Harmonies were right on awesome! Too me they are more enjoyable live than their CD. Chris's Gibson Loar was sounding pretty sweat. When they played a great Jimmy Rogers "grass" tune ... that was awesome too. I like them better now after seeing them than before.

[jasona]

I just classify it as "good music".

[Kbone]

I'm thinking more like Jazz-Fusion-Chambergrass http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Couldn't of said it better myself - spot on..

[jim_n_virginia]

It JUST came to me.... Noodlegrass :mandosmiley:

[SGraham]

I goes with what WoodWizard says:

Punch Music.