Mike Prete
 

Mike @ ProgDay 2001
 

Contact Info:
E-mail: Mike@progweed.net
AOL Or Instant Messenger: MPrete24
ICQ: #46095564
 

Last Updated: October 2001
 

Of Course this is much more than you ever wanted to know...

My 'path to prog' has been a very meandering one. When I was young, I wasn't really interested in music, I was just subjected to what ever my parents were listening to on the radio. I first became interested in music in 4th grade when I joined the school band and began to play the Clarinet (which within a year became the Bass Clarinet). During the five years I was in the band, I received a great appreciation for music, especially classical. Learning somewhat how music works has given me a strong background in my appreciation of Progressive Rock.

Pink Floyd and Rush provided my first exposure to Prog, but I wasn't really sold until I bought Selling England By The Pound. Since the first time I heard 'Dancing With The Moonlit Knight', I was hooked. Knowing someone already into Prog helped greatly and provided for some intresting listening as I was first getting into the genre. I had Banco, Van Der Graaf Generator, and Magma albums before ever buying Yes or ELP. This must account for me not getting into some of the modern bands like Spock's Beard and The Flower Kings. Thanks Greg, you... sonofabitch.

As of this update, I'm hooked on Canterbury. I'm finding it easier to appreciate the more experimental and avant-garde bands, while having little tolerance for average symphonic. As always, I'm voraciously looking for new things to go along with my other intrests, of which are lsited below in more detail. I've enjoyed meeting many people online (and at NF. What an awesome weekend!) that share my tastes and have turned me on to a wealth of great music that I doubt I would have discovered on my own, and that is why this site exists, to further a genre that is to say the least, far underground.
 
 
 

Geographical location: New York - NYC Suburbs

DOB: 11/24/1981

Enjoy these Styles and musical qualities: Canterbury, Electronic, Kraut Rock, RIO, Symphonic, Zeuhl, some Neo-prog. Usually something from every sub-genre holds some sort of appeal. And my new discovery, Post-Rock.

Other styles/genres/bands that I like not listed above: Small ammounts of other styles such as Classic Rock, Metal and Classical, The Doors, Talking Heads. Thanks goes to Holquist for getting me into power pop stuff like Jellyfish and XTC.

Favorite or well-respected bands/artists: Genesis, Van Der Graaf Generator, Caravan, Jethro Tull, Magma, Banco, Gentle Giant, Echolyn, National Health, King Crimson, Happy The Man, Yes, and plenty more that are too long to list (read my damn reviews to see what I like...)

Dislike these Styles and musical qualities: Mainstream/Accessible/Pop (with few exceptions), Anything that would be played on MTV

Musical styles or qualities that I do not like: Bands that choose to sing in English when it is obviously not their native tounge (yes, I'm referring to you Eloy), Bands retreading a style and not bringing anything new, to the table (Spock's Beard, Flower Kings) or failing to be nearly as good as their predecessors. Cheese can actually be funny sometimes...

Occupation: Student: Currently in Art school majoring in photography - might change to communications.

Other musical activities: Avant-garde improvisition for Flute and Keyboard

Hobbies / obsessions: As you could already tell, music is a major part of my life and is my main obsession outside of school. As you could have guessed, I enjoy art, and also film (as opposed to movies). Being unnecessarily esoteric and snobbish about just anything. Arguing. Keeping tongue firmly planted in cheek ;)

Other comments:  *Clink*

 

Albums dominating my CD player this past month:

July/August:

Strawbs - Hero and Heroine
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Grand Opening and Closing
Picchio Dal Pozzo - Camere Zimmer Rooms
Caravan - If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You
Robert Wyatt - Rock Bottom (This one never leaves)
 

Some of my favourites (By no means a definitive list)
 

Top Ten Favorite Albums (At The Moment):

Foxtrot - Genesis
Megalázottak és Megszomorítottak - After Crying
Pawn Hearts - Van Der Graaf Generator
Godbluff - Van Der Graaf Generator
In The Land of Grey and Pink - Caravan
If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You - Caravan
Rock Bottom - Robert Wyatt
Asylum - Cressida
Rotter's Club - Hatfield and the North
Tales From The Lush Attic - iQ