DMB Culture
HUM 2250, FALL 2013
Due: 10/7/13
Submitted: 10/7/13
Paper 1 Performance Piece: Dave Matthews Band There are several influential performances during the Information Age of the Twentieth Century. The Dave Matthews Band is definitely a pivotal one. For 20 years, they have sold out concerts across America and overseas. The band started during 1991 in Charlottesville, Virginia with South African singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, saxophonist LeRoi Moore, drummer Carter Beauford, violinist Boyd Tinsley and bassist Stefan Lessard. Jeff Coffin has played saxophone since Moore’s passing in 2008. Currently, trumpeter Rashawn Ross and electric guitarist Tim Reynolds are touring with the band and have been for some time. Their music initially targeted college students. Since then, they have influenced four generations with the art of music. At their concerts today, you will find a cult following of fans that span from generation X, their small children of a generation unnamed, to generations Y and Z in between. The band’s music is just as culturally diverse as the members and their fans. By fusing parts of Rock and Roll, Jazz, Blues, Folk and Funk, this band is arguably one of the most unique bands from this time period. Every song is different and vocalizes topics from love, hate, lust, death, peace, disparity, diversity, politics, and religion. Between the music and the lyrics, this band covers the gamut of musical culture.
Their biggest influence is their avocation to spread peace, love, and individuality: a staple that has helped shape this era and a culture that has impacted the band. During a time of war, school shootings, terrorism, economic collapse, environmental destruction, political downfalls, government shut downs, and individual freedom movements such as gay rights, this band lyrically expresses that love and kindness is what will ultimately save our society. The song “Squirm” is only one of many that is evident of this: Not sad,
Due: 10/7/13
Submitted: 10/7/13
Paper 1 Performance Piece: Dave Matthews Band There are several influential performances during the Information Age of the Twentieth Century. The Dave Matthews Band is definitely a pivotal one. For 20 years, they have sold out concerts across America and overseas. The band started during 1991 in Charlottesville, Virginia with South African singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, saxophonist LeRoi Moore, drummer Carter Beauford, violinist Boyd Tinsley and bassist Stefan Lessard. Jeff Coffin has played saxophone since Moore’s passing in 2008. Currently, trumpeter Rashawn Ross and electric guitarist Tim Reynolds are touring with the band and have been for some time. Their music initially targeted college students. Since then, they have influenced four generations with the art of music. At their concerts today, you will find a cult following of fans that span from generation X, their small children of a generation unnamed, to generations Y and Z in between. The band’s music is just as culturally diverse as the members and their fans. By fusing parts of Rock and Roll, Jazz, Blues, Folk and Funk, this band is arguably one of the most unique bands from this time period. Every song is different and vocalizes topics from love, hate, lust, death, peace, disparity, diversity, politics, and religion. Between the music and the lyrics, this band covers the gamut of musical culture.
Their biggest influence is their avocation to spread peace, love, and individuality: a staple that has helped shape this era and a culture that has impacted the band. During a time of war, school shootings, terrorism, economic collapse, environmental destruction, political downfalls, government shut downs, and individual freedom movements such as gay rights, this band lyrically expresses that love and kindness is what will ultimately save our society. The song “Squirm” is only one of many that is evident of this: Not sad,