The Greatest American Rock Band Bracket!
Final Four, Match 1
R.E.M. (1) vs. the Grateful Dead (3)
The mighty men of Athens, GA versus the jam band pioneers
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R.E.M.:
"R.E.M. marked the point when post-punk turned into alternative rock [and] sparked a back-to-the-garage movement in the American underground. Combining ringing guitar hooks with mumbled, cryptic lyrics and a D.I.Y. aesthetic… the band simultaneously sounded traditional and modern. R.E.M. had an identity and sense of purpose that transformed the American underground. Throughout the '80s, they worked relentlessly, releasing records every year and touring constantly, playing both theaters and backwoods dives. Along the way, they inspired countless bands, from the legions of jangle pop groups in the mid-'80s to scores of alternative pop groups in the '90s, who admired their slow climb to stardom." --AllMusic.com Popularity
Influence:
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Grateful Dead:
"The Grateful Dead was... known for its eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, country, jazz, bluegrass, blues, rock & roll, gospel, reggae, world music, and psychadelia for live performances of lengthy instrumental jams; and for its devoted fans base, known as "Deadheads." These various influences were distilled into a diverse and psychedelic whole that made the Grateful Dead the pioneering godfathers of the jam band world." --AllMusic.com Popularity
Influence:
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