Van Der Graaf Generator
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Manchester, England (1967 – 1972, 1975 – 1978, 2005 – present)
Van der Graaf Generator, sometimes known by the shorter Van der Graaf, are a progressive rock band formed in Manchester, England. They were the first act signed to Charisma Records. The band achieved considerable success in Italy during the 1970s. In 2005 they embarked on a reunion, which continues to the present day.
The signature Van der Graaf Generator sound in the 1970s was a combination of Peter Hammill’s distinctive and dynamic voice and David Jackson’s electronically-treated saxophones, generally playing over thick chordal keyboard parts (such as Hammond organ and/or clavinet). Van der Graaf Generator albums tended to be darker in atmosphere than many of their prog-rock peers (a trait they shared with King Crimson, whose guitarist Robert Fripp guested on two of their albums), and guitar solos were the exception rather than the rule.
Hammill is the primary songwriter for the band, and the line between music written for his solo career and for the band is often blurred.
The band first formed in 1967 while its members were studying at Manchester University. The three-piece was comprised of Peter Hammill (guitar and vocals), Nick Pearne (organ) and Chris Judge Smith (drums and wind instruments). The group was named after a piece of electric equipment designed to produce static electricity, the Van de Graaff generator. The name was suggested by early member, Chris Judge Smith (the misspellings are accidental). On the basis of a demo, this blues- and jazz-influenced first incarnation were offered a recording contract with Mercury Records.
The signature Van der Graaf Generator sound in the 1970s was a combination of Peter Hammill’s distinctive and dynamic voice and David Jackson’s electronically-treated saxophones, generally playing over thick chordal keyboard parts (such as Hammond organ and/or clavinet). Van der Graaf Generator albums tended to be darker in atmosphere than many of their prog-rock peers (a trait they shared with King Crimson, whose guitarist Robert Fripp guested on two of their albums), and guitar solos were the exception rather than the rule.
Hammill is the primary songwriter for the band, and the line between music written for his solo career and for the band is often blurred.
The band first formed in 1967 while its members were studying at Manchester University. The three-piece was comprised of Peter Hammill (guitar and vocals), Nick Pearne (organ) and Chris Judge Smith (drums and wind instruments). The group was named after a piece of electric equipment designed to produce static electricity, the Van de Graaff generator. The name was suggested by early member, Chris Judge Smith (the misspellings are accidental). On the basis of a demo, this blues- and jazz-influenced first incarnation were offered a recording contract with Mercury Records.
Shouts:
538 shouts
Top Albums
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A Grounding In Numbers
Van Der Graaf Generator
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Pawn Hearts
Van Der Graaf Generator Buy- Download Album
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H to He Who, Am the Only One
Van Der Graaf Generator Buy- Download Album
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Godbluff
Van Der Graaf Generator Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $6.99
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Shoutbox
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R-R-Leite wrote:
What's your favourite VDGG album?Mine is Godbluff, hands down, it was more than a mindblower for the state of mind I was in when I first heard it, and it still has food for thought. [2], ARROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did you find your way into VdGG music? Listening "White Hammer Of Love" in the radio after midnight.
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prog73 wrote:
How did you find your way into VdGG music? My first album was Pawn Hearts and after listening the first time I was really disappointed. Coming from bands like Yes and Camel, the disharmonic parts of Man Erg and Lighthouse Keepers just got on my nerves. Fortunately I gave them a second chance with Godbluff (which is much easier to start with). After getting H to He and Still Life it took not much more time to become VdGG my favourite band at all. And now, about ten years later, well, they still are... (P.S. It took me about ten tries to like Plaque of Lighthouse Keepers, and about fifteen to love it ;)
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davesantos wrote:
Wow! I want this!
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Led_Zayatts wrote:
I got a copy The Book delivered recently, almost finished it. It wasn't cheap, but it was more than worth its price! I think it's a must have for any big VdGG fan. Hats off to Jim Christopulos and Phil Smart!
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davesantos wrote:
The Least We Can Do is Wave To Each Other changed my life for good.
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Led_Zayatts wrote:
Mine is Godbluff, hands down, it was more than a mindblower for the state of mind I was in when I first heard it, and it still has food for thought.
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fastlane01 wrote:
Godbluff for me.
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Sosen wrote:
I have to say World Record... The Least We Can Do etc. is right behind it. Not one song on either of those albums is anything less than fantastic.
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pauldove wrote:
What's your favourite VDGG album? It's either H to He, Who am the only one or Still Life.
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CasiniProjekt wrote:
Hey, please check out my music, its free! http://cassiniprojekt.bandcamp.com/ or http://www.last.fm/music/The+Cassini+Projekt/Blind+Vision Also check out my new music video, I did the CG http://youtu.be/wL5A88cuxwY
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Rocheska wrote:
And "Real Time" is simply best live album ever made, at least in my opinion.
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Sosen wrote:
A Grounding In Numbers is just inappropriately awesome for a band whose members are almost senior citizens.
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mmmojo wrote:
Satan listens to VdGG! so, Peter Hammill > Satan [2]
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Ton87 wrote:
What's your favourite VDGG album? Mine is definitely The Least We Can Do IWTEO.
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momonga2345 wrote:
Awesome ...
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momonga2345 wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWcJ7WeAK78
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CodexManesse wrote:
Peter Hammill = Santa
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lter__Impius wrote:
Santan listens to me.
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Led_Zayatts wrote:
I was hoping somebody might finish it off with Peter Hammill = Nemo.
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Passenger67 wrote:
Fuck Black / Death Metal! Satan listens to VdGG! so, Peter Hammill > Satan
Videos
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Play
Darkness (lyrics)
1 shout
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Play
Undercover Man
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Play
Theme one
5 shouts
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Play
Meurglys III,the Songwriters…
4 shouts
Events
- Jun 22 Van Der Graaf Generator Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem, PA, United States
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Jun
22
NEARfest Apocalypse
Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem, PA, United States
3 going
2 shouts
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Jul
3
An evening with Van der Graaf Generator
Théâtre Maisonneuve, Montreal QC, Canada
1 going
Listening Now
Top Listeners
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Rocheska
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Unknown0Unknown
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crapstone
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brnmkulyavki
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Recent Activity
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PM_01, PinkTree93, wowtaku and 9 other people added Van Der Graaf Generator to their libraries. 44 minutes ago
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hihihaha tagged Van Der Graaf Generator with ‘progressive rock’. Wednesday morning
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Morrrella, super_lignja, Sura_94 and 4 other people added Van Der Graaf Generator to their libraries. Wednesday morning
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Shadop tagged Van Der Graaf Generator with art rock and progressive rock. Monday afternoon
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rodrigoparoni added Van Der Graaf Generator to rodrigoparoni’s library. Monday morning
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Altlaender tagged Van Der Graaf Generator with symphonic progressive rock, symphonic rock, eclectic prog and 12 other tags. Monday morning
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Leoyarzo, Mirjacob, FarqyofFib and 3 other people added Van Der Graaf Generator to their libraries. Monday morning
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EmptyBlackBox tagged Van Der Graaf Generator with ‘progressive’. Sunday afternoon
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EmptyBlackBox and AngrmUndrscr added Van Der Graaf Generator to their libraries. Sunday afternoon
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TOSAGUY tagged Van Der Graaf Generator with ‘progressive rock’. Sunday afternoon
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