Abney Park

From EyeKanFly 06/24/2013 22:03

Next to Thomas Dolby ("She Blinded Me with Science"), Abney Park are probably the most important contributor to steampunk music. What is "steampunk" you say? Wikipedia defines it as "a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery", and a "variant of cyberpunk". From Wikipedia: " Abney Park’s lead singer, Robert Brown, very loosely defined it [steampunk music] as, "mixing Victorian elements and modern elements." "

Steampunk music itself can bridge many genres, including punk, EDM, prog, gothic rock, heavy metal, and even folk, but most typically integrates industrial music. If you're more interested in steampunk as a genre, I would highly recommend Abney Park, and also suggest Doctor Steel (industrial hip-hop), Frency and the Punk (punk), and Vernian Process (prog rock).

Steampunk aside, Abney Park fits well into the industrial dance/world music genres, though they also bridge other genres, specifically gothic rock and darkwave. They also have a bit of humor about them as well. I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in steampunk, sci-fi music, or blimp pirates. You read right. Mother. Fuckin. Airship Pirates.

Thought not particularly technically impressive, Abney Park draw musical elements from Rush, The Cure, Radiohead, and Billy Idol, and draw lyrics from steampunk stuff. Until 2007, Abney Park operated as more of a gothic rock band with steampunk influence, but beginning with the album Lost Empires, they became a full-fledged steampunk band, and have been ever since. Picture the music as a combination of The Cure and Radiohead (a little less good), and somewhat lighthearted lyrics about steampunk culture (blimps, goggles, clocks, steamships, etc.).

Seriously, if you do nothing else, at least listen to "Airship Pirates".