If you've actively listened to and sought out Rock music long enough, chances are you've encountered the nebulous term of derision called "Butt Rock". The term originates from braindead radio station DJs plugging their programs with the catchphrase, "Nothing BUT Rock!" Overtime, this referred to the dreadful playlists of popular Hard Rock music at the time, thus the term Butt Rock was born.
So what is Butt Rock exactly? The term continues to be contested as tastes differ from person to person, but genres almost universally included are commercially-oriented Hard Rock and Hard Alternative, especially Post-Grunge and Nü-Metal. No one knows for sure who to blame (I personally nominate Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots as well as wannabes like Silverchair, Candlebox or Bush), but the quintessential Butt Rock bands are Nickelback, Creed and 3 Doors Down along with has-been bands like Limp Bizkit and Staind.
There are some obvious trappings a listener could pick apart from these bands: the overwrought emotionalism, ostentatious yet inauthentic machismo, strained attempts at being philosophical / poetic / introspective, dreadful yarling. Perhaps the heaviest critique levied at Butt Rock concerns its lack of novelty. Butt Rock makes no such pretenses of originality and proudly plays formulaic Rock music. That said, you don't need to proverbially reinvent the wheel to make compelling music.
So tell me, what do you think of Butt Rock? How would you define Butt Rock? Did it ruin Rock music? Are there any bands you like in spite of their association with the term?
For me, it's The Superjesus:
So what is Butt Rock exactly? The term continues to be contested as tastes differ from person to person, but genres almost universally included are commercially-oriented Hard Rock and Hard Alternative, especially Post-Grunge and Nü-Metal. No one knows for sure who to blame (I personally nominate Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots as well as wannabes like Silverchair, Candlebox or Bush), but the quintessential Butt Rock bands are Nickelback, Creed and 3 Doors Down along with has-been bands like Limp Bizkit and Staind.
There are some obvious trappings a listener could pick apart from these bands: the overwrought emotionalism, ostentatious yet inauthentic machismo, strained attempts at being philosophical / poetic / introspective, dreadful yarling. Perhaps the heaviest critique levied at Butt Rock concerns its lack of novelty. Butt Rock makes no such pretenses of originality and proudly plays formulaic Rock music. That said, you don't need to proverbially reinvent the wheel to make compelling music.
So tell me, what do you think of Butt Rock? How would you define Butt Rock? Did it ruin Rock music? Are there any bands you like in spite of their association with the term?
For me, it's The Superjesus:
