Archive for March, 2014

Back in the 1970s, it seemed as if there was a trend of musicians looking back to the 1070s’ medieval style. As strange as it may seem, the marriage of early music with rock music was quite popular with musicians and audiences in England and Germany during the 70s. Although the movement was officially called “medieval folk rock,” musicians freely included elements of renaissance and baroque music into their sound. Today, rock historians see the medieval folk rock trend as being highly influential in the world of progressive rock and heavy metal.

The first groups to really start this movement were already involved in England’s progressive folk scene of the 1960s. One of the most influential bands at the start of the medieval folk rock scene was The Incredible String Band, whose 1967 album The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion proved to be an important milestone in the developing genre. Soon after the album’s release and subsequent popularity, other bands began to appear, experimenting with the sound of early music. Steeleye Span, Pentangle, and Amazing Blondel all gained popularity during this time.

One of the most popular bands during this time was Gryphon. Incorporating bassoons and krumhorns into their electric folk instrumentation, Gryphon grew to be considered the preeminent medieval rock bands of their time. The genre reached its height in 1971 when one of the most popular rock bands of the time, Led Zeppelin, released their album Led Zeppelin IV, which featured many medieval musical instruments and lyrical themes.

Steampunk style is everywhere – themed parties, books, graphic novels, films, even video games are getting in on this growing subculture. This intriguing blend of science fiction, historical décor, and the steam-powered ingenuity of the Victorian era lends itself easily to the visual mediums of film and television. We’ve previously covered some movies that feature strong steampunk elements. Let’s take a look at some great steampunk TV shows!

• The Wild Wild West (1965) – The precursor to the 1999 feature film, this TV series combined the style of westerns with the popular spy genre to great effect. The characters’ use of Jules Verne-esque technology and fantasy elements land it dead center in the steampunk universe.
• Voyagers! (1982) – This fantasy show not only featured steampunk elements but also featured elements from across all time periods. As Phineas Bogg and a young boy named Jeffery Jones travel through time with the help of a mysterious device called the Omni, they teach the viewers about various moments in history.
• The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993) – Probably the most beloved of all steampunk shows, this short-lived yet critically adored show featured cult icon Bruce Campbell a lawyer who is hired to track down outlaw John Bly and his gang. While this may sound like a typical Western, it is anything but. Featuring anachronistic technology in a Victorian era American West, this show is a perfect blend of humor, action, and steampunk style.