Benisyoga - A Japanese Band Covers King Crimson's Cat Food

This is an awesome cover of King Crimson's Cat Food! Can't understand the vocals? Don't blame it on the Japanese vocalist! The studio version as sung by Greg Lake and subsequent live versions sung by John Wetton are almost as unintelligable.

Heavy Metal Workshop Tokyo Plays Larks' Tongues in Aspic Part 2

This is a cool rendition of the classic King Crimson tune. HMWT has other videos where there are just the 2 people playing piano that are quite good as well.

Is it Genesis Rewired? Is it Garden Wall? No! It's The Watch!!

I first introduced The Watch early in the year when I "accidentally" discovered them. I more recently promoted their upcoming US tour hoping to start a "grass roots", word-of-mouth publicity campaign. Now, I'd like to take it to the next level by offering you a chance to hear this incredible band.

Before you scroll to the goodies below, I'd like to say that, aside from a few supergroups formed in the 80's and 90's, I think The Watch is the best new prog rock band since the punk revolt in the late 70's. Unlike neo-prog outfits such as Dream Theater and Magellan, The Watch is more faithful to and influenced by the original progressive rock movement brought on by bands such as King Crimson and Peter Gabriel era Genesis. Also, unlike many neo-prog bands, The Watch has a sense of style. They don't get flashy just because they can like Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater. Sorry Jordan. It's not how fast you play, but how well you play fast. Keith Emerson can attest to that. Even Keith would go flipping mad on the keyboards sometimes back in the day, but he also knew when to show restraint. Such is the case with The Watch.

Check them out as the perform Damage Mode from their album Vacuum. . .



Here they are performing the classic Genesis song Return of the Giant Hogweed . . .



Phenomenal, yes? Here's another original composition from the Ghost album called DNAlien. . .



Here they are performing one of my favorites among "the short" songs that appear on the Genesis album Foxtrot. This one is called Can Utility and The Coastliners. A song based on the legend of King Canute . . . .



I hope that these songs whet the appetites of fellow US prog rock fans. I'd like to see The Watch have enough success in The States to keep touring here for years to come. If you like what you've heard, please pass the word!

King Crimson Hits 40!

"Born" in 1969, King Crimson turned 40 this year!



Bassist extraordinaire, Tony Levin, is back in the current incarnation of the band as is Pat Mastelotto (Drummer). King Crimson is a dual drummer beast again with the addition of new recruit, Gavin Harrison (from Porcupine Tree). An excellent (and legal) live recording of the line-up can be found here. It is a complete concert and includes a very energetic rendition of The Talking Drum leading into the classic Larks' Tongues in Aspic Pt II. This performance also includes a very cool, funked out version of Thela Hun Ginjeet clocking in at nearly 9 minutes!

King Crimson is arguably the only band (let alone prog rock outfit) from the late 60's that is still a big influence for some of today's bands. There has yet to be an official announcement for a new album, but I'll bet that Crimson hits the studio before the end of the year. With a little luck, we might have new music from them by late fall or early winter. With Tony Levin back from touring with Peter Gabriel, I sure hope Fripp doesn't pass up on some new material!