Just What Is Steampunk?

[Ojai Sam]

The other night, Mrs. Ojai and I were watching the first episode in the new season of our favorite TV show from New Zealand.

Detective Mike Shepard drives around in a vintage 1971 Holden Kingswood listening to edgy contemporary country music which occasionally figures into a story line. But this time, a different genre was involved. He and the team are called out to a steampunk festival, where one of the role players met an untimely end.

Embarrassing as it was, I had to admit to my bride that I was totally unfamiliar with this subculture and its music. Louder Than War came to my rescue with this Top Ten list.

According to Wikipedia:

Steampunk originated as a retrofuturistic subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. Although its literary origins are sometimes associated with the cyberpunk genre,steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century British Victorian era or the American "Wild West", in a future during which steam power has maintained mainstream usage, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power. However, steampunk and neo-Victorian are different in that the neo-Victorian movement does not extrapolate on technology while technology is a key aspect of steampunk.

Naturally such a rich milieu inspired direct participation by its fans, resulting in festivals of costume, music and art all around the world. Even beautiful Oxnard, California plays along.

The Steampunk Wiki (you knew there had to be one, right?) tell us that:

Steampunk music is a genre with a loosely defined sound, but can be described as "eclectic". Common influences include gothic, industrial, synth-pop, dark wave, and new wave, but there are also hints of orchestral, ragtime, cabaret, Indian, gypsy, folk, and traditional klezmer music

The most important aspect of steampunk music, and perhaps what gives it its label, are the stageshows; bands often mod their equipment to resemble Victorian and Neo-Victorian steampunk equivalents. The band members themselves don period costumes with steampunk accessories.

The instruments used by the performers, while sometimes consisting of the traditional guitar/keyboard/drums trio, is just as eclectic as the sound. Steampunk musicians will often play exotic or unusual instruments, including the cello, accordion, bagpipe, and balalaika.

Here's our Spotify playlist:

 

[Ojai Sam]

Abney Park - Aether Shanties (2009)

First up is Abney Park. LTW gives their background:

Originally a Goth band (and there does seem to be a lot of Goth DNA embedded in steam punk) Abney Park are from Seattle and are looked on by some as the quintessential steampunk band. Their initial dark and heavy brooding sound, which mixed Goth, industrial and black metal was embedded into their new Steampunk identity which they took on in 2006 when they recast themselves as Steampunk. They even went as far to invent a Sci Fi backdrop for themselves and new Victoriana stage names before making an unlikley tilt towards a world music twist to their sound on recent releases.

Their seventh album reveals the band's dark Goth roots overlaid with mandolin and accordion in a nautical motif.

 

[Ojai Sam]

The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing - This May Be The Reason Why The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing Cannot Be Killed By Conventional Weapons (2012)

LTW Sez:

Hailing from London gives this steampunk crew of Dickensian ragamuffins the added advantage of having the perfect backdrop. The band, who are the punk wing of steampunk, steep themselves in the city's Victociana. They describe themselves as “Crusty punk meets cockney sing-songs meets grindcore in the 1880s” and took their name from the graffiti that appeared above the blood stained evidence discarded by Jack The Ripper. Sounding like Blyth Power or one of those melodic bands that appeared in the Crass period, the band also amusingly had a fallout with EMI when they decided to call their debut album Now That's What I Call Steampunk…volume one. Rather than face a costly court battle the band agreed to change the album title to The Steampunk Album That Cannot Be Named for Legal Reasons. Their songs are either cockney knees ups, Oi anthems or proto metal punk assaults and are sing, amusingly, from the perspective of a punk band operating in 1890.

This album is a ton of raunchy fun, reminding me quite a bit of Slade.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

I enjoy the steampunk costumes and accessories that cross my radar from time to time. I had no idea they had a signature music. I liked the Abney Park album better. It seems like they've pulled in eastern European, Slavic, Middle Eastern sounds that make it a lot of fun. Good find!

 

[Nickyboy]

Basically, from what I have seen, "steampunk" costumes mean wearing a top hat and welder's goggles with brass gears sewn on your vest somewhere. Like OUT, I didn't know there was music associated with it. I will have to listen to Ojai's posted examples. I hope they aren't as weak as the costumes are.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Basically, from what I have seen, "steampunk" costumes mean wearing a top hat and welder's goggles with brass gears sewn on your vest somewhere. Like OUT, I didn't know there was music associated with it. I will have to listen to Ojai's posted examples. I hope they aren't as weak as the costumes are.

Taste is in the eye (and ear) of the beholder.

I have an album coming up that I think you may like, @Nickyboy .

 

[axolotl]

This album is a ton of raunchy fun, reminding me quite a bit of Slade.

I first read that as Sade.

Every since attending the most recent Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, I have developed an affinity for some of the trappings of steampunk.

If I could find a nice steampunk-themed necktie with, say, watch gears on it, I'd be royally set.

Speaking of sets, why does the crew above look like they stepped out of a rehearsal for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

 

[Ojai Sam]

Sunday Driver - In The City of Dreadful Night (2008)

LTW sez:

Named afer a gene found in mice and fronted by the sari wearing Chandrika Nat, Sunday Driver explore a sometimes Indian and Carnatic flavoured take on the form that makes a powerful change from the more Goth industrial flavours of most of the bands. They also have many vaudevile touches but with a dark, atmospheric undetow as they fuse all their influences. Popular at festivals with their lush and tranced out Indian flavours and their added fusions, Sunday Driver are quite special.

So far, this is my favorite steampunk album. Chandrika Nat’s exotic vocals lead the way from East to West and back, while the band expliers a correspondingly broad musical landscape.