After dinner the other night, my wife asked, “Does Zoomer play in a band?” That caught me off guard. I paused, searching for any memory of a band with that name – nothing came to mind. Finally, I shrugged and replied, “Honestly, I’m not sure. Maybe they’re more into electronic music nowadays.”
A few days have gone by, and her question still lingers in my mind. Do Zoomer bands even exist? It’s puzzling. As someone who’s pretty much out of the loop on what’s new, I still browse the internet, so I see some of the music released these days. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that there aren’t Zoomer bands that carry the same cultural weight as those from the Millennial, Gen X, or Boomer eras.
Sure, some bands are out there, perhaps operating under the radar in the indie scene, creating great music. But rock, and all its variations, doesn’t seem to hold the same sway it once did. Back when I was a kid, rock music felt like the soundtrack of youth and fun. Even though rap existed, it wasn’t really my scene. Maybe it was just the place where I grew up—somewhere pretty isolated—where rap didn’t hold that kind of significance.
The Shift in Sound
Things have changed. Electronic music, which we later termed EDM, also gained traction in ways I didn’t pay attention to in school. I can still picture those moments in movies set in Sweden, showcasing scenes filled with techno beats. My first real encounter with EDM? A trip to Europe during high school. My host brother handed me a CD filled with techno. I came back all excited, feeling like I had this exotic European treasure.
Back then, rock ruled the airwaves. Sure, you heard it everywhere—on the radio and MTV, while the indie tracks were harder to find. Today, it feels like rap and EDM are where it’s at, while rock has drifted into the background.
It’s not simple to pinpoint why rock has taken a backseat. Society evolves for many reasons—social dynamics, demographics, tech advancements, global events, and economic shifts all contribute in ways that aren’t always clear. But one truth stands out: electric guitars don’t resonate like they used to.
The Role of Technology
Instead of gathering around instruments, kids now often play with digital audio workstations. This method feels… more isolating, to say the least. I’m not criticizing or simply longing for a bygone era. After all, I’ve spent a fair amount of time in music—learning it, playing it, and even producing electronic tracks. Yet the experience of making music has changed dramatically.
When I’m working on electronic music, I’m usually alone, just me and my screen. Sure, there’s creativity involved, but it’s a solitary activity where the physicality of playing an instrument is entirely absent. In comparison, being in a band is about social connection, creating those moments together.
The Allure of Rock
I genuinely enjoy electronic music; it’s part of my job. But I wonder if we’re missing something by sidelining rock. Back when bands dominated, young people picked up guitars, basses, and drums, hoping to mimic their idols and maybe catch someone’s eye in the process.
Those jam sessions in garages? They were messy but playful, a shared experience where even if progress wasn’t evident, camaraderie flourished. Today, there’s little that can rival that experience in the electronic realm. Clicking away in a software program isn’t as impactful. It might not impress someone you’re trying to woo the same way strumming a guitar could.
Rock embodied vitality. Whether fast or slow, it pulsed with energy—its essence alive and raw. There’s a lot to examine when it comes to the loneliness many young folks seem to experience now. Some speculate that the drop in rock parallels a broader disconnect in social structure. Maybe in the end, we really do need more rock bands.
