"Veteran?" How many albums does it take?

[JSam67]

We all know the LA Times story. But what exactly qualifies a band as veteran? What does everyone think?

[boarderwoozel3]

imo- "veteran" is a weird way to phase this

[dontfeedthebird]

Should you go by album count? Oasis has six and I wouldn't consider them to be "veteran."

Maybe counting an act as veteran should go by decades.

[JSam67]

imo- "veteran" is a weird way to phase this

I'm just going by what Kevin Bronson said in the article everyone on the boards has discussed/referred to recently.

"Next week, you can expect an announcement of the roster, which I was told cryptically might include a surprising veteran act or two (not David Bowie)..."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/buzz...cab-for-c.html

Should you go by album count? Oasis has six and I wouldn't consider them to be "veteran."

Maybe counting an act as veteran should go by decades.

Interesting take. Is Portishead veteran, though? 2 full-length albums, but spanning so much time? I'm not sure, I thought albums might be more representative but who knows.

[Daft Fro]

It's a hard call, by number of albums....

Example: Tool = 4 LPs, Mars Volta = 4 LPs. Yet, I do view Tool as veterans, but maybe not quite yet for TMV.

Being a vet means you've been in the shit. And are alive to tell about it.

I'm gonna say this ball park falls between 4-5 albums, if I had to give a number.

[carokube]

i read veteran as 'veteran of coachella' but of course i'm often confused.

[waxybk]

What about touring, shouldn't that effect a band's "veteran" status?

[karecares]

my guess is that a veteran wouold be someone who's been arouond muliple decades, either touring or with multiple albums or has worked w multiple bands over the years, ie not saying its him in NO way shape nor form but grohl, alone, would be a veteran in my mind, nirvana, foo fighters, worked w a variety of artists. so maybe soomeone of that caliber?

or i can be just rambling

[Derekx]

I think a veteran in this case is going to be an act that has played a few times before. I'm thinking Underworld or Chemical Brothers.

[shotglass75]

And the Newbie is oof to a great start with this excellent question. I have no idea to be honest with you. you could say someone who has been around for about 15 years or more but I wouldn't consider Poison a veteran act. who knows

[roberto73]

The meaning is clear: an act that works with animals.

[Courtney]

i read veteran as 'veteran of coachella'

I agree.

[luckyface]

But they said "(not David Bowie)" right after that, and Bowie has never played Coachella. They are referring to an old time act. Count on it.

[carokube]

But they said "(not David Bowie)" right after that, and Bowie has never played Coachella. They are referring to an old time act. Count on it.

after re-reading the article i sort of agree, since they could have said radiohead and then you'd be sure that it was a veteran of coachella.

but then does this mean we should expect some pre-90s era icon? in this i think smashing pumpkins/foo fighters timed bands should not be counted as 'veteran'

[luckyface]

I would think it would be of the Talking Heads, REM, Springsteen, etc. variety. But I think early 90's acts would qualify as well (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins). It's tough to speculate in this case though. I'd say REM would have been the perfect guess for this act, but I just don't think GV would book them to play a 3rd festival in 2 months.

Yikes, that person who said Santana might be there. He would qualify as a veteran act, as well.

[TonyWonder]

Prince is a veteran and is not Bowie.

[brando4n82]

i think we overlooked what matters. it's not how many albums youve put out. It's how many GOOD, solid, quality albums you put out, that in no way means mediocre or decent.....so I chose 4

[Trailmix]

Number of albums is probably not a good measure. Ryan Adams has a ridiculous number of albums but would not call him a veteran act.

[SFChrissy]

This thread reads...Veteran how many coachella's you have attended

[Trailmix]

This thread reads...Veteran how many coachella's you have attended

Huh?

[thaOfacemaker]

Number of albums is probably not a good measure. Ryan Adams has a ridiculous number of albums but would not call him a veteran act.

I hate Ryan Adams, but he is a veteran...I mean, you would have to classify him as a pop veteran. Just because you want to blow him doesn't mean hes not a veteran.

[Memorial_07]

The Smiths put out four albums.
But were around for 5 years.

I think veteran depends on how long a band has been around

[Mr.Wyndham]

i think i would have to measure it on more of a number of years and skill wises.

[Suffacated]

Main Entry: vet·er·an
Pronunciation: \ˈve-tə-rən, ˈve-trən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin veteranus, from veteranus, adjective, old, of long experience, from veter-, vetus old — more at wether
Date: 1509
1 a: an old soldier of long service b: a former member of the armed forces
2: a person of long experience usually in some occupation or skill (as politics or the arts)
— veteran adjective


Since music if a form of art,
does 10 years + 4 great albums = veteran ?
Or does 4 years + 10 shitty albums = veteran?

[BROKENDOLL]

A Veteran is one who earned merit climbing to the top, and remained respected while there.

[involvelemons]

Uh... Minor Threat had 2 albums (discount Fugazi) but as a band I think they qualify. My Bloody Valentine have one album and an EP. This is a lame way to categorize "veteran" status.

[boarderwoozel3]

I'm pretty sure MBV have 2 studio albums (Isn't Anything and Loveless) and 10 EPs.

[BKsaysAction!]

It has to do with how long they've been around. A band could have only 3 albums but put them out over a 20 year time period they are veterans.