The timeless ELO hit "Mr. Blue Sky" drew Crobot's Brandon Yeagley toward Frank Zappa, Protest The Hero, and the vast prog realm.
Brandon Yeagley's Musical Journey: From Progressive Rock to The Score
Brandon Yeagley, the lead vocalist of American rock band Crobot and co-founder of The Score, has a deep-rooted love for progressive rock that dates back to his childhood.
Growing up, Yeagley was introduced to the genre through the progressive rock band Primus. It was Primus that led him to discover the music of Frank Zappa. But it was Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) that truly captured his imagination.
At the tender age of eight, Yeagley stumbled upon ELO's album "Out Of The Blue". The album, with its intricate arrangements and catchy melodies, left an indelible impression on the young musician. "Out Of The Blue" remains Yeagley's favourite album by ELO to this day.
One of the songs that particularly resonated with him was "Watch On Mr Blue Sky". This feelgood track, with its upbeat tempo and memorable chorus, has never aged for Yeagley. He finds sentimental value in the song, which he frequently goes back to.
Learning to play "Fortress", a progressive masterpiece by Protest The Hero, was a challenging task for Yeagley. He attempted to learn the song on both guitar and bass, finding the process similar to studying for a science test. Despite the difficulty, he admires the song's complexity and considers it a progressive masterpiece.
Yeagley discovered both ELO and Protest The Hero through a filesharing service called Napster. Napster allowed him to explore and share more music with his friends, broadening his musical horizons.
Yeagley is also a fan of conceptual music. He admires bands like Meat Loaf, Queen, and ELO for their innovative storytelling in music. This appreciation for conceptual music can be heard in his own work with The Score and Crobot.
In addition to ELO, Coheed And Cambria's "Good Apollo" is one of Yeagley's favourite records of all time. He finds the album's intricate storytelling and melodies captivating.
Yeagley's parents passed down a box of cassettes to him between the ages of eight and 10. These cassettes, filled with a variety of music, played a significant role in shaping his musical taste.
As the lead vocalist of The Score, Yeagley continues to create music that reflects his love for progressive rock. His journey from discovering ELO at eight to co-founding The Score is a testament to his passion for music and his commitment to creating something unique.
