Jennifer Rickard
The Oklahoma Daily
August 24, 2006
Images of Bob Dylan-inspired songwriters or Radiohead-influenced alt-rockers might come to mind when pondering the influences that mold a new band into its own musical prowess.
Rarely would the idea of a modern rock group that draws from the antiquities of classical compositions come to mind; yet this is one component, of many, that makes Norman-based rockers Neon Signs Like the World is Great unique.
Rick Dean, music composition senior and Neon Signs bassist, said his personal contribution to the band is
just that.
“I’m enjoying bringing a lot of classical music concepts into popular music,” Dean said. “I think that a lot of pop music just has a lot of chorus/bridge forms and a lot could be gained not by using these classical forms, but having an idea that there are other forms out there.”
Allie Naifeh, University College freshman and Neon Signs keyboardist, said Dean and guitarist Zach Miller offer this classical influence since the two have been at OU for a few years studying musical composition.
“We’re a rock band, technically, and the unique thing about the band is the classical components and technique of it,” Naifeh said.
Incorporating other textures of sounds to their complex yet youthfully danceable melodies also generates a unique image for Neon Signs.
“Besides our regular instruments, we have tambourines and noisemakers that we’ve played before,” Naifeh said.
Dean said in most pop music the bass will have its role, the guitar will have its own, and the keyboard its own as well, but not much variety is created within those strictly formatted walls.
One thing he and his fellow bandmates like doing is creating a melody where the bass can play it, and then that same line of melody can be carried over to different instruments. This also provides a different effect and a unique adhesive flow in the composition.
With that in mind, Dean said his group is definitely about being “new,” but they’re not striving to fit the modern cookie-cutter prototype of a band that’s just out to sound different or weird.
“We’re new and for a purpose,” Dean said. “We just want to make really new, positive music.”
The group, which currently claims five members, has presently gained some promising changes to help its goal of expanding the fan base and possibly beginning recording for an album.