What is Dad Rock?

downtown

downtown

Crafternoon Delight
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QUESTION:

My wife occasionally refers to my musical tastes, with perhaps a hint of pejorative, as "Dad Rock". The definition to this term appears to be a little ambiguous, other than "this music would probably be enjoyed by dads."

Typically, the definition I see strongly correlates Dad Rock with "classic rock" from the 60s and 70s, but Mrs.DT and I both seem to agree that the Barenaked Ladies are definitely Dad Rock, and They Might Be Giants is probably Dad Rock as well (and maybe Wilco), and I don't think those groups come from the same musical lineage as say, Eric Clapton or John Mellencamp, who may be regarded as "very dad rock artists".

Are there more current bands that fit that label? Is Bruce Springsteen the KING of Dad Rock, or does he transcend dads? Should this label be a pejorative?

PLZ TO GIVE ME YOUR DAD ROCK RELATED THOUGHTS
 
It's probably a constantly shifting term depending on who is using it. For -me-, dad rock would be the 50s rock and roll my dad listens to.
 
Mostly seems like a sort of shaming mechanism for liking the music of one's youth, no? "Oh look, you're so badass, and old. What a rebel."
 
Shaming only works if you give a crap about the opinions of those young pukes standing on your lawn mocking your music.
 
True. But it's more fun to blast music they actually listen to since it creeps them out all hipster style that you would like it, sometimes.
 
I wouldn't say that it is 'dad rock'. But more that America's white men of a given generation (actually 2-3 generations) grew up with this music, and for most of them their tastes haven't changed a lot. And there aren't a lot of new bands making music in this genre either, so there isn't a lot of new but similar music to move on to. I mean, I like some of the new popular hits by Red Hot Chilli Peppers. But, you know, they are not a new band either, even though they are a current one. For most of what is on the radio, I'd rather hear some Led Zepplin.
 
It's pretty much a synonym for classic rock. It's mildly pejorative, but I don't think of it as a dig on the music so much as people who listen to it exclusively.
 
I think it's an accurate label. Rock is, at this point, our parent's and grandparent's music. Most of it is very safe and clean by today's standards and runs the risk of offending no one. Some of them even release children's albums. That's definitely dad rock. ;)

Will you be my father?
 
The first time I heard Dad rock it was referring to Wilco, and Jeff Tweedy had a rant about that label. I think when it is used for 90s to current bands then it is suppose to be derogative.
 
Dad, kid or family rock ?


Link to video.


This new term to me but something like Led Zeppelin etc seems about appropriate; similar stuff for a younger generation is AOR.
 
Never heard it before. I'm guessing it's referring to fairly mainstream rock music like Van Halen, Aerosmith, etc.
 
downtown said:
QUESTION
Is Bruce Springsteen the KING of Dad Rock, or does he transcend dads?
Click to expand...
I think there's a distinction from classic rock and dad rock that's pretty much this. If it has a large younger following, even if it's also listened to by dads, I don't think of it as dad rock. Pink Floyd, Zep, Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, the Ramones, the Clash, Nirvana (though probably not classic rock), etc are all groups I've observed to have strong teenage followings. However, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, ZZ Top, Chicago, Aerosmith, GNR, etc, are dad rock.
 
My coed daughter lets me play my old goldies around the house - but she's actually been ripping a lot of my Floyd, Zep and Yes. We can't decide who Sigur Ros belongs to.

It's amazing that Rock and Roll is still around, though it obviously has changed and evolved.
 
Never heard of the term, but to me it sounds like it's meant to be a negative "rock that's for older people who aren't as cool as me" type comment, likely to be made by a hipster or someone who needs to feel better about their life choices.

Does the term "classic rock" even mean anything anymore? What *is* classic rock? It sure made sense in the 80s and 90s, but now?
 
Rock is Rock and it rocks :) like .... mmmmmm ... mmmmmm ^^


Link to video.
 
warpus said:
Does the term "classic rock" even mean anything anymore? What *is* classic rock? It sure made sense in the 80s and 90s, but now?
Click to expand...

Classic Rock is a term old people (and young people who don't want to do any damn research of course) use to feel superior about the "good ol' days" in comparison to Alternative/Indie. Which are equally useless terms.

If I were to define "dad rock", I would say that if you grew up in the 70's or 80's and don't understand that Old Time Rock and Roll is specifically bashing your era of music then you listen to dad rock.
 
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