Col. Bruce Hampton: "The music of today is horrifying"

Col. Bruce Hampton is more than a musician. He's a rite of passage.
Since the early 1970's, Col. Bruce has played with just about everyone, and the great southern soothsayer has influenced many more. From his early days with the Hampton Grease Band to the transformational Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit of the 1990's to whatever band he dreams up next, seeing Col. Bruce on stage is to be simultaneously whisked away into both the past and the future.
Jarrett Bellini spent Christmas with the legendary improvisational rocker to discuss his hatred of (most) modern music, the art of practicing guitar, and his upcoming film "Here Comes Rusty."
(Note: In Atlanta, it was 75 degrees on Christmas. The weather was delightfully weird. But the clouds were being total jerks. I should've shot this interview inside, but it was just so lovely out on the deck. Anyway, the lighting gets bad a few times because of the clouds. Meh.)

[@JarrettBellini]

I was at Hampton 70 last night at The Fox and witnessed a legend fall. Obviously, because of people searching his name after the terrible news, this video is suddenly getting a lot of clicks and comments. Please remember that a great man is gone, and he leaves behind fans, friends, and family. So, please respect his memory and keep things civil, y'all! RIP Col. Bruce. You were one of a kind!

[@melinahaleyulrich7081]

This is an incredible interview - really upbeat and interestingly investigative - love your concept and how he opened up to you so nicely because of it. As always, his words loom prophetic, even over a year ahead of what you witnessed last night. I am so sorry for the collective loss. What an awesome mind. Cheers to you - hugs too. I know it can't be easy for you.

[@melinahaleyulrich7081]

Oh - and Moreland! What a great suggestion, wonder if he ended up hearing him?!

[@PhunkyHawk]

"...it was 4 hours long... And those musicians DIED every night ... They couldn't even walk off stage, they were sweating so hard...". He was talking about James Brown but also seemed to describe last night... Eerie to say the least... thanks for capturing such a great interview with the Col...

[@LoriChoman]

Indeed a great man is gone. So sorry for this loss to the music community. I was wondering, do you know the name of the young man he called forward before he collapsed? My heart breaks for him, that has to be heavy on his mind and his heart.

[@JarrettBellini]

Brandon Niederauer. Wrote an open letter to him today: twitter.com/JarrettBellini/status/859395982248816640

[@hugeshows]

Never will forget those gigs we shared, those crazy days on the road. I promise I'll start using the stage name you gave me, Col. Brato Ganibe brother. Brato Ganibe.

[@Adamsday]

knew the Col. over 20 years. such a sweet man and so smart. Not to mention a great musician. so many people love this man and he will be missed so so much. rest in peace Col Bruce.

[@paulkelly154]

Bruce was a good friend, and I miss him every day. He had tremendous insights on EVERYTHING. We used to go for Indian food about every two weeks. I'd learn something new every time.

[@mikeg2491]

Was he part Native American? I could look into his eyes in the movie Sling Blade and see maybe he had some Cherokee in him, might be where his insight and wisdom came from :)

[@lmwilliamsjr1]

Mister Smithwick I am amazed that you were divine this much information about the man from one interview. Surely your powers are monumental. My $.02 - The Col. is already missed.

[@BrentSmith0420]

Col. Bruce! He is missed very much... Thanks for this interview, very well done!

[@n.ivetteferrer2064]

I totally agree with him. I grew up in the 80s and I can't stand today's music. I went all the way back to 50s and 60s music. I use to have my radio on all the time now I don't even bother turning it on anymore. I listen to my music online or I go to see the musicians that are still playing in person. I would not waste my money in any of today's so called singers. Col. Bruce Hampton died on May 1, 2017. May he rest in peace.

[@jimnardo8177]

Yes, and like he said, just wait and it will cycle out with quality coming back in! Its still out there but not popular with the current generation for the most part which is the sad part.

[@devinmichaelroberts9954]

"those guys died on stage, they left ia ll up there". Can't believe he says this and then dies on stage.

[@Born_Into_This]

He was truly a western culture yogi

[@randalclarke5487]

@@Born_Into_This great analogy lol. He was like Sun Ra, Dali and Zappa- brilliant creatures that were just naturally enlightened and born high and didn't need chemicals.

[@MikeGMurphy]

great interview!

[@samh729]

Wow every detail of this interview is spot on. Great perspective

[@cosmiccharly1]

RIP Colonel....you're missed but we are forever grateful for all you've done

[@RayForton]

Ralph Towner is phenomenal live. I thought my heart just might explode.

[@zacdavidoff5444]

The opening Gerald Ford bit is priceless!

[@justpassnthru]

I always thought Bruce was a genius. Now I have my proof. Great interview. "R.I.P. Col. Bruce."

[@conogirl]

My life is complete now that I've seen Col. Bruce in shorts. I love this man!

[@javierjones]

I was browsing some of the interviews of your channel (after seeing the Steven WIlson one) and you have really great content. Congratulations. Subscribed. Keep doing this, man.

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

Makes a great point that I don't think people understand. Quality is not a part of most music today. You used to listen to any genre & know that everybody cared about making a quality record. Now they just care about pumping out records.

[@foreleftyall]

he's right about it all except the cycle part - the radio has changed as a format. it will never again be the place to look for the next thing, for quality. we find it here, on streamers, from a friend's instagram feed. i'm from ATL and when 88.5 went to NPR, I laid a rose on the grave of good radio.

[@alanmorris7669]

Incidentally, President Gerald Ford never played college football with no helmet. That rumor got started after President Lyndon Johnson made the wisecrack, _“He’s [Gerald Ford] a nice guy, but he played too much football with his helmet off.”_

[@shovedhead]

Could see that, yeah.

[@traceyharland7346]

The Heaven Band awaits the arrival of this seriously talented musician. RIP Colonel Bruce!

[@rickysteve9948]

I just discovered this channel/series and I am hooked. These interviews are great!

[@waneelover2019]

Great interview and an even better compliment he gave you at the end.

[@JarrettBellini]

Thanks, D. Much appreciated!

[@curttuckfield5565]

In 1996/1997, you could tell something was starting to go wrong with mainstream music. By 2001, it was basically dead, and ever since then, probably 40 percent of all songs are just the same I-V-VI-IV chord progression over and over again, melody has disappeared and somehow no one has noticed. Over 20 years of nonstop I-V-VI-IV with no melody. That is a musical apocalypse.

[@mikeg2491]

I’m not a musician so I can’t quite put my technical analysis like you can but to me so much modern rock music is just boring. No energy, no crazy skynyrd-type solos, so many top bands sound to me like a regular house band doing generic loops for a stock sound effects album. It’s like rock version of elevator music.

[@samm4980]

At 0:40 when it says they are at “Randy’s House,” I couldn’t help but imagine that Morris had finally come over to practice after all these years had passed. Doyle never wanted to practice and in fact said they didn’t have a band.

[@juancpgo]

Music today that I love: Alabama Shakes, Black Keys, Flying Lotus, Ceephax Acid Crew, The Bad Plus, Animal Collective, Hiatus Kayote, Battles, Janek Gwizdala, John Scofield, Nelson Veras, Joshua Redman, Tal Wilkenfeld, Diego Figueiredo, Alex Machacek, Animals as Leaders, Chico Cesar, Björk, Erykah Badu, Beth Hart. However, no one in my circle of people knows any of them. Col is right, mainstream is in a bad spot.

[@DH-ki2tn]

Please don't bring ANY bad vibes here for a legendary mentor. Thank you. :)

[@jefflancaster4423]

F,na Col. Bruce! Rest in peace and thank you for your music and being so kind to me being a young shit heel kid aspiring musician . and your mystery hallways of questions to determine my date of birthday. ...memories that will not be forgotten .Col. Bruce! Much love!

[@gudgengrebe]

Just found your site and subscribed. Never heard of the Colonel until now and will be following up on him and his musical recommendations. Most of all, I loved your questions. Looking forward to watching some more. Thanks for this! All the best from the UK

[@Frank_Reynolds__.]

Check out aquarium rescue unit.

[@brownstonerecordings611]

Great interview, thank you!

[@Randallhuff]

But does he still know my sign? DOT DOT DOT

[@SereneGuitar]

Lake Street Dive...oh Yeah

[@timothyturner3396]

Saw him early 2000's with the Codetalkers at suwanee Florida. What a man. Helluva musician/entertainer/raconteur. Miss ya Colonel!

[@ALLinALLgood]

*"I stand on the hill, not for a thrill, but for the breath of a fresh kill. Never mind the man who contemplates doin' away with license plates. He stands alone, anyhow, bakin' the cookies of discontent by the heat of the laundromat vent. Leavin' his soul!" Then like in poetry I go dot-dot-dot, you know, kinda off center, then I drop down and then I go: "Leavin' his soul! And partin' the waters of the medulla oblongata of - -brrrrrr! - -mankind!" ~ Morris*

[@jakedavis4226]

Im gonna miss the Col.

[@alanmorris7669]

Does anybody have a leaf blower? Or a broom?

[@gudgengrebe]

😂

[@brotherrabbit8539]

I think Bruce is talking about you.

[@mikeg2491]

you get to an age you just don’t give a shit.

[@VirtualWoodshed]

I love Col. Bruce, and I agree that most of the music on the radio today sucks. But gee whiz Bruce, are there really only three artists out there gettin' it done for ya?! There's a ton of great music going on today, right under our nose. It's just not on the radio. How about the Punch Brothers? Julian Lage? The National? Cory Henry? Wild Feathers? Tedeschi-Trucks? Ryan Bingham? Grace Potter? Soulive? The New Mastersounds? Let alone a whole host of jazz, blues and bluegrass acts that are very active on the festival and club circuit. If you just look around the music is out there, and thanks to the internet it's easier than ever to find! Otherwise, great interview. What a crazy dude! Really dug it. Cheers from Virginia.

[@JarrettBellini]

Thanks for watching. I think, to be fair, he named three off the top of his head. When he asked me for new stuff I only came up with about four. And then about fifty more in the car ride home. :) Thanks again for watching and leaving some feedback. Cheers from Atlanta.

[@VirtualWoodshed]

+Apparently This Matters Yeah, I hear you. Just a few more that deserve a mention: Ray LaMontagne, Jackie Greene, Okkervil River, Amos Lee, Dawes, Damon Fowler and Southern Hospitality, Sturgill Simpson, The Time Jumpers, Kacey Musgraves, Kate Davis, Jamey Johnson, Carbon Leaf. And I think we're kidding ourselves if we don't admit that Adele is a hell of a talent. I think one could almost argue that there's more great music going on today than there was in the 70's! The difference is there's basically zero major label support for it and it gets no mainstream promotion. It's definitely a tough time for the music industry while they try to play catch up and figure out how to make money again. But the Col. is right on about the absence of huge and mega talented acts on the radio. There certainly doesn't seem to be an Eagles or a Stevie Wonder or a Johnny Cash out there right now. Hopefully he's also right about the cycle ending/beginning soon. Keep the faith brother!

[@CRacer1995]

+VirtualWoodshed and snarky puppy (and cory henry), bill laurance, shaun martin, the sunpilots, haken, ...

[@marksnider7733]

+VirtualWoodshed You are correct. There is an abundance of good music being made today. Every generation has its garbage. To make a sweeping generalization about today's music is foolhardy. I'll add a few more: Vampire Weekend, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, Daniel Bachman, Alabama Shakes, etc., etc. etc.

[@lesterclaypool1]

+MapToons LICM Y'all realize he did qualify the statement with music on the radio? Programming music has always been disposable, but there was a time when it was well composed music marketed by a vast industry. Now that same industry makes that same music geared toward ear bud tech and by drawing from a smaller pool of people needed to do the job and so the quality of the product has suffered. I was always a Top 40 fm listener. I remember skipping school to stay home to hear the release of a new single by a band, and more than once, as clearly as I remember dialing in the local station traveling when I was grown trying to find a song I had heard in a coffee shop that morning. I don't seem to do that much, anymore.

[@gruntgrip]

Bruce is right, music now days #sucks. Zappa predicted it 30 years ago, give some glamor boy or girl a catchy beat and let someone else wright the lyrics. Is there gonna be a revolution of new great music? No not on the radio. #sad

[@hidinginyourcloset]

I guess mainstream doesn't get what music is supposed to be like. All the top 50's I hear anymore sound exactly the same. So simular that it annoys me. This has lead me to like Alternative rock and Metal because at least these guys know what they're doing.

[@pylgrym]

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”

[@DanKirchner5150]

its the BEST time for music -not restricted as before its all there online for all to enjoy -all the time

[@musicneverstops5695]

Whoever disliked this video has no soul and needs to be punched in the kidney.

[@samh729]

100%

[@purushswaminathan5693]

Man! what great art would srinivas and the colonel have conjured if that jam had happened! RIP both! I am guessing the colonel recently heard Chingaari- Bombay Makossa record

[@johnnyleewalker9872]

Did he play a part in sling blade?

[@royalassassin6133]

Yes

[@keithpasculli7465]

He was in Doyle’s band and he recites this hilarious nonsensical poem

[@zummo61]

Still waiting for that Cycle when new music won't be Horrifying!

[@avinavsharma7207]

Hooked when that sitar ringtone came on.

[@SilverWalker84]

whatever colonel says is the truth. count on it

[@matthewcollins5344]

Spot on. Cant believe hes gone.

[@lizaltman1200]

Mumford and Sons is as sensual as a brick. yep. s0 true

[@dmar9658]

COL B STARTED THE JAMZZZZ. LOVE ALWAYS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA

[@hankwedelmusic9965]

His take on Gerald Forde is so accurate... Forde, unelected, presided with VP Nelson Rockefeller, also unelected, over the 1976 bi-Centennial celebrations of US Democracy... That was a clear signal to anyone paying attention that all is not what it seems to be or what it says it is

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Ford not Forde, but otherwise you are quite correct .

[@johnchurch5101]

60's my parents 90's myself he's right time for a new wave

[@cliftonbanks5590]

The radio is for weather reports.

[@MistuhCoolio]

"mumford and sons is about as sexual as a brick" LMAO

[@nyag1764]

AGREED!!! SURELY it can't get any worse. I keep saying that!

[@AshtonGoBoom]

R.I.P

[@robocock475]

"never mind to contemplate, doin' away with license plates"

[@smug8567]

Yeah, I got a new tune in composition entitled "The Thrill." And it goes somethin' like this: "I stand on the hill, not for a thrill, but for the breath of a fresh kill. Never mind the man who contemplates doin' away with license plates. He stands alone, anyhow, bakin' the cookies of discontent by the heat of the laundromat vent. Leavin' his soul!" Then like in poetry I go dot-dot-dot, you know, kinda off center, then I drop down and then I go: "Leavin' his soul! And partin' the waters of the medulla oblongata of - -brrrrrr! - -mankind!" That was a damn good song, wasn't it

[@samm4980]

You don't want to question a genius, Vaughn. See Morris here is a modern day poet.

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

They should set it to a drum machine and twang of da banjo

[@jasonrobertson8487]

Bruce had me at Quebe sisters.

[@Born_Into_This]

Campbell Brothers and Lake Street Dive.. He knew his music and talent!

[@KyleWhitlock-Music]

Agree!

[@jockejockish6565]

rip

[@manuelgchapajr4472]

RIP COL BRUCE!!!

[@shred5]

I agree. Sure there is good stuff, but it's a full time job to find it. As someone who said he barely uses the Internet, how would one expect him to find any of the decent bands of today? I am going to have to see Here Comes Rusty now...

[@hodgeswm]

Haven't heard of most of the artists he mentioned and for some reason they are all hard to spell just hearing the names. Can someone transcribe those? Great interview.

[@JarrettBellini]

Thanks, Wesley. Here are some of the mentioned bands and artists: Campbell Brothers Quebe Sisters Lake Street Dive Del McCoury Hard Working Americans Todd Snider Dave Rawlings Gillian Welch Jason Isbell John Moreland

[@hodgeswm]

+Apparently This Matters Thanks! Quebe Sisters was the one in particular I hadn't heard of.

[@lumaz71]

so long, colonel... :(

[@Kimock7Autism]

find it interesting he never mentions Gary Clark, Jr or Phish or Tedeschi Trucks Band

[@SuperMessyjess]

he did say Dereck Trucks

[@Kimock7Autism]

oh you're right -

[@Kimock7Autism]

LOL thanks for the laugh. Phish is the greatest thing to happen in Rock n' Roll since Grateful Dead.

[@SuperMessyjess]

Phish is great. So is everything Trucks touches. Music isn't the SEC, 'we don't have to compete.' cookookachoo -eggman

[@Kimock7Autism]

well said to each is own - but anyone who dogs The Phish clearly lives in tunnel vision of the ear canal

[@BillRayDrums]

I think today's music is the greatest. I think Bruce is sitting in the center and he needs to get to the edge to see everything, like Vonnegut said. We're all in orbit, and sometimes our perspectives align in weird ways. Outside is not over there, Bruce. Undo yourself. Get without it, mang.

[@mbsnyderc]

Living in the wasteland and liking it.he's talking about what's on the Mainstream radio and 90% of it is total shit made buy people that can't really play,sing or write.made by people in marketing not music.there are exceptions but very few,but there is great music out there you just have to find it yourself now.

[@gumbly4174]

Why do boomers not realize that the stuff on the radio isn’t all “the music of today”.

[@blakewhittington4336]

It's about image and not music anymore I blame technology

[@bluemerle2152]

I totally agree and tech will be the end of us...The stuff they have on deck like ID2020 is scary

[@temporarymomentary]

The music of today is horrifying but the most viewed video on Apparently This Matters is Steven Wilson's interview. There is hope.

[@carolsenor2850]

I am into weird Al

[@jimmystevens8]

Technology is the culprit.

[@mikeg2491]

It’s a double edged sword, technology allows more musicians to get their music out there but it also means the market is saturated with terrible bands too that you have to pick through the crap to find the gems.

[@michaellittlewood3032]

Latest hit... Little dog poop rhymes to a fart sound back beat. It's Gold!

[@KingCrimson82]

i hear after progressing of vocals i turn off the device.

[@TheHonudiver]

The Colonel is "The Dude"

[@stixnfeet7818]

“I practice 3 to 4 hrs a day everyday.” I’m on the phone 4to5 hours a day working.

[@andyokus5735]

Bruce got to live in a nice house. But that's Atlanta. Nice place.

[@willbigelow472]

Was that at his house?

[@chrishamilton5181]

The "Mayor of 5 points" Baker Mayfield...?!%%%

[@mhco406]

Dave Wong...yes.

[@TheSharipaula]

🙏🏽

[@echoleaf9590]

what a guy!

[@Syd-Arthur333]

ZAMBI

[@avinavsharma7207]

Upalappu Srinivas too at 4:24

[@RNFORLAW]

You nailed it Col. Bruce ! I'm 52 and grew up in the 70's. When music had a quality that MEANT something. Generation of fucking snowflakes makes me sick. R.I.P Col. Bruce Hampton

[@jeremysanders7235]

The Col. knows...

[@sullyb23511]

"Mumford and Sons is about as sexual as brick." God, curmudgeons are hilarious. :-)

[@therodgodproject9942]

so this is what Leonardo DiCaprio will look like when he gets old.... he looks like him

[@chrishamilton5181]

Robert Lee takes Ann Arbor, Michigan by virtue of Monroe. I guess sweaty Ted.

[@talpajam]

love cbh - but guess he wouldn't have liked meshuggah.

[@thefreewave]

old man yells at clouds

[@Malkmusianful]

musta breathed too much of that Halifax air

[@walterkersting9922]

Pet peeve: people who don't do cpr.

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

The medulla oblongata - and like in poetry - I go - dot dot dot/ anyone get the reference 🍟

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

@wishboneman ahhh , you got it!!! Your awesome.

[@keithpasculli7465]

“That’s a good song isn’t it? You like that song… hawwwww!!

[@keithpasculli7465]

“You’re a tunesmith Tarrent, melody and tune is your trade”

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

@@keithpasculli7465 ha ha - awreet!

[@Angrymobs62]

70 isn’t old

[@shoechew]

ehh?

[@chuckthebull]

The cycle wont end till we hang all the suits. RIP Col

[@beachcomber4141]

Duane Trucks...........close!! LOL!!!

[@SpaceCampOfficial]

Brato Ganib...Brato Ganib

[@bradconnell4346]

. . .

[@avolite719]

What does "Mister Smithwick" hope to accomplish by all his foolish and obvious lack of knowledge on the topic of Col.Hampton comments below that were posted earlier this morning ? I mean what the hell ??

[@yourturn777]

Tedeschi Trucks Band ✊🏼 💘✊🏼🎶✌🏼😍🔥

[@joeycarlson1631]

I remember Louis Armstrong was 👍 great

[@chrishamilton5181]

Is this Gen. Lee from Owensville Kentucky...or his boy Cassius Clay Kentucky Fried movie!!!!

[@chrishamilton5181]

Seven days are in D.C. Columbia University.

[@BryanButelefskiMusic]

Go pack go

[@GoodDrPhil]

I love Bruce and knew him a very little and knew many more who played with him and loved him but “old man yells at clouds” is the best comment on this video! (And the one which actually properly captures Bruce’s spirit/aesthetic). He is low-key trolling in this clip and kinda full of shit in his own endearing and amazing way. Bruce had amazing insights and could be very poetic and even sublime in his own uniquely southern DADA way but he also has a bit of the soul of an old carnival barker, pontificating street preacher, or a disseminating salesman. His ridiculousness and intermixing of the poetic/philosophic and the deliberately meaningless is in and of itself a kind of meta-commentary on truth and integrity and how we define it and look for with in ourselves and without. Great music was being made in 1962 and has always and will always be being made as long as there are people to make it. And the music of today will be seen as the great old music of the past in another fifty years or sixty years by old men still yelling at clouds, assuming by then the earth isn’t already populated by roving bands of irradiated zombies and malicious corporate software code isn’t running the crumbling remains of the modern techno-state! Hhhhrrrrrmmmm (humming noises from behind the wall). Old man yells at clouds indeed. “I’ll believe it when I can gnaw on their skulls with my very own teeth, because it still hasn’t gotten weird enough for me.” -Hunter Thompson