Wrock You Like a Hurricane

Posted on 3 March 2008 by tanith6227

Inspired by Rusty’s music posts, I draw the attention of our illustrious readership to a little-known but rapidly growing sub-genre of Music - Wizard Rock (Wrock), inspired by and based on the wildly popular Harry Potter series of books.

Wrock music is highly accesible light- and pop rock, performed by bands with names like Harry and the Potters, The Whomping Willows, The Parselmouths and Ministry of Magic. Sample lyrics:

We’ve got to save Ginny Weasly from the basilisk/ we’ve got to save the school again/ it’s been freaking out all the kids/ it even took out Miss Norris

You may think this has the trappings of a passing fad, but people who are serious about Wrock are even putting together a documentary called “We are Wizards”; there’s a trailer out now:

There’s also Wiki (of course) for those interested in more details.

So, what’s the verdict? Does Wrock have the chops to last as a sub-genre? Does music like this contribute to - or detract from - the music scene in anyway? Are these people just whacked-out fanboys?

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7 Responses to “Wrock You Like a Hurricane”

  1. rustedangel, on March 4th, 2008 at 8:56 am Said:

    Hooray! It’s time for Rusty to get his hate on!

    To answer your questions in order:
    1. it hella sucks. the “ministry of magic” in particular make me want to kill myself.
    2. no. this has been done before, and by much, much better musicians.
    3. I suppose it adds to the music scene, in that there is technically more music. Like the way I add to the internet with this post, or add to nature’s bounty every time I evacuate my bowels.
    4. yes. oh yes. bleh.

  2. trippenbach, on March 4th, 2008 at 10:11 am Said:

    Well, from the 30 seconds of Harry and the Potters music that is at the end of that preview, I can tell you that I ain’t lining up for any of this.

    Maybe if I was a pre-teen Rowling fan. At the moment I’d rather listen to Nerdcore Hiphop.

    On the other hand, that documentary looks like it’s well put together. Good job on the producers for getting it together to make a movie. Will anyone care? I’ll wait for the fine cut release before coming down on one side or the other of that.

  3. tanith6227, on March 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am Said:

    I was about to say that eventually these kids will grow up and move on to other things, but I’m not sure that’s the case, given the legions of adult HP fans out there.

    Someone in the documentary trailer mentoined that Wrock gives HP fanatics “something to obsess about”, which I think is telling. Are people getting in to the music - both as creators and audiences - simply to feed their rabid hunger for Harry Potter-related content?

    The music isn’t my cup of tea - it’s a little too harmless for my tastes. Like Tripp, I would be interested in seeing the documentary, just for shits and giggles.

  4. rustedangel, on March 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am Said:

    Fuck, I’m not interested in seeing the documentary.

    quote: “The film follows a set of individuals ranging from web journalists, authors, artists, filmmakers and musicians, as they enhance and expand the Harry Potter story, often in unexpected ways. WE ARE WIZARDS is a portrayal of creative fans with a common goal: to make their voices heard.”

    Wrong. Not their voices; an author’s voice. I find it hard to imagine anything less creative or more boring.

  5. tanith6227, on March 4th, 2008 at 11:56 am Said:

    That’s a good point, Rusty.

    I wonder: is it truly Rowling’s voice anymore? I mean, the books are written and published, she bathes in money nightly. What these people are (claiming) to do is go beyond her work.

    If someone writes Lord of the Rings fan fiction, are they trying to make Tolkien’s voice heard, or their own? I would argue the latter, since the story being told is one that the original author never wrote (and perhaps never intended). Couldn’t wizard rock be described as musical fan fic?

  6. rustedangel, on March 5th, 2008 at 11:14 am Said:

    Certainly; musical fan fic is exactly what it is. What I’m arguing that there is still a paucity of creativity involved in making it.

    Sure, the music is creative, but great music, like great books, art and films, has a creative vision of it’s own. There is a crucial difference between being influenced by another artist’s work and being derivative of it.

    These people are trying to make their own voices heard, but I’m worried that they’re being lost in the overpowering vortex of Rowling’s influence.

  7. tanith6227, on March 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pm Said:

    I had not considered this point of view before, but I think I agree with you. Nevertheless, I think I’d watch We Are Wizards, if only to find out if your concerns are founded.

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