Korean Rock Recall: Exploring The Dance-Rock Fusion Of Rock 'N' Roll Radio's 2013 Single 'Shut Up And Dance' [VIDEO]

Rock n 'roll has had a strange relationship with dancing.

Going back to the beginning of the music's relatively short history, its very name emerged as a description of wild dancing, or perhaps implying an even ruder form of movement.

In the 1970s, neanderthal purists raged against disco, rejecting that dance-centric musical form for a variety of misguided reasons. But over the past few decades, dance music and rock music have formed an increasingly steady alliance.

On their 2013 single "Shut Up and Dance," South Korean rock band Rock 'N' Roll Radio embrace that marriage wholeheartedly, to their benefit. By melding rock music's muscle with dance music's lithe momentum they offer a powerful new voice to both sides of the aisle.

In the year and change since "Shut Up and Dance" was released, the Seoul-based band has been unrelentingly active, touring internationally and making the rounds at American music trade festivals such as South By Southwest and the CMJ Festival.

One of the most immediately gripping aspects of "Shut Up and Dance" is Rock 'N' Roll Radio's thick latticework of delayed-out guitar that cruises throughout the song's duration. The carefully dialed-in delay effects recall the pioneering work of German guitarist Manuel Göttsching, whose ping-ponging six-string on "Inventions for Electric Guitar" has been emulated by post-rock bands for the last 20 years.

Rock 'N' Roll Radio may eschew synthesizers, but they clearly don't need them, as their deftly muted guitar work provides a neat facsimile. Intertwined with the click-and-pop of woodblock and hi-hats, the guitars create an agile flow that isn't typically heard in commercial rock.

By borrowing from the integrated sonic space of dance music, Rock 'N' Roll Radio offer Korean modern rock a much-needed infusion of raw energy. By demonstrating instrumental prowess rather than electronic know-how, they offer an air of authenticity to dance music.

For rock purists, this may be just the carrot they need.

For those in their audience who hem towards the conservative side, "Shut Up And Dance" has something for you, too. The song's bridge supplants the dance floor with a mosh pit with some post-grunge riffery.

As for the song's subject matter, a band is always in trouble if they have to ask their crowd to dance. You can't kindly request a reaction from your audience, it has to be earned. Rock 'N' Roll Radio seem to be aware of this fact, and appear to treat the delivery of their song's title with ironic gusto. The song's verses lay it on even thicker, issuing menacing threats in a put-on basso profondo.

This hint of goofball posturing is actually rather relevant to the issue of dancing and rock music.

The cliché of the stock-still audience in rock clubs has become disappointingly common. Perhaps Rock 'N' Roll Radio felt the need to take active steps towards introducing he joy of movement to their audiences through the Trojan Horse of humor.

By straddling these two sides, the band is able to function as an olive branch between Guitar World and the Electric Zoo. A dance-rock Kofi Annan, if you will. And what's wrong with that?

Watch the video for Rock 'N' Roll Radio's "Shut Up And Dance" RIGHT HERE

Rock`n Roll Radio - Shut up & Dance [ MV ] from ZIYONG on Vimeo.

 Jeff Tobias is a musician, composer and writer currently living in Brooklyn, New York. As of late, he has been researching Southern hip-hop music and perfecting his crock pot chili recipe.

Tags
Rock N Roll Radio
Shut Up And Dance
Korean Rock Recall
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