Wizard rock
Encyclopedia
Wizard rock is a genre of rock music
that developed between 2002 and 2004 in the United States. Wizard rock bands are characterized by their performances and humorous songs about the Harry Potter
universe. Wizard rock initially started in Massachusetts
with Harry and the Potters
, though it has grown internationally. Wizard rock embraces a do it yourself
ethic, with many bands self-producing their recordings and distributing them through online social networking
channels.
and Draco and the Malfoys
. Although most listeners of the genre are fans of Harry Potter, some bands have attracted listeners outside of the books' fanbase.
Wizard rock songs are often written from the point of view of a particular character in the books, usually the character who features in the band's name. In contrast to mainstream bands that have some songs incorporating literary references among a wider repertoire of music (notably Led Zeppelin
to The Lord of the Rings
), wizard rock bands take their inspiration entirely from the Harry Potter universe.
When performing live, wizard rock bands often cosplay
, or dress as, characters from the novels. Some bands have performed at fan conventions.
Harry and the Potters
originated the Harry Potter-themed band which became the genesis of a fandom
centered genre of music called wizard rock. As Harry and the Potters increased in popularity, other wizard rock bands started to emerge. Ross and Mehlenbacher originally conceived Draco and the Malfoys
as a parody of Harry and the Potters, who were performing at a local house party. In April 2005, Matt Maggiacomo invited Harry and the Potters to play at an all-Harry Potter show at his Rhode Island home. That night, Maggiacomo made his debut as The Whomping Willows, and his friends, Mehlenbacher and his brother, Brian Ross, played for the first time as Draco and the Malfoys.
Over the years leading to the release of the last book and films
, hundreds of wizard rock bands have emerged across the world, some of them short-lived and other gaining widespread popularity over time.
By the fall of 2011, several wizard rock bands had announced plans to stop touring or recording albums, while many others have simply not updated their websites or MySpace
pages for months. However, some bands like Harry and the Potters
and The Whomping Willows still have scheduled performances, and many new bands have been created.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
that developed between 2002 and 2004 in the United States. Wizard rock bands are characterized by their performances and humorous songs about the Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
universe. Wizard rock initially started in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
with Harry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters are an American alternative rock band known for spawning the genre of wizard rock. Founded in Norwood, Massachusetts, the group is primarily composed of Joe and Paul DeGeorge, who both perform under the persona of the title character from the Harry Potter book series...
, though it has grown internationally. Wizard rock embraces a do it yourself
DIY ethic
The DIY ethic refers to the ethic of self-sufficiency through completing tasks oneself as opposed to having others who are more experienced or able complete them for one's behalf. It promotes the idea that an ordinary person can learn to do more than he or she thought was possible...
ethic, with many bands self-producing their recordings and distributing them through online social networking
Social network service
A social networking service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, who, for example, share interests and/or activities. A social network service consists of a representation of each user , his/her social...
channels.
Characteristics
Leading bands in this genre include Harry and the PottersHarry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters are an American alternative rock band known for spawning the genre of wizard rock. Founded in Norwood, Massachusetts, the group is primarily composed of Joe and Paul DeGeorge, who both perform under the persona of the title character from the Harry Potter book series...
and Draco and the Malfoys
Draco and the Malfoys
Draco and the Malfoys are a wizard rock band founded in Woonsocket, Rhode Island in 2004. The group is composed of half-brothers Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher, who both perform under the persona of Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter book series....
. Although most listeners of the genre are fans of Harry Potter, some bands have attracted listeners outside of the books' fanbase.
Wizard rock songs are often written from the point of view of a particular character in the books, usually the character who features in the band's name. In contrast to mainstream bands that have some songs incorporating literary references among a wider repertoire of music (notably Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
to The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
), wizard rock bands take their inspiration entirely from the Harry Potter universe.
When performing live, wizard rock bands often cosplay
Cosplay
, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Characters are often drawn from popular fiction in Japan, but recent trends have included American cartoons and science fiction...
, or dress as, characters from the novels. Some bands have performed at fan conventions.
History
The earliest Harry Potter-themed song is conventionally traced to 2000 when the Los Angeles based pop-punk band Switchblade Kittens released an "Ode to Harry" from the perspective of Ginny Weasley.Harry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters are an American alternative rock band known for spawning the genre of wizard rock. Founded in Norwood, Massachusetts, the group is primarily composed of Joe and Paul DeGeorge, who both perform under the persona of the title character from the Harry Potter book series...
originated the Harry Potter-themed band which became the genesis of a fandom
Fandom
Fandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest...
centered genre of music called wizard rock. As Harry and the Potters increased in popularity, other wizard rock bands started to emerge. Ross and Mehlenbacher originally conceived Draco and the Malfoys
Draco and the Malfoys
Draco and the Malfoys are a wizard rock band founded in Woonsocket, Rhode Island in 2004. The group is composed of half-brothers Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher, who both perform under the persona of Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter book series....
as a parody of Harry and the Potters, who were performing at a local house party. In April 2005, Matt Maggiacomo invited Harry and the Potters to play at an all-Harry Potter show at his Rhode Island home. That night, Maggiacomo made his debut as The Whomping Willows, and his friends, Mehlenbacher and his brother, Brian Ross, played for the first time as Draco and the Malfoys.
Over the years leading to the release of the last book and films
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (films)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 is a 2010 fantasy film directed by David Yates and the first of two films based on the novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. It is the seventh instalment in the Harry Potter film series, written by Steve Kloves and produced by...
, hundreds of wizard rock bands have emerged across the world, some of them short-lived and other gaining widespread popularity over time.
By the fall of 2011, several wizard rock bands had announced plans to stop touring or recording albums, while many others have simply not updated their websites or MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
pages for months. However, some bands like Harry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters are an American alternative rock band known for spawning the genre of wizard rock. Founded in Norwood, Massachusetts, the group is primarily composed of Joe and Paul DeGeorge, who both perform under the persona of the title character from the Harry Potter book series...
and The Whomping Willows still have scheduled performances, and many new bands have been created.