Awesome Prog Rock

It’s been over 50 years since Pink Floyd released Dark Side of the Moon. To celebrate the occasion, drummer Nick Mason asked fans to create their own animated music videos for each song on the classic prog rock album. This playlist is gradually revealing all ten winners plus behind-the-scenes interviews with the artists.

Prog rock band Polyphia is known in large part for Tim Henson and Scott LePage’s virtuosic guitar work. Musician Moyun shows us how their track Playing God can take on a whole new texture when performed with precision on the ancient string instrument known as the guzheng.

During a halftime break, the Ohio State University Marching Band paid tribute to the legendary Canadian rock band Rush. The Buckeyes band added 20 extra toms and cymbals to their rhythm section for added oomph on tracks including Tom Sawyer, Limelight, YYZ, and Fly by Night. (Thanks Dave!)

The Melodicka Bros. progressive rock cover of Green Day’s American Idiot brilliantly captures the improvised and meandering style of the genre. The only way they could make it better is if they added an 8-minute guitar solo and a laser light show.

Polyphia’s prog rock track 40oz has a has a downright insane lead guitar part. In this amazing cover version of the track, Cy Leo takes over lead duties on his harmonica, while Tsui Jack provides the beatbox rhythm, and Danny Yau sends his fingers flying on guitar. Combined, they sound like a human chiptune machine.

The Boston track Foreplay/Long Time is a masterpiece of 1970s prog rock, kicking off with an epic instrumental intro, leading into a rock-and-roll classic. 8-Bit Universe presents an equally entertaining chiptune version of the nearly 8-minute long track.

When we think of accordion music, we immediately have visions of a polka band, or maybe Weird Al. But musician Beeble proves this underappreciated instrument can sound just as great in some prog rock psychedelia – when in the right hands.