6/2009 Playlist

In 2006 I started keeping monthly playlists in my iTunes where I added songs that had caught my attention that month. When the month is over, I file the old list, start a new one. I joined Mog.com (www.mog.com/iren) in June of 2006 and started writing a summary and/or commentary for each track, sometimes posting a related video as well. As time passed Mog started to wane, and I decided to branch out my posting of the list. At first I added it to my multiply page, my gather page, my Myspace page, but all of that got to be too much. As of 21 June 2009 (my 3 year anaversery on Mog) I have officially let that account go idle. From here on out I will only post this list on my blog (www.restlesskind.blogspot.com). If you visit my Mog page on the right hand side there is a widget that links to all the past entries from June 2006 to May 2009 , if you want to go back and check them out. Thanks to everyone who has been reading along and feel free to post comments, questions or what ever in the comments section. Enjoy Eric Reanimator.

A Machine for Loving by Iggy Pop from Preliminaires

www.iggypop.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iggy_Pop

I never really know how these play lists are going to work out, sometimes I hear something and just drag and drop it into the list, sometimes there is something that is stuck in my head and sometimes I don't really know why I am adding something. This is a great track from the new Iggy album, which I haven't heard a lot of, but it really seems to fit nicely with the unexpected theme of this month, Heroes, Love, Death, and the End. The song is simple in the way it intones a the truths about love and dogs of all things.

Snake In The Radio by Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hands from Snake in the Radio

www.myspace.com/markpickerelandhisprayinghands

Speaking of death the title track from the first of the Praying Hands album wormed it's way into my brain, with pointed take on the music industry and specifically the radio Apocalypse that was the Clinton backed and signed Telecom act of 1996-- I'm not going to get started on that one now, but do your self a favor and look it up. In a month where the King of Pop and a underground hero passed away on the same day, it's fair to ask, what happened to the radio?

A Nation Fit For Heroes by The Damned from So, Who's Paranoid?

www.officialdamned.com/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damned

Throw Away Heroes by The Hellacopters from High Visibility

www.hellacopters.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hellacopters

No More Heroes by The Stranglers from D.I.Y.: Anarchy In the UK - UK Punk I (1976-77)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers

www.stranglers.net/

This was a batch of songs about heroes their role in our lives-- and they are all catchy tunes that should be screaming across the airwaves. I want to point out The Hellacopters tune especially as it's really about the flash in the pan one hit wonder types of heroes.

Born To Lose by The Heartbreakers from D.I.Y.: Blank Generation - The New York Scene (1975-1978)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heartbreakers

Born To Lose by Ted Daffan's Texans from Columbia Country Classics (The Golden Age) Volume 1

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Daffan

Born To Lose by Bouncing Souls from Maniacal Laughter

www.bouncingsouls.com/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bouncing_Souls

One thing about heroes, at some point they are gonna lose. It's simple, you play you win and you lose, and these three songs really about that, and going on in the face of those losses. The Heartbreakers Born to Lose is an original tune, about the grind of life and in the words of Social D (who most likely took them from somewhere else) being Born to Lose and Destined to Fail. Ted Daffin is the classic country/folk/blues tune that is better known, it's right up there with all the great Hank Williams tunes about the loss of love. The Bouncing Souls tune is a punked up version of the Daffin tune, only it has a edge and snear that screams I'm going to play anyway.

Neverland by The Damned from Grave Disorder

www.officialdamned.com/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damned

I didn't think the Damned would end up on this list as often as they did, but when Michael Jackson passes on, my natural thought is of this song about Jackson and his life. Released in 2001 this is one of the best of the later day tunes The Damned have recorded, with it's pointed, but also questioning lyrics. I don't think that there was anything mean or hostile about this song, just trying to understand more than anything else.

Just Call Me Sky by Naz Nomad And The Nightmares (The Damned) from Give Daddy The Knife Cindy

www.officialdamned.com/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damned

Can't Seem To Make You Mine by The Ramones from Acid Eaters

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramones

www.officialramones.com/

Quick-- Michael Jackson and _____ died on the same day. If you answered Sky Saxon you win. What you never heard of Sky? He was the singer in one of the great 60s Garage Punk bands The Seeds. They had two big hits-- Pushing to Hard and Can't Seem To Make You Mine. Along with Love they were one of the IT bands of the Sunset Strip scene, along with The Doors and all of that late 60s psych blues stuff. I picked these songs because the Ramones cover was the first time I heard a Seeds song, and the Naz Nomad tune is a tribute to Sky. There is a lot of info about Sky Saxon and the Seeds on line, I suggest if you are at all interested you check out:

www.skysunlightsaxon.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_Saxon

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seeds

Thoughts, comments, spare change?

4/2009 Playlist

In 2006 I started keeping monthly playlists in my iTunes where I added songs that had caught my attention that month. When the month is over, I file the old list, start a new one. I joined Mog.com (www.mog.com/iren) in June of 2006 and started writing a summary and/or commentary for each track, sometimes posting a related video as well. As time passed Mog started to wane, and I decided to branch out my posting of the list. At first I added it to my multiply page, my gather page, my Myspace page, but all of that got to be too much, so from here on out I will only post this list on my mog page and my blog (www.restlesskind.blogspot.com). If you visit my Mog page on the right hand side there is a widget that links to all the past entries, if you want to go back and check them out. Thanks to everyone who has been reading along and feel free to post comments, questions or what ever in the comments section. Enjoy Eric Reanimator.

Gloom Doom Buttercups by Kittens Ablaze
www.kittensablaze.com
www.myspace.com/kittensablaze
Another bands that I disovered via the SXSW 09 Mix Tape. Looking a pictures of the band you would think they were going to be some kind of neo-Rockabilly group, but they are more of a indie power pop act. I liked both the name of the band and the title of the song of course. I think they are going to be more of a summer listening type of group than a dead of winter act.

Kiss Me Deadly by Generation X
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X_(band)
Q: what band was Billy Idol in before going solo?
A: Gen X
Q: What kind of band were they?
A: Poppy Punk, maybe a little harder than the Ramones, but not is hard as The Damned
Q: Kiss Me Deadly?
A: Any song that starts off with the lyric -- The greyhound's rocking out tonight To maximum rockabilly -- is worth listening to at least once.

Oh Bondage Up Yours! & The Day The World Turned Day-Glo by X-Ray Spex
www.x-rayspex.com/home.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Ray_Spex
www.myspace.com/xrayspex1976
And speaking of old school UK Punk.... The X-Ray Specs, with the wailing vocals of front woman Polly Styrene and the yakkety Sax got under my skin this past month. Now I know that a lot of people still think of punk as inaccessible noise, but The X-Ray Specs were very pop and accessible and still sound great and not the least bit dated.

AMONG THE SURVIVORS by The Latebirds
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Latebirds
http://www.latebirds.com/
I think this will be the last of the SXSW 09 tracks to appear on one of these monthly playlists (and watch me eat those words)--- however I really liked this Soundtrack Of Our Lives sounding tune, with a lighter and poppier touch. This tune was stuck in my brain for weeks on end, and if found myself thinking of it and trying to remember the name of the band.

Thoughts, comments, spare change?

3/2009 Playlist

My monthly playlist is a project that I have been working on for three years now, it's simply a new iTunes play list each month titled for the month, and I add what ever tracks catch my ear or stick in my brain during the month to it. When the month is over, I file the old list, start a new one. When I joined Mog.com (www.mog.com/iren) in June of 2006 and started writing a summary and/or commentary for each track sometimes posting a related video as well. As time passed Mog started to wane, and I decided to branch out my posting of the list. At first I added it to my multiply page, my gather page, my Myspace page, but all of that got to be too much, so from here on out I will only post this list on my mog page and my blog (www.restlesskind.blogspot.com). On my Mog page on the right hand side there is a widget that links to all the past entries if you want to go back and check them out. Thanks to everyone who has been reading along and feel free to post comments, questions or what ever in the comments section. Enjoy
Eric Reanimator.

Burning by Awesome Color
www.myspace.com/awesomecolor
http://awesomecolor.net
"In Detroit, The fires burn" I don't think that I really need to say much more about this song, with it's ringing Stooges Detroit Hi Energy Rock and Roll vibe.... I'm pretty much a sucker for these kinds of tunes, they are in my bones and in my soul.

One Horse Down by Baskery (from the SXSW Mixtape)
www.baskery.com
www.myspace.com/baskery
Speaking of thins in my soul..... Sweden, Stockholm, and Hi Energy (there is that word again) Country/Bluegrass... and it just finally kicked in why the into sounds so familiar it's right out of the opening credits of the show Deadwood. These jätte-söt sisters sound like they came from the hills of Appalachia, not the metropolitan environs of Stockholm.... but hey they kick out this tune with the passion and fury that matches anyone out there today. I found this from the SXSW mix tape.... that would be the plethora of MP3 downloads that the SXSW site offer.

Shake Your Hips by The Rolling Stones
Do I really need to say anything? no I'll let the Stones speak for me on this one. This is the one song off of Exile that stays with me.

Trouble by The Dirt Drifters (from the SXSW Mixtape)
www.thedirtdrifters.com
www.myspace.com/thedirtdrifters
This is a classic style country rock tune, about drinking and guilt and the story tellers worries about what his woman is going to do when he gets home. I am not sure but this might qualify as a feminist tune.... anyway it rocks and I don't see any reason that it shouldn't be all over radio.... oh that's right radio was sold out by the last two administrations...

AMONG THE SURVIVORS by The Latebirds (from the SXSW Mixtape)
www.latebirds.com/
www.myspace.com/thelatebirds
I am going to tag this tune as pop rock, but not quite power pop. It's got an energy that reminds me of the band The Soundtrack of Our Lives, only not as full sounding, which works. (from the SXSW Mixtape)

Up And Down by The Chesterfield Kings (from the SXSW Mixtape)
www.thechesterfieldkings.com/
www.myspace.com/thechesterfieldkings
Do you miss the classic late 60's Stones and British Blues rock? Then the The Chesterfield Kings are a band that you should check out. This track rocks along with energy and a nice little hook.

The Plank by The Devil Makes Three (from the SXSW Mixtape)
www.thedevilmakesthree.com
www.myspace.com/thedevilmakesthree
I really just like the bouncy surreal folk feel of this one, I also like the pirate/nautical theme. The song might seem like a gimmick if it weren't for the fact that it keeps your head boppin along.

This Tornado Loves You by Neko Case
Polar Nettles by Neko Case
www.nekocase.com
Who didn't think that Neko would make my playlist for a second month? As I delve into Neko's new album more and more I find the strength and weaknesses of it, and these two tracks rank right at the top of the strengths.

Hard Times In America by Willie Nile (from the SXSW Mixtape)
www.willienile.com
www.myspace.com/willienile
The title says it all, this has a very All Along the Watchtower (Hendrix version) feel.....but don't let that scare you, it's also got illusions to other great tunes, and this has to go next to We can't Make It Here by James McMurtry expressing the populist anger of the failure of the American Dream...... I mean American Nightmare.

Now We Can See by The Thermals
www.thethermals.com
www.myspace.com/thethermals
Speaking of people who have been telling it like it is, The Thermals have been one of the few newer Punk bands that do anything for me and with this song they do a lot. Not only in terms of energy and lyrics, but the fact that this comes from the 7" released in advance of their forthcoming album (anyone want to take odds that I am going to have more of their stuff here next month?).... the brilliant news that I have to report about the 7" is that it came with a free download of the tracks from the Kill Rock Stars site.......... this is how you do it kids, give us the vinyl, give us the MP3s I can put it on the record player at home, I can put it in my iPod and take it with me.... fuckin' Brilliant. They are playing down the street from me at the end of next month, and that also gets my attention, bring the music to the masses, not just the arenas... Oh and the song rocks!

Crazy by Whitey Morgan and the 78's (from the SXSW Mixtape)
www.myspace.com/whiteymorgan
Lot's of people know that when I talk about the greats of country music I am thinking of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Of these guys the two that get the most play from me are Johnny (no surprise there) and.... Waylon, and that's who these guys remind me of, and that's who they are most inspired by. Singer Whitey Morgan sound like Waylon even more then Waylon's son Shooter (another fave of mine), but it's more than just sounding like Waylon, he carries the weight and depth that Waylon had.... and carries the torch in a world that seems to have largely forgotten and wants to forget. It's no wonder that the band is from Flint Michigan, as Nashville would have shown them the door. 

Thoughts, comments, spare change?

2 2009 Playlist

This month, I just want to say

This month's playlist
Bag of Monsters by Nova Express
Caught Between Heaven And Hell by Ripsnorter 
People Got A Lotta Nerve by Neko Case
All the machines are quiet by Robert Calvert 
Tribute To Buddy Holly by Mike Berry & The Outlaws
Everyday by Buddy Holly 
That'll be the day by Buddy Holly 
The Natives Are Restless by The Cramps
Cornfed Dames by The Cramps
Voodoo Idol by The Cramps
Bop Pills by The Cramps
I Walked All Night by The Embers

1/2009 Playlist

It's a new year, and so I thought it would also be time for a revamped playlist header. The monthly playlist is something that I have been doing for almost three years now, it's simply a new iTunes play list each month titled for the month, and add what ever tracks catch my ear or stick in my brain to it. When the month is over, I file the old list, start a new one. When I joined Mog.com (www.mog.com/iren) in June of 2006 and started writing a summary and/or comentary for each track sometimes posting a related video as well. As time passed Mog started to wane, and I decided to branch out my posting of the list. At first I added it to my multiply page, my gather page, my Myspace page, but all of that got to be too much, so from here on out I will only post this list on my mog page and my blog (www.restlesskind.blogspot.com). Thanks to everyone who has been reading along and feel free to post comments, questions or what ever in the comments section. Enjoy
Eric Reanimator.

We Will Fall by The Stooges
www.iggypop.com/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stooges  
www.myspace.com/iggyandthestooges  
The first thing that I thought when I heard of the passing of Ron Asheton was We Will Fall indeed. I have already paid tribute to him on my blog and my mog pages, so I am going to limit my comments to just this track. It's a hypnotic trance like dirge of a tune, it's long and droning, it's simple, but it's got a punch to it. It's like a meditation, it's like it's whispering truth in the midst of chaos, it's the quite at the eye of the storm and it's a great example of how The Stooges could be lower key and reflective.... in a fairly simple way.

Gospel Plow by Screaming Trees
www.myspace.com/screamingtrees
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screaming_Trees
www.timeforlight.com
Following the We will Fall with the Screaming Trees playing their rocked out version of this gospel tune was a happy accident. I added it because I have been thinking about this album while trying to get started on writing my book on it. No, I haven't gotten the nod for the 33 1/3 people, I honestly don't think I am going to, but I have committed to myself to write it anyway. This tune is much like We Will Fall in that it has a quiet droning quality, and it's reflective and deals with the issues of morality. All of the elements of this song work just right, the traditional moments melt just right into the swirling guitar and thudding bass that were the hallmarks of the Screaming Trees sound....

Honeymoon Hotel by Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler & Chorus
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Powell
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Keeler
It's catchy, fun, and slightly subversive. This song lodged in my brain like a bullet when I saw Footlight Parade this past month. On thing, this song works on it's own, but it's better when you see it from the film...

Catwoman on the moon by Riot Squad
www.myspace.com/thestaggers  
I've been a Staggers since their previous incarnation Riot Squad, a Dallas based Oi!/Street punk band singing about horror films and politics. They have always been catchy, basic, fun and filled with energy. For some reason Catwoman on the Moon got stuck in my head.

What Stephanie Wants by T.S.O.L
www.truesoundsofliberty.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TSOL
www.myspace.com/tsol
TSOL have come a long way since the early 1980s and Long Beach CA. They were part of the second wave of SoCal punk, and were notable for their political lyrics and great hooks.. you can read the history at one of the links above.. anyway, this track is from their new album (which was a free download when I got it this past month, and it still might be).... This tune is just a solid punk rock tune that has all the energy of their recent out put. You can hear the classic punk sounds of The Ramones and the Damned, but also the bark and bite of classic TSOL. If anything they have become more subtle in their sociopolitical lyrics.


See you next month.

12/2008 Playlist

12/2008 Playlist

Each month, since Feb of 2006, I start a playlist in my iTunes of the tunes that catch my ear that month. I started off writing a post to my Mog page with a short review or comments of each track, not only to keep a running diary for myself, but also to hopefully point others toward these tunes. In the last several months I have started to cross post this information on other sites where I keep blogs. (If you are reading this somewhere besides Mog, you can find all the old ones at www.mog.com/iren)  I want to apologies for any weird formatting stuff right here and now, I type this in MS word and then post it on these various message places, some of which have…w ell formatting issues….

Anyway for this month here is what caught my ear…

Dr. Woofenstein 

by The Damned

www.officialdamned.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Damned

This is from the new Damned record which I am still getting into and enjoyng.  This song just caught my ear, it's a little on the slow side tempo wise, but there is just something in the hook that caught in my brain. This video is not the best, but it will give you the idea what the song sounds like. 

Fight Fire With Fire
Shotgun Blues 

by Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan 
www.myspace.com/isobelcampbel

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isobel_Campbell

Copperhead Road 

by Steve Earle 
www.steveearle.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Earle

The best video I could find is @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc86_Weoye0 (The Embedding disabled by request) but once again this song was rattling around in my head this month.

The Ballad of Thunder Road

by  Robert Mitchum 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mitchum

Robert Mitchum wasn't a great singer, but this was the theme for the movie that is referenced in the Steve Earle above and is an interesting companion piece to Copperhead Road

Greetings From Shitsville 

by  The Wildhearts 

www.thewildhearts.com/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wildhearts

Ever wonder what it would sound like if you mixed power pop vocals and heavy metal riffing..... wonder no more the Wildhearts have build a sound and a following on just  that idea.

Thoughts, comments, spare change.

11/2008 Playlist

Each month, since Feb of 2006, I start a playlist in my iTunes of the tunes that catch my ear that month. I started off writing a post to my Mog page with a short review or comments of each track, not only to keep a running diary for myself, but also to hopefully point others toward these tunes. In the last several months I have started to cross post this information on other sites where I keep blogs. (If you are reading this somewhere besides Mog, you can find all the old ones at www.mog.com/iren)  I want to apologies for any weird formatting stuff right here and now, I type this in MS word and then post it on these various message places, some of which have…w ell formatting issues….

 

Anyway for this month here is what caught my ear…

  

Midnight Angels

Darling Darling

In the Sign of the Octopus    

By The Hellacopters   

http://www.hellacopters.com

I started November in Sweden where I had been to see a couple of the final Hellacopters shows, so it should be no shock that three of the tracks from their last album made it onto this list. They all jumped out at me for some reason at the start of the month. I know that I have already written about In the Sign of the Octopus, so let just say all of these tracks are great and add the Hellacopters own words about each of these tunes (from their site)

 

MIDNIGHT ANGELS – originally performed by The Peepshows

From Örebro, Sweden, this band put out some rocking albums on Burning Heart Records before calling it quits some time ago. This song is off their last full length "Refuge For Degenerates", which is also their best. When I first heard it I was blown away – it felt as if I forgot to write the song myself. (Nicke)

www.burningheart.com/peepshows

www.myspace.com/thepeepshows

 

DARLING DARLING – originally performed by The Royal Cream

The core of The Royal Cream is The Sewergrooves' Kurt & Mattias Värmby (of F.O.F. & Dom Där & Hux Flux fame). The tune has been released in two versions, as a 7” single (2000) and as a different album version on "Death Is Not A Destination – It's A State Of Mind" (Big Bongo Records 2005). I've stood in on bass on occasion with these guys and consider them to be one of the top acts around town. (Kenny)

www.royalcream.tk

www.myspace.com/theroyalcream

 

IN THE SIGN OF THE OCTOPUS – originally performed by The Robots

Together with bands like The Turpentines, Kids Are Sick and "Demons", The Robots were one of Stockholms' younger bands kicking around as The Hellacopters got started. All these bands did shows together & provided a sense of inspiration & healthy competition in those early days. The song is to be found on their excellent 2004 album "The Robots Are Everywhere" (Idle Hands Records).

www.therobots.1go.dk

 

Outlaw Shit by Waylon And The 357's        

http://www.waylon.com/

            If you saw my post from earlier in the month you know that I have already called this as the song of the year, really from 10 years ago, but it still holds up today… anyway, this is what it is all about, a voice, passion, the truth, and reflection.  Waylon has for a couple of years been one of my all time favorite artists, right up there with his running buddy Johnny Cash. If you are one of those people who think country music isn’t for them, you really owe it to your self to check out some of Waylon’s 70s out put, and the excellent new release this tune came from is another great place to start.

 

Texas Rangers by Dave Alvin 

http://www.davealvin.net

            From the Blasters and side X, Dave Alvin has added his name onto the list of LA punkers who have gravitated towards county/roots music. This is from his recent album of public domain songs, and is a cowboy story song much like those found on Marty Robbins classic Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs

 

Get Out by The Incubators

http://www.myspace.com/thetiptoppers

            One of the things that I found out about when I was in Sweden was the newest issue of Carbon 14 Magazine (http://www.c14.com/) which has a comp CD of Nordic bands. There were tunes from a lot of bands on it, some, which I already knew of, The Hellacopters, The Robots, and the Nomads. I heard the song by the Incubators and for some reason the voice sounded really familiar. I knew that I had heard it somewhere before, and after a day or two it hit me… it’s the singer from the Tip Toppers, a great power pop/punk group from Norway. I confirmed my suspicions when I noted that the Tip Toppers Myspace page was the listed contact for the Incubators. Really what I like about the song is that it’s punchy, energy filled, and has that Judas Priest ‘Breaking the Law’ swagger.

 

Riverview Restaurant by The Clichés

I’m going to call this an honorable mention, because it’s not in my iTunes, but it’s a tune that has been rattling around in my skull since I heard it at the Scorgies reunion show I attended the last week before thanksgiving. It’s a simple punk tune, a good old fashion rock song with a rough charm to it.

  

Thoughts, comments, spare change.

Play List 7 2008

Each month, since Feb of 2006, I start a playlist in my iTunes of the tunes that catch my ear that month. I started off writing a post to my Mog page with a short review or comments of each track, not only to keep a running diary for myself, but also to hopefully point others toward these tunes. In the last several months I have started to cross post this information on other sites where I keep blogs. (If you are reading this somewhere besides Mog, you can find all the old ones at www.mog.com/iren)  I want to apologies for any weird formatting stuff right here and now, I type this in MS word and then post it on these various message places, some of which have…w ell formatting issues….

Anyway for this month here is what caught my ear…

 

Today's Lesson by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds           

www.nick-cave.com

www.nickcaveandthebadseeds.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Cave

www.myspace.com/nickcaveandthebadseeds 

I really like the new Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds album… what else is there to say? Look it rocks, it rolls, it’s got that roots punch, it hints at garage rock and screams like the stooge! All the while it’s like… like… listen I think …. Hum… scratch that, this is crazy, in all honestly these songs just stick in my head, they have the energy and the drive of the Stooges class stuff, and it’s almost like Nick heard that last ‘stooges’ record and figured he’d cut a bunch of tunes to remind those guys how it’s done… in fact fuck it, Ron Asheton lives about six blocks from where I sit, I should burn him a copy of this disc and leave it in his mailbox with a note screaming…. THIS IS HOW IT’S DONE…. Love Nick

 

Roof with a hole by Meat Puppets        

www.meatpuppets.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meat_Puppets

www.myspace.com/themeatpuppets

I blame a lot of people for this one… first and foremost is the last woman that broke my heart… for inspiring me to buy a copy of Too High To Die…next is the Noel Murray’s Popless series on the AV Club (www.avclub.com) … you are reading that??? Rich? It might only be the most important look at music and culture this year… in fact forget what ever I am writing and get over there and spend the weekend reading the archives….  Any way Murray mentioned the Meat Puppets and this tune, so I figured I needed to check it again… and what do you know… it’s a neo-classic….

  

More News From Nowhere by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds           

Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! By Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds   

(See above)

 

Sister Lost Soul by Alejandro Escovedo     

Always A Friend by Alejandro Escovedo     

www.alejandroescovedo.com

www.myspace.com/alejandroescovedo

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Escovedo

 More of the old punk showing the old timers how they used to do it… Sister Lost Soul and Always a Friend are pure rock and roll… no prefix needed, even though it’s all got bits and parts of what ever else Al figured he would throw in…. I want to shout out that Always A Friend is the best Neo-Classic (and that’s the word of the month, or day, or what ever for me) tune to come down the pike in I don’t know how long…

Copperhead Road by            Steve Earle  

www.steveearle.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Earle

www.myspace.com/steveearlemusic

When it comes to 80’s rock from the country side of the tracks, music calling back to the 50’s (in this case an update of Thunder Road with Robert Mitchum) hillbilly culture you don’t get much better than this… with it’s perfect lyrics and it’s riff and why in the hell isn’t every other wannabe alt country/Cowpunk band have this in their set? Why didn’t the clash ever cover it… and why hasn’t Neko Case, Nick Cave, Mark Lanegan, or Alejandro Escovedo            for that matter failed to cover this?

 

Dig That Cra-A-Azy Grave! By Forbidden Dimension     

www.myspace.com/forbiddendimension

It’s the Forbidden Dimension… really they are one of those bands that should be on every months list… but hey, this one was called back to me when listening to a interview it the great pulp write Christ Faust (http://www.christafaust.com/) mentioned a novel by Richard S Prather called Dig that Crazy Grave… and I had to listen to the song again…. And I am looking for the Prather book btw…

 

Mission Stardust by My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult

www.mylifewiththethrillkillkult.com

www.myspace.com/mylifewiththetkk

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Life_with_the_Thrill_Kill_Kult

Speaking of pulp… this tune from the Thrill Kill Kult’s overlooked electro-pulp album also was on my list of noir and glam trash stuff that I have to revisit… Mission Stardust… the album is one that I really hope is rediscovered by the masses soon, and that every other rockfiend with a clue is playing it..

 

Doctorin' the Empire by The Celebrity Murder Party 

The KLF mashes up the Dr. Who theme with Gary Glitter’s Rock & Roll… that’s all, it’s fun trash, it’s silly and I added it to the list for some reason..

 

2LIVnDIEinLA by Hazelden      

Really I am not sure why I included this one… other than I wanted to remind myself to listen to it more… so check it out for your self at

http://www.myspace.com/endroulette

 

Thoughts, comments, spare change.