Seems appropriate/interchangeable with today, though “Reaganomics” rolls off the tongue easier than “Getting squeezed by the rich and their Bible-thumping, gay-bashing, union-busting, flag-waving stooges.” – Steve Stav
Thanks to Daniel Saul Housman for this tip: XLR8R describes Cryland, Don Cavalli’s most recent record, in this way: “It’s hard enough to learn another language, so give France’s Don Cavalli bonus points for nailing Americana roots and blues with a hammer. His stripped-down hybrid-Cajun swing owes as much to his laptop as it does …
Thanks to Daniel Saul Housman for this tip: Allmusic.com describes Unknown Mortal Orchestra in this way: “Basing the songs on funky, strutting beats is a good start. Throwing fuzzy guitars, chunky basslines, and bubbling keyboards on top is a nice second step. Finishing it off with Nielson’s playful and child-like lyrics sung with an innocently …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBaskRZDbNA
Urkel is back:
Seattle pop-punk band Quickie has less than one month to get Jimmy Kimmel’s attention. Kimmel is co-sponsor of the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush contest, which is currently underway. The telecommunications giants are searching for a killer opening act for their Seattle “Summer Krush” concert (date to be determined). The winning band will not only open …
Early 1980s Seattle had a pretty active music scene. There were clubs like Baby O’s, Eagles Auditorium, Seattle Hippodrome, The Showbox, The Hall of Fame, among others. The only place still in existence is The Showbox. I was barely over twenty- one, but my best friend and sidekick Katie was still 20. Back then, the …
[Ed. Note: What follows is a work in progress. Tom Kipp is in the process of compiling “1500 Completely Unforgettable Songs! (A Musical Cornucopia of Rock, Punk, Soul, Funk, Pop, Postpunk, Grunge, Sludge, Spoken Word, Country, Hardcore, Hip-Hop, Metal, Industrial, and Beyond).” Some of these songs will be familiar, others less so. All will be …
It may be an odd admission to hear from a music journalist, but I don’t think I’ve enjoyed new music this much since the 1980s. Great, “independent” sounds seems to be pouring into my radio and computer in a torrent from all over the globe, making me as giddy as a 16-year-old waiting in line …
One thing not be taken away from The Who, they had the best rock documentary for miles and miles… However, Tom Kipp cautions, “The film does seem a lot sadder now, though, as opposed to celebratory, given what’s happened to those still alive when it was released…”
“Jungleland” conveys Springsteen’s Runyonesque Born to Run-era urban aesthetic through his most complicated storytelling and perhaps his most transcendent poetry. He wanted grimy, realistic, lumpenprole art on the order of Last Exit to Brooklyn. As the years pass, it’s becoming clear he achieved it. The story about the Magic Rat and his sleek machine may …
Sal Nunziato, proprietor of the Burning Wood blog and friend of East Portland, posted a great opinion piece recently in The Huffington Post: I Gave Up On Lou Reed After the First Pre-Velvets Acetate” and Other Lies Told by the Jaded, by Sal Nunziato As I listened to The Who’s Quadrophenia, savoring every massive bass …
http://youtu.be/LrPJgnOXjy8 Key Lyric: “I never had a chance to love you.” The Message: Holy shit! Did I ever screw up! “Wait” is my number one, hands-down, favorite song of all time. I can see the video for this hair metal classic of unrequited longing play in my head from start to finish every time I …
For the official video with great footage of Portland and Oregon, go here.
The Who peaked with Quadrophenia, Elton John peaked with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and The Rolling Stones peaked with Exile on Main Street. Those three albums are the best ever released. Pete Townshend admits he gave Quad everything he had and their follow-ups proved that. I suggest everyone check out The King Blues. They’re a …
As soon as I’ve scrounged up enough money to buy a ticket, I’m going to Soundfest. There I’m going to see the likes of The Dickies, The Vandals, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, Reagan Youth, Stiff Little Fingers and so many more. Three days of punk, August 19-21 at venues across Seattle. …
The band U2, according to Forbes Magazine, are the richest band in the world, having made $195 million last year. The second richest is Jon Bon Jovi, who made a measly $125 million comparatively. However, all’s not rosy moneywise for U2. Or more aptly, all’s not rosy with their fans who are accusing them of …
Atari Teenage Riot – Black Flags (feat. Boots Riley) by Alec Empire/ ATR Atari Teenage Riot is also asking their fans to participate in the video for the band’s upcoming single “Black Flags” (feat. Boots Riley of The Coup), which will be released on September 6th. You can hear “Black Flags” and read the lyrics …
http://youtu.be/kVUc_12GRwQ CSS’ infectious, tropical-flavored single “Hits Me Like a Rock” (featuring Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie) has become a summer favorite, perfect for both backyard barbeques and all night dance parties. Now, the track has gotten the remix treatment from Depressed Buttons, a new outfit consisting of three members of The Faint, who are signed to …
Pajama Club Teaser from Pajama Club on Vimeo. Neil Finn, frontman for Crowded House and Split Enz, was recently honored with the task of presenting a lifetime achievement award to Brian Wilson at the MOJO Awards. Finn’s new band, Pajama Club, has recorded a self-titled debut album which will be released on September 13th through …
Sal Nunziato at Burning Wood reviews: JOHN HIATT’s – DIRTY JEANS & MUDSLIDE HYMNS – “a perfect record from head to tail…” and FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE – SKY FULL OF HOLES (audio file included) – “has some pop gems that will keep you humming for days…” Go here.
Holy shit, I could listen to this woman sing forever. I’m gonna have to dig out an interview tape from 2000 someday, see if there’s anything worth repeating. – Steve Stav
Antigone Rising is a four piece rock band from New York City. They’ve been around for more than fifteen years in several incarnations. The current group is poised to succeed further than any previous AR lineup. With the addition of Nini Camps on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, they have their best chance of becoming …
So, you’re driving about town and this song comes on the radio, and you’re thinking — this is one of the best f*&$ing rock songs I’ve heard in a long long time. But then the DJ doesn’t tell you what you were listening to, so you keep recycling the lyrics in your head over and …