I love time and I love context. It can help you re-appreciate an old cut.
In late 2009, Bear in Heaven released their critically acclaimed Beast, Rest, Forth, Mouth. I downloaded a couple key cuts as it sounds great during my lounge sets at The Veneto Lounge on the weekends.
Last night, Coral was slamming through some episodes of Skins and during a scene where Michelle and Stanley are hugging on the shores of a lake… a song is raging at the beach party just beyond them. I recognized the song and Michelle said, “hey I love that song.”
Wait-a-minute, I do too Michelle!…. that’s Bear in Heaven! Nice.
The song they featured was “Lovesick Teenagers.” Such a pretty song about that lustful time in all our lives. I like the song because it talks about how those feelings still live in you and out there… long after you think they don’t. Good times and an adorable song.
Rise Against‘s 6th studio record, Endgame, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Chart. Guitarist Zach Blair also tried to tell me that it was number 1 in Canada and Germany! That’s something right. I like Canada, and Germany, you’re alright.
Zach and I had a little chit-chat over the phone as the band is currently in Berlin.
We talked about all sort of stuff. The record Endgame is kinda of a dark, concept record that is a bit heavier and faster then the previous couple records. There is a savage Grapes of Wrath quote when you open up the compact disc (do people still buy those?). Zach talks about the significance of that then delves into the some communist utopia mumbo-jumbo.
That leads the conversation toward “Help is on the Way” and he talk’s about making small changes in the world and taking care of yourself. because if you wait for someone else or the government you’ll be disappointed.
I gushed a bit about how the video is AWESOME so he explained that a bit.
Then… I dunno, we talk about some other things like Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio being on the record and Bill Stevenson of Black Flag and the Decendents producing it in Colorado and we end by reflecting on the time Rise Against came to Victoria and the guys hung out with the Darth Fiddler on Government Street. Oh the times we shared. Please find our conversation below in its unedited entirety. If that’s of interest to you or you work at another radio station you can download it and use a clip it if you want.
Last night was Victoria Record Club Meeting number 4. It was off to Talk’s Cheap on Pandora for another night of music, friendship and beers.
The first, or second record I put up was the Foo Fighter’s 1996 single, “Big Me.”
I recently bought the UK import (on white marble vinyl!) from Ditch on the weekend and had yet to drop the needle on it.
I remember being a kid in 1996 and “Big Me” being a massive hit. The music video was on Much Music all the time… and it was so clever because it made fun of those old goofy Mentos ads! Oh the 90s.
I love the story about the fans used to pelt the Foos with Mentos when they performed the song live… so the Foo Fighters stopped playing it in their live sets till 2005! Dave Grohl saying, “We did stop playing that song for a while because, honestly, it’s like being stoned. Those little … things are like pebbles – they hurt”
Tiemen is the fine proprietor of Talk’s Cheap and knows so lots about punk rock. I didn’t expect him to care or notice too much about my Foo Fighter’s pop song till he flipped it over to see the b-side was a cut called “Gas Chamber.”
He said, “oh I bet that is an Angry Samoans cover.”
I’ve said before, you can make it in music if you’re one of two things… really good, or really first.
The Angry Samoans appear to be a really first. They were one of the very first bands to put out a record that could be described as hardcore. Their 1982 record Back From Samoa contains the song “Gas Chamber.”
The Samoans were some rock journalists at Creem magazine that formed a punker band.
The first brush with notoriety was a dis song directed at a popular KROQ radio DJ in Los Angelas, Rodney Bingenheimer.
According to his bio, he doesn’t seem like all that bad a guy… but I guess the Samoans didn’t agree with him… or maybe the song was more a strike back against the whole “king-making, music industry industrial complex machine.” Who really knows… but the song “Get Off the Air” didn’t do the Angry Samoans many favours.
Bingenheimer was a LA/Hollywood socialite in the 70s who was very instrumental in helping to network rock stars (and groupies). He owned a club on the Sunset Strip called English Disco, he was dubbed the “Mayor of Sunset Strip”, and was BFF with people like David Bowie and Sonny and Cher.
In the late 70s he was given a show on KROQ which at the time was a little rock radio station that no one cared about playing country-rock. Rodney jammed out punk and British glam/new wave at a time when the whole world in California was into the Eagles.
Rodney helped get some groovy bands out into the mainstream and became a popular guy.
Then backlash, then the Angry Samoans. The song pretty much made sure they didn’t end up on KROQ or get a chance to play any LA clubs for a few years.
They released an EP under a different band name to try and “sneak” onto Rodney’s show… but according to wikipedia, I don’t think it worked. Not sure if it was a gag or the guys are lame… I mean, I would have just apologized and sent my new record, or not given a shit to have my record played if I didn’t care about playing the game. But hey, it was the 80s, what do I know?
The point, I love this radio dis song, I want it to my theme song! I would have never found out about the Samoans if Dave Grohl hadn’t covered their song gas chamber back in the mid 90s and Tiemen had recognized the title. neat.
New Foo Fighter‘s record Wasting Light has the buzz that it will be the “best Foo Fighters record EVAR” swirling around it.
We’ll get a chance to hear if the substance meets or surpasses the hype April 12th.
The hot jam single is the most excellent “Rope.” And before we even get to hear a single album cut (well aside from White Limo), we get a remix from the Electronic pride of Canuckistan, Mr. Deadmau5.
Over the weekend I finally made my way to the new Ditch Records on Fort Street (between Douglas and Blanshard). After Mads and I hit the toy store to buy a new toy! (she bought a pair of little plush cats) I got to sift through the rows of records. Best part, Madelyn had new toys to keep here occupied and I also didn’t have to worry about stray nails sticking her like in the old store.
I just planned on buying a 45 or two… but then I spied The Replacements’ 1987 record Pleased to Meet Me. As I am on a quest to collect the whole discography on record, I had to plunk down a further $20 some-odd bones.
As it stands for those keeping score:
[ ] Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash
[X] Hootenanny
[ ] Let It Be
[X] Tim
[X] Please to Meet Me
[X]Don’t Tell a Soul
[ ] All Shook Down
Huzzah, I am over half way. They also had a vinyl copy of their EP Stink. I hummed and hawed… but in the end decided that wouldn’t be fiscally prudent. Besides, it gives me a reason to go back on a future pay day.
Pleased to Meet Me is the first Replacements record after Bob Stinson left the band. The Replacements had drifted a little further away from punk rock on each record and by Pleased to Meet Me… the band was now firmly in a place where they were experimenting more with sound and style. (though they are still singing about public transit? That’s pretty skid if you ask me.)
The Replacements – “Skyway”
This record sold a few copies and even showed up on the Billboard 200… though it was near the bottom. There is a book called Our Band Could Be Your Life and the author says this record has sold about 300,000 copies. Today, you’d be number with a bullet with those kinda sales. But in the 80s, that makes you a hobo or “indie.”
The Replacements – “Alex Chilton”
Here is why Hollywood is fucked up… back in the late 90s, the suits decided that the best part of a teen comedy was the party scene, so the knuckleheads said, “easy, lets just make a whole movie one big party scene!”
Some bonus cheques were cashed and in 1998 the movie “Can’t Hardly Wait” starring Jennifer Love Hewitt was unleashed. The film however got one thing right, they lifted the title from the Replacements song by the same name and even jam the song out at the end.
I am not reinventing the wheel of 70s rock & roll with this set… a selection of jammers from a 70s rock playlist I am working on. The set sounds so rocking mighty because I was able to peek behind the curtain of 100.3 The Q!’s playlist and find the songs that turn the cranks of people in the know.
Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain?” I had never heard that song before, no wait, yes I have, its a monster hit. Wow, I know.
Brewer and Shipley I remember from the Fear and Loathing soundtrack so I had to include it on the J. Rex 70s sampler mega hot mix.
My faves include T. Rex and Grand Funk Railroad. “Layla” is pretty darn near perfect… and that Zep song is growing on me with every listen.
You likely know more about the 70s than I do. Do you have some favourites of the era? What would your hour of 70s might and power sound like? I’d love to know. But always remember, Disco sucks!
01) Elvis Costello – “Pump it Up”
02) T. Rex – “Bang a Gong (Get it On)”
03) Thin Lizzy – “The Boys Are Back in Town”
04) Grand Funk Railroad – “We’re An American Band”
05) Boston – “Peace of Mind”
06) Led Zeppelin – “Fool in the Rain”
07) Derek & The Dominos – “Layla”
08) The Cars – “My Best Friend’s Girl”
09) Blue Oyster Cult – “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”
10) Brewer & Shipley – “One Toke Over the Line”
11) April Wine – “Tonight is a wonderful time to fall in love”
12) The Police – “Roxanne”
13) Elton John – “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to be a Long Long Time)”
***
One of my favourite things about exploring old music that is new to me is sifting through the legend and lore.
I never knew “Layla” was about Eric Clapton banging George Harrison’s wife. A model named Patti Boyd. Cute attack!
So Eric and George are besties back in the late 60s. Helping each other out creatively when something sinister befalls poor Eric. he falls for his best friend’s wife!
The song Layla was written for her…. but uh, her name is Patti, not Layla?
Confused? so am I.
Layla comes from an old Arabic love tragedy Layla and Majnun. It is the story of a young gentleman named Qays who is a bit of a poet and he falls for a girl in his tribe named Layla. Sadly, being a poet doesn’t make you too rad back in the 7th century when impaling people on pikes was the true measure of a man… so Layla’s father prohibits their marriage and instead sends her off to marry someone else.
Qays, crushed, descends into madness and wanders the desert.
A bunch of stuff happens and bingo, bango, bongo he dies.
That is the Coles’s notes version. You’re really gunna want to click the link and read the story as its pretty great.
So Eric Clapton… bummed out that he is in love with a woman who is already married hears this story from one of his buddies… in the midst of converting to Islam. Inspired he writes would might be considered one of the best rock & roll songs ever. (well at least included on the a the list of 500 best!)
Wonderfully… George and Eric worked out their differences over Patti and stay friends. George and Patti remain married for a few more years.
George Harrison and Patti eventually divorce and guess what? Eric Clapton and Patti then get married and stay that way for a number of years. Neat huh.
Today I was thinking about Alice in Chains for some reason…. and it got me thinking back to the Alice in Chains Best of/VHS thing “Music Bank.”
The first video is an old documentary that Seattle TV station, King 5, did about Alice in Chains when they were first coming up. Its such a spooky thing to watch now knowing how the band got what they set out for… then the tragedy that befell many of the members since.
I sometimes think that I want to make something. A craft? I think I’d be into roasting coffee or even being a coffee farmer… but too many TV commercials tell me they don’t make any money. I’d go out of business pretty quick when some mega corp comes to my farm and wants to give me nickels for my coffee. There would be fisticuffs. It wouldn’t be pretty.
Chocolate might be good. But I looked that up on the internet one time and it is way harder to make than you might think.
I’ll stick to making playlists. I don’t make much (or any) money crafting them… but I also I don’t have to live in Madagascar.
The song that I have been into lately and we were THIS close to adding to the playlist this week at the Zone is the Airborne Toxic Event’s “Changing.”
ATE jam out those very earnest hipster mellodramas about being into girls and the girls aren’t into you. They are obviously singing about other people, cuz there is no way you tell me the lead singer isn’t absolutely crushing.
Nothing like a popular modern rock power ballad to get your emotions flowing on Wednesday afternoon.
Biffy Clyro is an esteemed rock band from Scotland. The lead singer has a beard, a Scottish accent and they use strings… must be good.
The song “Many of Horror” is by no means new… but its new for us here at the Zone. I jammed this song out during the Modern Rock Inbox today and really enjoyed it.
I think Coldplay wrote this same song like 12 times… but… no beard.
Biffy Clyro – “Many of Horror”
***
I am a sentimental being. I’ll never deny that.
Hey Rosetta‘s new single is “Welcome.” It was a song I always enjoyed on the Zone, but it wasn’t till I heard Pol Plastino’s interview with the band on M0nday and then re-listened to the song that it all made sense.
The song is about one of the band member’s god-child. Its a young girl named Madelyn and she lives in Victoria.
SWA?
I know right? Fucked up.
So now I listen to the song as a song written for a new-born baby girl and the “welcome” part of “Welcome” makes so much sense.
Hey Rosetta! – “Welcome”
***
Yeesh, Switchfoot is never a good idea to me… well until just the other day.
I’ve been playing Switchfoot singles on the radio for a lotta years but this is a song that I never really heard before last weekend at the Inn Love Wedding event.
I DJ’d the fashion shows and the final cut they wanted was a string cover of “Dare You To Move.” <– click the link its a pretty song.
Getting that string version brought me into the original from Switchfoot and listening to that cut, I thought what a neat wedding song. (I am obviosly not the first to think that… that String band covers great wedding songs so brides can walk down the aisle).
Chatting up Ceara from Kool FM, she said that “Dare You To Move” would be the only Switchfoot song she’d ever recognize… and I was “huh, that is like the one song by them I’ve never heard.” I read too much Pitchfork or something.
Switchfoot – “Dare You To Move”
Well… there we go, a power ballady freakout on a Wednesday. if you’re getting married or having a baby, some songs to think about.
I like making mixtapes… I guess its almost the same rush as someone who plays fantasy baseball or something. I go through my collection and build a setlist.
With some help from Pitchfork, iTunes Genius and my friend James… I found a set of fuzzy electronic off-kilter beats split up by some adorable indie pop.
The set begins with an ominous song from How To Dress Well. A song that is also side 1, track 1 from their album. It rises with some mellow and enjoyable beats, then bogs down with crackling distortion of Hudson Mohawke. Maybe the most most interesting of the songs I included, if only for its spooky weirdness.
A Sunny Day In Glasgow has some of that ethereal-ness of Hudson. Then I jammed out new music from Alexander, aka Alex Ebert aka the dude from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
Something delightful from Kelowna band We Are The City and its a wrap.
01) How to Dress Well – “You Hold The Water” 02) Baths – “Plea” 03) Gold Panda – “Back Home” 04) Teen Daze – “Neon” 05) Bibio – “Ambivalence Avenue” 06) Hannah Georgas – “the national” 07) Hudson Mohawke – “Star Crackout” 08) A Sunny Day in Glasgow – “Nitetime Rainbows” 09) Alexander – “Trust” 10) We Are The City – “Time, Wasted”
The Morning After 
