Mix # 90

Alright! Another mix to get you feelin' awesome! This one has some LA hardcore and some international stuff as well as some well known gold.
Enjoy!

Untitled mix #8 from Solidpants on 8tracks.

1. Tattoo by Van Halen
No Joke the song has grown on me and it's not a stinker at all! "Sexy Dragon magic!"
2. Suburban Home by Descendents
LA hardcore was a weird scene
3. Back of Your Neck by Howler
 Here's a little ditty by  a band I don't know anything about.
4. Bad Girls by M.I.A.
So she gave the finger during the super bowl, so what? Football is a game of men spanking each other's asses and being very violent, I don't think a hand gesture should be the most objectionable thing on the field. She's a hip-hop/rosk star she must do these things.
5. Talaha l'Badro Alaina by The Master Musicians of Jajouka
Music from Morocco, music to go into a trance to. 
6. Song for the Fields by Fields
Modern Pop rock
7. What We Do Is Secret by The Germs
Darby Crash, the singer of the Germs was a homosexual and Scientologist.
8. Born To Die by Lana Del Rey
Said to be the worst artist to perform on Saturday Night Live, said to be a poser I have to disagree, she's just out to get big.
9. Home by Edward Sharpe & the magnetic Zeros
This song sounds like it's from the 1970s but is just a couple years old; it's cool. 
10.Making Time by The Creation
This song was in a dozen adds and is pretty good. 
11.Take It On The Run by REO Speedwagon
Classic rock form the suburbs! I never liked this song until recently.
12.Where Is My Mind by Sunday Girl
A Pixies cover? Well that's great! they do a good job.
13.Sink The Pink by AC/DC
Mid 80s AC/DC usually gets a bad rap but I dig this song because it rocks!
14.Rise Above by Black Flag
More punk, henry Rollins' band kicked ass!
15.Wargasm by L7
LA Grunge by women
16.Broken Bottles by Silversun Pickups
Not their best but it's their newest
17.I Just Want Some Skank by The Circle Jerks
Yeah, he does!
18.You're the On That I Want by Angus & Julia Stone
Yes, this is a cover of that song from, Grease
19.Bleed Together by Soundgarden
These grunge masters put out a song that is positively classic rock before they put out Badmotorfinger
20.Hot Girls In Love by Loverboy
If you don't love Canadian 80s rock than you can go find a new life
21.Adieu by Coeur de pirate
French pop usually sucks but these guys did it right!
22.Comeback Kid by Sleigh Bells
Currently they are the critics darlings but it will pass
23. Home Sweet Home by Mötley Crüe
Great lyrics, great song! Great video! Crazy 80s!


 

Weekly Mix #79

Oh Boy! 2011 is here for the mixes which means there aren't very many to go. Much of this mix was made after one of the best weeks in music release memory where it seemed like everything good came out!

1. In a Big Country  by Big Country

Bagpipes! 80s rock! It didn't get any bigger for these Scottish dudes. The singer killed himself a few years back from what I hear.

2. Under Cover of Darkness by The Strokes

The Strokes are back!!! In my mix world they've been around forever but in the real world this was the first album in years and the single is delightfully Strokestacular!

3. Breaker, Breaker by Peter, Bjorn and John
This is the best thing the boys of PB&J have done since they blessed us with the ubiquitous ,Young Folks. Worth the wait, maybe.
4. 1,000,000 by R.E.M.

Their first single ever which nobody heard outside of Atlanta for years, you gotta love that 1980s indie rock!

5. Sing by My Chemical Romance

They got lots of play from this song, especially on some add for some TV show.

6. Being Followed by Duran Duran

I love it, I love their come back album!

7. Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung

Stupid but fun. Wang Chung will make another appearance with us in the not too distant future.

8. Twenty Yards behind by Dr. Feelgood

Ska! Ska! Ska!

9. Let England Shake by PJ Harvy

It has been a long time between PJ Harvy listens for me but I'm glad I listened to this new song.

10.S and M by Rihanna

Club Music!

11.Communication by The Power Station

This was their third single and it was damn catchy for dorks like me.

12.Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) by Mötley Crüe

Better words have rarely been spoken

13.Guilty Girls by BuffaloTom

Back from the dead, Buffalo Tom get really catchy and good!

14.Kiss Me On The Bus by The Replacements

Feel good indie rock 1985 style! For me R.E.M and The Matts will always be linked by that college radio of the 80s thing

15.Silver Lining by Rilo Kiley

they'll never get better than Portions for Foxes but they will make some decent tunes.

16.U Should Know Better by Robyn & Snoop Dogg

weird duo but it works and it works well in the Euro disco way

17.Wrong by Depeche Mode

Not a good song to listen to in the middle of the night even though I can't think of any other time I'd want to hear it.

18.Thrones by The Dears

Canadian Rock's best band currently. Arcade Fire and eat a dick straight up.

19.The Crystal Ship by The Doors

Crooning must continue. What is the Crystal Ship anyway?

20.Miss Misery by Elliott Smith
This song would make me kill myself too. This song should have won the Oscar for best song from a motion picture but Celine Dion got it with, My Heart Will Go On, lame. Honestly when you compare the two performances Celine should be embarrassed.

21.Hush by Kula Shaker

It's almost the same as Deep Purple's but is it better than when Charlatans UK did it in the late 80s?

22.Bad Medicine by Bon Jovi
More organ? Let's end on a high rocker!

Listen to it here!

Weekly Mix #77

This is a good one so listen up. 25 songs! Wowzah! Some of the bands are very similar to the ones from the last mix but that's because some of the bands released some good records. 2010 seems to be a better year for music now. Weird, I wonder if I'll think the same thing about 2011 which has been shite for the most part.

1. Howlin' for You by The Black Keys

I think this is my favorite Black Keys song; it's got a good groove with some blues.

2. Heart In A Cage by The Strokes

It's a good one. Not the New York band's best but it still goes the distance.

3. Haunting at 1300 McKinley by The Black Angels

Kind of spooky with good guitars and echoing vocals; it's what the band does best in their 1960s sound quest.

4. People Are Strange by The Doors

Speaking of the 1960s here's the real deal. Morrison delivers some of his coolest lyrics in this little ditty.

5. Summertime by Sex Bob-Omb

More pseudo garage rock from Scott Pilgrim and Beck

6. E nessuno si fara'delmale by Calibro

Instrumentals can be cool but barely get this funky

7. She Said Yeah by The Rolling Stones

Little rock songs that click like this are rare.

8. Caress by The Brian Jonestown Masacre

Some bands want to be the stones real bad

9. Endlessly by Duffy

Some people need the 1960s to have a career even though they weren't born until the 1980s

10.It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones

People are still trying to copy this sound today. Can you beat the real sex bomb?

11.Bring On The Dancing Horses by Echo & The Bunnymen

This is one f the best songs of it's era, morose, bizarre lyrically and big hair. The video is very 80s as well.

12.Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri

Too sad, too much, too much. This song would be aweosme if I was a 12 year old girl.

13.Agents of Love by Wolf Parade

I don't know too much about these guys but the couple songs I know I like

14.Dr. Feelgood by Mötley Crüe

This one rocks so loud and goes out to my friend Jason wherever he is!

15.Don't Ask by Blood Red Shoes

Agressive indie rock. Good vocal and sound, right on! But then I saw their picture and I got kinda' unsure.

16.Don't Forget About Me by John Mellencamp

More awesome roots rock by the Indiana boy

17.Freeze to Me Mama by Koerner, Ray and Glover

This is a song I was introduced to by Pandora, thank you for this little country, folk, blue grass number; it's cool.

18.That's Some Dream by Good Old War

It's sung happily but it isn't really that chipper.

19.Paris 2004 by Peter, Bjorn and John

I was in Paris in 2004; I did not share the same experience.

20.Flowers On The Wall by The Statler brothers

You may recognize this number from Pulp Fiction

21.Sheena Is A Punk Rocker by The Ramones

This is the best Ramones song and if you disagree you can go to hell

22.We Don't Need Another Song About California by My Chemical Romance

Actually we do need another song about California.

23.Life In The Fast Lane by The Eagles

Here's a band from California if not the  band from California. Every day, all the time. I am not the first nor shall I be the last to fall under the spell of Hotel California.

24.Boyfriend by Best Coast

This band grows on me every time I listen to them . . . they're from California

25.My Sweet Lord by George Harrison
This song makes me emotional, sot of makes me feel loved in some weird spiritual way I can't explain well.

Weekly Mix #74

If I had thought harder about this mix there would be an REM song and the Replacements song would have been Left of The Dial. Another time perhaps. This is groovy 2010 mix with a whopping 24 songs!
Enjoy.


1. We Are Sex Bob-Omb by Sex Bob-Omb

Written by Beck for the Scott Pilgrim movie it is what garage rock should be, short, loud and fun!

2. Shout At The Devil y Mötley Crüe

The crew rocked the 80s like nobody else. Were they a good band? No they were a horrible band but they rocked and somehow they still tour and play to thousands.

3. I'm So Sad, So Very Very Sad by Crash and the Boys

Also from the Scott Pilgrim movie, this one is 13 seconds long and embraces the humor of Rock!

4. Black Rain by Soundgarden

I don't know if this is a new song or an old song or what but it's not bad and it's loud.

5. Quiet Kid by Dead Confederite

Not too big of a fan of this band but tune is grungy modern

6. The Sun Ain't Gonna' Shine Anymore by The Walker Brothers

How deep is your wall of sound? This is a great heartbreak song as it's sweeping and maudlin. The sixties had some amazing music that wasn't by The Beatles.

7. Hot Child In The City by Nick Gilder

Statutory rape? Nah! I don't know, maybe she just looks young, she said she was eighteen. The seventies were a groovy place where you could get away with more creepiness.

8. Tighten Up by The Black Keys

I suppose this is a good example of rock in 2010. I mean it's more white R&B than anything else but 2010 didn't rock so loud, did it?

9. I Don't Believe You by The Thermals
Indie Rock . . . sometimes you are a great thing and sometimes you are just like everybody else. These dudes are from Portland OR.
10.East Bound and Down by Jerry Reed

Theme from Smokey and the Bandit. It's a stupidly awesome song

11.It's Getting Boring By the Sea by Blood Red Shoes

Can you tell that I loved the Scott Pilgrim soundtrack? Here's more music that I totally dug!

12.What Is Life by George Harrison
A Phil Specter masterpiece! This is just a great sounding song from Mr. Harrison's All Things Must Pass album. Love it!
13.Razors by Vermillion Sands

Remember what I said about I Don't Believe You? Well the same applies for these guys.

14.Snobby Little Elf by Morningwood

Well produced Indie Rock is still Indie Rock, especially when it's from New York.

15.All Nigh Long by Buckcherry

More sex songs by the most tattooed band on this mix

16.That's All Right by Elvis Presley

All hail the king! This is a simple ditty but it's so good!

17.Romeo Had Juliette by Lou Reed

Maybe the last good music Lou put out was from his 1989 album, New York.

18.Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys

Knowing anything about Bryan Wilson is depressing and sad which is why this song isn't a nice as it should be.

19.Memories by Weezer

They got big on this song, such a large sound for them.

20.Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) by My Chemical Romance

If you know me or you read this blog you know this was my favorite song from 2010, raise your fists and sing along!

21.Creep by Scala And Kolacny Brothers

You may have heard this in the trailer for The Social Network.

22.Nothin' But a Good Time by Poison

Working dudes everywhere partied to this song while I was still in high school thinking it was all stupid. Kind of still do. I'll say it again My Chemical Romance are current incarnation of Poison.

23. I'll Be You by The Replacement

Critical darlings from Minneapolis! This was what Indie bands in the eighties turned into once signed. This was from the album Don't tell A Soul and supposed to be their big cross over album so they could be bigger than R.E.M.

24.Tell Me Why by M.I.A.
She has more than Paper Planes though nothing is quite that good.

Weekly Mix #69

2009 wasn't know as a great year for music but sometimes there are little nuggets to found. If nothing else the older songs are real good. Enjoy if you can; I think all but the final song is legally downloadable.


1. Do It For The Kids by Velvet Revolver

I dig the melody in this song.

2. One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer by George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Look man, come down here! Hilarious story and worth the listen.

3. Treat Me Like Your Mother by The Dead Weather

More deep, trippy rock music; it's not their best song but it seems the most energetic

4. These Eyes by The Guess Who

Obviously the best part of the song is when he belts out the lyrics at the end

5. Thirteen by Danzig
Sometimes I think it would have been great to just receive a number over a name and just bring bad luck wherever I go. This is a badass gloomy song
6. Hey Hey What Can I Do by Led Zeppelin

A song that was supposed to be on Led Zeppelin III but suffered from some production error which made it the B-side of the Immigrant Song; not bad.

7. Modern Monkey by The Bardo

When you don't know anything about a band sometimes it's cool but sometimes it makes the experience flat. I know nothing of this band besides a couple songs that sound young and tough.

8. Mind Eraser, No Chaser by Them Crooked Vultures

Josh Holme, Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones, I guess it's a super group.

9. Sick Love Song by Mötley Crüe

It's a good effort long after the dream was over

10.Electric Funeral by Black Sabbath

Psychedelic heaviness by Ozzy and the boys

11.Rooster by Alice In Chains

If the 80s were all led Zeppelin knock offs then the 90s were all Black Sabbath rip offs. I love these guys if you haven't figured that out yet. More haunting heaviness from Seattle.

12.Down Boy by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

This song is from an E.P.; how awesome is that? The E.P. is a concept that makes no sense anymore but at when it did the Extended Play format meant an artist released an album with only four or five songs rather than the 8 plus on L.P. or Long Play album. Down is gloomy and angry.

13.Us Alone by The Vulcan Dub Squad

There is something so sad in this song that I can't really explain, maybe it's foreign language, maybe it's the wailing through out. This song should have been recorded in 1986; it would have been the greatest depressing song ever then but about 20 years younger than that it's different.

14.Lose Yourself by Eminem

Maybe his best song; it won him an Oscar

15.Death to All But Metal by Steel Panther
I agree, Metal rules and everything merely just gets us by
16.Drop It Low by Ester Dean & Chris Brown

Let's get the party started!

17.Whole Lotta Rosie by Guns N' Roses

ANGUS! I love a bootleg and this is a good one from G N' R's early days as they grind out some AC/DC.

18.Dirty Water by The Standells
If you're from Bean Town you know this song well. It refers to the Charles River which was disgusting as was much of the nations urban water ways back in the 60s. Now it's much more clean but for those of us who remember the pre clean up in the 80s know this song was no joke. This tune is also associated with the Red Sox as the song is played at Fenway Park after a Boston victory. It's funny that the best song about Boston is by a band that wasn't from there. "I love that dirty water, Boston you're my home"

Weekly Mix # 65

the 80s were a hell of a party so we'll start this mix there and who lasted from that time and who was influenced by the decade. The eighties are the new fifties which is weird if you remember the 80s because the 80s were artificially forced to be that way. Reaganomics and Galm Metal went very well together. Big hair forever!

1. I'm Alright by Kenny Loggins
Caddy Shack, baby! All I can think about is Rodney Dangerfield and that gopher dancing; it's a good thing. Next stop, Foot Loose and Top Gun.
2. Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp

Back when he was John Cougar, back when you suck on a chili dog by a Tastee Freeze and day dream, back in the 80s.

3. Goin' Out Swingin' by Mötley Crüe

Not bad rock for dudes as old as they are

4. Gypsy Road by Cinderella

I remember when this song was on massive play on the Mtv in 1988, back when metal was king!

5. Dressed Up Like A Millionaire by Damone

Rock n' Roll in the late 00s rarely gets a wicked as this, leave it to a Boston Band to make it happen.

6. Standing Still by Billy Boy Poison

I like this song because it has a siren in the intro beneath the guitars. These guys do give rock a try pretty hard, they  just miss the mark for some reason.

7. The Infanta by The Demberists

The Decemberists would have been better of being an 80s band when people would have cared.

8. Cold by Maxwell

Yeah, I like R&B sometimes, This is damn good track by the Man.

9. Let's Stay Together by Al Green

Hot music about monogamy, one of the best songs ever

10.Fuck You by Lily Allen

Funny songs are good and when the rhymes and melody click they're brilliant.

11.No You Girls by Franz Ferdinand
So . . . are they gay? Another catchy ditty by the UK boys.
12.They Say by Scars on Broadway

Some of the guys from System of a Down branched out and did a song that sounds exactly like System of a Down.

13.Sickman by Alice In Chains
Sad songs about girls are one thing but sad songs about drugs are a completely different beast. Exhibit A
14.Under The Bridge by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Exhibit  B

15.Drag by Placebo

No, not a song about dressing in women's clothes.

16.Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Keyboards dominate on this one as the Hipsters get dancing.

17.Lovegame by Lady Gaga

Keep the dance vibe going. I hate this song the longer I know it.

18.Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cindy Lauper

Art School chick gets kicked out of School and turns singer and makes millions of dollars. Influences  thousands of chicks to dress from thrift stores.

19.Fuck the Pain Away by Peaches

That was the most brilliant moment in every mix I've made in my life. You figure it out.

20.With a Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker
It's strange when you can do a Beatles song better than the Beatles by Mr. Cocker  got it done.

Weekly Mix #64

Here's another mix without reason or rhyme

enjoy

1. She's Expensive by The Virgins

This song sounds like a clash outtake and is pretty good; they never lived up to their billing as the next big thing/ the next Strokes but this tune is cool, especially the intro.

2. Sex On Fire by Kings of Leon

This song signified the Kings joining the mainstream and the end of them as an interesting indie class band.

3. Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe

When I saw them a couple years ago in 2008 they opened their shows with this monster.

4. Cheap City Thrills by Alleycat Scratch

Glam metal was alive and well in 2008 as this retro gem proved. with exception to the weak solo, these guys nail the feel and sound.

5. Do it Again by Steely Dan

A band named after a pleasure implement in a William S. Burroughs novel. I was fiending to this song when I made this mix; i though it was the best song ever for about two weeks

6. Something Burning by The Stone Roses

This is one of the songs the Stone Roses had to record in secret as they were in court with their record label; it's a smooth one.

7. Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin

The queen of soul, pay your respects

8. You Can't Hurry Love by The Supremes

No you can't. Motown had some fantastic hits come from it, this would be in my top ten.

9. Girlfriend in A Coma by The Smiths

When this song came out we all laughed but all loved it.

10.Who Can Say by The Horrors

Back with a more sweeping sound, the got away from the abrasive choppiness that I loved so much. The keyboards are still pervasive.

11.Mother by Danzig

His one big hit. He channels Jim Morrison in this one.

12.Thirteen by Johnny Cash
Covering Danzig's song; it cool and more somber than ominous
13.These Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan

Folk music at it's commercial peak.

14.Pork and Beans by Weezer

A little ditty in the midst of a big chorus, they've been paying homage to the Pixies for so long now.

15.Know Your Enemy by Green Day

This was there follow up to the huge 2004 effort, American Idiot. It's not quite as great.

16.Messing With My Head by Tinted Windows

The greatest New Wave band of the new millennium. Members of Hanson, Smashing Pumpkins and Cheap Trick formed this one shot band; it's good listening and should have been used in an eighties movie about a fictional eighties band.

17.Rebel Rebel by David Bowie
Bowie doesn't do it any better than this, nor do many others. Teenagers experimenting unite!
18.Poker Face by Lady Gaga

Not only does she owe Madonna a lot but she owes Bowie a lot. This is the sort of songs androids like to kiss to.

19.Words. by Missing Persons

Oh yeah here's another group that influence the previous artist.Actually they are more influential than one might think. I don't even know if people know they're influenced by them. Is that subversive?

20.The Bitter End by Placebo

Placebo continue their sharp, stirring tunes

21.I'm A Man by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

This was recorded live at the Fillmore in San Francisco; he does a good job getting bluesy

22.That's Not My Name by The Tin Tings
I guess this is a chick anthem about wanting respect but I'm not sure.

Weekly Mix # 63

So I looked at this mix and thought about the songs and realized that almost all of them have been used in adds or movies, crazy! Enjoy this 2009 created bad boy!

1. Everybody Wants To Rule the World by Tears for Fears

Some songs from the 80s really deliver on their era, this is one of them but I can't exactly explain why. I suppose Songs from The Big Chair was the high point for these Brits though Sewing the Seeds of Love was also pretty big too..

2. Feellin' Alright by Joe Cocker

I was obsessed with this song for a bout month when I made this mix which is why it sauntered in here.

3. Zero by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

It's a groovy song by some hipters from New York. The video was filmed in San Francisco's China Town

4. Troublemaker by Weezer

And suddenly Weezer just kept on truckin'. It seemed like they were faded into the past and then they made a comeback and never left us.

5. Any Way you Want It by Journy

Classic rock of Journey and memories of Caddy Shack

6. Same Ol' Situation by Mötley Crüe
Great band and strange band, The bassist writes all the songs but doesn't sing and the most famous member in the group is the drummer. The Dr. Feelgood album was the pinnacle for these L.A. hair gods even though they still tour.
7. Down With the Sickness by Disturbed
It took a couple years for me to be into this Nü Metal classic but now I enjoy it. This appeared in, Queen of the Damned when Lestat's band was about to go on stage . . . or was this the song his band did?
8. Ulysses by Franz Ferdinand
 These guys just put out groove after groove with great melodies, The tuxedo the singer wears in the video is slick and if I had thousadns at the time I would have owned it and rocked it better!
9. Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups
This crazy song was used in Sucker Punch. There's something desperate in the sonic craziness of the music that I really like.
10.Desolation Row by My Chemical Romance
A song on the Watchmen soundtrack, I think it's one of their five best songs. "Cinderella, she seems so easy" Coooool f'ing lyric. They even play the national anthem in this song; it has to be good!
11.Lit Up by Buckcherry
A song about getting high but could be used by G.E. to premote their lightbulbs
12.I  Can't Drive 55 by Sammy Hagar
Before he teamed up with Van Halen, Sammy was the red rocker and complaining about traffic and speed limits, now he sings national anthems at Giant's games.
13.John Walker's Blues by Steve Earle

Maybe the best song having anything to do with the Taliban; it's moving.

14.Paper Planes by M.I.A.

If you didn't hear this song in 2008 you probably are reading this blog for research on popular music. It was huge, it won M.I.A. awards and possibly made her a one hit wonder. I always thought this song was about drug dealing but I've never been able to confirm this.

15.Falling Down by Oasis

I still don't know why songs like this one didn't lead to a huge Oasis come back. Dig Out Your Soul had good stuff all over it.

16.Fall Is Just Something Grownups Invented by The Hives
Yup, this is the Nickelodeon  Channel theme rocked out by the Swedes
17.Mr. Hurricane by Beast
The name of this band isn't right, there isn't anything beastly about them though this is cool song for sure!
18.Daylight by Matt & Kim

More music from Hipsters; it's very catchy. You may be familiar with the tune as it appeared in a Tanqueray Gin TV add.

19.Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths

Morrissey can emote like no other. An instrumental version of this tune was used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off during the Museum scene.

20.Can't seem To make You Mine by The Seeds
This tune was used in an Axe spray cologne add featuring the queen of eyebrows Adrianne Curry
21.Let There be Rock by AC/DC
Even AC/DC sold out! This rocker was the theme to a Rock Band video game release.

Weekly Mix # 61

The First Mix I made in 2009, very early on. Much of it is a time traveling experience that makes me feel like I'm in the showy, glitzy side of the 1960s. While other parts of it are not anything like that. Enjoy and listen and buy, help stimulate the economy, one song at a time!

1. Touch Me by The Doors
I am setting the mood and kicking things off with possibly the cheesiest song The Doors ever did; it's as if Tom Jones took over. if I was around in the sixties and a fan of the band I'm sure I would have wondered what the hell was up with them and why weren't they on drugs!
2. Valerie by Amy Winehouse

Another Mark Ronson produced gem; this is a cover. Something about this number just gets me feeling all right.

3. She's a Lady by Tom Jones
It's been brewing for a little while but Mr. Jones has finally made his way to the mixes with this late sixties sizzler. In case you're not familiar with Tom, he was the original panty dropper as it is said that women of all ilk would toss their undergarments on stage when he played.
4. If Looks Could Kill by Camera Obscura

A San Francisco band who were from the 00s but lived in the 60s. Continuing the trend this tune could be from girl group with a tyranical producer behind them.

5. Three Decades by The Horrors

The follow up to their intense, creepy, dark rock album the Horrors began getting more sweeping with their keyboards and the vocals are bigger. It's a bit psychedelic.

6. Baby Love by the Supremes

Ms. Ross and the ladies deliver the real Motown deal in this ear candy of a song.

7. I Kissed A Girl by KatyPerry

Bringing us firmly in the present a young, devoutly Christian chick discovers a B side to her sexuality and scores a huge hit. Strangely this tune is kinda' raw compared to her future hits like, California Gurls but it does let us know that she is a bit wacko.

8.Hit The Road Jack by Ray Charles

Taking the hint from Ms. Perry the blind smack fiend gets his ass outta' Georgia and on the road.

9. See What I Wanna See by The Lovemakers

Back to the present day the Lovemaker's sophomore effort produced this funny song about not being a ho . . . I think.

10.Waiting for the Rapture by Oasis

One heavy bass drop deserves another., Oasis was inspired heavily by the sixties, right? The last Liam Gallagher album.

11.One Of a Kind by Placebo

They are about as creepy as The Horrors and just as British.

12.Shadowplay by The Killers

Covering Joy Division Brandon Flowers and the boys do a good job.

13.I Just Wanna Love U (Give it 2 Me) by Jay-Z

Sampling great 70s soul is a good idea for the biggest rap star of the decade.

14.Pretty Tied Up by Guns N' Roses

Autobiographical songs are cool I guess.

15.Zombie Grave yard by Be Your Own Pet

They rocked and now they are gone

16.Juicebox by The Strokes

Borrowing the bass line from the Munster's theme, The Strokes do good in what would be their last album for 6 years.

17.Anyone Else But You by The Moldy Peaches

They got a popular song when it was used in that Juno movie. A movie with a myriad of things that led into and came out of it.

18.Smokin' in The Boys Room by Mötley Crüe

Good time rock for good time folks. I've never smoked in the boys room actually so I don't know if it's all it's cracked up to be.

19.These Boots Are Made for Walkin' by Nancy Sinatra

And we're back to the sixties again! this song gained more popularity in the 90s when it appeared in Austin Powers International man of Mystery as the fembots shot bullets from their . . . err . . . guns.

20.Little Green bag by George Baker Selection

This is another song that got noticed again in a movie, this time it was Reservoir Dogs.

21. Relator by Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson

I'm pretty sure Pete just wanted to get into Scarlett's knickers and so he recorded a whole album with her proving that Winona didn't obliterate his career. Scarlett doesn't sing poorly but she does sound a bit lazy.

22.Love is a Stranger by Martha Wainwright

Yup, this is Rufus' sister and she does a great version of the Eurythmics song that while feels completely different than the original is just as good.

23.Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

If Tom Jones is coming over than I'm getting out my Neil Diamond records too. Without this song, Red Sox fans would have nothing to do during the 7th inning stretch.

24.Distant Dreamer by Duffy
I love this song; it is ethereal and perfectly wistful; I think this has to be Duffy's best song to date. This also completes our sixties pop fetish.

Weekly Mix #59

This we're on time and I'll keep it going down the line. Some of this mix really rocks out so look out!


1. New Rose by Guns N' Roses

Doing a cover song quite well

2. Heaven Sent by INXS

I've always liked this song even if it wasn't one of their massive hits.

3. Kids by MGMT

Kinda' floats on by and then we never heard from these guys again.

4. You Cross My Path by The Charlatans

Still making groovy tunes after all these years, wow!

5. Shockwave by Black Time

I heard this metal song and thought maybe, just maybe there was hope for music in 2008 but I think I was the only person to buy it.

6. Leda Automatica by Year Long Disaster

Great name for a band! This is a 70s retro rocker from some L.A. dudes

7. Raining Blood by Slayer

Run for cover, get out of the way; this song will kill you if you can't handle it!

8. Monsoon Perfume by Dengue Fever

Music from another time but actually it's modern. Not to be confused with the mosquito spread virus or Slayer this band won't kill and seems rather harmless.

9. Hoodoo by Muse

A somber and dramatic note of a song

10.Them Bones by Alice In Chains

Wake Up! This song is a loud one and the first track on their 1992 dark masterpiece.

11.Saints of Los Angeles by Mötley Crüe

Their big come back! I saw them twice on this tour and they were tight and loud!

12.Unchained by Van Halen

Another great rock effort by the band that bought us spandex to crazy metal guitars. This is off the Fair Warning album which is a strange one.

13.Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis

This song got featured in a beer commercial

14.Baby Baby by Guadalupe Plata

Spaniards know how to rock American style too

15.Cheap and Cheerful by The Kills

Before the singer ran off to make music with Jack white, this is what she was doing.

16.Killer on His Knees by Crucified Barbara

Women doing metal!

17.Powerslave by Iron Maiden

I had recently seen Iron Maiden play at the L.A. Forum and this was one of the high points of the show

18.Bark At The Moon by Ozzy Osbourne

If you like metal you love this. Rest In Peace Randy Rhodes

19.Go Go Go by The 88

Little light pop never hurt

20. Welcome Home by Coheed & Cambria
OH MY GOD! When I heard this song I this band would be the most awesome band ever but they weren't. In fact they were simply successful in writing a kick ass Led Zeppelin sounding song.

Retro Concert? More, More, More!

As you know old washed up pop stars form decades past can now tour the reunion/nostalgia circuit and do well. I have been a contributor to this biz for the past few years starting when me and some friends took on what was a true wonder, Van Halen. Our hopes for the show ranged from wondering what the hell we were doing going to see a bunch of fifty year olds play songs that at best were 25 years old to being totally amped for some real rock! What we got were all the hits, played with great professionalism and a great time; Hot For Teacher, Runnin' With The Devil, Unchained . . . all were just so damn good to hear live! This experience led to rocking shows like Mötley Crüe, AC/DC, Iron Maiden that did not disappoint; you get to hear all the famous songs and a couple new ones that aren't so bad. There's no sitting around to here one or two songs; they are all good. Recently I went to another one of these shows and bore witness to Billy Idol.

Homeboy delivered a show that back in 1990 would have been a total fantasy. He's still an ass but knows it's his bread and butter. mercifully he didn't play his biggest hit, Cradle of Love which surely caused some folks to be disappointed but I've always hated that song as it's sort of too much of the pop rock. Instead we got his cover of L.A. Woman from the Charmed Life album.
Rock n' roll is a fantasy and these bands are putting on fantasy shows that take us back to a time that is heightened by our own interpretation of the past, our own emotions connected with the music of our youth (unless you're one of those kids being dragged to the show by their parent). Part of me thinks this is sad because Rock is supposed to be young, dirty and dangerous and what we get is the too old to go crazy version. This however is better than what the kids are putting out there today, I mean Neon Trees are supposed to be a rock band but they don't rock and they just sound like a poppier rendition of The Strokes. They are the Cradle of Love to White Wedding. So while the young folks struggle to get it up let the old guys bring it harder!

Hold it! Come to think of reunion shows, my first was back in 1989 when I saw The Who's 25th anniversary show; it was alright, better for the experience than being a fan. There were so many drunk dudes who are my age now there; the circle is complete.

Weekly Mix Tape Pt 46

You will experince the rocking highs of Mt. AC/DC and Peaks of Damone and you will be then dropped into the Abyss Hall & Oates, you will swim through the Sea of Nightrain and a Blue Bayou. Wandering the dark valleys where Siouxsie & The Banshees sing you run from the Wolfmother! Alas it's all a fantasy under strict control of he Dream Police!
Enjoy because I am a dork!

1. That's The Way I wanna Rock & Roll by AC/DC

This almost a lost track in the lexicon of AC/DC, maybe it was because it was contending with more energetic songs of the late 80s

2. Dream Police by Cheap Trick

Epic, synth rocker!  I saw them in 1988 and they did a great show!

3. What Girls Want by Material Issue

It's a funny song and sort of right on

4. Aweful by Hole

I'm not sure which rock star wrote this song for Courtney Love but it is the bands best song. It's a sick overview of being a young girl in Hollywood

5. Out Here All Night by Damone

Boston Rocks! I was delighted and intregued when I first heard this song; it has ballz! Welcome Damone!

6. I Turn My Camera On by Spoon

This song is flacid and a way to shill after too much guitars

7.The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill by The Beatles

Why this song? It's kind of like a kids song; it has a sing along  and sounds cute.

8. Maneater by Hall & Oates

Smooth sax, keyboards, distinct bass . . . this is almost background music for porn but wound up being a top ten hit.

9. No Shelter by Rage Against The Machine

Starts off smooth but gets very agro quickly. This was the best thing about the 1998 Godzilla movie.

10.Live Wire by Mötley Crüe

This is the beginning of a band that got huge, besides the various Tommy Lee, drum stupidy at the end of the song it was one of the groups best tracks.

11.Knock On Wood by Morningwood

Covering disco is a very clever thing indeed

12.Nightrain by Guns N' Roses

Some songs have a life of their own, this song is one of them; it lives in it's own universe of cheap booze

13.Trains to Brazil by Guillemots

Because the Nightrain is a bit too much for some the Train to Brazil is much more nice

14.Disappear by INXS

There is nothing wrong with loving Austrailia's second greates band. They make the people want to dance!

15.Sorry by Buckcherry

Somebody told these guys that singing about partying was nice and all but you have to show the world that there's more to you than that. So Josh and boys wrote a song and apologized for it.

16.Mysteries by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

From the excellent Show Your Bones album.

17.Life Is Sweet by The Start

An L.A. band that is crazy sounding and feels very influenced by the band that follows

18.Love in a Void by Siouxsie & The Banshees

Young and angry and in love, Goth punk at a high level

19.Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt

I know it's a Roy Orbison song but I prefer to think of it as hers

20.Haven't Got a Clue by Dramarama

The call in the beginning of the song is from a prankster who harassed a bartender and recorded it. It's horribly funny.

21.Woman by Wolfmother

If you knew me when this song was hot you were annoyed at how much I listened to this Black Sabbath influenced piece. It rocks but alas they never got this bad ass again.

22.We Will Rock You by Queen

Thank you Queen for existing

Weekly Mix Tape Pt 17

Let's Rock! At Least at first we will before we settle down into some other elements of pop music. Enjoy the sounds at you leisure. These songs flow pretty well even if it doesn't seem like it. All the songs are available for purchase on iTunes but as per usual my attempt to be awesome and tech savy by creating a link have failed so happy hunting.

1. Girls, Girls, Girls by Mötley Crüe
What is a marble larch?
2. Do You Want To hit It by The Donnas
Horny rocker girls posing a very interesting question
3. One-Armed Scissor by At The Drive-In
After this album the band broke up and became The Mars Volta
4. Radio Free Europe by R.E.M.
Ladies and gentlemen, R.E.M. before they became total pussies
5. The Next Episode by Dr. Dre
This is the one with Snoop Dogg on it
6. You Do Something To Me by Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad at her most sultry
7. What Difference Does It Make by The Smiths
Best Smiths song Ever
8. Elephant Stone by The Stone Roses
This was a big single in the UK
9. There's No Other Way by Blur
The US's first taste of the band back in 1991; I wasn't a fan at the time
10.The Other Side by Aerosmith
This song was in "True Romance"
11.In A Little While by U2
Why do I keep putting horrible U2 Songs on mixes, actually this song is just lazy
12.Block Rockin' Beats by The Chemical Brothers
This track was part of the great techno push of 1997
13.Darkside by Crazy Town
This song sucks but it goes well with Disco Science
14.Disco Science by Mirwais
I wan to see the laboratory that this Science is done in
15.Unsung by Helmet
They were dubbed the next Nirvana
16.Buddy Holly by Weezer
Great Video by Spike Jonze
17.Pleasant Valley Sunday by The Monkees
Somebody should cover this song . . . No, I take that back
18.Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley
We've all checked in once or twice in our lives
19.Spin The Bottle by Juliana Hatfield Three
I think this song is about Johnny Depp
20.Then The Morning Comes by Smash Mouth
What happened to Smash Mouth?
21.My Way by Sid Vicious
Best version of this song of all time!

Weekly Mix Tape Pt 11

This weeks mix has got some sweeping songs, some anthem caliber songs if you will. This mix has the capacity to be the greatest mix ever buut it's not; it's sort of like the Yankees of mix tapes every song is an all star (a side from Post Card Blues, Free and Veda Very Shining). I would say some of these songs shouldn't be together on a mix because they are so powerful they could destroy one another. Lets examine and enjoy shall we?

Mix #11 from Solidpants on 8tracks.

1. I Love Rock N' Roll by Joan Jett
Ladies and gentlemen, Joan Jett in all her early 80s awesomeness, fresh from the Runaway's crash site Joan rocked and set the style for hipster chicks in the early 21st century.
2. Veda very Shining by Letters To Cleo
Once Letters To Cleo was one of my favorite bands and a group I thought to be vastly underrated; I never listen to them anymore.
3. Home by Iggy Pop
Slash and Duff make this song rock the balls!
4. Monkey Man by The Rolling Stones
What can I say this song just gets better and better..
5. Add It Up by Violent Femmes
"Why can't I get just one kiss?" because you are a whiny twerp!
6. 50ft. Queenie by PJ Harvey
PJ's best song.
7. The Look Of Love by ABC
ABC made me want to wear a suit and be a playboy; I was 9 years old
8. Don't Speak by No Doubt
Even Hard Criminals loved this weepy song. I liked the Spanish guitar
9. Blue Spanish Sky by Chris Isaak
Mr. Isaak has made his sadness lethal; this song made me want to shoot myself in sympathy.
10. Burro by Beck
Continuing my pseudo Spanish/Mexican them, Beck does a Spanish version of his song "Jack Ass"
11.Ring Of Fire by Johnny Cash
More south of the border sounds
12.Free by Mazzy Star
Loved Mazzy Star in the Early 90s before the "Fade Into You" song hit.
13.Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots
This may be STP's best song and may be one of the best songs of the 90s
14.Jupiter and Teardrop by Grant Lee Buffalo
Just Listen to the Story
15.Baba O'Riley by The Who
Teenage wasteland
16.Hell by Sqirrel Nut Zippers
I wouldn't doubt if this song was played in hell; it seems to know more than the living should
17.Celebrate by U2
U2 doesn't really have the energy to make songs rock this anymore but that's okay. 
18.Postcard Blues by Cowboy Junkies
Haunting, sensual with notes of heroin abuse; it's a nice musical salad.
19.Jurassitol by Filter
I'm not a big fan of this post industrial band but I do dig this one off the The Crow: City of Angels soundtrack
20.Paradise City by Guns N' Roses

So, so good!

Weekly Mix Tape Pt 9

There is a lot of energy on this bad boy including some very danceable Destiny's Child and Ian Brown the singer of the Stone Roses going solo. Please welcome Mötley Crüe to the world of mixes. This mix will get your blood going fast and can make teenagers angry. Enjoy!

1. Bad Reputation by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
I adore this song, it is so full of young attitude and cool. Joan Jett had bigger hits but this one remains my favorite. I always want to give people the finger when I hear it. Another thing, I don't think she's aged a day.

2. Too Fast For Love by Mötley Crüe
Before they were fat, rich and undead the Crüe were a tough bunch of assholes who could barely make it on stage. Too Fast For Love I believe was their first single and though it was never a hit it was damn good! Reminds me of the girls i would chase when I was sixteen.
3. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
Theremin! This song is great and if you don't feel the power you can have your Little Deuce Coup and leave! 
4. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
One of the greatest, most epic rock songs ever! Over the the top in every way, Queen set the bar with this classic. When the guitars kick in it is irresistible, you must bob your head!
5. Going To California by Led Zeppelin
I kind of want to cry every time I hear this song song as it reminds me of the optimism I felt when I moved to California but also has a heartbreak in it that reminds me my own lost dreams.
6. Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
Sexiest song ever? I don't know for sure but it is great soulful stuff. Rest In Peace Marvin

7. Jumpin' Jumpin' by Destiny's Child
This was a hot jam when I made this mix way back in the day. Before Beoncé was the mega star she is now she was part of the girl group.
8. The Real Slim Shady by Eminem
 This is when Marshal Mathers blew up! He was that obnoxious, bleach blond, white rapper until this song dropped. Then he was enormous.
9. Heart of Glass by Blondie
From one blonde to another. From punk to disco the New York band were the coolest of the cool and one of the most accessible acts of the era. The hot lead singer didn't hurt either.

 
10.Girls & Boys by Blur
From one band that started as pop that went disco to another. Girls & and Boys is a funny, groovy dance song about Brits on hedonistic holiday.
11.You Really Got Me by Van Halen
The original Kins version was a rocker, the Van Halen version was insane! Anybody who's loved guitars has loved this song.
12.Remedy by The Black Crows
This is the song that made feel that the Black Crows weren't total wankers. It's sexy, rough and soulful Southern rock from the early 1990s
13. Whatever by Godsmack
This song gets worse with age. It's sort of a funky Nu Metal but it really isn't.
14. Natural Blues by Moby
Moby made all his money from the album, Play.  He made a lot of cash selling the rights to his songs to big companies to use in their commercials which he claims he used the pay check to give to organizations that fought against those big companies.
15. Love Like A Fountain (U.S. Version) by Ian Brown
The singer of the Stone Roses got some phat beats and grooves for this album. I find this song was the best effort from, Golden Greats.
16. Big Time Sensuality by Björk
Big time! Bjork needed us to know that she liked to dance and had some inkling to be a disco diva at the time. Now she barely makes what can be called music. I miss the old Björk.

17.London Calling by The Clash
Anger and fury on how shitty 1970s England was. Militaristic in sound this song was like a call to arms to get aware of the shite around us.
18.Here Comes Your Man by Pixies
Kind of a classic, kind of a simple little pop song but for whatever reason this was the beginning of a sea change in the perception of what was cool in music.
19.Gotta Stop by The Lemonheads
Short and sweet punk. Good way to end the mix.