Take one half of Erasure and add a vixen with a sultry voice and you have Yaz (or Yazoo in the UK). Between Depeche Mode and Erasure Vince Clarke killed time with Alison Moyet crafting catchy pop gems.
Only You
In My Room
Bring Your Love Down (Didn’t I?)
I knew this A-Z thing wouldn’t be easy but hen I hit the letter X I hit a wall. The only band I had on my hard drive was X-Ecutioners. Where did that even come from?! Luckily I had have a hipster pal who I used to work with (and still live with) to help me out. Enjoy his picks!
I am running late in posting this so no time for my blathering. Just enjoy my fave tunes from Weezer.
The World Has Turned And Left Me Here
You Gave Your Love To Me Softly
Perfect Situation
A few things happen to most of us in High School. Awkwardness, puberty, a propensity to write bad poetry in an attempt to be “deep” and breaking away from Top 40 to find your own music. I would wager that “Blister in the Sun” was the first song I heard from them but it really isn’t my favorite. I find it to be more of a novelty than anything.
The Fems will always remind my of my sophomore year, riding in my pal Larry’s beat up old Beetle and just being a kid.
Please Do Not Go – A heartfelt, yet slightly wacky, plea to someone whose interests lie elsewhere. Perfect for an awkward teen.
American Music – Hands down my favorite Fems song. Every time I hear this song I hear it I have to break out into the special dance I made just for it.
Held Her In My Arms – Just another love song from the Fems.
I saw The Urge open for 311 at some point in the mid-90s and liked them enough to buy their records. I don’t think about them too much these days but the opening guitar in “Brainless” still gets me.
Brainless – The opening track from “Receiving the Gift of Flavor” their 5th album and the first one I bought and my favorite song by them.
Jump Right In – This song about casual sex features Nick Hexum of 311 which makes sense since they took The Urge on tour with them. I think this might have been a minor hit.
Too Much Stereo – The title track from the last studio album from the band. Just a fun tune that details a messy night out.
Last night we covered movies, sports, food and the loss of Begley and Doug. Pretty much a typical podcast aside from that last part… Oh, and my roomie Pad made his debut.
PS -We cut it a little short to go play Goldeneye. Sorry.
I really would like to post this blog today so I will make a quick statement about Too Much Joy…
I LOVE THIS BAND!
There, I said it. I could write for hours about why I love this band. I will put it simply.
They write perfect Power-Pop songs that have smart, clever lyrics with multiple vocalists.
I was introduced to TMJ by my pals Larry and John. The first song I heard was “King of Beers” and 16-year-old me was thrilled as I now had a theme-song to drink to and a way to explain my drinking to others. “King of Beers” made me go buy my own copy of Cereal Killers and I quickly fell in love with the whole record. This led to me becoming obsessed with finding everything the band had ever done. I picked up Mutiny easily but then had to scour the record stores for a copy of Son of Sam I Am. I signed up for the band’s newsletter and went to the fan website (the now-defunct joybuzzer.com).
Eventually I was able to see them live and it was everything I could have every wanted. They played with a passion I could relate to, sang every word out of key with me and were just as drunk as I was. I have probably seen TMJ live about a dozen times and they were great every time. If you look carefully at their live VHS video you can see me right in front of the stage at a show at the old Bayou.
Crush Story -You might have actually heard this one because it registered as a pseudo-hit on the Modern Rock Chart reaching the 17th position.
Magic – This one really hit home with me as an undersized high schooler. This song taught me that if I used my brain I could make up for my lack of muscles. And that perception is reality.
Drunk and in Love – A rare track from the Mutiny sessions that saw the light of day on the re-release of Green Eggs and Crack, the band’s first record. I think it is just a perfect song about what one will do for the one they love, especially after a few drinks.
Any indie music fan worth their salt knows the name Hüsker Dü. Hailing from Minnesota (of all places) the band is credited as being a huge influence in alt music. I can’t say that I was, or am, too into them but I certainly enjoy the work of member Bob Mould. Bob put out a few solo records after Hüsker Dü broke up in 1987 and then went on to form Sugar.
Sugar‘s first record Copper Blue was released in 1992 and was named Album of the Year by NME. A perfect mix of melodic power-pop and distortion Copper Blue was on repeat in my car for months.
In addition to the band Bob found time to write scripts for WCW Wrestling. Seriously.
Bob is also responsible for The Daily Show‘s theme music which is titled “Dog on Fire”. They Might Be Giants perform the current version.
If I Can’t Change Your Mind – This song reminds me of when my Homecoming date told me she had decided to go to the dance with my best friend instead of me. If I ever see that girl again I will probably kick her in the shins. Thankfully I had this great song to get me through.
Feeling Better – The Beaster songs were recorded around the same time as Copper Blue but were obviously heavier and darker with some blatant religious overtones. Just call this record Sugar‘s Pinkerton.
Your Favorite Thing – From File Under Easy Listening this is just a perfect example of Bob and the band at their best.
Bah-Weep! Just because we aren’t a morning show right now doesn’t mean we can’t have a Holiday Hootenanny!
Help us keep the tradition alive by joining us. Tell a friend or two and be sure to bring a few more along!
Join us for a Happy Hour(s) full of food, drinks and fun!
THIS IS A 21+ EVENT. Sorry Minors. I think the legal drinking age should be 18 but we have to follow the law.
UPDATE!
Park at the 75 State Street Garage if you are driving. It’s $5 after 5pm. Do not park in the garage attached to the Hard Rock. It’s $34 after two hours. There will be free pool and appetizers not to mention a few other surprises!
If you have any questions please leave it in the comment section.
Here is the FACEBOOK PAGE.
