You may notice there are a lot of songs from the 90’s on this month’s playlist. I may have been born in the 80’s, but it’s the 90’s music I clearly remember. The ironic thing is most of the music I would be fine with never hearing again is from the 90’s. This is the decade where record labels seemed to have handed out record deals like candy. I can’t even begin to tell you how many musicians I’ve met who were part of those signed bands. Some were hot for a minute or two, while others seemed to have gotten shelved and no promotion. Others are still getting paychecks from their 90’s fame.
Anyhow, I turned August into a “let’s listen to 90’s rock and alternative during the day” month, mainly because I am driving a Volvo from the 90’s until my car is ready (at this point it better be getting an overhaul and come back as a freakin’ Murcielago or Aston Martin) so I decided to fully embrace this decade. I went as far as to question my sanity and ask myself can I really just listen to 90’s music for a whole month?
Well I did it and there was a lot of good music I hadn’t listened to in forever and some I’d never even heard. This playlist may not be reflective of my last statement as it doesn’t necessarily show the cream of the crop and includes many mainstream acts, but it’s what played at 2:05 pm.
Sponge – “Molly (Sixteen Candles)”
Since this is Sponge’s second appearance on one of my playlists it may seem like I’m a huge fan. In reality aside from this song and “Plowed,” I’m not sure I know any more of their songs. I do like both of those a lot, so maybe I should re-visit some Sponge.
Dirty Filthy Mugs – “Tony and Vinny”
This is a local band. I saw this band play at Blue Star Cafe. I noticed Notes From Vivace also had one of their songs on his list, as well as another band they played with A Pretty Mess. These bands shared the stage with our friends of Pu$$y-Cow. It was a great show. I love my punk rock and these guys definitely knew how to bring it reminding me of Swingin’ Utters (with whom they’ve shared band members apparently). A bunch of us girls were overdue at another party and figured we’d stay for just a song or two, but after one song decided to catch a whole set. If you can get a bunch of drunk non-groupie type girls to stick around for your set as well as a bunch of guys who either play in punk rock bands or are used to seeing quality bands play, you’ve definitely got something.
On a side note: The bands on this bill are all owed big kudos as “dysfunctinal” was the theme of the evening, beginning with a no-show from the promoter who initially put the line-up together. None of these bands knew each other prior to this show, yet showed no hesitation to help each other with sound (there was no sound guy as well), mic stand malfunctions, and stood in the audience for each other’s sets. Seeing this happen is what makes me want to continue putting on music shows as time allows me. I hope seeing and experiencing stuff like this makes bands realize they don’t need promoters to put shows together for them. DIY people.
Seven Mary Three – “Cumbersome”
I actually really like this song and the lyrics
Barefoot Bride – “Swallowed”
A very common question that I received in the year 2005 and I’m sure bookers across LA did as well was “There’s these A&R people coming to check us out and we need to put on a showcase, can you help us?” I would like to see how much money was “expensed” by record label people in ‘05. Bands were being sweet talked, boozed, and shmoozed left and right. Record label execs would show up in limos and towncars to check out the bands packing the clubs. It was a fun year, but also a telling sign of the implosion that was coming. Few of those bands that were constantly asked to put on these “showcases” got record deals. I saw many a frustrated band dealing with this. Some did and were shelved.
Anyhow, this band featuring some nice OC guys had some of the biggest underground hype among A&R from various labels, they worked hard as did their management just like many other bands. They usually packed their shows and had cute girls showing up at all of their shows. Anytime, I hear one of their songs or other bands that I’m friends with that were getting all of this kind of attention it makes me think back to that crazy year. A year when everyone was having more fun than maybe we should’ve and bands were working hard at changing their own destiny.
Here is their video for “So Bad”
(click on the link for the rest of the playlist)
Swingin’ Utters - “Stupid Lullabies”
I don’t really get tired of this band (maybe because I rarely play them). “Stupid Lullabies” and “Pills and Smoke” are my favorite songs of theirs. I love the whole San Francisco punk scene they were a part of, even though I could never live there due to my allergic reaction to gray weather, fog, and uphill driving/parallel parking (this also induces hyperventilating)
Porno for Pyros - “Pets”
I honestly can’t name any Porno for Pyros songs other than this one and “Freeway.” I liked Jane’s Addiction just fine. I like Stephen Perkins as a drummer and Perry Farrell (didn’t he just turn 50 not too long ago? Crazy.) and the other guys are fine, I just never picked up any Porno for Pyros stuff as a pre-teen/teen. I remember talking to Mike Watt once and he said he’d toured with them at some point and maybe played on one of their albums? I may not be recalling the conversation correctly, but who hasn’t he played with. I’d like to see footage of that, him playing while Farrell is talking about aliens in the year 2000.
Soul Asylum - “Runaway Train”
A few years ago, Josh lead singer of the Rainman Suite shared with me that this was the song that really made him want to sing and start a band. I don’t really care for the video (I’m all for PSA’s but I’m somehow not ok with this song’s video being one), but this song always makes me stop what I’m doing and just listen to Dave Pirner’s vocals.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – “(Me and) My Friends”
I’m not a huge RHCP fan, I love their spirit and how they give back (Flea = Silverlake Conservatory = Thankful melodic hipsters who can now play The Silverlake Lounge…I kid, I kid), but I do like this song and “Soul to Squeeze” every now and then. I’m not even going to pretend I was a huge fan when they were “Punk” I wasn’t.
The Lightning Seeds – “You Showed Me”
I like The Turtles’ original version
Foo Fighters – “Walking After You”
Loretta Lynn – “Fist City”
And of course can’t close out a playlist without a country song. I would like to go back in time 30 or 40 years and have a few beers or some whiskey (I don’t think my vodka tonics would be as fitting) with Loretta and friends. One of the questions I’d ask her is “Why are so many of your songs geared towards the moral-less chicks that you think are after your guy? Shouldn’t you be mad at him if he’s the one messing around?” She’d probably respond with “You have heard ‘Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ right?” and then I’d have to buy her another shot. Ok, actually someone get me a shot. I just had an imaginary conversation with Loretta Lynn.
Bouncing Souls - “Better Things”
Now if life were a movie, or if I controlled the world (I don’t really actually want to), this song would play everytime I exited my front door each morning. I like this sped up version better than the more mellow Kinks version. Such a positive song from a great band, it’s a Punk Rock Hallmark card
Here’s wishin’ you the bluest sky
And hoping something better comes tomorrow
Hoping all the verses rhyme,
The very best of choruses too
Perfect start to my days.
