Happy Pakistani Air Force Day! I hope you enjoy this week’s
tunes; listen to the playlist below and feel free to read along as you stumble through
it. Shout out to my bro, Evan MCGEE, for pointing out that 3 out of my 4 last
posts contained songs off soundtracks from Guy Ritchie movies; “I Wanna be your
Dog” and “Police and Thieves” from Lock Stock, and “Ghost Town” from Snatch! To
keep the trend, I threw in a lil’ last-minute bonus track, an obvious easter
egg of sorts – medium ups to you if you recognize which one!
Web player link – https://play.spotify.com/user/agood1no/playlist/2mkCaTGinAmM9hpOnS31eY
Ramones – Warthog
We kick off this week with a track from ubiquitous 70s icons
the Ramones. Forged on the gritty suburban streets of Queens, the Ramones are
arguably the band that spearheaded
the punk movement in the United States. Warthog is off one of their later
releases, Too Tough to Die, but
exemplifies a return to their roots, less glazey and more teeth. Sad fact of
the week – all 4 original members, Joey, Johnny, Tommy and Dee Dee, have passed
away.
Deviates – Come With
Me
Come with Me is the opening song off the Deviates’
much-anticipated second album, Time Is
The Distance. Melodic hardhitters and part of the early 90s punk revival on
the west coast, the Deviates preferred to focus on heavy touring and honing
their live sound, and so they took 7 years between their first studio release
and this one. Unfortunately, the band will break up soon after the release of Time Is The Distance, and we haven’t
been graced with their youthful and introspective sound since.
Catch 22 – Keasbey
Nights
The title track from their debut album, Keasbey Nights, incorporates all the distinctive sounds that
coalesce to make Catch 22 the unique ska band it is. From the speedy tenor parts
to the chorus anthems to a rocksteady rhythm section, Keasbey Nights shows us
why these Jersey boys enjoy such widespread popularity. Although band leader
and founder Tomas Kalnoky bailed to start a new outfit, Streetlight Manifesto,
Catch 22 still plays shows here and there.
Misfits – Horror
Business
Speaking of New Jersey…up next we have the crown prince of
horror punk, Misfits. Before lead ghoul Glenn Danzig left the group to pursue a
Freudian solo career, he recorded a number of singles, EPs and full lengths
with Misfits. Horror Business is their third single, released in 1979 off
Danzig’s label Plan 9 Records. This track highlights the trademark sound of
Misfits, a driving, melodic pop force interlaced with themes and imagery from
horror movies. Oh, and who can forget the
mighty Danzig’s appearance in Aqua Teen Hunger Force??
Demond Dekker &
the Aces – 007 (Shanty Town)
Now we head to the Caribbean for some early ska from widely
influential Jamaican artist Desmond Dekker. 007 (Shanty Town) was the title
track and first single off Desmond Dekker & the Aces’ 1967 debut studio
album. The song makes allusions to spy and cat-and-mouse films, like James Bond
and Ocean’s 11, which was a very popular pop culture phenomenon at the time in
the rude boy scene. This song went on to be very influential in later reggae
and ska circles, and was consistently covered by big acts, including versions
by The Specials and Musical Youth.
Frenzal Rhomb – Let’s
Drink a Beer
Since we’re globe hopping, may as well take a trip down
under to hang with our Aussie friends, Frenzal Rhomb, and their mouth-watering
track Let’s Drink a Beer. This song is off their commercially successful 1999
album
A Man’s Not a Camel, and
showcases their frenzied and melodic, lead guitar-driven flavor of music
.
By the way, what the hell is a Frenzal Rhomb? Well apparently the name
is derived from a Fresnel rhomb. What the hell is a Fresnal rhomb? I’d explain
it but physics isn’t my forte – read about it
here.
Scissor Sisters – Tits
on the Radio
Next up is a track from fuzzy glam rock /nu-disco pop
sensations, Scissor Sisters. Fronted by
lead singers Ana Matronic and Jake Shears, Scissor Sisters are well known for their
outlandish live performances and quickly gained a cult following, first in
Europe before they got big in their native United States. Tits on the Radio is a track off their debut
studio album, and some have speculated that it may serve as a vague homage to
the Bugles’ Video Killed the Radio Star.
Slick Shoes – Lucky
Lucky is off pop punk Slick Shoes’ third album, Wake Up Screaming, released under the
Tooth & Nail banner. They gained a following by touring extensively with
other bands on the Christian label, most notably MxPx. The band name is an
homage to cult movie The Goonies;
‘slick shoes’ is one of the character Data’s many homemade gadgets.
Circle Jerks – Wild
in the Streets
Possibly the best name for a band ever, and our second
sexual band name so far in this week’s playlist, Circle Jerks were a huge part
of the late 70s/80s hardcore scene. Formed
in Los Angeles by former members of Black Flag and Red Kross, Circle Jerks
embodied the energy and anarchistic counter culture that was becoming
increasingly popular, especially in skate and surf scenes. Wild in the Streets
is their cover of Garland Jeffreys’ original tune, and is the opening track and
namesake for Circle Jerks’ sophomore studio album.
Pennywise - Bro Hymn
We end today’s playlist with the super catchy anthem Bro
Hymn, off of Pennywise’s fourth full-length album Full Circle. Named after the monster clown from Stephen King’s It, Pennywise is (and continues to be) a
leading force of the 90s punk revival sound, while guitarist Fletcher Dragge is
consistently recognized as one of the great guitarists in the scene. Bro Hymn
was originally released on Pennywise’s first album, as a tribute to bassist
Jason Thirsk’s friends. After Thirsk took his own life in 1996, the band re-recorded
the song (this version) as a dedication to him. “Jason Matthew Thirsk, this
one's for you!” Random knowledge knugget - This song is (or has been) the ‘goal
song’ for at least 3 different NHL teams.
Alrighty folks, that’s a wrap. Hope you enjoyed every last
minute of it, and please share, follow, like, and all that.
