Keep the change, ya filthy animal

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for a SPECIAL FUCKING XXXMAS EPISODE. Just so happens our 20^th playlist falls on this exceptional time of the year, where we show the people closest to us exactly how many dollars worth we love them.  Regardless of race, creed, color, sexual orientation or situation…we are all joined together through this annual giving of gifts to celebrate the gods of materialism and consumption.

Annd of course here is the web player link: https://play.spotify.com/user/agood1no/playlist/7xeUI2pFExQEpJgd1x7xIP

I am not throwing together the usual write-up, but a couple notes…

This playlist reflects my efforts to resist the urge to simply throw on the Vandals’ Oi to the World! in its entirety. It wasn’t easy, but I did it! YOU’RE WELCOME. 

My apologies for including My Chemical Romance on this list…I really wanted a cover of ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’, and couldn’t find any better version. Anyone out there know of a better cover?

You may notice that these are almost entirely all Christmas-inspired tunes. BUT, in the spirit of barely trying to spread the love across holidays, I have managed to find at least (read: only) one song that’s about Hanukkah. Sorry for being a terrible human.

Alright, time to sign off and get ready for the annual Festivus celebration. Mentally preparing for the airing of grievances and the acceptance of Festivus miracles, not to mention picking out the perfect Festivus Pole, is not an easy task. I wish all of you the most intense happiest of holidays, and I hope you’re all able to spend some fun times hanging with family and friends. Here’s to hoping 2017 is less of a dumpster fire than this year was!

Let me tear that heart apart

Hello children of the web, and welcome to another toasty warm playlist from Wednesdays With Andrew. This week promises some fun little ditties and rehashed gifs; nothing less, nothing more than what you’ve come to expect from WWA. Music this week includes songs from Slothrust, Nation of Ulysses, The Lawrence Arms, None More Black, Patti Smith and more…go listen, and godspeed.

Annnnnd the web player link – https://play.spotify.com/user/agood1no/playlist/3uo4HsdFsm6cDfZPIBuBl1

Patti Smith – My Generation

We kick off the week with Patti Smith’s slightly more NSFW version of The Who’s classic tune, My Generation. Also known as the Punk Poet Laureate, Patti Smith is an eclectic artist who dabbles in a number of formats (songwriting, poetry and visual arts, to name a few) and her work would go on to inspire a future generation of songwriters. This song is off Smith’s 1975 debut album, Horses, which would establish her as a prominent figure in New York’s burgeoning punk scene. Horses quickly gained critical notoriety for creating a revolutionary sound, composed primarily of freeform, beat poetry and edgy garage rock song structures.

Nation of Ulysses - Ulythium

Ulythium is a fast descent into madness, and is courtesy of legendary DC post-punk noise rats Nation of Ulysses. This song is off the band’s debut album, 13-Point Program to Destroy America, released in 1991 through (you fucking guessed it) Ian Mackaye’s Dischord Records. Ulythium highlights frontman Ian Svenonius’ mad trumpet skills to complement the Nation’s trademark chaotic and frenzied art rock sound. Current Affairs Alert – Slate recently published an interesting read on #pizzagate. IF YOU CLICK THIS LINK YOU’LL SEE WHY IT MADE SENSE TO PUT IT HERE, GAWD

None More Black – The Ratio of People to Cake

“Hmmm I wonder if Andrew is into New Jersey melodic hardcore” yea I fucking eat this shit up. None More Black is the project that vocalist/guitarist Jason Shevchuk started after leaving the (incredible) Kid Dynamite after their short-lived run. The Ratio of People to Cake is the third track off None More Black’s first Fat Wreck Chords full-length, File Under Black.  Fun useless fact time! - while the band’s name was inspired from the movie This is Spinal Tap, and this song is an homage to Office Space, many of the band’s song titles are in fact references to Seinfeld episodes.

No Use for a Name – Until it’s Gone

Up next we’ve got Until It’s Gone, a sweetly apprehensive tune from San Jose sk8r bois No Use For a Name. This was the opening track for the band’s 1993 Daily Grind EP, which was the first project they did with Fat Wreck Chords. Following on the first two releases that came before, Daily Grind continued to solidify No Use’s distinct sound, blending speedy and pop-laden melodic punk with some heavier, metal/thrash guitar influences. No Use For a Name has not played since 2012, after the sad and sudden passing of lead vocalist and guitarist Tony Sly. 

Ty Segall Band – Tell Me What’s Inside Your Heart

Tell Me What’s Inside Your Heart is a sledgehammer tune from noisy garage folk hero, Ty Segall, and his friends. The track is off Slaughterhouse, which is the first and only album that fully credited Ty Segall’s touring band. Like much of the rest of the album, Tell Me What’s Inside Your Heart is unapologetically lo-fi and weird as shit, favoring fuzzed-up guitar licks and a cacophonous wall of sound. As of earlier this year Ty Segall has been backed up by The Muggers, consisting of old bandmates (like multi-instrumentalist Mikal Cronin) as well as some fresh new talent. 

Pour Habit - Tomahawk

Can you tell that WWA is a big fan of Fat Wreck Chords bands? Tomahawk is a razor-sharp missile from Long Beach melodic hardcore outfit Pour Habit. Off their 2011 full-length, Got Your Back, this track highlights Pour Habit’s signature sound; blisteringly fast, hard hitting, and with biting melody lines and metal-inspired guitar solos as featured centerpieces. Although these guys haven’t put out any new material since Got Your Back, they still play regular shows and there’s talk of them working on a 3^rd album.

Dot Dash – Holly Garland

Holly Garland is a slippery little super tune from super group Dot Dash’s latest album, Searchlights. While the band features members from pretty much every cool DC post-punk and hardcore band you can think of (including, but not limited to: Minor Threat, Youth Brigade, Government Issue and Julie Ocean), Dot Dash also represents a new chapter for the scene, a much-needed breath of fresh air. The album is at times harmonious and soothing, jarring and angst-y, and isn’t afraid to explore everything in between. Searchlights is Dot Dash’s 5^th album in 5 years, all released through Canadian indie label The Beautiful Music…go check it out in its entirety here: dotdashdc.bandcamp.com

Slothrust – Rotten Pumpkin

Rotten Pumpkin is a track from one of my favorite new artists, Slothrust.  This song comes from their latest record, Everyone Else, which dropped just a few weeks back. This was a much-anticipated release after the critical success of their second album, Of Course You Do, and the gal and guys in Slothrust nailed it. From blues-inspired fuzzy garage to bubble-pop grunge and sludge-y doom rock, this album runs the gamut, and promises to have a little something for the whole family.  It is my humble opinion that Slothrust makes music with more balls than most other bands out there today, which is kinda funny given leading lady Leah Wellbaum’s anatomical disposition. Oh shit, try saying “leading lady Leah” 3 times as fast as you can.

Tears For Fears – Head Over Heels

Aaaaawwwwwwww shit I love this song. Whether it’s an awkward, hands-on-shoulders middle school slow dance or a shuddersomely dark and intense movie, Head Over Heels provides the perfect soundtrack. Editor’s note – shuddersomely is not a word, fine whatever. English gentlemen Roland Orzabel and Curt Smith comprise the duo known as Tears For Fears, and they have been making fans swoon with their unique brand of synth pop since their genesis in 1981. Head Over Heels is off their sophomore full length, Songs from the Big Chair, which went 5x platinum and remains their best-selling album to date.

 The Lawrence Arms – Navigating the Windward Passage

Our penultimate selection this week comes from scruffy Chicago threesome, The Lawrence Arms. Navigating the Windward Passage is a sweeping melodic anthem, driving the user ever forward towards the culmination of a call-to-arms chorus. The track is off their 3^rd album, Apathy and Exhaustion, which signaled the beginning of a long-lasting relationship with Fat Mike and his Fat Wreck Chords label.  The trio actually all met when they were in different Asian Man label bands, ultimately leading to the formation of Lawrence Arms in 1999.

Ruder Than You – Not Deaf Yet

We end the playlist with Not Deaf Yet, a silky smooth, sexy ska song from Philly outfit Ruder Than You. Off their sophomore record Horny for Ska, released in 1996 through Moon Ska Records, this tune features all the things you’d expect from Ruder Than You, including a robust horn section, some toastin’ and light falsetto, and even a reference to getting a parking ticket. These guys actually met at Penn State in the late 80s, where they founded the band, before relocating to Philadelphia, Home of the Smeagles, in 1991.

Alright internet ninjas, that’s it for this week’s playlist. I guess you can go back into hibernation until next Wednesday when a new batch of jams becomes available. Keep tuning in, and spread the WWA gospel. If you're a band with good music, send me your shit. Until next week...

Squeezin' my spider-man pillow to death

Good morning web slobs, and happy International Civil Aviation Day! I hope you're geared up for another slippery episode of Wednesdays With Andrew. I was tempted to do a holiday special, Michael Bublé-only playlist, but decided instead to stick to the regular format #imlovinit  This week we have a diverse bunch of tunes, geographically speaking of course, stretching from the beaches of Orange County to the natural pools of Austin, TX all the way up to the frozen tundras of Finland. Strap in and enjoy, kiddos.



Annnd the web player link - https://play.spotify.com/user/agood1no/playlist/3CkQrqoVnmw8PFmRMtcr3t

The Smiths – How Soon is Now?

We kick off this week’s shitstorm with The Smiths’ curiously airy hit How Soon is Now?. This track was originally a B-side for their 1984 single ‘William, It Was Really Nothing’ before earning it’s A-side spot on their second album Meat is Murder. Written by lead weirdo/vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, How Soon is Now? stood apart from the other material on their first 2 records, showcasing a slower and more velvety sound than their usual up-tempo, synth-driven dance pop.

The Impossibles – Always Have, Always Will

The Impossibles always have and always will be one of my favorite (ska-heavy) rock bands. Hailing from Austin, TX these exceptionally talented nerds formed the band in 1994 when they were still 13, 14 years old. Always Have, Always Will is a heavy-hitting and pop-infused rock anthem superimposed over a calming ska backdrop.  The Impossibles were one of the very first bands to work with Fueled by Ramen, when the label was still based in Florida and looong before they were signing more household name artists like 21 Pilots, Paramore, Panic! At the Disco, etc.

The Unband – Pink Slip

License and registration…chicken fucker! I’m sure many of you recognize Pink Slip, a track oozing with insolence and angst best expressed through rock n roll, from Broken Lizard’s cult classic Super Troopers. Pink Slip was from hard rock heroes The Unband, and is off their first major label release, Retarder, which dropped in 2000. I think the Las Vegas Weekly described that album best: “Every number is a testament to the might and stamina of the power chord”.

Here’s to hoping Broken Lizard actually gets their shit together and releases Super Troopers 2 next year!

Flogging Molly – Drunken Lullabies

Up next we have a mandatory, token Celtic bar-brawl tune, courtesy of our friends Flogging Molly. But don’t be deceived by the light-hearted and boisterous sounds of Drunken Lullabies; this song by the 7-piece Irish-American group is a poignant and daring challenge to the problems we see in modern society. Drunken Lullabies is the title track of Flogging Molly’s sophomore album, released in 2002 off SideOneDummy Records. Sláinte mhaith!

Assorted Jelly Beans – 8^th Grade Nerd

8^th Grade Nerd is a frenetic tune from ska punk band Assorted Jelly Beans. Born in the arid expanses of Riverside, CA in the mid 90s, the group first caught the attention of Joe Escalante and Warren Fitzgerald of the Vandals, who were so impressed that they decided to start a label just to help the band record and release their first, self-titled album. And so it goes that Assorted Jelly Beans were so damn good that they are credited for the creation of Kung Fu Records. Although the Beans haven’t been too active recently, they did play this year’s Amnesia Rockfest in Canada.

Social Distortion – Don’t Drag Me Down

Don’t Drag Me Down is a melodic powerhouse of a song from long-standing staple of the punk rock scene, Social Distortion. Formed in 1978 in Orange County by childhood buddies Mike Ness and Dennis Danell, Social Distortion has become synonymous with chugging power chords, rambling guitar solos and that distinctive low-whine vocal snarl. Don’t Drag Me Down is off their 1996 album White Light, White Heat, White Trash, the last album they released before the tragic and untimely death of Danell from a brain aneurysm. Despite some hiatuses and lineup changes, Social Distortion is still playing shows and writing new material after an impressive 38 years…here’s to 38 more!

PÄÄ Kii – Nyt skipataan kahvit

Next up we got some rowdy punk rock from Finnish stompers PÄÄ Kii. I know very little about this band, but here are a few knowledge knuggets I was able to dig up:

1.     PÄÄ Kii is Finnish for ‘Shut up’

2.     This song is 1minute55seconds of pure awesome rock n roll

3.     The song may or may not have something to do with coffee

Iron Chic – Time Keeps on Slipping into the (Cosmic) Future

Time Keeps on Slipping into the (Cosmic) Future…is a really long name for a song. It is also the second track from Long Island punk outfit Iron Chic’s first full length, Not Like This, released in 2010. Like guitarist Phil Douglas’ previous band, Latterman, Iron Chic favors a melodic brand of fast-paced punk, punctuated by shout-along anthem choruses. Iron Chic recently organized and played a Brooklyn festival in honor of their fallen friend and guitarist, ‘Wild Dad’ Rob McAllister, who passed away almost a year ago. You can donate to the fund that was set up to help support the family he left behind here.

Dicks – The Dicks Hate the Police

This is a rowdy number from a rowdy band. The Dicks Hate the Police was the debut single from the guys, self-released in 1980. Our second Austin, TX band of this week’s playlist, the Dicks were an early pioneer in the hardcore scene and are noted for their aggressive sounds and unrelenting socialist and equalitarian message, which often attracted controversy in 80s Reagan America. Vocalist Gary Floyd was one of the first openly gay musicians in the hardcore scene, and later Dicks songs would focus heavily on issues like sexual identity and gay rights. Seattle grunge band Mudhoney would later go on to cover this track, and soon added it to their standard live show repertoire.

Alkaline Trio – For Your Lungs Only

For Your Lungs Only is a catchy track from Chicago 3-piece Alkaline Trio, off their 1998 EP of the same name. This song would also later be included in their compilation album released in 2000 through Asian Man Records. Alkaline Trio came to prominence in the early part of the new millennium, building their sound around hook-driven guitars, driving rhythms, soulfully gruff singing and dark thematic content. For the last year, vocalist/guitarist Matt Skiba has also been lending his talents to Blink-182 after the departure of founding member Tom DeLonge.

No Doubt – Oi to the World

Since December is upon us, we’ll end the playlist with a festive tune that will help us get into the holiday spirit. Oi to the World is No Doubt’s skankin’ cover of the Vandals’ original tune, part of their 1996 Christmas jubilee album. This cover was part of Everything in Time, a smorgasborg of No Doubt B-sides and otherwise previously un-releasable songs. Oi to the world, ya heard?

OK, that's it internet ninjas. Hope you enjoyed the music, and keep coming back every Wednesday for more. Keep in touch through facebook, email, whatever. As always, I am down for requests and tips on up and coming artists. PEACE