The Medicine Cabinet #15

Music Is My Medicine

by Nayt Housman

Music is my medicine. Is it yours? I ask the public six golden questions to find out if and how they use music to feed the soul.

'Kent' by Nayt Housman

One of my fave local cafes harbours some pretty cool cats. In a recent visit I thought I’d open a pop-up clinic (in other words, beg someone to do an interview) to see how my neighbourhood peeps are using music in their café. The lucky devil this time around is 39 year old Kent whose life passion is MUSIC! How helpful for a music blog. Kent not only chooses most of the music to serenade the ears and digestive systems of their patrons but owns 10 crates of vinyl, used to DJ and used to sing in a lot of bands as well. In fact he still sings in a band called Interspecies with the owner of the café. Kent describes their music as “a lot of genre hopping and some weird electro, Sonic Youth kind of stuff and some punk rock kind of stuff as well.”

Who are at least three musicians or groups that flick your switch and turn up the volume?


Kent: That’s quite difficult because I love so much different stuff but I’d have to say I’m a bit of a fan of Mike Patton, the guy from Faith No More, Mr Bungle and Tomahawk. He recently did an album of Italian songs from the 60s. I think he’s a great singer and just think he’s a really interesting artist, like he does really versatile, really different, weird stuff and I dig that, so definitely him.

 
Crazy drag? This is my cup of tea! Convincingly performing in a gas mask. 

Twisted-o-licious! I’m hooked.

Kent: Hrrrrmmm it’s interesting because I’ve got like 11,000 songs on my ipod…I like Michael Hutchence even though he’s trashy but INXS was the first band I saw when I was 12. It was really commercial and everything but it did make a major impact on me when I was a kid. I sort of thought about it again because a friend of my brother’s was playing Michael in that thing that came on channel seven a couple of weeks ago, it was dodgy but good, Luke was great in it.

Kent: Then I dunno, like Mudhoney, that band was pretty big for me in the late 80s, the Ramones and all that kind of thing really changed things for me being a teeny bopper and that was, pre Nirvana because alternative music wasn’t necessarily commercial at that stage, people were still handing around cassettes, it was still a pretty underground thing, you didn’t know what these artists looked like, you didn’t know what Nine Inch Nails or The Pixies looked like, they weren’t in magazines or anything. So I guess I’d narrow it down to those but it’s very difficult because I love a lot of music.

Why are they the pills that cure your ills?


Kent: Well… That’s interesting. As I said, I’d just say I have a lot of respect, I don’t idolize them I just respect them as artists. I like Tim Buckley a lot, Jeff Buckley’s father. He did like ten albums and he just had an interesting journey as a muso and stuff. Especially with Mike Patton, he tries a lot of things and he tries things, which are very outside his fan base, which I think is very brave, you can tell that he’s a very thinking artist that’s willing to take chances and in my view it sort of pays off for him every time. I just admire his flare; I have an admiration of their creativity. If it came down to how music like that affects me (physically) it could be some trashy 80s band that I listened to as a kid and I wouldn’t necessarily respect them but…Wang Chung, gives me goose bumps, I love it, reminds me of being nine years old or something you know? So it’s definitely the respect for the artist and their journey, influences wise and obviously if I like their melody and what they’re doing music wise.

What kind of high do they give you?


Kent: It makes me, sounds really lame but I can get highly emotional, really happy when I listen to the right songs, like it can make me want to sing, jump up and down and go pretty crazy. Our band goes pretty crazy when we play live so it’s probably the one thing besides travelling that gives me the most natural high. I get really positive, ecstatic if I hear an amazing song.


When do you find yourself craving musical relief?


Kent: Music relief? Ah look, here (work) it’s very important to us and we have it louder probably than most customers would like but the owner, he’s a big music head as well. Generally at work I find it the most… I probably listen to it at work now more than in my personal life, coming to and from work on public transport but certainly it’s mostly at work. We can play pretty much what ever we want here so we can put on like Velvet Underground within reason kind of thing, it’s pretty great here. It gets us in the mood, pumps us up and makes us happy. I don’t really get depressed I would say, or anything over music unless I’m forced to listen to Tina Arena (lolz).

Where does music take you?

 

Kent: Man it’s like my life I just read about it, read about other artists, I’m really interested in it. I think I’m trying to crack that code of finding really interesting music, which I think to do something fresh these days, is more likely to be a hybrid of different styles of music. Otherwise it takes me to a very happy place you know?

There‘s certain songs I listen to at a certain moment that reminds me of being a kid and having no worries and I certainly make the effort to go and see mainly international bands these days. I’m not into much local music anymore probably because I’m just a bit older than a lot of the young bands in Brisbane and I’ve been a bit around the world, lived in Sydney for a while, there’s cool Brisbane bands but not a lot of them interest me that much anymore. But yeah man it takes me to a happy place; it certainly takes me to a sedate, relaxed place if I was having beers with my friends who are always playing music ‘n’ stuff, so everywhere.

How do you share your music love?

Kent: Well, it’s pretty much my music here all the time. My friends and I are pretty fanatical about music, like we’ll all get together and drink and honestly talk about new stuff that we’ve heard that we like. So yeah it’s really just a very social thing for my friends and me as well.

Kent is definitely a bit of a cool cat punk kid bursting with pearls of musical wisdom and musical joy. Before I left him to go back to work I asked if he had any words of advice. His response was genius, “It’s your gig. Sing it”. Right on brother.

Music can be a person’s everything and it can penetrate every aspect of daily life. Often it can be that little extra motivation that gets you through whatever it is you do and whether you love or loathe the daily grind, music will almost certainly improve the situation. I love how an era of music can capture and almost manipulate the soul. It’s not always a genre, it’s not always a particular sound but it’s the time in ones life that those songs represent and epitomize, also it’s the music that fits the various aspects of ones personality and can be a driving force to shape our personalities. I often wonder if I will forever be shaped by the influences I had in my late teens to early 20s?

I shall dub this 'The Brainwash' effect. Don’t for a minute think that I mean this in a negative sense. Who we fall in love with during those most essential years of growth and finding ourselves seem to forever etch a formula on our inner blueprint that then guide our tastes through the journey of life. You could probably map out a persons life and personality type by the bands they fall for as youthful sprites. It’s quite amazing how much our musical influences shape who we are through their words, image and public persona. Music can be they key to the club or the secret password where the mere mention of them can open up a new secret society with people you’d never imagined.

Doctor Nayt’s prescription is to share your music, talk to people about the music you love, make a mix cd and randomly give it to a stranger, put it in a letter box or sing to someone in the street. Hug the person next to you at a gig, dance with your customers/friends/family/strangers when your fave song comes on. You never know what might happen, you may just end up making a connection. It may be brief or it may last a lifetime but whatever the outcome, music may have improved your world and someone else’s for an immeasurable amount of beautiful time.

Where Is My Mind? - 1, 2, 3, 4...

S Club 7. Then there were 6. See, I can even count backwards.

...Tell Me That You Love Me More

by Jo Michelmore

I heard that song this week. That song that gets stuck in my head for days after every time I hear it.

I sang along and then, as usual, sang it for numerous days. Then I realised I never count to four without singing that song. Then I started thinking about numbers. They've never been my thing. I mean, I understand their purpose in life and I do have a healthy respect for them, especially since I'm such a lover of music and music and maths go hand in hand. They say if you're good with music you'd be good at maths. Does that mean Katy Perry should be a neuro surgeon of some description? I don't know what a neuro surgeon is, actually. Is there such a thing as a neuro surgeon? Someone surgerising neurons? Surgerising isn't actually a word. Can your average neuro surgeon count to ten? I digress.


As for me, I'm sure I would have been awesome at maths in school, if I knew it had something to do with music and I probably shouldn't have sat next to one of my besties as well. We had a lot more important things to discuss other than maths. Don't get me wrong, I can count to ten (and a few more) but what I'm really interested in is the music. That bit's much more fun. So while last week we left off on One Direction, this week I'm going to prove I can be good with the music and the maths by counting to ten, via bands. Let's start with the one after One Direction, number 2.

2. Sister 2 Sister

Yes, I could have picked U2 or 2Pac or my favourite K-Pop stars 2AM or 2PM, but that all seems a bit dull. I decided to go with one of the worst. They're actually sisters, but that's about the only interesting thing about them. Every now and then they apparently sing back up for Delta Goodrem. Isn't that nice?

3. The Three Degrees

Ok, admittedly, I had to google this one, because I couldn't think of anyone involving three off the top of my head, but wow, what a find. Check out the sparkles, check out the splits in those maxis. This is 70s in all it's glory, isn't it? I was pleasantly surprised to know these three are the ones who sang this song, which I could sing from beginning to end, but never knew who sang it. While google researching, I also discovered another single of theirs, which I think I could possibly love. It was called Dirty Ol Man and contained the lyrics; "You're a dirty ol man, you can't keep your hands to yourself..." can someone please cover that? Please?

4. 4 Non Blondes

Even though I could say all sorts of things about all the other songs that singer Lisa Perry has done with all sorts of amazing artists like Alicia Keys and Gwen Stefani and Vanessa Carlton (um, er?) but I've included this one in tribute to my fellow blogger Nayt, who has dueted with me on this one numerous times at karaoke. Which reminds me; I haven't done karaoke in so long! I love karaoke! Karaoke, anyone?

5. MC5

Oh so many fives. The Jackson Five, Ben Folds Five, 5ive, but I've gone with someone from way back. MC5. You might not know them, but you should. They are a rock bands band, the musicians musician. They also had Fred 'Sonic' Smith as a member, who was the husband of the legendary Patti Smith who is the mother of Jackson Smith, who is married to Meg White of The White Stripes. But if you don't know who Patti Smith is, you should really know without her there'd be none of the girl rockers you love, so be a pal, use the googles and educate yourself. You won't regret it.

6. Sixpence None The Richer

The funny part about this group is that they're like a Christian rock group, and their most famous song 'There She Goes Again' is a cover of a song which is about heroin addiction. Huh! Christian rock bands? Weird, hey?

7. S Club 7

I could have chosen L7, but I couldn't resist the temptation to post a Seven Club 7 song, while they were still S Club 7, because everyone secretly loves a bit of S Club (7) at some stage and well, we all know it right? There ain't no party like an S Club party. I've never been to an S Club Party, so can't actually say that for sure.

8. MN8

It's interesting, because the only clips I could find for this song were really poor quality, but then, that kind of suits a song that's of very poor quality. Someone takes their jacket off in this clip. That's probably meant to keep the viewer interested, but it doesn't. One of these guys apparently lives in Australia now. Hi, whichever one you are! How are you?

9. Nine Inch Nails

There was no way I was letting this one go without a song by Trent and friends. C'mon! They've just announced an Australian tour, which I'm very interested in. Trent Reznor recently said he wouldn't play Soundwave next year because the line up sucked. This made me remember how much I like Trent Reznor.

10. 10CC

I didn't say things were going to get better as we counted to ten, did I? No, I did not. Hence, we finish on 10CC, which isn't the worst thing to end on, but it could be better, couldn't it? Still, you probably know the song, 'cause everyone does, don't they? "I'm not in love, so don't forget it, it's just a silly phase I'm going through..." damn, it's so depressing, isn't it? Sorry! Where will my mind take you next week? Hopefully somewhere a little more upbeat.

New Music Monday #66

Tie That Binds (EP) 

by The Hello Morning (September 2013)

When I saw The Hello Morning at BIGSOUND Live last year, I remember really liking them. I remember thinking at the time that I wanted to hear more and I wanted to see more. Like, not literally more of The Hello Morning, there's already six of them, but more of what they could do. Their self titled debut album released last year was one I grew to love, so when I got my hands on a copy of their latest EP Tie That Binds, I must admit, I was pretty darn happy. I couldn't wait to see what it was and where it took me. I wasn't prepared for how much I was going to love it and the beautiful places it took me to.


One of my favourite places to listen to music is in my car, so it seemed like the perfect place to hear The Tie That Binds first. I started the engine, put on the CD and was immediately overcome with a feeling of happy and a smile. At the very first notes of the first track; 'Tie That Binds' was a sound that had me hooked. The swinging beat, the twangy guitar, the intense vocals; this was a sound I was comfortable with and my car was the perfect place to hear it. It immediately had me nodding and clamouring to turn the volume up, this was a song made to be heard and made to be played loudly. It took me straight to happiness, I knew from this first track I was going to love wherever I ended up next. I was so very tempted to hit repeat, but then it started, track two...


"How did I ever run so long by myself?" is the question posed at the start of 'Stay Awake' and the deep, solid drumbeats at the start were enough keep me listening and see where else these fabulous musicians were going. They took me to long drives and open roads and they took me a place completely by myself, where I got a little lost in the melody and a little lost in my own thoughts. I love music that does that, I love songs that ebb and flow and allow me to be lost until the end. I was jolted back to truth and the reality of driving with the opening line of track three; "age doesn't make you smarter, just gives you more time to regret..." but it was a line that made me wonder where the six band members; Steven, Matthew, Dave, Joe, David and Matt were headed to next. I'm going to admit when I saw them play late last year I was bewildered by the amount of band members, I was sure they could maybe lose one or two and still be awesome, but 'The Closer' proved that every single member is important, the sound of each of them so strong and so rich, so many instruments layered upon each other makes for an incredibly energetic yet solid song. The sudden ending of track three had me wondering where they could possibly end an already awesome EP. The end was a place I wasn't ready for but fell in love with completely.


I had no idea the impact 'Jackson' was going to have. A cover of Johnny Cash and June Carter's incredible tale of a couple longing for more from their relationship, this is the song that got me, right how music should. I literally stopped my car in the dark and listened to this three times in a row and I've done the same countless times since. From the tingles on the back of my neck to the goosebumps on my fingertips, The Hello Morning's version of this beautifully heartbreaking tale is breathtaking. With guest vocalist Ali Barter starting the converstaion, the restrained instruments are a departure from the rest of the EP and it's the incredible vocal play of the smooth, delicate voice of Ali's against the slightly husky and heartfelt vocal of Steve Clifford that really make an imapct. If you get to the three minute mark and haven't felt your heart beat a little slower and your eyes get a little watery then listen again. And again. And again...until you get it. This is what beautiful, honest music sounds like. I don't know where Jackson is, but if it's where The Hello Morning are going to be hanging out, then I'm going to Jackson and I ain't ever comin' back.

Jo Michelmore gives 'The Tie That Binds' five Michael Hutchence heads out of five...

I'll Wait
by Bebe Black
EP: Deathwish (out now)

Who is Bebe Black? This new Brit talent is something of a mystery right now, but the track ‘I’ll Wait’ promises big things are coming her way. “Didn’t take the test that I was supposed to, didn’t turn up when I know that I was meant to.” A moody, atmospheric intro builds and builds towards the chorus, with Black showing off some gorgeous vocal skills. There’s something incredibly appealing about ‘I’ll Wait’ and I think that very soon we’re going to be finding out a whole lot more about this Bebe Black.

Matt Bond gives 'I'll Wait' three Kylie heads out of five...

Everything

by Nine Inch Nails

Album: Hesitation Marks (September 3, 2013)

What is going on here? While I feel like a little part of the angry teenage me has been lost forever, I feel like the party pop teenage me is really happy and jumping about quite excitedly. This is certainly not what I expected from Trent and friends as the latest NIN release, but, well, while it's not amazingly great, it's also not bad either. I can't believe I'm about to compare the Nine Inch Nails to some of pop's princesses, but like the Gaga/Katy Perry releases of last week, this is another case of not worrying about what an artist has done before and just listening to the track as a track, on it's own. On their own; Gaga and Katy's tracks are perfectly reasonable pop music. On it's own, 'Everything' is a very listenable, almost danceable track. I could tap away to this in the car, I could sing along to this on the radio. It might even be a nice introduction to NIN for those who don't know much about the history of Trent and his projects, but if you know someone who doesn't know NIN and likes this, then just don't play them anything Mr Reznor has done between, let's say...1989 and 2012 until they're prepared for what they're going to hear.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Everything' three Karen O heads out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK

 

Rock N Roll

by Avril Lavigne

Album: Avril Lavigne (27th August 2013)

HOW OLD ARE YOU?! Seriously. Does Mrs. Kroeger ever age? Av-Lav is back with another new single showing that she does what she wants, 'coz she don't, but she does or something and you know what... I secretly like the catchy little chorus that is kinda more satisfying than anything offered up on Katy Perry and Gaga's new tracks. It's the type of chorus I'd unashamedly sing along to really loud like when driving until another car was within sight. As for the video, I can't deny it made me smile. A Billy Zane cameo here, a Winnie Cooper there... it's just silly fun. The Wonder Years gag isn't new, but it worked and Avril's overacting was slightly endearing. Gotta love that slow Canadian drawl too. Who would have thought I'd be putting 'Avril Lavigne and 'endearing' together in a review in 2013? A nod to Slash came out of nowhere, but you get over that when the Bear Shark shows up. Screw it, I'm putting up a middle finger with Avril Lavigne. Haters be damned, this ain't so bad...

Matt Bond gives 'Rock N Roll' three Britney heads out of five...

 

The One With All The 90s Groups - #40 - 31

 The Power Rangers were a group of the nineties, right?

#50 - 41

#40. Regurgitator

The members of Brisbane band Regurgitator (Quan Yeomans , Ben Ely and Peter Kostic) supposedly met on a bus in the early 90s. But it was Brisbane. And it was Brisbane in the 90s. So chances are they would have met anyway in a town where two degrees of separation was practically a given. The 90s also saw major labels such as Warner began to spotlight local acts . At the time of meeting Regurgitator were all in other upcoming bands (Wolfmother, George and The Resin Dogs).


1993 saw the release of the first album Tu-Plang - a rock heavy controversial album (due to explicit lyric content). It was loud, rude and full of the energy that garage bands tried to emulate. Conservatives loathed it. There were even campaigns to have it removed from airplay. So of course, everyone else (below thirty and probably living in a share house) loved it. I mean, you have to love the bad boys. The misunderstood. The underdogs. Tu-Plang (which incidentally means 'juke box' in Thai) won Best Alternative Release at the 96 Arias.


It was however, the 1997 album Unit that really launched the band into a more commercial spot light with it’s pop electronic sound and self referencing lyrics. The first track “I like your old stuff better than your new stuff” still divides fans (I personally love it). The album still contained that raw and garage band quality that the 'Gurge were famous for, but also had an element of industrial dance such as in the awesomely addictive track '! Song Formerly Known As' and slick pop in the widely played 'Polyester Girl'. A tongue in cheek look at the fascination of beauty in modern times, this song always got the dance floor up and bopping and people talking about high maintenance women.


The film clip for 'Polyester' showcased the technology at the time and screams 90s with it’s computer generated animations.


The 'Gurge remained true to themselves throughout the 90s which stamped them as indie icons not intended for the faint hearted.

- Lou Endicott

#39. The Divinyls

Back when I was probably about 11, Mum and I were driving home from grocery shopping with the radio on and I can vividly remember hearing a song with the line “it’s a fine line between pleasure and pain”. It was love at first listen but also confusion. It’s a fine line between pleasure and pain? “What the hell does that mean?” I thought to myself. “Hey Mum! What does it mean when she sings that?” I asked. I honestly don’t remember the reply but I know awkwardness ensued. 

That song introduced me to a band fronted by one of rock’s most enigmatic, commanding women to have ever captained a band in the 80s and 90s. Once introduced I quickly fell head over heels with their biggest hits, 'I’m Jealous', 'I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore' (both top twenty singles) and 'I Touch Myself' (their only number one single) which all have a sexually charged desperation about them that confronted conservatives and enamoured the liberated.

Now twenty years have passed since I first heard the Divinyls 'Pleasure and Pain' and not only are they one of my all time favourite bands but I now fully understand the meaning of pleasure and pain that I’m sure my mum wasn’t able to put into words that were suitable for eleven year old me. 

-Nayt Housman

#38. Nine Inch Nails

 

One of my all-time favourite concert experiences was at a Nine Inch Nails show. Trent Reznor took a solemn position, seated centre stage, lit by a spotlight. It could have been the Mary Jane, but as he sang “something I can never have” I could have sworn he was singing right to me. I was frozen, captivated as I watched him grimacing through the track, on the verge of tears. It pulled at every one of my heart strings.

 
Trent is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails taking on the roles of singer, songwriter, producer and instrumentalist. Trent calls the shots but does tour with a live band. Nine Inch Nails released Pretty Hate Machine in 1989 but began touring the album worldwide in 1990. His tendency to destroy the equipment on stage earned the group notoriety. The 1990s were a busy time for NIN with three releases during this time - Broken, The Downward Spiral and The Fragile, although most of the groups success was attributed to 1994's The Downward Spiral, which still remains their highest selling release. 'March of the Pigs', 'Closer', 'Hurt' and 'Piggy' were the four singles from the album.


 
There was a lot of anticipation follow the release of The Fragile in 1999. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and fell from the top ten after only a week, setting a record at the time for the biggest drop from number one. One of the most controversial songs from the The Fragile was 'Starfuckers, Inc.' rumoured to be an attack on Marilyn Manson. The two goths ended up reconciling with Manson appearing in the video clip and later joining the group on stage to perform the song. Awww, group hug.

- Katie Langley
 

#37. The Verve

The Verve was my 'cool' band of choice back when I was a fledgling. When someone would ask what music I was into and I was trying to seem edgy and indie I’d proclaim “Oh you know I’m totally into The Verve.” This wasn’t a lie, I genuinely loved (and still do) the one and only album I have, Urban Hymns that birthed the worldwide hit 'Bittersweet Symphony'. Also it helped that I had somewhat of a crush on the 'heroin chic' (literally) front man, Richard Ashcroft. Did you see his lips?

The band had a tumultuous history of break-ups, lineup changes and drug addiction after their critically acclaimed 97 release Urban Hymns and they broke up in 99 due to creative differences (aka drug abuse). Apparently they reformed and released a new album in 2007 called Forth. Who knew? In 2010 it was confirmed they had again broken up so now I wonder how long until their next reunion and breakup?

- Nayt Housman

#36. Lamb

Lamb was another trip-hop inspired duo from the 90s and first caught my attention with the single 'B-Line'. A jazzy, cabaret infused, drum & bass number with an explosive, pulsing chorus consisting of a vocalised interpretation, of the rapidly beating heart of a lusty union. Combine this with the voice of Lou Rhodes (like a mix of Stevie Nicks and Roisin Murphy), often bizarre lyrics (most notably 'Alien'; a song about being pregnant) and I had a new fave to add to my twisted list of left field, alternative pop.

Although influenced by the trip hop movement coming out of Bristol in the 90s, Lamb infused their sound with more distinct jazz influences and an often more experimental soundscapes which made them standout in their homeland UK, but mostly failed to make their mark overseas. Though never really achieving major commercial success, Lamb released five studio albums and one greatest hits album since their conception in the mid nineties. They had minor success with the single 'Gorecki' (from their debut self titled album) reaching number thirty in the UK charts and an unlikely number one single in Portugal (yep, good old Portugal) with Gabriel (from the What Sound album).

Thanks to Lou Rhode’s distinctive voice and Andy Barlow’s unique arrangements and production, Lamb still manage to stand out from others in their genre.

- Nayt Housman

#35. Buena Vista Social Club 

“When Juanica and Chan Chan
Sifted sand in the sea
The way she was shaking
Made Chan Chan mad with arousal.”


Oh who could forget these famous lyrics about the heat of a sunny day and two lovers by the sea gathering sand to build a house? Cheeky, sultry and oh so sexy.


What do you mean that you have never heard them before? Oh wait. Of course. This is the English translation. This song - (Chan Chan) was penned by Cuban bandleader Compay Segundo in 1987 and then recorded with the Buena Vista Social Club in the 1990s. Segundo was in his late 70s when he wrote this song and based the lyrics on an old farmer's story he had known since he was a boy.
In his seventies? Singing about sex? Like as in “my milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard?” Si (that means yes in Cuban by the way) - you heard me correctly and I will never again mention that awful milkshake song (promise).


The nineties saw the emergence of this fabulous hip swinging Cuban group which inspired a whole new generation’s interest in all sounds Cuban. The title of the group was taken from a music hall in Havana that was popular during the 40s. Juan de Marco Gonzalez and Ry Cooder (an Amercian guitarist) recorded an album with many of the original musicians and captured the essence of Cuba for our listening delights.


This passionate and vibrant music was then brought to the world stage via a documentary which archived the recording. The film won an Academy Award and set in motion a whole lot of world tours and solo careers for members of the group. The members of outfit were mostly in their seventies, eighties and nineties. More rock and less rocking chair for these legends and hence the Buena Vista Social Club make the cut in this list for pure inspiration to a younger generation for keeping the music of their culture alive and pumping. That and the fact that this music is just amazing. If you have still got passion coursing through your veins and are as cool as these guys when you are in your later years (or at any age for that matter), then I can’t help but stand up and dance with you amigos.

- Lou Endicott

#34. Sneaker Pimps

The era of trip hop spawned some very impressive musical talents but in the 90s I was more consumed in the worlds of Bjork and the Spice Girls than the Sneaker Pimps.

It wasn’t until the mid 00s that my lover suggested I give them a listen and I realised I’d heard them before and made note to listen to more several years prior. So I popped my new copy of Becoming X in the CD player to find their dark and twisted sounds and sexy, provocative lyrics were right up my proverbial alley. I was hooked.

Their two biggest singles were 'Tesco Suicide' and 'Spin Spin Sugar', both fronted by Kelli Ali who was later dismissed for their second album Splinter and final album Bloodsport, replaced by the alluring and androgynous founding member Chris Corner (IAMX).

While never quite as commercially successful after the first album, Sneaker Pimps gained a large underground following and have never officially broken up as far as I know. However the band more or less morphed into Chris Corner’s solo project IAMX, which carries on the theatrical electronic ideals of Sneaker Pimps.

- Nayt Housman

#33. The Cure

In my opinion no 90s band list is complete without the addition of the British boys of theatrics, addictive pop sounds and fabulous hair volume: The Cure. Led by band leader Rob Smith, The Cure with their playful antics, rocking rhythms and gorgeous hooks, brought to the nineties an alternative to the emerging grunge scene: the essence of fun and mischief.

I was always surprised when I heard people talk of The Cure as a 'dark' or 'heavy' band. Of course the music evolved from their early years (which began in 1976) to the nineties. Like any creative collective, growth is mandatory. I think that perhaps because of Rob Smith and co’s trademark gothic style (wild black hair, white face, red lipstick) many people initially missed the point, but those who got it, really got it. By the nineties, Rob Smith and his musical brothers were creating upbeat joyful songs with deep driving guitar and raw yet tight drum lines.

Although the 90s saw The Cure in a new lineup (Smith has been the only staying member of group since the start), a legal battle of their name (they won) and a few hit and miss recordings chart wise, the Cure still managed to release great new music. Apart from an album full of remixes, Mixed Up (which featured the head rocking single 'Never Enough'), The Cure really hit the nail on the head with the infectious 'Friday I’m in Love'. This song became an unofficial anthem of the end of a work week and gathered a whole new fan base for the band. The film clip (although dizzy, busy and just more than a little over the top) was a delight on any dance floor and a guaranteed “one to get up, sing along to every word and shake your booty too” and it’s still a staple in my feel good songs of all time.

- Lou Endicott

#32. The Cranberries

The Cranberries No Need To Argue was the second CD I ever owned (I can’t publicly admit the first) which was a gift from my sister. She must have known I was obsessed with the song 'Zombie', I’d spend days repeating the same “eeeeeeh oh eeeeeh oh eeeeeh oh oh oh” over and over because I didn’t know any other lyrics. Much to the dismay of the rest of my family my sis encouraged that obsession.

No Need To Argue is the album probably most responsible for my love of somber, melancholic, confessional soft rock. Grounded by introspective moments that are gentle and reflective hymns about love and relationships ('Empty', '21', and 'No Need To Argue'), you are drawn into Delores O’Riordan’s internal conflicts by the desperation in her voice only to be dragged back out into more worldly battles where the tone becomes more ominous and dire  as in 'Zombie', 'Ridiculous Thoughts' and 'Yeats’ Grave'.

This is The Cranberries’ masterpiece, vast and poignant, never to be repeated, No Need To Argue is undoubtedly an all time favourite and stands tall among it’s contemporaries.

- Nayt Housman

 

#31. Rage Against The Machine

It's interesting that one of the most influential and memorable bands of the 90s also had a name that epitomises part of what being alive in the 90s was about. The sentence that makes up their name reflects a mood, a movement, a way of life and a way of thinking for a generation of people who experienced the 90s wholeheartedly.


The self-titled debut album from Zack de la Rocha, Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, released in 1992, wasn't just a collection of rap metal songs, it was also a collection of revolutionary political statements, of education and of statements on the society that was in the 1990s and it's triple platinum status in the US shows they weren't alone in their thoughts. While it was an album full of anger, it wasn't just youth angst, it was anger directed at the western governments and a commentary of the way of life in America (and therefore a large portion of the rest of the western world) at the time. Singles like 'Know Your Enemy', 'Bullet In The Head' and the incredible 'Killing In The Name' all addressed the elitist few that the members of the band saw ran our society.


The second album Evil Empire released in 1996 was just as powerful and contained one of their most well known singles, 'Bulls On Parade'. The clip, containing shots of mosh pits, demonstrations, rallies, a live performance and the lyrics "they rally round the family, with a pocket full of shells" confirmed them as the poster children of the 'No Logo', 'fair trade' and 'anti-globalization' movements that were such a big part of the entire decade. The Battle Of Los Angeles, released in 1999 ended the decade just as angrily as it started, with an album still questioning a way of life that some of their fans were gradually becoming less and less interested in questioning themselves.


While I still have a large part of my personality that loves the ideals this band promoted and believed in, I question whether a lot of their fans really knew the extent of what their music meant. Regardless, it's hard to beat one of my favourite live music memories, that of screaming along with thousands of others those infamous lyrics "killing in the name of....fuck you I won't do what you tell me" (and repeat sixteen times). That is certainly a memory I won't forget in a hurry and it's one of those magic live music moments where, standing amongst a crowd of thousands, I felt exactly the way the band intended. Yes, I was angry and yes, it certainly felt like a lot of 'Rage Against The Machine'.

- Jo Michelmore

Top 25 - 9 June, 2013

Kingswood!

Songs of the Week, 09/06/13 from itsmykindofscene on 8tracks Radio.

1. Crystal Fighters - Bridge of Bones (NEW)





2. Lurch and Chief - We Are The Same
3. Ngaiire - Around
4. Bernard Fanning - Departures (Blue Toowoong Skies)





5. Chvrches - Gun
6. Bernard Fanning - Tell Me How It Ends (NEW)
7. Kingswood - Ohio (NEW)





8. MKO - Another Day Alone (NEW)





9. Astrid and The Asteroids - West End

10. Sheppard - Let Me Down Easy (NEW)





11. The xx - Fiction (NEW)





12. Go Violets - Josie
13. Phebe Starr - The Worst Part
14. Laura Veirs - Sun Song (NEW) 

15. Jez Dior - Move On (NEW)
16. Kanye West - New Slaves





17. Nine Inch Nails - Came Back Haunted (NEW)
18. Ella Hooper - Haxan





19. Michelle Xen - Lose My Cool
20. Austra - Painful Like

21. Sarah Blasko - All of Me (NEW)



Sarah Blasko - All Of Me from Sarah Blasko on Vimeo.


22. Janelle Monae ft. Erykah Badu - Q.U.E.E.N





23. DeLooze - Lost Army (NEW)
24. Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams - Lose Yourself To Dance (NEW)
25. Selebrities - I Could Change (NEW)

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - ...Look Back In Anger

Raaaaaage!!!!

Don't Look Back In Anger

by Jo Michelmore

The things that make me angry list is not a very long one, because I tend to compartmentalise the things on the list into sections and generally the things that make me angry fall into only a couple of categories:

Ignorant people (which can be generally sub-grouped under thoughtless/stupid people)

Arrogant people (which can be generally sub-grouped under thoughtless/stupid people)

Red traffic lights and stop signs.

Hypocritical people (which can be generally sub-grouped under thoughtless/stupid people)

Homophobic people (which can be generally sub-grouped under thoughtless/stupid people)

Sexist people (which can be generally sub-grouped under thoughtless/stupid people)

The use of the word ‘literal’ when something is not ‘literal’

Racist people (which can be generally sub-grouped under thoughtless/stupid people)

That thing when a fast food outlet offers some deliciously tasty treat for a limited time and you just get to really love it and then they take it off the menu.

Thoughtless/stupid (read: inconsiderate/unkind/uncaring/selfish/insensitive/rude/untrustworthy/impolite) people

The point is this: something happened this week which kinda annoyed me, to the point (for a minute there) of anger. The thing that happened related to one of the ten categories above. You decide which. Until you’ve figured it out, I’ve found some of my favourite angry songs, some a bit vintage, some new vintage, mostly 90’s (wow, people seemed to be super angry in the 90’s, didn’t they?) which I like to play loudly and sing (or scream) loudly when I’m angry. Then I get over it, ‘cause I’ve usually figured out after a song or two that if someone is to make me so angry, they’re probably not worth my energy. Then I get really happy ‘cause I remember that mostly for me, music makes everything better and even angry songs make me happy. Then I start listening to something happy and less angry and probably vintage and cheesy (hello Whitney!) and everything is ok again.

 Head Like A Hole (1990)

by Nine Inch Nails

This is one of my favourite angry songs. There’s nothing better than singing the chorus, loudly, in the car. Ok, that may be an exaggeration. Don’t tell me you haven’t felt that angry about someone or something at some stage. You haven’t? You haven’t lived. I’ll dedicate this one to ignorant people.

“Head like a hole, black as your soul, I’d rather die than give you control”

 Shitlist (1992)

by L7

I’m going to admit, I’ve never been a big fan of L7 (which might make anyone who is into their 90’s music a little angry; oops, sorry) but I’ve always liked the concept of this song. I’ve never actually written a shitlist. Maybe I should put that on the bucketlist. But then, the bucketlist concept makes me angry and I want to put people who make busketlists on my shitlist and then I realise I’ve never written one and the cycle starts again. I’ll dedicate this one to arrogant people.

“When I get mad and I get pissed, I grab my pen and I write out a list of all the people that won't be missed, you've made my shitlist”

Top 200 Songs of the 1990s, #40 - 31

Wa-hey... only four to go. We've come a long, long way together... through the hard times and the good. So let's celebrate and praise the 90s a little bit more. Just like we should. Six artists are making their grand debuts on the countdown today and only one of them will be seen again. Try to guess who it's going to be. It's top 40 time kids. Let's get to it!

#40 - One (1992)

by U2

Legendary. Epic. Perfect. Single words, not the same. Accurate descriptions of U2's greatest contribution to music in the 1990s. I loved Mary J Blige belting the shizzle out of this, but U2 manage to create something magical with the original version. Rolling Stone placed 'One' at #36 on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time chart. That's a huge achievement.

#39 - Unfinished Sympathy (1991)

by Massive Attack

When you think that we're likely to never hear dance music as deep as this ever again it's easy to feel a little depressed. 'Unfinished Sympathy' is regarded as one of the most important pieces in the development of trip-hop as a serious genre (as it should be). As insanely amazing as it is, Massive Attack would manage one song that's even better...

#38 - Cigarettes Will Kill You (1998)

by Ben Lee

I still can't believe Claire Danes dated Mr Lee. That has nothing to do with anything though. Sorry. Debuting with 'Cigarettes Will Kill You' was the perfect move. It was embraced by alternative radio throughout the world. Shame that Ben had nothing good to follow it up with. What can I say, I'm really not a fan of his later works. 'Gamble Everything For Love' excluded.

#37 - Nothing Else Matters (1992)

by Metallica

Guitar intro. It gets me every time. Sets the tone for the brilliance that is to come. Oh yes, it's quite the brilliant. You can't really call 'Nothing Else Matters' heavy metal, but it's my favourite song by a heavy metal band.

#36 - Colourblind (1999)

by Counting Crows

Um... Cruel Intentions soundtrack. How amazing do you want to be? This would have to be one of the saddest songs in ever, but somehow the movie managed to make it something beautiful rather than bawl your eyes out-ish. Not that there's anything wrong with a bawl your eyes out-ish song every now and then. Gosh, I'm ever so manly.

#35 - Rearview Mirror (1993)

by Pearl Jam

'Rearview Mirror' topped the It's My Kind of Scene Pearl Jam countdown earlier this year. But it's not the top Pearl Jam song in this one. My logic doesn't resemble your earth logic, so just go with it. If you want a quick rundown of 'Rearview Mirror' go look at the Pearl Jam countdown. Pimping my other articles... priceless.

#34 - Groove Is In The Heart (1990)

by Deee-Lite

Does this bring a huge smile to your face? It does whenever I hear it. 100% pure unadulterated fun. How hard is it to believe that this was released 20 years ago? Try to imagine something as retro-cool as this being released today and actually working.

#33 - Fun For Me (1995)

by Moloko

"I dreamt that the boogie man went down on Mr Spock." I challenge you to find better lyrics.

#32 - Push It (1998)

by Garbage

Garbage set the bar pretty high for themselves with their debut, self-titled album in 1995. With the release of 'Push It,' the first single from their sophomore set Version 2.0, they managed to set it even higher. Manson's delivery of, "P-p-p-push it," is essentially the coolest line in any song. This would definitely be the most sexual song on today's ten if it wasn't for...

#31 - Closer (1994)

by Nine Inch Nails

Opening a song with the lyrics, "you let me violate you. You let me desecrate you. You let me penetrate you," is kind of a no-no. Unless you're going to follow it up soon after with a choice chorus that contains the line, "I want to f**k you like an animal." 'Closer' is the song that would make trashy pop stars blush. You should feel a little dirty each and every time you hear this... in a good way.