CHRISTMAS SONGS LINK

CHRISTMAS SONGS LINK

Funeral for a Friend - Miracle of Christmas
The Long Blondes - Christmas is Cancelled
The Wandering Step - Christmas at My House
Ride - Like a Snowflake
Manic Street Preachers - Ghost of Christmas
New Found Glory Ex-Miss
The Darkness Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)
Weezer Christmas Celebration
Everclear I Will Be Hating You for Christmas
The Devi Dogs I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
The Pretenders 2000 Miles
Razorlight Fairy Tale of New York
Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine Christmastime is Here
The Sonics Don't Believe in Christmas
Spice Girls Sleigh Ride
Things I Want Sum 41 vs. Tenacious D
Velocity Girl Merry Christmas, I Love You
Travis River
Family Guy Cast A Family Guy Christmas
Charlie's Angels A Christmas Kiss
Erasure She Won't Be Home

Various Artists/Jimmy Eat World - Back From the Dead Motherfucker

This is a 1995 compilation that features a bunch of local bands from Arizona. Among these bands was Jimmy Eat World, who contributed Carbon Scoring. Other bands include Carrier (which featured future JEW bass player, Rick Burch) and Schon Theory (which featured JEW's Jim Adkins). I recently got a hold of this on eBay. The JEW song is no longer exclusive to this comp as it was released on their "Singles" collection (albeit in remastered form). But this still has some pretty cool alt-rock bands from AZ. The Schon Theory song actually sounds very much like JEW (think Digits from Static Prevails)

Disarm - Temper Tantrum
Fun Lips - Aquanaut Drinks Coffee
Fixative - Hupscratch
Destination - Spaceman Spiff
So Long - Pine Wyatt
Planning Steps - Carrier
Confession - Lyburnium
Baby Fingers - Schon Theory
Pacing - Safehouse
Carbon Scoring - Jimmy Eat World
That - Haskel
Not Fooling Anyone - Plinko
Sigrafter - Ryan Kennedy
Burn Tempe to the Ground - Horace Pinker
I'll Give You $5 To Eat Your Own Hand - Drew
Bossanova - 4 Da Masses

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3E2V1JNC

Starchildren - Delusions of Candor

Starchilden were a side project band that Billy Corgan put together when the original Smashing Pumpkins were still around. He started the band in 1990. They played a small handful of gigs between 1990 and 1994. The band also included (at times) Jimmy Chamberlain and James Iha from the Pumpkins. They only had 2 official releases. Their cover of Isolation on the Joy Division tribute album, A Means to an End and a on original song on a split single with the band, Catherine (who also had members in Starchildren). Their song on the split, Delusions of Candor serves as the only original song they've ever released.

The song is more inline with the Pumpkins' experiment side. Lots of phaser effects on the guitar. One could even say that the song is very shoegazer. Anyway, here it is.

Delusions of Candor

The Rip Offs/Teengenerate - Full Service Split 7" Single

This is the split single between the Bay Area's Rip Offs and Japan's Teengenerate. Released on Wallabies Records in Japan. Each band does one original and a cover.

The Rip Offs
leave you cold
do the uganda (cover from Stingray)

Teengenerate
mess me up
savage (cover from The Fun Things)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VG6Z6JAM

Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?

I don't care what anybody says, this is still pretty awesome song. Especially this extended remix by Trevor Horn of Art of Noise fame.

Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? (Trevor Horn Remix)
hxxp://www.sendspace.com/file/8bguwh
(hxxp = http)

Why I like this version...

- the bit just before the "holiday greetings section" where they they hold they hold the "Do they know it's Christmas time at aaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll... and then Trevor Horn has to get his Art of Noise on and adds the crazy orchestra samples

- then there's the "holiday greetings section". That is just classic in itself. Bono saying "This is Bono from U2 and I just want to wish you a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year... Is that right?"

- Phil Collins' drum solo before the "Feed the World" bit. Miles better than the boring drum solo from In The Air Tonight.

Fuck We Are the World.

Prince "Another Lonely Christmas/4 The Tears in Your Eyes"

Alright, so every year I try to rip this one Prince and the Revolution song off my original vinyl 12" single. And every year, the rip is marred with clicks and pops and I just decide that I don't like the way it sounds. I'm putting it down to the record being old and just worn out and I can't be arsed to buy a new copy. Soooo, I did another transfer tonight. While it's still pretty poppy and clicky, I've decided to keep it. I tried to clean it up a bit. This is it. I don't think I'm going to get a better version unless I find a brand new, sealed copy of it.

The song is Another Lonely Christmas. It's from 1984. It's the original non-album b-side to I Would Die 4 U. The single version of this song is available on his The Hits and B-Sides 3-CD set that was released back in the mid 90's. Only the version on that is the single version. This is the "extended version" which just has an extra verse and a longer ending. And it's just a better version that the single version.

This is, hands down, my favorite Prince song. I remember really liking it when I heard it when I was 10 years old. It's from his best era (Purple Rain-era) and it's just a bummer of a song. And I like bummer songs. So here it is.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4UOO6KUF

Oh yeah, and I also included the original version of 4 The Tears In Your Eyes. Another song that was included on The Hits and B-Sides but in a different lesser incarnation. This is the original version off the We Are The World album, of which it is exclusive to. It's another vinyl rip because I'm not about to pay $100 for the CD.

Enjoy.

Tampasm: Complete Discography

Tampasm was an all-female hard rock/punk rock band from the late 90s. They released 1 indie single and then 2 singles on Mercury Records. They were also on 3 compilations. And that was it. Shortlived. But what a fucking great band. Like a more punk rock Runaways. Loads better and more aggressive than Courtney Love could ever dream about being.

Glorified Vibrator/Taxi Headbutt
Darling Self Destruct
This Is Carnage e.p.

Blindsight (from And the Rest is History... comp)
Lush Life (from A Generation Label Compilation)
My Contrived Love (from Screecher Comforts comp)

Tampasm

The Rip Offs - European Tour Single 2007

It took me a while to get finally get this. But then again, I wasn't exactly actively looking for it. This is the super limited European reunion tour single from The Rip-Offs. The Rip-Offs were a band from San Francisco who played lo-fi punk rock before it was cool to play lo-fi punk rock. Back in the day, they released a handful of one-sided singles (three, to be exact). They soon became a cult favorite. They broke up in '95 (I think). Anyway, they decided to do a short reunion tour in Europe last year (all of 10 dates) and had Squoodge Records press up this tour single to commemorate the event. There were 650 copies pressed with 150 of them pressed on clear vinyl with an exclusive individually numbered cover. The three tracks on this one sided single are live versions of three songs off their full length record (Got a Record).

Fed Up
Ugly
She Said Yeah

The Rip Offs: European Tour Single 2007

Hello Disaster: The Young and The Useless

Good lord, I'd been looking for this for the longest time. I used to have the cassette version when I was in high school but traded it in. (Most likely because I stole some money from my parents and needed to scrape money together to pay them back. But that's a story for another day.)

Anyway, Hello Disaster were a band from L.A. They were a Sunset Strip/Club Lingerie/Coconut Teazer/Gazarri's band. But I first heard them on the radio when Rodney (Bigenheimer) on the ROQ played their song, Native Son. The video was also constantly shown on Request Video. On a trip to Aron's, I got the cassette and loved it. Great sort of hard rock with a glam Hanoi Rocks feel to it. Native Son was a great singalong. I don't think they made it anywhere past the L.A. scene but apparently (I never saw them live), they opened up for both the Manics AND Birdland. Not a bad thing to have on your resume, if you ask me.

So anyway, last year, I started thinking about Hello Disaster and began a quest to find this CD. And as suspected, it was probably the hardest things to find since they probably only pressed up 1,000 and, let's be honest, most of them probably ended up in the cut-out bins in 1992. But I finally found one on eBay. Got it for a fiver. (Because, gee, nobody outbid me.) And man, I can see why I liked the Manics. These songs could easily be on Generation Terrorists. (I'm Not Making Any) Apologies, Native Son and the title track are straight up anthems. I've very happy to have this one in my collection. I'm not letting it go again.

(i'm not making any) apologies
make up your mind
the young and the useless
native son
the kids are all dead

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5CK4DH9N

DIRTBOMBS/TERRIBLE TWOS/DAN SARTAIN Tour Split 7" Single

This is a split tour single from Detroit's Dirtbombs, Terrible Twos and Dan Sartain. They are all currently on tour together on the West Coast. You can only get this on the West Coast tour as the East Coast tour with Kelley Stoltz had a different single (although it had the same Dirtbombs song).

I believe the other two bands' songs are originals whereas the Dirtbombs cover a song by an obscure proto-punk band, Death.

Transferred directly from the vinyl single

Terrible Twos - See Them Work
Dan Sartain - Voodoo
The Dirtbombs - Policitians in My Eyes

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4DU9ILW9

DIRTBOMBS Need You Tonight/Devil Inside

When the Dirtbombs toured Australia last month to promote their new album, We Have You Surrounded, they released a tour only single that had 2 covers from INXS. The Dirtbombs have always made covers their own and this pair is no exception. They're straightforward yet different at the same time. I'm actually surprised that they covered not one but 2 songs from Kick. I would have thought they would choose something like Original Sin or The One Thing. Regardless, I'm glad I was able to get a hold of one of these singles and not have to pay up the ass for it. People were paying upwards of $60 for it eBay when they could have gotten it directly from the label for a fraction of the cost. Do a little research people. Anyway, here it is.

Need You Tonight
Devil Inside

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=13FTMUHP

THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION Soundtrack

The soundtrack to a classic punk rock documentary. It was supposed to be released on DVD a few years back but I'm sure director Penelope Spheeris is running into licensing issues.

I recently found a sealed vinyl copy of the soundtrack and I couldn't pass it up (even though I have the movie on, of all things, laserdisc. I really should do an audio transfer of the actual movie soundtrack because there are more songs. (And includes the FULL onstage banter from Fear -- my favorite part of the movie and possibly THE greatest audience baiting in musical history.) Tracklisting is as follows

"White Minority" – Black Flag
"Depression" – Black Flag
"Revenge" – Black Flag
"Manimal" – The Germs
"Underground Babylon" – Catholic Discipline
"Beyond And Back" – X
"Johny Hit And Run Paulene" – X
"We're Desperate" – X
"Red Tape" – Circle Jerks
"Back Against The Wall" – Circle Jerks
"I Just Want Some Skank" – Circle Jerks
"Beverly Hills" – Circle Jerks
"Gluttony" – The Bags
"I Don't Care About You" – Fear
"I Love Livin' In The City" – Fear
"Fear Anthem" – Fear

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q4DQ0GRA

GAYRILLA BISCUITS: The Demos

It's been an even longer time than the last time I posted something. So much for being persistent, huh?

Anyway, after a loooong search, I finally found this record. It's the first single release from Gayrilla Biscuits.

I'd been on the lookout for it ever since I got their Hung Queens Can Suck It e.p. and I finally won an eBay for it. It's super lo-fi compared to the latter e.p. but just as funny.

I've never really been into queercore bands but these guys (and Limp Wrist) are really good. Check it out if you're comfortable enough with your sexuality and you've got a sense of humor.

flaming ass still burns
degregaytion
get hard
no homosexual surrender
nailed in the ass
gay til death
fags like you
gay edge

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MATUGFLK

OLD SCHOOL R&B SONGS

It's been a LOOOOOOOONG time since the last entry/upload. Sorry. Been busy. On vacation. Etc.

===========






The other day I raided the music vaults (ie I went to my parents house and looked through the records that I have stored in their garage). I'd been feeling a bit retro and pulled out a few 12" singles that I liked from my childhood. Apart from one song, they're all old school R&B songs from the mid to late 80s. I'm not sure if these were big hits everywhere else but they certainly were regional hits.

I did some "needle drops" of the records (ie transferred them to my computer) and threw them on my iPod. So that they wouldn't go to waste, I decided to share.

Here are the songs

The Human League Human (Extended Version)
Ready for the World Oh Sheila (Extended Version)
Ready for the World Digital Display (Extended Version)
Big Country Fields of Fire (Alternate Mix)
Full Force Unfaithful (So Much) (Faithful Remix)
Full Force Unfaithful (So Much) (Doctor, No Na Na No No No! Mix)
Jesse Johnson Can You Help Me? (Extended Remix)
Jesse Johnson Free World (Extended Remix)
a-ha The Sun Always Shines on TV (Extended Version)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BW5KECSN

Prego

Prego is a new band from England. In the simplest terms, their music is indie guitar rock. They list a bunch of the usual post-rock bands (EITS, Sigur Ros, Mono, etc) as influences so it's only obvious that they have some post-rock elements to their music but other times, they are just straightforward rock.

So far they've only released one e.p., Primaries. They also have two songs on the compilaton, The Suffolk Explosion. The upload includes all of Primaries and their two songs from the aforementioned comp.

Primaries
I Know
Three
Something Short of Nothing
Cos You Are

The Suffolk Explosion
Parachutes and Flying Machines
Waiting Minds

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JKBVPIFG

Biffy Clyro

Biffy Clyro is a band from Scotland. They've released 3 full length albums so far with their fourth album coming out next month. It's kind of hard of describe Biffy Clyro's music because it varies. Sometimes it's straight forward rock. Sometime's it's metal. Sometimes it's indie rock. Hell, sometimes it's prog rock. These 11 songs are highlights from their recorded output.

57 is from their first e.p. thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow

joy.discovery.invention, 27, and justboy are from their first album, Blackened Sky.

bodies in flight, questions and answers, now the action is on fire! are from their second album The Vertigo of Bliss.

glitter and trauma and there's no such thing as a jaggy snake are from their third album Infinity Land.

saturday superhouse and semi mental are from their forthcoming album Puzzle.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=513GQC94

Experimental Audio Research "Mesmerised"

Experimental Audio Research is ex-Spacemen 3 guitarist/keyboard player, Sonic Boom's, ambient droney project. Over the years they've released several albums. Much of E.A.R.'s music is similar to Spacemen 3's Ecstacy (and Ecstacy in Slow Motion). Lots of sound manipulation and analog keyboards. This is the first E.A.R. album, Mesmerised.

Tracks:

d.m.t. symphony (overture to an inhabited zone)
mesmerise 4901
california nocturne
guitar feedback manipulation

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PBPG4HQ4

Scream Loud!!: The Fenton Story

It's been a while. A loooong while. Sorry. But this should make up for lost time.

This is a compilation of garage bands from Michigan in the 60s. Total teenage rock and roll. Some better than others but all of it is GREAT.

Go HERE for the track listing and more info.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=A27KE2S8

60FT Dolls

60FT Dolls were a short-lived band from Wales. They were essentially a rock and roll band but they got lumped into the whole Britpop scene. My first 60FT Dolls experience was at the Dragonfly club in Los Angeles. I saw that they were playing but I had never heard their music so I thought I'd check them out. I was completely blown away by their music. It was so ridiculously rocking, it wasn't even funny. After the show, I immediately went out and bought their album, The Big 3. I saw them every time they came back to L.A. to play, which, interestingly enough, was another 4 or 5 times. Small bands from England usually never came back to the US more than twice.

Sadly, the Dolls broke up shortly after releasing their second album, Joya Magica.

Here are some of my favorite 60FT Dolls tunes. You're going to wanna seek the Dolls records after you hear these songs:

From the single White Knuckle Ride
piss funk

From The Big 3

new loafers
happy shopper
pig valentine
stay
hair
the one

From Joya Magica
alison's room
silver screen
the biggest kick
two lane black top

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IL82G5EY

COVERS/ORIGINALS II

Here is the second installment of cover songs and their original counterparts. 15 songs.

*Song*
*Original Band*
*Cover Band*

Art School
The Jam
Silver Sun

Bigmouth Strikes Again
The Smiths
Placebo

Danny Says
The Ramones
Foo Fighters

Everything Flows
Teenage Fanclub
Idlewild

Fall at Your Feet
Crowded House
Busted

For Me This is Heaven
Jimmy Eat World
The Ransom Notes cool version by an university a cappella group

Hoppipolla
Sigur Ros
We Are Scientists

I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend/Girlfriend
The Rubinoos
Lush

Janie Jones
The Clash
Babyshambles & Friends

River Deep Mountain High
Ike and Tina Turner
The Saints

Rock and Roll Girl
The Beat
The Fingers

Trash
New York Dolls
Morrissey

Velocity Girl
Primal Scream
Manic Street Preachers

Wuthering Heights
Kate Bush
China Drum

You Made Me Realise
My Bloody Valentine
Silver Sun

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2QO43D17

You can find the entry for the first set of covers/originals HERE.

The Nerves "The Nerves"

The Nerves were a somewhat obscure power pop band from the 70s. They released all of a one 4-track e.p. in 1976. The e.p. featured the original version of Hanging on the Telephone which was made popular by Blondie. The band consisted of Jack Lee, Peter Case, and Paul Collins. Shortly after The Nerves split, Peter Case went on to form The Plimsouls and Paul Collins formed The Beat.

This is the original four song e.p. plus two more outtakes from the same era. All the songs are great examples of early power pop. The Nerves totally predated bands like The Knack and 20/20. This is a transfer from a reissue 10" single that came out in Spain back in 2001.

hanging on the telephone
when you find out
give me some time
working too hard
paper dolls
one way ticket

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RDAKA5HM

TheAudience "TheAudience"

TheAudience was a band fronted by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. They were founded by guitarist Billy Reeves. This is one of my favorite records from the late 90s. TheAudience reminded me of a next level indie version of 10,000 Maniacs. But better. Apparently, the album didn't sell very well. However, there are some really catchy songs on this, their sole album. I likened them to be a more prototype version of bands of today like The Long Blondes. Ellis-Bextor was a really sexy front woman. Her later more dancey solo work is nothing compared to TheAudience.

A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed
Now That You Are 18
Mr. Doasyouwouldbedoneby
I Know Enough (I Don't Get Enough)
Keep In Touch
I Got The Wherewithal
Harry Don't Fetch the Water
If You Can't Do It When You're Young; When Can You Do It?
Running Out of Space
You Get What You Deserve
The More There Is To Do
Bells For David Keenan
Shoebox Song
How's That?

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P58P00RE

Foo Fighters "Live at Hyde Park 2006"

This is an audio rip of the Foo Fighters' Live at Hyde Park DVD. It came out last year in conjunction with their live acoustic album, Skin and Bones.(Note: this is just the Hyde Park electric set and not the acoustic set.) For some reason, however, the DVD of the electric set wasn't released in the States (probably because of licensing problems since Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen and Lemmy from Motorhead make appearances). In the UK, the DVD was released as a two disc set with both electric and acoustic sets.

Since I only consider myself a casual Foos fan, I have never seen them in concert before. However, listening (and watching) this video, it shows that they are a hell of a band in concert. Dave Grohl is a great frontman. Without being cliche', the show really is electricfying. Take a listen to this if you don't believe me.

Foo Fighters Live at Hyde Park

in your honour
all my life
best of you
times like these
learn to fly
breakout
shake your blood (with Lemmy from Motorhead)
stacked actors
my hero
generator
DOA
monkey wrench
tie your mother down (with Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen)
everlong

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0M7UONG1

Fightstar

Back in November, I posted the song Mono by Fightstar. The link in that entry has long since died. But I've also decided to post a few more Fightstar tunes. A few album tracks, b-side, etc. Fightstar are my favorite hard rock band at the moment and I wanted to share the wealth. You might not be into if you're not into shouty vocals. The music is still VERY melodic though. I won't lie though. They aren't terribly original and they sound very similar to a lot of the current hard rock/metal bands out right now. Fuck it though, Fightstar fuckin' rock.

Fight For Us
Grand Unification (Part I)
Hazy Eyes
Mono
Paint Your Target
Palahniuk's Laughter
Wake Up

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DAT99XSP

Los Primos

Los Primos was the band that Andy G. (from The Devil Dogs) formed after The Devil Dogs broke up. The band consisted of Andy G. on guitar and vocals, Candy Del Mar (from The Cramps) on bass, Pete Linzell (from The Raunch Hands) on sax, and Mighty Joe Young (from the Devil Dogs) on drums. They put out 2 singles--one on Crypt and one on Sympathy for the Record Industry. Sadly, much like the Devil Dogs, Los Primos came and went. Andy G. and Candy went on to form The Roller Kings which was basically an expanded version of Los Primos.

Here are both sides of their two singles -- On My Floor backed with their cover of the Manfred Mann classic, Pretty Flamingo and the Twistin' con Los Primos single with the ROCKIN' Summertime Girls and their rock n' roll-y take on The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8FLU2ECW

COVERS/ORIGINALS

This is going to be the first in a (hopefully) on-going series of cover versions. For this, I'll be including some of my favorite cover versions along with their corresponding original versions.

*Song*
*Original Band*
*Cover Band*

===============

Oliver's Army
Elvis Costello and the Attractions
Blur

Don't Stop Me Now
Queen
McFly

Fame and Fortune
Mission of Burma
Graham Coxon

French Disko
Stereolab
Editors

Hounds of Love
Kate Bush
The Futureheads

I Found That Essence Rare
Gang of Four
Idlewild

I Must Be in Love
The Rutles
Senseless Things

Map Ref 41N 93W
Wire
My Bloody Valentine

Oh Father
Madonna
My Vitriol

Only in Dreams
Weezer
Ash

Outdoor Miner
Wire
Lush

She Drove Me to Daytime Television
Funeral for a Friend
Fightstar

So Sad About Us
The Who
The Jam

Teenage Kicks
The Undertones
Busted

The Boy With a Thorn in His Side
The Smiths
Bis

The Loved One
The Loved Ones
INXS

Velouria
Pixies
Weezer

Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
Catherine Wheel

Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie
Bauhaus


http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OTEGA7KP

INTERMISSION II

To anybody who might be reading this blog regularly: Sorry for the lack of updates. Been a little busy. I'm gonna try to post some new music at least 3 to 4 times a week. Thanks for your patience.

Mansun "Six"

This is one of my all-time favorite records: Mansun's Six. It wasn't a huge hit at the time of it's release. It was considered to be too prog-rock. However, this album filled with some amazing musical styles and ideas. It pretty damn complex. "Part I" is a little more fragmented. It's really just a combination of different musical pieces segueing into each other. "Part II" is a little more song structured. The lyrical subject matter is really eclectic as well. Songs about The Prisoner (UK 60s TV show) and Winnie the Pooh. References to the Marquis de Sade and addiction to media. This album requires more than one listening in order for one to "get it." It's also an almost that should be listened to as a WHOLE rather than just individual tracks.

Tracklisting

PART ONE
six
negative
shotgun
inverse midas
anti-everything
fall out
seretonin
cancer

INTERLUDE
Witness To A Murder

PART TWO
television
special / blown it (delete as appropriate)
legacy
being a girl

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=X8VW75QH

The Hybirds "Take You Down" e.p.

The Hybirds were a short-lived band from the late 90's. Short-lived and obscure because nobody knew who they were. They released 4 e.p.'s and a full-length before calling it a day. Their songs varied from Oasis Dadrock to Stooges pre-punk to Who arena rock. After they called it quits, Richard Warren went on to form Echoboy.

This was their debut e.p. on Heavenly Records. It's another one of my all-time favorite e.p.'s. Take You Down is pretty much a primer on Britpop. Seventeen is the best song Paul Weller and The Jam never wrote. Reeling is reminiscent of Village Green Kinks. Peter Take Me Down is practically an outtake from Definitely Maybe. And The Only Ones is The Stooges fronted by Liam Gallagher.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=K5314OSS

The Jennifers "Just Got Back Today" e.p.

The Jennifers were the band that Gaz Coombes and Danny Goffey were in before they formed Supergrass. The band also included Danny's brother, Nick. They were essentially a shoegazer band, which isn't really surprising considering they were from Oxford, which is where Ride hailed from. This was their sole e.p. release on, coincidentally, Nude Records, the label that brought us Suede.

It's a nice glimpse at where Danny and Gaz started off.

just got back today
rocks and boulders
danny's song
tomorrow's rain

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J0OCID8C

Jetpak "Neck Mohican" e.p,

Jetpak were a three piece sort of pop punk band from the UK. They released all of 1 single (Neck Mohican e.p.) and a split e.p. with Understand. Their influences ranged from Cable to 'A' to Idlewild. They were pretty much unknown until they split, and Larry Hibbit formed with members of another band, Floor. Hundred Reasons became more a straightforward rock band.

I like these three songs because they're pop punk but not in the sense of Blink 182 or Green Day. They actually have a touch of British-ness to them. The songs are a transfer for the original vinyl 7" single.

an elderly game
fear of pop
superhero

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0XHOVW3C

The Saints "One Two Three Four" e.p.

After releasing their debut album, The Saints, they followed it up with an 4-track e.p. featuring new versions of two songs off the album as well as two cover songs, Tina Turner's River Deep Mountain High and Connie Francis' Lipstick on Your Collar.

This is another one of my favorite e.p.'s. Four songs that will get you up and dancing.

demolition girl
river deep mountain high
one way street
lipstick on your collar

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7SHGOC4W

Slowdive "Peel Session"

Here is the John Peel Session that Slowdive did in March 1991. Three songs from their Holding Our Breath e.p. It features a cover version of Syd Barrett's Golden Hair with Neil on vocals (instead of Rachel's lead vocal on the e.p.)

catch the breeze
shine
golden hair

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q1O3VR84

Ride "6 Live Tracks"

These tracks are from a 1991 radio promo. It features 6 live tracks from Ride professionally recorded at The Roxy in Hollywood, CA. The live version of Nowhere is, in my opinion, the definitive version. Sure, it's Ride pretending to be My Bloody Valentine, but who cares? Overall, it's a nice live snapshot of Ride during their "shoegaze" years before they went all classic rock. Ha ha ha.

Seagull
Dreams Burn Down
Vapour Trail
In A Different Place
Nowhere
Drive Blind

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=11TA4FCU

These Animal Men "Speed King" and "You're Not My Babylon"

Post-grunge, pre-Britpop. Just before the backlash against the US grunge scene started with Britpop. There was the brief New Wave of New Wave scene. The sound was sort of a revived mix of late 70's and early 80's British punk rock. Among the many bands that were lumped into the NWONW scene were These Animal Men. These Animal Men were one of the first bands associated with the NWONW and they were probably the ones who defined the attitude as well. Young, white, and cocky boys. Speed freaks. Playing snotty and smart ass punk rock.

TAM released a handful of singles, a mini album, and 2 full lengths. Here are their first two proper singles -- Speeed Freak and You're Not My Babylon. The cover for Speeed Freak is the best singles cover ever. A bowl of amphetamine for breakfast, anyone?

speeed king
jobs for boys

you're not my babylon
who's the daddy now?

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8I3J578I

7 Seconds "The Crew"

This is one of my all time favorite hardcore punk albums: 7 Seconds' The Crew. In fact, this was THE first punk rock album I was introduced do. My brother used to play this album when he was 16 and I was 12. I actually didn't get into it until I revisited the album when I was 16. 7 Seconds was a big influence in my life in regards to their straight edge attitude. That's not to say that I'm straight edge but the early straight edge scene definitely showed me that drink and drugs were NOT essential to having fun. These songs reflect that attitude as well as the idea of just being young and rebellious. POONK RAWK!

But I digress... I've split the album up into two files -- sides one and two -- the way the album was meant to be heard. Just one song after the other. Quick and to the point.

SIDE ONE
here's your warning
definite choice
not just boys fun
this is the angry pt. 2
straight on
you lose
what if there's war in america
the crew
clenched fists, black eyes

SIDE TWO
colorblind
aim to please
boss
young till i die
red & black
diehard
i have a dream
bully
trust

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SC3QVDFW

The Victims "Television Addict"

The Victims were a punk band from Australia from the 70s. They released all of one single and an e.p. This is their sole single release, Television Addict and I'm Flipped Out Over You. Members of The Victims went on to form the Hoodoo Gurus. This is a nice slice of 77 punk rock. Very primitive sounding.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=H6C9VEQ5

Slowdive "Morningrise" e.p.

This is probably my favorite Slowdive e.p., if only for the first two songs which, along with Catch the Breeze, are the definitive Slowdive songs. In the title track, Morningrise, you can hear obvious elements of My Bloody Valentine with the guitar pitch bending. On both Morningrise and She Calls, they've perfected the shoegaze sound -- loud washes of guitars that don't even sound like guitars and barely audible vocals. All this only on their second ever release! Classic.

morningrise
she calls
losing today

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MQMJU6YH

Andre Williams "Poor Mr. Santa"

One last minute Christmas upload--Andre Williams' Poor Mr. Santa. Two versions--naughty and nice. Fuck the nice version. The naughty one is where it's at. If don't have a sense of humour don't bother downloading it.

If you don't know who Andre Williams is, do some research. Then go out and buy some of his records.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=88Q7UVCM

Ride "Today Forever" e.p.

Here's one of my all-time favorite e.p.'s. Ride's Today Forever e.p. It was the first release after they put out their first album, Nowhere, and it includes four tracks exclusive to the e.p. The e.p. kind of continues where Nowhere left off. The song, Today, is one of my all time favorite songs. It's very Spacemen 3 in that it's really 2 chords and that's it. And it's really one of Ride's last shoegazer songs.

Unfamiliar
Beneath
Sennen
Today

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=X9KP4QEY

The United States of America

The United States of America were a band from 1967. I had no previous knowledge of them until 1997. Portishead had thanked them for inspiration on their song Half Day Closing. My friend played me their record and I was completely knocked out. It was crazy psych-ish rock incoporating electronic music. Kooky songs like "I Won’t Leave My Wooden-Wife For You, Sugar. Since their break-up, they've influence loads of bands (including Portishead). Here's the full album. Get more info on The United States of America HERE.

The American Metaphysical Circus
Hard Coming Love
Cloud Song
The Garden Of Earthly Delights
I Won’t Leave My Wooden-Wife For You, Sugar
Where Is Yesterday
Coming Down
Love Song For The Dead Ché
Stranded In Time
The American Way Of Love

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CBPCDZBA

Mega City Four

Wow, I just found out that the former lead singer from Mega City Four died on Wednesday. MC4 were one of the first real British indie bands that I liked. Probably one of the first real "emo" bands around too. Wiz was a great songwriter who wrote from the heart and wasn't afraid to put his honest feelings in a song.

Long before grunge. Long before the New Wave of New Wave. Long before Britpop. There was the indie "grebo" scene. There were bands like Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Senseless Things, and the Levellers. Mega City Four were part of this scene.

I first heard MC4 on Rodney on the ROQ on KROQ. He was one of the few DJs who championed them on US radio. I remember him playing Miles Apart and really liking it. But it wasn't until a few years later that I was able to get something from them when Caroline Records released their third album, Sebastopol Rd., in the States. I was able to get all their albums and singles a few years later. I had a lot of respect for Mega City Four because they truly were an indie band. They were the kind of band that wanted to give their fans value for their money. In their early days, they didn't release any singles from their albums. They chose to just record new songs as singles. To them, there was no point in re-releasing something that was already available on the album.

I only ever saw Mega City Four once when they play in L.A. in 1995 with Ash and China Drum. At first, it was just Ash and China Drum on the bill and then MC4 were added at the last minute. I was super stoked with having the chance to see three of my favorite bands on the same bill. That night, Mega City Four kicked ass. They played a handful of songs from their as-yet-unreleased final album, Soul Scraper. Definitely a great night. And I'm glad I got to see Mega City Four before they split. Wiz went on to form Serpico and Ipanema after MC4 split. Unfortunately, I never followed either band. But Mega City Four will always be one of my all time favorite indie guitar bands.

Here's a few of my favorite Mega City Four songs:

Miles Apart -- their first single
Dancing Days are Over
Clear Blue Sky
Iron Sky
Enemy Skies
Wallflower
Android Dreams -- their final single

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8PQAKZMR

Darren "Wiz" Brown RIP

Suede "Live at the Glastonbury Festival, June 25, 1993"

Here is a bootleg of Britpop legends, Suede, with their first appearance at the Glastonbury Festival in 1993. I believe this is a radio broadcast but I'm not sure it's complete because Metal Mickey is missing. Although, it's quite possible that they just didn't perform it that day. Anyway, the cool thing about this show is that it's one of the first times (if not THE first time) they performed Still Life, which was the planned next single but was replaced by Stay Together and just put on Dog Man Star.

In retrospect, I think Suede were a much better band with Bernard Butler. With Butler, they were this sort of dark androgynous glam rock band. When Butler left, they became a Britpop band. Not that there was anything bad with that transition but, let's face it, the first two Suede albums are really where it's at.

Tracklisting

the next life
so young
moving
pantomime horse
he's dead
animal nitrate
she's not dead
the drowners
sleeping pills
to the birds
still life

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P0VIYV9Y

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) are have, for the most part, always been known as the band that "did that song from Pretty in Pink." And while If You Leave (said Pretty in Pink song) is a great pop song, people tend to think that all of OMD's stuff was always like that. They had been around since around 1979 and in there earlier days, they had been influenced by everybody from Kraftwerk, Neu!, and the Velvet Underground. Their first few albums still had pop music elements to them but they also experimented with different early electronic sounds, even going so far as sampling non-traditional sounds such as radio waves and ship horns. Here are thirteen songs from OMD's first 4 albums (and a few singles b-sides). These are VERY different from what they are usually known for. Some of it is very ambient and (dare I say it) even post rock sounding.

Pretending to See the Future
The Messerschmitt Twins
Waiting for the Man
VCLXI

These four are from their first two albums, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Organisation. They're all pretty electronic-y but without the dancey disco element (that was typical of electronic music of the time) to them. Waiting for the Man is a b-side cover of the classic Velvet Underground song.

Sealand
Architecture and Morality
The Beginning and the End
Navigation

These four are from their third album, Architecture and Morality. A little less electronic and more minimalist ambient. A&M is probably my favorite OMD album.

Of All The Things We've Made
Radio Waves
Dazzle Ships (Parts II, III & VII)
66 & Fading
4-Neu
The Avenue

The first three are from their fourth album, Dazzle Ships. 66 & Fading, 4-Neu and The Avenue are singles b-sides. The songs are more atmospheric. 66 & Fading is actually another OMD song reversed and slowed down. (That's right, Sigur Ros weren't the pioneering first band to do that.) The Avenue uses (what sounds like construction sounds as it's rhythm pattern. Industrial music before industrial music was cool. 4-Neu is a musical homage to, you guessed it, Neu!

Even though they went more of a pop direction in their later years, OMD created some really cool "alternative" music in their early days. And they could have held their own amongst some of today's more "experimental" "post-rock" bands.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MR7KO5KN