Travis and myself got into this discussion the other day – he likes cover songs, I do not. He asked me what good bands didn’t at least do one cover, and I pointed out Black Sabbath and the Stooges. I won that argument. But I will give in with him a little bit here with this record.
We all had to watch what happened with the Black Album, and the nonsense that followed. But we all should know and acknowledge that early Metallica ripped. I saw Metallica for the first time in 1984 at a club in my hometown called the Eagles Ballroom, which was also a supperclub. There couldn’t have been more than 60 people there. They came out and opened with “Fight Fire With Fire” and James Hetfield broke his top string in like the first 20 seconds. He threw his guitar down pissed, tossed back like two Jagermeister shots, grabbed a new one and started the song again. They blew my mind.
One weird thing about Metallica though, they did A LOT of covers. All I have to say is this: if you’re going to do a covers record, make sure it rocks this hard.
This isn’t a very popular record among fans of The Stone Roses or even members of The Stone Roses themselves. When Aaron and I interviewed Ian Brown he told us "on the first Roses
record John Squire (the guitar player) was trying to be Jimi Hendrix
and on Second Coming he was trying to be Jimmy Page and he wasn’t
very good at being Jimmy Page." Even with that said, I really dig on "Second Coming". Although if you don’t own their self titled debut, go buy that first… it’s a classic. My favorite track on "Second Coming" is its eleven minute and twenty one second epic opener, "Breaking Into Heaven". It starts off with four and a half minutes of chirps, noises and bongos (which is plenty of time to get your joint rolled and light the end of it), then kicks into one of the best funky (don’t let that word scare you away) drug rock songs I’ve ever heard. Ian Brown sings: "Heaven’s gates won’t hold me… I’ll saw those suckers down… I’m gonna break right into heaven… I can’t wait anymore." Fuck yeah! It doesn’t get much cooler than that if you ask me. Also check out "Ten Storey Love Song" and the video for this slab’s first single "Love Spreads".
Radio Vago have called it quits, but now you can buy their self titled farewell/debut full length which Omar A Rodriguez-Lopez from The Mars Volta produced and played on. Seeing as how the band broke up it won’t be coming out on cd or lp format, but you can buy it digitally on itunes (or pretty much any other digital music service). If you’re a fan of The Mars Votla, Radio Vago or just wanna put a few dollars in our pockets to keep this website free… please buy this crap. Thanks for dealing with this advertisement. It was as painful for me to write as it was for you to read.
Check out this new bizarre Depeche Mode video for their song "Suffer Well" off their last album "Playing The Angel". After watching it there’s no doubt in my mind that these dudes are back on drugs. In other words, DM goes off!
I really liked the first three records from San Diego’s The Black Heart Procession (which were cleverly titled "one", "two" and "three") because they were dark, moody, depressing at times and most importantly… unique sounding. But when they put their last record out, "Amore Del Tropico", it seemed a little too much on the happy side of things for them. I figured the sun, the surf culture or just the lameness that is Sandy Gaygo had finally gotten to them or something. But with this new pack of jams, called "The Spell", it sounds like these dudes have returned from spring break and are back to their old dark and gloomy ways! I’ve only listen to this record once (so I can’t really gage exactly how good it is yet or if I’m even diggin’ on it) but I figured some of you out there would be curious to hear what Black Heart has come up with after a four year break since their last sunny release. So here’s the song I picked to post here… mainly because the drums sounded cool. Also, check out "Three Mile Pilot" (homeboy’s band before this and who are also working on a new album due out next spring) if you start getting down with everything Black Heart…
This is my favorite music video ever. It proves that old theory, "less is more". The song, "Bastards Of Young", also happens to be my favorite song by The Replacements. Sometimes things work out nice kids.
If you’ve ever had a drink, you’ll relate to this killer b-side. It’s from a bootleg called "Sucking Wax" that I stole from Das Corpse’s house cuz he’s on tour GOING OFF and I get to raid his record collection, drink all his Mountain Dews and watch his gay pornos. It’s no coincidence that this song is also about going off. Sometimes things work out nice kids. My favorite line from this song is:"Twenty push-ups this morning, that was half my goal, Tonight I’ll be doin’ pull-ups, On the toilet bowl, And somewhere somebody’s throwin up". I thought it didn’t fuckin’ rain in LA…
The Clash always had something to say, and live they really had the aggression – but to me their recordings always fell flat. But I love this record, particularly because they sound pissed without the overly British vocal scowling of the first record (where Joe Strummer seemed to be doing his best impression of John Lydon). It’s always weird to me that this was the record the band hated the most, particularly because of the production. Their label forced them to work with producer Sandy Perlman on this one, who was best known for producing “hard rock” bands of the 70’s like Blue Oyster Cult. They hated it, but to me, the results are the best they laid to tape. While the songwriting progressed on later records, the production to me went south and didn’t capture the live raw sound of the Clash. If I had to recommend one Clash record to anyone, this is it.
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I haven’t heard any new and exciting music, so here’s something old and really exciting… live Black Sabbath bitch. "Live At Last" came out in 1980 (but was recorded in 1973 so it’s Ozzy singing not Dio, don’t worry) and it now comes as disc 1 of the kinda weak double disc "Past Lives" record with a bunch of fake crowd noise added in (although that thing does come with a pretty killer Sabbath mini poster). Ozzy’s really stoned on this record (he even admits it at one point) and manages to say "We Love You" pretty much every song. But my favorite moment is when the Ozzman yells out "SMOKE IT" on "Killing Yourself To Live". Here’s the first three tracks, enjoy. And like Ozzy says… "SMOKE IT!"
This is for everyone who has been emailing me requesting the rest of this album to be posted. The dude abides! If you didn’t see part one already, click here. Together these two posts are the complete album. This shit smokes! With that said…. Mind if I do a J?
So I’m sure some of you already have seen this and probably can tell us who is responsible for this digital masterpiece. Anyhow… enough talk, I think this speaks volumes for the future of hardcore. REAL hyperspasms… I thought I was onto something years ago but I think this takes the cake. This is REAL SPAZZCORE! Pack your bags kids, the game is over!
It’s a very beautiful thing when I get something in the mail that I actually want and/or like. Today I got McLusky’s post-breakup singles collection and it’s hitsville kids! I guess there is a 3xcd version of this record out there (the second disc being b-sides and the third being live shit), but I guess we’re not important enough here at "The Head" so their label gave us the shaft with this single disc version. Weak sauce is right! Either way, I’m glad they sent me this baby cuz it refreshed my memory… I forgot how fuckin’ good McLusky was. I also forgot how much after I puked into my toilet after their last Troubadour show… never mix lots of vodka with lots of whiskey and lots of Jägermeister. Thanks for the memories McLusky.
Dylan Carlson’s drone ambient monolith (the name was originally used by Black Sabbath) has battled the elements and survived (Drug addiction, label changes, member changes, trends, etc.) to further break the barriers of what’s considered ‘Metal’ and whats considered ‘Ambient’. Earth carved it’s sound out of creating super low frequencies and letting them drone into a blissful void. Beginning in 1990 and showcasing members and appearances from such notables as; Slim Moon, Joe Preston and Kurt Kobain. Earth has stood the test of time, releasing 5 solid studio albums, scattered live performances, remixes and EPs. Progressing in sound and dynamic, changing ever so slightly or flipping the whole thing on its head (check out the record Pentastar: In The Style Of Demons). Their 16 yrs of existence have led to a flood of influenced contemporaries: Sunn, Boris, Pelican, to name a few. Not to let any of them get too close, Dylan has once again ‘changed the game’ with "Hex: Or The Infernal Method Of Printing.". ‘Hex’ taps its ambient stylings into a ‘Lost Highway’ meets Sergio Leone style of country atmospherics. Leaning on the stylings of such bands as Giant Sand, Calexico, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and even past Sub Pop label mates Codeine. The low frequency drone has been mixed with lap steel, pedal steel guitar, flanger, e-bowed notes, and eerie soundscaped feedback. ‘Hex’ is the lost soundtrack to the next David Lynch film. Somebody tell him! But Check these tracks out 1st..
Before Aerosmith dug themselves a hole and died in it (pre facelifts, Pepsi commercials, ghost writers, Superbowl performances, MTV ass grabbing shlock, etc.) they were a force to be reckoned within ‘Hard Rock.’ Widely hailed as America’s answer to TheRolling Stones, these ‘Beantown" boys were more keen on similarities to their heroes in The Yardbirds, Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry led a legendary trail of bad n ruin. Snorting enough cocaine to spiral South America’s economy into upward oblivion. Tyler once remarked he couldn’t even remember recording the record "Draw The Line" he was so high! Their debut self titled album would be released to a less than enthusiastic welcoming in 1973. An album fueled with raw, bluesy rock riffs and streetwise lyrics. The album would eventually gain notoriety when it was re-released in 1976, after the band had toured their asses off and ripped concert halls to shreds. Gaining hits with "Mama Kin" (later to be covered by GnR), "Walking The Dog" (later to be covered by Necros) and of course the timeless ballad of "Dream On." Now its no mystery none of us ever need to hear that track "Dream On" again. Classic rock radio has played and over played it to death. But songs like " Movin Out", "Make It" and "Write Me" show a band at their prime…and to think it was their 1st record. So check these tracks out and lose some friends by tellin em yer into Aerosmith.
Travis told me today about a singer I like who overdosed while in Europe. It reminded me that at least some musicians still do tons of drugs and don’t give a fuck. That idea, in turn, reminded me of early AC/DC. Bon Scott was the quintessential hard partying woman loving frontman, and is responsible for everyone from David Lee Roth to David Yow. He drank himself to death, and I respect that. As a band, AC/DC is untouchable. I can hear their sound in EVERY rock band that came after. That fat bozo Jack White rips off Malcolm Young more than Winona Ryder rips off trendy clothes. The best quote I ever heard was from Malcolm Young when asked why he doesn’t play guitar solos – “gets in the way of my drinking” he responded. The word “rhythm” wouldn’t be the same without the Young brothers. Here’s a couple non-singles that will remind you how much more AC/DC rock than your lame band. Don’t be a pussy and admit they rule.
Allentown, PA seems to have a bevy of hot young talent (no im not talking chicks, keep yer shit in yer pants) these days. With bands like Air Conditioning, Pearls & Brass, Gate Crashers, Barnacled and my 2005 and current faves PISSED JEANS, to name a few. Pissed Jeans slay, batter and punish in the vain of Scratch Acid, Drunks With Guns, Flipper, No Trend, Gauze and Laughing Hyenas. They ‘ve previously released a single and their 2005 debut full length "Shallow" on the small but blossoming label ‘Parts Unknown Records‘. I guess someone at Sub Pop is doin their homework cuz they’ve signed em up for a single and a new record in 2006. They’ll sit nicely next to label mates Wolf Eyes fer sure. Can’t wait. No track names today. Go get the record, they probably need the money.
Check out these two jams by Billy Bragg that I pulled off his double disc (actually, it’s a triple disc if you count the bonus EP thing) called "Must I Paint You a Picture". Drink a stiff cup of Joe while listening to this because nothing goes better with strong coffee than a really cheap guitar sound. The first disc of this collection is pretty killer. The second is a little harder for me to listen to, but that’s just cuz the older you get the lamer you get. It’s a fact of life kids! If you like Dylan, Woodie Guthrie and punk… you’re gonna be psyched on Billy. On a totally unrelated note, I finally got my photography page working again and I uploaded some new photos. I’ll be updating that page a lot in the near future so if you care check back. Otherwise, keep rockin in the free world!
Here’s another blast of Nardwuar… This time it’s Narwuar head to head with that actress who played Audrey Griswold in Christmas Vacation and now plays Iggy Pop in her faux punk band "Juliette & The Licks"! Does it get any better than this?
