“Smashed Glass”, Beige Banquet

This way: Smashed Glass

Beige Banquet are a London-based five-piece playing a bleak yet high-powered style of dark punk. Underpinned by a propulsive and motorik rhythm section, they combine robotic and percussive vocal deliveries with industrial textures and abrasive guitars to create frantic and driving sound. The band are set to release their sophomore album 'Ornamental Hermit', and first as a full band, on the 13th March 2024. 

Produced by Beige Banquet with the help of engineer Matt Green (Sniffany & The Nits, Artefact, Joanna Gruesome) at Head Cold Studios and mixed and mastered by David Forcier (Civic) ‘Animals’ captures the band in a professional studio environment, moving away from the lofi bedroom recordings of previous releases, the studio provided a perfect environment for the band to develop compositionally and explore a more textural approach.

Combining layers of noise and bursts of saturated percussion, with a driving rhythm section, ‘Ornamental Hermit’ features a rich and more dynamic sound and captures the raw power of the Beige Banquet live show for the first time. Released March 13, 2024. 

[Spotify] Smashed Glass

“Transdermal Celebration”, Ween

This way: Transdermal Celebration

Ween is an American rock band from New Hope, Pennsylvania, formed in 1984 by Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, better known by their respective stage names, Gene and Dean. Generally categorized as an alternative rock band, the band are known for their irreverent, highly eclectic catalog of songs inspired by funk, soul, country, gospel, prog, psychedelia, R&B, heavy metal, and punk rock. 

Ween self-released several cassette albums from their formation until 1989. Afterward, they put out three officially-released lo-fi albums: GodWeenSatan: The Oneness (1990); The Pod (1991); and Pure Guava (1992). For Pure Guava, the band signed with major label Elektra Records. The album spawned the single "Push th' Little Daisies", which was a chart hit in Australia and the United States. Under Elektra, the band released four professionally-recorded albums: Chocolate and Cheese (1994); 12 Golden Country Greats (1996); The Mollusk (1997); and White Pepper (2000). They later returned to independent labels for their albums Quebec (2003) and La Cucaracha (2007). After a 28-year run, Freeman quit the band in 2012, citing the need to focus on his alcohol and drug addiction issues. Ween reformed in late 2015 and toured extensively without plans to record new material, but later entered an indefinite hiatus in 2024 citing Melchiondo's mental health as a reason.

[Spotify] Transdermal Celebration

“False Anthem”, Summer Cannibals

This way: False Anthem

Summer Cannibals was a rock band from Portland, Oregon featuring lead singer and guitarist Jessica Boudreaux, drummer Devon Shirley (formerly of the bands The Photo Atlas and Red Orange Yellow), guitarist Cassi Blum and bassist Ethan Butman. Their debut album, No Makeup, was released on New Moss Records on August 6, 2013. Their follow up album, Show Us Your Mind, was produced, recorded, and mixed by Larry Crane and released on New Moss Records on March 3, 2015. The album received favorable reviews from critics such as Entertainment Weekly, which stated that the album featured “songs that refine the fuzzy garage-pop of its debut into something sharper, tighter, and much more difficult to shake off.” 

Summer Cannibals toured nationwide supporting the Show Us Your Mind album, including sets at SXSW and CMJ in 2015.Following their return in the fall, the band recorded their third full-length album with Chris Woodhouse, the engineer on records from artists including Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees and WAND.

[Spotify] False Anthem

“The Moon”, Trace Mountains

This way: The Moon

Pitchfork calls the lyric-forward, New York-based indie rock band Trace Mountains, "a decisive step forward" for its lead singer-songwriter Dave Benton (formerly of LVL UP). Benton’s sprawling and introspective tunes borrow flavor from a host of contemporary indie giants—the sad laments of Phil Elverum, the antic invention of Dinosaur Jr., the delicate jangle of Sufjan Stevens—while still managing to maintain his own original and innovative voice. Trace Mountains' latest LP, 2021's House of Confusion, finds the combo exploring a metaphoric backroad of rural American isolation. Alongside drummer Greg Rutkin, bassist Bernard Casserly, guitarist Jim Hill and keyboardist Logan Roth, Benton will play hits from that album, plus other Trace Mountains songs both classic and soon-to-be-released.

[Spotify] The Moon

“Amsterdam”, Mary Gauthier

This way: Amsterdam

Mary Gauthier is a Grammy-nominated American folk singer-songwriter and author, whose songs have been covered by performers including Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Kathy Mattea, Boy George, Jimmy Buffett, Bettye Lavette, Candi Staton, and Amy Helm. 

Mary's songs often deal with marginalization, informed by her experience of adoption, addiction and recovery, and growing up gay in the deep south. Her work demonstrates an "ability to transform her own trauma into a purposeful and communal narrative", such as the lyric "we could all use, a little mercy, now", from her song "Mercy Now".

Spurred on by friends, she enrolled at Louisiana State University as a philosophy major, dropping out during her senior year. After attending the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, and working in an upmarket restaurant, she got financial backing to open a Cajun restaurant in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, calling it Dixie Kitchen. On opening night, 12 July 1990, she was arrested for drunk driving and has been sober ever since. "I eventually got sober when I was twenty seven years old... I started writing songs in earnest at around thirty two years of age", she says. After achieving sobriety from "[mainly] alcohol, cocaine and heroin", Mary continued to manage, and cook at, the restaurant but was increasingly driven to dedicate herself to songwriting.

[Spotify] Amsterdam 

“The Great Divide”, Wussy

This way: The Great Divide

Wussy is an American four-piece indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2001. The band consists of Chuck Cleaver (vocals/guitar), Lisa Walker (vocals/guitar), Joe Klug (drums) and Mark Messerly (bass). Former members include Dawn Burman (drums) and John Erhardt (pedal steel). Cleaver and Walker write most of the songs and either alternate lead vocals or sing them in harmony. Live performances feature the two vocalists having a "combative rapport". They have released seven albums, one live album, two EPs, one mini LP and a number of singles.  

Wussy formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2001 while Chuck Cleaver had just released the last album with his previous group, Ass Ponys.[9] He met Lisa Walker and asked her to perform with him at a local awards show in Cincinnati in 2001. Following the performance the duo decided to form a band together. Walker, originally from Muncie, Indiana, attended Cedarville University and has worked in marketing. They were joined by Messerly on bass and Dawn Burman on drums in 2002. Burman had not yet mastered the instrument but joined as she "loved their sound and wanted to be part of it". Cleaver finalised his previous band with a compilation in 2005 leaving him to concentrate on Wussy. They made their recording debut in 2005 with the album Funeral Dress on Shake it Records, the label of a local record store of the same name. The record was produced by John Curley at his Ultrasuede Studios, where the band would continue to record future albums. While making the album all four band members suffered some personal hardship that inspired much of the 2007 record.

[Spotify] The Great Divide

“Sad Peter Pan”, Vic Chestnutt

This way: Sad Peter Pan

If you don't know Vic Chestnutt you need to get busy, a trove awaits. Vic Chesnutt (November 12, 1964 – December 25, 2009) was an American singer-songwriter from Athens, Georgia. His first album, Little, was released in 1990. His commercial breakthrough came in 1996 with the release of Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, a charity record of alternative artists covering his songs.

Chesnutt released 17 albums during his career, including two produced by Michael Stipe, and a 1996 release on Capitol Records, About to Choke. His musical style has been described by Bryan Carroll of AllMusic as a "skewed, refracted version of Americana that is haunting, funny, poignant, and occasionally mystical, usually all at once". 

Injuries from a 1983 car accident left him partially paralyzed; he used a wheelchair and had limited use of his hands.

[Spotify] Sad Peter Pan

“Tuxxxedo Mask”, Dadadoh

This way: Tuxxxedo Mask

I cought this band playing at the First Friday event in Phoenix at the Heard Museum. A very terrific band making all kinds of good noise and music. A great hybred of rock and rap. This album is dedicated to the Phoenix music scene. A city of HOOLIGANS! Every song on it is about our time in the city making music after releasing WOWEE! From taking wild trips with loved ones to losing people to drug abuse to dead end relationships: this album is the audio version of a reality show that is the Phoenix music scene!  Released April 29, 2022

[Spotify] Tuxxxedo Mask

“I want one of Those”, Hugh Cornwell

This way: I want one of Those

Hugh Alan Cornwell (born 28 August 1949) is an English musician, singer-songwriter and writer, best known for being the lead vocalist and lead guitarist for the punk rock band the Stranglers from 1974 to 1990. Since leaving the Stranglers, Cornwell has recorded a further ten solo studio albums and continues to record and perform live.

Cornwell grew up in Tufnell Park and Kentish Town and attended William Ellis School in Highgate, where he played bass in a band with Richard Thompson, later a member of folk rock band Fairport Convention. In the late 1960s, after earning a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Bristol, he embarked on post-graduate research at Lund University in Sweden. Not long after his arrival he formed the band Johnny Sox.

The Stranglers

Cornwell returned to the UK in 1974 with Johnny Sox (minus Hans Wärmling). Drummer Jet Black then joined the band. At one stage it was just Cornwell and Black, who were then joined by bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel. Guitarist, keyboardist and saxophonist Hans Wärmling, on holiday from Sweden, joined the line-up towards the end of 1974. The Johnny Sox name was dropped, with the band adopting the name the Guildford Stranglers before settling on the Stranglers. 

[Spotify] I want one of Those

“Home”, Bat for Lashes

This way: Home

Natasha Khan (born 25 October 1979), known professionally as Bat for Lashes, is an English singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. She has released six studio albums: Fur and Gold (2006), Two Suns (2009), The Haunted Man (2012), The Bride (2016), Lost Girls (2019), and The Dream of Delphi (2024). She has received three Mercury Prize nominations. Khan is also the vocalist for Sexwitch, a collaboration with the rock band Toy and producer Dan Carey. 

[Spotify] Home

“Cavern”, Liquid Liquid

This way: Cavern

Liquid Liquid is an American no wave and dance-punk group, originally active from 1980 to 1983. They are best known for their track "Cavern," which was covered—without proper permission or attribution—by the Sugar Hill Records house band as the backing track for Melle Mel's old school rap classic "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)." The group released a series of extended plays, including the acclaimed 1983 12" EP Optimo. In 2008, the band reformed and have played in multiple countries.

Liquid Liquid emerged from downtown New York's no wave scene. The group's original records were pressed in very limited quantities on 99 Records, and can now fetch high prices. "Cavern" originally appeared on the EP, Optimo, recorded by Don Hünerberg. Though the pressings were small, the music has had a lasting and far-reaching impact. A music video for "Cavern" was produced by Michael Sporn.

[Spotify] Cavern

“Safety Pin Stuck in My Heart”, Patrick Fitzgerald

This way: Safety Pin Stuck in My Heart

Patrik Fitzgerald (born Patrick Joseph Fitzgerald, 19 March 1956, Stratford, East London) is an English singer-songwriter and an originator of folk punk. The son of working-class Irish immigrant parents, he began recording and performing during the punk rock movement in 1977, after working briefly as an actor. 

His early songs were generally short, sarcastic efforts, recorded with just an acoustic guitar and occasional studio effects, with lyrics containing a large amount of social comment. Fitzgerald was soon regarded as an original of his genre, somewhere between a punk-poet and an urban folksinger, and was lauded in some circles as "the new Bob Dylan". After starting out as a busker, he approached David Bowie's original manager, Ken Pitt, requesting his services; Pitt declined but an audition was set up with Noel Gay in 1975 who also turned Fitzgerald down.

In 1976 Fitzgerald auditioned, alongside Mick Jones and Tony James for the band London SS, again without success. After a spell acting in a communal theatre group (9 months in Stratford's The Soapbox Theatre), he drifted towards the developing Punk scene. He was a regular customer at the Small Wonder record shop in London, and when Small Wonder launched a record label Fitzgerald was one of the first to submit a demo – and got a deal, with the new label releasing his first three EPs, the first being Safety-Pin Stuck in My Heart, still his best-known work, and one which he subtitles "a love song for punk music". Patrik became a regular performer at London punk gigs, and supported The Jam on their national tour.

[Spotify] Safety Pin Stuck in My Heart 

“River of Dirt”, Marissa Nadler

This way: River of Dirt

Marissa Nadler (born April 5, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter. Active since 2000, she is currently signed to Sacred Bones Records and Bella Union, and released her ninth full-length studio album, The Path of the Clouds, in October 2021. Her music has been characterized as blending "traditional folk, Gothic Americana, and dreamy pop into an original musical framework". Her music "is rooted in old-school country and folk but brings in elements of experimental and black metal". Sometimes the term "dream folk" has been invoked to describe her work. 

Singing in a mezzo-soprano, Nadler has received acclaim for her vocals. Her voice was described by Pitchfork as one "you would follow straight into Hades", and also "textured and angelic, with just a hint of pain captured within her iridescent falsetto". The Boston Globe said, "She has a voice that, in mythological times, could have lured men to their deaths at sea, an intoxicating soprano drenched in gauzy reverb that hits bell-clear heights, lingers, and tapers off like rings of smoke".

[Spotify] River of Dirt

“I Dream of Wires”, Robert Palmer

This way: I Dream of Wires

Here is a cover of a Gary Numan song featuring him on keyboards. Robert Palmer (19 January 1949 – 26 September 2003) was an English singer and songwriter. He was known for his powerful and soulful voice, his sartorial elegance, and his stylistic explorations, combining soul, funk, jazz, rock, pop, reggae, and blues. His 1986 song "Addicted to Love" and its accompanying video came to "epitomise the glamour and excesses of the 1980s".

Having started in the music industry in the 1960s, including a spell with Vinegar Joe, Palmer found success in the 1980s, both in his solo career and with the Power Station, scoring Top 10 hits in the United Kingdom and the United States. Three of his hit singles, including "Addicted to Love", featured music videos directed by British fashion photographer Terence Donovan.

Palmer received a number of awards throughout his career, including two Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance and an MTV Video Music Award. He was also nominated for the Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist in 1987 and 1989. He died from a heart attack aged 54.

[Spotify] I Dream of Wires

“New Day Rising”, Hüsker Dü

This way: New Day Rising

New Day Rising is the third studio album by the American punk rock band Hüsker Dü. It was released in 1985 through SST Records. As with its predecessor, the album continued to deviate from the fast-paced hardcore punk style of the band's earliest releases, showing an evolution towards slower tempos and more melody.[citation needed] According to music journalist Andrew Earles, the album expanded the "pop-core" side of the previous album into an entire album. Specifically, he cited the tracks "Chartered Trips", "Something I Learned Today", and "First of the Last Calls" from the previous album as having informed this album's sound.

The band released the album Zen Arcade through SST Records in July 1984, and the label's co-owner Joe Carducci immediately requested another album. The band wanted to self-produce, but SST insisted on Spot, who produced many of the label's albums, including all of Hüsker Dü's. The recording atmosphere was thus tense. 

[Spotify] New Day Rising

“Tuned Out”, The Romans

This way: Tuned Out

The Romans formed as a trio in 1981 with Juan Gomez (Human Hands, L.A.Free Music Society), Keith Mitchell (later with Mazzy Star) & Michael Uhlenkott (Monitor), joined later by Pat Delaney (Deadbeats, Bpeople) & Mikey Borens (45 Grave, Consumers).

Later members were Robert Lloyd & Pierre Smith (New Marines, El Vez.) 

Discography: You Only Live Once (1983), Last Days at the Ranch (1986).

[Spotify] Tuned Out

“Sick Days”, The Holiday Crowd

This way: Sick Days

Indie pop from Toronto, ON, Canada.

Lineup: David George Barnes - Drums, Colin Bowers - Guitars  

[Spotify] Sick Days 

“Hypnic Jerks”, Spirit of the Beehive

This way: Hypnic Jerks

The Spirit of the Beehive is an American indie rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band name comes from the 1973 Spanish film of the same name. 

The band features Zack Schwartz, formerly of the band Glocca Morra. Their debut self-titled album was released in 2014. An EP entitled You Are Arrived (But You've Been Cheated) was released in 2015. In 2017, the band released their second album, Pleasure Suck, on Tiny Engines. Their third album, Hypnic Jerks, was released through Tiny Engines in 2018.[5][6] Their fourth album, Entertainment, Death, was released on April 9, 2021, on Saddle Creek Records. Their most recent EP, i'm so lucky, was released on September 1, 2023. Their fifth album, stylized in all caps, YOU'LL HAVE TO LOSE SOMETHING, was released on August 23, 2024, through Saddle Creek Records.

The band has toured with acts such as Japanese Breakfast, Pile, Ride, Dry Cleaning, Alex G and more.

[Spotify] Hypnic Jerks 

“American Squirm”, Nick Lowe

This way: American Squirm

Labour of Lust is an album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Lowe, it was released in 1979 by Radar Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the US. It was recorded and released at the same time as Dave Edmunds' Repeat When Necessary and features the same Rockpile personnel. It led off with "Cruel to Be Kind," Lowe's only major US hit.

 

The American version of this record had a slightly different track listing, with "Endless Grey Ribbon" being deleted and replaced with the UK single A-side, "American Squirm." The latter song includes members of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, namely Elvis Costello on backing vocals, Bruce Thomas on bass and Pete Thomas on drums. Credited to "Nick Lowe and His Sound," the B-side of this single was Elvis & The Attractions' version of the Lowe-penned "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding?" "Endless Grey Ribbon" was later issued in America as the B-side of the "Cruel to Be Kind" single.

This track is not included on the official LP. Elvis Costello – backing vocals on "American Squirm".

[Spotify] American Squirm 

“Love Will Tear Us Apart Again”, PJ Harvey, Tim Philips

This way: Love Will Tear Us Apart Again

This cover appears on the soundtrack for the TV series 'Bad Sisters' S2. Merry Christmas everyone . . . .

[Spotify] Love will 

“Shakin' all Over”, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates

This way: Shakin' all Over

Johnny Kidd & the Pirates (known simply as The Pirates after their reunion) were an English rock band led by singer/songwriter Johnny Kidd. Their musical journey spanned from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, during which they achieved considerable success with hit songs like "Shakin' All Over" and "Please Don't Touch".

Their stage act was theatrical, including wearing full pirate costumes, echoing their rock 'n' roll contemporaries such as Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages and Nero and the Gladiators. The group disbanded after Kidd's sudden death in an automobile accident, but former members of the band reunited as The Pirates and continued performing until the late 2000s. The original group came under the management of Guy Robinson and was signed to HMV in 1959 under the auspices of producer Walter J. Ridley. Their first single was the raw "Please Don't Touch", penned by Kidd. This became a minor hit reaching number 25 on the UK singles charts in 1959. 

When the group appeared on Saturday Club between 1959 and 1961, Mike West and Tom Brown shared the vocals with Kidd.

Kidd and the Pirates' most famous song was "Shakin' All Over", memorable for opening guitars and solo from Joe Moretti, it reached number one in the UK singles charts in 1960. The song and the group's proto-power trio line-up both made a strong impression on the Who, who would cover it in their 1970 album Live at Leeds, whose CD liner notes proclaim the original to be the UK's best pre-Beatles rock single. Canada's The Guess Who reached No. 1 in their home country and skirted the US Top 20 with a cover version in early 1965.

[Spotify] Shakin' all Over 

“Feel a Whole Lot Better”, Flamin' Groovies

This way: Feel a Whole Lot Better

Flamin' Groovies is an American rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1965, originally co-led by Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan. After the Groovies released three albums, on Epic (Supersnazz) and Kama Sutra (Flamingo and Teenage Head), Loney left the band in 1971. He was replaced as co-leader by Chris Wilson, and the band's emphasis shifted more toward British Invasion power pop.

The band signed to United Artists Records in 1972, releasing just three more singles until 1976. The Groovies then signed to Sire Records and released three albums between 1976 and 1979, Shake Some Action, Flamin' Groovies Now (both produced by Dave Edmunds at Rockfield Studios in Wales) and Jumpin' in the Night. The 1976 album's title track "Shake Some Action" (also released as a single) became a power pop anthem and is revered by many, including Greil Marcus in his book, The History of Rock and Roll in Ten Songs. Wilson left the band in 1981, and the band continued in various forms, including the release of three more albums, before breaking up in 1991. After a couple of limited reunions with different lineups, the 1970s nucleus of Jordan, Wilson, and Alexander reformed the group in 2013, and the band's first post-reunion album, Fantastic Plastic, was released in 2017. Alexander left the reformed band in 2017, and in 2019 Wilson went on hiatus.

[Spotify] Feel a Whole Lot Better 

Merry Christmas 2024

This way [Spotify]: Christmas songs 2024

Dead Gwynne Holiday songs: DG 2024

Need some good music for the holidays?

I have links to my Christmas holiday playlist on Spotify, 5 hours plus of great rock-n -roll Christmas tunes. And of course the Dead Gwynne trove of Holiday classics.

This years song is still baking in the oven, so stay tuned for this years addition. Soon to be 33 songs!

—BdeV

“F-oldin' Money”, The Fall

This way: F-oldin' Money

The Marshall Suite is a 1999 album by the Fall, their 20th. The album builds on the techno-influenced beats of its predecessor Levitate (1997), while also returning to a more rockabilly-influenced sound reminiscent of earlier Fall lineups with songs such as the catchy "Touch Sensitive" and the strange, complex, thumping jungle beats of "The Crying Marshal". The album was long out of print, but a new three-disc edition was released in the summer of 2011. 

The Marshall Suite was made immediately after an American tour during which Mark E. Smith had an onstage fight with members of the band and was arrested following ongoing altercations at the hotel at which the group were staying. While the remaining band members quit and returned to England, leaving Smith in a cell in Manhattan, Julia Nagle chose to stay in the band, helping to assemble the group's new lineup. During the recording of the album, this new lineup was still taking shape; the group shed a drummer before recording could even begin, and the album features two different bassists. For these reasons, it is something of a patchwork: of 13 tracks, "On My Own" is a reworking of the previous album's "Everybody But Myself", three tracks are covers, two are sound collages, and "The Crying Marshal" is a remix by producer Steven Hitchcock of a Smith collaboration with the Filthy Three ("Real Life of the Crying Marshal"). Two songs use some of the same lyrics (a 14th track, "Tom Raggazzi", a reggae-tinged reprise of "Anecdotes...", was included on the vinyl version). Nevertheless, the album was well-received.

Original is by Tommy Blake, 1950s rockabilly star.

[Spotify] F-oldin' Money 

“My Time Keeping Heart”, Convoj

This way: My Time Keeping Heart

Convoj is a Ukrainian indie music artist with songs including "My Timekeeping Heart", "Redemption Trip", and "Shovel". Their albums include Exceptionnel and Convoj EP, and their record labels are Wonderland Records and Chalksounds. Currently in Sweden. Members: Jonathan Winblad (guitar, vocals), Anders Teglund (guitar), Felix Collin (drums), Ted Bergcrona (bass), Daniel Öhman [aka Halo of Pendor] (bass)

[Spotify] My Time Keeping Heart 

“Dead and Gone”, Ghostwoman

This way: Dead and Gone

Ghost Woman, a garage psych outfit from Alberta, is the alias of multi-instrumentalist Evan Uschenko. Ghost Woman has been Canada's Evan Uschenko's outlet for his interest in songwriting and recording, which began after a number of years spent playing as a sideman in various Canadian indie ensembles, most notably in the Michael Rault band, a group that displays a similar affinity for perfectly dialed, partially yesteryear-looking guitar pop. Following 2022's self-titled debut, Ghost Woman, issued by the British Full Time Hobby label to great critical acclaim, Ghost Woman's sophomore album, Anne, If (January 2023) presents a slightly more expansive vision of what Ghost Woman can offer.

Please note that from November 2023's Hindsight is 50/50 onwards, Uschenko started using Ghostwoman as the preferred spelling for the project. The albums are now listed on streaming platforms under that slightly altered moniker, which means that most scrobbles will now go to Ghostwoman instead.

[Spotify] Dead and Gone 

“Instant Karma”, Les and Larry Elgart

This way: Instant Karma

In late 1952, Larry Elgart was working with fellow saxophonist Charles Albertine in the pit band for the Broadway play ‘’Top Banana’’. We wondered if this was it . . . if this was what we had to do to make a living in the music business. But we knew it wasn’t. And that’s why Les, I and Charlie started a new band with the determination that it had to happen. With $1,000, they gathered sidemen and recorded three demo tracks to shop the record labels. In April 1953, Columbia Records A&R executive George Avakian liked what he heard, and signed the band to the label. ‘’Sophisticated Swing,’’ the band’s first album, was released that year. It enjoyed immediate success. The Elgart ensemble was lauded as "a new band with a handsome sound and smart arrangements." The band came from nowhere to third place in the 1954 DownBeat Magazine popularity poll, behind the Les Brown Band and the Ray Anthony Orchestra. Elgart displaced Anthony for second place in 1955 and again in 1956.  

Among the band's popular tunes was "Bandstand Boogie", which was used by Dick Clark as the theme song for the ABC-TV dance show American Bandstand. 

The band's first stereo recording in 1957 reflected a name change to Les and Larry Elgart and Their Orchestra. After the 1958 release of “Sound Ideas,” however, the brothers parted ways, and Larry formed his own band.

[Spotify] Instant Karma 

“Red Ants IV”, No Man

This way: Red Ants IV

Roger Clark Miller (born February 24, 1952) is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known for co-founding Mission of Burma and performing in Alloy Orchestra/The Anvil Orchestra. 

His main instruments are guitar and piano. Guitar Player magazine describes Miller's guitar playing as balancing rock energy with cerebral experimentation. He also plays cornet, bass guitar and percussion.

Miller was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on February 24, 1952. His father was a professor of ichthyology, which prompted frequent travel to the Western United States during summers—in search of fish in isolated springs in the desert for comparison with the fossil record—in which he brought his son along. These expeditions informed his later artistic outlook, which incorporates themes of nature, harsh environments, the passage of time, and self-reliance.

Recorded January 11 through February 7, 1990, at Sound Harbor Studios in Portland, Maine.

[Spotify] Red Ants IV 

Birthday

They say it's your birthday.

Today I'm going to post a song I know I've posted before, but I think this might be my favorite song of all time. So much of Iggy Pops music strikes a chord with me. And I'm one of those people who makes lists of all time best this and all time best that. So far this one rides at the top . . . .

“The Passenger”, Iggy Pop

This way: The Passenger

"The Passenger" is a song written by Iggy Pop and Ricky Gardiner, recorded and released by Iggy Pop on the Lust for Life album in 1977. It was also released as the B-side of the album's first single, "Success". It was released as a single in its own right in March 1998, reaching number 22 in the UK charts.

[Spotify] The Passenger 

“Horrorshow”, Scars

This way: Horrorshow

Another great Fast Product release. Scars (originally known as The Scars) were a Scottish post-punk band from Edinburgh, Scotland, and were a part of that city's music scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Fronted by Robert King and featuring Paul Research on lead guitar, John Mackie on bass, and Calumn Mackay on drums, the band's first single was in 1979 on Fast Product; "Horrorshow"/"Adult/ery". The band's song "Your Attention Please" appeared as a free gold flexi-disc in the first issue of the London-based style magazine i-D. This song was later included in the band's 1981 (and sole) album Author! Author!. The Scotsman ranked the album number 75 in the list of the top 100 Scottish rock and pop albums of all time. John Peel invited the band to record two of his Sessions, once in February 1980 and another in May 1981. 

The group was part of a literary art-punk scene that centred on a pub called the "Tap o' Lauriston" at 80 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh (near Edinburgh College of Art), along with The Fire Engines and The Cubs.

[Spotify] Horrorshow 

“Candy Bar Killer”, Simone White

This way: Candy Bar Killer

Simone White appeared in the 1984 comedy-drama "The Wild Life" written by Cameron Crowe and directed by Art Linson. Eddie Van Halen and Donn Landee composed the film's score. 

White moved to NYC from London in 2000 where she began to play music onstage. She recorded her first album with producer David Domanich and musician and friend Frank Bango. White released the album, The Sincere Recording Company Presents, in 2003 on Bango's label The Sincere Recording Company. White's albums have included covers of songs originally recorded by Frank Bango, such as Roses Are Not Red, Wrong About You, Worm Was Wood and Bunny in a Bunnysuit.

I Am The Man, her second album, was recorded with producer Mark Nevers, (Lambchop/Calexico/Will Oldham/Silver Jews), in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2006 she was signed to the UK label Honest Jons. I Am The Man was released by Honest Jons/EMI in the UK, Japan, Italy and The Netherlands in 2007 and released in France, Germany and the United States in 2008 through distributors Indigo and Forced Exposure

[Spotify] Candy Bar Killer 

“Waisting my Time”, Mary Lou Lord

This way: Waisting my Time

Mary Lou Lord (born March 1, 1965) is an indie folk musician who started out performing as a busker in Boston. Mary Lou Lord first gained attention playing acoustic guitar and singing in and around Boston's subway stations, particularly on the Red Line, as noted by the name she chose for her music and lyric publishing company, On the Red Line Music, administered by BMI.

She met Elliott Smith through Slim Moon, the owner of Kill Rock Stars and her boyfriend at the time. Lord toured three times with Smith during the 1990s. Smith also wrote and helped Lord record a song called "I Figured You Out" in 1997.

Lord signed with the Sony subsidiary Work in 1997 and released the album Got No Shadow in 1998. On December 31, 1998, Lord and Kevin Patey, from the band Raging Teens, had a daughter, whom they named Annabelle Lord-Patey.

Her recording of Daniel Johnston's "Speeding Motorcycle" (which originally featured on her self-titled 8-song Kill Rock Stars release) was featured in commercials for Target stores, after which her label reissued the song as the lead track of a CD single which also included two demo recordings from the sessions for Got No Shadow. 

[Spotify] Waisting my Time 

“Jack's on Crack”, Brewer

This way: Jack's on Crack

Brewer is one of the only bands to receive the gold star review of "I'm not sure what they're doing" whilst performing a cover of "Walking in the sand" by the Shangri-las at the Islington Angel. Inspired by early garage rock bands such as The Monks and the late 80's explosion that was Pixies, Brewer writes what they want to hear manipulating three chord structures rooted in punk and singing about subjects ranging from epilepsy to food preferences. 

 

[Spotify] Jack's on Crack 

“Plastic Gift”, Fire Engines

This way: Plastic Gift

Lubricate Your Living Room (subtitled on some editions as Background Music for Now People) is the debut studio album by Scottish post-punk band The Fire Engines. It was released in 1981, through record label Pop Aural.

The album was conceived by Bob Last, with the Fire Enginers "playing the role of willing accomplice" in the words of Innes Reekie of Louder Than War, who describe the album's concept as "music to go out to, to put you in the mood for 'action and fun'." Indeed, the album's subtitle is Background Music for Action People.

Several members of the band, their manager Angus Whyte and several of their art school friends (including Paul Steen, who helped the band issue their first single), regularly visited Last's Edinburgh flat and became regulars at the nearby Tap o'Lauriston pub. It was in the pub and at Last's flat that the gathered people exchanged ideas which ultimately provided the impetus for a chain of Fire Engines releases which were released in sleeves featuring household objects and titled in parody to the langue of modern advertising, namely Lubricate Your Living Room and "Get Up and Use Me" and "New Things in Cartoons" singles.

The Fire Engines were an influence on many bands that followed, including Franz Ferdinand and The Rapture, with Meat Whiplash and The Candyskins both taking their names from Fire Engines songs. In August 2017 the band reformed to play a benefit for Leith Theatre along with Irvine Welsh and Ewen Bremner. The Fire Engines comprise David (Davy) Henderson (vocals/guitar), Murray Slade (guitar), Graham Main (bass), and Russell Burn (drums). The band name was inspired by a 13th Floor Elevators song. Henderson, Main, and Burn had previously been members of The Dirty Reds, along with Russell Burn's brother Tam Dean Burn, while Slade had played in Station Six. The Fire Engines' debut release was the "Get Up And Use Me"/"Everything's Roses" single, released on manager Angus Groovy's Codex Communications label in 1980; The band had recorded their entire set twice in a Fife bungalow with producer Wilf Smarties, at a cost of £46, with these two tracks selected for release. 

[Spotify] Plastic Gift 

“Caucsian Guilt”, Noh Mercy

This way: Caucsian Guilt

Formed in San Francisco in 1977, Noh Mercy was comprised of only two women: Esmerelda and Tony Hotel. The band's motto was "No Boys On Guitars" as a reaction against male-dominated rock 'n' roll. They didn't need boys or guitars. They harnessed the angularity of Devo, the punk/poet attitude of Patti Smith, and the art spectacle of Roxy Music, all ground down to a minimalist core of voice and drums. As prescient as bands come, Noh Mercy preceded the defiant queer rebellion of Riot Grrrl and the frenetic art minimalism of the early 21st century by decades. 

[Spotify] Noh!