“Action”, Bat Fangs

 This way: Action

Check out this fantastic music from Bat Fang, And all-female duo with members of Ex-hex and Flesh Wounds. Great early 70s hard rock sounds. And killer riffs. Shout out to Glam Rock  and Thin Lizzy and Sweet.

[Spotify]  Action

“I'm Aware”, Dan Sartain

 This way: I'm Aware

Dan Sartain (August 13, 1981 – March 20, 2021) was an American musician. His music encompasses a variety of genres, including rockabilly, punk rock and the blues. After releasing two self-produced albums through independent record labels, in 2005 Sartain released Dan Sartain vs. the Serpientes, his first commercially-available studio album, through the San Diego, California-based Swami Records. This was followed by Join Dan Sartain in 2006. In 2007 he toured as an opening act for The White Stripes and The Hives, releasing a new single on Jack White's Third Man Records entitled "Bohemian Grove". In 2010 Sartain released his fifth album, Dan Sartain Lives. Sartain died on March 20, 2021, at the age of 39.  

[Spotify]  I'm Aware

“Do You Have Fun”, The Photos

This way: Do You Have Fun

Wholly new wave Batman. The Photos were an English new wave band fronted by Wendy Wu, who had a top 5 album in the UK Albums Chart in 1980. The Photos were originally a punk band named Satan's Rats that formed in Evesham, Worcestershire in 1977, with the first stable line-up of Paul Rencher (vocals), Steve Eagles (guitar/vocals), Roy Wilkes (bass guitar), and Olly Harrison (drums). They released three singles as Satans Rats before Wilkes left, to be replaced by Dave Sparrow; and then Rencher left, after which the others deciding to expand the group with the addition of a female singer. They unsuccessfully tried to get Big in Japan's Jayne Casey to join, but convinced Wendy Wu (born Wendy Cruise, 29 November 1959), the former manager of pub rock band City Youth to join in 1979.

[Spotify]  Do You Have Fun

“Nothin' in the World Can Stop Me From Worryin' 'Bout That Girl”, The Kinks

This way: Nothin' in the World Can Stop Me From Worryin' 'Bout That Girl

Kinda Kinks is the second album by English rock band the Kinks, released in 1965. Recorded and released within two weeks after returning from a tour in Asia, Ray Davies and the band were not satisfied with the production. The single "Tired of Waiting for You" was a #1 hit on the UK Singles Charts. And that's a really long song title.

[Spotify]  Nothin' in the World Can Stop Me From Worryin' 'Bout That Girl

“Heavenly Home”, The Deslondes

This way: Heavenly Home (live, KEXP)

The Deslondes are an Americana musical group from New Orleans, Louisiana. Their music blends together influences from folk, rock 'n' roll, bluegrass, R&B, American roots music, blues, gospel, country, and zydeco. The group's members are Dan Cutler (vocals/stand-up bass), Sam Doores (vocals/guitar), Riley Downing (vocals/guitar), Cameron Snyder (vocals/percussion), and John James Tourville (fiddle/pedal steel). All five members share in the songwriting process. 

[Spotify]  Heavenly Home

“Little Dog Mind”, Twain

This way: Little Dog Mind

Twain is the singer/songwriter project of multi-instrumentalist Mat Davidson, onetime member of the Low Anthem and Spirit Family Reunion. Consistently melodic and brittle, Twain's material has spanned experimental lo-fi and intimate indie folk. Hailing from Franklin County, Virginia, Davidson began recording as Twain in the mid-2000s. He self-released the albums Sleeping Tree and Almanack before joining indie folk group the Low Anthem in 2009 as bassist/multi-instrumentalist. Still making time for Twain, he put out Love Is All Around in July 2010, then appeared on the Low Anthem's 2011 LP, Smart Flesh, before leaving the group later that year. While with the Low Anthem, he also joined Americana outfit Spirit Family Reunion on fiddle, leaving that band in early 2014 to refocus on Twain. Recorded straight to tape and mastered in analog.

[Spotify]  Little Dog Mind

“Jailbreak”, Thin Lizzy

This way: Jailbreak

There are 6 or 8 great songs on this LP. Although typically outside what I post here. Fairly mainstream faire. When I was a young lad I used to hang out at the record store. There was one in-between where I lived and my girlfriends house. We would meet up there and I spent a lot of time reading the records in the stacks. At one point Mercury records was doing a promotion for several bands, Graham Parker, City Boy and Thin Lizzy. They had this giant rock with a British flag painted on it and you were supposed to guess the weight of it and win some records. As luck would have it we were there when they were doing the drawing. But then they were just handing out the records to people who were there. So I got a stack of free records. The whole catalog of Parker, City Boy and Thin Lizzy. I fell hard for Parker, but the Thin Lizzy started to sink in, this is probably 1976 or so. Word of Punk Rock hadn't really started to reach the smaller enclaves. Thin Lizzy is hard rock. They pioneered the 3 guitar punch to the head. Later that year they toured with Graham Parker opening and we saw the show at then Celebrity theater in Phoenix complete with spinning stage. This song is from the near perfect Jailbreak LP of 1976. 

[Spotify]  Jailbreak

“Flying Saucer Safari”, Suburban Lawns

This way: Flying Saucer Safari

These folks are solid gold. Suburban Lawns were an American post-punk band formed in Long Beach, California in 1978 by CalArts students William "Vex Billingsgate" Ranson and Sue "Su Tissue" McLane. They later recruited Richard "Frankie Ennui" Whitney, Charles "Chuck Roast" Rodriguez, and John "John Gleur" McBurney. Gleur departed during the recording of the Richard Mazda-produced five-song EP Baby, released in 1983, and the band folded shortly afterward.

[Spotify]  Flying Saucer Safari

“Bury the Hammer”, Beat Happening

This way: Bury the Hammer

This one of my favorite albums, near perfect. Beat Happening is an American indie pop band formed in Olympia, Washington in 1982. Calvin Johnson, Heather Lewis, and Bret Lunsford have been the band's continual members. Beat Happening were early leaders in the American indie pop and lo-fi movements, noted for their use of primitive recording techniques, disregard for the technical aspects of musicianship, and songs with subject matters of a childish or coy nature. Beat Happening met while attending The Evergreen State College and began recording in 1983. The band took its name from a student art film, Beatnik Happening, made by Bret's girlfriend. The band's basic line-up was drums, guitar and vocals, though when they formed their only instruments were a pair of maracas and a Sears Silvertone guitar purchased at a thrift shop. Heather once joked in an interview that the history of the band could be told through a list of the various people whose drums they'd borrowed. 

[Spotify]  Bury the Hammer

“Tub Erupt”, Vanishing Twin

This way: Tub Erupt

Vanishing Twin are a London-based psychedelic pop quintet, founded in 2015. The group is led by singer and guitarist Cathy Lucas, also a member of Fanfarlo, and have released three albums: Choose Your Own Adventure (2016), The Age of Immunology (2019), and Ookii Gekkou (2021). The band's name refers to the fetal absorption of Lucas's twin during pregnancy.

 

The band consists of Cathy Lucas on vocals, Valentina Magaletti on drums (whose credits include Bat for Lashes and Gruff Rhys’ Neon Neon project), bassist Susumu Mukai (aka Zongamin), with Phil M.F.U. (Man From Uranus) on "strange sounds" and filmmaker/visual artist Elliott Arndt on flute and percussion. Lucas was previously a member of Fanfarlo. "The group’s cosmopolitan membership initially reflected its mission to synthesize psychedelic traditions around the globe, from tropicalía to kosmische rock." Their sound has been compared to the band Stereolab and is described as Brazilian psych-jazz as well as a psychedelic, experimental pop ensemble.

[Spotify]  Tub Erupt

“I Almost Prayed”, The Weather Prophets

This way: I Almost Prayed

The Weather Prophets were a British indie band formed in London in 1986 after the break-up of The Loft. After two studio albums, the band split up, with singer Peter Astor going on to a solo career. Following the breakup of The Loft, Peter Astor (vocals, guitar) and Dave Morgan (drums) formed The Weather Prophets (named after a line in the opening paragraph of Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer) in 1986. An early incarnation saw Creation Records head-honcho Alan McGee playing bass, but he soon reverted to manager as new members David Greenwood Goulding (bass) and Oisin Little (guitar) were recruited to complete the line up.

The debut single, "Almost Prayed" (Creation, 1986), seemed to carry on where The Loft had left off; consequently both interest and critical approval were high for the record, and a second single was issued on Creation that same year.

[Spotify]  I Almost Prayed

“Plateau”, Meat Puppets

This way: Plateau

Great LP from my old pals the Meat Puppets. Meat Puppets II is the second album by the Phoenix, Arizona band the Meat Puppets, released in 1984. It is a departure from their self-titled debut album, which consisted largely of noisy hardcore with unintelligible vocals. It covers many genres from country-style rock ("Magic Toy Missing", "Climbing" and Lost") to slow acoustic songs ("Plateau" and "Oh, Me") to psychedelic guitar effects ("Aurora Borealis" and "Were Here"). 

The cover art is by Curt Kirkwood and Neal Holliday.

The Meat Puppets' SST labelmates Minutemen covered "Lost" on the live EP Tour-Spiel and their last studio album, 3-Way Tie (For Last). Three of the album's songs were covered by Nirvana (as the Kirkwood brothers joined them onstage) during their "Unplugged" show for MTV ("Plateau", "Oh, Me", and "Lake of Fire"). 

[Spotify]  Plateau

[Charming Live version]  Plateau (KEXP live)

“Candy Says”, Velvet Underground

This way: Candy Says

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964. The original line-up consisted of singer/guitarist Lou Reed, multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and drummer Angus MacLise. MacLise was replaced by Moe Tucker in 1965, who played on most of the band's recordings. Their integration of rock and the avant-garde achieved little commercial success during the group's existence, but they are now recognized as one of the most influential bands in rock, underground, experimental, and alternative music. The group's provocative subject matter, musical experiments, and often nihilistic attitudes also proved influential in the development of punk rock and new wave music.

[Spotify] Candy Says

[Great cover, Antony] Candy Says

“Make that Move”, The Rockats

This way: Make that Move

Great story in the news the other day about how Smutty Smiff lost his bass 40 years ago and how it turned up in a New Jersey Pawn Shop. Levi & the Rockats were founded in 1977 by Levi Dexter, a Teddy Boy from Southend on Sea. His main influences included Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran and Elvis Presley, musicians popular among the 1960s British rocker subculture. In December 1979 Levi & the Rockats disbanded and the Rockats continued under that name. Levi Dexter went solo and is still performing rockabilly music and was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.

In the 1980s, the Rockats opened for groups like Kiss, Iggy Pop, The Clash, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Thin Lizzy, and The Pretenders. After Levi Dexter left the band, it was re-formed with Dibbs Preston on vocals. This band is notable as one of the first rockabilly groups to incorporate punk rock and new wave influences to appeal to both punks and Teds, influencing later groups like Brian Setzer's Stray Cats and Dave Alvin's The Blasters, while retaining the raw authenticity of pre-British invasion Rock and roll. 

[Spotify] Make that Move

“Paddy's Gone”, Antony and the Johnsons

This way: Paddy's Gone

What a voice! Antony and the Johnsons is an American music group presenting the work of Anohni and her collaborators. British experimental musician David Tibet of Current 93 heard a demo and offered to release Anohni's music through his Durtro label. Anohni started the band, its name inspired by drag queen and activist Marsha P. Johnson. The debut album, Antony and the Johnsons, was released in 1998. In 2001, while still known as Antony Hegarty, Anohni/Hegarty released a short follow-up EP, I Fell in Love with a Dead Boy, which, in addition to the title track, included a cover of "Mysteries of Love", a David Lynch/Angelo Badalamenti song and "Soft Black Stars", a Current 93 cover.

Producer Hal Willner heard the EP and played it to Lou Reed, who immediately recruited Hegarty for his project The Raven. Now gaining more attention, Hegarty signed to U.S.-based record label Secretly Canadian, and released another EP, The Lake, with Lou Reed guest-performing on one of the tracks. Secretly Canadian also re-released Hegarty's debut album in the United States to wider distribution in 2004.

[Spotify] Paddy's Gone

“Too Much Money”, Automatic/Peanut Butter Wolf

This way: Too Much Money

This is a remix of a song by Automatic. Christopher George Manak (born October 8, 1969), better known by his stage name Peanut Butter Wolf, is an American disc jockey and record producer from San Jose, California.  He is based in Los Angeles, where he moved to in 2000. He is the founder of Stones Throw Records. In 1989, Peanut Butter Wolf met rapper Charizma. They became friends and started making music together.[8] They made a name for themselves in San Jose and the Bay Area through their live shows and demo tapes. Charizma was shot dead in 1993. In 1996, Peanut Butter Wolf founded Stones Throw Records, which would release the duo's Big Shots in 2003. 

[Spotify] Too Much Money

“Sell or be Sold”, Minutemen

This way: Sell or be Sold

Best band of all time?

Minutemen were an American punk rock band formed in San Pedro, California, in 1980. Composed of guitarist/vocalist D. Boon, bassist/vocalist Mike Watt, and drummer George Hurley, Minutemen recorded four albums and eight EPs before Boon's death in an automobile accident in 1985; after Boon's death, the band broke up. They were noted in the California punk community for a philosophy of "jamming econo"—a sense of thriftiness reflected in their touring and presentation—while their eclectic and experimental attitude was instrumental in pioneering alternative rock and post-hardcore. 

[Spotify] Sell or be Sold

“Long Haired Guys from England”, Too Much Joy

This way: Long Haired Guys from England

How is it possible that I haven't posted a song by Too Much Joy thus far? Well here is one, but they have a ton of great songs. From the 1991 album Cereal Killers. Too Much Joy is an American alternative rock music group, that formed in the early 1980s in Scarsdale, New York. 

[Spotify] Long Haired Guys from England

“You Say You”, Bob Mould

This way: You Say You (live)

Here is a great track from 2016. Bob Mould (born October 16, 1960) is an American musician, principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for alternative rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s.

[Spotify] You Say You

“Earth is Speeding”, The Vaselines

This way: Earth is Speeding

The Vaselines are a Scottish alternative rock band. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1986, the band was originally a duo between its songwriters Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee, but later added James Seenan and Eugene's brother Charlie Kelly on bass and drums respectively from the band Secession. McKee had formerly been a member of a band named The Pretty Flowers with Duglas T. Stewart, Norman Blake, Janice McBride and Sean Dickson. Eugene Kelly had formerly played in The Famous Monsters. 

The band formed in 1986, initially as a duo backed by a drum machine. Originally intending to create a fanzine, Kelly and McKee decided to form a band instead. Stephen Pastel of The Pastels is credited with coming up with their name. After playing their first gigs, they signed to Pastel's 53rd and 3rd label and recorded the Son of a Gun EP with him producing, released in summer 1987. The EP featured a cover of Divine's "You Think You're a Man" on its B-side. By late 1987, Eugene's brother Charlie Kelly had joined on drums with James Seenan on bass. With this line-up and with Stephen Pastel producing again, they recorded the Dying for It EP, released in early 1988. It featured the songs "Molly's Lips" and "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam," both of which Nirvana would later cover. 

[Spotify] Earth is Speeding

“I Don't Care About you”, Fear

This way: I Don't Care About you

Fear is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1977. The band is credited for helping to shape the sound and style of Californian hardcore punk. The group gained national prominence after an infamous 1981 performance on Saturday Night Live.  

Frontman Lee Ving has been the band's only constant member. Since its formation, the band has gone through various lineup changes, and at one point featured Flea, later a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, on bass. The classic FEAR lineup existed from 1978 to 1982, and was composed of Ving, guitarist Philo Cramer, bassist Derf Scratch and drummer Spit Stix.

[Spotify] I Don't Care About you

“There is a Hum”, Bush Tetras

This way: There is a Hum

Bush Tetras are a great NYC band from the 70/80's. Here they are on a reformed EP from 2019. 

Bush Tetras are an American post-punk band from New York City, formed in 1979. They are best known for the 1980 song "Too Many Creeps", which exemplified the band's sound of "jagged rhythms, slicing guitars, and sniping vocals". Although they did not achieve mainstream success, the Bush Tetras were influential and popular in the Manhattan club scene and college radio in the early 1980s. New York's post-punk revival of the 2000s was accompanied by a resurgence of interest in the genre, with the Tetras' influence heard in many of that scene's bands

[Spotify] There is a Hum

“Black is the Colour”, The Body Big|Brave

This way: Black is the Colour

Great collaboration between these two bands. Originally, BIG|BRAVE shared The Body’s desire to throttle amp cabinet cones to their absolute limits. But by their second album, 2015’s Au De La, the Montreal trio shifted gears, deciding to highlight the inherent melodic qualities in frontwoman Robin Wattie’s voice. Since then, Wattie and her bandmates have used their instrumentation to induce a sense of majesty not unlike the way cathedral builders used stone, space and light to inspire awe. Once Wattie started quote-unquote singing, she showed a distinct ability to convey majesty and mournfulness at the same time. And like The Body, BIG|BRAVE have long demonstrated an appreciation for dynamics and texture. In effect, you could say they’ve been making “hymns” out of heavy music all along. 

[Spotify] Black is the Color

“California Uber Alles”, Richard McGraw

This way: California Uber Alles

Great cover of the Dead Kennedys song. This artist created a series of songs in disparaging styles.

We have come for your uncool niece.

[Spotify] not likely

 

“Generation Rumble”, Dave Edmonds

This way: Generation Rumble

Dave Edmunds is a Welsh singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Although he is mainly associated with pub rock and new wave, having many hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has always been towards 1950s-style rock and roll and rockabilly. 

[Spotify] Generation Rumble

 

"Transendental Blues", Steve Earle

This way: Transendental Blues

Here is a great one from Steves near perfect LP. 

Steve Earle (born January 17, 1955) is an American rock, country and folk singer-songwriter, record producer, author and actor. Earle began his career as a songwriter in Nashville and released his first EP in 1982. 

His breakthrough album was the 1986 album Guitar Town, the eponymous lead single peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot Country chart. Since then Earle has released 20 more studio albums and received three Grammy awards, all for Best Contemporary Folk Album; he has four additional nominations in the same category. "Copperhead Road", released in 1988, is his best selling single, having peaked on its initial release at number 10 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and had a 21st century resurgence, having reached number 15 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, buoyed by vigorous online sales. His songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Levon Helm, The Highwaymen, Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Shawn Colvin, Bob Seger, Percy Sledge and Emmylou Harris. He has appeared in film and television, and has written a novel, a play, and a book of short stories. 

[Spotify] Transendental Blues