“Discovering Japan”, Graham Parker

This way: Discovering Japan

Squeezing Out Sparks is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Graham Parker and his band the Rumour. The album was released in March 1979. Although the Rumour were not credited on the cover, their name was included on the album label. Critically acclaimed, Squeezing Out Sparks was voted album of the year in The Village Voice's year-end Pazz & Jop critics' poll and later ranked number 334 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Whereas Parker's previous albums were notable for their strong soul influences, with many prominent tracks and singles including a horn section, on Squeezing Out Sparks producer Jack Nitzsche favoured a rawer sound. Coincidentally, popular punk band the Clash were undergoing a reverse process, trying to expand their musical arrangements. Therefore, the Rumour's rhythm and blues session players went on to record all the horn parts in the Clash's third and praised record London Calling.

[Spotify] Discovering Japan

[acoustic version] Discovering Japan

“Piss Off”, FFS, Franz F, Sparks

This way: Piss Off

FFS (an abbreviation of Franz Ferdinand and Sparks) was a supergroup formed by Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand and American art rock band Sparks. Their formation was announced on 9 March 2015, but the two bands had been recording since at least the mid-2000s. The group's eponymous debut studio album was recorded in late 2014 and released through the Domino Recording Company in the UK on 8 June and in the US on 9 June 2015.  

[Spotify] Piss Off

“Father Mountain”, Calexico, Iron & Wine

This way: Father Mountain

Calexico and Iron & Wine first made an artistic connection with In the Reins, the 2005 EP that brought Sam Beam, Joey Burns and John Convertino together. Their paths diverged, but they kept in touch when they could. They often talked about rekindling their collaboration in the studio and on stage, but it wasn’t until last year that their schedules aligned, which allowed them to create a new album: Years to Burn.  

[Spotify] Father Mountain

“How was Your Day”, Stella Donnelly

This way: How was Your Day

Stella Donnelly (born 10 April 1992) is an Australian indie rock singer-songwriter. She signed to Secretly Canadian in 2018 where she released her debut album Beware of the Dogs (2019). Born in Western Australia to a Welsh mother, she spent some childhood years in Morriston before moving to Perth with her family.

Donnelly first started singing when she joined a rock band in high school (Irene McCormack Catholic College) that performed Green Day covers. After high school, Donnelly studied contemporary and jazz music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Donnelly was a part of the bands Boat Show and Bell Rapids before leaving them to pursue her solo career.

[Spotify] How was Your Day

“Sometimes”, Firehose

This way: Sometimes

Firehose (stylized as fIREHOSE) was an American alternative rock band consisting of Mike Watt (bass, vocals), Ed Crawford (guitar, vocals), and George Hurley (drums). They were initially active from 1986 to 1994, and briefly reunited in 2012. 

Firehose was formed in the spring of 1986 shortly after the accidental death of D. Boon brought an end to Watt and Hurley's previous band, Minutemen. Crawford, a then 21-year-old Ohio State student and Minutemen fan was invited up on the roof of Camper Van Beethoven's van in Columbus, Ohio. The members of Camper Van Beethoven told Crawford a false rumor that Watt and Hurley were auditioning guitarists for the band. Crawford, having found Watt's phone number in the phone book, called him up and expressed his desire to come out to California and play with them. Still mourning the loss of his best friend Boon, Watt initially was not interested and had lost much of his desire to play music, however, Crawford's persistence eventually paid off when he showed up unannounced in San Pedro and asked Watt for the chance to come over and play for him. Watt eventually agreed and the two met with Crawford "auditioning" for Watt by playing him The Who's "I'm One," as well as a few Minutemen songs. Impressed with Crawford's passion and enthusiasm, Watt and Hurley agreed to give the inexperienced "kid" from Ohio a shot and the band was formed. Crawford quickly relocated to San Pedro where he became known as ed fROMOHIO and spent nine months sleeping under a desk in Watt's one-bedroom apartment. The name of the band was taken from a short film of Bob Dylan doing "Subterranean Homesick Blues" as Watt thought it was funny when Dylan held up a cue card for the lyric that said "firehose". 

[Spotify] Sometimes

“All My Hollowness to You”, Tall Dwarfs

This way: All My Hollowness to You

Tall Dwarfs are a New Zealand rock band formed in 1981 by Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate, who helped pioneer the lo-fi style of rock music. The duo were former members of Toy Love.

The band lacked a drummer, but would use household objects and hand claps to act as percussion.[2] Both members can play guitar, with 12 strings and bass guitar often heard on their records. Both can play organ as well, which has been utilized on some of their songs. The Casiotone is frequently used also, especially on live concerts. 

Their debut was the EP Three Songs (1981), and for many years they released EPs only. The album Weeville (1990) was their first full-length album. They did, however, release a number of full-length compilations of their EPs, like Hello Cruel World and The Short and Sick of It. A new boxed set has emerged, Unravelled: 1981-2002.

[Spotify] All My Hollowness to You

Sotd playist number 8, don't wait

Pure pop drivel for those masses

Here is playlist number 8, satan rides up.

Sotd playlist #8

6 hours plus of . . . 

Please enjoy responsibly, 

Thanks a million,

—brENDan, screaming

also:

playlist 7: sotd playlist #7

playlist 6: sotd playlist #6

playlist 5: sotd playlist #5

playlist 4: sotd playlist #4

playlist 3: sotd playlist #3

playlist 2: sotd playlist #2

playlist 1: sotd playlist #1

1001, and forward

 

“Then You Might See”, Calexico

This way: Then You Might See

Recent cut that is just beyond stellar. Calexico is a Tucson, Arizona-based Americana, Tex-Mex, indie rock band. The band's two main members, Joey Burns and John Convertino, first played together in Los Angeles as part of the group Giant Sand. They have recorded a number of albums on Quarterstick Records, while their 2005 EP In the Reins, recorded with Iron & Wine, reached the Billboard 200 album charts. Their musical style is influenced by traditional Latin sounds of mariachi, conjunto, cumbia, and tejano mixed with country, jazz, and post-rock. 

The band is named for the border town of Calexico, California, and has been described by some as "desert noir".

[Spotify] Then You Might See

[live version] Then You Might See

“Get it On”, Demolition Doll Rods

This way: Get it On

The Demolition Doll Rods were an American three-piece glam / garage rock band from Detroit, Michigan, United States. The band, known for outré stage attire, released its first record in 1994. The original line up included Dan Kroha as Danny Doll Rod (formerly of The Gories) on guitar, vocals, and harmonies, Margaret Doll Rod on guitar and lead vocals, and songwriting, Christine Doll Rod, also known as 'The Thump'/Thumper/ Thumpurr on drums. In March 2006 Christine went on "maternity leave" and was replaced by Tia "Baby T" Dollrod. 

[Spotify] Get it On

“Memphis Egypt”, The Mekons

This way: Memphis Egypt

The Mekons are a British band formed in the late 1970s as an art collective. They are one of the longest-running and most prolific of the first-wave British punk rock bands. The band's style has evolved over time to incorporate aspects of country music, folk music, alternative rock and occasional experiments with dub. They are known for their raucous live shows. 

The band was formed in 1976 by a group of University of Leeds art students: Jon Langford, Kevin Lycett, Mark White, Andy Corrigan and Tom Greenhalgh—the Gang of Four and Delta 5 formed from the same group of students. They took the band's name from the Mekon, an evil, super-intelligent Venusian featured in the British 1950s–1960s comic Dan Dare (printed in the Eagle). The Mekons were described as more chaotic version of the Gang of Four; Lycett stated the band operated on the principle that "anybody could do it ... anybody could get up and join in and instruments could be swapped around; that there'd be no distance between the audience and the band."

By their second show, supporting the Rezillos at the F Club, they were approached with a record deal by Bob Last of Fast Product. The Mekons were first band signed to the label. The band's first single was "Never Been in a Riot", a satirical take on the Clash's White Riot. The release was made Single of the Week in NME. Their second single, "Where Were You?" was released by the end of 1978 and sold out of its 27,500 copies. At this time, Last convinced the band to sign to a larger label—Virgin. The Mekons popularity peaked as they played on the same bill as other "new music" groups like Gang of Four, the Fall, the Human League, and Stiff Little Fingers.

[Spotify] Memphis Egypt

“Rhododendron”, Hurray for the Riff Raff

This way: Rhododendron

Hurray for the Riff Raff is a band from New Orleans formed with changing members by Alynda Segarra, a singer-songwriter from the Bronx, New York, after they had moved to New Orleans in 2007. As Segarra's project, the group originally performed different styles of folk music while releasing several albums independently. 

[Spotify] Rhododendron

“El Calvo Y La Cruz”, Los Plugz

This way: El Calvo Y La Cruz

The Plugz (also known as "Los Plugz") were a Latino punk band from Los Angeles that formed in 1977 and disbanded in 1984. They and The Zeros were among the first Latino punk bands, although several garage rock bands, such as Thee Midniters and Question Mark & the Mysterians, predated them. The Plugz melded the spirit of punk and Latino music. The band was formed in 1977 and was a contemporary of the bands featured in the film The Decline of Western Civilization. Their songs reflected the anger and angst of growing up Chicano, and this was reflected in their sardonic hi-speed version of Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba". The Plugz are generally acknowledged as being the first D.I.Y. punk band in L.A., having started their own PLUGZ RECORDS and later Fatima records. 

The band was initially composed of: Tito Larriva (lead vocals/guitar), Charlie Quintana (drums) (d. 2018), Barry McBride (bass/backing vocals)

[Spotify, not likely]

“The Ruby Sea”, Thin White Rope

This way: The Ruby Sea

Thin White Rope was an American rock band fronted by Guy Kyser and related to the desert rock and Paisley Underground subgenres. The band released five albums.

The band was formed in Davis, California, during a period spanning 1981 and 1982. Founding members Guy Kyser and Jozef Becker were in a band called the Les Z Boys in 1981. Becker and Kyser split off during the 1981-1982 period, and posted an ad at Skip's Music seeking a bass player and another guitarist. Roger Kunkel answered the ad, bringing in bass player Kevin Staydohar. The newly formed band played some of the same covers as the Les Z Boys, and also began to introduce original songs by Kyser. 

The name "Thin White Rope" was derived from William S. Burroughs' description of human semen in Naked Lunch. It was suggested by a friend of Becker and agreed upon by the four original members during the 1981–1982 period.

[Spotify] The Ruby Sea

“Guitar Beat”, The Raybeats

This way: Guitar Beat

It's no wonder Guitar Player magazine called The Raybeats' GUITAR BEAT "one of the ten best instrumental albums of all time." A supercombo with members of the B-52's (Pat Irwin), the Golden Palominos (Jody Harris), and Los Straitjackets (Danny Amis), The Raybeats formed out of the ashes of legendary New York no-wavers the Contortions. During the early 80's they were one of the most popular touring bands on the underground rock scene. Their music blended the best of instrumental pop music: surf rock, lounge and Stax/Volt soul together with the experimental no-wave sound of downtown NYC.

[Spotify] Not likely

“Politics of Free”, Woods

This way: Politics of Free

Woods is an American folk rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2005. The band consists of Jeremy Earl (vocals, guitar), Jarvis Taveniere (various instruments, production), Aaron Neveu (drums), Chuck Van Dyck (bass), and Kyle Forester (keyboards, sax). The band's former bassist, Kevin Morby, left the band in 2013. 

Woods have released 11 albums, the latest being Strange to Explain. Pitchfork Media reviewed one of their previous albums, Songs of Shame, giving the band its "Best New Music" designation and describing the sound as "a distinctive blend of spooky campfire folk, lo-fi rock, homemade tape collages, and other noisy interludes, all anchored by deceptively sturdy melodies."

Singer-guitarist and founder Jeremy Earl also runs the Brooklyn label Woodsist, for whom the band releases their work. This from 2016.

[Spotify] Politics of Free

“Happy”, The Wrens

This way: Happy

This is a seriously New Jersey band. The Wrens were an American indie rock band from New Jersey. The group consisted of Charles Bissell (guitar/vocals), brothers Greg Whelan (guitar/vocals) and Kevin Whelan (bass/vocals), and Jerry MacDonald (drums). They released three albums; a fourth album was recorded and mastered for a planned 2013 release, but was subsequently retracted. After reworking his contributions, Bissell teased a 2021 release for the new album, but the band broke up shortly after following disagreements over business arrangements. The band had a reputation for their intense live shows – following a gig at the University of London Union in London in March 2006, The Guardian declared that "on this form the Wrens are surely one of the best live bands in the world". 

[Spotify] Happy

“Light Years Away”, Lick the Tins

This way: Light Years Away

Lick the Tins was an English mid to late 1980s Celtic/folk rock/indie band from London. The name was derived from a nickname given to an old tramp by the children from the hometown of one of the band members, Ronan Heenan. They are best known for their cover version of "Can't Help Falling in Love". 

[Spotify] Light Years Away

“Us”, Regina Spektor

This way: Us

Regina Spektor is a Russian-American singer, songwriter, and pianist. 

After self-releasing her first three records and gaining popularity in New York City's independent music scenes, particularly the anti-folk scene centered on New York City's East Village, Spektor signed with Sire Records in 2004 and began achieving greater mainstream recognition. After giving her third album a major label re-release, Sire released Spektor's fourth album, Begin to Hope, which achieved a Gold certification by the RIAA. Her following two albums, Far and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, each debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. 2016's Remember Us to Life peaked at 23 on the Billboard 200.

Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed June 11, 2019, Regina Spektor Day in New York City, Spektor was also inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame on May 18, 2019, by Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr.

[Spotify] Us

“Red”, Kristeen Young

This way: Red

Kristeen Young (born 1975) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Young began playing piano as a child. She has released seven studio albums. Young has also sung with several artists including David Bowie, Morrissey, Brian Molko of Placebo and The Damned. She also recorded with record producer Tony Visconti, drummer Dave Grohl, and guitarist Nick Zinner.

In May 2014, Young released her seventh album, The Knife Shift, which was recorded with Dave Grohl who played drums and guitar.

In 2019, Young released her tenth and latest studio album, The SubSet, which she wrote, arranged, produced, and mixed. The album was rated 8 out of 10 by Pop Matters.

[Spotify] Red

“Junkie Logic”, Spike Fuck

This way: Junkie Logic

Spike Fuck (sometimes stylised as SPIKE FCUK & SPIKE F*CK) is an artist and musician from Melbourne, Australia. 

Spike Fuck grew up in Melbourne, Australia. She used heroin and other drugs for several years and was subsequently dependent on methadone for more than three years. She began performing under the Spike Fuck moniker in 2015.

Her work draws primarily from her experience as a recovering heroin addict, her struggle with gender dysphoria, and her faith as a Catholic. She describes her music as "smackwave", drawing on the slang term for heroin and referring to a style influenced by new wave and post-punk, as well as country music. She has cited Roky Erickson and Scott Walker as influences. 

In 2019 she signed to Partisan Records. As of 2019, she was preparing to move to London and had begun work on her debut full-length album; tentatively titled BellaDonna DeathTrip.

[Spotify] Junkie Logic

“Tuesday Morning”, The Pogues

This way: Tuesday Morning

Waiting for Herb is the sixth studio album by the Pogues, released in 1993, and their first without lead singer Shane MacGowan.

The album saw the band continue to expand their musical reach past the traditional Irish roots it had been founded on, and was only their second full-length album without a single traditional song. The album featured the track "Tuesday Morning", which was the band's first Top Twenty hit since "Fairytale of New York."

With MacGowan departed, his singing and songwriting duties fell to the other members. While Spider Stacy took the role of lead vocalist, much of the songwriting fell to Jem Finer, who along with Terry Woods had previously been the most prolific songwriter apart from MacGowan. However, the album saw contributions by other members who had not written songs for the band previously, including James Fearnley, Andrew Ranken, and Darryl Hunt. Ranken also sang lead vocals on "My Baby's Gone". 

[Spotify] Tuesday Morning

“Something in the Air”, Thunderclap Newman

This way: Something in the Air

Thunderclap Newman were an English rock band that Pete Townshend of the Who and Kit Lambert formed in 1969 in a bid to showcase the talents of John "Speedy" Keen, Jimmy McCulloch, and Andy "Thunderclap" Newman.

Their single, "Something in the Air", a 1969 UK number one hit, remains in demand for television commercials, film soundtracks and compilations. The band released a critically acclaimed rock album, Hollywood Dream, and three other singles (which appeared on the album), "Accidents", "The Reason" and "Wild Country".

From 1969 until 1971, the nucleus of the band consisted of the songwriter John "Speedy" Keen (vocals, drums, guitar), Andy "Thunderclap" Newman (piano) and Jimmy McCulloch (guitar). Pete Townshend (using the alias "Bijou Drains") played bass guitar on their album and singles, all of which he had recorded and produced at the IBC Studio and his Twickenham home studio. The band augmented its personnel during its tours: in 1969 with James "Jim" Pitman-Avery (bass guitar) and Jack McCulloch (drums); and in 1971 with Ronnie Peel (bass guitar) and Roger Felice (drums). The band folded in April 1971 but was resurrected by Andy Newman with a new group in 2010.

[Spotify] Something in the Air

“Frying Pan”, Victoria Williams

This way: Frying Pan

Victoria Williams (born December 23, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter and musician, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, although she has resided in Southern California throughout her musical career. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early 1990s, Williams was the catalyst for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. Williams was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 1986, she worked with then-husband Peter Case on his debut album, following a year later with her own debut, Happy Come Home, produced by Anton Fier, with an accompanying 28 minute documentary by D. A. Pennebaker. In 1990, she released Swing the Statue. She also often appeared onstage and on record with the band Giant Sand. In 1993, she acted in Gus Van Sant's Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, who also made the video for "Tarbelly and Featherfoot". 

In early 1992, as Williams' career was beginning to take off, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Because she did not have health insurance, an array of artists, including Pearl Jam, Lou Reed, Maria McKee, Dave Pirner, and Lucinda Williams, recorded some of Williams' songs on CD for a benefit project called Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams. This led to the creation of the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, a charity that aids professional musicians in need of health care. That year, Williams also released a new album, titled Loose. A second album, covering the songs of Vic Chesnutt, was recorded for the Sweet Relief Fund in 1996 under the title Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, and Williams performed a duet with Chesnutt on the album.

[Spotify] Frying Pan

“Animal Wild”, Shutter to Think

This way: Animal Wild

Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams is a 1993 tribute album that features a variety of alternative rock bands covering songs written by Victoria Williams. Except for “Crazy Mary”, which she was to record on Loose and “This Moment”, all these songs had been recorded on either Happy Come Home or Swing the Statue!. The project was inspired by Williams being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and led to the creation of the Sweet Relief Fund, a charity that aids professional musicians (of any stature) in need of health care. 

A sequel album, Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, was released in 1996.

Shudder to Think was an American alternative rock band. Formed in 1986, they released three albums on the Washington, D.C.-based label Dischord Records, and two on Epic Records. Their early work was largely influenced by post-hardcore although they gradually drew upon a wide range of stylistic influences, including pop music and glam metal.

[Spotify] Animal Wild

[Original] Animal Wild

“Crystal Ball”, Jasmyn

This way: Crystal Ball

Jasmyn is the new solo project created by Jasmyn Burke, former singer-songwriter and frontwoman of the critically acclaimed band Weaves. Having received two Polaris Music Prize shortlists, two JUNO nominations for Alternative Album of the Year and two SOCAN Songwriting Prize nominations, Burke has established herself as one of Canada’s most exciting and fresh voices. 

[Spotify]  Crystal Ball

“Communist Eyes”, Germs

This way: Communist Eyes

One of the all-time greats. The Germs were an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1976 to 1980. The band's "classic" lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom and drummer Don Bolles. They released only one album, 1979's (GI), produced by Joan Jett, and were featured in Penelope Spheeris' seminal documentary film The Decline of Western Civilization, which chronicled the Los Angeles punk movement. The Germs disbanded following Crash's suicide in 1980. Their music was influential to many later rock acts, and Smear went on to achieve greater fame performing with Nirvana and Foo Fighters.

In 2005, actor Shane West was cast to play Crash in the biographical film What We Do Is Secret. He performed with Smear, Doom, and Bolles at the film's wrap party, and afterwards, the Germs reunited with West as their new frontman. This lineup of the band toured worldwide, which included performances at the 2006 and 2008 Warped Tours. 

[Spotify]

“In the Surface Noise”, Archers of Loaf

This way: In the Surface Noise

Here is a great new one from one of my all time fav bands.

Archers of Loaf is an American indie rock band originally formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1991. The group toured extensively and released four studio albums, one compilation, numerous singles and EPs, and a live album which was released after the band broke up in 1998. In 2011 the band began a reunion tour that coincided with the reissue of four of its albums by Merge Records.

[Spotify] In the Surface Noise