“Shamebirds”, life. Punk

This way: Shamebirds

Airtight power pop from Vancouver, Canada for life. Punk comes for you in the night. Great sound with this band.

 

[Spotify] Shamebirds 

“I Found that Essence Rare”, Gang of Four, RIP bassist Dave Allen

This way: I Found that Essence Rare

This could be the only perfect LP. No bad songs, and what a great sound. Allens work on the bass is a high mark for all bass playing. Gang of Four are an English post-punk band, formed in 1976 in Leeds. The original members were singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham. There have been many different line-ups including, among other notable musicians, Sara Lee, Gail Ann Dorsey, and David Pajo. After a brief lull in the 1980s, different constellations of the band recorded two studio albums in the 1990s. Between 2004 and 2006 the original line-up was reunited; Gill toured using the name between 2012 and his death in 2020. In 2021, the band announced that King, Burnham, and Lee would be reuniting for a US tour in 2022 with David Pajo on guitar and Sara Lee returning to the band. 

 

[Spotify] I Found that Essence Rare 

“Dreaming”, Blondie, RIP Clem Burke

This way: Dreaming

Sorry to hear of the passing of Clem Burke, drummer for Blondie. He was one of the best and this song proves it. He kept that beat and brought so much more to the song of that band. In recent years he kept busy playing with the likes of Glenn Matlock of Sex Pistols fame. Also a member of the Romantics from 1990 until 2004. I know I've probably posted this song before, but really, you can't beat it.

 

[Spotify] Dreaming 

“Du Sang du Singe”, La Jungle

This way: Du Sang du Singe

LA JUNGLE. Mons, Belgium. La Jungle is a techno/kraut/transe/noise duo from Mons, Belgium. The band performed more than 600 concerts since 2013. Members: Rémy Venant aka Roxie Rookie, Mathieu Flasse aka Jim Frisko Binwette

 

[Spotify] Du Sang du Singe 

“Artroom Wonder”, Peter Murphy

This way: Artroom Wonder

Peter Murphy (born 11 July 1957) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He is the vocalist for the post-punk band Bauhaus, which he co-founded with Daniel Ash in 1978. After Bauhaus disbanded, Murphy formed Dalis Car with Japan's bassist Mick Karn and released one album, The Waking Hour (1984). He went on to release a number of solo albums, including Should the World Fail to Fall Apart (1986) and Love Hysteria (1988).

In 1990, Murphy achieved commercial success with his single "Cuts You Up", which reached the top 60 of the US Billboard Hot 100 which is for singles sales. His album Deep also reached No. 44 on the Billboard 200. In 1992, Murphy released Holy Smoke, which reached No. 108 on the Billboard 200 chart, featuring lead single "The Sweetest Drop". After the release of Holy Smoke, Peter moved from London to Turkey with his family and from there he released Cascade in 1995. Bauhaus then reunited briefly for the well-received Gotham tour in 1998.

In 2002, Murphy released Dust with Turkish-Canadian composer and producer Mercan Dede, which utilizes traditional Turkish instrumentation and songwriting, abandoning Murphy's previous pop and rock incarnations, and juxtaposing elements from progressive rock, trance, classical music, and Middle Eastern music, coupled with Dede's trademark atmospheric electronics. He followed this up two years later with Unshattered (2004). The next several years would see a second reunion of Bauhaus from 2005-2007 during which they recorded their fifth and final album Go Away White, released in 2008 after they had broken up again. Peter then returned to his solo efforts, releasing Ninth in 2011. In 2014, he released Lion, produced by Killing Joke's Youth, which reached No. 173 on the Billboard 200.

 

[Spotify] Artroom Wonder 

“Myriad Harbour”, New Pornographers

This way: Myriad Harbour

The New Pornographers are a Canadian indie rock band, formed in 1997 in Vancouver. Presented as a musical collective and supergroup of singer-songwriters and musicians from multiple projects, the band has released nine studio albums to date. The band have received critical acclaim for their use of multiple vocalists and songwriters, as well as for the elements of power pop incorporated into their music.cPitchfork has described the band's sound as "peppy, gleeful, headstrong guitar pop", while Stereogum has retrospectively praised the band's debut album Mass Romantic as "one of the greatest and most immediate power pop albums ever rendered".

The New Pornographers' name was chosen by Carl Newman, who has said that he came up with it after watching a Japanese film called The Pornographers.[4] The band has released nine albums to date: Mass Romantic (2000), Electric Version (2003), Twin Cinema (2005), Challengers (2007), Together (2010), Brill Bruisers (2014), Whiteout Conditions (2017), In the Morse Code of Brake Lights (2019), and Continue as a Guest (2023). A live album recorded on their 2006 tour is available only at concerts and on the band's website. In 2005, the band was the subject of Reginald Harkema's documentary film Better Off in Bed.

 

[Spotify] Myriad Harbour 

“Spooky Cooties”, Jr. CHemists

This way: Spooky Cooties

Here is a band. My old band, an early high mark for me. Michael, Dawn and Brendan team up for childhood excellence. This Arizona Disease extended single split with the Les Seldoms of Tucson. The brainchild of this recording is Johnny Glenn who was in a band called Prefix.

We will be playing Spooky Cooties this weekend at our reunion show at Club Placebo, Phx.

[Spotify] No!

“Traveling Alone”, Kathleen Edwards

This way: Traveling Alone

Edwards has a new LP of covers out, here is one of Jason Isbells with hime backing her up. Kathleen Edwards is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. Her 2002 debut album, Failer, contained the singles "Six O'Clock News" and "Hockey Skates". Her next two albums – Back to Me and Asking for Flowers – both made the Billboard 200 list and reached the top 10 of Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. In 2012, Edwards' fourth studio album, Voyageur, became Edwards' first album to crack the top 100 and top 40 in the U.S., peaking at #39 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and #2 in Canada. In 2012, Edwards' song "A Soft Place To Land" won the SOCAN Songwriting Prize, an annual competition that honours the best song written and released by 'emerging' songwriters over the past year, as voted by the public. Her musical sound has been compared to Suzanne Vega meets Neil Young. 

[Spotify] Traveling Alone 

“The Model”, Kraftwerk

This way: The Model

"Das Model" ("The Model" in English) is a song recorded by the German group Kraftwerk in 1978, written by musicians Ralf Hütter and Karl Bartos, with artist Emil Schult collaborating on the lyrics. It is featured on the album, Die Mensch-Maschine (known in international versions as The Man-Machine). 

In 1981, the song was re-released to coincide with the release of the studio album Computerwelt (Computer World in English). It reached no. 1 in the UK singles chart. Both the German and English versions of the song have been covered by other artists, including Snakefinger, Hikashu, Big Black and Robert.

The lyrics were written by Emil Schult, who was in love with a model when he wrote the song. He also composed music for the song, though it was too guitar-heavy for the musical concept of Kraftwerk and it was rewritten by Bartos and Hütter to fit the sound of the band.

As with all of the songs on The Man-Machine, The Model was released in both German- and English-language versions. The lyrics are very close between two versions, with the exception of a guttural-sounding "Korrekt!" added after the line "Sie trinkt in Nachtclubs immer Sekt" in the German version. (The English lyric is "She's going out to nightclubs, drinking just champagne.") 

[Spotify] The Model 

[A good cover] The Model 

“Celebrated Summer”, Mark Kozelek

This way: Celebrated Summer

Here is a cover of one of my all time fav songs. Mark Edward Kozelek (born January 24, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer and occasional actor. He is the vocalist and primary recording artist of the indie folk act Sun Kil Moon and was a founding member of the indie rock band Red House Painters, with whom he recorded six studio albums from 1988 until 2001.

Upon meeting drummer Anthony Koutsos in Atlanta, Georgia, the pair moved to San Francisco, California and formed Red House Painters alongside guitarist Gorden Mack and bass guitarist Jerry Vessel. Signing with record label 4AD, the band released four studio albums. In 1996, Kozelek recorded the band's fifth studio album, Songs for a Blue Guitar, mostly alone. The release of the band's final studio album, Old Ramon (2001), was delayed for three years. In the interim, Kozelek recorded both an album and an EP of AC/DC cover songs.

Reconvening with Koutsos and Vessel, the trio continued performing under the new name of Sun Kil Moon, releasing their debut album, Ghosts of the Great Highway, in 2003. Inspired by classical guitar music, Kozelek recorded Sun Kil Moon's fourth studio album, Admiral Fell Promises (2010),[4] as a solo act and continued to record mostly alone on its follow-up, Among the Leaves (2012), and later Perils from the Sea and Mark Kozelek & Desertshore, both released in 2013. In 2014, Sun Kil Moon's sixth studio album, Benji, was released to widespread critical acclaim, and increased exposure with its follow-up, 2015's Universal Themes, featuring lengthy compositions and stream-of-consciousness lyrics. 

[Spotify] Celebrated Summer 

“Really Stupid”, The Primitives

This way: Really Stupid

The Primitives are an English indie pop band from Coventry, best known for their 1988 international hit single "Crash". Formed in 1984, disbanded in 1992 and reformed in 2009, the band's two constant members throughout their recording career have been vocalist Tracy Tracy and guitarist Paul "PJ" Court. Drummer Tig Williams has been a constant member since 1987.  

Early career and mainstream success (1986–1994)

The Primitives were formed in the summer of 1984 by PJ Court (born Paul Jonathan Court) (vocals, guitar), Steve Dullaghan (born Stephen Anthony Dullaghan, ex–Nocturnal Babies) (bass guitar), Peter Tweedie (drums) and Keiron McDermott, ex-Nocturnal Babies (vocals). Vocalist McDermott was later replaced by Tracy Tracy (born Tracy Louise Cattell). Tig Williams replaced Pete Tweedie on drums in October 1987.

McDermott left the band claiming that he could not work with new manager Wayne Morris, and so reformed the Nocturnal Babies. Needing a singer for an upcoming gig, Court wrote on a piece of scrap paper "male singer wanted" and posted it at the Coventry library. Tracy responded that afternoon.

The band were part of the indie music scene of the mid-1980s, alongside bands like the Soup Dragons and the Wedding Present. Their major rivals within the 'blonde pop' scene were Transvision Vamp and the Darling Buds. They received valuable publicity when the Smiths' lead vocalist Morrissey was photographed wearing a Primitives T-shirt.

[Spotify] Really Stupid  

“Can't keep Johnny Down”, They Might be Giants

This way: Can't keep Johny Down

They Might Be Giants, often abbreviated as TMBG, is an American alternative rock and children’s band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years, Flansburgh and Linnell frequently performed as a musical duo, often accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG expanded to include a backing band. The duo's current backing band consists of Marty Beller, Dan Miller and Danny Weinkauf. They have been credited as vital in the creation and growth of the prolific DIY music scene in Brooklyn in the mid-1980s.

The group has been noted for its unique style of alternative music, typically using surreal, humorous lyrics, experimental styles and unconventional instruments. Over their career, they have found success on the modern rock and college radio charts. They have also found success in children's music with several educational albums and in theme music for television programs and films.

TMBG have released 23 studio albums. Flood has been certified platinum, while their children's music albums Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the 123s, and Here Comes Science have all been certified gold. The duo has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning two. Flansburgh and Linnell won for writing "Boss of Me", the theme to Malcolm in the Middle (Best Film or Television Theme) and They Might Be Giants won for Here Come the 123s (Best Children's Album). Linnell and Flansburgh were also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre along with other composers of the show for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical. In total, the group has sold over 4 million records.

[Spotify] Can't keep Johnny Down 

“Worry with You”, Sleater Kinney

This way: Worry with You

Sleater-Kinney (/ˌsleɪtərˈkɪniː/ SLAY-tər-KIN-ee[1]) is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The band's lineup features Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar) and Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals), following the departure of longtime member Janet Weiss (drums, harmonica, and vocals) in 2019. Sleater-Kinney originated as part of the riot grrrl movement and has become a key part of the American indie rock scene. The band is also known for its feminist and progressive politics.

The band released seven studio albums between 1994 and 2005: Sleater-Kinney (1995), Call the Doctor (1996), Dig Me Out (1997), The Hot Rock (1999), All Hands on the Bad One (2000), One Beat (2002) and The Woods (2005). They disbanded in 2006 and devoted themselves to solo projects. They reunited in 2014 and have since released a further four albums: No Cities to Love (2015), The Center Won't Hold (2019), Path of Wellness (2021), and Little Rope (2024).

[Spotify] Worry with You 

“Rolling of the Eyes”, Buckner Langford

This way: Rolling of the Eyes

And as he’s not here, can you shed any light on what Jon’s been up to with Richard Buckner?

ST: “You don’t want to know. He and Richard came round to my house weirdly enough. They set up their home studio system in my back room and I left them to it. I came back and found two very drunken men, all red and sweaty, and I have no idea what they were doing. They said they were making a record. 

“They’ve made an EP, I think, for this bloke Howard who¹s going to put it out. He works with Bertina at Thrill Jockey. They instantly bonded when they met, and they’ve been off like a pair of chubby school kids doing things ever since. I think we’re going to go on tour together. God help everyone.

“I’d go round to Jon’s and Richard would be swanning around with a hangover at about two in the afternoon. It was like having Lord Byron living in your attic. Cos he’s very romantic. He just wanders from here to there, not really living anywhere, just making music and breaking girls’ hearts.” 

[Spotify] Rolling of the Eyes 

“Blue and Wonder”, Richard Buckner

This way: Blue and Wonder

Richard Buckner is an American singer-songwriter born in California, United States. After living in Edmonton, Alberta, for a number of years, he relocated to Brooklyn, New York.

Buckner's solo career began with Bloomed (1994), a lyrically dense suite of songs recorded in Lubbock, Texas, and produced by Lloyd Maines. It was released when Buckner was the frontman of the band The Doubters, which was not achieving very much success at the time. In January 1996, while living in San Francisco, he recorded an album's worth of acoustic songs, all of which reappeared in more fully realized forms on his second and third albums. The CD was self-produced and self-released, and was sold exclusively at his early shows. 

Later that year, he signed with MCA Records, for whom he recorded two albums, both produced by J.D. Foster. Devotion + Doubt was released in 1997, displaying a more adventurous, almost avant-garde approach to songwriting and arranging, and featuring backing from members of the band Giant Sand, as well as Maines and Marc Ribot, among others. Its follow-up, 1998's Since, continues in this style, with an even greater emphasis on detailed production, this time featuring contributions from John McEntire, Dave Schramm, David Grubbs, Syd Straw, and others. Although these albums garnered considerable critical approval for Buckner, they did not perform well enough for his label, and he was released from his contract with MCA Records (whom he then nicknamed "Musical Career Assassins") shortly thereafter. 

[Spotify] Blue and Wonder 

“Dark Streets of London”, The Pogues

This way: Dark Streets of London

The Pogues are an English or Anglo-Irish[a] Celtic punk band founded in King's Cross, London, in 1982, by Shane MacGowan, Spider Stacy and Jem Finer. Originally named Pogue Mahone—an anglicisation by James Joyce of the Irish phrase póg mo thóin, meaning "kiss my arse"—the band fused Irish traditional music with punk rock influences. Initially poorly received in traditional circles—folk musician Tommy Makem labelled the band "the greatest disaster ever to hit Irish music"—they were later credited with reinvigorating the genre. 

After their founding, the Pogues added more members, including James Fearnley and Cait O'Riordain, and built a reputation playing raucous live shows in London pubs and clubs. After opening for the Clash on their 1984 tour, they released their first studio album, Red Roses for Me, featuring a mix of traditional Irish songs and original compositions by MacGowan. Elvis Costello produced their second album, Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985), and the follow-up four-track EP Poguetry in Motion (1986). The Pogues collaborated with the Dubliners on a 1987 arrangement of the traditional folk song "The Irish Rover", which reached number one in Ireland and number eight in the UK. Later that year, they released the Christmas single "Fairytale of New York", which reached number one in Ireland and number two in the UK. Written by MacGowan and Finer and recorded as a duet with Kirsty MacColl, it features on their critically acclaimed and commercially successful third studio album, If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988). The Pogues recorded two more albums with MacGowan—Peace and Love (1989) and Hell's Ditch (1990)—before sacking him during a 1991 tour as his drug and alcohol dependency increasingly affected their live performances. 

[Spotify] Dark Streets of London 

“To the East”, Electrelane

This way: To the East

Electrelane is an English indie rock band, formed in Brighton in 1998 by Verity Susman and Emma Gaze. The band comprises of Susman, Gaze, Mia Clarke, and Ros Murray. Their music draws from a wide range of influences including Neu!, Stereolab, Sonic Youth, and the Velvet Underground. Although the band had strong feminist and political views in their personal lives, they generally preferred to not communicate that directly to their fans or through their music; one exception is their inclusion of the protest song "The Partisan," - a Leonard Cohen cover - which they began playing while on tour in the United States during the months preceding the 2004 Presidential election. The band, when playing live, had a reputation for a focused show that minimised audience interaction and rarely included more than one encore. 

The band recorded their first single, "Film Music," and released it in January 2000 on the Skint Records offshoot label Indenial. They released another single ("Le Song") with Fierce Panda before creating their own label, Let's Rock!, with distribution by 3MV. The first two singles they released were "Gabriel" and "Blue Straggler" and in fall of 2000 they began work on their debut album. During this period, they had a number of personnel changes. The original bassist was Tracy Houdek, who left the band due to a pregnancy. She was briefly replaced by Rupert Noble until Rachel Dalley signed on. Original guitarist Debbie Ball was replaced by Mia Clarke.

[Spotify] To the East 

“Untouchables”, Generation X

This way: Untouchables

Generation X were an English punk rock band, formed in London in 1976. They were the musical starting point of the career of their frontman Billy Idol, and issued six singles that made the UK singles chart and two albums that reached the UK Albums Chart.  

During the punk rock movement in London in late 1976, William Broad (aka Billy Idol), a 21-year-old guitar-playing university drop-out from Bromley and associate of the Bromley Contingent; the drummer John Towe, a West End music shop assistant; and – at Broad's suggestion, having already met via an advertisement previously placed in the Melody Maker by Broad seeking other musicians – Tony James, a 23-year-old university graduate bass player from Twickenham and former member of the London S.S. all replied to an advert placed in the Melody Maker by John Krivine, the owner of a fashion clothing shop called Acme Attractions on the King's Road in Chelsea, seeking musicians to form a new West London band around the vocalist/frontman John O'Hara aka Gene October. After a few weeks of rehearsals the band became known as Chelsea, and began by playing a few support gigs in West London and Manchester, primarily playing cover versions of rock and roll songs from the 1960s. However, by November, Gene October felt that Broad and James were becoming too dominant creatively and were beginning to make music that he considered too lightweight, and that his personal chemistry with them was not good – a feeling which they reciprocated. Consequently, Broad and James along with Towe abandoned Chelsea (jettisoning October on stage from the line-up in the midst of a gig), and formed a new band called Generation X, named after the title of a book belonging to Broad's mother, that James found when visiting his family home. The new band was initially managed by Andrew Czezowski, Acme Attractions' accountant.

[Spotify] Untouchables 

“Trampoline”, Joe Henry

This way: Trampoline

Joe Henry (born December 2, 1960) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He has released 15 studio albums and produced multiple recordings for other artists, including three Grammy Award-winning albums. Henry was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, the state where his parents, whom he described as devout Christians, were also from. He grew up in Oakland Township, Michigan, and attended Rochester Community Schools. He graduated from Rochester Adams High School, then graduated from the University of Michigan.

Henry moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1985 and began performing in local music venues. He released his first album Talk of Heaven in 1986. The album earned him a recording contract with A&M, which subsequently released the albums Murder of Crows in 1989 and Shuffletown in 1990. Shuffletown, produced by T Bone Burnett, represented a shift in musical direction towards the "alt country" genre.[citation needed] Henry's next two recordings, Short Man's Room (1992) and Kindness of the World (1993), featured members of the country-rock band the Jayhawks. The song "King's Highway" was recorded by Joan Baez in 2003 and Gov't Mule in 2005.[citation needed] For his 1996 album Trampoline, Henry incorporated guitarist Page Hamilton of Helmet and a reviewer at Trouserpress called the album "idiosyncratic broadmindedness."

Trampoline is the sixth studio album by Joe Henry, released in 1996. It featured a musical collaboration between Henry and guitarist Page Hamilton of alternative metal band Helmet and included a cover version of "Let Me Have It All" from Sly and the Family Stone's 1973 Fresh album. 

[Spotify] Trampoline 

“Animal Wild”, Victoria Williams

This way: Animal Wild

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, Van Sant also made the video for "Tarbelly and Featherfoot". 

[Spotify] Animal Wild 

[A Good Cover, Shudder to Think] Animal Wild 

“I Wanna Hold Your Electric Hand”, Oneida

This way: I Wanna Hold Your Electric Hand

Oneida is an American experimental rock band from Brooklyn, New York, United States. Their influences include psychedelic rock, krautrock, electronic, noise rock, and minimalism, but the overall structure and intent of their music is not taken directly from any of these styles. Common elements found in their music include improvisation, repetition, driving rhythms, antique and analog equipment, and an overall eclecticism.

In the late 1990s, Oneida pioneered a culture of performance in nontraditional spaces throughout Brooklyn, NY, including warehouses, vacant theaters and storefronts, parking lots and garages, boats, and industrial facilities. They are recognized as the progenitors of what would become a thriving and widely influential Brooklyn experimental rock scene. They have also been recognized in gallery and museum culture, performing at the Guggenheim Museum, MoMA PS1, MassMOCA, and the Knovxille Museum of Art, among other fulsomely-endowed institutions.  

[Spotify] I Wanna Hold Your Electric Hand 

“Come Around”, Sugar

This way: Come Around

Sugar was an American alternative rock band active in the early 1990s. Formed in 1992, they were led by the singer and guitarist Bob Mould (ex-Hüsker Dü), alongside bassist David Barbe (ex-Mercyland) and drummer Malcolm Travis (ex-Human Sexual Response). After frontman Bob Mould departed from Hüsker Dü, he released two solo ventures, Workbook and Black Sheets of Rain; neither album was well received and Mould was released from his contract with Virgin Records America in 1991 as a result. Shortly after, Mould recorded a demo tape of over thirty songs and formed Sugar with David Barbe and Malcolm Travis. The band was named in a Waffle House restaurant in Athens, Georgia, when Mould spotted a sugar packet on the table where he and the other two band members were sitting. 

Beaster is a 1993 mini-album by Sugar. Its songs were recorded at the same time as the band's acclaimed first album, Copper Blue. However, Beaster has a much denser, heavier sound, closer in spirit to frontman Bob Mould's earlier band Hüsker Dü than to Copper Blue. "Lyrically it's so unnerving for me to listen to it…" said Mould. "Musically it's harder, it's a little looser. Lyrically, it's a lot wilder than Copper Blue… Copper Blue was such a great pop record that I just saw this as like the evil twin."

The loosely conceptual work is built around religious imagery, and was even released during Holy Week before Easter in 1993. "I still don't know what it's all about," said Mould after its release. "The Jesus thing everybody picks up on – those are words that are not used lightly. Just the notion of somebody who can do no wrong who eventually gets hung [sic] for doing no wrong. I think that everyone feels like a martyr sometimes." 

[Spotify] Come Around 

“Love of Life”, Swans

This way: Love of Life

Swans are an American experimental rock band formed in 1981 by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. One of the few acts to emerge from the New York City-based no wave scene and stay intact into the next decade, Swans have become recognized for an ever-changing sound, exploring genres such as noise rock, post-punk, industrial and post-rock. Initially, their music was known for its sonic brutality and misanthropic lyrics. Following the addition of singer, songwriter and keyboardist Jarboe in 1986, Swans began to incorporate melody and intricacy into their music. Jarboe remained the band's only constant member except Gira and semi-constant guitarist Norman Westberg until their dissolution in 1997. 

In 2010, Gira re-formed the band without Jarboe, establishing a stable lineup of musicians which has toured worldwide and released four albums to critical acclaim. This iteration of the group performed its last shows in November 2017, ending the tour in support of its then most recent album The Glowing Man.[2] Since 2019, Gira has been touring and recording with Swans as "a revolving cast of contributors". The band's latest album, Birthing, is set to release on May 30, 2025. Since 1990, all Swans records have been released through Gira's own label, Young God Records. 

[Spotify] Love of Life 

“Tarbelly and Featherfoot”, Lou Reed

This way: Tarbelly and Featherfoot

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.  

[Spotify] Tarbelly and Featherfoot 

“Def Sup”, R. Ring

This way: Def Sup

R.Ring is Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery. It is voices, guitars and keys. It is sparse, chaotic, abrasive and lulling, often within the same song. It is a celebration of and departure from the music they make in their other bands; Kelley with the Breeders and Mike with Ampline. Kelley lives in Dayton, OH.  

[Spotify] Def Sup 

“Neat Neat Neat”, Damned

This way: Neat Neat Neat

Early purveyors of the gene to be sure. And always accomplished musically. But really I never liked the songs. The two best songs (Neat, Neat , Neat and New Rose) are basically the same song. They are able to write a riff centric rock song that has no riff (how is that possible?). Otherwise they leave me uninspired. Brian James, the guitar player just kick it recently. And he is getting a lot of love, cheers. Awards all around for raising their hands first in class. 

[Spotify] Neat Neat Neat 

“Clay”, Echo and the Bunnymen

This way: Clay

After a break the band played three UK dates in April 1982. In June, they achieved their first top 20 UK hit single with "The Back of Love" (No. 19). In July, they began a short round of festival appearances and headlining concerts in Britain and Europe, including an appearance at the first WOMAD festival, where they were joined onstage for the song "All My Colours (Zimbo)" by the Drummers of Burundi. Their only American date that year was a one-off show at New York's Peppermint Lounge on August 24, and their 1982 touring schedule concluded with four UK dates in December.

Much of 1982 was taken with the difficult and protracted process of recording of their highly anticipated third album Porcupine, which reunited them with Crocodiles producer Ian Broudie (who was also Sergeant's housemate at the time). Several members also undertook outside projects during the year. Pete de Freitas produced and played drums on Liverpool band the Wild Swans' debut single "Revolutionary Spirit", and lead guitarist Will Sergeant recorded a solo album of instrumental music titled Themes for 'Grind' (1982). 

The original version of Porcupine was rejected by Warner Bros as "too uncommercial", so (over Sergeant's objections) the band agreed to re-record the entire LP, and Drummond brought in noted Indian violinist and composer Shankar to add strings. During this period, tensions within the band had increased dramatically. Bassist Les Pattinson was openly expressing his weariness with the industry, and personal relations among the four deteriorated to the point that they either refused to speak to each other or argued when they did. McCulloch later described the band's mood at this time as "horrible", and de Freitas stated that, in stark contrast to the quick and confident making of Heaven Up Here, he felt that "we had to drag it out of ourselves" with Porcupine. Despite these impediments, the re-recording went relatively smoothly, and the sessions ultimately produced their UK chart breakthrough. 

[Spotify] Clay 

“Jet Boy”, New York Dolls, RIP, David Johansen

This way: Jet Boy

One of the all-time greats, this band really set the stage for what was yet to come. New York Dolls were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. Along with the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, they were one of the first bands of the early punk rock scenes. Although the band never achieved much commercial success and their original line-up fell apart quickly, the band's first two albums—New York Dolls (1973) and Too Much Too Soon (1974)—became among the most popular cult records in rock. The line-up at this time consisted of vocalist David Johansen, guitarist Johnny Thunders, bassist Arthur Kane, guitarist and pianist Sylvain Sylvain, and drummer Jerry Nolan; the latter two had replaced Rick Rivets and Billy Murcia, respectively, in 1972. On stage, they donned an androgynous wardrobe, wearing high heels, eccentric hats, satin, makeup, spandex, and dresses. Nolan described the group in 1974 as "the Dead End Kids of today".

After reuniting, they recruited new musicians to tour and record. They released three more albums—One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This (2006), Cause I Sez So (2009) and Dancing Backward in High Heels (2011). Following a 2011 British tour with Alice Cooper, the Dolls disbanded again. All of the founding members have died.

In 1971, vocalist David Johansen formed the New York Dolls with guitarists Johnny Thunders and Rick Rivets, bassist Arthur Kane, and drummer Billy Murcia; Rivets was replaced by Sylvain Sylvain in 1972. The band was meant to be a temporary project for the members, who were club-going youths that had gone to New York City with different career pursuits. As Sylvain recalled, "We just said 'Hey, maybe this will get us some chicks.' That seemed like a good enough reason." He and Murcia originally planned to work in the clothing business and opened a boutique on Lexington Avenue that was across the street from a toy repair shop called the New York Doll Hospital, which gave them the idea for their name. The group soon began playing regularly in lower Manhattan and earned a cult following within a few months with their reckless style of rock music. Nonetheless, record companies were hesitant to sign them because of their onstage cross-dressing and blatant vulgarity.

[Spotify] Jet Boy 

“Born Yesterday”, Gladie

This way: Born Yesterday

Don’t Know What You’re In Until You’re Out, the second full-length record from Philadelphia band Gladie, opens with a contemplative instrumental called “Purple Year.” Along with acoustic strumming and a late-night wall of cricket-chirps, cello and gentle horn runs set a dewy, moonlit stage before second track and single “Born Yesterday” bursts alive with drums, bass, and bright guitar chord crunch. It’s like a cold, heart-jolting morning plunge as Augusta Koch’s familiar Philly tenor starts in: “It takes me more time, I’m a little unsteady/I was born yesterday, I forgot I could be somebody.”Koch realized while writing these songs that she had become an entirely different person: a mental, spiritual, and physical renaissance had unfolded over several years that, together, constituted an entirely new reality. Everything had changed, from relationships with friends to relationships with alcohol. Being on the other side of these tectonic shifts offered the sort of clarity that you can only get by going through the darkness: You Don’t Know What You’re In Until You’re Out. It’s optimistic, but it’s scary, too—life changes always are. 

[Spotify] Born Yesterday 

“Hybred Moments”, Helvetia

This way: Hybred Moments

Helvetia was an indie rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2005. The name Helvetia is a personification of Switzerland, the childhood home of bandleader and primary songwriter Jason Albertini. Jason Albertini started Helvetia after the dissolution of the band Duster (in which he played drums). 

Helvetia's first record, The Clever North Wind, was released in 2006 on the Static Cult Label and distributed by Up Records. Their first national exposure was achieved by touring with Built to Spill. Helvetia is produced and performed by Jason Albertini and sustained by a rotating live line-up, which has included C. Dove Amber, Jim Roth, Scott Plouf, Zeke Howard, and Samantha Stidham. Their third release, Headless Machine of the Heart was released in 2008. The record was recorded entirely on a 4-track tape machine. In 2012, Helvetia released the album Nothing in Rambling on Joyful Noise Recordings. Helvetia released Dromomania on Joyful Noise on October 2, 2015.

In December 2022, Helvetia released Get Lost & Other Dimensions and announcing that Albertini, now the sole member of Helvetia, was "[ending] this phase of Helvetia. I'm dealing with a health issue that's going to put me on ice for a while." Later in March 2023, along with the release of Dream Faster, Albertini announced two other albums being released a week apart from each other, and also said, "If you are worried that I'm releasing too much music just remember that it will stop eventually", which concerned fans.[1][2][non-primary source needed]

On August 1, 2023, Helvetia released The Beach At The Edge Of The World, and noted that this was the last Helvetia album. On August 6, 2023, Jason confirmed in an Instagram post that the Helvetia project had finished, and no more records would be released.

[Spotify] Hybred Moments 

“Baby Blue Eyes”, Joan Amatrading

This way: Baby Blue Eyes

Joan Armatrading is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. Her first major commercial success came with her third and fourth albums, Joan Armatrading (1976) and Show Some Emotion (1977), and she continues to play live and record studio albums. A three-time Grammy Award nominee, Armatrading has also been nominated twice for BRIT Awards as Best Female Artist. She received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996. 

Armatrading, the third of six children, was born in 1950 in the town of Basseterre in what was then the British colony of Saint Christopher and Nevis. Her father was a carpenter and her mother a housewife. When she was three years old, her parents moved with their two eldest boys to Birmingham in England, sending Armatrading to live with her grandmother on the West Indian island of Antigua.

Armatrading left school at the age of 15 to help support her family. She lost her first job (as a typist and comptometer operator) after taking her guitar to work and playing it during tea-breaks. Armatrading's debut album Whatever's for Us, released by Cube Records in 1972. Nestor wrote the lyrics to eleven of the 14 songs on the album, while Armatrading wrote the lyrics to three of them, performed all the vocals, wrote all the music and played an array of instruments on the album. Although Nestor was credited as co-lyricist, Cube regarded Armatrading as the more likely star material. These events produced a tension that broke up the partnership.

[Spotify] Baby Blue Eyes 

“Lose”, Boeckner

This way: Lose

Dan Boeckner is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist and podcaster. He is best known as one of the frontmen of Wolf Parade, which he helped found in 2003. Since 2013, he has also been a member of the Montreal-based band Operators. Boeckner began his career in the Victoria, Canada music scene, playing in multiple bands including Atlas Strategic. Since that time, he has been part of projects including Handsome Furs and Divine Fits with Spoon frontman Britt Daniel.

In 2022, Boeckner joined Arcade Fire in a session capacity, touring and performing with the band in support of their sixth studio album, WE. Making his live debut at the Toulouse Theatre in New Orleans, Boeckner subsequently appeared in the video to the band's twenty-fourth single, "The Lightning I, II".

[Spotify] Lose 

“Eat lead”, Breaking Circus

This way: Eat lead

Breaking Circus was a punk band from the 1980s, based in Chicago and later Minneapolis, founded by guitarist and vocalist Steve Björklund.

 

Björklund had played guitar and sang for Chicago punk band Strike Under after a short stint in the group Terminal Beach, Breaking Circus was his next project, originally with bassist Bruce Lange and a Roland TR-606 drum machine. Breaking Circus signed to Homestead Records for their first release, The Very Long Fuse EP (1985), featuring the song "Marathon", which has been cited as "stuck in several thousand heads" and a "college-radio favorite".

In 1986, Björklund moved to Minneapolis and began working with Rifle Sport bassist Pete "Flour" Conway and drummer/guitarist Todd Trainer. In 1986 the band released a song, Driving the Dynamite Truck on the Twin/Tone compilation Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Four, with a slightly different lineup having Tony Pucci of Man Sized Action in the drummer's chair. Homestead Records released the band's The Ice Machine LP with the album's credits appearing as a Monopoly-style drinking game insert.

Guitarist Phil Harder filled out the band for a national tour before Breaking Circus returned home to record another LP that was to feature four songs by Björklund, four by Conway, and four by Trainer. When the band arrived in the studio, they received word from Homestead that the label would only pay for six of the twelve songs that they had originally planned to record. All four of Björklund's songs and one by each of the other members were recorded and released as the EP Smokers' Paradise in 1987. The band broke up in 1988.

[Spotify] NO!

“Pressure Relief”, Man Sized Action

This way: Pressure Relief

Man Sized Action was a punk group from Minneapolis. John Leland of Trouser Press described the band as an "unpretentious lot" in the vein of Hüsker Dü who "opened up punk structures with distorted, ringing guitar, some off-kilter rhythms and ... a neanderthal, propulsive attack to fundamentally poppy songs." Influential musician and producer Steve Albini of Big Black called them "one of the finest bands in Minneapolis or anywhere."

Man Sized Action was formed by vocalist Patrick Woods, guitarist Tom "Tippy" Roth, bassist Kelly Linehan, and drummer Tony Pucci, all part of the same punk-rock scene that spawned Hüsker Dü. Their sound was influenced by Wire and Mission of Burma, setting them apart from other Minnesota hardcore bands by adding stronger melody and pop structures.[4] The band's first gig was in 1981, a seven-song set put together only a few weeks after all four musicians had first learned to play their instruments. Nevertheless, they developed a following which included Albini, who praised their music as "the sort of sound that comes about spontaneously, devoid of mimicry."

The band released two records in 1983 and 1984. The band drew on its Hüsker Dü connections for debut record Claustrophobia, which was produced by Bob Mould and featured an album cover designed by Grant Hart.

[Spotify] NO!

“Angels Thing”, Lilly Hiatt

This way: Angels Thing

Lilly Hiatt is an American, Nashville, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of singer-songwriter John Hiatt.

Hiatt grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, on a farm with her father, his third wife Nancy Stanley Hiatt, older brother Rob, and younger sister Georgia Rae.

In 2012, Hiatt released her debut album, Let Down. The record was produced by Doug Lancio (Patty Griffin, Matthew Ryan, Todd Snider). 

In 2015, Hiatt released her second album, Royal Blue, on the Normaltown label, an imprint of New West. The record was produced by Nashville producer Adam Landry (Deer Tick, Rayland Baxter, Middle Brother), and was recorded using analog recording technology. Hiatt employed synthesizer as well as pedal steel, and broadened the scope of her style to reflect her musical influences.

Hiatt's band that she recorded her first two records with was called Lilly Hiatt and the Dropped Ponies, and included guitarist Beth Finney, drummer Jon Radford, bass player Jake Bradley, and Luke Schneider on pedal steel.

[Spotify] Angels Thing