Hunger Artist, Who Changed? (1988) and Samsara (Rabbit Rabbit Records 2023)

By SoDak

The best place to find good records in Rapid City, South Dakota, in the late 1980s was the Dissent house. Todd Smith, the drummer of Dissent, had boxes of seven-, ten-, and twelve-inch records, from the various bands he met while on tour, as well as from the network of punk rockers who started labels, published zines, and booked shows. It was a joy to flip through records at his house and to get his recommendations, as this provided a way to discover music by small bands from across the country. One of the countless gems that I picked up was Who Changed? (1988), a seven-inch record by Hunger Artist, from Rochester, New York, released by Hippycore Records.

Hunger Artist caught my attention, as they had a unique hardcore sound. The recording on Who Changed? is a little bright and raw, yet the mix is great, as all the instruments are clearly heard. On the song “3 to 4,” the bass jumps to the front, with notes that pop here and there, adding a nice texture to the song. Throughout the record, the two guitars have a slight buzz and brightness to them. On several songs, clean chords ring out, adding an emotional touch that grabs my attention. The drums propel the songs forward, generating excitement. The vocals are fascinating, as the singer’s voice is slightly strained, yet retains a melodic touch. The songs include interesting changes, rather than consisting of simply two parts. 

The lyrics on this seven-inch record, written by several band members, address isolation, frustration, personal struggles, doubts, and anger—all of which is captured well in the vocals and music. The chorus of each song always grabs me, as I like to sing along. On “Who Changed?,” there is a strong rhymical aspect: “I am/What I think/You think/That I am/I damn myself/To the/Hell I plan.” I picture a crowd filled with friends singing along right before the breakdown. On “Samsara,” the words and instruments create a swirling feeling: “The fight still continues/Without an end or a beginning/Everyone plays the soldier/But no one knows who’s winning.” My favorite song on this record is “Empty Feeling.” The drums are hypnotic, relentless driving the song with a wonderful beat. The guitars and bass kick into high gear, and the vocals add to the propulsion with the opening lines: “Why do we hurt the ones we truly love/Why an iron fist in a velvet glove/Why kick and whine for the things we don’t need/Why push and shove when we could gently lead.” The bridge and breakdown, which has a slight ska-element to it, allows me to catch my breath. I have danced around the room many times while listening to this song. 

In 1989, Hunger Artist recorded a full-length album that was never released—that is until now. These recordings were rescued from being lost forever and then buried in a closet for decades. Fortunately, the band ended up with the tapes, as it is a real treat to finally listen to their record Samsara (2023). The sound is rich and dynamic, adding a nice depth to each of the songs. The band’s growth is evident. They retain their unique sound, while the songs are more refined. There is a late 1980s D.C. influence, along the lines of Ignition, in the music. This is especially true in the opening track, “Inside Down,” which I think is especially captivating. Each of the eight songs has driving, catchy guitar lines, great punchy bass runs, and powerful drums. I love the melodic, emotional, strain in the vocals. The song “Samsara” is on both the seven-inch and the full-length. Both versions are great—the former is raw, whereas the latter is more controlled. I love having both versions in my life, as I do not prefer one over the other. I get chills each time I hear the guitar parts on “Just Listen” and “I’m Off.” They are magical in how they create a feeling of being propelled forward, similar to how Verbal Assault accomplished this feat. Samsara is a gem.

Thanks to Hunger Artist and Rabbit Rabbit Records for making this release materialize. 

Order the record at: https://rabbitrabbitrecordspress.bigcartel.com/.

Great Soundtracks/Compilations Vol. 2: Songs from Under the Floorboards, Vol. 1: A Compilation Benefitting Planned Parenthood (Accident Prone Records, 2018)

 

By Null 

Imagine it is 1990. You will be graduating from high school in a few days. It is late at night, and you find yourself at some party in a house in the woods. Some person hands you a mixed cassette tape. You head out to the car, light a cigarette, and slap the tape in your car’s cassette player. As you slowly roll down blackened country roads, the music begins to ooze from the speakers. You hear the influence of The Cure and Joy Division in great bass lines and some sprinklings of early Siouxsie and the Banshees minimalism. You smile. Some songs evoke motifs from 1980s goth bands, but it all sounds fresh. Nothing is overproduced. It all sounds very DIY, but all the tracks are recorded well. Occasionally, you hear male and female voices dueting on songs, which you’ve always had a soft spot for. Most of the lyrics seems solid. There is a continuity in the sound of the mixed tape, which is sort of shocking because the tape is full of 10 different bands you’ve never heard of. 

Above, I have described exactly what it felt like the first time I ever heard Songs from Under the Floorboards Vol. 1. The story above actually happened to me, except the cassette tape was a demo by the band Naming Mary, as opposed to a compilation by Accident Prone Records. Nevertheless, it felt the same.

All the bands on this record are contemporary, but I’ve never heard a compilation that sounded so late 1980s underground in my life. It is derivative, but it sounds authentic. How did Green Noise find so many good underground “goth” bands to fill this compilation? It’s fucking crazy. I loved this record instantly, and I am not a push-over for the myriad of “goth” bands that bore me to death. Did I mention that Mike Watt even shows up on this record? This compilation also feels a little punk rock. I love it.

Only 500 physical copies (vinyl) were made; however, it is also available as a digital download. Pick up a copy at the label’s bandcamp site: https://accidentpronerecords.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-under-the-floorboard-vol-1.

Also, the proceeds go to Planned Parenthood, which is reason enough to buy it in whatever form.

Give it as a gift. Whatever. This compilation is unusually great.

Nice job, Accident Prone Records. 

Nice job.

Track list:

Shadow Age, “Youth.”

Annex, “Modern Age.”

Perralobo, “Suelo de Cristal.”

Otzi, “Zebra Cruiser.”

Vice Device, “Litanies & Lies.”

Golden Apes, “Voykova (The Healing).”

Ghost Noise, “We Are Not Lovers.”

Sculpture Club, “Not Impressed.”

Bernays Propaganda (featuring Mike Watt), Nisto Nema de ne Razdeli.”

Forever Grey, “Trespasser.”

Maui Soundtrack

By Jack Stephen

We headed to Maui for a nice summer vacation break. What would we be listening to? Kani ka pila! (Hawaiian for play music).

Monday: The music of George Helm—Hawaiian music fueled by slack key guitar, ukulele, and mellow moods. Listening to his compilation on Spotify sounds almost religious in a sense. George Helm, who I didn’t know much about, had quite the scene working. He has one of the most unbelievable falsetto voices I have ever heard. Some cursory research revealed that he was an activist. In the 1970s, he and some buddies were incensed by the U.S military bombing practice on the smallest of the Hawaiian Islands, Kahoʻolawe. They protested the destruction of what was a beautiful island. At one point, he was concerned about a couple of his activist friends who were hiding from the U.S. military on the island for over 35 days. He set off from Maui on a surfboard to try and help find them. He was injured and disappeared into the ocean, never to be seen again. But this music lives on, slack key guitar supporting his amazing singing, recorded in some local bar. Pretty incredible and a great way to set up this vacation week. From the lanai of this condo, I can see the island of Kahoʻolawe, undeveloped and uninhabited today, ravaged by the U.S. military and littered with unexploded munitions everywhere. Mahalo George Helm, thanks for the efforts.

It’s Friday now, and I haven’t written anything about this trip all week. There’s something about this place called Maui, not sure what it is, but there’s a tendency to just sort of check out and not really want to do anything. Its freaking beautiful. Go to the beach, go to the pool, take a walk, sleep in, take a nap, or even just sit somewhere outside and stare at the greatness of the ocean. When I was here with my father right before he died, that’s what we often did. He was pretty sick with brain tumors. But, he was still happy, and why wouldn’t he be, here he was at the end of it all—he had arrived. We just sat and talked. I remember he remarked how Maui was “such a gentle place.” Yes indeed, you can feel it. You can hear it especially. Maybe this is the soundtrack of this trip after all, the crash of the waves, the birds chirping, the doves cooing, and the wind rustling the palms. Easy sounds—sounds of comfort and memories. Is that what music is about? I don’t know. But I do know this, this island “music” are the sounds that remind me of my dad and the time we had. I can see his smile. As I look over Napili Bay, a soft rain falls, bringing a new sound in the air. Mahalo. 

What would he be listening to? “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. My dad always liked Stevie Wonder, who was big when he was in college. Plus, my dad’s name was Stephen, so “Stevie” seem to be an appropriate nickname—at least as far as the Delta Tau Delta’s at Texas Tech were concerned. This song was a collaboration between Stevie and the great guitarist (albeit maligned) Jeff Beck. What a song it is. It reached number one on the Billboard 100 in 1973. It is goddamn funky, a quality Stevie was accused of for most of his career.  

What I would have played next? “Visions” by Stevie Wonder from the Innervisions album.  Lyrically, the irony of both these tracks is palpable. Think about it, he was freaking blind! His whole world might have seemed like a superstitious vision for god’s sake. But somehow in all his talent, he was able to cut through and communicate his experience in a great soulful way. This was a great album, he really started to hit his stride and experiment with what he could do as a musician.  

“…today’s not yesterday, and all things have an ending…”

It feels pretty eerie being this close to Lahaina (we were staying just north) as the community is still reeling from the fires that burned the town to the ground last August. You drive around and see memorials everywhere. You still cannot enter the town almost a year later, as military-style checkpoints line the entry points, pedestrians and cars are banned. What you can see is horrifying, foundations are the only thing standing in neighborhoods. There are random stoplights outside the city limits so truck after truck can continue to move out the debris. This was a horrible tragedy. We heard on the news they had just identified another body in the rubble. The total lives lost are over one hundred. You can feel the heartbreak in the air. This disaster will reverberate for years to come.  

Friday afternoon, grabbing a few groceries at the Napili Market for our final weekend here, what’s on the speaker?  

“Rocky Mountain Way” by Joe Walsh. (Speaking of 1973) I’d say this was a pretty good choice, especially seeing how I was visiting from Colorado. This is a pretty great “Colorado” song. Walsh is one of those super talented session guys whose successes in a few different band iterations were not surprising to anyone. Initially blowing up with the James Gang (check out tracks such as “Funk #49” and “Walk Away”), he was one of those guys who, once he got going, never really stopped. Well, at least until he finally dried out, probably saving his life. He sure had an epic career though. This is the guy who played the guitar solo on one of the most played rock songs ever, “Hotel California,” along with Don Felder. I did a bit of digging and discovered Walsh lived in Boulder for a little while. He was one of the first musicians to record at Caribou Studios up near Nederland. Caribou was a renowned studio where several artists went to the mountains to record albums, including the lesser-known Elton John album Caribou. Walsh had a young child who died in an accident, and I guess that was about it for his Boulder career stop. Caribou Studios later burned to the ground in 1985. I got to give it to Walsh though, enjoyable catalog and some great guitar licks.

“Working My Way Back to You” by the Spinners. This version was a cover of the original hit by the Four Seasons back in the 1960s. It was pretty popular and might have charted higher than the original. I can tell you one thing about this song: This guy has really fucked up this relationship. I mean, when you have to “work your way back,” you are deep in the shit for sure. I guess this song would be a fun way to get back in the mix with this lady, but the tone is just a little too jovial. Maybe it would help if he sounded a bit remorseful or sad? But he just seems like whatever he did is not really a big deal. It’s a strong choice to have that bass vocal line come in on the line “been paying everyday.” I’m still not giving this guy much of a chance. The Spinners are pretty cool, I guess. Check out the songs: “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” and “One of a Kind Time (Love Affair).” I’m glad they had this comeback hit. Not really my top in the R&B game however, as they are a bit too “poppy” and lacking in funk. The real question I have: Was Frankie Valli able to “work his way back?” This song makes me think he was probably a pretty good philanderer. His solo track “My Eyes Adore You” is pretty solid.

“Infatuation” by Rod Stewart. Here’s some classic 1980s Rod Stewart, tailor made for chart topping even though it seems such tracks of this era don’t have much of a heart. “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” would be another example. It just feels like he’s checking off the boxes as he’s writing these songs. I probably wouldn’t be so dour if I wasn’t such a fan of his earlier stuff.  Songs from his earlier albums (The Rod Stewart Album, Never a Dull Moment, and An Old Raincoat won’t ever let you down) are deep with the passion (listen to “Lost Paraguayos” and “Handbags and Gladrags”). On these albums, he sounds enmeshed in being authentic and really letting in all out in the studio. The mid-career albums are fun and probably made a pile of cash, but at what point of “just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it” thinking creep in. What I’m trying to say is, I’m glad he made that money and probably had a great time with the cocaine, but I wish he would have done an album with Joe Walsh instead.  

Back home in Colorado, on Wednesday, I sit and reflect on our trip. It’s pretty exhausting getting back but whatever. In my fatigue, I feel grateful for the chance to experience Hawaii once again. Don’t have much to say about this trip; Hawaii sort of consumes you. You just try to be present with the magic of this island paradise. Waking up in the morning, plunging in Napili Bay, floating as the sun rises—this is what it’s about. A chill rolls up my spine as I write this; everything seems alright in the world.  

What song is in my head?

“Cheap Silver” by Silverada. These guys used to be Mike and the Moonpies, but they recently changed their name. Bold move, let’s see how it plays out. I loved this song when it came out a couple of years ago on their album Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold. This is just a country song done right; everything is working for these guys on this one. The string section is a great production choice, as it makes everything smooth and nice. This is a song that really nails what it’s like getting old, for me anyway. 

I hear the lyrics. I feel the music. In the silence of this morning, I think of my dad, the spirit of Aloha in my heart. 

Great Soundtracks/Compilations Vol. 1: The Virgin Suicides, Various Artists (Emperor Norton, 2000)

 

By Null

Just to clear up some potential confusion, The Virgin Suicides has essentially two great albums related to the film. First, there is the brilliant score made by the French ambient band Air, officially known as The Virgin Suicides (Score). It is excellent. Second, there is The Virgin Suicides (Music from the Motion Picture), which is comprised of various artists. Though both are great in their own right, I will be referring to the second, Music from the Motion Picture.

A truly great soundtrack should be able to stand on its own, independent of any background knowledge of the film that birthed it. A truly great compilation, or soundtrack, should have some sense of continuity, or narrative, however vague it is bound to be. Like any great mixed tape, it should take one on a journey without necessarily announcing a departer or destination. Like any album I would label a masterpiece, it must evoke a bit of mystery and magic, as this is what drew me to become a person obsessed with the album as an art form. The Virgin Suicides (Music from the Motion Picture) is just such an album.

In 1993, Jeffrey Eugenides published his first novel, The Virgin Suicides. As a life-long fan of literature, I must admit that it is one of my favorite novels. It is haunting, and often other-worldly, yet it is also a brutal portrayal of adolescent longing, desire, and disappointment set in the 1970s in suburban Michigan. I found a great uneasiness in a text that examined sexism, economic class, voyeurism, and the seemingly endless cycle of empty consumerism in late-stage capitalism, American style. Like the absurdity inherent in such a system, there is a suffocating and subtle doom that pervades the text. The book is rife with subtext and begging for examination. There is a lot to un-pack in these 243 pages.

In 1999, Sofia Coppola made her directorial debut as she adapted the book to a film. Though, obviously not as detailed and dense as the novel, she made a masterpiece of a film. It is perfectly cast, and juggles the spring of puberty with the autumn of death.

Likewise, the soundtrack itself is a perfect combination of youthful lust and hopeless suffocation. It embodies the bipolar nature of teenage reality, half other-worldly daydreams, and fantasies curtailed by harsh realities.

Here’s the track list:

Heart, “Magic Man.” 

The soundtrack includes two big hits from Heart’s debut album. Being born in the 1970s, I should be rather board of these radio hits, but somehow in the context and sequence of songs on the album, these familiar songs sound surprisingly fresh and urgent. 

Todd Rundgren, “Hello It’s Me.”

Rundgren fell under my radar, but I do remember this song as a kid; however, I never realized how great it was—lazy summer loneliness. 

Sloan, “Everything You’ve Done Wrong.” 

These contemporary Canadian pop-rockers lighten the mood somewhat and keep the record flowing. Though it was a song recorded in 1996, it has the seventies all over it. It has horns bursting everywhere, which evokes a very strong Chicago vibe.

Air, “Ce Matin La.”

Air, who also provided the score of the film, deliver this instrumental dream-like song that sounds like it was born in the 1970s. Excellent horn work.

The Hollies, “The Air That I Breathe.”

This is a simply beautiful song that hits me ever since I first heard it as a child—dreamy.

Al Green, “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”

This is a classic that settles the emotional excitement for a moment and brings us back down to earth. It’s a slow burner.

Gilbert O’Sullivan, “Alone Again (Naturally).”

I vaguely remember this melody on the radio all those years ago, but I never really paid much attention to the lyrics. Now, listening to in more closely, I consider this a true masterpiece and one of the most beautifully depressing songs ever—remarkable and dark.

10CC, “I’m Not in Love.” 

Similar to the Heart songs, I have heard this track a million times, but sandwiched in this soundtrack’s sequence of perfection, it takes on new meaning, life, and depth. Again, we are gone and dreaming in melancholia.

Todd Rundgren, “A Dream Goes on Forever.”

This song might be the least memorable on the record, melody wise, but it is good to have a few Todd Rundgren songs on heavy rotation. I’ve never fallen in love with his albums, but I do have musical heroes who love him.

Heart, “Crazy on You.”

I always loved this song, but it sounds the best on this soundtrack. It feels desperate and hungry.

Air, “Playground Love (Vibraphone Version).”

This is a good example of the mood and tone of the original score of the film. It’s mostly instrumental, thoroughly haunting, and yes, beautiful. As the “theme” of the film. It evokes a potpourri of emotion.

Styx, “Come Sail Away.”

I’m gonna just say it. This is one of the greatest songs ever written. It originally appeared on Styx’s The Grand Illusion album released in 1977. That album is a masterpiece in itself, but that is another discussion. Placing this song at the end of the soundtrack provides a climax to the dreamy isolation of the album. It feels like an orgasm, an exorcism, freedom, or, in this case, suicide. It marries a great escape with a painful “goodbye.” It is the ultimate triumph of failure. This song encapsulates the whole album, and it is the point where confusion arrives like goosebumps and the line between love and hate, or pleasure and pain, become indistinguishable. It pierces the heart of the unknowable, but does not answer any questions. 

I lied. The fact that I love the book and the film do, in fact, influence my feelings about this collection of songs. For me, this soundtrack isn’t “standing on its own,” as I mentioned in the beginning of this review, as it is clearly wound up with my feeling of the novel and film. Even the album artwork gives me the feelies. However, I believe that it could stand on its own, as it is simply a great collection of songs that demand to be played over and over again. Then again, my normal disposition is melancholic.

I have listened to this album for days on end. I’ve put it away, rediscovered it, and listened to in once a day for weeks. It’s got a hold on me. It also allowed me to spend an extended period of time with songs I took for granted, or never really knew at all. This soundtrack can exist on its own like a found mix tape, but the movie helps.

Highly suggested listen.

Black Dots, EP2/EP3 LP (Rabbit Rabbit Records, 2023)

By Null

The Black Dots are a Denver-based punk rock band that has been playing shows since at least 2011. They consist of April on bass and vocals, John on guitar and vocals, and Mike on drums. They are a great live band and wonderful human beings.

Punk rock has always been a necessity in my life. In my teen years, a Dead Kennedys or Alice Donut record was the salve that allowed me to navigate a world gone mad. Punk rock was the confirmation that there were others like me who believed a better world was possible.

Though I listen to a plethora of music genres and styles, I still need punk rock as a vaccination against the cynicism and doubt that seems to soak deeper and deeper into the fiber of my being as I get older. Punk rock is where one can still find joy and connection in acknowledging the world as it is and the possibilities of what it could be. This ethos is explicitly found in the opening song, “I’ve Had It,” on Black Dots’ latest full-length album, EP2/EP3. The song is a real contender for my favorite song of the year.

I’m packing up and I’m moving it along.

Or maybe I’ll just yell about it in another song.

(Yeah, your actions speak louder than words.)

I’m going to miss each and every one of you. Won’t you come along?

I’ll bring you two by two.

(Fuck yeah, climb on board and let’s go.)

This song is what I need to hear first thing in the morning just to get my head right. It’s like a splash of water in the face. Be the change you want to see in the world. Everyone is included.

We’ve got night callers and fair weather galore.  

Past lovers, family members, and some more.

Ride or die, although I’m not sure what that really even means.

Not only do we trudge forward with punk rock ethos, but we must always keep humor in tow. As Emma Goldman famously said, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be a part of your revolution.”

Get your climbing gear, we’re ascending to the top. 

We can look down on everyone from our up high spot.

(Yeah, revel in the feeling of knowing you’re awesome!)

Got a cool breeze blowing and some quiet in the trees.

Campfire cookouts and our hearts are worn on our sleeves.

Those inside jokes that never need to be said.

We can stay here ‘til the work is old and dead.

Then head back down and rebuild it again.

Somehow, this song feels like the punk rock equivalent of Rush’s “Spirit of Radio” in its uplifting message. Retreat to the woods, build communities and relationships, heal, and return to the battle.

“I’ve Had It” and the second track, “Jumping Jesus on a Pogo Stick” actually appeared on a Flexidisc in 2022. However, on this full length, we get all of EP 2 on side one. “Jumping Jesus on a Pogo Stick” is another rockin’ track where we get the joy of hearing April’s powerful vocals combined with John’s. I love bands with two great singers. When John and April sing together, the magic is akin to John Doe and Exene of X.

All of side one of this album is an absolute barn burner. I highlighted “I’ve Had It,” because the songs that follow continue with the same melodic intensity and heartfelt lyrics. At one point during “Are We There Yet?,” John pleads, “How fucking hard is it? To find compassion past your own shit. Feigning ignorance will not cover it no more. Hoping for a return, to where we were before.” I can’t help but think of George Floyd and our continued struggle for racial justice while listening to this powerful song.

“Redeem” is another example of Black Dots dealing directly with the realities of self-doubt while addressing such harsh realities through the medium of uplifting melodies. The last track on side one, “Song That Shall Not be Named” is the bow that ties up the thematic continuity of side one.

Side one is cathartic and therapeutic, to say the least. It doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the world, but it also helps guide one through it with resilience and a shared human experience. If you tend to be an over-thinker and an empath, EP2 is your medicine.

Side two, or EP 3, has a slightly different tone than side one. All the great songwriting, melodies, and energy are present. However, the guitars are a bit more rounded and warmer. After the awakening of side one, this side allows the listener to sit back a bit for some toe tapping self-reflection. “Clean Your Room” asks questions of self-sabotage that make the heart swell. You don’t have to be perfect as long as you try. It’s a reminder we all need. As “Suck It Up Buttercup” reminds us, “My ego was the cause and it has derailed. Never succeeding where the hippies failed. Same traps, same speed, never filling the need.” The next song, “Tired of Dreaming” is full of rhythmic nuances while it complicates the question if we will ever feel like we are “enough.” Depending on the day you’ve had, this song can hit pretty hard.

The album ends with two songs reflecting on the fractal nature of a social structure and consensus built on social media algorithms. Here “information is questionable” and irrational conspiracy theories dominate the lexicon; yet the world’s real problems lay bare in the burning sun for all to see.

I could go deeper into the album, but I don’t want to steal the process of discovery from virgin ears. Go pick up the record and listen to it for a few days. You’ll find yourself in there.

With each new listen, the meaning of the lyrics hit on a deeper level; in addition, the nuances and interaction of the band members is revealed. The guitar leads come to light, the bass runs rise to the top, and the propulsion and placement of Mike’s drums are perfectly placed. These guys are masters of their craft and the EP2/EP3 LP is pure punk rock nutrition. Wake up, drink water, go for a walk, and listen to The Black Dots.

Discography:

EP1 “Songs” (2011)

Again & Again (full length, 2012)

Split 7” with Gentlemen Prefer Blood (2017)

Everything Has Gotta Change EP (2019)

EP2 Flexi-disc version (only 2 songs) (2022)

EP2/EP3 (full length, 2023)

Buy the record from Rabbit Rabbit Records at:

https://rabbitrabbitrecordspress.bigcartel.com/product/black-dots-ep2-ep3

Check out the Razorcake article on the Black Dots:

https://razorcake.org/razorcake-125-featuring-black-dots-sweeping-promises-lou-barlow-and-one-punks-guide-to-digital-sex-work/?fbclid=IwAR1BJq5mYd3JrbNqBGpJMwrItjDHTKKYCOX3KrLj81FAgJgAShP_3QaEKVs

Texas Road Trip

By Jack Stephen

We head to Dallas for a summer break and to see some friends. What will we be listening to?

Pulling out of Loveland, Colorado, we turn on the radio to 103.5 FM, “The Fox.” I used to really like this station. Growing up in Colorado, it was the mainstay for the classic rock genre. Now, after moving back to Colorado, this station has become awful. There was a great show “Lewis and Floorwax,” which was funny and would play some Def Leppard or ZZ Top. Now, they still the same old playlist, but there is no more Floorwax. Instead, the world renown tool, Rick Lewis, is on the air with some hack cohost. They don’t even seem to have a producer. I’ve heard segments where they just take calls to answer the question: “Why are we a great show?” Pretty pitiful. Oh well, I guess it’s still pretty popular, so what do I know.  

What are they playing? “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen. The boss sucks—there I said it. It feels good to get that off my chest. Maybe, I’m missing something, but I just don’t get it—obvious songs and lyrics that pander to some sort of bygone American Dream; mediocre singing and musicianship. Why do people love this guy so much? He’s like the Rick Lewis of rock music. I guess Bruce found a sort of niche and slid in perfectly. Some people cannot get enough of this guy? Myself, I’ve had more than enough.  

“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers. Another stupid song. What in the world are these twins up to anyway? I guess this song is lyrically romantic, but who cares. What the fuck kind of singing is that?  “DEE DEET DEE DEET DEE DEET!” Would you morons shut up already. I guess it is a good they had this hit, because I think this was about it for these Scottish idiots, which was probably a good thing. Their Wikipedia page says they were influenced by Bruce Springsteen; now there’s a shocker.  

As we head down I-25, the new Buc-ee’s looms to our west. This Texas icon is setting the stage for this road trip. I hadn’t been to this new store yet, but the folks in this area are pumped. I remember hitting the original Buc-ee’s in Temple, Texas, back when they were going to just have the one flagship store. It was pretty ridiculous back then, the super-sized gas station; there’s an idea! It seemed pretty ostentatious and over-priced, but I usually just stopped for the clean restrooms. I guess they were pretty clean in comparison to other facilities that line the freeways, but, at the end of the day, how clean is a freeway restroom ever really going to be. 

We stop at the Cheba Hut in Colorado Springs for lunch. This is the sandwich chain that took the legal weed situation and made it into something special. Sandwiches are named after weed strains and corresponding sizes as well (see pinner and blunt). Novel! You are given a band marked table stand, so they can find you to drop off your sandwich. They give us “Slightly Stoopid”—I know nothing about this band. A quick internet scan reveals that they are a SoCal funk-type, ska-sorta band. I guess they are like a lower-level Sublime or something. I really like Sublime—what a great band. 40 oz. to Freedom is a really fantastic record—fast songs with deep, funky ska beats. I have no interest in “Slightly Stoopid,” maybe it’s that name. Tasty sandwich at the Cheba Hut nonetheless. 

What we’re listening too as we wheel through Colorado Springs, 103.9 Alternative Rock. What’s on the radio:

“Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” by Cage the Elephant. I don’t know what this song is about, and I don’t really care. This song and band are what I would call “Slightly Stoopid” (sic.).

As We pull down through southern Colorado, we give the radio a break. My wife starts DJing, picking some random tracks she has que-ed up:

“Waiting Room” by Fugazi. Now, here’s a great fucking song. Ian Mackaye, formally of the great punk band Minor Threat, really started something special with Fugazi. Tight riffs, crisp percussion, guitar-like bass, and those fucking awesome lyrics. “I’m gonna fight for what I’m going to be!” and why not with this jam playing in the background.

“Traffic in the Sky” by Jack Johnson. This guy has got a pretty good sound and vibe working, I must admit. There seems to be a bit of a tendency to rate his music as a bit too “bubble gum” like. I’d say that’s a fair assessment, and though he’s pretty mellow, what’s not to like. He always has smart lyrics and a mellow rhythm that makes you just ease into a special feeling—sitting around a campfire on some beach in Hawai’i, with the waves crashing in as the tide rolls out, your skin feels the heat of a sunburn, and Jack Johnson’s tunes reverberating in the salty air. There’s a vibe I could get used to.

We snake south on I-25 and head through southern Colorado. This sure is a beautiful state. Just thinking what the ancient people thought of this country, they were probably blown away, not sure if they used that expression back then though.

We head east at Raton and my wife takes over driving. I plug in and do a little DJing. A couple of the tracks:

“Shoplifters of the World” by the Smiths. We have always loved the Smiths. They are just awesome. Brooding Morrissey and Johnny Marr put together great track after great track. Not sure how they did it, but it is sure something special. I have always really liked this song for a number of reasons. Number one, this track was on the first CD I ever owned—Louder than Bombs, the Smiths compilation album. I thought it was incredible. This album spoke to me and my angst. Thanks to the Smiths for your great message. This track seems about right for these times we are living in right now. The shoplifters probably should take over, could it be any worse?

“Shadowboxer” by Fiona Apple. I would say I am not really a fan of her music. She seems droney and exhausting for some reason. Anyways, this is a really great track. It builds and weaves in a really cool way. The tempo and emotion really strike in the climax. Working in the vibraphone was also a great choice. I can almost see the direction for this song on the sheet music towards the end; “fortissimo.” This song seems to come from an authentic place for her, somewhere she’s been to and she takes the listener there too.

Driving east through northeast New Mexico.

A vignette: The Edwards Plateau rises to our left. We drive past at 77 miles per hour. On our right, a small heard of pronghorn wander and graze. Small groups of clouds litter the horizon, providing a bit of a border to this beautiful sky. I see a massive dark storm up ahead, just over Texas. We wonder if it will slow us down, as we try to time our arrival into Amarillo. I say “next time we drive through here, we should go over the Edwards Plateau, I hear you can touch the sky.” I grab a handful of Chex Mix.  

Heading south on US 287, I turn on 100.9 the Eagle, Amarillo’s classic rock. What was the DJ spinning?

“We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” by Queen. Here’s a couple of iconic arena jams. These songs now seem almost out of place, because we are used to hearing them at sporting events. My wife told me Queen thought about adding audience interaction in their songs and writing. They were pioneers. They sure do add to the sporting event experience. Listening to “We Will Rock You,” I can almost feel the stomping in the seats. We haven’t watched a pro basketball game in years, maybe this is a good time to start, as the Dallas Mavericks got into the NBA finals this year. Let’s fire up these sports arena jams! (Note: The Alan Parsons Project hit big in this sports game genre with their song “Sirius” being used as the typical entrance music for most sports teams—how about those royalties!)

“Keep on Loving You” by REO Speedwagon. Yes, this group did miss the crystal meth generation (just barely), or they might have had some branding issues. I guess this group is okay. They have a couple of hits and receive a lot of classic rock radio airplay, but musically they are probably middling at best. This song is a great example of the classic rock ballad that walks the line between kind of being romantic and necessitating a restraining order (see .38 Special and Atlanta Rhythm Section). I guess the sentiment is sweet, but how many stalkers did these tracks enable? This pitfall didn’t seem to be considered in the classic rock genre; bands were too busy writing hits.

As we snake through the panhandle, and glide past the Canadian River, we pass oil derricks. Windmills dot the prairie. This is a part of the country feels kind of sad, it’s desolate and dry.  We begin to ease into the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex on the Jacksboro Highway. We turn on the indie Dallas station 91.7 KXT. What are they playing? 

“$10 Cowboy” by Charley Crockett. I really like this song. Simple and straight forward. Austin-based Charley Crockett is one of those Texas artists who just keeps hanging around, and good for him. He’s got some great stuff. Listen to “I’m Not Afraid,” “Welcome to Hard Times,” and “Trinity River.” He keeps the songs fresh and new, with an old-school style. This is a great station, and it has done a lot for the Dallas music scene. “He looks a lot like me…(the $10 cowboy).”

As we get closer to east Dallas, we turn on the greatest radio station I’ve ever listened to, 88.5 KEOM Mesquite public radio. Playing the top hits of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, they got a little bit of everything (Player, Olivia Newton-John, and Cutting Crew for example). They don’t seem to have one song repeated throughout the day; just easy-going hits that we haven’t heard for a while but never forgot. Songs you can sing along to, songs that remind you of “that one time.” The production is fantastic, great music for the weather and other segments. And those other segments, star date, community notes, local sport updates, and, my favorite, the pet of the week.  This station is a must listen not just for those reasons, but because it sounds like what a radio station should be. 

What are they playing? “Dance Hall Days” by Wang Chung. Wang Chung had a great thing working, a cool sound that fit right into the 1980s. The dance hall scene has been a Texas mainstay since German and Czech immigrants got them going, originally as cultural centers. Eventually, they became more music oriented, maybe because of the proliferation of dry counties. You could be a member of a dance hall, drink, and enjoy the tunes. Texas swing got its start here in the dance hall (see Bob Willis and Milton Brown). I’m sure the era of the dance hall was a fun time, sorry to have missed it. Wang Chung sure does encapsulate the memory of this era, also throwing in that great sax solo really brings it home. 

“… you need her and she needs you…”

I almost forgot, it sure is fucking hot in Texas.