Songs

Click the links to hear songs I highly endorse, in no particular order. Most are new within the past 18 months (but not all!). Feel free to randomly click. Most of it is loud and crunchy, some heavily influenced by punk, but if you liked rock radio, I promise that, much like Alice in Wonderland, you will enjoy wherever you land….

  • The Busboys — “Love On My Mind” This slab of American rock ‘n’ roll dropped on Valentine’s Day 2022 and couldn’t be more timely — new singles from their upcoming album are always welcome! Kings of the LA 70’s club scene, “48 Hours” and now reuniting, this song brings back their classic sound. Try “Civil Rights” for an added kick, too.
  • The Cruzados — “She’s Automatic” From 2021, this cut is also the title of the band’s first new album in 33 (!!!) years. A lot of water’s gone under their bridge but these LA guys (formerly the Plugs) still bring the loud. Try “9 Million Tears” and “54 Knockouts” for added flavor!
  • X — “Water & Wine” from Alphabetland In 2020 this hometown-fave LA band put out it’s first new music in 27 years and it was totally worth the wait. The whole album holds up. The best Covid gift they could have given!
  • Sparks — “Self-Effacing” from A Steady Drip. Drip, Drip Some may say the Mael brothers are back when they’ve never really been away. This early 2020 release is quintessential Sparks… and amazingly, a documentary film is coming soon!
  • Tracy Bryant — “I’m Only Taking What’s Mine” I’m not normally into the singer/songwriter types but this guy also brings the melodies and the groovy guitars. He opened with this when I saw him live pre-pandemic and the spaciness was fabulous. Suggest using headphones.
  • The Third Mind — “Claudia Cardinale” Dave Alvin (The Blasters, X, solo) wanted to get away from Americana and do some genuine psychedelic stuff. He put together a band with alumni from Cracker Van Beethoven, Toadies and Counting Crows. This is the result. Truly awesome. Sorry their Troubadour show was Covid-cancelled in early 2020. Nevertheless, the album remains. And. It’s. AWESOME.
  • Willy DeVille — “Cadillac Walk” Not “new” but a song that deserves another listen. For about a cup of coffee in 1977 this song got airplay in Los Angeles. Those stations should have stuck with it. Cool, hip, smooth and FUN. I mean, just listen to that harmonica! Willie was an overlooked jewel. May he rest in peace.
  • Mike Doughty — “More Bacon Than The Pan Can Handle” Back in the day, Soul Coughing occupied a totally unique corner of Musicdom. Former member Doughty, with his Burroughs-esque poetry and a hip-hop ethos, continued the vibe in 2021 with a new album, Ghost of Vroom. Listen. Loud. You will like it.
  • James Calvin Wilsey — “El Dorado” Chris Isaac and Silvertone’s lead guitar (he created the 2-note riff for Wicked Game), he’s a combination of an Ennio Morricone soundtrack and Duane Eddie on shrooms. Lay down. Relax. Take in “the King of Slow.” Perfect for late-night decompression. Wilsey was legendary. May he rest in peace.
  • Dry Cleaning — “Scratchcard Lanyard” Borrowing from post-punk and spoken-word, this London band brings happy happy joy Joy Division memories and the flavor of Ken Nordine’s “Word Jazz.” Their album New Long Leg hit in 2021. Simultaneously mellow and edgy… how’d they do that?
  • Black Pumas — “Colors” A profile on 60 Minutes, industry chatter a-plenty, award show appearances… over-exposed? I normally shy away from bands that don’t need my kind of help but, damn, great song! Undeniable. Released in 2019 and I’m just catching up.
  • Walter Lure — “Party Lights” Lure was an original punk, having played with Johnny Thunders’ Heartbreakers and the Waldos. HIS sound is the one a thousand guitar players are trying to emulate. Come to the source. This is the happiest punk song I’ve ever heard! He passed in 2021, may he rest in peace.
  • Flesh Eaters — “Cinderella” An LA supergroup comprised of Chris D., Dave Alvin, John Doe, Bill Bateman, Steve Berlin and DJ Bonebrake, and a traveling musical circus over the decades, this cover of a classic by Seattle’s Sonics (a fab garage band in their own right) demonstrates Old Guard LA Punk ain’t dead yet. Not by a long shot. Listen. Loudly. Then listen again.
  • Blue Orchids — “Work” Years ago an off-shoot of The Fall but now occupying their own space perfectly well, the Orchids bring a groovy sense of urgent psychedelia to everything they play. Perfect for an Angry Monday or a Decompression Friday.
  • Viagra Boys — “Ain’t Nice” I never thought music from Stockholm would make it on my list, but there ya go. Crunchy post-punk with a dance club sensibility and a sly sense of humor (shrimp, anyone?). The whole album (2021’s Welfare Jazz) is freaking awesome. Ignore the band’s name. Your ears will tell you the truth.
  • The Sweet Things — “Liquor Lightning” If Lynyrd Skynyrd and the New York Dolls ever had a baby… oh, never mind. Just listen. If a honky tonk broke out at CBGB and there just happened to be a horn section nearby… nope, still not right. Anyway, yeah, this one’s way fun so listen loud. Give their song “Dr. Crazy Girl” a spin too!
  • Frigid Pink — “House of the Rising Sun” Detroit in the late 60s was a musical caldron of churning crunch ranging from Alice Cooper to the MC5. We need to add these guys to that pantheon. If you think you know the Animals’ version of HOTRS, get ready for your head to explode. A true lost gem.
  • Bob Mould — “I Don’t Mind” Husker Du rocked my world yet stayed a cult band. Sugar buzzed but is one of rock radio’s great MIA bands. Nevertheless, Bob abides. This Buzzcock’s cover is both tribute and creative outlet. Still on the road, Bob continues to bring it hard and shows no sign of letting up. Released in 2019.
  • Moon Goose — “Second Life” An English band of mysterious origins that specializes in spacey, rocking and moody instrumentals. Don’t cringe. This is a good thing. I won’t describe their sound for fear of tainting your expectations. Just listen and go for the ride. It will feel good. Released in 2019.
  • Moon Goose — “Le Comte” You say all instrumentals sound the same? I. Think. Not. Let these alternating guitars and morphing atmospheres take you places. Relax, it’s okay. As hard rocking as you would want. Great for car drives along the beach at MAXIMUM VOLUME. Released in 2019.
  • The Blue Orchids — “The Pavement and the Boot” Found this (actually a Growler’s cover) while listening to an Apple playlist related to eternal weirdos The Fall. This spinoff has less of Mark Smith’s four-on-the-floor stridency and more of a pure pop sense. Tune in to the keyboards in particular. It’s fun! Released in 2019.
  • The Long Ryders — “Greenville” Fundamental to LA’s Paisley Underground and the entire Americana sound, these guys surely deserved more renown. Influential from Kurt Cobain to Chris Robinson alike, their latest is a wonderful the-same-but-more-and-better surprise. Greenville is stellar. Released in 2019.
  • Brian J. Ramos — “Telele” Described as “Cumbia-Rock,” what an amazing, over-the-top flavor! Latin, rocking, and effing obscure (long story on how I even found it). No offense to the video maker, not that it’s bad, it’s just hugely distracting (though I like the closing Wilhelm scream). Stick around till the chorus.
  • The Dream Syndicate — “Put Some Miles On” A fitting metaphor for life as a road-trip, the DS is back with strong new material. Jangly, psychedelic, dense and just effing awesome. They’ve been around LA for almost 40 years and still sound fresh. Released in 2019
  • Ford Madox Ford — “Immediate Nico” From the Dils to Rank and File and Cowboy Nation, the Kinman brothers always delivered. This effort would be brother Tony’s final gift, however, passing away just after its release. Chip, though, carries the torch well. They would be STARS if rock radio still existed. Released in 2018.
  • Seasick Steve — “Roy’s Gang” This took up residence in my head last spring and hasn’t moved out yet. Is that good or bad? A powerful ZZ Top-ish vibe but with more funk and, interestingly, a fun video. Steve is legend in Europe, though he’s allegedly from Oakland. Go figure… and go enjoy. Released 2015.
  • Seasick Steve — “Summertime Boy” Jack White, John Paul Jones and Nick Cave all admire this man who plays a 3-string guitar and sells out Wembley. Only Jools Holland TV appearances prevent his being utterly unknown in the States. Pity. Make his acquaintance. You will be rewarded. Released in 2015.

Close your eyes. Open your mind.

Trust your ears.