We live in a very strange time. Some bands try to stay relevant with a revamped lineup. Though most of the time, the new lineup just doesn’t cut it. A great example of this occurred a couple years back when, Stone Temple Pilots recruited Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington to front the band after they fired Scott Weiland. The band with Chester made a surprise appearance at a KROQ radio festival, and left many in the crowd wondering “What the hell?” This utterly disgusting idea was not just a bad idea but, it also tarnished the legacy of STP. Granted Scott was struggling again with his demons but, come on, picking Chester is like the equivalent of picking Alvin form Alvin and the Chipmunks to be the singer. The band would put out a terrible EP called High Rise, and they would tour, playing to half empty venues and mildly curious fans. I’m sure there were people out there that dug on it, but seriously, how can this be called Stone Temple Pilots without Scott?
Scott is no longer with us but, he left quite an impact on not the rock world but music in general. His lyrics, melodies and voice will always be remembered. I had hoped that STP and Scott would have one more chance at it before he died but, that didn’t come to fruition.
Take a listen to this wretchedly bad idea, and you’ll understand why this sucked.
There are so many new bands out there that I’m extremely stoked on. A couple years back, a band called Coma Prevail came up on my radar. They released a couple “demo” recordings and it sounded very promising. Sadly though, their singer passed away. Just when I thought they were going to call it a day, they regrouped and began a new chapter under a different name, Cons. Their upcoming debut EP, Slowhealer (produced by Beau Burchell of Saosin) is going to be a rip roaring, riff-tastic slab of heavy and post hardcore. The first single “The Burden Of Knowing Why” is a great representation of what Cons has to offer. There are moments in the song that have some similarities to Saosin and The Bled (guitarist Jeremy Talley was a member of The Bled.) This stunning five-piece outfit from Tucson, AZ consisting of Josh Fererra (vocals), Jeremy Talley (guitar), Matt Barios (guitar, vocals), Steven Hathaway (bass), and Stephen Majalca (drums), is set to take the music scene by storm and unleash their fury upon us all.
There are certain albums that I was exposed to as a very young kid that forever changed my life. Growing up with parents that passed their music tastes down to me was beyond a gift. I was exposed to so many different great albums and bands. My mom and dad had some similar interests and some very different ones as well. My mom was a huge Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground fan so, naturally that got passed on to me. When I was around 3 or 4, I remember my mom putting on The Velvet Underground and Nico album. I was stunned at how different it sounded but, I loved it. Thus began my own obsession with The Velvet Underground.
I still remember the needle dropping on the record and “Sunday Morning” started. It was almost like a lullaby. Stunningly beautiful and so different. Then “I’m Waiting For The Man” comes in and changes the entire direction of the album. The story that Lou Reed conveys is so realistic. Granted when I was a little kid, I had no idea what he was talking about but, thankfully my mom explained it to me so I could understand it. As the album goes on songs like “Femme Fatale,” “Venus In Furs,” “Run Run Run,” “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” “There She Goes Again,” “The Black Angel’s Death Song,” and “European Son,” would strike a chord with me and so many other people. The magnitude of depth, storytelling, and the way the music hits is astonishing. Of course, the most famous song from the album “Heroin” is a classic among classics. There is a true beauty in the way the song plays out. The build up to the chaos is mind blowing. The way Lou Reed makes you feel like you are on the journey with him is unparalleled. Lou was a masterful writer and story teller. I was also a little bit obsessed with this song and would play it over and over. I even knew all the words to it, which was pretty odd and strange, especially for a young child.
The Velvet Underground were a band that inspired so many other bands. Generations of bands since the album was released in 1967, started bands because of this album. Lou Reed was a big inspiration to me as a writer. The way he was able to connect his life and stories into song is inspiring. The Velvet Underground were unique, different, and and their own thing. They were part artsy, part psychedelic, part rock, and part blues. They were the ultimate package and continued to be a great band with albums like White Light/White Heat and Loaded. The Velvet Underground and Nico is now 50 years old and is still a great album that will stand the test of time for so many years to come.
I have to really thank my mom for getting me into such a wonderful band. The cars rides listening to music with both my mom and dad were always great. So many different bands were played and most of them are still constantly played to this day. So if you all have a chance to, go thank your parents for showing you their music and getting you into so many great bands.
The year was 1990 and the musical landscape was about to change. The youth of that era was full of angst and just waiting to explode. Before the “Seattle Sound” became the soundtrack to many lives, there was a film that helped to bring awareness to what was going on, and that film was Pump Up The Volume. Not only was that film poignant for what it dealt with in terms of suicide, depression and general teenage angst but, the soundtrack that accompanied it was absolutely stellar. The soundtrack includes songs by Concrete Blonde, Bad Brains with Henry Rollins, The Pixies, Soundgarden, Sonic Youth and so many other great bands. The official released soundtrack leaves off a plethora of other gems like, “Scenario” by the Beastie Boys. Christian Slater’s character explains this when he introduces it on the air saying, “Now here’s a song from my close personal buddies, the Beastie Boys…a song that was so controversial they couldn’t put it on their first album.”
Take a few moments to revel in a great soundtrack. And take some time to watch the movie as well. It’s a great film, that still holds and still hits the mark with it’s message. Also on a side note, the film is directed by Allan Moyle, who also did Empire Records!
AUDIOECLECTICA 