Author: audioeclectica

Cover Song Comparison: The Smashing Pumpkins vs Bush- Landslide

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It’s really fun to listen to different cover songs and find the one that you really dig. Most of the time the original is the best version but, every now and then, a cover comes along and takes the song in a different direction. One song in particular is Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” Over the years many bands have covered it. One group that actually did a great version of it was the Dixie Chicks. Natalie Mains voice is the perfect compliment to Stevie Nicks. Then in the rock world bands like The Smashing Pumpkins and Bush have put out versions. Personally I really like The Smashing Pumpkins version. Billy Corgan brings a vulnerability to the song that was there in the original.

What cover do you like best?
The Smashing Pumpkins- Landslide:

 

Bush- Landslide:

 

Dixie Chicks- Landslide:

 

Fleetwood Mac- Landslide:

Guest Guitarist: Tom Morello

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Tom Morello is one of the most innovative guitarists of the last 25 years. I’d dare say he’s up there in terms of style and influence with the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix and countless others. There is no denying he has a unique style and a distinct sound. So it’s only natural that when you hear him play, you know it’s Tom. Over the years Tom has quietly lent his talents to a plethora of other bands and artists. Here are a few the gems he’s guested on over the years.

 

RUN DMC- Big Willie (from Down With The King):

 

Cypress Hill- Rise Up (from Rise Up):

 

Linkin Park- Drawbar (from The Hunting Party):

 

Device- Opinion (from Self Titled):

 

Travis Barker w/ Rza, Raekwon and Tom Morello- Carry It (from Give The Drummer Some):

 

Prodigy with Tom Morello- One Man Army (from Spawn Soundtrack):

 

Primus- Electric Uncle Sam (from Antipop):

 

Primus- Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool (from Antipop):

 

Bruce Springsteen- Jack Of All Trades (from Wrecking Ball):

 

Bruce Springsteen- This Depression (from Wrecking Ball):

 

Class Of 99- Another Brick In The Wall (from The Faculty Soundtrack):

 

 

Memorable TV Performances: Rollins Band on Saturday Night Live

611yCidDk5L._UX691_The other day I was thinking about all the great live performances I’ve seen on TV. There were so many awesome moments on shows like Saturday Night Live, MTV, scattered awards shows like the Grammy’s, MTV Awards, American Music Awards, etc. The list goes on. I thought this category would be really fun to look back on these great performances and go back to a time when rock music was at the forefront of the world.

Let’s start this off with something out of left field. Back in 1997 on Saturday Night Live when Pamela Anderson was hosting, I believe it was to promote the movie Barb Wire, Rollins Band was the music guest. They performed “Starve” off the very underrated album Come In and Burn. The entire band absolutely crushed their performance and I’m sure left those in the audience a little scared.

 

Rollins Band- Starve (on Saturday Night Live):

Band Of The Week: Gyre

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Honesty is something I look for in bands. What I mean by that is, when I’m listening to a band, I want to be able to hear the true conviction in their music and words. A lot of bands I’ve heard over the years really just half ass it and don’t put their all into it. You can tell when you listen to those bands. Recently I came across a band that stays true to their convictions and their attitude shows through their music. I’d like to introduce you to Gyre. This three piece band from the NY/NJ area is quite a bright spot. Their music is heavy rock with splashes of prog, groove and a touch of thrash, all of which makes for a grand listening experience. Gyre have released three previous EP’s and have now put out their first full length album entitled Shared Visions and it’s ripe with all the rock you’d want and need. I like to think of it as a great album for a long drive and just escaping the world. As a three piece singer/bassist Ian McCarthy, guitarist Juan Soaz, and drummer Pablo Carpio have carved out a little niche for their blend of heavy rock. Shared Visions is definitely one of the best albums of 2018 and it deserves your attention.

 

Gyre- Shared Visions:

Great Music Videos: The Smashing Pumpkins- 1979

 

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It’s a shame music videos aren’t made like they used to be. Gone are the days of proper budgets to make a great video and the narratives that came along with the video have disappeared as well. Granted there are still a few directors out there that have been able to capture the essence of yesteryears. One video I will always remember fondly was for The Smashing Pumpkins song “1979.” Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Jane’s Addiction, Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, Red Hot Chili Peppers), really honed in on what Billy Corgan wrote the song about and the end result was something beautiful. It’s also crazy to think that this video is now 22 years old. My head is spinning just thinking about that. Here’s a piece of cool trivia that you’d find interesting. The video for the song “Perfect” from their Unsung Masterpiece, Adore, is a sequel to the 1979 video, and involves the same characters who are now older.

 

The Smashing Pumpkins- 1979:

 

The Smashing Pumpkins- Perfect:

End Of Album Songs: Led Zeppelin

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Some of the all time best end of album songs have come from Led Zeppelin. They really knew how to pick best song to end their records. Each and everyone they picked has this perfect element of everything they just gave your from the start of the album. I have my favorites like “How Many More Times,” “When The Levee Breaks,” “The Ocean,” and “Tea For One.” Led Zeppelin were masters of their craft and these songs help to show that.

 

How Many More Times (from Led Zeppelin I):

 
Bring It On Home (from Led Zeppelin II):

 

Hats Off To Roy Harper (from Led Zeppelin III):

 

When The Levee Breaks (from Led Zeppelin IV):

 
The Ocean (from Houses Of The Holy):

 
Sick Again (from Physical Graffiti):

 
Tea For One (from Presence):

 

I’m Gonna Crawl (from In Through The Out Door):

 

 

Wearing and Tearing (from Coda):

 

Band Of The Week: Del Judas

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It seems that the post-punk genre has really taken over as of late. There are so many bands that have come about in the past couple years that have incorporated the post-punk sound a la Joy Division, Bauhaus and so many other influential bands from the beginning. I’ve come across a few that really stand out and have made “that” sound into something cool and different. One band that I’ve heard recently is Del Judas. Instead of just relying on post-punk influences, Charlie Schmid aka Del Judas has taken a different approach. You might also recognize Charlie from his time playing drums in the band Tombs along with a few others.  Growing up in a household that listened to country music and artists like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline to name a few, had a profound effect on Charlie. So by taking those childhood influences and melding them together with the likes of Joy Division, Bauhaus and a touch of Chris Isaak, Del Judas stands out on it’s own merit and sounds different and fresh. There are some moments throughout the album that almost seem like they are inspired by Leonard Cohen too.  The debut album “DEITY” will be out July 13 via Primal Architecture.

Del Judas is definitely one of the bright spots of an already exciting year for music. Personally, I can’t wait to see what’s to come for this project and for people to hear how damn good it is.

 

Del Judas- Of Love And Death:

 

 

Del Judas- Through The Glass:

Songs In Film: Alice In Chains in This Is 40

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This is one of my favorite uses of a song in a movie. What Paul Rudd says to his family about the music he plays them is absolutely spot on. Music from bands like Alice In Chains, will undoubtedly live on in a way that music from our parents era has all these years later.

 

Alice In Chains- Rooster (in This Is 40):

Anticipated Albums: Alice In Chains- Rainer Fog

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On August 24, Alice In Chains will release their long awaited new album Rainer Fog. The 10 song set was produced once again by Nick Raskulinecz (Deftones, Foo Fighters, Rush, etc) and mixed by Joe Barresi (Tool, Queens Of The Stone Age, etc). Rainer Fog is the first Alice album to be recorded in Seattle in more than 20 years as well as additional work done in Los Angeles and Nashville.  In anticipation of their upcoming new album, Alice In Chains has released another song called “So Far Under” and it’s just as good as “The One You Know” which makes me one happy guy.

You can pre-order the album HERE.

Rainer Fog Track Listing:

01) The One You Know
02) Rainer Fog
03) Red Giant
04) Fly
05) Drone
06) Deaf Ears Blind Eyes
07) Maybe
08) So Far Under
09) Never Fade
10) All I Am

 

Alice In Chains- So Far Under:

 

Alice In Chains- The One You Know:

Musicians In Film/TV: Jerry Cantrell

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I’ve been compiling a list of all the movies and tv shows that musicians have guested on or starred in. I thought that this would be a fun thing to look into.

The first person I thought of was Jerry Cantrell and his quick role in Jerry Maguire. The line he says to Tom Cruise’s Jerry ” That’s how you become great man… Hang your balls out there,” is really quite poignant. Anyways, here are a few times Jerry has been seen on the big and small screens.

Quick side note, Jerry was also director Cameron Crowe’s first choice for the role of Stillwater bass player Larry Fellows in Almost Famous. Jerry was busy writing the songs for his solo album Degradation Trip and had to turn the role down.

Jerry Maguire:

 

Singles:

 

Alice In Chains- The Nona Tapes (Jerry as Nona Weisbaum: