I keep finding myself going on these artist catalog deep dives and finding things I’ve forgotten about. I love when that happens. Recently in the past few days, I wound up going on a Nirvana deep dive. I’m not quite sure how I wound up here but, while going through all sorts of their songs, albums, demos, etc, I remembered that they did a cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Here She Comes Now.” When I listen back to the Nirvana version, it’s kind of interesting that at moments, Kurt really does sound like Lou Reed. The cover is a pretty solid and good version. As a huge fan of both The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed, I can get behind this version. Plus it gives me an excuse to take a break from my Nirvana deep dive and go listen to The Velvet Underground!
Nirvana (The Velvet Underground)- Here She Comes Now:
Nirvana- Here She Comes Now (Live 1991):
The Velvet Underground- Here She Comes Now (from the album White Light/White Heat):
A few weeks back I was introduced to the band Common Wounds and from that point I’ve been hooked. At first I had only heard their song “Phantom Limb” but, that was enough for me to know that this was a band right up my alley. Their style of post-hardcore, part noise-rock and full on crushing rock is just what the rock world needs. The five songs that make up this fantastic EP, are hard charging, heavy and fully inspired songs. This is the type of record that when it ends, you immediately want to start it over. Common Wounds are the type of post-hardcore band that really gets it. They have the ability to mix the right amount of heavy with a side of emotional hardcore. Take the right parts of Fugazi and Rites Of Spring and add a bit of Helmet (Strap It On/Meantime era) and what you have is a recipe that Common Wounds have come storming out of the gate with. Each song on this EP, has a life of its own. There is a natural aggressive tone to it but, there’s also a bit of a melodic sensibility that gives the songs the space they need to explode. The production on this release is exceptional. Being able to hear the instruments with the right tones and having a mix that encapsulates the entire sound is the perfect harmony. It’s also very refreshing to hear a band like Common Wounds. There are so many bands out there that straight up copy their influences verbatim but, when you hear Common Wounds, it sounds inspired and fresh. I look forward to what Common Wounds have coming up and seeing this live. Do yourself a favor and take this EP for a spin!
For the past few weeks I’ve been on a big kick of listening to the Pixies. In my deep dive into their catalog, I’ve come to the conclusion many others have as well that Doolittle is one hell of an album and highly influential to so many bands. There really is something special about this album. One day in the near future I will put it all into words but, for right now I just want to focus on the absolute perfection of the final song on the album and that is “Gouge Away.” Every time I hear this song, I don’t want it to end. Sometimes I wish it had a 10 minute solo in the middle of it just because this song is so damn great. Interestingly this song is based on the story of Samson and Delilah. Some think Frank Black is referencing his relationship with bassist Kim Deal, as Frank represents Samson and Kim, Delilah. Other’s think it has to do with heroin addiction. Either way, this song is one hell of a gem and ends Doolittle in perfect fashion. Cheers to the Pixies and their absolute classic album, Doolittle!
I was recently introduced to a band that really has me intrigued. They have a sound that is experimental while at the same time very hard charging. The “noise-rock” genre has been really exploding more and more lately and this band should be on your radar. Allow me to introduce you to Tunic. Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, Tunic is armed with a sound that features an assault of pummeling drums, distorted bass, discordant guitar, and wild-eyed vocals. After listening to this band, I get a bit of an early Helmet vibe from the Strap It On era mixed with a little bit of Fugazi. So if you are into those two bands, this is right up your alley. The bands new single “Whispering” is chock full of bits of all the things that make this sub-genre what it is. The way they take experimental parts and add interesting melodies and thought provoking lyrics makes Tunic a must listen. Their new album Wrong Dream will be out on April 28 via Artoffact Records. I have to say, it’s really nice and refreshing to hear bands like Tunic try new things and get deeper into the sounds, inspirations and realness of what rock music is all about.
I’ve been working on bringing back Audioeclectica Radio but, in the mean time I thought, why not make a playlist of some of the songs that I’ve really been digging on. What you have below are 20 songs from bands/artists that stretch across many different genres and styles. The one thing I did do while making this playlist is I made it one that if you start it from track one and go all the way to the end, you’ll definitely feel like you are immersed in it as it takes you on quite a ride!
01) Bush- Heavy Is The Ocean (The Art Of Survival) 02) Greg Puciato- Never Wanted That (Mirrorcell) 03) Iress- Ricochet (Ricochet- Single) 04) Arc Angles- Absurdity / Atrocity (Daisy) 05) Common Wounds- Phantom Limb (Common Wounds EP) 06) Botch- One Twenty Two (One Twenty Two- Single) 07) Black Magnet- Wolverine Dreams (Body Prophecy) 08) Alphamega- Annhilator (Between Light And Shadows) 09) Stronger Than Machines- Gravedigger (Undivided) 10) Know//Suffer- Iron Sharpens Irons (Winter Two Piece) 11) Turbid North- The Road (The Decline) 12) Converge & Chelsea Wolfe- Flower Moon (Bloodmoon: I) 13) Holy Fawn- Sightless (Dimensional Bleed) 14) SOM- Clocks (The Shape Of Everything) 15) Baroness- Tourniquet (Gold & Grey) 16) The Smashing Pumpkins- Empires (ATUM Act II) 17) Billy Howerdel- Ani (What Normal Was) 18) The Baby Goats- Two Shakes (Two Shakes- Single) 19) Centershift- Fade Away (A Different Shade Of Color) 20) MAL- Ritual (Ritual- Single)
One of my favorite albums of 2022 was Centershift’s A Different Shade Of Color. It’s one of those albums (notice how I said ALBUM) that takes you on quite the journey musically, lyrically and tells a pretty potent story. The way the album flows, gets into the nitty gritty of life and all its trials and tribulations. I have a few favorites off the album but, there is one song in particular that I’ve had a deep affinity for and that is the closing track, “Fade Away.” Through the darkness of this song and the lyrics, you find a sense of hope and light within that connects on a deeper level. “Fade Away” is one of those songs that will sit with you and make you contemplate life and how you can get through the moments that can tend to keep you down. The visualizer for this song is absolutely stunning and it takes the song to another dimension as you are captivated by the way the music, lyrics, melody and visuals encompass everything. Enjoy this!
The date is September 14, 1993 and it’s the debut show of Late Night with Conan O’Brien. The music guest for the night is Radiohead. What a debut show! Radiohead’s performance of “Creep” is pretty classic. Looking back on it almost 30 years later, and where Radiohead has gone since is pretty astounding. It’s performances like this that you can look back on knowing that they were memorable for more than just the usual reasons. This one stands out as a definite highlight for Late Night performances.
Radiohead- Creep (Live on Late Night with Conan O’Brien- 09/14/93):
As much as I am dying for an Oasis reunion (Noel and Liam please bury whatever crap is going on between you two and get the damn band back together), I will gladly take a new solo album from Noel (and Liam). Noel is one hell of a songwriter as you very well know. His new album, Council Skies arrives June 2nd. It will be the first album Gallagher has recorded in his own recording studio: Lone Star Studios as well as having legendary guitarist Johnny Marr of The Smiths guesting on three songs including the first single “Pretty Boy.” Speaking of “Pretty Boy” today, a new remix version of the song was released. Robert Smith of The Cure was asked to remix the song by Noel. The end result is pretty damn good. The remix that Robert did gives it more atmosphere and a bit of a different edge to it. Speaking about how this came about Robert said “I was surprised and delighted when Noel asked me to remix this gorgeous song, and I had a lot of fun slowing it down and spacing it out – Cure drummer Jason Cooper gave me a great vibey drum track to play along with – and the rest just phased into place under the starry sky of my distant moon.” And just like that the stars aligned to make this song into something quite cool. Noel will be on tour this summer in the US with Garbage!
Over the past couple days, I went on a bit of a Joy Division/New Order binge. It’s truly amazing how many bands have been influenced/inspired by these two bands. New Order’s debut album Movement, is one of those albums that is truly special. It’s part continuation of where Joy Division left off but, there’s new ground being explored in a subtle manner that will eventually lead to where New Order wound up. One of the songs off of this album that stands out in a really great way is “Senses.” One of my best friends loves this song so, I thought I’d dig up an alternate version of it and see if you can tell the difference between the two.
There is something to be said about finding beauty in darkness. In this case it’s found within the band Iress. The moment I heard this band, I knew there was something more to it than just a “dark/moody vibe.” What I found was a band that sonically devastates while at the same time draws you in seductively. Iress derives their name from two concepts that when put together perfectly describes what this band is all about; Ire, as in fury, indignation, rage, and wrath and -ess as a noun suffix meaning “female”. Now that combination has been recorded and now gearing up to be unleashed upon us all. Dubbed the “Adele of Doom” by her local LA music peers, frontwoman Michelle Malley’s vocals are subtle yet powerful as she sings of love, loss, pain, and anguish but, with such restraint that it’s almost hypnotic how the melodies seep into your pores and make your skin crawl in a fantastic way. The band itself brings all this to life with their willingness to serve the songs and provide the right amounts of atmosphere, heaviness and an unrelenting passion that really makes this all come together. Iress’s sound stretches across different sub-genres but the way it all comes together is tremendous. By mixing, doom, shoegaze, metal, dream pop and ambient/psychedelic sounds, Iress has the recipe for one of the best releases of 2023. The first single “Ricochet” from their upcoming EP, Solace is absolutely stunning. Once you listen to this song you’ll feel compelled to play it again and again. One more thing I have to talk about is the production on this single and EP. It’s truly stunning. Being able to capture the rawness and real emotion of these songs is astounding. Producer/Engineer/Mixer Alex Estrada did a phenomenal job on this record. I’m personally really stoked on this band and can’t wait to hear more and see this all come together live. Do yourself a favor and on May 12 via Dune Altar Records (one of my favorite Indie Labels by the way), pick up a copy of this EP!
