David Letterman

Memorable TV Performances: Interpol- PDA on Letterman 2002

There are a lot of bands out there that I enjoy that would probably surprise a bunch of you that read Audioeclectica. One of which is Interpol. Now, when they first arrived on the scene I was not into it and I wrote them off as a Joy Division wannabe type band but, then I saw them around the time of their first album and my attitude about them changed. Yes, they have some very similar moments that you would find in a Joy Division song but, Interpol brought something more to it. Their debut album, Turn On The Bright Lights is a terrific debut album and the song “PDA” to this day always seems to perk me up. Which now brings me to Interpol’s late night TV performance debut on the Late Show with David Letterman back in 2002. It’s crazy to think that this song and performance is over 20 years old now and the song still sounds great! Enjoy!

Interpol- PDA (Live on the Late Show with David Letterman- 2002):

Those 90’s Songs: Butthole Surfers- Pepper
Butthole Surfers - Pepper | Releases | Discogs

The Butthole Surfers song “Pepper” is quintessential 90’s. Not only is it a 90’s staple but, it reached number 1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Charts. I still remember hearing this song when it came out. I was wrapping up sixth grade and this song took over for me that summer. Electric Larryland was played a ton that year. My childhood best friend and I knew all the words to “Pepper,” so much so we would drive his mom nuts singing it in the car when we would go places. The Butthole Surfers are legends in the alternative music world and rightfully so. They are unique and very influential. I’d love to hear a new album from them. I’m sure it would be quite interesting!


Butthole Surfers- Pepper:

Butthole Surfers- Pepper (Live On David Letterman-1996):

Memorable TV Performances: White Zombie on David Letterman 1995
See White Zombie "Blow the Roof Off" 'Letterman' With "More Human" in 1995 | Revolver

Travel back to 1995 with me and revisit the time White Zombie was on the Late Show with David Letterman. While out promoting their album, Astro-Creep 2000, White Zombie payed a visit to the Letterman show and performed “More Human Than Human.” They were joined by Paul Schaffer as well who provided the keyboard parts. It’s a very fun performance and it looks like the band was enjoying it, especially David Letterman at the end. What’s even cooler is that, White Zombie returned to the Letterman show a few months later and performed again. This time they chose “Super Charger Heaven.” I still believe that if White Zombie were to reunite, they could put out one hell of a good album.

More Human Than Human:


Super-Charger Heaven:

Memorable TV Performances: Rage Against The Machine on Letterman 1999
Rage Against The Machine - Guerilla Radio (Live on Letterman).mpg - YouTube

Way back in 1999, in the pouring rain of New York, Rage Against The Machine took the stage in the street for an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. During this evening, they performed a mini concert for a slew of fans while promoting their Unsung Masterpiece that is The Battle Of Los Angeles. Here’s Rage performing “Guerilla Radio.”

Rage Against The Machine- Guerilla Radio on Letterman:


Memorable TV Performances: Zwan on David Letterman

 

Billy Corgan "discussing" possible Zwan tour | News | 96.3 JACK-fm

Way back in 2003, Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin’s new band Zwan made their national TV debut on the Late Show with David Letterman while promoting the debut album, (and very underrated) Mary Star of the Sea. On this evening, they performed the song “Honestly.” It’s really too bad Zwan only lasted one album. The debut is quite stunning and what could have been with this band, we will never truly know.

 

Zwan- Honestly (live on David Letterman):

 

Memorable TV Performances: Mastodon on David Letterman

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10 years ago, Mastodon released their epic masterpiece, Crack The Skye. That album catapulted Mastodon to all sorts of new heights. If you’ve never heard that album, you really should. It’s absolutely incredible. Anyways, during this time, Mastodon started making the rounds of playing on late night TV and their performance of “Oblivion” on the Late Show with David Letterman, was pretty damn good.

Mastodon- Oblivion on the Late Show with David Letterman 2009:

 

Memorable TV Performances: Alice In Chains on Letterman

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Back in 1996 on the heels of Alice In Chains doing MTV’s Unplugged, they were asked to perform on the Late Show with David Letterman. Their performance this evening was one of those spine tingling ones. Performing the songs “Again” and “We Die Young” in a bit of a medley, you could tell that David Letterman was very impressed with not only the band but the performance as well. Watch and see for yourself. This not only proves how great Alice In Chains is but also, how magical Layne Staley was as a vocalist and frontman.

 

Alice In Chains- Again/We Die Young: