Toby Wright

MEMORABLE TV PERFORMANCES: SEVENDUST ON CONAN O’BRIEN

The year is 2000 and like many others at the time, I stayed up to watch Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Long before YouTube, we had to stay up late to watch the bands we like on TV. Late Night with Conan O’Brien was one of the first late night shows to really celebrate heavier bands on TV. Also at this time in music, rock music was soaring and on top of the world. Back in April of 2000, Sevendust made their late night TV debut on Conan’s show. The band was riding quite high off the release of their second album, Home. “Denial” the first single made a strong impact on so many. I still dig that song to this day. The band’s second single “Waffle” had a little more of a melodic sensibility to it. Both “Denial” and “Waffle” charted on the Billboard Modern Rock and Mainstream Charts. The performance of “Waffle” on Conan though was one of those that made people pay attention. I believe I still have this recorded on a VHS tape with a ton of other late night performances. Home is still a great album and these two songs are still live staples for the band. Here’s hoping the new Sevendust album, ONE, is back to what we all love!

Sevendust- Waffle (Live On Late Night With Conan O’Brien 04.19.2000):

Track One: Alice In Chains- Rotten Apple

One of my all time favorite albums to put on to end a night or to fall asleep to is Alice In Chains, Jar Of Flies. It’s an absolutely astonishing album or EP. No matter how many times I put it on, I always get swept away by the first song, “Rotten Apple.” I love the way it starts the record and the way it just takes over is magical. This is a great example of how the first song on your album sets up the rest. This is a perfect song. Layne’s lyrics and vocals on this song are pure, raw and honest. Not to mention the harmonies with Jerry. Plus musically, this song is just so damn good. Just as the words and melody hit you, the music pushes and pulls you along the wave. Simply put, “Rotten Apple” is one of the best track one’s of all time.

Alice In Chains- Rotten Apple:

Unsung Masterpieces- Alice In Chains- Alice In Chains
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When you look back at Alice In Chains’ discography, most people tend to look at Dirt and Jar Of Flies as the bands masterpieces. Facelift is often looked as a great album as well. Their self titled and final album with Layne is often overlooked. The album, most commonly referred to as “the tripod” album due to the three legged dog on the cover, is quite possibly one of the deepest and darkest albums the band has ever written.

This album is truly a remarkable record filled with all the things you know and love about Alice In Chains. In a way, it has a bit of a Jar Of Flies vibe to it with the way the acoustic layers are put in, as well as the signature heavy sound. Something else that I’ve always held in high regard about this album is that Layne wrote all the lyrics for the album minus three songs (“Grind,” “Heaven Beside You,” and “Over Now,” all of which Jerry sang lead on). Before this album was recorded, Layne spent his time working with Mike McCreedy on the Mad Season album.

I remember first hearing this album when it came out in 1995 and I was hooked, and that’s not just because “Again” was a rad song. There are so many great songs on this album that have truly become timeless classics like “Sludge Factory,” “Shame In You,” “Brush Away,” “Head Creeps,” “God Am,” and “Frogs.” Though Alice In Chains never toured on the record, probably due to Layne’s increased drug use, some of these songs were performed live during their Unplugged performance. My favorite of these songs done at that time has to be “Sludge Factory.” What a great song that is. I really wish the band would play more from this album live these days. Layne’s performances on these songs are absolutely remarkable. He’s always had a knack for creating great vocal melodies but on this album he really set a standard for how it should be done.  Something else about this album that I’ve always loved is the way it flows. The themes of depression, isolation, drug use, anger and death are all found throughout but, the way the arrangement of the songs are on the album, really leaves a lasting impact the way all the emotions hit you.

I highly recommend you all taking some time and re-introduce yourself to this unsung masterpiece. Not only will it leave you with a sense of awe but, it will add another level of love for Alice In Chains.

 

Alice In Chains- Self Titled:

 

 

 

 

You Might Have Missed: Memento
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There are too many instances when bands come around and aren’t pushed the right way. Especially when they have all the goods to really make it. In 2003, Memento released their debut album Beginnings. Two singles were released from the album, “Nothing Sacred” and “Savior,” Both songs made some impact on the US rock charts. Memento was also a part of Ozzfest in 2003. Their album is heavy, melodic, and beautiful. From what I remember of their live shows, they were super tight and singer Justin Stewart Cotta was always on point and one of the most intense singers up close. His conviction while singing was undoubtably genuine. Musically, guitarist Jason “Space” Smith,  bassist Leighton “Lats” Kearns, and drummer Steve Clark were superb. They were able to create a sound that matched the emotional lyrics of Justin. It’s a shame that it didn’t last. Due to personal conflicts amongst the band members, as well as record label issues, the band was dissolved in late 2004. Justin Cotta and Lats Kearns re-emerged as Man Vs Clock in 2005. In early 2006, Memento reformed with a new drummer, Jeff Bowders, under the new name Nine Times Bodyweight. The band went to work recording new material. However, the project didn’t last, and they disbanded again in early 2007.

Memento is a prefect example of a band that had all the right parts, but not the right support. It’s a real shame that this has been a continuing practice amongst the record labels for years. Had this band really been supported by their label, they could have gone on to really big things.

Memento- Beginnings: