Alternative Rock Nostalgia Buzz

Forgotten Songs of the ‘80s: Peter Murphy Nowadays, Peter Murphy is best remembered as the singer of Bauhaus and also for the mega 1990 hit “Cuts You Up,” but without a doubt, his greatest song was relegated to the lost and found aisle. “All Night Long” off 1988’s Love Hysteria is one of the most interesting and fascinating modern rock songs of the whole decade. Beginning with xylophone, the song quickly finds its groove and refuses to let up. But instead of going into a fast, up-tempo mood, everything slows down and it all becomes very moody and atmospheric. Peter’s vocals bring the song to its spookiest peak. But that’s not the end, it just gets creepier from there, as the song reaches its crescendo, his voice becomes lower and lower until it reaches its apex and the song just explodes into a heavenly rich sheen that stays with the listener long after its left the airwaves. Just an absolutely breathtaking song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q__QnW-9ROs&feature=channel_page (All...

Coffin Break hve been viewed as one of the more forgotten bands of the 'grunge' era and that's a pretty apt statement. The band was not just a 'grunge' band but were more of a good 'ol punk band than anything else. The music, especially 1990's "Rupture" still stands up strong today and it's good to see them getting the appreciation they so richly deserved. Frontman/guitarist Peter Litwin was kind enough to take time out to answer some questions. What was it like when you guys got started? The Seattle scene was very small and there were hardily any places to put on all ages shows. Often we would have to go across the water to Bremerton to put on an all ages show or play down at the Community World Theatre in Tacoma. What was it like in Seattle before Nirvana and Pearl Jam broke? It was great actually. The scene was small and most of the bands supported one another. It seemed like when we played a show that 60-70% of the audience were in other b...

Forgotten Songs of the New Millennium: Therapy? Irish rockers Therapy? had been around for over ten years before the release of 2002’s High Anxiety , their third album in three years. They’d been through quite a lot, lineup changes, faulty record deals and audience indifference, but still they persevered. With the release of High Anxiety, the band went back to their roots, driving hard rock and the album’s standout, “If It Kills Me” was one of their best songs and dare I say, one of the best songs of 2002. The song is simple, but that’s the story of Therapy’s? career, they don’t know how to do things any differently, so why bother changing anything. The drumming of dynamo Neil Cooper propels the song to its hard-hitting best. The always reliable Andrew Cairns, a mix of soul and punk, delivers some of his best lyrics here, talking about the same thing he’s always talked about, failed relationships and how to get them restarted. While the band gave it their best shot, it wasn’t enough an...

Forgotten Songs of the ‘70s: Rick Nelson When Rick Nelson released “Gypsy Pilot,” it was before the monumental, career-reviving success of “Garden Party,” he was hoping it would be the song that would relaunch him but it sadly never happened. Which is a damn shame considering that the song is one of the best songs from his later days. The song came off of 1971’s Rudy the Fifth , one of his more scattershot records but the song standing alone is a revelation and is it ever a creepy revelation. The song itself is about a plane crash and what people think of the main victim. Creepy ain’t it? Lyrics like “when they claim my body, they won’t have much to say, except that he lived a good life and he lived everyday” just up the creepy quotient. The song is simply spooky but Rick’s amazing voice carries through and leads the Stone Canyon Band to one of their greatest performances as they’re carrying along behind him in supreme fashion. In what is probably one of the creepiest and eeriest way...

Dustbin of Rock: Jimmie’s Chicken Shack When Jimmie’s Chicken Shack first came out of Maryland in 1997, many people didn’t pay much attention to them. Aside from the fact they were signed to Elton John’s record label, there wasn’t much to distinguish them from the rest of the late ‘90s alt-rock pack. But if one listens to the music now, they will be blown away and amazed by what they are hearing. Their first album, 1997’s pushing the salmanilla envelope is packed to the rafters with great lyrics and memorable hooks. The most memorable would have to be “Hole,” a grindingly quick romp through everyday life with the catchy as hell chorus, “Pull myself up from the hole I dig.” Listen to it again and again and pretty soon you’ll find yourself humming along because it’s irresistible and impossible to escape. The follow-up, 1999’s Bring Your Own Stereo was a bit of a departure, with slower tempos and interesting lyrics. There are still some standouts however, including “Lazy Boy Dash,” a ligh...

Underrated Album of the Month: Ned’s Atomic Dustbin-“God Fodder” When Ned’s Atomic Dustbin first came out in 1990, they were unique for their use of two bass players, one lead and the other rhythm. The fact that guitar was relatively hidden from the music came as quite a shock to some listeners. But once people actually sat down and listened to the music, they realized they were listening to something that was one of the most unique albums of the early ‘90s. God Fodder, released in 1991, kicks off with the first of many standouts, “Kill Your Television,” with its amazing double bass work and vocals by Jonn. The band are at the top of their game, which is amazing considering this is their debut. The lyrics flow effortlessly well throughout and the whole band is sonically tight. From the beginning, the band sounded ready for radio, with hooks sprinkled liberally throughout. The two catchiest tracks, “Happy” and “Grey Cell Green” immediately became huge alternative radio hits and still ge...