Forgotten Songs of the '90s: Earth to Andy

Forgotten Songs of the ‘90s: Earth to Andy

You may have noticed by now that there are more forgotten songs from the ‘90s than in any other decade listed on this blog. That’s because, to me, the ‘90s were the best time for music and a time when the record labels released so many albums that more than a few were bound to be forgotten. In 1999, Giant Records signed Earth To Andy, out of Charlottesville, VA and positioned them to be one of the great white hopes for rock music. They definitely had their chance but the label didn’t push as hard as they should have so now I am trying to rectify that situation by trying to introduce people to the music.

“Still After You,” the first single from their major-label debut Chronicle Kings is one of the loudest and coolest rock songs of the last half of the decade. The song kicks off with one of the greatest guitar licks of the century and it just goes from there. When frontman Andy Waldeck comes in with a gravelly tone, you know it’s on. The rhythm section falls in line with Andy and guitarist Tony Lopacinski and together they all form a miraculous sonic collage that sounds better each time you listen to it.

Chronicle Kings is one of the loudest, most abrasive rock records of the ‘90s and it’s a damn shame it never got its fair share. The band signed to Giant the same time they also signed a Richmond, VA band, Pat McGee Band. They ended up getting more push from the label and ended up having a longer career. That’s not a slap to them but Earth To Andy should’ve gotten more of a push. The band ended up fighting their way through and ended up connecting a bit; “Still After You” managed one or two weeks at the bottom of Billboard’s national rock chart and they ended up touring with Stone Temple Pilots, who’s bassist, Robert DeLeo plays acoustic guitar on the intro to “Still After You.” But it wasn’t enough; with the label pushing Steely Dan and Disturbed, the band didn’t have much of a chance.

The label released a poorly chosen second single and then let the band wither away. They attempted to find another label, playing an industry showcase, on September 10, 2001. Needless to say, it didn’t happen and they ended up recording their final album, Sticks to Landing on their own. They ended up calling it quits in 2002 but the music still lives. So enjoy the creepy video for “Still After You” and just relax as the song leaves a memory that’ll never go away.

http://video.aol.com/show/earth-to-andy

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