Saturday, October 9, 2004Standoff On My Patio. My wife has a friend that has an irrational fear of the Praying Mantis. She freaks out at even a photo of one. I'm glad she wasn't on my patio today. I'm also glad she doesn't read my blog. After I shot this photo I set him/her free. posted @ 06:34 PM PST [link] Thursday, October 7, 2004Uncut, Unrated, Banned by the Label Indeed!About two minutes ago I viewed a music video that was both beautiful and grotesque. I'm not sure what part Interscope Records had a problem with. Was it the porn, the self mutilation, or the snorting of coke off of the bible? It doesn't take a sleuth to figure out that I just viewed a Marilyn Manson video. It was for the song (s)AINT. A couple weeks ago I heard Marilyn on my local morning show, Kevin and Bean on KROQ, talking about the video and that it was only going to be available from his web site, so I waited anxiously until I could get it, and it arrived in a little padded envelope today. You may be asking why a relatively clean cut 40 year old man like me likes Marilyn Manson and I'll tell you. I loved the earlier music more than the newer stuff, and I'm not sure if that's because I've moved on to something different or what, but the visuals are what have me hooked. Ever since seeing the video for "Sweet Dreams" about nine years ago, I've always been excited to see what he's going to do next visually. I agree it's not for everyone, and I wouldn't even show this latest offering to some of my friends, but artistically, It's like crack to me. I can't get enough. I especially loved the Floria Sigismondi period, think "The Beautiful People" video. OK, a simple mention has turned into a long post. Discuss amongst yourselves in the comments please. posted @ 05:26 PM PST [link] Tuesday, October 5, 2004Speaking of Gigantor! Did I mention he's Quicker Than Quick AND Stronger Than Strong? posted @ 09:51 PM PST [link] Monday, October 4, 2004Top 10 Cover Tunes!Hmm. I know so many cover songs that this could be a top 25 list easy. I even made a mix tape about ten years ago that included only covers. I'm sure some of those will be on this list. I know that there have been many cover tunes in the last ten years, but I don't have many of those on my list. I could have mentioned Nirvana's rendition of Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World" or Alien Ant Farm's Smooth Criminal, but I thought I'd leave the newer ones to others doing the list this month. These are my favorites. a few people a joining in after seeing the lists this morning (see the list of blogs at the bottom) so I'll post some quick rules. Please link to the other lists so we can all share. If you want to be part of the email list that discusses the next list, then email me and I'll add you. Feel free to comment on all of the other lists. The whole point is to learn about new music and make new freinds. Don't be shy. 10) The Beat - Tears of a Clown - 1979 (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - 1970) That's right, I said 1979. This was The Beat's first single. You may know them by their American trademark challenged name The English Beat. Just a great rendition of a classic. The Beat's style was so unique that you could never say that they did a cover that sounded too much like the original. Not to mention that they have been covered by artist like Elvis Costello (Stand Down Margaret), Pete Townsend (Save It For Later), Pearl Jam (Save It For Later) and Phish (Mirror in the Bathroom). 9) Devo - Satisfaction - 1977 (The Rolling Stones - 1965) What a twisted version of a classic rock song. I've always loved this version. I actually consider this a Devo song because I'm not a big Stones fan. 8) Nina Hagen - TV Glotzer (White Punks on Dope) - 1978 (The Tubes - 1975) Holy crap! It's in German, which makes it even cooler, but Nina Hagen could have covered any song and made it her own. 7) X - Soul Kitchen - 1980 (The Doors - 1967) From X's debut album "Los Angeles" and produced by none other than one of their biggest fans, Ray Manzarek of The Doors. You can't get a much better endorsement for doing a cover song, than having it produced by one of the original artists. 6) Aerosmith - Train Kept A Rollin' - 1974 (The Yardbirds - 1965 / Tiny Bradshaw's Big Band 1950's) OK, I just want to say that I think everything that Aerosmith recorded after the heavy drugs sucks. This was before that. It's credited as a Yardbirds song, but it seems to have been originally written and performed by Tiny Bradshaw's Big Band in the 50's. I'm not sure. Aerosmith kicked it's ass though. 5) Dead Kennedys - Viva Las Vegas - 1980 (Elvis Presley - 1964) Is this last line in the original? "Oh, I'm gonna give it everything I've got. Lady Luck's with me, the dice stay hot. Got coke up my nose to dry away the snot, so... Viva Las Vegas!" 4) Agent Orange - Pipeline - 1982 (The Chantays - 1963) God, I could listen to this over and over and it's still kicks ass. Agent Orange's surf tune covers always get me going. 3) Soft Cell - Tainted Love - 1981 (Gloria Jones 1964 /1975) The biggest hit on my list. I remember hearing it for the first time and not knowing exactly what to think. Of course, it's best heard as the 12" version with the nine-minute segué into "Where Did Our Love Go?" (The Supremes 1964) In an interview, Gloria Jones said that she considers the Soft Cell version to be the best one: "I loved the emotion in his voice. Their version was far better than mine." 2) Bauhaus - Ziggy Stardust - 1982 (David Bowie - 1972) Every band as influential as Bauhaus has to have a cover classic. As with many, this was there biggest hit. 1) The Dickies - Gigantor - 1980 (Fred Ladd - 1967?) Since this is a cover of the english theme song from a cartoon that was in Japanese (Tetsujin 28-go), I'm not sure who recorded the original English theme song, but Gigantor was first brought to the states in 1967 by Fred Ladd. Anyway, there is no denying this songs influence on me and my obsession with robots. I think I've said too much already. Honorable Mentions: Go-Go's - Cool Jerk - 1982 (The Capitols - 1966) Silly I know, but this is quite infectious even for a music snob like me. Visage - In The Year 2525 - 1978 (Zager & Evans - 1969) I hear this song in my head ever time I approach one of my friend's security gates. It reminds me of the entry code. No, the code is NOT 2525. Tom Tom Club - Under The Boardwalk - 1982 (The Drifters - 1964) A unique version that I used to play at parties when things were winding down. The Clash - I Fought The Law - 1979 (The Crickets - 1959) Most people think of this as a Bobby Fuller Four song, but it was originally recorded by The Crickets after Buddy Holly died. The Clash made it their own in a way Waylon Jennings could never have done. It's hard to believe that the same guy who wrote this song (Sonny Curtis), also wrote and sang the theme to the Mary Tyler Moore show. really. Massive Attack - Metal Postcard - 1997 (Siouxsie and the Banshees - 1978) I have to include this because it's one of my favorite bands covering one of my old obsession bands. It was recorded as an instrumental for the movie The Jackal. Siouxsie and the Banshees - 20th Century Boy - 1979 (T-Rex - 1973) I almost wore right though the 7" single when I was younger. It's on the B-side of Staircase (mystery). Please visit the other music list bloggers this month (16 total and counting): Alien Fur Bitchalicious Chapati Mystery Chele Blog The Dune Shack I See Monsters Meghan's Deep Thoughts Reality Remixed Sane Libs Sheets & Blankets Shoulda Said Sledgeblog Ultrablog Wax Patriotic Write On Megs posted @ 08:21 AM PST [link] |
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