#released this single last week under a new band name

[beatrice1979a]

Imaginary World

Detail

Underclass hero - Liquid State - 3 - Imaginary World

no color

... inspired by Muse's Chris Wolstenholme sweet-sweet voice

Stay with me I can't escape from this fantasy I can't break free from this life I'm leaving I'm lost between worlds

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

ABBA - Waterloo 1974

"Waterloo" is a song by Swedish pop group ABBA, with music composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and lyrics written by Stikkan Anderson. It is first single of the group's second studio album of the same name, and their first under the Atlantic label in the US. This was also the first single to be credited to the group performing under the name ABBA. The title and lyrics reference the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, and use it as a metaphor for a romantic relationship.

In 1974, "Waterloo" represented Sweden in the 19th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest held in Brighton, winning the contest and beginning ABBA's path to worldwide fame. The song differed from the standard "dramatic ballad" tradition at the contest by its flavour and rhythm, as well as by its performance. ABBA gave the audience something that had rarely been seen before in Eurovision: flashy costumes (including silver platform boots), a catchy uptempo song and simple choreography. It was the first winning entry in a language other than that of their home country; prior to 1973, all Eurovision singers had been required to sing in their country's native tongue, a restriction that was lifted briefly for the contests between 1973 and 1976 (thus allowing "Waterloo" to be sung in English), then reinstated before ultimately being removed again in 1999. Watch the performance in Swedish here. Sveriges Radio released a promo video for "Waterloo" that was directed by film director Lasse Hallström, whose first notable English-language film success was What's Eating Gilbert Grape in 1993. ABBA recorded the German and French versions of "Waterloo" in March and April 1974; the French version was adapted by Alain Boublil, who would later go on to co-write the 1980 musical Les Misérables.

The song shot to number 1 in the UK and stayed there for two weeks, becoming the first of the band's nine UK number 1's, and the 16th biggest selling single of the year in the UK. It also topped the charts in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, West Germany, Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland, while reaching the Top 3 in Austria, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden. Unlike other Eurovision-winning tunes, the song's appeal transcended Europe: "Waterloo" also topped the charts in South Africa, and reached the Top 10 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Rhodesia, and the US (peaking at number 6, their third-highest-charting US hit after number 1 "Dancing Queen" and number 3 "Take a Chance on Me"). In 2005, at Eurovision fiftieth anniversary competition Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest, "Waterloo" was chosen as the best song in the contest's history.

"Waterloo" is featured in the encore of the musical Mamma Mia!. The song does not have a context or a meaning. It is just performed as a musical number in which members of the audience are encouraged to get up off their seats and sing, dance and clap along. The song is performed by the cast over the closing credits of the film Mamma Mia!, but is not featured on the official soundtrack. It is also performed as part of the story in the sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, by Hugh Skinner and Lily James.

The Australian film Muriel's Wedding (1994), features "Waterloo" in a pivotal scene in which lead Toni Collette bonds with the character played by Rachel Griffiths. The film's soundtrack, featuring five ABBA tracks, is widely regarded as having helped to fuel the revival of popular interest in ABBA's music in the mid-1990s. "Waterloo" features prominently in the 2015 science-fiction film The Martian. The song plays as the film's lead, played by Matt Damon, works to ready his launch vehicle for a last-chance escape from Mars. In "Mother Simpson", the eighth episode of the seventh season of The Simpsons, Mr. Burns plays "Ride of the Valkyries" from a tank about to storm the Simpson home, but the song is cut-off and "Waterloo" is played, to which Smithers apologizes, advising he "must have accidentally taped over that".

"Waterloo" received a total of 89% yes votes!

(the video is posted by ABBA's own account, not Eurovision's = safe to watch)

[vickiabelson]

** TODAY SEPT 11th/ SPECIAL DAY SPECIAL TIME **

RUMER 1 PM PT LIVE FROM LONDON

I first heard about Rumer through our mutual friend, the late, J Marhsall Craig.  As soon as I had my first taste I became obsessed with her and made it my quest to have her sing in my living room.  I saw her perform at a benefit concert about 10 yrs ago and vowed to make it happen. A great friend and collaborator of the late, beloved PF Sloan, Rumer oft lived across the country and abroad, I met her at last at PF’s memorial 9 yrs ago, just after he’d performed in the living room.  We became fast friends and I’ve listened to her in heavy rotation almost non-stop since. We came thisclose to her appearing at Women Who Write in 2016, and it’s taken all this time to get her on Game Changers… good things come to those who wait. 

Under the name of Sarah Prentice, Rumer sang with the London-based folk/indie band La Honda between 2000 and 2001. In 2004, she formed Rumer & The Denials and released an early version of Come To Me High, and an acoustic recording of Slow.

Rumer's debut album, Seasons of My Soul, was released in 2010. Her debut single, Slow, was featured on Smooth FM, one of my favorite songs, ever https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvYUfwMBCrU  and the single Aretha on BBC Radio 2’s Record of the Week feature.

Burt Bacharach invited Rumer to his home in California so he could hear her sing, and wrote a number of songs for her with lyricist Steven Sater. A Christmas EP, Rumer Sings Bacharach at Christmas was released in 2010. It featured Some Lovers, from the musical by Bacharach and Sater, Gift of the Magi.

In 2011 Rumer was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act And Best British Female Solo Artist, she was nominated for for the UK Asian Music Award for Best Alternative Act and Best Newcomer and won the former, she was also nominated for the MOJO Award for Best Breakthrough Act, Best Album with Seasons of My Soul and Song of the Year with Slow and Won the MOJO Award for Best Breakthrough Act that same year. 

Rumer released her second album Boys Don’t Cry, which contains a selection of songs by artists and writers from the 70s.

Rumer released her second album of all original material, and her third total studio album, Into Colour in 2014 in the UK, Ireland, and Japan. The record was then released worldwide in early 2015 by Atlantic Records. 

In 2015, Rumer released a collection of unreleased tracks and b-sides from her back catalog entitled, "B Sides and Rarities". The collection features collaborations with the likes of Dionne Warwick, Stephen Bishop, and Michael Feinstein.  

Close your eyes and Karen Carpenter lives… in bluesier, sexier, more soulful sounds… she’s most oft accompanied by her collaborator and husband Rob Shirakbari, Burt Bacharah’s long-time musical director. She’s sung at the White House for President Obama, been Elton John’s special guest at his BBC Electric Proms concert, sang Jimmy Webb’s P.F. Sloan, with PF Sloan, and recorded it for Jimmy Webb, and appeared on an episode of Daryl Hall’s Daryl House where they performed Sara Smile together as well as I Can Go For That. Unforgettable!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzr6mvDar30

Rumer’s last album, Nashville Tears, released in 2020 covers songs from singer/songwriter, Hugh Prestwood, created during a joyful time in Rumer’s life, enjoying the bliss of motherhood. We’ll be discussing her new single, Before The Planes, which is tragically so apt for this day. 

I so look forward to catching up with my girlfriend, with whom I’ve shared deep truths and laughs. Her voice moves me like no other. It’ll be 9 pm in London, early afternoon here, so I don’t have long to wait. YAY!

Rumer Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

Wednesday, 9/11/24, 1 pm PT, 4 pm ET

Streaming Live on my Facebook

WednesDaily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[teeth--thief]

Have you seen Tetris (2023)? Unrelated: what music do you like, or listen to?

-R

I have seen Tetris, yes! Just a few weeks ago, sometime in March, matter of fact, so your timing is particularly incredible. It first haunted me in music form, believe it or not, I kept getting songs from its soundtrack recommend on Spotify.

While I usually really don't like the KGB is in your walls stuff that the Western films always insist on showing, I'll make an exception for this movie because it's pretty fun. I actually liked the Evil Liar KGB had going on, I thought it was very funny. I do have one complaint about the whole thing, though. I wish the pixel animation was utilised throughout the whole movie, not just in That One Scene... :( Just small, little bits (ha) would have been fine...

Fun (not really) fact: I was first introduced to the character of Robert Maxwell through this movie (you have to forgive me for not giving many fucks about the aristocrats of Britain). I have then immediately learnt that his daughter is Ghislaine Maxwell. The Ghislaine Maxwell. Jeffrey Epstein's partner (in crime). How delightful...

What music do I like... That's a terrible question to ask me because I'm very passionate about music... I have playlists for everything I like, even Chernobyl related one... there's not a free minute in my day that I'm not listening to something. I associate music with everything.

I mean, judging solely by the fact that my wardrobe consists of one too many Sabaton and Rammstein shirts, I'd have to say I'm particularly fond of metal. And punk. And rock. I occasionally listen to Hollywood Undead because I discovered it when I was a... young teen, much too young to be listening to that kind of stuff lmao, and so I feel oddly nostalgic about them.

I really like the... weird and experimental stuff? If it has some kind of a connection with nature, I will probably like it. I've been a long time fan of Cosmo Sheldrake - and he just released a brand new album Eye To The Ear on the 12th of April AND a new single just a few days ago... it's everything I could have expected and more, truly. His brother, Merlin (whimsical names is the theme) is a biologist and he wrote a book about fungi, which I really like, but haven't finished because I didn't have the time nor brain capacity to take in all that new information.

And continuing with the theme of slighly weird, I also enjoy video games/movies OSTs. The creepier the better. Little Nightmares (I&II) soundtrack? Perfection. I talk a lot of shit about HBO's Chernobyl but that show's OST is phenomenal (and that's the last nice thing I have to say about it 🙄). From not horror-esque soundtracks: stuff from DOOM.

I've also been mesmerised by the Polish folk music used throughout The Peasants and have been regularly listening to the whole soundtrack. I need to rewatch that movie ASAP... more on movie tracks, I also really like Mad Max: Fury Road's and Moon (2009)'s OSTs.

I also like older, classic bands... Pet Shop Boys, Soft Cell, Bronski Beat, Depeche Mode... Kult, if we're talking local... And because I AM beating the toxic masculinity allegations: MARINA, Paris Paloma, Caro Emerald and sometimes even Lana Del Rey and Mitski. Other than that, I'm rarely attached to one particular artist or band, I usually like two or three songs and hate the rest haha

I'm gonna add a bunch of songs I like under the cut as a little treat, just because:

[xmystophalesx]

Best New Heavy Metal Releases Week of February 10th, 2023

Ahhhh, what a difference a single week can make. As much of a slog last week was with nothing that really hit with me, this week was the exact polar opposite. This week was absolutely dominated by Black Metal with yet another album I will be surprised if it is not in my end-of-year best of list. I will freely admit there was not a ton of variety this week and if you aren’t a fan of the heavier or more extreme forms of Metal, this week may be a slog for you as much as last week was for me. That being said, there are definitely some things worth checking out. You never know, maybe this is the week things turn around for your appreciation of these more extreme forms of music are concerned. After all, this WAS a week of a bit of a return to form (somewhat) of one of the biggest names in the genre. Look at that incredibly well done segue into my first highlight album…lol

In Flames-Foregone (Melodic Death/Heavy)**

I was debating on whether to make this a highlight album as honestly I REALLY only like half the album. The other half is decent. Maybe it is the nostalgia I feel for this band or my fervent desire to see them recapture the magic they exhibited in the late 90s. Whatever it is, this album is easily the best thing they have done in close to two decades and in that it really gives me hope they are no longer a lost cause for me. If nothing else, this would make a perfect album for people to listen to that dislike harsh vocals but will give them a shot. This may be a gateway album to get you over that threshold.

Haxanu-Totenpass (Black)**

This was the first of a flood of really damn good Black Metal albums this week. One man project out of the US that was my early pick of the week and stayed in the spot for most of the week. These one man projects just seem to get better and better all the time and this one is no exception. Unfortunately, not super easy to find as it is not on Spotify, so YouTube or Bandcamp is probably your best bet. Trust me, it is worth the effort.

Infinite & Divine-Ascendancy (Melodic Heavy/Hard Rock)**

Do you like Battle Beast but sometimes feel that they just get overly heavy at times? I am being facetious of course but if you are looking for a lighter version of Battle Beast, Infinite & Divine have you covered. Maybe not super original, but what we have here is very catchy and easy to listen to Heavy Hard Rock with excellent female vocals. Delain was probably the marquee release in this genre this week, but this one is easily the better release.

Fredlos-Fredlos (Heavy/Folk/Doom)**

Now this one came out of nowhere for me. This is usually not my thing but there is something about this album that kind of gets under your skin and worms its way into your subconscious. This Folk infused Heavy Metal with an overall Doom Metal vibe and killer clean female vocals just really worked for me. Even as I sit here and write this up, I couldn’t tell you why that is. It just FELT good is all I can really point to. Your mileage may vary, but i really dug this album.

Frozen Dawn-The Decline of the Enlightened Gods (Melodic Black)**

I first heard this album on Saturday and have listened to it at least a dozen times since. The only album that stopped me listening to it more often was one that I can’t actually talk about for about until it gets released on the 24th. This is Melodic Black Metal at an incredibly high level. If I had to compare this album to anyone, I would have to say a more melodic version of Dissection or Necrophobic. Hell, they even do a Necrophobic cover to end the album. This album is absolute perfection for its 50 minute runtime. Tons of high;lights on this album but the biggest has to be the incredible guitar work here. The leads are on a next level for a genre that normally doesn’t concern itself too much with them. Think of the In Aphelion album from last year for another band that does this incredibly well. The only downside at all is I couldn’t find any mention of a vinyl release for this album.

That will do it for this week of a return to form of killer new releases. Maybe the universe is realigning. If In Flames can release an album that impresses me again, maybe the world as a whole is turning a corner and from now on everyone will help one another. Yeah, probably not. Until next week and, as always, listen to music and fill your soul with happiness and of course,

BANG THY HEAD!!!

All worthy of a listen if you like the genre

*= standout in that genre

**=best of the week regardless of genre

Best of the Week

Burshtyn-Apokryf (Black)**

Trespasser-Apocalypse (Black)**

In Flames-Foregone (Melodic Death/Heavy)**

Haxanu-Totenpass (Black)**

Carnosus-Visions of Infinihility (Death/Thrash)**

Fredlos-Fredlos (Heavy/Folk/Doom)**

Frozen Dawn-The Decline of the Enlightened Gods (Melodic Black)**

Infinite & Divine-Ascendancy (Melodic Heavy/Hard Rock)**

Standouts in their Genre

Moonthoth-Uroczhysko (Black)*

Crimson River-Here’s to the End…Again (Heavy/Thrash)*

Razorschrieck-Black Magick (Black)*

Red Soil-Red Soil (Melodic Death)*

Electrikeel-Straight Outta Depths (Thrash/Crossover)*

Narrative-Servants of the Prophets, Martyrs of Men (Black)*

The Enigma Division-The Enigma Division (Progressive)*

Willloos-Begeerte (Depressive Black/Atmospheric)*

Big Laugh-Consume Me (Hardcore Punk)*

eMolecule-The Architect (Progressive)*

Worth a Listen

Doomas-R’lyeh (melodic Death/Doom)

Diatribe-Rabid Nightmare (Death)

Ritual Awakening-Demon King (Melodic Death)

Atomwinter-Sakrileg (Death)

Wig Wam-Out of the Dark (Hard Rock)

Khymera-Hold Your Ground (Hard Rock)

Gates of Mourning-Ruination (Black)

Irrseele-Wahn & Wehmut (Atmospheric Black)

Dispyria-The Story of Marion Dust (Heavy/Power)

T3nors-Naked Soul (Hard Rock/AOR)

Terrestrial Hospice-Caviary to the General (Black)

Delain-Dark Waters (Melodic/Symphonic)

Pick of the week was actually not difficult even with all the excellent releases. Frozen Dawn takes the top spot with The Decline with a perfect 5 sleepy bulldogs even with friends over out of 5.

[parkerbombshell]

A Breath of Fresh Air July 16

A Breath of Fresh Air With Sandy Kaye bombshellradio.com Tuesdays 1pm EST and Fridays 8pm EST Archival shows : bombshellradiopodcasts.com Tommy James is a seminal figure in rock and pop music, best known as the frontman of Tommy James and the Shondells. His journey from a small-town boy in Niles, Michigan, to a rock and pop icon is a story of talent, innovation, and resilience. James' early passion for music was evident when he formed his first band, The Echoes, at just 12 years old. By the mid-60s, he had formed The Shondells, a band that would soon become a household name. Their breakthrough came in 66 when a DJ in Pittsburgh played an old B-side track, "Hanky Panky," recorded by the band two years earlier. The song quickly gained popularity, leading Tommy to reform the band with new members and release "Hanky Panky" under the name Tommy James and the Shondells. The single soared to the top of the charts. Following its success Tommy James and the Shondells produced a series of hits that solidified their place in music history. Songs like "I Think We're Alone Now," "Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," and "Crystal Blue Persuasion" became anthems of the 60s. "I Think We're Alone Now" reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Crimson and Clover" showcased their pioneering use of studio effects, blending fuzz guitars and tremolo to create a psychedelic sound that was ahead of its time. This song, in particular, highlighted their innovative approach to music production. Despite their success, the journey was not without challenges. The band's relationship with Morris Levy, the head of Roulette Records, was fraught with difficulties. Levy, a notorious figure in the music industry with alleged connections to organized crime, exerted significant control over the band's finances and career decisions. Tommy James later detailed these struggles in his autobiography, "Me, the Mob, and the Music," offering a candid look at the darker side of the music business. As a solo artist, Tommy continued to make waves in the music industry. His solo hit "Draggin' the Line" in 71 showcased his versatility. In addition to his musical achievements, Tommy James' legacy is marked by his resilience and ability to reinvent himself. His autobiography, published in 2010, provided an intimate look at his life and career, revealing the highs and lows of his journey. The book received critical acclaim and was praised for its candid and compelling storytelling. Tommy James and the Shondells' music has had a lasting impact on the industry, influencing numerous artists and being covered by many. One of the most notable covers is Billy Idol's version of "Mony Mony," which became a hit in the 1980s and introduced James' music to a new generation of listeners. The timeless quality of their songs ensures that they continue to resonate with fans of all ages. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, today Tommy James' music continues to inspire and captivate audiences. His journey from a small-town boy in Michigan to a rock and pop legend is a fabulous story and he shares it with us this week. Sandy Kaye sandy@abreathoffreshair.com.au Read the full article

[moochilatv]

Ohr presents: Red Pill

Seattle psych-electronic outfit Ohr is announcing the new album Afterglow out 8/30 via Headstate Records, alongside the summertime single “Red Pill” and accompanying remix from Sonic Boom of Spacemen 3.

The project of Craig Klein of defunct Chicago art-rock band The Race, Klein recorded the album while finding renewed purpose following the death of his father. It’s a sound of hope and inspiration, and not defeat.

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A post shared by OHR (@eitherohr)

Drawing on his love of ’90s electronica and psych — Andrew Weatherall and Vince Clarke, Stereo MCs, Primal Scream, etc — Klein channels psychedelic textures, sampled rhythms, and woozy hooks into a cathartic meld that spans trance-infused pulses to anthemic roars.

BIO:

"When your light goes out, what is there?” Sometimes loss can emerge in songs before we know it’s there. At least that’s how it felt to Seattle-based musician Craig Klein, who asked himself this question.

Last August, Klein, who records music under the name Ohr and formerly fronted The Race, was deep into the recording of his new album, Afterglow, when his father got sick and died unexpectedly. It all happened in the span of a month, and Klein found himself reeling. “It rocked my world,” the songwriter recalls. “All I could really do to keep from losing it was to just work on music.”

In a haze of anxiety and grief, Klein returned to his music and found that the record’s themes resonated eerily well with his new reality. He had already intended Afterglow to be a loose song cycle exploring themes of daybreak and sunset: What does it mean to find light in the darkness? When darkness comes on, is the sun simply going up somewhere else? 

Finding renewed purpose, Klein poured his grief into completing Afterglow, set for an August 30th release via Headstate Records. The resulting album is anything but defeated; it’s stirring and hopeful. Drawing on his love of ’90s electronica, Klein channels psychedelic textures, sampled rhythms, and woozy hooks into a cathartic meld that spans trance-infused pulses to anthemic roars. 

The new single "Red Pill" arrives today alongside a stunning rework from Sonic Boom. Named after a little portable speaker in his studio, the song is result of Klein listening to a lot of 90s electronic music, in particular Andrew Weatherall and Vince Clarke, Primal Scream, Stereo MCs and the Creation Records Keeping the Faith compilation.

Sonic Boom's remix of "Red Pill" came along by the album getting passed from Lucas and Chris of Studio Sparks (who designed the album cover) to Sonic Boom in Portugal, who thought it would be fun to mess with one of the tracks. On it, he fuses electronics, psychedelia and melody and his trademark sounds: heavy tremolo, dubbed out delays and lots of space. 

Klein’s interest in fusing rock song structures with electronic beats dates back to his formative years. His father loved electronic and New Age music. “I would wake up on the weekend mornings and he would be blaring the Blade Runner soundtrack,��� Klein recalls. Growing up in Chicago, he found Depeche Mode and New Order, alongside The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. 

In college, Klein met drummer Kevin Duneman and they formed the acclaimed Chicago band The Race, whose jagged and inventive records blurred the lines between post-punk, electronica, and moody goth-rock. The band’s third album, the 2007 concept album Ice Station, drew raves from outlets including Pitchfork, which praised Klein’s “ability to make restraint sound fresh and vibrant.” But the group fizzled out by the decade’s end, just as Klein was growing more confident at using the studio and recording with Logic software.

A subsequent move to Seattle left him feeling isolated and cut off from the music world. He gradually redeveloped the songwriting bug after buying a cheap electric piano. Klein began gathering once a week to work on music with friends, and he fell back in love with the psych-rock heroes of his youth—Spacemen 3, Spiritualized, Mercury Rev. He channeled these heady sounds into a new solo project, Ohr, named after both a Hebrew word for light and the German electronic label associated with Tangerine Dream. In a flood of inspiration, Klein recorded seventeen songs and emerged with Ohr’s debut album Walk in the Light, in 2021. 

Afterglow, the follow-up, is at once trippier and more refined, inspired by Klein’s sonic experiments sampling and rearranging snippets of his own playing using various synths and samplers. He pored over his Roland JD-800 synthesizer, known for its use in the late ’90s techno scene, and fed his vocals through a vocoder effect. 

If Walk in the Light was about the explosion of daylight, this album is meant as a nighttime record. Klein immersed himself in ’90s electronica—Chemical Brothers, Andrew Weatherall, remixes of Primal Scream—and the album never strays far from the groove. Interlocking beats weave in and out of Ohr’s hooks, stuttering with trip-hop propulsion on standout cuts like the title track and “Red Pill.”

“I want to embrace the fact that we’re able to be here now,” Klein expl

[chorusfm]

Liner Notes (February 18th, 2024)

This week’s newsletter looks at some music released, some TV shows and movies I enjoyed, and a plug for an excellent emo coffee table book. The supporter Q&A post can be found here. If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week (it’s free and available to everyone), you can sign up here. A Few Things * I had some time to fix a couple of bugs on the main website yesterday, and I’m now gearing up to tackle the much larger project on my list of bringing newsletter capabilities to the website. Quite a few maintenance updates will be needed along the way, so it will be nice to start working on those slowly. In Case You Missed It * 2024 Is For Lovers Fest * 4th Annual Let’s Go Music Festival Lineup Announced * Strung Out Announce New Tour * Further Seems Forever Sign With Iodine Records * The Gaslight Anthem in the Studio With Butch Walker * Liner Notes (February 11th, 2024) * Review: Yellowcard / Hammock – A Hopeful Sign * Hot Water Music Announce New Album * Mike Herrera (and Daughter) Cover NOFX * Albums in Stores – Feb 16th, 2024 Music Thoughts * A couple of fun new releases out this week caught my eye. The first is Middle Kids’ new album, which continues their trend of making solid indie rock. And I wrote about it a few weeks back, but Laura Jane Grace’s new album is also definitely worth your time. * My week was spent with a whole lot of Butch Walker and Goldfinger. I listened to Butch talk about “Freak of the Week” on the Chris Demakes a Podcast, and that was more than enough to drop me into another catalog dive for one of my all-time favorite musicians. And with Goldfinger, I’ve been trying to make a point to go back to some of the under-listened albums from my teenage years. Lagwagon, Goldfinger, Limp, and a handful of other bands that I listened to a lot but then didn’t return to much in my twenties. Also, that last Goldfinger album is ridiculously fun. * While She Sleeps’ new album comes out at the end of March; it’s similar to their previous but leans a little more into the full rock sound they were playing with. Like, almost Linkin Park or Enter Shikari at parts. I ended up playing the hell out of their last album at the gym, and I could see this quickly taking a similar spot in my rotation. * There were some great singles released this week, including Lost Stars’ “Vertigo” (for the love of all please release an album), Mike Herrera and his daughter covering “Linoleum” (adorable and too much talent in this family, save some for the rest of us), and Sasha Alex Sloan delivering another good one with “Highlights.” * Other things that caught my eye this week included a bunch of time with American Hi-Fi (and their acoustic album), which I maintain is one of the underrated pop-rock acts of the 2000s. Maisie Peters and her fantastic The Good Witch also got multiple plays. And then my early pre-coffee mornings were spent with City and Colour’s live album Guide Me Back Home—a perfect voice for easing into the day and whatever fresh horror is sitting in my inbox. And I enjoyed Nothing, Nowhere’s new mixtape Dark Magic much more than his last album. The foray into metal/hardcore/nu-metal didn’t work for me; he’s better when he mixes rap and pop influences, and this is a nice return to what he does best. The Stats: Over the past week, I listened to 31 different artists, 57 different albums, and 605 different tracks (652 scrobbles). Here is my Top 9 from last week, and you can follow me on Apple Music and/or Last.fm. Entertainment Thoughts * I read a few things this week, but my favorite thing was one of my Valentine’s Day gifts from Hannah. She got me the awesome coffee table book called Negatives: A Photographic Archive of Emo (1996-2006) that is full of photos and stories from a period in the music scene that obviously means a whole lot to me. I’ve known Amy, the author, for years, and I’m overjoyed at how this turned out. (And The Name Taken blurb that mentions… https://chorus.fm/features/articles/liner-notes-february-18th-2024/

[brn1029]

On this date in the important music of Rock and roll….

August 11th

2022 - David Bowie

David Bowie was named Britain's most influential artist of the past 50 years in the Sky Arts list for his ability to transcend music, film and fashion. Other musicians in the list included the Spice Girls, Sir Elton John, Stormzy and Boy George.

1984 - Ray Parker Jr

Ray Parker JR. started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the theme from the film 'Ghostbusters'. Parker who had been a session guitarist for Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye was accused of plagiarizing the melody from Huey Lewis and the News song 'I Want a New Drug', resulting in Lewis suing Parker, the pair settled out of court in 1985.

1979 - Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin played their last ever UK show when they appeared at Knebworth House, England. The set list included: The Song Remains The Same, Celebration Day, Black Dog, Nobody's Fault But Mine, Over The Hills And Far Away, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I've Been Loving You, No Quarter, Hot Dog, The Rain Song, White Summer/Black Mountainside, Kashmir, Trampled Under Foot, Sick Again, Achilles' Last Stand, In The Evening, Stairway To Heaven Rock And Roll, Whole Lotta Love and Communication Breakdown.

1966 - John Lennon

At a press conference held at The Astor Towers Hotel in Chicago, John Lennon apologised for his remarks that The Beatles were ‘more popular than Jesus'. Lennon told reporters "Look, I wasn’t saying The Beatles are better than God or Jesus, I said ‘Beatles’ because it’s easy for me to talk about The Beatles. I could have said ‘TV’ or ‘Cinema’, ‘Motorcars’ or anything popular and would have got away with it’’.

1964 - The Beatles

The Beatles started recording their fourth album ('Beatles For Sale', not yet titled), at EMI studios in London, England.

1964 - The High Numbers

The High Numbers, (later to become The Who), played at The Railway Hotel in Harrow, England. Just before the band were due on stage, Roger Daltry's father-in law came into the venue and dragged the singer outside and hit him. The band started their set and Daltry appeared back on stage after the fight.

1962 - Neil Sedaka

Neil Sedaka started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do', his first US No.1 as an artist. It reached No.7 on the UK chart.

1956 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley's double sided hit 'Don't Be Cruel / Hound Dog was released. The single went to No.1 on the US chart, where it stayed for 11 weeks - a record that would not be broken until 1992's Boyz II Men hit 'End of the Road'.

[heartsleevemag]

Friday Five

Welcome to another installment of our Friday Five playlist update, where we share new (or new-to-us!) tracks that got our blood pumping this week!

words by Vi McDonald and Cassidy Byrnes

1. Mayor's House, "Emma"

An emotional offering about feeling ostracized and the ways we find community despite it, this single by Mayor’s House captivated me from the first line. “Emma” is emotive from the vocals to the percussion to the lyrics, which tell the story of a queer woman, Emma, growing up in a conservative Canadian town. “The song is her story intertwined with a little bit with my own,” Mayor’s House’s songwriter, Emily Morris, shared. “It’s about the immediate bond that queer people have and our mutual understanding and respect for each other.” The last line of the chorus, “I know what it’s like to grow up in fright, so Emma, you’re never alone,” speaks to that understanding; though no two queer experiences will ever be the same, we can show support for each other, and that’s a message Mayor’s House understands goes a long way with this track.

2. Liza Anne, "Cheerleader"

“Cheerleader,” a new single from queer artist Liza Anne (they/she), is the perfect way to start out a pride filled June. It’s been out for two weeks, and it has easily found its way into my obsessive listening rotation, hence it being chosen for this Friday Five. The single is showered with a jazzy marching band-like instrumental providing even more of the swooning high school crush feeling that the lyrics provide, “Touch down, new queen, you’re killing me.” The chorus is so infectious and literally puts a smile on my face every time I listen to it, “So cute and you don’t even know it / Walking that talk and I love it, I love it / I’ll be your cheerleader!” Seriously, this single is exactly what Anne set out to do with it, as they stated in their Spotify bio, “…it was so important to me to create a space of healing in a physical place where before, I wasn’t fully free,” speaking to the experience of being in the closet. In finding themselves, Anne has given the world this true, authentic, and joyful track just in time for it to be blasted at every Pride event this summer. Oh, did I mention the fantastic music video that dropped alongside the single? No? Well check it out because it is filled with the hottest, queerest people on the planet living out a gay high school movie, complete with all of the tropes.

3. mehro, "exploding"

If I had to choose one word to characterize mehro’s music? Depth. The singer-songwriter has a great handle on conveying pain and difficulty through his music, and “exploding” is no exception. Describing the feeling of getting close to someone who may not be the best for you, the single is dark and upbeat, the lyrics gritty and punchy. “Break me down, make me insane / Cause I’m on the brink of exploding,” mehro sings in the chorus. “exploding” is a single from mehro’s new album Dark Corners and Alchemy, which Ones To Watch called “an early candidate for album of the year.” The album is a journey, one that emphasizes sitting in discomfort and letting yourself feel, so that something beautiful can come from it in the end.

4. DijahSB, "Lisa Leslie"

The latest release from Toronto-based non-binary rapper DijahSB, this track got some bounce (no pun intended). Catchy and danceable, the song is just as self-assured as the rapper themselves. “I’m not from this world, won’t keep pretending / Ball on these hoes like Lisa Leslie,” they repeat in the chorus, lyrics flowing effortlessly across the beat. “my name is dijahsb and I might have the song of the summer,” they wrote in an Instagram caption when the song released last month, and I can absolutely see this one going viral.

5. Emotional Oranges, "Devotion"

Emotional Oranges never fails to deliver a smooth, chill vibe complete with impressive vocals and a beat that'll inevitably get stuck in your head. "Devotion" falls under this category, speaking about a budding relationship and the feelings that come along with it over a chill backbeat. The vocalists' voices, contrasting as they might be, feel perfectly in sync with the music as they croon lines like, "Me and you, we're so connected, you affect me" and "My body keeps sayin' it's yours / I need more." It's relatable for anybody who's ever had a crush, or felt something for someone, and that universal vibe makes it perfect to round out this week's Friday Five.

Listen to the Friday Five playlist and check out the latest additions on our Spotify, and don’t forget to follow us so you don’t miss the next one!

[theeverlastingshade]

Radical Romantics- Fever Ray

While there have been plenty of eclectic sounds that have emerged from both the underground and mainstream alike within the last decade, no artist has come close to filling the hole left by The Knife when they disbanded in 2014. The Swedish siblings are responsible for some of the most exciting electronic music of the 21st century so far, particularly on their 2006 breakthrough Silent Shout, and their 2013 follow-up/swan song, Shaking the Habitual. The Knife's Karin Dreijer has thankfully been recording solo LPs under the name Fever Ray since the release of their self-titled solo debut in 2009, and while their solo music isn't quite as thrilling as the music that they recorded with their brother Olaf in The Knife, it still retains the former band's haunted, brazen disposition. A few weeks ago Karin released Radical Romantics, their 3rd LP as Fever Ray, and it's another characteristically chaotic synth pop record that extends the parameters of their sound while simultaneously displaying greater reverence for their work in The Knife than on any of their prior solo LPs. At turns both more experimental and immediate than anything that they've previously recorded as Fever Ray, RR continues Karin's remarkable hot streak with erotic, enthralling aplomb.

RR is unmistakably Karin's record through and through, but it's by far the most collaborative Fever Ray record to date. The 10 songs on RR were all written and executive produced by Karin, but the additional personnel behind the boards speaks to the record's eclectic sonic parameters. The first 4 songs on RR were co-produced with Olaf, and they're the closest that we've come to a proper Knife reunion since StH. They also, unsurprisingly, constitute the bulk of the record's best moments. Opener and first single "What They Call Us" sets the tone with a shuffling rallying cry against intolerance before the frenetic, arousing undertow of "Shiver" pulls us further along. The propulsive, low-end heavy rush of "New Utensils" emerges next, and right afterwards we arrive at the mid-tempo synth march of "Kandy", the record's sensual peak. Although the Olaf-assisted songs represent most of RR's overt high points, heat abounds in all directions. Vessel drops by to assist with the pulsating, mid-album synth pop scorcher, "Carbon Dioxide"; Nídia helps "Looking for a Ghost" achieve its creeping, trop-house touch; Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross aid both "North" and "Even It Out" in realizing their unsettling, industrial-informed arrangements. RR isn't quite as cohesive as Karin's other solo records, but it's the strongest showcase for their artistic range to date.

While the title suggests something more dramatic, RR is centered around Karin's search for romantic love. "What They Call Us" and the helicopter parent revenge tale "Even It Out" ("This is for Zacharias/Who bullied my kid in high school/There's no room for you/And we Know where you live") are the two more explicitly political outliers, but the rest of the songs on RR find Karin concerned with matters of the heart. "Looking for a Ghost" examines the difficulty of online queer dating in your middle age "Looking for a ghost/In the midst of life/Asking for a friend/Who's kind of shy" while "New Utensils" hones in on how different everything seems in a new romance "Maybe I come home Monday/Whatever works/Lips, fists, a mouthful of words". Career highlight "Kandy" is the most thoughtful examination of outside temptation in romantic relationships that I've ever heard ("She laid me down and whispered/"All girls want candy"/Can you bring me back?" and its already iconic hook is just the icing. The crux of the record is laid bare on "Carbon Dioxide", where Karin compares the necessity of love for human life to that of the chemical compound "Sucking on what's mine/Love's carbon dioxide/Can't say it out loud, I'm afraid to lose it". As fickle as love may seem, Karin's resolute belief in its power is the gift that keeps on giving.

Essentials: "Kandy", "New Utensils", "Carbon Dioxide"

[dealgemeneverwarring]

De Algemene Verwarring #83 - 12 december 2022

The eighty-third episode of De Algemene Verwarring was broadcast on Tuesday December 12, 2022, and you can listen to it by clicking on the Mixcloud widget below. And if that does not work, here’s the direct link to the Mixcloud page:

https://www.mixcloud.com/MedialabKortrijk/de-algemene-verwarring-83-12-december-2022/

Before I start telling you about the picture below: apparently that Mixcloud widget doesn’t show up anymore so just click the link above to go directly to the Mixcloud page. I don’t know what’s up with that and I am too lazy and not IT-intelligent enough to look for another solution. But you know the deal, I always post the direct link. ANYWAY. 

Pictured below is Belgian band Aroma Di Amore. Probably unknown to most of my foreign listeners (hi Neil!), hopefully not unknown to the Belgians here. Aroma Di Amore played their very last show last week in Brussels, after a career that spanned 40 years. Ok, there was 25 years between the 1987 album Koudvuur and their comeback album “Samizdat” (2012), but the influence that the band had on me is immense. The name of my previous radio show De Radio Is Gek Geworden? It’s a song by Aroma Di Amore. They sing in Dutch, and it’s just too easy to put them in the league of other eighties Belgian post punk bands such as De Brassers or Siglo XX or The Cultural Decay. Aroma Di Amore is a blend of their own, some of their tracks remind me more of Big Black then of Joy Division, and the trademark drum computer that they use is more punk than the same instrument used by The Sisters Of Mercy. By the way, the eighties output of the band is now collected on an LP-box called “Zwarte Doos” and released by Onderstroom Records. I’m in doubt whether to buy it or not, it’s pricey but all those records are just very very good. 

Allright, other music in this episode is new stuff from Non Plus Temps, Fleur, Tramhaus, and Puppet Wipes, and older stuff from Dinosaur Jr., Supercharger, Coïtus Int., Bailter Space and The Clean. And beneath the photo you can find the playlist for this show. Enjoy!

Playlist:

Dinosaur Jr.: Just Like Heaven (10” Fossils” on SST Records, 1991)

Chiff Chaffs: The Fly (LP “Up To No Good” on Trash Wax, 2022)

Supercharger: Don’t Mess Me Up (LP “The Singles Party (Singles Compilation 1992-1993)” on Rip Off Records, 2002)

King Automatic: Le Redresseur De Torts (CD V/A “Voodoo Rhythm Records Label Compilation”, on Voodoo Rhythm Records, 2011)

Warm Exit: Sonny Cynar (7” Warm Exit” on Rockerill Records, Belly Button Records, Drink & Drive Records, Love Mazout Records, 2021)

Escape-Ism: Whatever People Say That I Am (That’s What I’m Not) (LP “Rated Z” on Radical Elite Records & Mono-Tone Records, 2021)

Fleur: Fais Gaffe (7” “Le Capharnaüm/Fais Gaffe” on Soundflat Records, 2022)

Non Plus Temps: Continuous Hinge (LP “Desire Choir” on Post Present Medium, 2022)

Tramhaus: Amour Amour (EP “Rotterdam” on Subroutine Records, 2022)

Coïtus Int.: Under My Skin (LP “Sex For The Wealthy”, self-released, 1985)

Aroma Di Amore: Meisje Zijn (LP “Koudvuur” on Anything But Records, 1987)

The Drin: (I’m On) 75 (LP “Engines Sing For The Pale Moon” on Drunken Sailor Records, 2022)

Bailter Space: At Five We Drive (LP “Wammo”, reissue on Matador Records, 2021, originally released in 1995 on Flying Nun Records)

The Clean: Getting Older (CD V/A “Yeti Six” on Yeti Publishing, 2008)

番長 Taste: Passed Out In Petals (7” “番長 Taste” On I Dischi Del Barone, 2022)

Puppet Wipes: I Was Injured On The Job (LP “The Stones Are Watching & They Can Be A Handful” on Siltbreeze Records, 2022)

Leif Elggren: xNEW8 (CD “Tin Can Crowns” on Firework Edition Records, 2021)

Drew McDowall: Agalma V (With Kali Malone) (LP “Agalma” on Dais Records, 2020)

[whatsonmedia]

Music Monday: Hitlist Of the Week!

Adam Humphries, the editor of WhatsOn, has compiled this week’s Christmas special songs. There is something magical about music that can revitalize and cure the soul while also igniting new hope. Here is the weekly music selection for you to enjoy and add to your playlist. The Pogues & Kirsty McColl - Fairytale of New York  Released in 1988 is the ever-infamous Christmas Stewart featuring British singer-songwriter Kirsty McColl and Irish folk punk band The Pogues. The song is the tale of a romance between two lovers whose romance turns sour during which point the song becomes more of a comical argument. The song is as comical as it is entertaining. And years later cause a commotion in the LGBT+ Community with the word 'Faggot'.  The ironic thing is that the word Slut is used yeah no one seems to get all worked up over that one. I'm just going to say here now as a Gay/Autistic man I have no issue with the word faggot being used in the song https://youtu.be/j9jbdgZidu8 Wham - Last Christmas  Originally released in 1983 but then re-belief to get 1986 is the infamous song by British band Wham. The song is more of a milestone achievement for George Michael as his ability as a songwriter comes through here. Last Christmas is about the aftermath of a breakup of a relationship from the previous year. And is told from the man's perspective. Within the first few lines. It's about exes who meet up, and its clear there's still tension, as the man gave the girlfriend his love only for her to cheat on him the next day https://youtu.be/E8gmARGvPlI "Last Christmas I gave you my heart but the very next day you gave it away/But this year to save me from tears I'll give it to someone special" Band Aid (83) - Do They Know it’s Christmas? Released in 1983 and is still as infamous as ever. Do They Know it’s Christmas is the brainchild of Boomtown Rats frontman Sir Bob Geldof. Geldof made the song in wake of the news footage of the famine in Ethiopia. And he decided to bring together many other artists together to make the now-infamous tune; Bananarama, Duran Duran, Culture Club and U2 to name but a few. The words of the song are a direct reference to the suffering faced by the people of Ethiopia  "Here's to them under that burning sun, do they know it's Christmas time at all" https://youtu.be/j3fSknbR7Y4 The song was sampled in a Christmas edition of the British sitcom Gavin and Stacey  Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody  Made way back in 1973 and was released as a single-only Merry Christmas Everybody is that sort of song. And which many people will still be along to regardless of whatever age they are. The song is written by Slade frontman Noddy Holder. It is about the ever-typical day in the life of a family on Christmas Day. The writing is as witty as it is genius as nearly everything that is mentioned is pretty much what so many families do every year at Christmas  "Are you waiting for the family to arrive?" "Does your granny always tell ya that the old songs are the best?" However, what it is that everyone always waits for is the bit at the end when Noddy shouts "It's Christmas" The song was sampled in the 1991 film by Richard Curtis Bernard and the Genie  https://youtu.be/cWgwTe01kMU Read the full article

[blipblooopp]

Let It Be Me

Summary: Choi San is many things. The most talented man you have ever seen. Be it on the dance floor or in front of a mic during a gig. He was the kindest person, always holding the door for the people behind him, helping the elderly carry things, even paying for strangers randomly. He got along famously with your parents and even better with your grandparents. He was charming like that, capturing the attention of anyone and everyone who even looked his way. He’s the love of your life, you’re sure of it but he’s also your best friend. Pairing: Boy Band AU!Choi San x F!Reader Words: 5.6k Genre: Angst/Smut

You’ve heard of a thing called platonic soulmates but it’s taken you years and years of watching Choi San grow to realize you weren’t. Well, you hoped you weren’t. Everything about him made your body erupt into a fire.

San looked at everything with adoration, finding all the good in life, including you. It was a double-edged sword, really. It made you feel special… important. But you could barely concentrate when his eyes were on you.

It didn’t help that he was gifted in pretty much everything; it made you nervous beyond belief. He’s pretty much perfect and as much as you wanted to be with him, you knew the odds of him liking you back were slim to none.

You’ve come to terms with it for the most part. It hurt to see him flirt with girls in front of you, hurt even worse when he started dating this awful girl named Areum. She didn’t give a fuck about him, actually. She barely responded to his calls and texts, going as far as blocking him one time. They fought nonstop. Every time you two hung out, San had a new dilemma to talk about. For some reason, San wouldn’t break up with her.

You had asked him after a night of you two getting drunk together, after another night of listening to his relationship problems. He laughed dryly, taking another sip of his beer, “I love her so much.”

Apparently, it was his “slow-motion” moment. He and his band had been wrapping up the night with their last song, soaking up every second they could have. Halfway through the song, San had noticed Areum in the front row. You were there too so you noticed the look on his face. A look you had never seen him make before. It basically tore your heart out when he told you that he couldn’t get “that beautiful girl” out of his head. She ended up becoming a dedicated face in the crowd so San asked her out.

You would’ve thought they were soulmates from the way they looked in the beginning. Lord only knows how they got to this point. How you got to this point, with San crying in your lap.

It was 10:00 pm when someone started banging on your door. You were enjoying a cup of coffee but you almost had a heart attack at that moment. You opened the door with shaking hands, hoping that whatever killer was on the side wasn’t actually a killer. Instead, you saw your best friend, with swollen red eyes, sniffling.

“Oh my god, San! You scared— what’s wrong?” You immediately dragged him in, locking the door behind you. He sniffled again as he slumped into your couch. You took a seat next to him and took his hand in yours. “Was it another fight?” You knew it wasn’t. In all the fights you had heard, San never cried.

“She was cheating on me… this whole time.” He hiccuped as he talked.

“That bitch.” You said under your breath. You held onto his hand a little tighter, trying to contain your anger.

“I went to her house tonight because she wasn’t responding to me again. I wanted to talk it out with her but she opened her front door in her underwear with some motherfucker sitting on her couch!” Although you had many words to say with Areum, you were speechless in front of San. What were you supposed to say? All you could do was scoot back on the couch and guide San's head onto a pillow in your lap.

“It’s gonna be okay.” You ran your fingers through his hair, “You can cry for as long as you want.”

And cry he did.

____

The next morning was hard. You woke up on your couch sitting up-right with a terrible case of stiff-neck. That’s not the only reason it was hard. No, it was worse seeing San still laying on your lap. He was wide-awake, dark eye bags contrasting against his face. His eyes stared deep into the ceiling.

“What’re you thinking about, Sannie?” You started to run your fingers through his hair again and watched as his eyes fluttered shut, his body instantly relaxing.

His eyes opened again, “Why didn’t she love me?” You couldn’t respond, not that he let you. “I knew we weren’t perfect, knew she wasn’t perfect… but we always made it through the end of the day. I can’t believe she would do this to me.”

“It’s her loss.” You finally said. “You don’t need her anyway. It was her decision to cheat and you had nothing to do with it.”

San didn’t say anything after that, just continued to stare at your ceiling.

___

The first few weeks were the hardest for sure. San had spent most of them at your place, barely leaving even for band practice. When he did practice with the guys he would leave early, only strumming a few chords on his guitar before deciding that it reminded him too much of Areum.

“He’s been really out of it.” Yunho, the bassist commented one time. San hadn’t even played that day. He just sat in the corner for an hour. You stayed behind for a few minutes and told San to wait in the car. You wanted to catch up with the other band members.

“Can you blame him? That bitch was… well, a bitch.” Wooyoung shot back, setting his drum sticks down.

“How has he been holding up?” Hongjoong asked.

You scoffed, “Have you seen the man? I don’t even think San’s there anymore! God, if I see her, it’s on sight!”

You did your best to help him through those weeks. You had been through a few hard breakups in the past so you understood that the early stages were the worst. You even used up all of your sick time to stay home with him. You had never seen him this gloomy. At one point, he went through five pints of ice cream in three days.

____

It took three months for San to be even remotely okay. He started going to practice more and this time, he actually played. You couldn't say you were surprised. San loved playing with the band and you knew it was probably the only thing that would bring him out of his funk.

"You look good, man!" Hongjoong slapped his hand on San's back playfully and for the first time in months, San had his usual dimpled smile.

"I feel good." He replied, setting down his guitar and taking a seat next to you on the beat-up couch. "It's thanks to you, y/n"

Your eyes widened. "Me?"

He nodded. "You stayed up with me, didn't go to work, even made me breakfast when you knew I didn't have the energy to get off your couch."

You couldn't lie; your heart was racing. All you could do was stare back into his eyes with a goofy smile painted on your face. San put his hand on your thigh, skinship being normal between you two, especially within these past months.

Your friendship remained just that, a friendship, for the next month. You were okay with this, though. At least you had a small sliver of hope now that he was single. That tiny bit of hope that he'd love you back was able to tide you over.

Until one night.

San had come over for your weekly movie nights, an event you had been doing since high school but stopped doing because his ex got jealous easily. You tried calming your nerves as you sat next to each other, his arm wrapped around you.

You were so close you could smell his cologne. It was intoxicating. Maybe it was the fact that he was newly single now, filling up your thoughts even more recently, but his entire presence was overwhelming tonight.

“You alright, beautiful?” Since San was single now, his usual playful flirty side was coming out again. Just like everything else about him, you had a love-hate relationship with it. It doesn't mean anything. You had to remind yourself. He talked like this with everyone, especially when he wanted to get a rise out of his bandmates.

You gulped when you looked up at him. How could a man have this effect on you? You would think that after years of unrequited love, you'd be able to at least contain yourself. “Yeah.”

San gave you a dimpled smile, shifting his gaze to a piece of your hair, moving it behind your ear. Your mouth parts, probably to say something but you can't be too sure right now. If someone walked in, they would think you guys are about to kiss. Maybe you are... you want to kiss him.

With your heart pounding in your ears, you slowly lean forward, keeping your eyes on his lips. They look too good not to look at but you're also scared of seeing the look in his eyes, the potential disgust that might be taking over at the thought of your lips touching his.

Everything is moving in slow motion. From your hand caressing his cheek to the moment your lips make contact. He's stiff against you and you can only imagine that it's because he's uncomfortable. You start to pull away, dreading the awkward conversation you're about to have but San is quick. His hand grips your thigh and he's kissing you back with fervor.

Your head is spinning, Is this really happening? These sparks you're feeling all over your body, does he feel the same way? You push away any thoughts you're having, trying to focus on keeping up with San. You needed to enjoy this moment. Without realizing it, you swing your leg and straddle San's lap. He groans underneath you but before you can question it, he's giving you a reassuring squeeze on your waist.

You don't want to take the initiative of going further, but man, your hands are burning to touch his bare skin. Your hands, instead, rest on his shoulders, gripping and releasing every few seconds. As if he was reading your mind, San's hands move to the hem of your shirt and for the first time, you break the kiss.

The second your shirt passes your head, San's moving to kiss your neck, occasionally sucking to leave hickies that are sure to last a whole week. You're breathless, taking this as a sign to take off San's shirt. Your hands are all over each other, San's going from your cheek to unbuttoning your jeans, your fingers feeling his abs contract under your touch.

It feels like a flash. San suddenly laying you down on your bed, both of your clothes littered behind you on the floor, his lips still on your neck. It's only when he's about to insert himself does he stop and look at you with dark eyes. He doesn't give you enough time to question it, pushing himself inside you. You both gasp at the feeling.

"Fuck, you're so tight!" He grips your hip with one hand, the other holding the headboard like his life depends on it. He feels like he'll burst any second.

You're right there with him though, the mere feelings of this moment making you sensitive. "You're just big. Holy shit!"

It takes him a second, taking a moment to give both of you a moment to adjust before he moves inside you. You can't contain the sounds coming out of you as he hits all the right spots with ease. You couldn't have pegged San to have this big of a dick, yet here he was.

Before you can realize it, your hands are finding purchase on his back and your nails are sinking into his skin. He hisses above you but his thrusts get harsher and the moaning in your ear doesn't get any quieter.

"You feel so good... so warm and tight for me." He's practically whimpering into your neck. You try to keep your cool, trying not to cum so fast but he's hitting that spot inside you with ease.

Your nails dig into him deeper, "S-san," You stutter out. "Close... so close."

"I know... but you gotta wait for me. Can you do that?" His thrusts get faster and deeper, you don't even comprehend his words properly.

"Can you do that for me, pretty girl? Be a good girl for me?" He's using both hands to clench onto the headboard now, the force making it harder to not cum. You just nod and wrap your legs around his waist. San is drilling into you with so much force and he's hoping that the bed isn't going to break. After a few more thrusts, he starts to get sloppy, and your vision's crossing.

"Alright, beautiful. Cum for me." He grunts out, trying not to cum at the feeling of you clenching around him. You finally let the waves of pleasure course through you, seeing stars. If you were lucid, you most definitely would have been embarrassed by the noises coming out of your mouth and your pussy.

With a loud sigh, San pulls out of you and releases onto your stomach. Almost immediately, he’s up and cleaning you, you’re body’s too tired to do anything but lay there. You’re surprised, because instead of leaving, San lays next to you, even going as far as pulling you close to him.

You have so much on your mind but you're too tired now.

____

This goes on for weeks. Sometimes you would hang out. Sometimes do other things. Everything happened so fast. The friendship that you held so dear had become a muddled mess of lust and confusion. You obviously still had feelings for San but you had no idea where he stood.

You'd never even talked about the first time you guys had sex. When you woke up he was gone and when you saw each other again, he acted like nothing had happened. You didn't want to be that clingy girl who expected a relationship so you never brought it up. Now you're in this endless cycle of sleeping with each other and never addressing the elephant in the room.

What didn't help was how San was acting differently. He was much more touchy with you, always having to touch you in some way whenever you were together. His hand on your thigh, holding your hand, arm around your shoulder, he did it all. Before the incident, you would have considered him touchy but that's nothing compared to him now.

Your hangouts started to become more elaborate as well. You guys were actually going out to movies instead of watching Netflix at your house. Small coffee shop hangouts started becoming intimate dinners. It was like you guys were dating. These dates gave you hope that he would eventually open up and ask you out properly but you didn't want to force it out of him. So, you just decided to go with whatever he wanted.

"Let's go ice-skating." The handsome man suggested his left-hand steering and his right hand on your thigh.

"You know I can't ice-skate." You deadpan, getting distracted by your fingers playing with his.

He glances at you with a honey-sweet smile before bringing his eyes back to the road. "I can teach you, ya know."

"Please, you just want to see me fall so you can laugh at me."

"That too."

San taught you how to ice-skate for maybe ten minutes. After that, he decided that it would be best to let you learn through trial and error.

"San, I'm literally gonna fall on my face!" You cried, your legs shaking as you attempted to walk on the ice.

"You're doing great. Just try skating to me." He held out his hand for you. Every time you got even remotely close to him, however, he would slowly start backing up. You were struggling around the rink but he made sure to sprinkle in encouragements so you wouldn't be too mad at him.

Just when you thought you were doing good, you got too cocky and propelled yourself towards San, wanting so desperately to close that gap. Your feet weren't pointed straight enough causing your left skate to hit your right, tripping you onto the ice.

"Holy shit, y/n! Are you alright?" San appears in front of you with seconds. Helping you up with ease. Your knees ache and you could feel the bruise forming on your hip.

“Did you not see me eat shit?” You bark out, now gripping his arm for dead life.

“I did but it’s always polite to ask.” You slap his arm playfully as he guides you off the ice and onto the benches. “Are you actually okay?”

You shook your head and pouted like a child. San chuckled to himself, seeing right through you. Instead of saying anything, he pecked your lips innocently and took a seat next to you. It was the first time he’s kissed you in public which only confused you further. Is he doing this on purpose? You really had to ask him.

You’re too lost in your thoughts to see San staring at you. It’s not until he’s moving a piece of hair out of your face that you’re snapped out of your thoughts. You jolt slightly and hum at him in response. He just shakes his head and returns his gaze to the people skating.

It was your turn to stare at him, to memorize his features for the nth time. He’s just as beautiful as he was two seconds ago and the butterflies are still strong. You open your mouth to question him about your relationship, finally building up the courage just when…—

“San? Is that you?” You freeze. Her, you think. That manipulative bitch.

“Areum?” San stands as if he’s been caught doing something bad like a child. She offers him a warm smile, completely disregarding you as always. You feel like you did during the concert. His eyes are no longer on you… but trained on her. You feel that distance he created on the ice growing bigger and bigger.

“What’re you doing here?” The man asks, still shocked to see her.

“Ah, I was just walking around.” The nerve of this girl to act like she didn’t do anything wrong. “What’re you doing here?” Her eyes land on you but she quickly looks back at him.

You stand this time. “We’re…” Don’t say it. Don’t be petty. Don’t say it. Don’t say it. “On a date.” You entwine your arm with San’s.

Areum’s lip twitches in annoyance. “Oh?” She quirks a brow and glances at San. “Is this true?”

San freaks out without thinking and shakes his arm from yours. “No!— I mean like a friendly date, sure. We’re just hanging out like old times.”

There’s your answer.

His ex smiles with victory at your defeated state. “Well, we should catch up, San. I know we ended things on a bad note but I think we should talk.”

The car ride home was awfully silent. Usually, they were filled with laughter and off-key singing but tonight, you gave San short answers in his poor attempt to talk. When you entered your apartment, you told him you were going to bed early and that he should lock up when he leaves.

Instead, you feel his warm body climb into your bed and hold you at 12 am. As always, you didn’t tell him to leave. Because, as always, you couldn’t say no to Choi San.

____

You wake up and San's not next to you but there is a text.

San : Sorry I didn't want to wake you but I left to go to practice. It'll probably end late today so if you feel up to it, come hang out. :)

Should you? Maybe it's just better if you pretend like nothing happened. Obviously, that's what he's doing. Besides, it’s not like his bandmates gave you false hope just to reject you in front of their ex. You end up going to the practice, a huge lump in your throat. If you brought up the situation, you're sure that whatever you guys had would be over the second you said anything.

Jongho, the lead singer, greets you with a smile and a nod in your direction as he warms up.

"y/n!" Wooyoung calls out, getting off of his drum stool and engulfing you in a hug.

You giggle on command, loving his enthusiasm. “Wooyoung, why do you always act like we haven’t seen each other for years!”

He smiles and whispers, “Don’t tell the guys I told you, but you’re like… our muse!”

You roll your eyes and pull away from his chest just to look at him, “I think you’re the only one crazy enough to even consider that.”

Wooyoung lets you go completely and returns to his drum set, you follow suit. “Maybe but you’ve been our number one supporter since day one! Plus you’re beautiful and beauty inspires art, does it not?”

Laughter erupts from you again at his cheesiness and your feel an arm wrap around your shoulder. You didn’t have to look to know who it was, the signature cologne giving him away.

“What’s so funny?” San’s smiling but you can tell there’s something different in his tone.

“Just exposing how important y/n is to the band.” Wooyoung sends you a playful wink, your cheeks burning slightly. San forces a laugh, something you don’t notice, before sitting you down on the couch.

After practice was over, you waited outside of the room for San so you could go back to your place. That wasn't the original plan but San insisted. The chilly air made you wrap your arms around yourself, internally scolding yourself over not bringing a jacket.

Wooyoung was the first to come out, fishing his lighter out of his pocket. He wasn't the only cigarette smoker in the group but he was definitely the one that smoked the most. He grinned at the sight of you, resting his hand in his pocket instead.

"Why're you waiting out here? It's cold as hell."

"Yeah... But I didn't want to get in your guys' way." You rubbed your hands up and down your arms trying to create heat. Wooyoung took off his jacket and wrapped it around you without hesitation. "A true gentleman." You remarked.

He put his hand on his chest, his face contorting to look hurt. "I've always been a gentleman. Even when I'm freezing my ass off."

Your eyes widened, ready to give the jacket back. "Woah there, missy. I gave it to you for a reason. We don't want our muse to die of hypothermia." The joke makes you laugh lightly. "You waiting on San?"

You nod, staring at the ground and rocking back and forth on the balls of your feet. “It’s been a lot of waiting recently.” You accidentally confess.

“Uh oh.” He leans against the wall. "I noticed something was different."

"What do you mean?" You hear your heartbeat through your ears and you find it hard to breathe all of a sudden.

"You guys are a lot closer... You guys are best friends, sure, but the air's been different between you two. He still doesn't notice how you look at him."

You scoff, "That obvious, huh?"

"To everyone but him, it seems. Can I be honest?" Wooyoung rolls to face you. You nod, now looking at him. "Unless you tell him how you feel, you'll be doing nothing but waiting on him."

"But our friendship-"

"If you're about to tell me that it's enough for you, so help me God, y/n, I will kick your ass." You laugh for the first time since the conversation started. You understand what you have to do. You guys have already crossed so many boundaries and clearly, he feels something for you, right?

The door to the practice room swings open and this time it's Yeosang and San. San's bright smile seems to falter as his eyes instantly land on the jacket that's wrapped around you. His eyes shift between you and the drummer then he strides to you, grabbing your wrist.

"Let's go?" You don't have time to answer. San's practically ripping the jacket off of you and throwing it at Wooyoung who barely catches it. This time, you don't miss the change in his tone. He replaces Wooyoung's jacket with his hoodie, not saying a word as he puts it on you.

Just like the night before, the tension in the car is thick but unlike last night, it's you who's trying to spark a conversation. San's knuckles are turning white as he drives and it's starting to worry you. You've never seen San this upset before and you're still trying to place the reasoning. Was it jealousy?

You pull up to the house, expecting him to follow you like he always does but he doesn't. Instead, he leaves the engine running and his eyes on the street. For some reason, this sets you off. This man had the audacity to pull away from you, act like you were just a friend in front of the ex that cheated on him, but gets jealous over you casually talking to another guy?

You scoff and unbuckle your seatbelt, stepped out of the car, and slammed the door shut. San was feeling extra temperamental tonight. He couldn't understand why he felt like this either. Maybe he was looking for a fight. He turned off the engine and followed you inside. Before you could close and lock the door, he stepped into your house.

"What is your problem?" You asked venomously.

"What is your problem?"

"I didn't have any problem until you decided to get all confusing!" You dropped your tote bag on the floor, turning to face him fully.

"I'm confusing? Are kidding me?" He huffs out, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Actually, I'm not. You've been driving me nuts since we started hooking up. I'm over it!" His lip twitches into a sarcastic smile. "What the fuck was that with your ex? You completely pushed me aside. She treated you like shit, remember? She cheated, she lied, and she manipulated you. Do you want to get back to-"

"You're not my girlfriend, y/n!" He cut you off. "God, it's like you don't know your place." Tears pricked your eyes but you felt more angry than sad. Angry, you've never felt this way with San before. You're experiencing a lot of firsts tonight. San immediately realizes what he said, how hurt you were. He took a step closer to you but you put up your hands, putting up your boundaries for the first time.

"No, you're right. It's not like you hold my hand wherever we go or put your hands on my waist in public. You don't smile at me sweetly during dates. We're not completely vulnerable with each other, telling each other things we'd never breathe to others. It's not like we fuck almost every day! Do friends do what we do? Please, enlighten me. What's my place?"

"I'm sorry, y/n. I shouldn't have-" You're full-on bawling now, sucking in breaths where you can.

"I can't believe I've loved you for so long. I've torn my heart out for you and you just... you just throw it back at me like it's nothing!" His mouth opens but nothing comes out, instead he wraps his arms around you. You react once you feel him, trying to fight him off but he's stronger, trying to calm you down by hugging you.

You're screaming, all the feelings you've held inside bursting out of you, "Why can't you let me in?" You start to pound on your chest even though you know you shouldn't. You don't even notice that he's crying too. "Why can't it be me for once? Let it be me!"

"I'm sorry," He coos. You couldn't hold yourself up anymore, your feelings making it hard to focus. San catches you though, guiding you to sit on the floor.

San does his best to understand what you're saying through your sobs. He wants to understand what he's feeling. He thought he was doing this to get over Areum but why was he doing all the other things? He could've just stuck to the bare minimum but he didn't. Better question, how had he not noticed your feelings?

San was so caught in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed you had cried yourself to sleep. He was holding your head to his chest and he sighed, finally relaxing a bit. He couldn't really relax though, his mind still processing what you had said. He carried you bridal style to your room and thanking God that you had exhausted yourself.

San tucked you in and, after some hard debating, decided to lay in bed with you. He made sure that he wasn't touching you even though he knew he was going to leave before you woke up. He sighed to himself.

Even as you slept you were beautiful and he beat himself up for only now noticing how exhausted you looked. The man never understood why he was so willing and ready to sleep with you. He could acknowledge that there was steaming sexual tension but he never thought it would get this far. Nevertheless, you guys were in this situation; the very foggy area between friends and more.

Is this how you felt, absolutely terrified? You guys certainly couldn't go back to being friends after everything that's happened between you two. San's body started to shake as he silently cried. He couldn't even comprehend how much pain he's put you through these last few months.

____

You're not surprised to find your bed empty the next day; you wouldn't be surprised if San had sent you a message ending your friendship and promptly blocking you. You stare at your ceiling with tears already prickling your eyes. You weren't going to check your phone for texts. You just went to work.

The day went by fast, your boss giving you plenty of work to distract yourself. You were doing just fine until you pulled up to your apartment to find Wooyoung waiting to knock on your door.

"Wooyoung?" The man turned around, almost like a deer in headlights.

"Oh- Hey!" He quickly put his hands in his jean pockets. You walked to your door silently, unlocking the front door and inviting him in.

“What can I help you with?” You try to be casual even though all you’re thinking about is San and how you know Wooyoung’s here to soothe whatever problem you guys are having.

“I’m gonna cut to the chase. Talk to San. It’s only been a day of you two fighting and all of us are tired of him sulking.”

“What are you even talking about?”

“He came into practice looking all down and he didn’t talk to any of us. He just went through practice barely saying ten words throughout the whole thing.”

"How do you know this has something to do with me?"

“… Do I look blind to you? Everyone knows something’s going on between you two.” Wooyoung sighs and runs his hands through his hair. “Look, I don’t know what happened but I’m sure it was probably his fault. I’m not saying you should forgive him right away but just talk to him. Please?”

——

So now, here you are, outside his door. You took in a deep breath before knocking hard on his door. You couldn’t muster the courage to ask if he was home but there was no practice so you hoped for the best.

The door unlocked within a few minutes. “y/n?”

“H-Hi,” You stuttered out, feeling the weight on your shoulders get heavier. “Can I come in?”

San gestures you inside and you take a seat on his couch. There’s an awkward silence when he joins you and you can’t recall any other time it’s been like this. It was so easy to talk to San before but now you can’t even form a sentence.

“So—“

“What’d—“

You said at the same time.

“You first.” San breathed.

“I just figured we had a lot to talk about.”

"Right..." He brushed off his legs with a sigh.

"I like you, San- actually, I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you for so long and we slept together and it got messy. We've never talked about what we were after that night. You just made me a rebound and I turned the other way..."

His eyes burnt into your face and you were too scared to meet them. "I'm sorry. I never meant to put you in that kind of situation. I shouldn't have been so selfish. I didn't think about the way you were feeling."

San's warm hand grabs yours. "I'm so sorry that it's taken me so long to see how you feel about me. I'm so sorry I said that you didn't know where your place was. Your place..." He takes a big deep breath, making you look at him, "Your place is right next to me. I lost you for one day and in that one day, I've realized what you really mean to me. I'm in love with you, y/n."

He places his hand on your cheek, wiping away a tear you didn't even notice. You're falling apart at his touch but you were so happy that he felt the same way and- Oh my god! Choi San was in love with you!

"You just said you were in love with me." You breathed, a smile breaking out on your lips.

"I did, didn't I?" He chuckles, closing the distance between your faces. Your breath hitches. "Are you going to give me a chance to love you for real this time?"

Your heart is going to burst and you don't really give it much thought.

"Yes."

[thisaintascenereviews]

Royal Coda - To Only A Few At First “Swancore” is one of the weirdest “styles” of music I’ve ever heard, but I understand its appeal to an extent. What am I referring to? Well, Swancore steams from guitarist Will Swan, whom you may know as the guitarist of post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance, but Swan has branched out his “cinematic universe” with other bands, including the band I’m going to be talking about today (as he joined the band a few years ago), as well as starting a record label for a lot of these bands (Blue Swan Records to be exact). The issue I have with this kind of music is that it all sounds the same, hence the name “Swancore.” A lot of bands under this label sound exactly a lot, including wonky guitar riffs, a post-hardcore meets progressive-rock, dual screaming and clean vocals (especially vocals with a pop / R&B inflection, similar to Tilian Pearson, Kurt Travis, and the like), and nonsensical lyrics that don’t have any rhyme or reason. There are tons of bands that follow this formula, and while a lot of them are talented, it’s just that they all sound alike. People really seem to love these bands, though, especially Dance Gavin Dance. I just reviewed their new album, Jackpot Juicer, and I have mixed feelings on it, but it’s a decent album overall. I enjoyed parts of it, but it was way too long for its own good, and showed the band running out of ideas (although they’ve been doing that for the last few years, honestly). Coincidentally, another band on the Swancore roster, Royal Coda, was slated to release their third album the same week that I ended up reviewing Jackpot Juicer, so I was rather intrigued by it. I’m a fan of Royal Coda, first and foremost, and out of the “Swancore” bands, they’re one of the better ones. Fronted by former Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds vocalist, Kurt Travis is at the helm of these guys, including Sergio Medina, and Will Swan himself, but they made their debut in 2018 with a self-titled record that I thought was pretty good, but not great. It was a very generic post-hardcore record, and it was cool, but nothing I couldn’t get from these other bands. I went back and listened to their second album, 2019′s Compassion, and liked that one a lot more, because I hadn’t heard it yet. It was a very good album, and it had more of a funk / R&B-inspired sound, which would make sense, considering that Kurt Travis was in the band Eternity Forever with the guitarist of Strawberry Girls, and they had a funky sound that I really liked. They broke up after a single EP, unfortunately, but this is almost the spiritual successor to that band. Their third album, To Only A Few At First, seems to continue this idea of having a post-hardcore meets funk sound. To put it simply, this is a really good album, but I haven’t been going back to it that much. I did mention in my review of Jackpot Juicer that this album is better than that one, and I agree with that still. This record is a lot shorter, only 38 minutes, and it’s a lot more cohesive in its tone and sound. That’s kind of the problem, though; this album is kind of one note, and it’s extremely catchy or memorable in terms of individual songs. Everything about this album is pretty good, though; Travis’ vocals are great, definitely some of the best that I’ve heard from him ever, and the guitarwork is great, too, including some really solid grooves. I love how the album is pretty short, like I said, but it does blend together a little bit. If anything, it shows Swancore’s issues that a lot of these bands tend to have, but it’s also one of the better albums I’ve heard recently. It’s a solid little post-hardcore with funk and progressive tones, so it’s a lot of fun to listen to. I just haven’t gone back to it as much as I’ve wanted to, unfortunately, but it’s worth hearing if you’re a fan of Kurt Travis, Will Swan, or any of that stuff. People tend to go nuts over anything Will Swan does, and like I said in the beginning, I kind of understand it, but when everything sounds the same, I don’t really get it, so I don’t know, folks. If you’re a diehard fan of any of these guys, or these bands, you’re going to enjoy this. Hell, you probably already do, and I’m sure you’ve been listening to it for the last week since it’s been out, but I wouldn’t say this is one of my top ten favorites of the year. I really enjoyed it, but it’s nothing necessarily special, either. I like the funkier tones that it has throughout it, but the album’s never catchy enough to keep me engaged throughout its shorter runtime. It’s groovy, but there’s not enough catchy melodies or hooks to really hit a home run for me. All in all, though, there’s enough to enjoy, especially if you’re not familiar with Royal Coda or the Swancore sound. This is a great introduction to this band, and it’s easily their best, so hopefully they keep going and they throw some catchier and more accessible hooks in their sound next time around.

[greensparty]

RIP Taylor Hawkins 1972-2022

I have been laying low on this blog in recent weeks after I was dealing with a personal loss, but I’m back here to pay tribute to one of my favorite musicians who has sadly passed away at age 50. Taylor Hawkins is one of the best drummers of his generation and this truly sucks. Anyone who knows me or reads this blog knows my fanaticism of Foo Fighters and Taylor was a tremendous part of the band. When you are a drummer in a band with Dave Grohl, one of the greatest drummers ever, one needs to rise to that challenge of drumming for a legendary drummer, which Taylor did time and time again!

Taylor Hawkins

 I first became aware of Taylor in 1995 when he became the drummer for Alanis Morissette. He appeared in her music video for “You Oughta Know” and toured with her. In the recent documentary Jagged, Taylor was one of the featured interviewees talking about that era. That tour lead to Taylor getting asked to join Foo Fighters in 1997 after William Goldsmith got fired. I had been a huge fan of Nirvana, so I picked up their 1995 debut, which was a Dave Grohl solo project that lead to a band. By the time I saw them in June 1997 at the WBCN River Rave, Taylor was the band’s new drummer who had just joined. He didn’t disappoint. In Nov. 1999 after There is Nothing Left to Lose was released, I saw the band do an in-store in NYC and I met Taylor (along with Grohl, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett) who signed my “Learn to Fly” 45 single and TINLTL CD. 

Taylor singing lead

As Foo Fighters became a tight-nit band, Taylor became more and more of a vital part of their sound. He was a classic rock fanatic and he brought his ambition to the band. He even sang lead vocals on some songs including “Cold Day in the Sun”, “Sunday Rain” with Sir Paul McCartney playing drums, and the band’s covers of Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” and Cream’s “I Feel Free” to name a few.

Taylor with Foo Fighters at Fenway Park on 7/27/2018

I saw Foo Fighters live countless times, most recently at Fenway Park in 2018. Notable highlights of those shows with Taylor include a 2005 show where special guest Roger Taylor of Queen came out and played on the cover of “Tie Your Mother Down” with Taylor singing. He looked like he just won the lottery singing on stage with the drummer from Queen! Also noteworthy was their 2006 Skin and Bones acoustic show. When I saw the band at Fenway Park in both 2015 and 2018, they covered Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” with Taylor singing the Freddie Mercury part. 

Hawkins also had several solo and side projects. His band Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders put out some good rock albums and I was lucky enough to see them live in 2006 at Bowery Ballroom and in 2010 at the Gramercy Theatre, both in NYC. Both were fun rockin’ shows where Taylor got to show off his vocal skills. There was also his short-lived band Birds of Satan. Then in 2016, he released his solo EP KOTA (which I named an Honorable Mention in my Best Albums of 2016). Hawkins was also made frequent appearances in music documentaries including The Doors: Break on Thru - A Celebration of Ray Manzarek (read my review here), Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (Taylor inducted Rush into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - remember that?), and numerous drummer docs, as well as the docs Dave Grohl did. Taylor was also an actor, playing Iggy Pop in CBGB and last month’s Foo Fighter movie Studio 666. 

some of his best solo and side projects

My heart goes out to all of the Foo Fighters and especially Dave Grohl who lost his Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain way before his time and has now lost his drummer too soon. It also needs to be said that this past year was a tremendous time period for Taylor and his bandmates: their album Medicine at Midnight was my #1 Album of 2021 and was one of their best albums yet, their Bee Gees cover album Hail Satin was fun too, they were the first band to re-open Madison Square Garden, performed at Biden’s Inauguration, and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I was looking forward to their upcoming show at Boston Calling too. Not sure what Taylor’s passing means for the band, but I hope they continue on as they are one of the greatest rock bands on the planet. 

Taylor (right) with one of his biggest influences Stewart Copeland

One of my favorite quotes from Taylor was when he was talking about Van Halen’s “Panama” (a song he has covered many times): “anyone who doesn’t like this song is a fucking asshole!” Well put! 

Thank you for the music and the memories Taylor Hawkins!

Here is the band’s official statement: https://twitter.com/foofighters/status/1507552958988255234