always listening
Twenty years ago The Offspring released Smash: the highest selling independent record of all time. It sold over ten million copies. It brought spawned two humungous hit singles in “Come Out and Play” and “Self-Esteem.” It (along with Green Day’sRead more…
I first heard Black Lab in the fall of 1997. Their first single was featured on Toronto radio station 102.1 The Edge’s “Groundbreakers” show where they introduce new songs. (two of the other artists featured that week were Black GrapeRead more…
I once heard that Sugar Ray’s album “Floored” was the most returned album of all-time. Fact or myth, it’s not much of a stretch. The lead single off the album was a sunny reggae-tinged pop song called “Fly” and thereRead more…
Butch Walker has carved out quite the career over the past quarter century. A musical chameleon, he started as a teenager with-hair metal (Southgang) before moving on to glam-rock (The Floyds), and crunchy alternative (Marvelous 3). In 2002 he embarkedRead more…
Last week I wrote about Swervedriver’s new single “Deep Wound.” I should’ve known SIANspheric wouldn’t be far behind with a 7″ of their own in “The Owl”. (SIANspheric and Swervedriver frontman Adam Franklin shared a double-EP compilation back in 2003).Read more…
I spend a lot of time browsing record stores. While the majority of the human population has turned to buying/streaming/stealing their music digitally, there are still those who prefer to buy their music on vinyl. I am not part ofRead more…
My introduction to chiptune-powered outfit Anamanaguchi came many years ago when the gamer-centric (and immensely influential) website Penny-Arcade linked to their “Power Supply” EP. I was immediately hooked by this band creating original music using what sounded like an oldRead more…
The last release of new material from psych/shoegaze band Swervedriver was all the way back in 1998 with “99th Dream”. A decade and a half later they’ve resurfaced with a new single in “Deep Wound”. Though it hasn’t been completelyRead more…
The Baseball Project is a group I’ve always been interested in, but it took me a couple years to pick up one of their records. After hearing how great 3rd is, I feel pretty late to the party. The groupRead more…