Ben Lee recently released a new album of covers called Quarter Century Classix via New West Records. The 13-song set was produced by Lee and features his interpretations of early ‘90s indie rock favorites by Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Pavement, The Breeders, Superchunk, Built To Spill, Archers of Loaf, Daniel Johnston, Dinosaur Jr., Guided By Voices, Sebadoh, Smudge, and Beat Happening. Lee’s main collaborator on Quarter Century Classix was the innovative electronic artist Julianna Barwick and the album also features appearances by the punk rock icon Mike Watt of the Minutemen & Firehose, William Tyler, Petra Haden of that dog. & The Haden Triplets, Maria Taylor of Azure Ray, the harpist Mary Lattimore, and drummer Joey Waronker.
With this release you clearly can hear Lee’s indie influences and if you are not aware of his first band, Noise Addict, you should check out their 1995 record Meet The Real You. “16” is a single from that record and worth a revisit!
Video Classics
Fun Lovin’ Criminals – “Scooby Snacks” [Video Classics]
From their 1996 debut album Come Find Yourself, Fun Lovin’ Criminals put together one of the best caper videos to date! The track is still catchy today.
Elliott Smith – “Coming Up Roses” [Video Classics]
One of my first introductions to Elliott Smith. “Coming Up Roses” is from his self-titled record that was released in 1994 via Kill Rock Stars.
Spider Virus – “Werewolf Ears” [Video Classics]
“Sit still, sit still or I’ll cut ya!” is the key line to this single from Spider Virus’ debut album Electric Erection in 1997 on Ng Records.
The Figgs – “Favorite Shirt” [Video Classics]
This is the first single off The Figgs debut album, Lo-Fi at Society High, that was released in 1994.
Son Volt – “Drown” [Video Classics]
After Uncle Tupelo disbanded in 1994, Son Volt released their fantastic debut, Trace, driven by “Drown” in 1995.
Wax – “California” [Video Classic]
Spike Jonze’s classic music video for San Jose rockers “Wax”. One of the most creative videos from his early career. The song rocks too!
Noise Addict – “16” [Video Classic]
The Muffs – “Sad Tomorrow” [Video Classics]
TFN was sad to hear about the passing of The Muffs lead singer Kim Shattuck last night. She had been battling ALS for the last two years. Kim was 56.
The Muffs put out several fantastic records over the years and Kim could absolutely wail! This video for “Sad Tomorrow” is one of TFN favorites so play it as loud as your player can go!
As with other artists, Kim’s music will live on and The Muffs actually have a new album coming out October 18 via Omnivore Recordings. No Holiday, is The Muffs’ first new album in five years, and represents a celebration of everything the band has always stood for, and continues to be. Bassist Ronnie Barnett says “I think this new album represents the depth of our band like none of our others. It could have easily been aptly called The Many Moods Of The Muffs. All of our strengths: melody, big rock, sweetness, nastiness… All on display and readily apparent. The three of us, after all these years, are a family. The love between us is well represented here. We laid it all out there on this one.”
Kim Shattuck (songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist) adds “I wrote the songs between 1991 and 2017. We decided to have a long album and use songs that had been in my arsenal but were weeded out for super concise albums. They were all great songs and we didn’t want them to go to waste. No way!”
No Holiday contains 18 tracks on CD, Digital, and a 2-LP set (with laser-etched fourth side). Drummer Roy McDonald: “I think No Holiday is the most unique album we’ve ever made. 18 songs that run the spectrum from full blown productions to intimate home recordings. This was a labor of love for us and I think that comes out in the record. We wanted to create something lasting and special. I, for one, couldn’t be happier with the results.”
You can pre-order a copy HERE. RIP Kim – we will miss you!
Cat Power – “Cross Bones Style” [Video Classic]
Cat Power has a new record out on Oct 5th titled Wanderer. Here is a reminder of why we enjoy Cat Power!
Soundgarden – “Outshined” [Video Classic]
With the news of Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) passing away last night at the age of 52, it only seemed appropriate to go back to this Badmotorfinger staple “Outshined” in tribute.
RIP Chris – he will be missed.
The Candyskins – Wembley [Video Classic]
Formed in Oxford in 1989, The Candyskins were heralded as a bright new hope in British pop music. This catchy track is off their 1993 Geffen release Fun?.
The Breeders – “Saints” [Video Classic]
How good would 2017 be with a new album from The Breeders? Let’s hope!
face to face: “Disconnected” [Video Classic]
So face to face has a new record coming out March 4th on Fat Wreck Chords and the new track sounds fairly rocking. So rocking that it just might be a Friday Fire Track soon. Regardless of how the future turns out, we can tell you that you absolutely can not go wrong with their break out track “Disconnected.”
This is easily one of our favorite tracks from their 1992 record Don’t Turn Away and the early 90s punk movement and this video backs it up. Enjoy.
Ass Ponys – “Little Bastard” [Video Classic]
Reflecting back today on the alternative explosion that was the early 90’s. College radio hit the mainstream and bands made actual videos! Cincinnati’s Ass Ponys were front and center. “Little Bastard” is a classic track from their 1994 major label debut Electric Rock Music. Enjoy!
Sincola – “Bitch” [Video Classic]
Looking for some 90’s attitude? Look no further than Austin’s Sincola! “Bitch” is their statement track from the 1995 album What the Nothinghead Said on Caroline Records. Vocalist Rebecca Cannon, kicks it where it counts with her direct vocals and makes it really easy to sing along.
Sincola had a follow up with 1996’s Crash Landing in Teen Heaven, and opened for the Toadies, Joan Jett, and Morphine, among others. Even with some hype, not every band makes it and Sincola sadly called it quits in 1997 after Caroline fell apart.
Guided By Voices – “The Official Ironmen Rally Song” [Video Classic]
After premiering another track today from Suitcase 4 it only seemed appropriate to reach back into the GBV video catalog for a classic. “The Official Ironmen Rally Song” had its own EP release in February of 1996 and then was included on the great record, Under The Bushes Under The Stars which was released the following month.
I have always liked this video because of its mini history of the group through pictures. Enjoy and salute!
Pixies – “Dig For Fire / Allison” [Video Classic]
This has always been one of my favorite Pixies clips. Not so much for the footage but because of the song combination. I have always thought, because of this video, that these tracks should have been a one-two punch on Bossanova (1990). You be the judge!
Pluto – “When She Was Happy” [Video Classic]
Pluto is a Canadian alt rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia that was signed to Virgin during the heyday of the genre. This is the second single from their self-titled sophomore record and easily one of their catchiest tunes. The band was nominated for a 1997 Juno Award and only released one more record after this in 1998.