Sometimes I miss them. I always liked R. E. M.'s Strange. Not a top favorite from their catalog, but good in a mix. I always acquired my punk from cassette copies from D. J. friends when we had no money to spare on the "good" music because we spent it on the latest Pop 12" remix for the money gigs.

I thought Strange was R. E. M.'s not knowing about Wire's original. Face it at that point Wire was Buzz, Buzzing in my eardrum. Michael Stipe didn't seem to be out of material. I just never really looked. So fast forward to the iPod/iTunes age when I have more cash. I am now acquiring the full albums and there it is an edgy Strange. Nice!

R. E. M. alt-pop (Michael's Nervous):
REM Strange

Wire Punk origins (Colin's nervous?):
Wire Strange

Tags: Music, IckMusic

In honor of IckMusic's punk post, I am dusting off the old Smash It Up for those who believe it was written specifically for that Batman movie.

Captain Sensible brings us...
Smash It Up

I love the Offspring and they will feature prominently in these posts. I just can't clear Chris O'Donnell trying to be punk from my vision when I hear this otherwise well played remake...
Smash It Up

Tags: Music, IckMusic

Thanks Pete, I love my punk prime. I don't actually have any 999 in my playlist. I do have the Buzzcocks anthem, "What Do I Get" for your Father's Day enjoyment.

11 What Do I Get

Tags: Music, IckMusic

Before Blue Collar comedy, TV and Radio happened we had another North Carolina boy preaching to us. His name was Neill, but we called him Mojo Nixon. He was politically astute, down home proud and absolutely scathing when the nation was birthing Political Correctness.

He slammed everyone. Politicians, murderers, MTV Idols, everyone. He even beat on the wussy of the year, Morrisey.
"Big Bad" Mojo: Girlfriend in a Coma
"Wussy" Morrisey: Girlfriend in a Coma

The big threat to privacy in the early 80's was drug testing by corporations, so Mojo vowed :
(I Ain't Gonna) Piss In No Jar

It wasn't all about picking on people who needed, though. Mojo Loved Elvis!
Elvis Is Everywhere

So, go do the research. Learn about the preachin' you missed. Download all his tracks without payin' for 'em. Mojo don't mind cause he ain't "no asshole like Metallica!"

One Last Secret weapon for the holidays:
Mr. Grinch

Sometimes you like a song because you get the inside jokes. This is that song. I missed Nerf Herder when I was in and around Philadelphia music. Much later when they scored the Buffy title track I found this nugget. It is a little sad because I miss much of this stuff. I am also surprised I didn't "get into" a band with my sense of humor and Star Wars references in the band name.

12 New Jersey Girl

I have been to the Trocadero
I know who the Bloodhounds are
I know people from Cherry Hill, some are even girls
I know precisely how cool wicked awesome was.
I know Kenneth Keith Kallenbach can blow smoke through his eyes
I had many Yuenglings probably a few at the Troc
I have called some people Fuckwad


Now you get all the inside jokes, too. Here are some more tracks with more references you can track on your own.

04 Mr. Spock

07 She's a Sleestak

My long lust for the yellow green elixir of caffeine power is immortalized on the Mountain Dew Page. The page is older than 3 of my website management tools and keeps getting lost in translation. I restored the page and included it in the current management solution. Hopefully I can make it seamless if i ever change again.

To accompany my morning fill up on 32 ozs. of Diet Dew I listen to a little traveling music:
Mountain Dew

I like the Blue Man Group. I like the physical approach to music. I love the multimedia event that is the show. I actually like the music. I am fascinated by the PVC instruments, Drumbone, Chapman Stick and the sheer force of heavy rhythm from the massive and numerous drums.

Seeing them live is overwhelming. Light, color, illusions, messaging, satire and a poncho section is what it takes to entertain me.

Without all the associated light and magic I think something is lost just listening to the music. I still like it, but the "Men" and the critics seem to think the albums need more "approachable" elements.

The raw stuff is best illustrated by:
08 PVC IV
10 Drumbone

To make it approachable the producers add a voice to sing the words that the audience normally sings as they recognize the chords of a song like
08 White Rabbit

Not that all Blue Man acts are without words, but the audience is usually prompted to participate by a monotone, almost synthetic voice:
02 Time To Start

Did I remember to warn every reader this would be an Odd Trip into Music?

I recently had an opportunity to reclaim my iPod. I bought one for her, but it got stolen in Jamaica. So the last few flights, work outs, bike rides she has taken mine. Not a problem, except "I have terrible taste in music."

That means I have to dump my playlists and drop her all encompassing library of every song she every actually auditions on the iPod. Well, travel and bike rides are becoming sparse so I reclaimed it. I put my collection of short lists on the iPod.

I do have an odd taste in music. Now you all get to share the madness:

32 Kill The Wabbit

WPLJ put this nugget on the air years ago. I just never could let it go. I chuckle every time.

And just to remind Pete I hate Bruce: _I'm On Fire (Elmer Fudd)