What I'm Listening To - Summer 2008The End of an Error

This is it kids; This is the final WILT. After three years and 11 previous WILTs, I'm deciding to kill-off the WILT and go back to doing random comps. I'll be making some of those mixes available up here on L&E, but the quarterly schedule and liner notes are gone.
Sorry, WILT; we had some really great times together, but now everything has changed and I think it's time that it would be best if I started making other mix-CDs. It was totally awesome while it lasted, and I'll always remember you when I'm flipping past the old WILT CDs in my Jeep looking for the newer hot-assed compilation.
Well then, look at the time, I really should be going. I'll see you around... Bye.Liner Notes:
1) The Travoltas - Pray for Sun
from the 2000 album Teenbeat
There's no better way to kick off summer than with a mouthful of Scandinavian bubblegum-pop. Here it is.

2) Dillinger Four - Maximum Piss & Vinegar
from the 2000 album Versus God
I'm all about D4 right now. I've been listening to their stuff on an unending loop. This here's a good one.

3) Grinderman - No Pussy Blues
from the 2007 Self-Titled album
Best. Song. Ever. This track is from last year's Nick Cave side-project - It is so good, it's scary. Plus, the video is pretty nifty - Check it out HERE.

4) The Network - Right Hand-A-Rama
from the 2003 album Money Money 2020
How could I not follow up "No Pussy Blues" with a song about masturbation? I really couldn't. Here's the boys from Green Day's dance-punk side-project - It gets extra summer points for a lifting a riff from Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues".

5) El-P - Up All Night
from the 2007 album I'll Sleep When You're Dead
Those kids sure do love the NYC hip-hop. Get your ass up off of that computer chair and out onto the dance floor.

6) Shiina Ringo - Torikoshi Gurou
from the 2004 album Karuki Zamen Kuri No Hana
I'd been saying for years that there was a surprising lack of Jew's harp in modern Japanese avant-garde jazz pop. Well, someone listened - Thank you Shiina Ringo.

7) The Raveonettes - You Want the Candy
from the 2008 album Lust Lust Lust
If songs could give you cavities, this one would be the Pixie-Stick wearing away your enamel and worming it's way down to the raw nerve.

8) The Jesus and Mary Chain - Between Planets
from the 1989 album Automatic
Here's a blast from the past that sounds just like all of the new hipster crap coming out right now. It was either this or Joy Division, but JAMC wins the award this cycle.

9) The Tim Version - Swinging Doors
from the 2003 album Prohibition Starts Tomorrow
I really dig these guys; they seem to be, musically, somewhere between Drag the River and Dillinger Four. Last comp got a D4esque song, this one gets a DtResque track.

10) Drag the River - Tobacco Fields
from the 2008 album You Can't Live This Way
Speaking of DtR, Here's a track from their last album.
Remember kids, your tobacco fields must be planted no closer than 15 feet from the entrance of any public building. Leave it to the fucking goody-goodies to ruin the last true American industry. Fucking twats.

11) Tiger Army - Where the Moss Slowly Grows
from the 2007 album Music From Regions Beyond
Moss can be grown within 15 feet of any public building... unless it happens to be exciting in any way - If so; that's a paddlin'.

12) Flatfoot 56 - This Town
from the 2006 album Knuckles Up
This song reminds me of a mix of Dropkick Murphys and Turbonegro, which is kinda funny when you consider that Faltfoot 56 is a South-Side Christian band. It takes all kinds, I guess.

13) Gogol Bordello - Ultimate
from the 2007 album Super Taranta!
I really need to find a place to see these guys where I'm allowed to smoke and drink frightening quantities of booze...
Dear Milwaukee-Fest,
Please consider Gogol Bordello for your festival this year. Please, please, please, please, please?
Love,
Liar

14) Fuckemos - Amputeen
from the 2001 album Airshow 2000
And they say that no one writes great love songs anymore? Piffle.

15) Bad Religion - Before You Die
from the 2007 album New Maps of Hell
Before I die, I really want to find a cure for suburban white kids that think that they're hard-core Englewood street thugs. Okay, one that doesn't involve .454 Casull hollow-points.

16) Turbonegro - Hot and Filthy
from the 2007 album Retox
You've gotta love those hot & filthy summer nights. If not, you're doing it wrong.

17) The KKK Took My Baby Away - Cool Millions
from the 2002 Ramones tribute The Song Ramones the Same
Yet another Dwarves side-project. Why the alias? I have no freaking idea -This is the only song that they've ever recorded under this moniker, and they've never bothered to clarify. It's awesome nonetheless.

18) Dr. Who on Holiday - Dean Gray
from the 2005 mash-up project American Edit
OMG; It's one of those super-scary mash-ups that are killing the music industry. Everybody panic!

19) The Queers - Punk Rock Girls
from the 1996 album Don't Back Down
See #16 and substitute 'punk rock girls' for 'summer nights' and 'them' for 'it'.

20) Teenage Bottlerocket - Wasting Time
from the 2008 album Warning Device
So far, "Warning Device" is by-far my favorite record of '08. Get yourselves some up in your ear-holes.

21) The Methadones - Getting Older/Losing Touch
from the 2007 album This Won't Hurt...
Quick question: Did you have to be 'in touch' before in order to 'lose touch'? Okay, I'm out.

22) Armchair Martian - Crestfallen
from the 2007 compilation Good Guys, Bad Band
Now that Drag the River is tits-up, I'm really hoping for a new Armchair Martin CD, ASAP. I've been saying that for the last 5 WILTs, and will continue to do so until the new record drops.

23) Bad Astronaut - Megan
from the 2003 Smoking Popes Tribute compilation
Here's a Bad Astronaut cover of a Smoking Popes tune. You probably already figured that out considering that I'm just rewriting information that was clearly stated above. Too bad, that's all I got.

24) Beasts of Bourbon - Evil Ruby
from the (out-of-print) 1984 album Axeman's Jazz
I've been listening to these guys again due to EdP's passing interest on the message boards. I'm a sucker like that. Wikipedophile says: "The Beasts of Bourbon's music has often been compared to that of a rougher Rolling Stones (whose 'Cocksucker Blues' they covered), The Gun Club (who they played with and who some Beasts filled in for) and The Birthday Party... Their music is a tough amalgam of country music, blues, rock and roll and punk parsed through the garage sound of The Stooges and the drunken mayhem of Australian pub rock. It often touches on themes of depravity, morbidity, despair, drug abuse and violence."
I'm not gonna argue.

25) Jason Webley - Train Tracks
from the 2002 album Counterpoint
This is my favorite track off of this WILT (with the possible exception of "No Pussy Blues"). I really want to grab a bunch of folks, sit out by a campfire drinking whiskey straight from the bottle, and listen to this track on repeat until the bottle's dry. Then we'll open another bottle and discuss the possibility of listening to another song. Sounds fucking great to me.

26) Ben Weasel - Summer's Always Gone too Soon
from the 2007 album These Ones are Bitter
Too true, Mr. Weasel, too true. And this comp is done now... and the WILT experiment... and these stupid fucking "liner notes"... all gone... bye-bye.

--END--

Here's the deal:
1) It's FREE
2) I'm only doing forty more of these (the first 10 went out at the bar last Saturday)
3) Shoot your mailing address to dclies(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll mail you out a copy

What I'm Listening To - Spring 2008

Here it is... finally.
I'm half-assing the liner notes and letting the music speak for itself. Liner Notes:
1) Teenage Bottlerocket - Gave You My Heart
from the 2008 album Warning Device
Here's a habenero up the pooper to kick off the new WILT from the brand new Teenage Bottlerocket record. These guys are going to be playing Reggie's on the 29th of March and I'm damned sure that I'll be there.

2) The Queers - Another Girl
from the 1996 album Don't Back Down
That bubblegum pop is mighty sweet. I can't get enough

3) Ben Weasel - First Day of Spring
from the 2007 album These Ones are Bitter
It's Ben Weasel. You're either gonna love it or hate it. I, for one, love it.

4) The Travoltas - Alright
from the 2000 album Teenbeat
Marky Ramone (who produced the previous Travoltas album) called this band "Pure Americana". They're from Holland. Stupid foreign bands coming from overseas and stealing all of our Americana. Hell, they do it so well, I'm about ready to outsource all of our pop music.

5) Tim Armstrong - Into Action
from the 2007 album A Poet's Life
Let me introduce you to your official theme-song for every Friday night after you hear this song. This is it.

6) Tōkyō Jihen - Burakuautto
from the 2006 album Adult Pour Femme
This is Shiina Ringo's new project with Seiji Kameda. For a sample of her solo work skip to track #22

7) The Network - Roshambo
from the 2003 album Money Money 2020
Yup, It's yet another Green Day side project - This time it's synth-pop dance rock. Trust me, it's awesome.

8) El-P - Flyentology
from the 2007 album I'll Sleep When You're Dead
I'll be the first to admit that the one aspect of my music collection that is sorely lacking is the rap/hip-hop genres. Then again, most hip-hop albums don't feature members from the Mars Volta and Cat Power. I picked this one up after reading a rave review in Wired magazine, and I'm digging it. This track is a collaboration with Trent Reznor.

9) The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
from the 2008 album Lust Lust Lust
This is the track that I'd been waiting on to get this WILT out. It was so worth it.

10) Armchair Martian - Son of Jeff
from the 2007 compilation Good Guys, Bad Band
Now that Drag the River is dead, I can't wait for some new Armchair Martian. Until then, here's a track that was originally on their 2000 release, Hang On Ted.

11) Foetus - Mon Agonie Douce (JG Thirlwell remix)
from the 2008 album Vein
I've been loading up the last few mixes with a load of Thirlwell tracks (Foetus, Wiseblood, Manorexia, Steroid Maximus, etc.), Lucky you. This is a great remix of a track off of the Love album. Crank it up and roll down that window.

12) Gogol Bordello - Tribal Connection
from the 2007 album Super Taranta!
I'm digging these guys so hard right now. I'm just enjoying 'em until the band implodes - The lead singer is starring in Madonna's directorial debut. That can't be a good sign.

13) Tiger Army - Spring Forward
from the 2007 album Music From Regions Beyond
Rockabilly and Spring go together like crucified Jesus and chocolate bunnies.

14) The Tim Version - March 22nd is National "Quit Your Job Day"
from the 2003 album Prohibition Starts Tomorrow
This album is one of the best surprises I've tripped across lately. It goes from D4esque punk to alt-country and right back again. I'm looking to pick up some of their other albums, and hope that they're half as good as this one.

15) The Replacements - God Damn Job
from the 1982 EP Stink
I need a god damned job - That just about sums it all up.

16) Turbonegro - Do You Do You Dig Destruction?
from the 2007 album Retox
More death-punk from everyone's favorite King Diamond meets Tom's of Finland looking motherfuckers. It's a good thing.

17) Bad Religion - Prodigal Son
from the 2007 album New Maps of Hell
This track has gotten pushed from the previous two WILTS and landed here. Actually, this almost got bumped off of this one for a track from the new Flogging Molly album, but was given a last-minute reprieve. It's a good track and deserves better than that.

18) The Arrivals - Failure
from the 2006 compilation Protect
I really have to pick up the new Arrivals record. In my defense, I wasn't sure if they released anything after that turd of a second album, but upon a quick Google search it looks like they got a new one out last year. Look for something off of that record in future comps if I pick it up and if it's good. Wow, that's a lot of 'ifs' - For now enjoy this comp track.

19) The Methadones - Already Gone
from the 2007 album This Won't Hurt...
All-you-all better be out for the Methadones show at Otto's this Friday. Seriously.

20) Against Me! - Borne On the FM Waves of the Heart
from the 2007 album New Wave
This track gets the full "Butch Vig" treatment from their new producer. I really like this track, but it's amazing that this is the same band that released Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. It's a slippery slope, but for now they're dancing on the edge.

21) Wolf Parade - You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son
from the 2005 album Apologies to the Queen Mary
"I was a hero early in the morning - I ain't no hero in the night"

22) Shiina Ringo - Meisai
from the 2004 album Karuki Zamen Kuri No Hana
The literal translation for this album title is "Lime, Semen, Chestnut Blossoms".
No, really.

23) Flatfoot 56 - Same Ol' Story
from the 2007 album Jungle of the Midwest Sea
Spiritual Celtic punk from the South side of Chicago? Sign me up - It's good stuff. No shit.

24) Drag the River - Death of the Life of the Party
from the 2008 album You Can't Live This Way
This song is essentially the self-eulogy for Drag the River from their final record.

--end--

Here's the deal:
1) It's FREE
2) I'm only doing fifty (50) of these
3) Shoot your mailing address to dclies(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll mail you out a copy
4) The first batch is going out to anyone at the Effigies/Methadones/M.OT.O. show at Otto's on Friday. The second batch should go out sometime the following week.

Triple Fuck the Rev

Man, I am so pissed off at Record Revolution in DeKalb.
About a month ago I started to put together the Spring '08 WILT mix. Right now most of my music collection is packed up in a series of boxes, so I'm only using my "new" CDs that I've purchased in the last six months. It's a pretty good mix, but I decided that it could use a few more sources, so I went through a couple the 7DA boxes and cherry-picked about 25 used CDs to trade in for some new stuff. All the discs were in excellent condition (mostly unplayed promos), and were all in-demand titles that should sell pretty quickly (emo-core, pop-punk, indie-rock, etc.). I made a point to pick out the ones that I thought that I could get the most in trade for.
A few weeks ago I stopped by the Rev on Saturday - They had up a sign that they had closed early. Fuck. No big deal - I'll just head back tomorrow.
The next day I was there right when they opened - First one in. Bobo greeted me with "We don't buy discs on Sunday."
I just turned straight around and walked out befuddled.
WHAT THE FUCK?!?!
I know that the bread and butter of record stores are used CDs - You buy 'em (on average) for 2 or 3 bucks a disc, and sell 'em for 7 or 8 dollars. Used CDs are 200% profit. On new CDs and vinyl you're lucky to break even with over-head. To not buy good used CDs at any given opportunity is fucking insane.
I cruised around with the box of CDs in the back of my Jeep for another week and was driving past the Rev on Friday when I decided to give it one last shot. The kid behind the counter told me that only the owner can buy CDs and that If I wanted to sell back my CDs that I would have to make an appointment.
Fuck that. I was just trying to support the local scene, and kept getting jerked around. I hadn't shopped there since 1996, and can't imagine any reason for doing so ever again. I'm amazed that they are still in business - Give it a couple of years. They're fucking doomed, and as soon as they go tits-up I'll be right there to do a celebratory jig in front of the vacant storefront.

Anyway, I'm heading up to Reckless Records in Chicago this afternoon to trade in my box 'o' discs for some new stuff (I sure do hope that I don't need an appointment to sell used CDs there). So the new WILT should be ready sometime in the next week or so. If you want to complain about the delay, feel free to call up Record Rev at (815) 756-6242.
Bastards.

What I'm Listening To - Winter 2008

This one's all over the map. We've got punk, proto-punk, proto-goth, rock, pop, J-pop, industrial, country, and a couple of tracks that even I'm not sure where they fall. You got lucky, there was a doo-wop track and an electronic dance track that got cut due to time restraints (no, really). There's something in this one for everyone to hate. I love it. All of the Winter WILTs seem to turn out like this - It must be something with the season.
Actually, this one almost never came out. I realized as I was packing up all of my CDs last month that I had to record this one ASAP before I came out to Illinois with my first load of crap, or else there wasn't gonna be a Winter '08 WILT. It's kinda hard to throw together a mix when your media sources are 750 miles away. I got it done in the midst of the maelstrom - Lucky you.
Here's what you almost missed:
Liner Notes:
1) 1,000 Homo DJs - Supernaut
from the 1990 EP Supernaut
This EP came out back when I was going out to clubs and underground parties in Chicago every other night. Whenever this track came on the kids went fucking wild.
Memories.
This is yet another Ministry side project. The vox are either Trent Reznor or Al Jorgenson (depending on who's version of the story you believe), and the song itself is the Black Sabbath classic from Black Sabbath, Vol. 4.
2) Turbonegro - You Must Bleed/All Night Long
from the 2007 album Retox
More guitar-driven madness from everyone's favorite Norwegian death-punk group.
3) The Dwarves - We Must Have Blood
from the 1997 album The Dwarves are Young and Good Looking
I can't believe that this album came out over a decade ago. There's a load of filthy, filthy memories tied to this album. Wouldn't trade 'em for the world.
4) The Patti Smith Group - Rock n Roll Nigger
from the 1978 album Easter
I've been listening to a bunch of proto-punk stuff lately. Easter is one of my favorites from that scene. This song used to be one of the standard examples of the CBGB punk scene, but has been shelved from the collective consciousness due to obvious 'PC' complications (not the kind that end up with a CPU being thrown through a window). I still say it's one of the best tracks to come from that movement.
5) Warsaw - The Drawback
from the 1977 album Warsaw
Warsaw is Joy Division before they were Joy Division. In 1978 they added a keyboardist, and changed their name.
There are a couple of Ian Curtis/Joy Division films that are coming out within the next few months, so I included this to help you all get used to the impending resurgence.
Now you can let all the hipsters and goth kids know that Warsaw was far superior to Joy Division to gain an aire of supremacy over 'em.
If you want to start a fight, tell 'em that the band was much better after Ian killed himself and the remaining members formed New Order. It always works.
6) Snuff - A Hazy Shade of Winter
from the 1990 album Flibbidydibbidydob
Who doesn't love a bunch of drunken scooter ridin' London herberts? These guys came together back in the mid 80's and cranked out 15 records over two decades. This one's off of their cover album.
7) Against Me! - Thrash Unreal
from the 2007 album New Wave
I'm still digging their new album. This is a good song... Um... That's all I got.
8)Regina Spektor - That Time
from the 2006 album Begin to Hope
One of my friends suggested that I pick up this record - Not quite my thing, but not bad.
This song is on here, because it seems to be based (almost to a tee) on my summer of '95 - switch out ' Delancy' with 'Sacramento', tangerines' with 'mangoes', 'pigeon' with 'squirrel', 'Parliaments' with 'L&Ms', throw in another OD and you've got it.
Apparently, I was dating Regina Spektor back then and somehow completely forgot about it. Who knew?
9) Tommy Heavenly - Hey My Friend
from the 2005 compilation JPop CD, Vol. 2
This is another track from Shimotsuma Monogatari (Kamikaze Girls), but wasn't included on the soundtrack. By the way, if you still haven't seen that film, what are you fucking waiting for? It's awesome. The Girl managed to track this song down on a JPop comp. All of you WILTers should know this artist by her other moniker, Tommy February 6. This is her alter-ego. We love them both.
10) Foetus - Time Marches On
from the 2005 album Love
Yup, It's another J.G. Thirlwell track. You know you can't get enough. This track is from his flagship project (Foetus) and was also included on my video WILT a ways back.
11) The Copyrights - Kids of the Blackhole
from the 2007 album Make Sound
This song totally reminds me of Barb City back in the 7DA days and the degenerate kids who used to haunt the record store. Sometimes I miss those little bastards - This one goes out to them.
12) The Bomb - 1,000 Tons of Ice
from the 2005 album Indecision
This is Jeff Pezzati's short-lived band from his Naked Raygun hiatus. I really liked this last album, and it still has a couple of WILT-worthy tracks left on it. This is one of 'em.
13) Drag the River - Portland
from the 2006 Replacements tribute We'll Inherit the Earth
I've been shuffling this song through WILT play-lists for damned near a year now, only to drop it because it never seems to fit. This time I made it fit, dammit. This, also, was on the aforementioned video WILT.
14) James McMurtry - One More Winter
from the 1995 album Where'd You Hide the Body
I picked up this record right after it was released, and it's been in regular rotation ever since. I have a bunch of his other stuff, but none of it rises to the brilliance of this record.
This track goes out to the city of DC.
15) Steve Earle - Johnny Come Lately
from the 1988 album Copperhead Road
I first heard this song as a cover on the Drag the River album, Live At the Green Door. I liked the cover and I like Steve Earle's stuff, so I picked up this album (off of the Plano Wal-Mart bargain wall, oddly enough). Now I can't get this song out of my head. Make it stop.
16) Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - City of New Orleans
from the 2006 web-comp Fat Wreck Chords' X-Mas Bonus
This one goes out to Steve Goodman. He's the guy who wrote this song and the annoying-as-all-fuck "Go Cubs Go" song. I'm just glad he's dead, so I'm not tempted to curb him after hearing that shitty ditty endlessly all fucking season long.
Fucking great! I just got that stupid song stuck in my stupid head just from writing this stupid note. Damn you, Steve Goodman! {shaking fist at ground}
17) The Methadones - Falling Forward
from the 2007 album This Won't Hurt...
This is off of the brand-new Methadones album - So far it's my favorite record of 2007. You'll be hearing a lot more from this one in WILTs to come.
18) The Bouncing Souls - Lean on Sheena
from the 2006 album The Gold Record
This song is catchier than human papillomavirus (HPV), but (according to our ongoing research) won't leave embarrassing warts on your genitals. That's a plus.
Also, it's a great drinkin' song - Who doesn't love those? Warning: Drinking to excess can lead to contracting HPV. So, if you get drunk while listening to this song, then venture out for some easy action out at the bar, this song could (inadvertently) lead to HPV.
There goes my research.
19) F.Y.P. - I'm Gonna Kill Her
from the 1999 F.Y.P./Chaniwa Split EP
That last note made my head hurt. This track is the cure (not to be used as a cure for HPV - go see a doctor for that), a straight forward simple rock song. I love those, and this is one of the best.
FYI: This is one of the discs I got from the Suburban Home 50 for $50 sale.
20) Bad Religion - Dearly Beloved
from the 2007 album New Maps of Hell
Yup, Bad Religion is still putting out records. Apparently they can't be professors and millionaire businessmen all of the time.
They had a suck spot back in the mid '90's through to the early '00's, but are now back to putting out quality records. The last 3 have been pretty damned good. Seriously.
21) The Murder City Devils - Every Shitty Thing
from the 1998 album Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts
I'm laying it out there that this was one of the 10 best albums of the 1990's... Okay, one of the 20 best albums of the 1990's... Nope, 10. I'm pretty sure. Definitely, one of the top 15. Probably.
22) Ben Weasel - In a Bad Place
from the 2007 album These Ones are Bitter
This is the first (and last) album that I ever bought from iTunes. Actually, I had The Girl download it for me, but it was an album purchased for me through iTunes (I hate them sooo much). I had her rip it to CD for me, and I printed and assembled all of the artwork - LINK. Then like a week later, I found out that he was doing a limited Vinyl (plus bonus CD) run of the album - I bought that too. I'm a fucking sucker swindled by the digital music revolution.
Oh, The album is really fucking good. Almost forgot to mention that.
23) Wolf Parade - This Heart's on Fire
from the 2005 album Apologies to the Queen Mary
This was another recommendation from a friend. I'm really digging it, and there are a couple more tracks on this one that might end up on future comps. I had planned on being really clever (in my own mind) and following this up with the Ink Spots 1940's classic 'I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire' (one of my favorites). That song ran 15 seconds too long (stupid fuzzy math), thus blowing my best laid plans to smithereens. Then I had to rush to find a good song that came in at under 2 minutes and 35 seconds.
24) The Falcon - Building the Perfect Asshole Parade or Scratching Off the Fleas
from the 2004 EP God Don't Make No Trash or Up Your Ass with Broken Glass
Clocking in at 2:32, I present: This track.
This is a damned fine track too, and fits in well. It's in my (and Ed's) current rotation, and is a great song to boot.
It's just not 'I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire". Dammit.
That's what I get for leading off with a six and one-half minute industrial dance track; which if you're listening to this album on repeat (recommended) is coming up next...
Begin at top and repeat.
--end--

Well, there you go: That's it.

Here's the rules (which you all should know by now):
1) It's FREE
2) I'm only doing fifty (50) of these
3) Shoot your mailing address to dclies(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll mail you out a copy
4) First come, first served

I'm gonna be back in IL (for good) in a couple of weeks and out at the DC bars a couple of times before I leave, so if you want to reserve a copy until I see you, I can do that too.
Just let me know.

-Liar-

Second Chance

The first batch of the new Fall 2007 WILTs just went out.
There's about 20 left - If anyone wants one, let me know.

What I'm Listening To - Fall 2007

I started this post back on Thursday - It's Monday (the 10th) now. I spent the weekend shopping for a new printer due to the fact that my old one shit the bed while I was printing out the artwork for this new WILT. Fucking printers.

For the first WILT of the third series I've decided to move the releases up by one month. Here's the new WILT release schedule: Fall = early September, Winter = early December,
Spring = early March, Summer = early June.

I know that excuses and schedules are fucking hot reading, but this one really doesn't need much "rah-rah". It's really fucking good. A lot of old stuff, a lot of new stuff, and substantially more full-throttle rock than the last few. It goes a little somethin' like this:Liner Notes:
1) Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros - Johnny Appleseed
from the 2001 album Global A Go-Go
This track really doesn't go with the tone of the rest of this WILT, but I had to put it somewhere as a tribute to the (now canceled) John From Cincinnati. I fucking loved that show - This is the song from the opening credits. The only place it would fit was at the top of the order. It's a pretty damned good lead-off.
2) Mondo Generator - Meth, I Hear You Callin'
from the 2003 album A Drug Problem That Never Existed
Great noise track from Nick Oliveri's post Kyuss/Q.O.T.S.A. project.
3) The Dwarves - Massacre
from the 2004 album The Dwarves Must Die
The Dwarves doing a white-boy rap-battle hip-hop throw-down track. Somehow, it works. P-Dawg and Old Dog take note - This is how it's done, motherfuckers.
4) The Beltones - Fuck You Anyway
from the 1999 album On Deaf Ears
Great track from an out-of-print record. I have really liked these guys since their EP days, but no one else seems to have taken much notice. Their loss.
5) The Bouncing Souls - Letter From Iraq
from the 2006 album The Gold Record
Read the lyrics. They were written for the Bouncing Souls by a Iraq war vet (either a fan or a friend). This song gives me goose-bumps every time I hear it, and I'm a jaded fuck.
6) Bad Religion - All Good Soldiers
from the 1993 album Recipe for Hate
I've really been digging the new BR album New Maps of Hell, but this one (from 14 years ago) is more topical. It was written in response to Gulf War I, but the lyrics fit the current Iraqi incursion much better.
7) Stiff Little Fingers - Wasted Life
from the 1979 album Inflammable Material
Another condemnation of pointless wars. This one comes from 1970's Ireland. Some things are timeless.
8) Against Me! - White People for Peace
from the 2007 album New Wave
This track from their new major label debut was featured on my video WILT awhile back. I'm really loving the new record, but have a bad feeling that they'll either get huge (ala Green Day), or break under their new contract (ala Jawbreaker). I'm hoping that they gain a few new fans, fulfill their contract, then re-sign with an indie, and go back to their roots (ala Bad Religion). Wait and see...
9) Pinhead Gunpowder - Life During Wartime
from the 1997 album Goodbye Ellston Avenue
Speaking of Green Day. This is Billie Joe Armstrong's side project with the guys from Crimpshrine. This band goes all the way back to his Lookout days in 1992. I'm always amazed that no one knows about this side-project, and I've always admired Armstrong for keeping this little band alive through his mega-star years.
10) The Methadones - Starting Line
from the 2007 album This Won't Hurt...
Another brand-new one. I'm all about this new Methadone record, and already have tracks from this one slated for the next few WILTS.
11) Bhopal Stiffs - Bottle it Up
from the 1988 EP E.P.A.
Larry Damores' proto-Pegboy project. After my house burned down, I searched all over Chicago for replacements of this band's records. I had to wait for eBay to be invented before I completed my task. A few years back Harmless Records released an anthology (linked above). Any fan of 80's Chicago punk should definitly check it out.
12) Tiger Army - Ghosts of Memory
from the 2007 album Music From Regions Beyond
This one's off of the new Tiger Army record. I don't know why, but as soon as it starts getting cooler out and the leaves start to change I find myself listening to more and more rockabilly. Every year, same thing.
13) The Cramps - Human Fly
from the 1984 album Bad Music for Bad People
My favorite DeKalb crazy was the 'Human Fly' (ask anyone who has worked at the Grotto). If you're squeamish stop reading now. Seriously. You were warned - This guy used to sneak into the wank-booths in the back of the porno shop and lick the walls. Classy.
14) The Misfits - Astro Zombies
from the 1982 album Walk Among Us
Fall (x), Halloween (y), Misfits (z).
y/x. y-z = >Suck.
15) The Lillingtons - Zombies
from the 2006 album The Too Late Show
I've been saving this track from the final Lillingtons record for almost a year for inclusion in this mix. It was first in line.
16) Tim Armstrong - Among the Dead
from the 2007 album A Poet's Life
This is off of the brand-spanking new release from Mr. Armstrong (Rancid, Operation Ivy, Transplants). I picked this up on a whim back in D-Town (Target had the CD + bonus DVD for $9.99), and I'm really digging it.
17) Cop Shoot Cop - Migration
from the 1993 album Ask Questions Later
A few seasons back there was this weird fucking Under Armor Nike commercial featuring various athletes (including Urlacher) dressed up in gladiator bondage masks. I was convinced that the background music was J.G (Foetus) Thirlwell. I drove myself mad endlessly going through my music collection trying to find that song that I knew I had. A couple of years later I was listening to this Cop Shoot Cop album and that fucking track came on. I had the wrong band. I'm putting it on here because 1) I really like the song & 2) Now I relate this song to #54, and nothing sez "Autumn" like football.
18) Pailhead - I Will Refuse
from the 1988 album Trait
A nostalgia track from ye olde Wax Trax days. This is Ian (Minor Threat/Fugazi) MacKaye's collaboration with the guys from Ministry. I have now idea how this project between Mr. Straight-edge and the two most drugged-out degenerates in the northern hemisphere ever worked... but it did.
19) Zero Boys - Civilizations Dying
from the 1982 album Vicious Circle
This band is one of the few good things that ever came out of Indiana. It's probably also what killed 'em. Back in the early 80's these guys were the Indianapolis punk scene. They released one great album and then faded into obscurity. Until in the mid 90's when the new wave of popular punk bands kept listing 'em as an influence. They reunited and released a couple more records, but nothing that ever captured the raw energy of this album.
20) Turbonegro - Boys From Nowhere
from the 2007 album Retox
Track 10 from the brand-spanking-new Turbonegro CD. They're kicking off their new world-tour in Chicago on the 19th - Go fucking see 'em. They put on one hell of a show.
21) Dillinger Four - Portriat of the Artist as a Fucking Asshole
from the 1998 album Midwestern Songs of the Americas
This might be of interest only to me, but there was only one (1) album that was featured on both the Summer '07 WILT and this (next) Fall '07 WILT. This is it - D4's Midwestern Songs of the Americas and both tracks are in the '21' slot -Weird.
22) McLusky - That Man Will Not Hang
from the 2004 album The Difference Between Me and You is That I'm Not On Fire
It's been awhile since I put a McLusky track on a WILT. This is long over-due.
23) Thug Murder - Double Fist
from the 2001 album The Thirteenth Round
Where's the J-Pop? You ask. This is as close as we're gonna get on this one. Thug Murder is an all-girl group from Japan, but they're fucking tough-as-nails (and not the press-on variety). They all look like they just rioted their way out of an old Pinky Violence movie. I love them.
24) The Ramones - Smash You
bonus track from the 2002 re-issue of the 1984 album Too Tough to Die
I'm really glad that I'm obsessive completest record-nerd. Otherwise, I would have scoffed at buying a reissue of an album I hated. Apparently, this song was way too good to make it onto the original. I really really like this track. The rest of the album...
25) The Riverdales - Two-Headed Girl
bonus track from the 2006 re-issue of the 1995 Self-Titled album
Wow, Two re-issue bonus tracks in a row. One from The Ramones and one from the band that formed to record another great "Ramones" record 'cause the original wasn't cutting it. Whoa; Cosmic.
26) The Falcon - The Angry Cry of the Angry Pie
from the 2006 album Unicornography
Ed sez "More Falcon", I jump. This is the first track off of their latest record. I had to include it for the "Wind Beneath My Wings" breakdown alone.
27) Murder City Devils - Demon Brother
from the 2000 album In Name and Blood
Another great Autumnal track from the MCDs. Fits this mix like a bloody glove.
28) Shellac - Elephant
from the 2007 album Excellent Italian Greyhound
I hated this album at first. That's not a big deal - I hate all Albini albums the first few times through, but they always grow on me without exception. Now I'm really digging it (except for one track that still drives me nuts). Like with 1000 Hurts, you should buy the LP version - It's the same price as the CD version & the CD is included in the LP packaging. God love Steve Albini, King of vinyl nerds.
29) Fuckemos - Pussies Fly In Planes
from the 1998 album Black Hellicopters
This track is a love note to cross-country touring. I fucking love it, and it has worked its way onto my "madatory road-trip tracks" list. Great song to end on.
--end--

I'm not gonna waste any more time telling you how good this one is - you should already know.

Speaking of things you should know:
1) It's FREE
2) I'm only doing fifty (50) of these
3) Shoot your mailing address to dclies(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll mail you out a copy
4) First come, first served

And... GO!

What I'm Listening To - Summer 2007

Hooray! The Summer 2007 WILT is here.
This is the 8th one I've done, and last WILT of Series Two. In observation of this questionable milestone, Here's a quick 'What I'm Listening To' retrospective.
Series One
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Series Two
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer (the post you're reading now)
Was Dick Van Patten right? Is eight enough? Well, I'll leave it up to you blog-monkeys to decide.
If you want 'em, I'll keep making 'em. If not, I'll probably still make 'em, but just squirrel 'em away in my attic. That'll learn ya.

Cover = Photoshopped Picture of The Girl + Background Photo

Liner Notes:
1) Chixdiggit! - Brunette Summer
from the 1998 album Born on the First of July
I cut this track from the last Summer WILT just so I could use it to lead off this one. It was worth the wait.
2) The Riverdales - Look Me Up
from the 2003 album Phase Three
Ben (Weasel) Foster, Dan (Vapid) Schafer, and Dan Lumley rock out another awesome track off of their third LP.
3) The Dwarves - Fuck 'Em All
from the 2001 album How To Win Friends and Influence People
This track is a re-recording of the classic track from the 1991 Sub Pop album Thank Heaven for Little Girls.
4) Snuff - Arsehole
from the 1998 album Tweet Tweet My Lovely
I'd like to think of the preceding Dwarves track as my theme song, but (in all honesty) this one falls much closer to the true mark.
5) Against Me! - Bastards of Young
from the 2006 tribute We'll Inherit the Earth
I picked up this Replacements tribute for the Drag the River track, but am diggin' the whole disc. This is a great cover from Gainsville's finest.
6) Armchair Martian - Truce
from the 1997 Self-Titled release
Okay, it's official: Drag the River is dead and gone. The up-side? It looks like Armchair Martian is back and touring. Woo-Hoo!
7) The Falcon - Feed The Monkey, Drown the Worm or Goin' Home
from the 2004 album God Don't Make No Trash or Up Your Ass with Broken Glass
This is a great track from the debut EP of an indie-rock super-group featuring members of The Lawrence Arms, Alkaline Trio, and Rise Against. Go Chicago!
8) The Queers - Brian Wilson
from the 2007 album Munki Brain
I was gonna put a Beach Boys track up on this one, but then decided to go with a Queers track named for the wayward singer instead. It works for me.
9) The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work (Demo)
from the 1997 import single The Drugs Don't Work [#2]
Blame my old D-Town roommate Sean for the occasional Brit-Pop track that happens to pop-up on my comps. Here's a prime example.
10) Cop Shoot Cop - The Queen of Shinbone Alley
from the 1995 import single Any Day Now +3
One of my all-time favorite b-sides. This one is way out of print, and the only link I could find for it looks kinda sketchy.
I dare you to click it... or are you chicken? Bawk, Bawk, Bawk.
11) Wiseblood - Grease Nipples
from the 1991 EP P.T.T.M.
Yet another J.G. Thirlwell project. If you liked the Foetus, Steroid Maximus, or Manorexia tracks, you'll probably like this one to. If not, go to hell.
12) Electric Six - Rock & Roll Evacuation
from the 2005 album Señor Smoke
Here's another Electric Six track to sexy up your summer.
13) Calliope - Last Caress
from the 2005 compilation Mean it Man
A touchy-feely emo cover of a Misfits song. How could I not include this?
14) Fuckemos - Wimpy Band
from the 1997 album Celebration!
I've really wanted to include a Fuckemos track on one of these comps for awhile. They always got bumped. It just so happens that this one fits perfectly right here. Lucky you.
15) Nami Tamaki - Wasurenaikara
from the 2004 album Greeting
I tried my damnedest to keep this off the last handful of WILTs, but finally caved-in and stuck it on this one. I LOVE this song, but it is cheesy as all hell. It's a J-Pop techno interpretation of "Twinkle, Tinkle Little Star".
This song will be stuck in your head like an errantly shot rail-road spike for months to come. I'm sooo sorry.
16) The Copyrights - Stuck in Summertime
from the 2007 album Make Sound
A perfect summertime track from the brand-spankin'-new Copyrights album.
17) Beatnik Termites - I Don't Wanna Hang Around
from the 1996 album Bubblecore
This is one of my all-time favorite warm-weather crusin' around town bands. One part Beach Boys, one part Ramones, and one part Alvin & the Chipmunks. Awesome.
18) Teenage Bottlerocket - So Far Away
from the 2005 album Total
Once the Lillingtons disbanded, most of the band members went over to this one. This is off of their first full-length.
19) The Methadones - Far Away
from the 2003 album Career Objective
I've blathered on enough about how great this band is. 'Nuff said.
20) Naked Raygun - I Don't Know
from the 1985 album Throb Throb
I'm so fucking glad that I made it back to the Raygun show last April. They've been in heavy rotation since. Here's an old one.
21) Dillinger Four - Super Powers Enable Me to Blend in With Machinery
from the 1998 album Midwestern Songs of the Americas
Ditto. Same show (as above), different band.
22) Turbonegro - High on the Crime
from the 2005 album Party Animals
While looking for a link for this album, I realized that the Turbonegro boys have a new album coming out and should be touring to promote it.
Trust me, it's one show you won't want to miss. Those motherfuckers are SHOWMEN.
23) Bad Astronaut - San Francisco Serenade
from the 2006 album Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment
For the most part, I had this comp set over a month ago, but had a hell of a time squaring the end. It kept going long and the end never seemed to mesh. At the last minute, I pulled a couple of tracks and threw this one (off of the last album) on. Perfect.
24) Jason Webley - It's Not Time to Go Yet
from the 2004 album Only Just Beginning
The damned comp still went long - This one cuts off, but you're not really missing anything except for silence, a couple of bell tolls, and more silence. Feel free to add that in at the end with your imagination.
---
Yeah, it's been a busy week and I kinda half-assed my way through this post. Times is tough, deal with it.

You all know the deal by now. Here's the breakdown:
- These are actual 'hold in your hands' CDs (just like there were before iPods)
- It's free, yes FREE
- I'm only doing 50 of these
- It's first come, first served
- To get one, shoot your MAILING address to dclies(at)gmail.com
- Enjoy

Video WILT #1

Since the YouTube Posts I've thrown up over the last week have met with great enthusiasm (with an overwhelming cumulative comment tally of "zero"), I figured that I should give you all what you obviously want - A mega-post of you-tube clips.
I spent all weekend picking some of my favorite video clips off of YouTube as a tease for the new (completely different) Summer 2007 WILT coming at the beginning of July.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Video Wilt #1
NOTE: You may want to hit "refresh" (F5) after each video, or everything starts to bog down and g-o ----- r--e--a--l ----- s---l---o---w.

Shellac – Prayer to God
Fan video for the awesome track off of 1000 Hurts.


Dwarves - Drugstore
Old Dwarves video from 1990.


Drag the River - Portland
Replacements cover from the DtR boys that keeps getting bumped off of the regular WILTs – Jon (Armchair Martian) sings on this one.


Johnny Cash – God's Gonna Cut You Down
Great video for a song I included on the Fall ’06 WILT


Against Me! – White People For Peace
I really like this video (and song) – A lot. It’s off of their brand-new major-label debut.


Bad Religion - Sorrow
Really cool video for a song that I had on the pre-WILT comp “Paradigm Lost”.


Methadones – Say Goodbye To Your Generation
If you read this blog – First off, sorry - Secondly, you should know all about this band by now. Essentially, Sludgeworth for the late ‘90’s to the present.


Naked Raygun – Someday (Live)
Speaking of Sludgeworth – Here’s a clip of Dan Vapid singing the SW anthem “Someday” with Raygun at the Minneapolis show immediately following the HoB Chicago shows. This is hands-down my favorite song of all-time (not the best version, but…).
I’ve been putting this song on mix-tapes for going on 15 years. It was on some WILT awhile back.


MOTO - Dance Dance Dance Dance Dance to the Radio
Oh shit, the MOTO boys are loose on the internets. They are gonna totally clog up all those tubes. Someone call an interweb plumber – Quick!
Video for a track originally on my pre-WILT comp “Old Hipster-Douche Soundtrack (for Homos)”.


McLusky – She Will Only Bring You Happiness
I had this song on the Summer 2006 WILT.


Riverdales – Blood On The Ice
If you got the pre-WILT comp “It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time...”, you know this one. If not, It’s about Hockey.
Great cheap-ass Fan Video. Nintendo 8-bit hockey Rulz!!!


Hanson Brothers - The Hockey Song
The guys from No Means No channeling the Ramones. I fucking love this!
Another one from the pre-WILT comp “It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time...”, but this time it’s AFTER “Blood on the Ice”, not before.


The Zambonis – Hockey Monkey
More hockey goodness – Huge thanx to Ed (and Alex) for turning me on to this.


Two Man Advantage – Hockey Night In Canada
The capper to the hockey-themed songs. Look for my buddy, Mr. Mark Linskey, in a cameo @ the 2 minute mark.


Mark Linskey – The Rat Is Dead (Live)
I saw Mark in the preceding video and decided to see if he had any videos up on the You Tubes. I found this track from a show I set up for him out here in DC with Two Man Advantage opening (much to my surprise). This song was originally done by his full band, The Hudson Falcons. If you listen real hard you can hear my loud drunk ass braying in the background.


Foetus – Time Marches On
Uber-swank video for this song off of “Love”.


Turbonegro – Get It On
Everyone’s favorite Nordic death-punk band gives us this one.
The hardest part of throwing together this comp was trying to decide which Turbonegro video to include. I chose this one (not quite sure why).


The Division of Laura Lee - Need To Get Some
A track from the Fall '05 WILT comp. This has to be one of my favorite videos of all-time.


Electric Six – I Buy The Drugs
AKA: that one E6 video set in a frat-house. Hilarity ensues.


Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – I Believe I Can Fly
Karaoke iz da bomb. For some reason they couldn't get Karaoke master Old Dog to participate in this video, so they had to load it up with other lip-syncing celebs - look for everyone’s favorite jailbird, Ms. Paris Hilton, @ 1:09.


Jason Webley –Hey Ya (Live)
This is a cover of that Outkast song from the show here in DC that I couldn't get anyone to go with me to.


Tommy Heavenly 6 – Heavy Starry Chain
Viva La J-Pop! This one’s for The Girl.


Dillinger Four – Maximum Piss and Vinegar
Totally great fan video tribute to Najica anime girls that uses the D4 track for some (totally) unknown reason. Animated pantie shots galore.


Screeching Weasel – Cool Kids
Another great home-brew fan video. And yet song from the pre-WILT comp “It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time...”.


Nerf Herder – Van Halen
More dork-rock. From their first self-titled album.


Rancid – Knowledge (Live)
The guys from Rancid “covering” a track from their original band, Operation Ivy.


Jawbreaker – Jet Black
Great video for a great song off of one of my top-10 albums of all-time.


Barry McGuire – Eve Of Destruction
This is a 1965 cover of the P.F. Sloan song with modern imagery. It has bible verses in the video and ends with an image of the bible, so I consider watching this video as “church”. This could be used to free up some valuable Sunday time for you religious types.
I’m just saying…
I’ve been infatuated with this song for over a year now, and have about 10 different versions of it. I plan on doing an all EoD comp once I track down 6 or 7 other versions (thank Ed for planting that idea).


That’s it.
Now comment, you fuckers.

Leftovers

While I was back in Illinois, I discovered a pile of old WILTs from Spring 2006.
If anyone missed this one the first time around, and wants it now, just shoot an e-mail to dclies(at)gmail.com.
This is your last chance.

What I'm Listening To - Spring 2007

Okay kids, the Spring 2007 WILT is here, but we need to clear one thing up: There's a pervasive misconception among you WILTers that I have some idea of what's new and hip.
I don't.
With the exception of a small handful of tracks off of each album, most of the artists I throw up on these things are more obscure than your average Kuiper Belt cubewano. If you went up to your garden-variety Hot Topic hipster and started talking about most of the bands on these things, you'd get roughly the same expression that you'd get for discussing the same with your grandmom's roommate at the nursing home.
These bands may not be popular, but they are good. You're not gonna hear any of this stuff on the radio unless it's magic (not 'Magic103', I'm talkin' about real magic - with a 'k'). And that's just stupid talk.
Anyway, that's why I throw these things together every 3 months, because if I didn't you'd never get the opportunity to hear this stuff. And that would be a damned shame.

Thanx to The Girl for hand-modeling for the cover

Liner Notes:
1) Earl Weaver - Opening Tirade
from the radio show 'Manager's Corner' (exact date unknown)
Spring means baseball, and I can't thing of a better way to kick off this comp than with some words of wisdom from the game's greatest statesman. The Earl of Baltimore was never one to mince words, so you might have some strategic coughing to do if the kids are in the room.
2) Foetus - I Hate You All
from the 2006 album Damp
I've thrown up just about every J.G. Thirlwell side-project on previous WILTs (look for Wiseblood on the Summer comp), but (somehow) never got around to including a song from his flagship band, Foetus. Well, here you go - This has been one of my favorite bands for well over 15 years.
3) Electric Six - Pink Flamingos
from the 2006 album Switzerland
More degenerate rockin' from everybody's favorite Detroit ne’er-do-wells (excepting the Lions).
4) Greg Graffin - Don't Be Afraid to Run
from the 2006 album Cold as the Clay
I thought that the idea of having the lead singer of Bad Religion doing an American roots-music influenced solo-project sounded like a recipe for suck. Then I heard it - I was way off base.
5) All - Until I Say So
from the 1998 album Mass Nerder
I've been pimping Drag the River for the last few years, and (inevetably) someone will ask which singer is which. I decided that it'd be a good idea to put an All and Armchair Martian track back-to-back so y'all could hear for yourselves. I chose these two songs because they both were recycled as Drag the River songs (tracks 2 and 3 off of Chicken Demos). This track features Chad Price.
6) Armchair Martian - Not Fine
from the 1997 Self-Titled release
Okay, in the time since I had that brilliant idea, Drag the River disbanded (at least for the rest of this tour - Everything I've been able to find on the split has been incredibly vague). AM has been talking about getting back for awhile, and now it looks like a done deal. Become acquainted with your new favorite band. This track features Mr. Jon Snodgrass.
7) Bad Astronaut - Minus
from the 2006 album Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment
This was the last Bad Astronaut release. One of the founding members killed himself, and the rest of the band decided to pack it in after completing this one as a tribute. Due to those circumstances, this album is a lot darker than their earlier stuff, but damn is it good.
8) The Queers - Tangerine
from the 2007 album Munki Brain
Yes, The Queers are still around. They started to fade from the spotlight back in the 90's, but have still managed to crank out consistently good albums. This one was written by Ben Weasel for 'em.
9) M.O.T.O. - Midnight at the Guantanamo Room
from the 1994 EP Mind of a Child
"Everybody wants to play the guitar - Nobody wants to play the fish*." Brilliant.
If this band was a person, it could legally drink. Most bands would hang it up after toiling for over 20 years in obscurity. MOTO just plays more shows.
I'm kinda bummed that they're in the middle of a European tour this month. I had hoped to catch 'em (at least once) while I was back in IL.
10) Nerf Herder - I Want to Take You Out for Ice Cream
from the 2003 re-release of My EP (with bonus tracks)
I think that this song is incredibly romantic (which is why you should never date me). Great Spring song, and it gets extra-bonus points for mentioning baseball.
11) Me First & the Gimme Gimmes - Goodbye Earl
from the 2006 album Love Their Country
The boys from NOFX, Lagwagon, Swingin' Utters, and Foo Fighters take on the Dixie Chicks jukebox standard. Everybody wins, or loses, or whatever.
12) The Dwarves - Salt Lake City
from the 2004 album The Dwarves Must Die
This is why I love this band. They easily shift from pop-punk to thrash to scream-core to white-boy hip-hop. And that's all on one record.
This one's all bubblegum.
13) Naked Raygun - Treason
from the 1989 album Understand?
This one goes out to D-Chain, Hot Karl, G-Dub and the rest of the West Wing Runnin' Krew.
It looks like the NR guys are gonna be back for awhile, and have a new album in the pipe. Hopefully the new one will be better than Demohicans. Regardless, I'll see you all out at the NR HOB late show on the 27th.
14) The Methadones - Starry Eyes
from the 2006 album 21st Century Power Pop Riot
Danny Vapid and the rest of the Methadone boys crank out a killer cover of a Records song. This is taken from their latest (all covers) album.
15) Sonic Youth - Ca Plane Pour Moi
from the 1992 compilation Freedom of Choice
Wow! Two power-pop covers in a fucking row, who woulda thunk it?
They used a version of this song in a Pepsi commercial, and I drove myself crazy trying to place it. For some reason I was convinced that it was the Jim Carroll Band, but just couldn't find anything. That went on for weeks, but since the title is all jibber-jabber nonsense (Elise claims that it's "French", but I'm skeptical) I was at a dead end. Then all of a sudden I remembered this little known comp from the early 90's - Bingo. Score one for the record nerd.
This one was originally done by Plastic Bertrand, who may (or may not) be the ones in the Pepsi commercial.
16) Cecil - Super "Shoomin" Car
from the 2004 soundtrack for Shimotsuma Monogatari (Kamikaze Girls)
If you still haven't seen this movie, you're missing out - Hands down, the best movie I saw last year.
I'm still on a huge J-Pop kick. People love to hate pop music. Not just the crap boy-band pop music, but ALL pop music. I disagree. It's fucking easy to down-tune your guitar and wail out a pile of whiny drivel about how miserable you are, but it takes TALENT to put those lyrics to saccharine sweet dance music. Suck on that, emo kid.
17) The Raveonettes - Love Can Destroy Everything
from the 2003 album The Chain Gang of Love
I can't believe that I hadn't put this one into a mix before. I think that I was saving it, and then forgot about it.
For awhile, the Raveonettes, were the 'next big thing' and then went straight to the cut-out bin - You do one K-Mart commercial...
18) The Anniversary - Tu-Whitt Tu-Whoo
from the 2002 album Your Majesty
I'm using one this as a counter-point to the previous song. This is a truly great love song (which are hard as hell to find), even though I'm pretty sure that it's about trying to score a one-night stand.
19) Murder City Devils - 18 Wheels
from the 1998 album Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts
God, I love this song. Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts is easily the quintessential MCD record. If you don't own it already, you really should click on the link above and pick it up while Amazon is still hockin' it for under $9 - New. You won't be disappointed.
20) Firewater - Bourbon and Division
from the 1996 album Get Off the Cross, We Need the Wood for the Fire
I really wanted to include a track from Tod A's old band (Cop Shoot Cop) on this one, but none of them seemed to fit. This track fits perfectly, and is a damn fine song to boot.
21) Jason Webley - May Day
from the 2004 album Only Just Beginning
Once again, I had a different JW song in the mix for months. During the final cut, I was still way over in time, and had to cut something. I couldn't justify including a 6 minute track, so I went searching for a shorter track. By happy coincidence this one fit, and works better in the mix that my original.
22) Mark Linskey - Windfall
from the 2002 album Songs of Freedom
Mr. Mark from The Hudson Falcons covers a song from the Son Volt album 'Trace'. Good stuff.
I have a long post on the whole Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt/Wilco thing that I probably won't ever get around to doing, so for now all I'll say is that I've always liked this song.
23) Against Me! - Wagon Wheel
from the 2005 compilation Protect
Okay, here we go. I've been dreading writing this write-up. Hold on, the story here is fairly convoluted.
This song was originally done by the band Old Crow Medicine Show, but was credited to Bob Dylan. Why? Because the songwriter from OCMS lifted the chorus from a Dylan tune, and decided to just credit the whole thing to him rather than risk potential litigation. Then acoustic cow-punk darlings, Against Me!, decided to cover it for this benefit album.
Why go through all of that mess just for one song? Because it's fucking awesome. End.
24) Bob Dylan - See That My Grave is Kept Clean
from the 1962 Self-Titled release
I've always kinda dismissed Dylan as 'hippie shit', but recently I'd started to hear more of his early stuff on TV and in movies. I was forced to reconsider. I picked up his first 4 albums on a whim, and they've been in heavy rotation.
This one is off of his debut, and is an incredible piece of work. No wonder Cash loved him so much.
25) The .357 String Band - Shotdown
from the 2006 album Ghost Town
Milwaukee "Streetgrass" - Who woulda thought that could be any good?
Jimmy the Carney sent me out this CD to see if I'd be interested in helping these guys book some shows out here on the East Coast. By the time I got the CD, the singer had gotten himself thrown in jail - End of tour. I'm really digging these guys, and hoping that the singer gets paroled soon.
26) The Lillingtons - Stay Tuned
from the 2006 album The Too Late Show
It's hard finding good pop-punk nowadays. It's even harder finding good pop-punk bands that don't break-up after a couple of albums. These guys were 3 and out. This is off of their last one.
27) Screeching Weasel - Bottom of the 9th
from the 2000 album Teen Punks In Heat
The last comp started off with a Screeching weasel track that topped 5 minutes, so I figured that it was fitting that I end this one with a SW track that clocks in at under a minute. Plus, this track does a good job of capping off the half-assed baseball theme of this WILT.
Do 2 songs (both under 55 seconds and not really about the game) and one profanity-laced audio clip constitute a theme? I sez they do.
---

You know you want it. There's only 50 of these things, and when they're gone - they're GONE.
Send your address (if I don't already have it) to dclies(at)gmail.com, and I'll send you out a CD - If I do have your address, you should still send in a request, so that these things aren't clogging up our nation's landfills like so many AOL mailer discs.
All this can be yours for the low, low, price of $0.00. I'm practically** givin' these things away. You'd better get on the boat quickly before I regain my senses and stop this insanity.

* bass
**read: literally