Warren Zevon - welcome to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Warren Zevon was, at long last, inducted into the HOF.

Thanks for the music, Warren. I can't hear this version of Mutineer without getting a little misty. This man's music meant so much to me. It still does.

Dropkick Murphys - Who'll Stand With Us?

The Dropkick Murphys never hide their politics or their stances. I love them for it.

I'll go see them again this coming year as they swing by my area.

See ya in the pit.

Gang of Four - Damaged Goods

Back in the day, I didn't know anything about Gang of Four. But I was introduced to them by someone who figured, if I liked Wire, I must love Gang of Four.

I didn't know them, but they have so much in common with Wire that I couldn't help but love what I heard.

So here is a standout track of theirs - Damaged Goods.

Happy Birthday Meatloaf

For Meatloaf's Birthday, let's listen to Elizabeth Zharoff analyze his singing, and make amazed faces at his stage presence.








I saw Meatloaf perform around his 64th birthday. He was really stellar live. I miss the guy, even if he got a bit angry in his old age. Such an amazing talent.

Fun story - I had a client who was a musician, and had been in an all-girl new wave band. They put on a show for some record reps, and felt pretty good about their performance. And then this big guy from Long Island came up after them and sang - it was Meat Loaf. My client said, well, that was that.

I Like the Cover Better - Rock Around the Clock

The deal with this series is that it's a song that I like in the original - or the most popular version you'd know of, in some cases . . . but I like a cover, better.

The original? Bill Haley and His Comets, Rock Around the Clock.


Rockabilly classic.

The version I like better? Both of these versions by Tenpole Tudor / Edward Tenpole - one from when he was getting flogged as a possible replacement for John Lydon in Sex Pistols, the other a different version off of a Stiff Records compliation. The first is also the first place I heard Tenpole Tudor.

Pistols version:


Listen to that fantastic Steve Jones guitar over classic Paul Cook drumming.

Stiff version:




And fuck, I should just do a post on Tenpole Tudor. Underrated band.

Brian Wilson

We lost Brian Wilson yesterday, Rest in Peace. Thanks for the music.

Wouldn't It Be Nice?



This song encapsultes everything I love about The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson.

Happy Birthday Wendy O. Williams