Monday, August 28, 2023

I Like the Cover Better - Hi-Standard - Can't Help Falling In Love

The original of this song is pretty sappy, but also just flat-out good.



The cover?

Well, it just makes me happier. I love the thick accent but clear enunciation of Ken Yokoyama.





Just as a sidebar, I had a sweetheart when I was younger that I was totally enamoured with. It didn't end up going anywhere useful, except that she really hated Elvis. I didn't think much of him. But just to be annoying to her - boys'll do that to girls they like - I started to turn up Elvis whenever he'd come on the radio instead of switching him off. In the process, I started to really appreciate his voice and presentation.

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Favorite Punk Guitar Riffs

Someone I follow on Instagram asked for favorite punk guitar riffs. I had opinions. This isn't exhaustive, but it's what came to mind at the moment I saw it:


The Ramones - Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
The Damned - New Rose
Rancid - Avenues and Alleyways
Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen in Love
Television - See No Evil
Misfits - Last Caress
Dead Boys - Sonic Reducer
The Saints - Stranded
Sex Pistols - Anarchy in the UK
The Undertones - Gotta Getta



With some more thought I'd have included:

The Dead Kennedys - Holiday in Cambodia
The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go
The Blue Hearts - Owaranai Uta

and of course, the song this blog is named for:

The Dictators - Who Will Save Rock and Roll?

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Tom Waits - Going Out West

You might remember this song from Tom Waits as the song that plays as Brad Pitt and Ed Norton head downstairs at Lou's for a meeting of fight club.

Best comment on this video? "This song is the physical form of whiskey" - I can't argue much with that.