Thursday, March 31, 2011

WELCOME TO THE MONTH OF THE GIRL BAND


Although March is Women's History Month, April is girl power month at this house.

It started four years ago when I made Katydid her first mix CD for her birthday and wanted to give her some good female idols. Last year I did a facebook version, with a song each day. My compilation list has grown exponentially since then and I will highlight 1 band per day with two other songs to check out which may or may not have a connection. Also, I am sort of flexible on the "girl band" makeup. It must be at least female-fronted or a duo.

I figure the best place to start and endeavor such as this is with my first favorite female led band, Siouxsie and the Banshees. Siouxsie was mesmerizing to me. Her particular combination of power, femininity and conviction in an era of pop-stars like Tiffany or Debbie Gibson was enthralling. She also attracted some incredible boys of her time as her Banshees: Sid Vicious (Sex Pistols) as one time drummer, Marco Perroni (Adam and the Ants), Robert Smith (The Cure) and Budgie (Big In Japan & The Slits).

However it was not until 1993 that I received a mixtape featuring her side-project The Creatures. I love this song. The tribal beat and the lyrical back and forth wherein the women taunt the helpless men has such a universal and timeless feel. A severely under-appreciated song in my book. So, with that introduction to one of the most influential women of modern alternative rock, here is Siouxsie Sioux and her eventual husband Budgie as The Creatures.

Siouxsie Sioux











The Slits












SONGS OF THE DAY:

1. "Standing There" - The Creatures
(this is the best quality audio but the youtube poster mislabeled it as the Banshees)

2. "Kiss Them For Me" - Siouxsie and the Banshees

3. "Number One Enemy" - The Slits

thoughtless thursday-list: a series part 13

the 7 piece shuffle

track/ artist

1. "Sick Boy" - G.B.H.

2. "Nervous Breakdown" - Black Flag

3. "Minor Threat" - Minor Threat

4. "Young Til I Die" - 7 Seconds

5. "Jock o Rama" - Dead Kennedys

6. "True Believers" - The Bouncing Souls

7. "Society" - Pennywise

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

friends of mine


Besides all my techno issues yesterday was a pretty great day. Scary Larry and his roadies were passing through our coordinates and we got to hang out. I hadn't seen him in person since before hits century and it was fun to hang out again and catch up.

Which segues into today's song and a little mishap. I ordered the new Duran Duran album (vinyl) from Amazon. I was thrilled when it arrived yesterday, until I opened the box and had been sent the wrong album. However, for my 20 clams I got the self-titled Duran Duran limited edition double vinyl featuring today's song among others. So, I now have to go back and re-order the new album but I ended up with a pretty excellent accident.

SONG OF THE DAY: "Friends of Mine" - Duran Duran

tapes for tuesday: a series part 13


Pixies- Trompe le Monde

sorry all that i missed yesterday and tuesday is coming on wednesday.

my computer is all a flutter with nasty viruses and is congested with techno phlegm, so yesterday i put it on bed rest and pumped it with some anti-virals but the diagnosis is bleak.

i hate to be a cheater or not give a good summary, so i figured with my limited time today i would do a sort of piggy-back post off last week when i did the Pixies.

i love this album. as a whole it is my favorite by the Pixies. that said, I really didn't have a hard time picking a song because this is a classic.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Subbacultcha" - Pixies

Monday, March 28, 2011

love vigilantes


I have been hooked on this old tune this past week. A perfect love song from New Order on their 3rd album Low-life (1985).


As a side note...
THE MONTH OF THE GIRL BAND starts on the 1st. If there are any girl bands you want highlighted just let me know. I have over 100 in mind but I am always open to suggestions.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Love Vigilantes" - New Order

Sunday, March 27, 2011

not so spring


It really was spring on Monday. We bought kites on Wednesday. And then it started to snow, again. I took this picture coming home from the art museum yesterday. I am still holding out for spring and sunshine soon.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Spring (from Four Seasons)"- Antonio Vivaldi

Saturday, March 26, 2011

girl ska and a little announcement


I have been on a Saturday ska kick for a while now and thought I would continue it as a good way to introduce THE MONTH OF THE GIRL BAND.


Yes, my friends all girl bands all the time for the entire month of April. Quite possibly up to 3 per day. I started this on facebook last year in honor of my daughter's birthday and I find it to be quite an empowering little exercise. It is nice to know how many girls can really rock it. I am so excited. It is even more fun for me than September and the MONTH OF THE COVER SONG.


So as a little sneak peak here is a girl ska band, Agent 99,named after the female character in classic 60's mod TV series Get Smart.


SONG OF THE DAY:



Friday, March 25, 2011

Moz


It has been a while since I have posted anything by The Smiths, and well, any day is a good day for the Moz.


SONG OF THE DAY:

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

"all you need is now"


Duran Duran just released their new full length album All You Need Is Now yesterday. The first in ages. And despite the fact these guys first got together when I was still in a car seat, the album is great. Same classic Duran Duran sound but more complex, more layered and less posturing. No longer must they keep at the top of the charts, they have lost their teen idol status but rather have life long fans to impress.

I have to giggle at their last song on the album, Networker Nation, with its speak-and-spell machine spelling out D_U_R_A_N_D_U_R_A_N. Not only will kids not recognize the sound reference, the whole intro is reminiscent of Depeche Mode's first album's ( Speak & Spell ) sound. The two were contemporaries, both putting out their 1st album in 1981 and competing for top of the charts. This may just be my imagination but it seems oddly coincidental. It is a great tune about facebook, a meeting of minds, connectivity and the power of the internet.

Mid-album is a cool tune called "Too Bad You're So Beautiful" which just feels like a perfect Duran Duran song title. They are so much about reflecting back pop culture, beauty and art and in turn recognizing the tragic, lonely, disappointing, complicated side of fame, fortune and beauty. I think it's my favorite of the bunch so far. With lines like "Here I go again, I must have flowers in my brain. The same mistake I made before, but I'm a hostage to that face of yours", "When it starts to rain I'm a lucky man" and "I'm the King of Nothing, it's too bad you're beautiful" the band has captured the essence of themselves in their lyrics. Classic Duran Duran, but not a simple Duran Duran by numbers. Lovely.

But for today's song of the day, we'll go for the opening number, which happens to have a video ready. I am excited about this album. I ordered it on vinyl (since all my Duran Duran is on vinyl) so I am still waiting for the hard copy, but until then I'm listening to my Naspter exclusive version. Also available for instant download at the band's site HERE.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"All You Need is Now" - Duran Duran


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

tapes for tuesday: a series part 12


Pixies- Bossanova

I woke up thinking how nice the weather finally turned yesterday just in time for spring, still surprised how quickly the daffodils popped up in one day and singing to myself "There is this old woman, she lives down the road. You can often find her kneeling inside of her hole" so I knew today was a perfect day for the Pixies.

Bossanova is the first Pixies album I picked up, and for the life of me I can't remember how or where, but I know they changed things for me. They were like a Velvet Underground for my generation. I didn't ever get to see them play live when they were together and always regretted that I didn't take a mega roadtrip to see them. The Pixies were always the band I wished more than anything would get back together to tour.

In 23 July 2005 I got my wish. Mr. IMo? and I were living in North Carolina at the time when we heard Perry Farrell had lured the Pixies to headline Lollapalooza, both the Pixies and Lollapaloooza in their newly reformed infant state. We put down a wad of cash for that first festival and it was worth every penny. We had to hold back a bit at the show because Macaroni came along for the ride in his 7 week old glory but nonetheless, it remains a top show. The best thing was that the entire live show was recorded and came out on CD along with an acoustic performance in Newport, RI (you can watch the DVD version Pixies: Acoustic: Live in Newport on Netflix) and another show in Cleveland, OH. I bought two copies of each. Some are still mint in the plastic.

Black Francis (aka Frank Black) wrote all the songs on this album. It was put together at a time when the band was having a lot of issues (watch the movie : LoudQUIETloud to get a better background) and was throw together pretty hurriedly. It was really the overall sound of this album that hooked me, not so much the individual merit of each song. Though "Dig for Fire" and "Velouria" are definite standouts, and "Stormy Weather" with its surf rock sound (think precursor to early Weezer) was certainly catchy.

I know for most people who will read this, I am pretty much preaching to the choir; very little more can be said to tout the band. I bought my first Pixies album on vinyl last week, Wave of Mutilation: Best of Pixies and it bought a whole new layer to the music which was frankly shocking. I now intend to start compiling the collection on vinyl as these tapes slowly disintegrate and can't wait to rediscover the Pixies in a whole new way.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Dig for Fire" - Pixies
(best audio)

Monday, March 21, 2011

an ear craving


As you may have caught on I am a bit under the weather due to the change in weather, therefore rendering me slackerish. My ears woke up craving The Big Pink

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Too Young to Love" - The Big Pink

Sunday, March 20, 2011

happy vernal equinox


This is one of the best ballets ever in my opinion, and it was written in the 20th century.
Le sacre du printemps has music by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky and the original choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky. This segment I found shows the original choreography of the final scene titled
"Sacrificial Dance" where a girl has been chosen by her people to dance herself to death as a sacrifice to spring. More info HERE.

SONG OF THE DAY: "The Rite of Spring: Sacrifical Dance" - Igor Stravinsky

Mr. IMo? recommends the jazz remake he heard by The Bad Plus on NPR today.

"Sacrifical Dance" - by The Bad Plus



"Spring" - Alphonse Mucha

Saturday, March 19, 2011

ratatat


Don't want to say much today so I decided to do a wordless tune, and Ratatat delivers.

Thanks to Jen X for the tune.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Loud Pipes" - Ratatat


Thursday, March 17, 2011

lindsey pool

It is time I remedy my ways. I have been terribly negligent. Although I've been at this blogging thing since this summer and have not yet posted Lindsey Pool. I haven't even listed them on my sidebar as I band I have seen. Shame, shame on me. Sometimes its hardest to see (and promote) the things right in front of you.

The bassist of Lindsey Pool is our cousin Luke, (in the Illinois tee) and I have been a big fat loser to not yet post his band. I have thought about doing it a lot before, but never have. I sure hope he forgives me and lets me sit next to him at Thanksgiving dinner this year. These boys of Lindsey Pool have been together for a long time, hail from the Portland Oregon area, just keep getting better and they have just put out their 5th album to prove it. They have mostly remained local and independent, but with the help of the internet (and you) hopefully we can widen their scope. You can download their stuff for free from here on their website but it would be great to support the boys and buy their tunes.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Keep This Alive" - Lindsey Pool




Also I like this one since Luke does a harmonica solo. They also do a great Muse cover ...
"Time is Running Out" see below.

"Coulda Been" - Lindsey Pool




"Time is Running Out" - Lindsey Pool

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

thoughtless thursday-list: a series part 11

the 7 piece shuffle

track/artist

1. "Precious" - Depeche Mode

2. "Running" - Information Society

3. "What!" - Soft Cell

4. "Life in Tokyo" - Japan

5. "Notorious" - Duran Duran

6. "In Between Days" - The Cure

7. "Painted Bird" - Siouxie and the Banshees

cold war kids


I have gotten a bit spoiled in St. Louis. Most bands that tour the country stop through here, but not everyone. Some play over in Columbia, MO about 150 miles away. When I found out that Cold War Kids was playing a 300 mile round-trip distance from me mid-week an wouldn't be taking the stage until 10pm there were serious doubts about getting there. Luckily a friend wanted to come with us and help cover gas (which I don't need to tell you is crazy this week), his wife kept the little rockers for a mid-week slumber party and the tickets were only $15 so it all evened out. But the best part was that we made it home in one piece after a crazy drove past us in the left lane going 70+ in the wrong direction...we could have been carrion for the vultures, because of the curve in the road we didn't even see the crazy coming.

"Said things could get much worse, natural disasters on the evening news.../ " That line from "We Used to Vacation" was eerily poignant and timely for this particular performance and then my little freeway brush with death left me, well "That [near] accident left everyone a little shook up".

It was a great show. I wasn't thrilled with the opening band, but Cold War Kids were fabulous. And, those boys need to fire their publicist...they are so much more handsome in person than in their photos.

I will do a better write up later this week (hopefully). Right now I need to sleep. I found two version, but I was really impressed by the video below, an acoustic, street-musician version of today's song, which I hope shows how amazing they are even stripped down.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"St. John" - Cold War Kids
(album version)

Monday, March 14, 2011

tapes for tuesday: a series part 11


The Nightblooms - The Nightblooms

The Nightblooms are a highly underrated, practically unknown Dutch shoegazer band. Like the Cocteau Twins and Lush, The Nightblooms are female-fronted, lovely and ethereal, and for me, equally as important in the genre because they were just as talented if not as early or well known. They also can really rock, not just languish and moan like some shoegazers.

The band was active from the late 1980s -1996 when they broke up, released 3 albums (1 was a live performance) as well as a Peel Session. I really like their sound and only wish they had produced more.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Butterfly Girl" - The Nightblooms

"if you buy that, I've got a bridge for you"

The new R.E.M. album Collapse came out, as you
most likely know, on Tuesday. Since I was down by Vintage Vinyl at the Flogging Molly show, I had the perfect chance to pick it up on vinyl. My R.E.M. collection is a hodgepodge of tapes, CD and vinyl and I have decided to switch it all over to vinyl (except the CD imports of course).

I have been really impressed with this new album. They really lost me for a while. Monster was the last thing I bought because they no longer spoke to me. But I am digging this gray-haired, bespectacled version of Micheal Stipe; he seems to have rediscovered his true musical self after being lost for a decade.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Every Day is Yours to Win" - R.E.M.


R.E.M. "Every Day Is Yours To Win" from Matthew Perpetua on Vimeo.



Sunday, March 13, 2011

solitary man

To shake up this Sunday I decided to go back only 50 years instead of 500 and go with a different type of classic.

"There are two types of people in the world: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don't". - What About Bob?
Neil Diamond has a voice that reminds me of sunny, warm, happy
memories with my best friend. When I was little my best friend and I had birthdays just 11 days apart so almost every year we would get together, though we had moved apart, for our birthday. We would go to the beach and collect purple sea urchins, or Marine World, or Santa Cruz Boardwalk. It was always fun, warm and exhausting. Her parents were Neil Diamond fans, and I remember riding in the back seat of their Volvo station wagon with Neil crooning on the 8-track.

Just this past summer I was in Hawaii with Mr. IMo? and we went to go buy tickets at Pearl Harbor on a warm sunny day and the old retired ticket-taker was listening to Neil Diamond. He was impressed that someone as "young" as me knew Neil Diamond, but wasn't really surprised to hear I loved his voice, "All the ladies love Neil Diamond" he said. Quite possibly true. He seems to be a secret crush. His overall 1970s hairy look does nothing for me, but his voice is truly amazing.

Neil Diamond is being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, to add to his lifetime of achievements. He is the third most successful Adult Contemporary artist of all time, only behind Barbara Streisand (who he did a duet with) and Elton John. He began recording in the early 1960s through the 1990s. I pretty much only know stuff up until about 1982, but I just bought this silver greatest hit album on vinyl at Goodwill a few weeks ago for 25 cents and it has a few later songs.

So, here is to polarizing opinions (and eyebrows the Jonas brothers can admire) whether you like him or not, Neil Diamond's 1966 hit.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Solitary Man" - Neil Diamond (1966 version)
I like this more folk version

"Solitary Man" - Neil Diamond (2008 concert)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

skankin'


I mentioned Skankin' Pickle a few days ago but haven't yet posted them. Let me remedy that.

Pretty cool west coast Ska out of San Jose in the early 90s. One of my favorite ska bands.


SONG OF THE DAY:
"My Hair" - Skankin' Pickle

Friday, March 11, 2011

miniature dinosaurs


thanks to 17 seconds for this great lead. just out this week:

when his voice goes deep the singer reminds me of Iggy Pop.

SONG OF THE DAY: "Fight or Flight" - Miniature Dinosaurs




Wednesday, March 9, 2011

thoughless thurday-list: a series part 10

the 7 piece shuffle

track/ artist

1. "The Cutter" - Echo and The Bunnymen

2.
"Death Disco" - Public Image Ltd.

3.
"Making Plans for Nigel" - XTC

4. "Town Called Malice" - The Jam

5.
"Pandora's Box - Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD)

6.
"Just What I Needed" - The Cars

7.
"This Town" - The Go-Go's

devil's dancefloor


For Mardi Gras I spent the night with the Irish Catholic crowd at Flogging Molly.

Outside of a festival, this was the most interactive, enthusiastic crowd I have ever seen. Mr. IMo? came with me and we decided to head straight for the balcony. Generally we are down in the pits, but he decided that mid-week he was no match for the drunken Irishmen on the floor. Looking down it was a fairly civil event but the sheer mass of the mosh was more than I was willing to tolerate.

It was a great show, and they played their best stuff and things they hadn't performed live in years. The show was almost identical to this one in Sydney, right down to the clothes everyone is wearing. I had not really noticed before in the music alone how much the bassist rocks; he was pretty much amazing.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"The Devil's Dancefloor" - Flogging Molly


Monday, March 7, 2011

tapes for tueday: a series part 10


Echo and the Bunnymen- Reverberation (1990)

The first caveat that this album must overcome is the absence of Ian McCulloch. He was replace by Noel Burke for this album, and ya know what? I Like It! I didn't come on to Echo and the Bunnymen until 1990, so the change in vocalist was less shocking because I was less invested in the original lineup.

The title is excellent because it is so reflective of the guitar style employed, a bit loose and twangy, and a bit psychedelic. Not the original sound, but very much in vogue with the up and coming Manchester sound a la Happy Mondays, The Farm, Stone Roses. It also had a new dance-ability that was formerly lacking. Also, there is an Indian influence to the music, with sitar, dulcimer and tambura that add yet another layer of sound.

I think that the purists are missing out when they deride this album for lack of Ian. Yes it sounds different, but to dismiss the entire album and the efforts of the remaining band members because of a change in vocalist is snobbish and short-sighted.

Track List:
  1. "Gone, Gone, Gone"
  2. "Enlighten Me"
  3. Cut & Dried"
  4. "King of Your Castle"
  5. "Devilment"
  6. "Thick Skinned World"
  7. "Freaks Dwell"
  8. "Senseless"
  9. "Flaming Red"
  10. "False Goodbyes"
This whole album is fantastic. I sat down this morning to give it a full listen though and realized I'd forgot how much I loved it. When it came down to picking a song today, I had to pick by my favorite lyrics.

"GONE,GONE, GONE"

My head is like an unblocked drain
My head is full of brains
My instincts are to kiss this train
I hear it coming

You're conscious says mind how you go
Your ulcer still says no
Your morals ebb
Your morals flow
Your bath is running

The normal rules do not apply
And mine is not to reason why
Gone, gone, gone

My arms are like two shipyard cranes
That may not work again
My fortunes wax
My fortunes wane
My sense is sundered

A carpet cheer is a cheerless heart
The path I dare not to jot
I look askance not quite the part
Someone has blundered

The normal rules do not apply
And mine is not to reason why
Gone, gone, gone

To all this grand old scheme of things
To all the pain it brings
To all of those who pull the strings
I said good riddance

To pass the time to coin a phrase
I meant a million ways
To counterfeit my salad days
And split the difference

The normal the rules do not apply
And mine is not to reason why
The normal the rules do not apply
And mine is not to reason why
Gone, gone, gone


SONG OF THE DAY:
"Gone, Gone Gone" - Echo and the Bunnymen

happy cashmere sweater day!


Actually it is Casimir Pulaski Day here in Illinois. He was a Polish war hero in the US during the Revolutionary War and because of the large Polish populations in Chicago, etc it is a full on holiday here to celebrate his, and Poland's, contribution to making the US a free nation and our countries' long-standing good relations for the past 200+ years.

No school for the kids, so we are having a bit of fun and learning. Because I am he meanest mom, I have given Katydid a 15 question homework assignment to learn a bit about Poland. I lived there for almost a year and a half back in the mid 90s, mostly in Warsaw(Warszawa) but also in Silesia (Śląsk) and Łódź . Because of the work I was doing there I didn't get to spend time going to concerts or clubs, but I made lots of friends, some of whom shared their music with me.

There was one particular guy I met who was about 17 and really into the Warsaw punk scene. He hooked me up with all sorts of information and gave me a few tapes. Today's song come from one of the bands he told me about, Post Regiment. I also liked their military name for celebrating a military hero.

Post Regiment is a pretty amazing punk band. They have two vocalists, Darek and Dominika, and the change between male and female voice depending on the song gives the band a changing perspective depending on who sings, kind of like with The Pixies.

Happy Casimir Pulaski Day. Miłego Pulaskiego dnia.

SONG OF THE DAY: "Skóra (leather)" - Post Regiment

I'm not a Sufjan fan, but he does a special song for today and I would feel remiss if I totally ignored it.

"Casimir Pulaski Day" - Sufjan Stevens




Sunday, March 6, 2011

do you hear the people sing?


Tonight on PBS the 25th anniversary production of Les Misérables in Concert is playing on PBS.
I don't have even have PBS, even with the digital converter box I don't get reception, so I won't be able to see it.

As much as I like musicals, I stick to old Hollywood and Bollywood, and not so much Broadway. I do however have an old copy of Les Misérables, an International Cast Recording, which I can't find on youtube, so all the individual voices seem off to me. I discovered the soundtrack year while getting an early morning ride across town to summer school each day (so that I could squish in classes I didn't want to waste a full year on like speech and chemistry in favor of pottery and music). The girls from my neighborhood I rode with were obsessed with Broadway musicals so I got an extra summer school class that year: Cats, Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera being the primary focus.

My favorite song, unsurprisingly is the rebel song with a full chorus. For a better story line synopsis head over to Scary Larry's as he just read the unabridged version novel by Victor Hugo.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Do You Hear The People Sing" - Les Misérables
(London Cast performance)

Saturday, March 5, 2011

i wanna smack you


As you may have caught on, I have a tendency to listen to ska on Saturdays. It help motivate me. Saturdays are usually the busiest day of the week, so I need all the extra pep I can get.

This week a friend of mine asked me for some ska recommendations. I missed this one. Regatta 69
came out of Chapel Hill, NC in the mid-90s and landed a deal with major ska label Moon Ska. This 5 piece wasn't big like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones or even as big as the lesser know Skankin' Pickle, but I bet you'll agree they are just as good.

SONG OF THE DAY: "I Wanna Smack You" - Regatta 69

Friday, March 4, 2011

retreat/ transmission


I have had this song in constant rotation for the past few years.

Doesn't Alan Donohoe remind you of a slightly cheerier Ian Curtis from Joy Division? Let's do a back to back comparison today.

SONGS OF THE DAY:
"Retreat" - The Rakes & "Transmission" - Joy Division




Wednesday, March 2, 2011

going out in style


New Album out yesterday by Dropkick Murphys.
They are coming to town this weekend but sold out before I could get tickets. My consolation prize is Flogging Molly next week. Not exactly the same, but close.

Here is their latest tune, "Going Out in Style". Just in time for the upcoming St. Patrick's day parties.

From their site :

Dropkick Murphys’ new CD Going Out In Style is out today via their own Born & Bred Records (ILG). In connection with the CD release, the band’s video for the title track, “Going Out In Style,” is now exclusively available atRolling Stone.com

In the clip–directed by Mark Higgins–a funeral parlor scene quickly becomes a raucous celebration of life. Dropkick Murphys are joined by friends, family and special guests including NHL Hall of Famer Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins alumni), fellow musicians Fat Mike (NOFX) and Chris Cheney (The Living End), along with a host of Boston-based celebrities: Micky Ward (boxing champion; The Fighter), Lenny Clarke (Rescue Me actor & comedian), Shawn Thornton (Boston Bruins), Milan Lucic (Boston Bruins), Kevin Youkilis (Boston Red Sox) and Heidi Watney (NESN reporter)."


SONG OF THE DAY:
"Going Out in Style" - Dropkick Murphys

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

tapes for tuesday: a series part 9


Pretty in Pink - Soundtrack

Katydid is sick today and Yaz is hyper and driving her nuts so I am just going to do a cut and paste job today since I wrote about Pretty in Pink last September during the Month of the Cover Song. Enjoy!

One of my favorite movies, especially in jr. high & high school, was Pretty in Pink. I wanted to grow up and be Iona. I named my blog in part after her record store, TRAX. I also loved the soundtrack. There is some really fabulous stuff on there, and for a wanna-be New Waver it was really key in finding new bands, as no one was playing that stuff on the radio where I lived. I had to sneak out and sit in my parents' car and tune in to a static filled station coming out of San Francisco to get to hear something new. Having so many songs in one place was revolutionary for me at the time.

INXS, Psychedelic Furs, New Order, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Smiths fill up half of the 10 track compilation. Those bands are the foundation of my musical knowledge and I can trace it all back to this soundtrack.

Today's song is the title track. I am sad I was so busy this summer working out in Boise because I wasn't able to go see Psychedelic Furs play at the Egyptian. Another one I add to my list of bands I missed.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Pretty In Pink" - Psychedelic Furs (soundtrack version)

This video is the less peppy version from their album TALK TALK TALK.