DJ's Required Listening - The Early 90's

Boy, the years right after high school sure are fuzzy. For me, they sure came & went pretty fast. Went to college, drank a lot of beer, took out a guardrail with my car, got married. Life went by way too fast for me, and i think it was pretty indicative of my generation that it would. We were sandwiched in between the 80's crowd & Generation X. We were the kids that were in a hurry to grow up, get the good job, the great car, nice house, have 2.5 kids, take said 2.5 kids to soccer & piano every day, blah blah blah and still...we complain we don't have any "me time." In a nut shell, we're sorry for creating the mortgage & credit crisis the country is in today!! Anyway, sometimes I try to close my eyes and piece together what I can from those days, and when I do I think of some pretty damn strong music that has faded from the forefront today. Here's what it sounds like inside my head...

1. "Shuffle It All" - Izzy Stradlin & The JuJu Hounds. From their self-titled 1992 debut, Izzy steps out of the GN'R shadow & puts out the best work of any former member, then or since. "...if you see those old friends out there, tell 'em that I send my love." Couldn't have said it any better, my man.

2. "Wicked As It Seems" - Keith Richards. From his Main Offender album, also from 1992. See #1 above & insert "Rolling Stones" for "GN'R." Terrific album from top to bottom. Richards really shows us who he is...& he is outstanding. This song went to # 3 on the Mainstream Charts, but the charts are not a familiar place for Keith without Mick...and I think he likes it that way.

3. "Wiser Time" - Black Crowes. From 1994's Amorica effort that followed two huge albums (Shake Your Money Maker & The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion), this is the Crowe's tune that has stood the test of time in my opinion. Should get a nod for it's stellar use of the cowbell from The Bruce Dickinson Academy of The Bell, Baby. Too bad before this song came out, "Wiser Time" meant Budweiser to me, not "learning from past mistakes."

4. "Circus Envy" - R.E.M. From 1994's Monster - an album most R.E.M. purists did not like, but I absolutely loved. It was different than anything they had put out before, Monster was like a "purging" R.E.M. had to endure, and we were the recipients of the chunks. So happens when R.E.M. blows chunks it ain't all bad. Love the fuzz & distortion from Peter Buck's guitar on this one.

5. "What's Up" - 4 Non Blondes. One of VH1's all-time one-hit wonders, and Blender calls it the 16th worst song of all-time, but that's Blender for ya. For those of us the song was intended for, however, Linda Perry did a great job of capturing 1993, when we all had the best of intentions but the reality of becoming an adult was already smothering us all. Hopefully our children will handle it better...

DJ's Required Listening - Kim Deal

So last night I took my boys out for ice cream (actually it cost me 2 dips of Superman to get out of a birthday reception early) and while driving wondered what I'd post on today. As luck would have it as we strolled into the ice cream joint we ran into Goose, one of RHT's BFFs. Didn't talk long, but Goose did get out some what I perceived as "pent up" frustration by chastising this site for allowing Michael Jackson to win the Best Artist of the '80's poll, and not promoting the likes of The Replacements or Pixies. I could not disagree, mainly because I respect Goose & he knows his shit. I did hear a little "ding" go off in my head (or was that the bell on the ice cream shop door?) but I thought "Pixies it is this week folks."

Now, I really like Pixies. Very much so - "Gouge Away" might be one of the best songs ever in terms of just giving me cold chills & an adrenaline rush. Hell, Pixies were a 120 Minutes staple on MTV back in the day, and they've been credited by Kurt Cobain himself as an influence, and that's enough for me. But I thought later, "what is it you like so much about them?" The answer is two words: Kim Deal. Don't get me wrong, I like Black Francis too, but I find myself craning to hear Deal the most in any Pixies song, and revel any time she sings lead. Don't know what it is, I mean she's not unattractive but not a beauty queen either. She's just got this dead-pan delivery that's sexy as hell & cuts to the bone. You can tell she's got an intellect & a biting wit, plus you can tell she's rolling her eyes at you while cooing in your ear. As a result, you can only imagine my delight when Kim partnered with her sister Kelley in The Breeders during Pixies long sabbatical. Two Deals for the price of one - what a bargain! I think her contributions to alternative music are equal to those of Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon, and paved the way for females in the alternative genre. Hell, you ain't got a band unless you got a sexy female bassist (ask Smashing Pumpkins & Silversun Pickups)! Lisa Loeb owes everything to Kim Deal as a vocalist. Therefore, without further adieu...Kettering, Ohio's finest...Kim Deal (check this out! ha ha)

1. "Gigantic" from Pixies' Surfer Rosa (1988). Deal's first lead vocal performance. OK, it's a song about a sexual encounter with a rather large, eh-hmm, black gentleman. So what? It's Kim Freaking Deal!

2. "Here Comes Your Man" from Pixes' Doolittle (1989). Only one phrase in this song for Deal, plus backing vocals. "So long, so long..." never sounded so nice, so nice. Also, what a smart-ass video!

3. "Cannonball" from The Breeders breakthrough Last Splash (1993). Kim & Kelley Deal take over the world! Well, maybe for a few months...but I still absolutely LOVE this song! Video also directed by the aforementioned icon, Kim Gordon.

4. "New Year" from The Breeders Last Splash (1993). Great song...not for the vocals just the tempo. Kicks off the Last Splash album in a big way...

5. "Doe" from The Breeders Pod (1990). This album heavily influenced Cobain - Deal's first collection of songs out on her own.

6. "Safari" from The Breeders Safari (1992). Notable in that this was The Deal sisters first recording together.

How to Request a Song from the Band

The following article was forwarded to me by Jim O, a loyal RHT follower. It was sent to him by his friend Rod Dysinger. The article's author is unknown. I think you'll enjoy it . . .

When requesting a song from the band, just say "play ... my song!" We have chips implanted in our heads with an unlimited database of the favorite tunes of every patron who ever walked into a bar and all songs ever recorded so feel free to be vague, we love the challenge. If we say we really don't remember that tune you want, we're only kidding. Bands do know every song ever recorded, so keep humming. Hum harder if need be... it helps jog the memory, or just repeat your request over and over again.

If a band tells you they do not know a song you want to hear, they either forgot they know the tune or they are just putting you on. Try singing a few words for the band. Any words will do. It also helps to scream your request from across the room several times per set followed by the phrases, "AW COME ON!" and, "YOU SUCK!"

Exaggerated hand gestures expressing disapproval from the dance floor are a big help as well, such as the thumbs down or your middle finger up put-downs are the best way to jog a band's memory.. This instantly promotes you to the status of "Personal Friend Of The Band." You can bet your request will be the next song we play.

Entertainers are notorious fakers and jokesters and never really prepare for their shows.They simply walk on stage with no prior thought to what they will do once they arrive. We don't actually make set lists or rehearse songs. We mostly just wait for you to yell something out, then fake it. An entertainer's job is so easy, even a monkey could do it, so don't let them off the hook easily. Your request is all that matters.

Once you've figured out what genre of music the band plays, please make your requests from a totally different genre. The more exaggerated the better. If its a blues band playing, yell for some Metallica or Slayer or Pantera. Likewise, if its a death-speed metal band, be sure to request Brown-Eyed Girl or some Grateful Dead. Musicians need to constantly broaden their musical horizons, and its your job to see that it happens....immediately.

TALKING WITH THE BAND

The best time to discuss anything with the band in any meaningful way is at the middle of a song when all band members are singing at the same time. Our hearing is so advanced that we can pick out your tiny voice from the megawatt wall of sound blasting all around us. And we can converse with you in sign language while singing the song, so don't worry that we're in the middle of the chorus.

Musicians are expert lip readers too. If a musician does not reply to your question or comment during a tune, it's because they didn't get a good look at your mouth in order to read your lips. Simply continue to scream your request and be sure to over emphasize the words with your lips. This helps immensely. Don't be fooled. Singers have the innate ability to answer questions and sing at the same time. If the singer doesn't answer your questions immediately, regardless of how stupid the question may seem, it's because they are purposely ignoring you. If this happens, immediately cop an attitude. We love this.

IMPORTANT

When an entertainer leans over to hear you better, grab his or her head in both hands and yell directly into their ear, while holding their head securely so they cannot pull away.This will be taken as an invitation to a
friendly and playful game of tug of war between their head and your hands.Don't give up! Hang on until the singer or guitar player submits. Drummers are often safe from this fun game since they usually sit in the back,
protected by the guitar players. Keyboard players are protected by their instrument, and only play the game when tricked into coming from behind their keyboards. Though difficult to get them to play, it's not impossible, so keep trying. They're especially vulnerable during the break between songs.

HELPING THE BAND

If you inform the band that you are a singer, the band will appreciate your help with the next few tunes, or however long you can remain standing on stage. If you're too drunk to stand unassisted, simply lean on one of the band members or the most expensive piece of equipment you see. Just pretend you're in a Karaoke bar. Simply feel free to walk up on stage and join in.

By the way, the drunker you are, the better you sound, and the louder you should sing. If by chance you fall off the stage, be sure to crawl back up and attempt to sing harmony.. Keep in mind that nothing assists the band more than outrageous dancing, fifth and sixth part harmonies, or a tambourine played on one and three and out of tempo. Try the cowbell; they love the challenge.The band always needs the help and will take this as a compliment.

Finally, the microphone and PA system are merely props, they don't really amplify your voice, so when you grab the mic out of the singers hand be sure to scream into it at the top of your lungs, otherwise no one will hear what a great singer you are. Hearing is over-rated anyhow.. The crowd and the
sound guy will love you for it.

BONUS TIP

As a last resort, wait until the band takes a break and then get on stage and start playing their instruments. They love this. Even if you are ejected from the club, you can rest assured in the fact you have successfully completed your audition. The band will call you the following day to offer you a position.