Tag Archives: 1994

Gem of the Week: Acoustic version of “Infected” by Bad Religion

11 Mar

My gem this week goes to punk icons Bad Religion and the acoustic version of “Infected” their 1994 hit from the album Stranger Than Fiction.

I have been in an acoustic mood lately. I was listening to cover versions of hardcore classics when I came across this version of “Infected” that the band had done in a studio session for Kroq. I liked it so much that I could not resist sharing it.

I have blogged in the past about how much I love Bad Religion and how they are one of the most influential hardcore punk bands out there. I love this song it’s a gem from 1994.

Lead singer Greg Graffin has always inspired me. He is not your average punk front man as he holds a Ph.D and he crosses over performing solo acoustic/folk music too.

Below is the link for “Infected” shared from Elpunko’s You Tube channel.

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Gem of the Week: Frente!

15 Jan
frente1

My Frente! Albums

Australian pop-acoustic-folk band Frente! is a gem I have dug out from my collection to highlight this week.

I remember the group gained popularity with their acoustic cover of Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order in 1994 and it was such an offbeat cover for the grunge era time.

According to a wiki search the band formed in 1989 and consisted of Simon Austin on guitar, Angie Hart on lead vocals, Tim O’Connor on bass guitar, and Mark Picton on drums.

I haven’t heard anything new from the band since that time but they have a Facebook  band page and are still around and playing shows. However, I did not see anything confirming if the group recorded or released any new material.

My best friend and I loved their cover of Bizarre Love Triangle and we use to wait to hear it on the radio. The music video for the cover was kind of odd too with close up shots of Hart singing while her band members circle her playing their guitars.

I remember also liking Hart’s style. She sported short black hair, a nose ring and had a cool way of dressing by mixing the grunge look with vintage patterns and styles.

The band released one full length studio album titled Marvin The Album which I own but the first album I bought was Labor of Love on cassette.

The tape only had seven songs on it but I bought it then because Bizarre Love Triangle was one of the tracks. I ended up loving all of the songs on that album and it’s now a beat up old tape from listening to it so much. Some great  tracks from that album were Not Given Lightly, Oh Brilliance and of course my favorite song Labor of Love.

Frente! had released a music video for Labor of Love in 1994 too but MTV usually only aired it during  shows for alternative music like 120 minutes.

I think Labor of Love is truly a great song; I love everything about it from the lyrics, breezy soft vocals and lil’ flute solo. I especially love the line:

“And if you want to find me,  Call me, I’ll be far from The cars and guitars and Everybody.”

Marvin The Album is great and it includes Labor of Love too. My favorites from this album are Pretty Friend and Ordinary Angels.

Frente! is a quirky popish acoustic band that you have to listen to a few times to truly appreciate their offbeat strength.

Below is a link from XttraVid You Tube channel for the video of Labor of Love.

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Pop Culture Reflection: Adam Sandler’s Chanukah Song

27 Nov

My nostalgic mood for reflecting on 1994 has focused on my holiday music favorite,  Adam Sandler’s Chanukah Song.

I remember when I first watched him perform it on Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1994 and laughing at all of his clever list of jewish celebrities.

The song is close to being 20 years old and I love how it has grown into this holiday tradition.

Of course I like his other comedic songs and more appropriate this week would be his Thanksgiving song. But I think the Chanukah Song has become his best well-known holiday favorite.

I also enjoy how Sandler has added lines and made revisions to his celebrity list throughout the years.

I always look forward to hearing what he has added and this year he added that its Thanksgivukkah, which is referencing how Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah are on the same day.

According to an article in Miami Herald the two holidays will not occur on the same day again for more than 70,000 years.

I have linked a live version from Happy Madison You Tube channel of Sandler’s holiday hit.

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Gem of the Week: Toad the Wet Sprocket

20 Nov
Outside The Show In Royal Oak, MI

Waiting outside of the Royal Oak Music Theatre

Alternative rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket make a strong comeback releasing latest album New Constellation on October 15th, breaking their 16 year hiatus.

The interesting aspect was that the band turned to Kickstarter to finance the new album.

” With a goal to raise $50,000 through Kickstarter, the band members figured it would take a couple of months to raise the funds, but their fans surprised them by donating the entire amount in only 20 hours. ” as stated from an article on TheSpectrum.com.

According to the bands official website, their quirky name came from a Monty Python comedy sketch and even though the band had success in the 90s selling platinum albums they ended up going their separate ways in 1998.

Now that they are back together I couldn’t wait to listen to the new album and I’m impressed with the songs on New Constellation.

The album is a good revival with a more upbeat vibe blended with their classic melodic style.

So far I like the tracks: The Moment and Rare Bird which carry a more melancholy tone and I seem to always be attracted to those tracks first! The last track on the album is Enough, which is my current favorite and I think it is the most catchy ballad.

The band is currently on tour and performed in Detroit this past Thursday at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. I had been looking forward to going to this show because I was really into them in the 90s and I have the albums (1991) Fear and (1994) Dulcinea.

I had a great time at the show and the mood was laid back and mostly acoustic.  The band mixed up the set alternating between playing old and new songs. They even played tracks off Fear which put a big smile on my face. The encore included their big hits Fall Down and Walk on the Ocean.

During my own conversations with people at the show, I would pick up bits of conversations between other fans who chatted about being in their 30s and reminisced about the grunge era.

It was cool to hear that other fans felt the same way I did especially since this show has been a long-awaited reunion.

Going back to reflect on the album Fear, I loved every single track especially: Walk on the Ocean, Hold Her Down and Butterflies. Fear is one of my top favorites in my music collection. I actually like it better than their follow-up album Dulcinea.

Although that album has some gems with Fall Down and Something’s Always Wrong.

In 1994 I watched the cult classic teen drama My So-Called Life and I remember Fall Down was played in one of the episodes. That song always makes me think of 1994 and of the show every time I hear it.

I am happy that I could lend support to the band. I will gladly fork over my money to pay to download their music and to hear them perform live because they are worthy.

 

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