Blues, Soul, Nirvana and Synthesizers: Episodes # 1006, 1005, 1004, 1003, 1002

Recently, Revolution Rock has had several theme based episodes and some guest hosts. Here are some highlights from some of the artists featured on our blues, soul, R&B and doo wop episode (links to hear/download all the episodes can be found below the playlists in this post).

Revolution Rock: Early Blues, Soul, R&B and Doo Wop

Joined by guest host Graeme Sylvio of CJAM FM’s Sylvio & Soul program, we dug deep into some more obscure soul, blues and R&B artists with touches of doo wop influences. Here are a few of the artists featured on this episode.

Pink Anderson:

Pink Anderson was born in South Carolina in 1900 and was a self-taught guitarist who toured through the Southeast during 1915-1945, getting work wherever he could. He performed and worked with many different musicians such as Blind Simmie Dooley. Several songs were recorded with Dooley for Columbia Records in 1928 and released as Papa’s About to Get Mad/Gonna Tip Out Tonight and Every Day in the Week Blues/C.C. and O. Blues. In the 1950s he toured with Leo “Chief Thundercloud” Kahdot and his medicine show and would often play with harmonica player Peg Leg Sam Jackson. Paul Clayton the folklorist recorded Anderson in 1950 and released Harlem Street Spirituals for the Riverside label. A lot of the traditional folk material was featured on this release such as “John Henry” and “The Wreck of the Old 97.” In early 60s (Carolina Blues Man (1961), Medicine Show Man (1962), Ballad & Folksinger (1963)), Anderson made some more recordings becoming part of the Piedmont school, utilizing his musical style, which pulled from blues, ragtime and folk. Anderson performed until the 1970s, passing away due to a heart attack in October of 1974 at the age of 74. Pink Anderson’s name took on a further influence in culture when Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd combined his name with North Carolina bluesman Floyd Council to arrive at the band name of Pink Floyd. Pink Anderson’s music came from the tradition of Carolina blues and the practice of the traveling folksinger.

The Falcons:

The Falcons formed in Detroit in 1955, they are perhaps best known for their two hit singles “You’re So Fine” (1959) and “I Found A Love” (1962). The band went through a few lineup changes in their career, but were notable for quite a few things. They were one of the first bands that would go on to be influential into the genre of soul music and also featured many musicians that would have their own successes outside of the group. Musicians such as Joe Stubbs, Eddie Floyd, Mack Rice, Lance Finney and Wilson Pickett were all part of the group at different times in The Falcons existence. Stubbs performed in three other groups (The Contours, The Originals and 100 Proof (Aged in Soul)), Eddie Floyd went on to work with the Stax record label and had a #1 hit single “Knock on Wood,” Mack Rice went on to record the song “Mustang Sally,” as well writing “Respect Yourself” with Luther Ingram, while Wilson Pickett became a major figure in the development of soul music, recording over 50 songs that made the US R&B charts and also crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Some of his best known songs are “In the Midnight Hour,” “Land of 10000 Dances,” “Funky Broadway,” “Don’t Knock My Love,” he also recorded a version of The Falcons “I Found A Love,” a song which he co-wrote, as a solo artist in 1967. It became a hit for Pickett and a two-part version of the song was recorded. It was featured on his album The Sound of Wilson Pickett and was also a single reaching #6 on the US R&B Charts. The Falcons lasted from about 1955 until about 1966, reforming briefly in 2005-2008.

Show 1006 (September 23rd, 2023)(Early blues, soul, R&B and doo wop Special):

1.  Bobby Louis - Fire of Love 
2.  Bunker Hill - The Girl Can’t Dance 
3.  Guitar Crusher - The Monkey 
4.  The Continentals - Don’t Do It Baby 
5.  King Coleman - Loo-key Doo-key 
6.  Nightriders - Looking For My Baby 
7.  John Lee Hooker - Let’s Talk It Over 
8.  John Lee Hooker - Just Me and My Telephone 
9.  Pink Anderson - My Baby Left Me This Morning 
10. Pink Anderson & Simmie Dooley - C.C. and O. Blues 
11. The Falcons - I Found A Love
12. Sir Mac Rice - Baby I’m Coming Home 
13. Lloyd Williams & The Highlights - Kangaroo Dance
14. The Supremes - Let Me Go the Right Way 
15. Eric Mercury & The Soul Searchers - Lonely Girl
16. The Playmates - It Must Be Love 
17. Dianne Brooks - In My Heart 
18. Dianne Brooks - Walkin’ On My Mind 
19. Shirley Matthews & The Big Town Girls - (You Can) Count On That
20. Jack Harden & The Silhouettes - I’m Not Running After You (Anymore) 
21. King Herbert & The Knights - Lucille 
22. Eric Mercury - Life Style 
23. The Fantastic Four - Take Him Back If It Makes You Happy 
24. The Fantastic Four - Man In Love 
The Detroit Emeralds – Radio Promo
25. The Detroit Emeralds - Do Me Right 
26. The Detroit Emeralds - Long Live the King 
27. Booker T. & The M.G.’s - Behave Yourself 
28. The Gems - That’s What They Put Erasers on Pencils For 
29. Mckinley Mitchell - You’re Not Gonna Break My Heart
30. Barrett Strong - You Knows What To Do
31. Terry Callier - You Goin’ Miss Your Candyman 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the September 23 file to download/stream the episode. 

Show 1005 (September 16th, 2023)(In Utero 30th Anniversary Special):

1.  Nirvana - Serve the Servants (2013 Mix) 
2.  Nirvana - Scentless Apprentice
3.  Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box (Live) 
4.  Nirvana - Rape Me (1991 Boombox Demo) 
5.  Nirvana - Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle 
6.  Nirvana - Dumb (1991 Peel Session) 
7.  Nirvana - Very Ape 
8.  Nirvana - Milk It (1993 Rio Demo)
9.  Nirvana - Pennyroyal Tea (Live MTV Unplugged) 
10. Nirvana - Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (Live & Loud 1993) 
11. Nirvana - Tourette’s (2013 Mix) 
12. Nirvana - All Apologies (Live Reading Festival 1992)
13. Breeze - Serve the Servants 
14. Hervana - Scentless Apprentice (Live) 
15. The Weather Station - Pennyroyal Tea 
16. Teenanger - Very Ape 
17. Baptists - Tourette’s
18. D.O.A. - All Apologies 
19. Sara Simms - Heart-Shaped Box 
20. Tess Parks - Marigold 
21. Nirvana - Sappy
22. Nirvana - I Hate Myself and Want To Die (2013 Mix) 
23. Nirvana - Forgotten Tune 
24. Nirvana - Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol That Flow Through the Strip 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the September 16 file to download/stream the episode. 

Show 1004 (September 9th, 2023):

1.  The Rapture - Heaven 
2.  Hot Hot Heat - This Town 
3.  Ought - Celebration 
4.  Shonen Knife - Making Plans for Bison 
5.  Sturm Group - Caught in the Door 
6.  Swell Maps - Forest Fire 
7.  First Man Over - Umbrella Man 
8.  Fifth Column - Right Hook 
9.  Richard Laviolette - Taking the Long Way Home 
10. Richard Laviolette - Ordinary Fellow
11. Richard Laviolette - Break Down These Blues 
12. Henry Bemis & The Books - Let’s Go Shopping
13. Tim Swaddling - Devil’s Tail 
14. Aleks Stoykosky - Replica Art 
15. Tea Leaves - Interloper 
16. The Clientele - Blue Over Blue 
17. King Krule - Hamburgerphobia 
18. Bonnie “Prince” Billy - Good Morning, Popcatepetl 
19. PJ Harvey - A Noiseless Noise 
20. The Replacements - Can’t Hardly Wait (Cello Version)
21. Constantines - National Hum
22. Constantines - Sub-Domestic 
23. Protomartyr - For Tomorrow 
24. Osees - Chaos Heart 
25. Ramones - I Remember You 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the September 9 file to download/stream the episode. 

Show 1003 (September 2nd, 2023):

1.  The Routes - Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t Have) 
2.  Priors - Burgundy 
3.  Julie Doiron - Thought of You 
4.  The Kinks - This Time Tomorrow 
5.  The Kinks - A Long Way From Home 
6.  The Breeders - No Aloha 
7.  The Breeders - Divine Hammer 
8.  Sweeping Promises - Ideal No 
9.  Jeff Rosenstock - I Wanna Be Wrong 
10. The Rolling Stones - Dancing with Mr. D 
11. Tom Waits - Underground
12. Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones
13. Colter Wall - Standing Here 
14. Beams - Morning Waits 
15. Pin Group - Ambivalence 2
16. The Clean - On Again/Off Again 
17. 25 Cents - Don’t Deceive Me 
18. Ritchie Venus and the Blue Beetles - Bleeding Heart 
19. The B-52’s - Give Me Back My Man 
20. Can - Moonshake 
21. Teke::Teke - Gotoku Lemon 
22. Sundried Whales - I’m So Tired 
23. Freak Heat Waves - Off My Mind 
24. TAFKAVince Band - Expiration Date 
25. Love Language - Ripples 
26. The Vertical Struts - Sh! 
27. Ghost Woman - Alright Alright 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the September 2 file to download/stream the episode. 

Show 1002 (August 26th, 2023) (Revolution Synth Special - synth music from 1978-1983):

1.  The Payola$ - In A Place Like This
2.  The Vapors - Trains
3.  Wall of Voodoo - Factory
4.  Joe Naylor - I Hate Fluorescent Lights
5.  Null.set - Teats De Nuit
6.  Phollop Willing P.A. - Orphan Baby
7.  Iko - Elevator
8.  Subway Sect - Ambition
9.  Devo - Strange Pursuit
10. Tubeway Army - Me, I Disconnect From You
11. The Stranglers - Nice N’ Sleazy
12. Oingo Boingo - Ain’t This the Life
13. Talking Heads - Memories Can’t Wait
14. Rational Youth - Holiday in Bangkok
15. The Boomtown Rats - Blind Date
16. Kraftwerk - The Model
17. Nash the Slash - The Chase
18. Ceramic Hello - Symphony of Shudders
19. UJ3RK5 - Eisenhower & The Hippies
20. Active Dog - Nothing Holding You
21. Tim Ray & A.V. - Quarter to Eight
22. Suicide - Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the August 26 file to download/stream the episode.

Nevermind, Albums of 1991 and a Surf Music Special - Shows # 903, 902, 901, 900, 899 & 898

Here are the playlists for the six most recent episodes of Revolution Rock. You will find the playlists below, some of the episodes were special episodes such as one focusing on the 30th anniversary of Nirvana's Nevermind, a show devoted to albums released in 1991 and a September surf special that we did. Here is some info about some of the music featured on these shows:

Nirvana: Nevermind at 30

Recorded at both Sound City in California and Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin between May and June of 1991, Nevermind originally had the working title of Sheep. It even went as far as Kurt Cobain making up a fake advertisement for an album of this title, however, they eventually settled on the title Nevermind. It has been said that this was chosen because it reflected a metaphor for Cobain’s attitude on life and because it was spelled grammatically incorrect on purpose. When recording was completed, and the rough mixes were done by producer Butch Vig (these can now be found on the 20th anniversary edition of Nevermind), the band were unhappy with the initial mixes. These mixes were rougher sounding than how Nevermind would be presented when Andy Wallace was brought in to add his touch to the mixes. Chosen due to the fact that he had worked with Slayer, Wallace’s mixes made considerable changes to the sound of the drums and guitars of the album. Cobain stated himself that the sound Nevermind was going for was “The Knack and the Bay City Rollers getting molested by Black Flag and Black Sabbath.”

Lyrically, the songs are dark, satirical, funny, powerful and unpredictable. It has been said that a lot of the songs on this album were influenced by a relationship that Cobain had been in that had ended, but a lot of songs were written way before any of them were recorded. The lyrics also were subversive, contrasting and criticizing the lyrical conventions of that time period. This was the first album to feature drummer Dave Grohl, who provided a power behind the kit that when combined with Novoselic’s melodic basslines and Cobain’s guitar/vocals created a unique chemistry. When the first single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was released it got a combination of mainstream radio airplay and heavy rotation on MTV (when they still played music videos) that caused a stir. There are many reasons why it became an unexpected success. The music from the underground that was building in the decades prior to this, the time it was released. Although it has been written about many times, Nirvana’s 1991 Nevermind album really did have an impact on music in the mainstream and in general. In our 30th anniversary Nevermind episode (playlist/links are below) we played the album made up of alternate versions of songs to show a different side of the songs that would make up Nevermind.

Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet: Music For Pets EP (1991)

In 1991, Toronto instrumental band Shadowy Men On Shadowy Planet released Dim The Lights, Chill The Ham their debut album. Produced by Coyote Shivers, it is one of their best, however, in 1991 they also released an EP on K Records called Music For Pets. Only containing five tracks, the EP was recorded by Ormond Jobin & Alley at Reaction Studios. The EP opens with “Rover & Rusty” that begins with someone shaking their keys and then saying “Here boy.” This track like many of Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet is an instrumental track that ties in elements of surf with other genres. A music video for this song was made by bassist Reid Diamond for this track as well while the band was in Olympia, Washington for the International Pop Underground Convention in 1991. Buying a used Super 8 camera at a Goodwill store, Diamond shot footage of a pet parade that was occurring in town that weekend and well, it became the music video.

“Here Kitty” is a short interlude of someone shaking a box of cat food and shouting the song title before “The Cat Came Back” begins and dips into jazz contrasted with Brian Connelly’s surf/jazz inflected sounds. We hear the sounds of cats meowing come in towards the middle of the song, in fact there are animal/pet sounds throughout the EP. “Baby Elephant Walk" is a spruced up version of the Henry Mancini track, while “That Wuz Me Callin’ A Horse” ends the EP. This slower reverb drenched track is a track that has a title based on a joke about Slade’s 1972 live album, Slade Alive! As for the general EP’s title, it is possible that the band really was making music for their pets. On the EPs cover there is a cat in a basket with a Fender guitar amplifier in the background. The cat was apparently bassist Reid Diamond’s cat Pud (as in “Puddin’”) according to Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Web. While they are known for providing the theme song to the Kids In The Hall TV show, in addition to all the music found on it (and are rumoured to be involved with the new KITH reboot in the music department), Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet have many cool releases in their discography. This is one of many.

Show 903 (Originally Aired On October 9th, 2021) (Love, Andy Shauf, albums from 1981, Mononegatives, Billy Childish):

1.  Love - Emotions
2.  Courtney Barnett - Rae Street
3.  Buck Owens & His Buckaroos - You’ll Never Miss The Water (Till The Well Runs Dry)
4.  John Dwyer - No Flutter
5.  Chad VanGaalen - Changing River
6.  Andy Shauf - Jaywalker
7.  Foxwarren - In Another Life
8.  Ashley Shadow - For Love
9.  JP Lancaster - Southern Cross
10. Destination Lonely - I Want You
11. Trixie and The Trainwrecks - Too Good To Be Blue
12. Hot Garbage - Sometimes I Go Down
13. Huron Lines - Lost In Sarnia
14. Dogo Suicide - Ostrava
15. Visibly Choked - Mother Tongue
16. Slam Dunk - In Hell
17. Television Personalities - Look Back In Anger
18. The dB's - Tearjerkin'
19. Joy Division - Walked In Line
20. New Order - Dreams Never End
21. King Crimson - Thela Hun Ginjeet
22. Siouxsie & the Banshees - Monitor
23. The Police - Hungry For You
24. The Police-  Invisible Son
25. Mononegatives - Monoclonic
26. The Milkshakes - For She
27. The Mighty Caesars - All Night Worker
28. The Delmonas - I Feel Alright

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the October 9 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 902 (Originally Aired On October 2nd, 2021)(T.Rex Electric Warrior, Bob Dylan, The Liverbirds, Holly Golightly, The Delmonas, Amyl & The Sniffers):

1. Julie Doiron - You Gave Me The Key
2. Johnny West - Knee-Jerk Howl
3. The Garrys - In The Dawn
4. Shannon and The Clams - Leaves Fall Again
5. Bob Dylan - Too Late (Band Version)
6. Bob Dylan - Blind Willie McTell
7. Daniel Romano's Outfit - Sweetheart Like You
8. T.Rex - Rip Off
9. T.Rex - The Motivator
10. T.Rex - Monolith
11. T.Rex - Planet Queen
12. The Adam Brown - Indie Rock Has-Beens
13. Actors - Cold Eyes
14. Wine Lips - Eyes
15. A Place To Bury Strangers - Playing The Part
16. Dion Lunadon - Speed
17. Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs - Poison Ivy
18. The Liverbirds - Why Do You Hang Around Me
19. Holly Golightly - Run Cold
20. Thee Headcoatees - Stolen Love
21. The Delmonas - Dangerous Charms
22. Daniel Romano's Outfit - Animals Above Our Town
23. Motorists - Go Back
24. Sofa - Stress
25. Bad Waitress - Manners
26. Amyl & The Sniffers - Maggots
27. Amyl & The Sniffers - Knifey

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the October 2 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 901 (Originally Aired On September 25th, 2021) (Nirvana Nevermind 30th Anniversary Special):

1.  Dive (1989 Demo) (With The Lights Out - DGC - 2004)
2.  Token Eastern Song (1989 Demo) (With The Lights Out - DGC - 2004)
3.  Sappy (Smart Sessions) (Nevermind Deluxe Edition - DGC/Sub Pop - 2011)
4.  Here She Comes Now (Nevermind Deluxe Edition - DGC/Sub Pop - 2011)
5.  Smells Like Teen Spirit (Live) (From The Muddy Banks of the Wishkah - DGC - 1996)
6.  In Bloom (Smart Studio Sessions) (Nevermind Deluxe Edition - DGC/Sub Pop - 2011)
7.  Come As You Are (Live) (Live At Reading - DGC - 2009)
8.  Breed (Devonshire Mix) (Nevermind Deluxe Edition - DGC/Sub Pop - 2011)
9.  Lithium (Smart Studio Sessions) (Nevermind Deluxe Edition - DCG/Sub Pop - 2011)
10. [New Wave] Polly (Incesticide - DGC/Sub Pop - 1992)
11. Territorial Pissings (Boombox Rehearsals) (Nevermind Deluxe Edition - DGC/Sub Pop - 2011)
12. Drain You (4-Track Demo) (With The Lights Out - DGC - 2004)
13. Lounge Act (Live) (Live At Reading - DGC - 2009)
14. Pay To Play (DGC Rarities: Volume 1 - DGC - 1994)
15. On A Plain (Live) (Live At The Paramount - DGC - 2011)
16. Something In The Way (BBC Session) (Nevermind Deluxe Edition - DGC/Sub Pop - 2011)
17. Curmudgeon (Nevermind Deluxe Edition - DGC/Sub Pop - 2011)
18. Even In His Youth (Nevermind Deluxe Edition - DGC/Sub Pop - 2011)
19. Verse Chorus Verse (Outtake) (With The Lights Out - DGC - 2004)
20. Old Age (Outtake) (With The Lights Out - DGC - 2004)
21. Molly's Lips (Hormoaning EP - DGC/Sub Pop - 1992)
22. Turn Around (Hormoaning EP - DGC/Sub Pop - 1992)
23. Anuerysm (Hormoaning EP - DGC/Sub Pop - 1992)
24. Endless, Nameless (Live) (Live At The Paramount - DGC - 2011)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the September 25 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 900 (Originally Aired On September 18th, 2021)(Albums of 1991 Special):

1.  My Bloody Valentine - When You Sleep (Loveless - Creation Records/Sire/Warner Bros. Records - 1991)
2.  Slint - Nosferatu Man (Spiderland - Touch And Go - 1991)
3.  Jesus Lizard - Mouth Breather (Goat - Touch And Go - 1991)
4.  Drive Like Jehu - Atom Jack (Drive Like Jehu - Headhunter Records - 1991)
5.  Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Hey, Hey, My My (Into The Black) (Weld - Reprise Records - 1991)
6.  Soundgarden - Somewhere (Badmotorfinger - A&M - 1991)
7.  Eric's Trip - Warm Girl (Warmgirl - Derivative Records - 1991 - recorded & mixed in 1991)
8.  13 Engines - Abandoned (A Blur To Me Now - Capitol Records/EMI Records Canada - 1991)
9.  Pixies - Alec Eiffel (Trompe Le Monde - 4AD - 1991)
10. Teenage Fanclub - What Do You Want Me To Do (Bandwagonesque - Creation Records/DGC Records - 1991)
11. Matthew Sweet - I've Been Waiting (Girlfriend - Zoo Entertainment/BMG Music - 1991)
12. R.E.M. - Near Wild Heaven (Out of Time - Warner Bros. Records - 1991)
13. Copyright - Dust (Circle C - Geffen Records - 1991)
14. Throwing Muses - Golden Thing (The Real Ramona - 4AD - 1991)
15. Julian Cope - Promised Land (Peggy Suicide - Island Records - 1991)
16. Eric's Trip - Too Perfect (Catepillars EP - Self Released - 1991)
17. Dinosaur Jr. - Blowing It (Green Mind - Sire - 1991)
18. Mercury Rev - Coney Island Cyclone (Yerself is Steam - Rough Trade - 1991)
19. Rheostatics - Chanson les Ruelles (Melville - Intrepid Records - 1991)
20. Sebadoh - Kath (III - Homestead Records - 1991)
21. Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet - Exit From Vince Lombardi High School (Dim The Lights Chill The Ham - Cargo Records - 1991)
22. Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet - Rover & Rusty (Music For Pets EP - K - 1991)
23. Spacemen 3 - Just To See You Smile (Ochestral Mix) (Recurring - Fire Records/RCA - 1991)
24. Fugazi - Long Division (Steady Diet of Nothing - Dischord Records - 1991)
25. The Tragically Hip - The Last of the Unplucked Gems (Road Apples - MCA Records - 1991)
26. Swans - Blind (White Light From The Mouth of Infinity - Young God Records - 1991)
27. Vampire Rodents - Friktion (War Music - Dossier - 1991)
28. Slowdive - Brighter (Just for a Day - Creation Records - 1991)
29. Nomeansno -Valley of the Blind (0 + 2 = 1 - Alternative Tentacles - 1991)
30. The Smashing Pumpkins - Crush (Gish - Caroline Records - 1991)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the September 18 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 899 (Originally Aired On September 11th, 2021)(Charlie Watts & Lee "Scratch" Perry Tribute):

1.  The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash (Live)
2.  The Rolling Stones - Shake Your Hips
3.  The Rolling Stones - Little By Little
4.  The Rolling Stones - Can't You Hear Me Knocking
5.  Lee "Scratch" Perry & The Upsetters - Kojak
6.  Lee "Scratch" Perry & The Upsetters - Return of Django
7.  Lee "Scratch" Perry & The Upsetters - Three In One
8.  Lee "Scratch" Perry - Big Neck Police
9. Gemstones - Perfect
10. Breeze - Our Scene
11. Slim Twig - Stone Rollin'
12. U.S. Girls - Jack
13. Colleen Green - It's Nice To Be Nice
14. Low - More
15. John Lennon - It's So Hard
16. John Lennon - Crippled Inside
17. Generation X - Gimme Some Truth
18. Patti Smith (feat. Tony Shanahan) - Oh Yoko (Live)
19. Willie Dunn - Pontiac
20. Willie Thrasher - Eskimo Named Johnny
21. Ron Leary - I Was Born
22. Jesse Fellows - Dead Gone Parade
23. Anxious Pleasers - Errand Boy
24. Mononegatives - Circuits In View
25. Mononegatives - Trauma
26. Knoxville Girls - That's Alright With Me
27. Sloks - A Knife In Your Hand

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the September 11 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 898 (Originally Aired On September 4th, 2021)(September Surf Special):

1.  The Chantays - Wayward Nile
2.  The Astronauts - Hot Doggin'
3.  The Pastel Six - Hot Dogger
4.  Wes Dakus & The Rebels - Dog Food
5.  Wes Dakus & The Rebels - Surf's U Rite
6.  Messer Chups - Dolphin Hill
7.  Bloodshot Bill - Gaggle Waggle
8.  New Shaker Sex Addicts - Too Early For Breakfast
9.  La Luz - Sunstroke
10. Shoobies - Dare
11. The Kilaueas & Surfer Joe - Surf Party
12. Huevos Rancheros - Jezebel
13. Makeout Videotape - Slush Puppy Love
14. Charlie and The Moonhearts - Thunderbeast
15. The Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through Technology
16. The Langhorns - In Your Fez
17. The Centurians - Bullwinkle
18. The Centurions - Bullwinkle Pt II
19. Link Wray - Summer Dream
20. Baby Giant - High Tide
21. James O-L & The Villians - Kill The Devil
22. The Gories - Nautiloid Reef
23. Stereo Donkey - Tune From The Rangoon
24. The Gnarly Ones - The Storm Catcher
25. The Calrizians - Card Player, Gambler
26. Los Straitjackets - Hombre
27. Swami John Reis and the Blind Shake - Sets of Fire
28. Stereophonic Space - Unlimited Just Wastin' Time
29. The Mel-Tones - In Praise of Lime
30. Mark Malibu & The Wasagas - Boogie Board
31. Atomicos - Left Coast
32. Chuck (Big Guitar) Ernest with the Satellite Band - Blue Oasis
33. The Akulas - L'amour Chaud
34. The Bell Peppers - Bell Pepper Hop

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the September 4 file to download/stream the episode.

Guided By Voices, Nirvana and Joy Division & Shows # 778, 779, 780, 781

In the month of June Revolution Rock celebrated the 25th anniversary of Guided By Voices Bee Thousand album, the 30th anniversary of Nirvana's Bleach and the 40th anniversary of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures. Find playlists and download links below this post featuring a bit of info on each of these albums.

Guided By Voices - Bee Thousand (1994)

Guided By Voices Bee Thousand was originally released on June 21st, 1994. At the time, GBV had already released several albums and Bee Thousand would be their seventh album. Prior to this, all of the band’s albums had been recorded in studios. Bee Thousand would be different. Instead of recording the album in a studio, GBV recorded this album on a variety of four track recorders in different garages and basements of the various band members. The results were very lo-fi, a lot of the recording sounds like it could be from an old bootleg. This was part of band leader Robert Pollard’s intention. He stated that he wanted the album to resemble Beatles bootlegs. Musically, the songs draw on British invasion rock, punk rock, pop, psychedelic and progressive rock influences. The majority of the music found on Bee Thousand was made up of overdubbed, re-edited versions of older, unused material by the band. Lyrically, the songs featured words that have drawn comparison to the cut-up technique that was once used by writer William Burroughs. The songs would draw on many themes that seemed fantastical, but due to the lyrical technique of Pollard, they are layered with many different potential meanings.

At this point in time Guided By Voices was more of loose collective of musicians. Pollard has stated that the band during this period was made up of whatever friends were available to play. In addition to the music created by Robert Pollard, there are also the songs written by Tobin Sprout, who would be part of the GBV classic lineup from 1987-1997 and again from 2010-2014. Songs such as “Awful Bliss”, “Mincer Ray”, Ester’s Day” and “Hot Freaks” all add to the uniqueness of this album and when combined with the other songs such as “I Am A Scientist”, “Hardcore UFO’s” and “Gold Star For Robot Boy” create something unpredictable and spontaneous. Originally Bee Thousand was going to be the last album for Guided By Voices, due to pressure to focus on Pollard’s teaching career and family, in addition to the financial issues that arose with being in a band. However, Bee Thousand pulled Guided By Voices out of obscurity and turned out to be a new beginning for the band.

Nirvana - Bleach (1989)

Originally released on June 15th, 1989 on Sub Pop Records, Bleach was the debut album by Nirvana. The album featured a heavier, grungier sound, as opposed to Nirvana’s Nevermind and In Utero albums. When Bleach was released it only featured eleven songs. It wasn’t until after Nirvana released Nevermind that Bleach would be re-released with two additional tracks. It would chart at number 89 on the Billboard 200 upon the re-release in 1992. The music on Bleach reflected the Seattle music scene at the time blending elements of punk, metal and classic rock.

Nirvana recorded Bleach with Jack Endino at Reciprocal Studios in sessions that took place between December 1988 and January 1989. Before Dave Grohl joined Nirvana as their drummer, the band went through a series of drummers. Prior to being called Nirvana, they went by several different band names and Aaron Burckhard played drums with them. He quit the band in December of 1987. In January 1988, Kurt Cobain asked Dale Crover (of The Melvins) to record a demo session with Nirvana so that it could help them find a new drummer. The band recorded ten songs on January 23rd, 1988, including vocal overdubs and had a rough mix of the songs done in roughly six hours. Dale Crover is featured on three songs on Bleach “Paper Cuts”, “Floyd The Barber” and “Downer” that originate from this session. Most of the others that he recorded during this session would be spread out over other releases such as 1992’s Incesticide and the 2004 box set With The Lights Out. Chad Channing joined Nirvana in 1988 and shortly after joining recorded the Love Buzz single with them. Other than the three noted songs, Channing is featured on the remainder of the songs on Bleach.

Lyrically, the songs on Bleach have a bleak and claustrophobic outlook. Cobain has said that most of the lyrics are about his life in Aberdeen. “Negative Creep” is one of the many tracks with heavy guitar riffs, “School” was said to be a critique of the Seattle music scene, and “Mr. Moustache” was inspired by Cobain’s dislike of macho behaviour. In addition to the heaviness found on Bleach, the song “About A Girl” shows the pop abilities of Kurt Cobain. This song has been described as a “Jangly R.E.M. type of pop song”, but also one influenced heavily by The Beatles. It stands out on Bleach, but also shows that Kurt Cobain and Nirvana were more than just another band in the Seattle music scene.

Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979)

On June 15th, 1979, Manchester band Joy Division released their debut album Unknown Pleasures on Factory Records. A high-water mark of postpunk music, this atmospheric release from the Manchester quartet made a significant impact in the realm of independent music. Before recording Unknown Pleasures, Joy Division was known as Warsaw. They signed a recording contract with RCA Records in 1977 and recorded demos for the label, however, they were unhappy with the results. The recordings were eventually released as Warsaw. Before that happened however, four of the songs from the RCA sessions were selected and self-released by Joy Division on their own Enigma label as An Ideal For Living. Heavily influenced by bands such as Sex Pistols and Buzzcocks, this EP reflected the band’s early punk sound. It was also around this time that Joy Division’s manager Rob Gretton convinced the band to sign to the label Factory Records. They signed to Factory Records in 1978 with Martin Hannett in the producer seat for their first album.

The recording of Unknown Pleasures took place at Strawberry Studios in Stockport, England over three weekends in April of 1979. Martin Hannett, who had produced the first Buzzcocks EP Spiral Scratch as Martin Zero took Joy Division’s punk sound and added his sense of experimentation to it. Hannett added space and atmosphere to Joy Division’s sound, which when combined with the music of Joy Division and the lyrics of Ian Curtis created a world of mystery and darker textures to the Unknown Pleasures landscape. Unusual production techniques were employed by Hannett such as using the sound of a toilet, breaking glass, someone eating crisps (played backwards), in addition to the use of tape echo, digital delay (on the drums) and time modulators. Ian Curtis’ vocals for the song “Insight” were also recorded from a telephone line.

The music while punk based was different. It would be known as post-punk. The basslines played by Peter Hook were played in higher registers, in a way that had not been done before. The baritone vocals by Curtis combined with minimalist guitar by Bernard Sumner and the manic, precise drumming of Stephen Morris created something unique. The lyrics of Curtis influenced by writers such as J.G. Ballard, William Burroughs, and Gogol, touched on many topics that weren’t being addressed at the time and that people still identify with today. Although the band were initially displeased with the sound of Unknown Pleasures, the album has had a long lasting legacy. Hundreds of musicians would claim influence from this album, ranging from rock acts like U2 and The Cure, to hip-hop artists like Danny Brown and Vince Staples. Its influence does not stop at music. It has also inspired books, film and even graphic design. Unknown Pleasures is an album that has been written about many times. There is something different for the listener to discover when listening to it. Whether it is the darker themes addressing depression, existentialism, the sense of alienation that people identify with or the other themes that run through this album, Unknown Pleasures creates an air of mystery that is not easily defined. It is one that keeps people returning to it and will do so for a long time to come.

Show 781 (Originally Aired On June 29th, 2019)(Guided By Voices Bee Thousand - 25th Anniversary):

1. Guided by Voices - Hardcore UFO's (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
2. Guided by Voices - Buzzards and Dreadful Crows (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
3. Guided by Voices - Hot Freaks (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
4. Guided by Voices - Smothered in Hugs (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
5. Necking - Spare Me
6. Feels - Awful Need
7. Sebadoh - Vacation
8. Kiwi Jr. - Wicked Witches
9. Dumb - Columbo
10. Guided by Voices - Yours to Keep (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
11. Guided by Voices - Echos Myron (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
12. Guided by Voices - Gold Star for Robot Boy (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
13. Guided by Voices - Mincer Ray (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
14. Guided by Voices - A Big Fan of the Pigpen (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
15. The Electric Cows - Shattered Glass
16. Vondells - Snakes Eyes
17. The Mighty Swells - Runaway
18. West Ends - Belle v. Sebastian
19. Guided by Voices - Her Psychology Today (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
20. Guided by Voices - Kicker of Elves (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
21. Guided by Voices - Demons Are Real (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
22. The Oh Sees - The Great Crush
23. The Oh Sees - Ghost in the Trees
24. Little Girls - Delaware
25. Pottery - The Craft
26. Kim Gray - Hand in Glove
27. The Flowers of Hell - Destroying Angel
28. Guided by Voices - Queen of Cans and Jars (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
29. Guided by Voices - You're Not an Airplane (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)
30. 3ft - 21st Century Drone
31. Cosmonauts - Medio Litro
32. Cate Le Bon - You Don't Love Me
33. Guided by Voices - I Am a Scientist (Bee Thousand - Scat Records - 1994)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 29.

Show 780 (Originally Aired On June 22nd, 2019)(Nirvana Bleach - 30th Anniversary):

1. Nirvana - Floyd the Barber (Bleach - Sub Pop - 1989)
2. Nirvana - School (Bleach - Sub Pop - 1989)
3. Ty Segall - I Worship the Dog
4. Titus Andronicus - (I Blame) Society
5. Lungbutter - HONEY
6. Jinns - Death Wish
7. LTD - Get Them Talkin'
8. Fecal Matter - Downer (Illiteracy Will Prevail - 1985)
9. Nirvana - Spank Thru (1988 Dale Crover Demo)
10. Nirvana - Tolken Eastern Song )With The Lights Out - 2004)
11. Drive Like Jehu - Human Interest
12. Fontaines D.C. - Chequeless Reckless
13. Salt Horse - Weekend Medicine
14. The Space Plan - Trail the Rails
15. Atomic 7 - Skynrd
16. Rodriguez - I Wonder
17. Nirvana - About a Girl (Live) (Bleach: 20th Anniversary Edition - Sub Pop - 2009)
18. Nirvana - Love Buzz (Bleach - Sub Pop - 1989)
19. Nirvana - Papercuts (Bleach - Sub Pop - 1989)
20. Mudhoney - Blinding Sun
21. Lubriated Goat - He Moves in Mysterious Ways
22. Bad Hoo - Confuse Bouche
23. Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds - No Control
24. Foxhart Fishman - Ramblin' Dan's Righteous Manefesto
25. No Museums - Fangs That Once Were Teeth
26. Smokey and the Feelings - Fields of the Bored
27. Sturgill Simpson - The Dead Don't Die
28. Nirvana - Blew (live) (Bleach: 20th Anniversary Edition - Sub Pop - 2009)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 22.

Show 779 (Originally Aired June 15th, 2019)(Joy Division Unknown Pleasures - 40th Anniversary):

1. Joy Division - Exercise One (BBC Session 1979)
2. Queen's Rug - Untitled Demo
3. The Organ Fire - In The Ocean
4. Blue Peter - Radio Silence
5. Dumb - Some Big Motor Dream
6. Joy Division - Living in the Ice Age (Warsaw Demo)
7. Joy Division - Disorder (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
8. Joy Division - Day of the Lords (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
9. Joy Division - Candidate (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
10. Joy Division - Insight (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
11. Joy Division - New Dawn Fades ((Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
12. Joy Division - She's Lost Control (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
13. Joy Division - Shadowplay (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
14. Joy Division - Wilderness (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
15. Joy Division - Interzone (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
16. Joy Division - I Remember Nothing (Unknown Pleasures - Factory Records - 1979)
17. Teenanger - It Works with my Body
18. Psychic Void - Gutter Butter
19. Leather Uppers - Slow Puke
20. Pretty Matty - Kicked Out
21. Odonis Odonis - Hollandaze
22. Protomartyr - Ypsilanti
23. Walrus - Fur Skin Coat
24. The Prefects - Faults
25. The Nightingales - Idiot Strength
26. Controller.Controller - PF
27. Joy Division - Transmission (Live) (Les Bains Douches 1979)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 15.

Show 778 (Originally Aired On June 8th, 2019)(Dr. John, 13th Floor Elevators & Roky Erickson):

1. Dr. John - Right Place, Wrong Time
2. Dr. John - Jump Sturdy
3. Dr. John - Ice Age
4. Dr. John - Gut Bucket Blues
5. Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio - Al Greenery
6. Charles Bradley - You Think I Don't Know But I Know
7. Mark Sultan - The Other Two
8. Reigning Sound - What Did I Tell You
9. Kim Gray - Eugene Vampire
10. Constantines - National Hum
11. Women - Robert Starratt (Locust Valley) (CBC Radio 3 Session)
12. The Jam - Down in the Tube Station at Midnight
13. The Spades - You're Gonna Miss Me
14. The 13th Floor Elevators - Fire Engine
15. The 13th Floor Elevators - She Lives (In a Time of Her Own)
16. Roky Erickson & the Aliens - Night of the Vampire
17. Roky Erickson & The Black Angels - Thank God For Civilization
18. The Neins Circa - The Astoria Hotel
19. No Aloha - Generational Divide
20. Greys - These Things Happen
21. LTD - Chief Sleeps In The Park
22. Young Canadians - Where are You
23. Pow! - Connecting
24. Nots - Floating Hand
25. Outrageous Cherry - Sign o' the Times
26. Neil Young & Stray Gators - Time Fades Away (Live 1973)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 8.

Bell Peppers, Nirvana & Shows # 633 & 634

The Bell Peppers - Born To Love

The Bell Peppers are a rock n’ roll combo out of Manchester, UK. They play a mix of surf, R&B and beat music. This track “Born To Love” is part Bo Diddley, part surf, Part garage, and a lot of shaking rock n’ roll grooves. It is from a forthcoming EP to be released by the band. Their last release, Sizzling Hot Bell Peppers was released in 2013. All of their music is currently free to download via their bandcamp page.



Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Top Of The Pops 1991)

In September, Nirvana celebrated the 25th anniversary of their breakthrough album Nevermind. In November of 1991, Nirvana was asked to perform their hit single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on the Top Of The Pops TV show in Britain. For this program musicians usually mimed along with an instrumental backing track version of the song. When Nirvana asked to perform the song live, they were denied. The vocals, however, were live. As a result, Nirvana mimed along to the instrumental backing track out of time and Kurt Cobain sang the song in a deep, low voice. It was later revealed that he was doing his best Morrissey impression, but this version of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” goes down as one of the memorable, rebellious performances of the Top Of The Pops TV show. It was cut short midway through the song when the audience rushed the stage.



Playlist for Show # 634:

1. Carl Perkins - Matchbox
2. Patsy Cline - I Got A Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul
3. Wes Dakus & The Rebels - Seesaw
4. The Chantays - Monsoon
5. La Luz - Don’t Wanna Be Anywhere
6. Kim Gray - Little Saigon
7. Kate Fagan - Master Of Passion
8. Twist - Can’t Wait
9. Preoccupations - Stimulation
10. The Wicked Awesomes - Somewhere In Nowheresville
11. Zoom - Subway Surfin’
12. The Damned - See Her Tonight
13. Rudi - Big Time
14. X Dreamysts - Dance Away Lover
15. Bell Peppers - Born To Love
16. Lightbulb Alley - Pepper Spray
17. Ricked Wicky - The Important Girl
18. Guided By Voices - My Zodiac Companion
19. Guided By Voices - I Certainly Hope Not
20. Guided By Voices - Long Distance Man
21. Run Coyote - Troubles
22. Radiohead - The Numbers
23. Ohtis - Pervert Blood
24. The Brandy Alexanders - Hey, Why'd You Do It?
25. The Nots - Cosmetic
26. Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (TOTP 1991)
27. Pavement - Perfume-V
28. Teenage Fanclub - I'm In Love
29. By Divine Right - Complicated
30. By Divine Right - Uncontaminable

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for October 8.

Episode # 633 was a repeat of a previous episode that originally aired in January 2015. You download that episode here and view the playlist here.

In Utero 20 Years Later & Show # 478

On September 13th, 1993, Nirvana released what was to be their last full length album before Kurt Cobain’s untimely death, but for many it is difficult to separate the two events. For some people, these events have to remain connected and it would be difficult to say that in some ways they aren’t. However, if you look at the album in the context of the situation that Kurt Cobain and Nirvana were going through at the time, you might just see it differently. In Utero is notable for being the sonic opposite of Nevermind, the breakthrough album that pushed Nirvana into the spotlight in 1991. As a whole, In Utero seemed to be an artistic foray into the realm of Noise, Rock and Pop.

In Utero was produced and recorded by Steve Albini, known for his work in Big Black and other notable recording/producing credits such as The Pixies Surfer Rosa album. Recorded at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, the album was made quickly in a short two week period, which captured the band in a raw and live atmosphere. In Utero’s songs were culled from songs that the band had for years, dating back as far as 1990 and newer songs that were written specifically for this album. The songs were modified lyrically and musically to a degree and when combined with the rest of the album they showcased a cohesive narrative.

The opening of “Serve The Servants” proves to be the dissonant opposite of Nervmind’s opening track “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. The lines “Teenage angst has paid off well/Now I’m bored and old” set the mood for what was to come musically and lyrically on In Utero. The song in the context of time and place seems to address Cobain’s reaction to Nirvana’s successes and his life as an adolescent and becoming an adult. The lines “As my bones grew they did hurt/They hurt really bad/I tried hard to have a father/But instead I had a Dad” seem to emphasize all these things. At the same time, while the later line is a reference to Cobain’s relationship with his father, it also is reminiscent of the line “He might be a father/But he sure ain't a Dad” from The Replacements song “Androgynous” found on their 1984 album Let It Be. This further emphasizes their musical intentions, although it was most likely a subconscious thought, it is leaning more towards the underground sound of the college radio aesthetic in which the band was bred as opposed to the crisp produced sound of mainstream rock that they seemed to battle against.

“Scentless Apprentice” attacks even deeper with its heavy drums and guitar riffs. Lyrically the song was influenced by the book Perfume by Patrick Suskind about a perfume apprentice seeking out the perfect scent by murder, even though he has no body odour of his own. The song can be seen as an allegory for the mainstream media, as can quite a few songs throughout this album. “Rape Me” is a bold Punk/Pop concoction that was supposedly inspired by the misinterpretations of Cobain’s past lyrics, “Francis Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle” once again draws from a literary world, being influenced by the 1978 Biography of actress Frances Farmer entitled Shadowland. Songs such as “Dumb”, “Pennyroyal Tea” and “All Apologies” all lean towards Cobain’s Beatles influenced tendencies, while songs such as “Very Ape”, “Milk It” and “Tourette’s” all lean towards the bands aggressive Punk tendencies.

“Heart-Shaped Box” was the first single released for In Utero. The song quickly shot up the Billboard charts becoming number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Track charts, but it had its origins in 1992. The song is one of the best examples of the bands style featuring the quiet verse and loud chorus dynamic that many of their songs featured. Lyrically the song is said to have a few meanings, the most common being about Cobain’s relationship with Courtney Love, she had according to Charles R. Cross’s Heavier Than Heaven, given Cobain a heart shaped box. And although the song was originally titled “Heart-Shaped Coffin”, many visual images are portrayed throughout the song with lyrics seeming to reference, love, birth and the portrayal of the media. When coupled with the music video shot by Anton Corbjin, it created a striking visual package.

To further add to the album’s aggressive nature, it was originally rejected by the band’s record company, being described as unreleasable initially. The album was recorded in six days and was mixed in five days initially with Steve Albini. After many back and forths with the record company, some overdubs were added to some of the songs such as “Heart-Shaped Box”, “Pennyroyal Tea” and “All Apologies” and they were also remixed by Scott Litt. The title “In Utero” is also equally as important when discussing this album, the songs, and even the artwork which portrayed a transparent anatomical mannequin with angel wings attached. The album’s title “In Utero” is a Latin term meaning in the womb. The title can mean quite a few things when considering the lyrical subject matter found on the album. It could refer to a wanting to return to a simpler time, when not in the public eye of the world or even a rebirth. The themes of birth and death appear throughout the album. Nirvana definitely attempted a rebirth of sorts with this album, coming off different musically and more focused from a lyrical standpoint. In a recent interview with XFM bassist Krist Novoselic had this to say about In Utero:

"I'm really proud of it. It's really good and it is a testimony to the artistic vision of Kurt Cobain. You listen to that record and the intensity and that power and that is a tribute to Kurt's vision."

As a whole, In Utero displayed a more abrasive and aggressive sound that differed from the albums Nevermind and Bleach. The lyrics are angst ridden and at times nihilistic, but match the ambiance that is portrayed throughout the twelve songs found on In Utero. The album ends with the mantra-like drone to the lines “All in all is all we are” from the Beatles-esque “All Apologies”. While many reviewers have pointed out this closing line to the closing track, it is a rather fitting way to end this album. Nirvana always seemed to do what they wanted whether it was the heaviness of Bleach, or the sharply produced Nevermind. In Utero stands on its own and it is what it is. Whether you like it or not or even agree with the many reviews that are popping up all over the internet, In Utero is a rebirth of a band that were at the height of their popularity and ability in approximately 41 minutes.

In September 2013, In Utero celebrated its 20th anniversary and was released in a deluxe package including a DVD of the previously unreleased MTV Live & Loud concert from 1993. Included in this set are B-sides and demos created around the time of the album. Fans have heard many of these songs before, such as the seven minute jam “Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol That Flow Through The Strip” and “Sappy”, but all of them have been given remixed treatment. Also included is a remix of the album done by Steve Albini and the remaining members of Nirvana, several of the tracks featuring alternate parts and harmonies, most notably the solo in “Serve The Servants”. While many fans argue the point of this new mix, it was inspired by Novoselic hearing the recent Doors remasters. The remix was done to look at the songs from “A different angle” as Novoselic put it. The package puts together nicely the album, its B-sides, demos, even an unreleased instrumental song that has not been heard anywhere before called “Forgotten Tune”.

This Week's Play List:

1. Shady & The Vamp – Let Me Know
2. Teenanger – Singles Don’t $ell
3. Tricky Woo – Allright
4. The Orwells – Open Your Eyes
5. Arctic Monkeys – Fireside
6. Dr. Dog – Minding The Usher
7. The Stance – Sweet Tooth
8. Shooz – Rocking Out To Montreal
9. Dice – Tired Of Living Like This
10. The Blokes – All American Girl
11. The Bad Seeds – A Taste of The Same
12. Duane Eddy – Kommotion
13. Racoon Wedding – Local Ghosts
14. Cousins – Crew
15. Construction & Destruction – Waving At Ships
16. Nirvana – Serve The Servants (2013 Mix)
17. Nirvana – Forgotten Tune
18. Nirvana – The Man Who Sold The World (MTV Live & Loud 1993)
19. Golden Grrls – Take Your Time
20. Elvis Costello & The Roots – Walk Us Uptown
21. The Clash – Innoculated City
22. The Clash – 1977 (Beaconsfield Demo 1976)
23. The Clash – City of the Dead (Live The Lyceum December, 28, 1979)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for October 15. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Nirvana ... Newermind & Show # 372

Twenty years ago Nirvana released their second full length album Nevermind. Prior to the album being recorded the band nor their record label (then Sub Pop, before signing to Geffen) had no idea of the impact that the album would have. While initially it was pressed in smaller quantities, the album quickly climbed the Billboard top 200 charts eventually knocking Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album off the top spot. But would the album have had the same impact if it had been not re-mixed by Andy Wallace? The super deluxe edition of Nevermind that was released on September 27th of 2011 provides an inside look and insight into the events leading up to Nevermind’s success and also provides the listener with a plethora of material to wrap their heads around as Nirvana’s Nevermind hits the 20 year mark. It should also be noted that currently, Nevermind has re-entered the UK top ten album charts.

The set comes in a large vinyl sized book featuring glossy colour photos cataloguing Nirvana’s adventures mostly in picture form. Inside there are budget breakdowns, press releases, previously unseen photos, screenshots from Nevermind-era music videos, and the album cover shoot, and a reprint of a Melody Maker magazine feature on Nirvana and the Seattle scene at the time. If that isn’t enough there is the music which is provided in a variety of formats – one in CD form. There are four CD’s in the set and one DVD featuring a previously unreleased Nirvana Concert from the Paramount Theatre in 1991. The first CD features a remaster of the actual Nevermind album, and a collection of B-sides, that if you have been a die-hard Nirvana fan have most likely heard before.

The second CD is where the super deluxe set gets interesting. First it starts off with the eight song Smart Studios Sessions that Nirvana Did with Butch Vig (who would also produce Nevermind) in April of 1990. Through these eight songs we hear Nirvana with Chad Channing on drums, and in an early primalistic form, the songs sound like they come from Bleach-era Nirvana, which they do in a sense, but this form of Nirvana is one that is in transition. The listener is taken through early versions of songs such as “Lithium”, “Breed” (then titled “Immodium”), “In Bloom”, “Pay To Play” (which would become the song “Breed”), and a cover of the Velvet Underground song “Here She Comes Now”, “Dive”, and “Sappy”. From these demos the band decided to shop around in hopes of moving to a major label, but following the demos the listener is thrown right into yet another, early version of the Nevermind album. There are eight boom box demos, which were recorded by Nirvana in their rehearsal space in Tacoma, Washington in March 1991. Here we have yet more early versions of songs that would find their way onto Nevermind, with different lyrics and two tracks which never made the final cut of the album “Old Age” and “Verse Chorus Verse”. Ever since a snippet of the boombox demo of “Old Age” was leaked onto the internet many years ago, these demos have been greatly in demand by Nirvana fans. It should also be noted that on the 2004 Nirvana With The Lights Out box set, there are the studio outtake versions from the Nevermind album sessions of “Old Age” and “Verse Chorus Verse”, they do not appear on this set. Additionally, there was a version the band did of “Sappy”, which would be re-recorded and released at a later date, but the Nevermind recorded version remains unreleased. After listening to Nirvana playing some of the same songs back to back with different drummers (Channing on the Smart Demos and Grohl on the boombox) there is an immediate change in chemistry to the bands energy. Through this CD we hear Nirvana’s evolution. At the end of this CD, two songs from a BBC session are tacked on “Something In The Way” and “Drain You”.

The third CD provides the listener with what is called The Devonshire Mixes. These are the infamous mixes that Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain had referenced in the past, saying that they were rawer and less polished than the final released Andy Wallace mixed version. The songs found on this CD are a more stripped down version of the Nevermind we have all come to recognize. While some of the tracks appear to not have much changes, several of the songs have noticeable differences, such as “Lounge Act”, Territorial Pissings”, and “On A Plain”. “Come As You Are” is noticeably less produced that the album version, while “Drain You” is different, yet doesn't have the same impact of the Wallace mixed version. The songs seem to have clearer vocals, a more raw/live feel to them, which when compared to the Wallace version is less produced, but at times lacks the impact that the final officially released version has. These were rough mixes that were put together by Producer for Butch Vig for the band to hear, which in this set provides us with yet another fascinating evolutionary stage of the album. Finally we are provided with a CD version of a live concert that is also provided in DVD form, which can be argued for its significance. But after delving through many demos, alternate/early versions of songs and alternate mixes, the 20th anniversary super deluxe edition of Nevermind ends with the band in its rawest aural form, live. Finally there is the Live At The Paramount DVD, which is a previously unreleased live concert of the band from October 31st, 1991.

This limited edition release is pricey but if you are a big Nirvana fan it is something that you will enjoy. Hearing the evolution of a band coming from the Seattle underground into the mainstream, we are provided with a lot of material to listen to and watch. There are also different versions of the release, such as the two CD deluxe edition of the album, a four LP vinyl box set, and a Blu Ray version of the Live At The Paramount concert. So what if the album was never re-mixed by Andy Wallace would it have had the same impact? The songs are there, they were being crafted by Cobain and the band in preparation. This is a question that at this point is irrelevant, it could be argued for on either side, but regardless of which you prefer the songs are there and the music is there. Good music is good music, oh well whatever Nevermind.

For more info on the band you can visit http://www.nirvana.com/ or Kerrang! Radio's 20 Facts about Nevermind.

The Play List:

1. The Libertines - The Boy Looked At Johnny
2. Dream Dates - Heartattack Rhythm
3. Psychotic Pineapples - Stranded
4. The Polymorphines - Bring Your Love Back Home
5. Wild Flag - Short Version
6. The Strokes - Two Kinds of Happiness
7. Nick Lowe - 36 Inches High
8. Brian James - Ain't That A Shame
9. Result - Suburban Addicts
10. Wayouts - Wild At The Beach
11. B-Girls - Angel Doesn't Shoot A Gun
12. The Dishrags - Can't Wait
13. Brazilian Money - Slowly Soaking Up Some Rays On A Sofa
14. Wilco - I Might
15. The Saints - Memories Are Made of This
16. The Velvet Underground - Beginning To See The Light
17. Nirvana - Sappy (Smart Studios Demo Version)
18. Nirvana - Territorial Pissings (Devonshire Mix)
19. Nirvana - Drain You (Live At The Paramount)
20. The Teardrops - Seeing Double
21. The King Khan & BBQ Show - Hold Me Tight
22. The Lyrics - So What!!
23. The Hentchmen - Ham & Oil
23. The Black Lips - Not A Problem

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for October 4. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Nirvana Nevermind 20th Anniversary Release... Show # 358

Originally released by Nirvana in September of 1991, Nevermind was the bands breakthrough album. It crashed into the Billboard charts shaking up the music industry and eventually went on to sell over a million copies, the sales figures are said to be around the 30 million mark currently. Now twenty years later Nevermind is getting the deluxe reissue treatment. Previously Nirvana's first full length album Bleach was released in 20th anniversary form in 2009 it came with a bonus disc featuring a live concert, but this release falls into a different category of deluxe reissues, it is super deluxe. It will be released on September 20th, 2011.

The reissue is more like a box set, featuring four CD's and one DVD of a Nirvana concert never before released in complete form officially. Rumours and speculation have already been made on internet sites as to what will be contained on this release some claiming that it may contain the original rough mixes of the album done by producer Butch Vig, but an official release confirmed that it will include B-sides, rarities, BBC radio sessions and live recordings. Dave Ghrol in a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine had this to say of the release, even hinting at future Nirvana releases:

"I wouldn’t doubt it if something very special happens – we have a few things up our sleeves. I can’t really say anything yet. But you’ll see. It’ll be fun."

The latest info on Nirvana can be found at http://www.nirvana.com/

This Week's Play List:

1. The Stooges - T.V. Eye
2. Magic Hall of Mirrors - Coke Mountain
3. The Doughboys - Until The Clock Strikes Doom (Live)
4. Cat's Eyes - Over You
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - We Almost Lost Detroit
6. Neil Young International Harvesters - Get Back To The Country
7. Lonesome Lefty - Let's Go For Breakfast Anyway
8. Gunfight!- Sticks
9. Goldtones - Strike
10. Mark Malibu And The Wasagas - Wasaga Run
11. Link Wray - Deacon Jones
12. The Hook Up - Come Down With Us
13. Nervus Rex - Love Affair
14. The Donkeys - What I Want
15. Pointed Sticks - How Could You?
16. Active Dog - Fun While It Lasts
17. The Bureaucrats - Grown Up Age
18. The Subways - It's A Party
19. Nirvana - Drain You
20. Buzzcocks - Fiction Romance
21. Fire Engines - Everything's Roses
22. Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers - Milk Me (Live Max's Kansas City 1979)
23. The Gruesomes - What's Your Problem?
24. The Clash - Ivan Meets G.I. Joe (Live Amsterdam 1981)
25. The Clash - I Fought The Law (Live Amsterdam 1981)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 28. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Frustrated Buzz ... Show # 289

This week's show was a mix of new and old bands.  As a change of pace enjoy these three youtube videos from artists played on today's show. 







This week's play list:

1. Buzzcocks - I Don't Know What To Do With My Life
2. Nuclear Socketts - Riot Squad
3. Ultravox! - Radio Beach
4. Only Ones - Miles From Nowhere 
5. Passengers - One Way Out
6. Petroleum By-Product - Ain't Got Money
7. Spectres - Visions of a New World
8. Young Canadians - Where Are You
9. The Maynards - In the CIA
10. Meligrove Band - Ages & Stares
11. Good Shoes - The Way My Heart Beats
12. The Drums - Submarine
13. The Stance - Jet Fighter
14. The Knack - Frustrated
15. Subways - Oh Yeah
16. Lost Patrol - In Your Eyes
17. Lost Patrol -  Dead or Alive
18. Pearl Jam - Mankind
19. The Pixies - Bam Thwok
20. Hater - Wish On
21. Nirvana - Love Buzz  
22. Queens of the Stone Age - Tangled Up in Plaid
23. D4 - Joe Orton's Wedding
24. True Lovers - Cougar

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for March 2nd. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Nirvana Bleach 20th Anniversary....Show # 272

This week's program was hosted by Chris of I Am Collecting Beautiful Things. A wide variety of rock was played, new and old. Some of my favourite selections from this week's program was new music by Julian Casablancas and music from the re-issue of Nirvana's Bleach album.

Nirvana released a re-issue of their 1989 album Bleach celebrating the albums 20th anniversary this week. The album was originally released on June 15th, 1989. It featured songs such as "Blew", "Floyd the Barber", "Negative Creep", and "School" all of which reflected a heavier version of the band. "About A Girl" is also featured on Bleach and it is the albums purest pop moment, it reflects Kurt Cobain's Beatles influences. The album did not chart when it was originally released, but when Nevermind was released in 1991 and Nirvana started to become more popular, Bleach was re-issued and remastered in 1992.  Technically this is the second re-issue of the album, but this remaster of Bleach does have a noticable difference. For one all of the tracks have been remastered by Jack Endino (the albums original producer), and there is a bonus disc featuring a live concert from Nirvana at the Pine Street Theatre in 1990. In addition to this the linear notes have been expanded with additional notes and photos. 

Some other interesting facts about Bleach are that originally the title was going to be Too Many Humans.  Also Kurt Cobain is credited as Kurdt Kobain, and Dale Crover is featured as the drummer on some of the tracks and Chad Channing is the drummer on the other tracks.  It is a must for any Nirvana fan. 

Nirvana has also released a DVD of their Reading Festival performance in 1992, titled Live At Reading.  There are 25 live performances on the DVD and the picture has been remastered, it has been circulating in bootleg circles for sometime.  This is an excellent performance from the band.  There are some special editions of the album that contain both the audio and video of the Reading concert.  Usually there is a new Nirvana release every November, but last year there was no new Nirvana release, it looks like it was made up for because now there are two new releases available.  Both the 20th anniversary deluxe edition of Bleach and the Live At Reading DVD are now available to purchase. 


For a full history on Nirvana visit:

Endless, Nameless: The Nirvana Story Part One
Verse Chorus Verse: The Nirvana Story Part Two

The Play List:

1. North Of America - Central Port Of Equal Time
2. A History Of - Action In The North Atlantic
3. The Hoa Hoa's - Postcards
4. Alec Ounsworth - South Philadelphia (Drug Days)
5. Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
6. Chuck Prophet - American Man
7. Mission Of Burma - After The Rain
8. Les Dales Hawerchuk - A Soir On Sort
9. Grooms - Dreamsucker
10. The Stand-Stills - Bound
11. Little Girls - Youth Tunes
12. Evening Hymns - Dead Deer
13. Thomas Function - Belly Of The Beast
14. Black Feelings - Last Rings Pt. 1
15. Talk Normal - Hot Song
16. Devil Eyes - Teeth
17. Times New Viking - 2/11 Don't Forget
18. King Khan & BBQ Show - Anala
19. Nirvana - Dive (live)
20. Etaoin Shrdlu - 1995-1997
21. Gospel Gossip - Home Is Where the Hibah Is

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for November 3rd. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Verse Chorus Verse...The Nirvana Story Part Two...Show # 163

In 1993, Nirvana returned with In Utero. This album was produced by Steve Albini (of the band Big Black, who produced The Pixies) and showed off a harsher heavier, dark sound of the band. Recorded in just two weeks, In Utero was initially rejected by the record company. Some of the tracks needed to be remixed, so the band brought in Scott Litt (REM) to remix some of the tracks. "Heart-Shaped Box", "All Apologies", and "Pennyroyal Tea" were remixed; The remix of "Pennyroyal Tea" would not be released officially until 2002. The album was a success again for the band, and it showed them going into another direction from its predecessor.

In Utero starts of with "Serve the Servants" a heavy dissonant sound rock song about issues with Cobain's father and teenage angst. "Scentless Apprentice" was a song lyrically pertaining to the book Perfume, and musically evolving out of a jam (all three band members get credit on this track). "Heart-Shaped Box" is next. Lyrically the song draws on various issues in a dark poetic style, the song can be looked at as having various meanings, but musically it is a flowing, loud, riffy beautiful song. "Rape Me" is a fast punk influenced track about portrayal in the media, that did cause some controversy, but it is an anti-rape song. Other fast punky tracks are laced all over the album such as "very Ape", "Milk it", and "Tourette's". Songs such as "Dumb", "Pennyroyal Tea", and "All Apologies" show of the bands pop side once again.

One of the other tracks on the album "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter", came about because of an article negatively portraying Kurt and his wife (Courtney Love) in Vanity Fair magazine; The song was originally titled "Four Month Media Blackout". Also the album was originally going to be titled I Hate Myself and I Want To Die or Verse Chorus Verse, both songs which Cobain had written (which would end up as B-sides to the album, along with a few other tracks written during the In Utero sessions). The title In Utero came from one of Courtney Love's poems. Lyrically Cobain takes a step up on In Utero drawing in more poetic images than he did before on Nevermind. The band would then go on a tour of the US also adding Germs guitarist Pat Smear to their ranks.

In 1993, Unplugged in New York was also recorded. The set contained a bunch of lesser known Nirvana songs and covers; The album would get release in 1994. During the period of 1993 Cobain would once again battle with drug addiction and in March of 1993 checked into rehab, cancelling a European tour. On April 8th, 1994 Kurt Cobain was found dead in his Seattle home. The issues that surround Cobain's death may never be known for sure, some fans believe that he was murdered but some believe that he shot himself.

After the end of Nirvana there were numerous post-humus releases. In 1994, Unplugged in New York (on CD & VHS) was released and the video Live! Tonight! Sold Out were released. In 1996, From the muddy Banks of the Wishkah (a collection of live material) was released. After Nirvana, drummer Dave Grohl went on to be successful in his band Foo Fighters, and Krist Novesellic went on to be in various side projects, then finding politics.

In 1997, Novesellic and Grohl started to assemble material for a Nirvana box set to mark the 10th anniversary of Nevermind. A legal battle then ensued for the future of Nirvana's legacy between Courtney Love, Krist Novesellic, and Dave Grohl. They couldn't agree on the material that was to appear on the box set, one song in particular "You Know You're Right" caused issues within the collective group. They eventually settled in 2002, Love wanted the final Nirvana song "You Know You're Right" (recorded in 1994) to be on a greatest hits CD. The song leaked onto the Internet in September of 2002 just before the release of the greatest hits CD. In October of 2002, Nirvana was released. It was a greatest hits compilation of the band which contained the singles of the band plus a few different versions of Nirvana songs.

In 2004, With the Lights Out a 3 CD and one DVD box set was released. The first disc of the set contained Bleach-era Nirvana rarities such as early demos and live recordings of the band. The second disc contained more Nevermind-era recordings, while the third disc contains In Utero-era Nirvana recordings and beyond. The DVD contains live performances a majority of which were taken during the Bleach tour, it also contains more rare songs in the DVD menus such as another demo of "All Apologies", and a demo version of "Lounge Act". Overall, the box set is an extensive look into the recording career of the band which included outtakes such as "Verse Chorus Verse" , and "Old Age" as well as much, much more. In 2005, Sliver: The Best of the Box, was released, it was a compilation of the best tracks from the With the Lights Out box set plus, two previously unreleased demos. In 2006, Live! Tonight! Sold Out! was released on DVD, and in 2005 a Classic Albums DVD was made about the Nevermind album. A DVD version of MTV Unplugged was released in November of 2007.

Currently there has been no official word about any further Nirvana releases, a Kurt Cobain solo album was also said to be in the works in 2000-2002, but there has been no word since then. There is said to be many tapes any recordings left behind, but no one knows for sure how much is left exactly. Whether or not there is other Nirvana releases, the band still has a large following and will always be known as the band that changed rock music for the nineties bringing the underground to the mainstream.

For more information on Nirvana check out Live Nirvana, and Nirvana Club. Also, there are two great books Come As You Are by Michael Azerrad and Heavier Than Heaven by Charles Cross.

What was played:

1. The Damned – liar
2. Adverts – one chord wonders
3. Alternative TV- action, time, vision
4. Undertones – my perfect cousin
5. The Saints – (I’m) misunderstood
6. The Demics – new york city
7. The Statics – rebel like me
8. Modern Pickles – teenage dropout
9. Hammersmith Gorillas – leavin’ town
10. The Dogs – slash your face
11. The Skids – sweet suburbia
12. Subway Sect – parallel lines
13. Prefects – things in general
14. Lurkers – shadow
15. Sturgeons – forward disorder
16. Fits – bored of education
17. The Poles – cn tower
18. Hot Nasties – I am a confused teenager
19. Teenage Head – disgusteen (alternate version)
20. Ramones – loudmouth
21. Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers – born to lose
22. Generation X – ready steady go
23. Black Flag – wasted
24. Fugazi – margin walker
25. Mekons - where were you?
26. Modern Lovers - pablo picasso
27. Black Lips - i saw a ghost
28. Hot Hot Heat - 5 times out of 100
29. Young Canadians - don't tell me
30. Nirvana – talk to me (live unreleased)

Nirvana Videos:

Heart Shaped Box (SNL 1993)
Rape Me (SNL 1993)
Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (Live and Loud 1993)
Pennyroyal Tea (Live and Loud 1993)
The Man Who Sold the World (MTV Unplugged)
Where Did You Sleep Last Night (MTV Unplugged)
Drain You (French TV 1994)
Serve the Servants/Dumb (RAI Studios, Rome 1994)
Heart Shaped Box (Video)
You Know You're Right(Video)

Endless, Nameless...The Nirvana Story Part One...Show # 162

Nirvana were one of the biggest bands of the nineties. Their influences ranged from bands such as The Beatles, Devo, Cheap Trick, Sex Pistols, and Black Sabbath, to indie bands such as The Pixies, Vaselines, Black Flag, The Stooges, and Flipper (to name a few). They would be known as a grunge band that blended elements of punk and metal, but Nirvana were different from the other grunge bands that came out of the emerging scene in Seattle during the late 80's/early 90's. Nirvana contained elements of punk and metal, but they also contained a pop element. Their pop element differed than the other Seattle bands.

After being introduced by Buzz Osbourne (the Melvins) to Krist Novesellic, Kurt Cobain decided to form a band together due to their interest in punk music and feelings of alienation within their home town. After attempting to find a vocalist/guitarist with Cobain on drums and Novesellic on bass, the order was switched around (Cobain on vocals/guitar and Novesellic on bass duties) and after getting drummer Aaron Burckhard on drums, Skid Row was formed. Chad Channing was on drums in 1987 and the band would be known as Nirvana. In 1988, Nirvana released their first single on the Seattle independent record label Sub Pop. "Love Buzz" was actually a cover of a song originally done by the band Shocking Blue, Nirvana's version is re-worked and is better in my opinion. The single was backed by the song "Big Cheese".

The album Bleach would come next in 1989. Recorded for $606.17, the album was heavily influenced by bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Seattle band Mudhoney. The album which was produced by Jack Endo, was successful on college radio and it created a buzz that got major labels interested. The actual album itself contained a lot of songs showing the bands potential, but also revealing that they had not found their sound yet. The slow drudging "Blew" starts the album, continuing into the heavy-dirty, "Floyd the Barber". "About A Girl" is a song that shows off Cobain's Beatles influence, while still sounding original and different. Other interesting tracks from the album are "School", "Paper Cuts", and "Swap Meet". The band toured a lot behind this album displaying intensive energetic live shows.

Another important note about Bleach is that another guitarist is credited on the album even though he did not actually play on it. This was Jason Everman (also featured on the cover), he did tour a little bit with the band after the release of Bleach, but he would be fired, he also have a brief stint with Soundgarden. Everman also supplied the band with the money to record Bleach. The Blew EP was also released in 1989. The EP contained four tracks "Blew", "Love Buzz" (which can be found on Bleach), and "Been A Son (which can be found on the 2002 Nirvana greatest hits CD)", and "Stain" (on the Incesticide) . The EP was only released in the UK, it was released on vinyl and CD.

The band then released the single Sliver with "Dive" as the B-side. The songs featured a new drummer, Dan Peters from Mudhoney. Nirvana went through a lot of drummers before they would finally find a suitable hard-hitting one to compliment their music and make it even stronger than before. This man would be, Dave Grohl who was playing in the DC hardcore band Scream. During this time the band also signed to a major record label Geffen/DCG in 1990. Before signing over the band also did some work on demos with Butch Vig, but they would then go to Sound City Studios in Los Angeles to work on songs for what would become Nevermind. After spending two months recording Butch Vig mixed the album, but it needed to be remixed. The band chose Andy Wallace from a list of possible people to mix the album, after seeing that he worked with the metal band Slayer. Later on in the bands career, they would say that the mixing on Nevermind was too polished.

Nevermind took the world by storm in 1991, because of the song "Smells Like Teen Spirit". People latched onto this song and it got heavy rotation on mainstream radio and MTV. The album exploded into the mainstream sucking in the Seattle grunge scene with it and a thousand copy-cat bands. The album itself is a mix of the bands punk and pop influences on a more focused level than Bleach. No one thought the album would turn the world of music upside down, but it did. The album itself had a similar impact as Sex Pistols did in the late 70s with their album Nevermind the Bollocks. At the time mainstream radio was filled with older bands and hair metal polluting the airwaves, Nevermind wiped them out. The album contained songs such as "Come As You Are" and "Drain You", which were pop songs that contained watery sounding guitar effects. "Breed", "Territorial Pissings" and "Stay Away" showed off the bands punk rock influences. The band drew influences from all over on this album such as The Pixies, REM and many others. The album ends with the eerie acoustic song "Something in the Way" in which Cobain sings of living under a bridge. After this track there is a hidden song, a song that would be known as "Endless Nameless". Initial copies of the American release of Nevermind failed to include this track. The song was created for the band to let off their frustrations of being in the studio. It would also be a song in which the band would end their lives shows with then smash their instruments.

In 1992, Incesticide was released. It was an album of rarer Nirvana songs. The album contained songs such as "Sliver" a two minute punk song about Cobain wanting to leave his Grandmothers house, and a variety of Bleach sounding outtakes such as "Mexican Seafood", "Beeswax", "Downer", and "Big Long Now". The album also contained a variety of cover songs showing off the bands influences. "Turnaround" (Devo), "Molly's Lips" and "Son of a Gun" (Vaselines)were the covers. The album also contained "Aneurysm" one of Nirvana's best songs, a start and stop masterpiece, and "Been a Son" was another fast punker from the band. A number of these tracks were actually from BBC sessions that the band did. "Aneurysm", "Been A Son", Molly's Lips" and "Son of A Gun" were all taken from BBC session performances.

Hormoaning EP - two different covers (Japan, & Australia)

During the process of touring another EP would be released in Australia and Japan to support their tour there in 1992. In February of 1992, Hormoaning was released. The EP contained six tracks, four covers and two originals. Three of the six songs can be found on Incesticide ("Turnaround", "Molly's Lips", "Son of a Gun"), while the other tracks were "Aneurysm" (a different version than the one featured on Incesticde), "D-7" (Wipers cover), and "Even in His Youth (B-side form the "Teen Spirit" single) were harder to find. To support their releases the band toured to back their success, Cobain would get married and have a child and by 1993 the band would work on their follow up to Nevermind, In Utero. Before the actual recording took place during 1991-92 Cobain would go through numerous personal problems with drug abuse and dealing with fame. Nirvana would also make appearances on various TV shows such as Top of the Pops in the UK, and Saturday Night Live int he USA. Next week I will finish my post on Nirvana, going into 1993 and beyond.

In other news on this Friday September 14th, the University of Windsor will be hosting the Harvesting the FAM Festival, which is an all day event showcasing local talent such as artists, musicians, movies, and fashion. More info can be found here. On Septemeber 28-30th Windsor will be having the PA Festival, a three day event supporting various local and live acts at the Avalon Front and Phog Lounge.

Play list:

1. The Strokes – New York City Cops
2. Libertines – last post on the bugle
3. Replacements – shiftless when idle
4. Green River – ride of your life
5. Mudhoney – inside job
6. Nirvana – big cheese
7. Nirvana – even in his youth (demo)
8. Tankhog – shame
9. Hater – downpour at Mt. Angel
10. Queens Of The Stone Age – misfit love
11. Tricky Woo – hot kitty
12. Mark Inside – liar
13. Rapture – heaven
14. The Hives – love in plaster
15. Ride Theory – walk the line
16. Young Rival – don’t make a sound (demo)
17. Dead 60s – liar (live)
18. The Tweeks – quasi celebrity
19. The Situations – fashion girl
20. The D4 – evil heart
21. Yoko Casionos - cameras on
22. Turbo Fruits - devo girl
23. The Defandants – guilty of you
24. White Stripes – I can’t wait

Nirvana Videos:

In Bloom (Sub Pop Version)
Aneurysm (Live Amsterdam 1991)
Territorial Pissings (Live Jonathan Ross Show 1991)
SNL 1992 (Teen Spirt/Territorial Pissings)
Stay Away (Live Reading Festival 1992)
Lounge Act (Live Reading Festival 1992)
Sliver (Music Video)
In Bloom (Music Video)
Nobody Know's I'm New Wave (Live Argentina 1992)
School & Come As You Are (Live Argentina 1992)