DC Needs Danceoffs

What DC needs is danceoffs. I really want to live in a world where strangers can dance challenge other strangers and you know what, it'd be considered perfectly normal. Dance skills are like social skills: you have to practice, but once you get going you develop your own style and eventually get really good at it. Or not. But, unlike social skills, you ALWAYS get an A+ for dance effort.

Danceoff needs to replace all other forms of human to human contact. Neighbor's party too loud? Don't call the cops. DANCEOFF. No rules Tuesday? DANCEOFF. Slow-walking tourists blocking the sidewalk? No more passive aggressive "Excuuuuuse me!" DANCEOFF. 20 minute wait for a late night train. Definitely DANCEOFF. Someone's car blocking the bike lane? DANCEOFF. OK, you get it right?

My dancing style is a cross between Robyn and Tight Eyes, honed at top shelf dance academies like Neal The Angel's 80s Party at Club Heaven, various Friday nights at Black Cat back stage, and late night in-front-of-the-computer critical study of routines like the one below, which I legit have 90% memorized. See you on the street corner! And be ready!

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

One of the best hip hop songs produced in the 1990s was by New York's Camp Lo. Some people consider them a one hit wonder, but they actually produced another top 25 Billboard song in "Coolie High" and released several additional albums in the 2000s. Either way, this is one of my favorite songs of any genre. It's "Lunchini AKA This is It" off of the 1997 Camp Lo release Uptown Saturday Night. Have a great weekend.

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

I've been obsessed with this song for a long time: the lyrics (decadents? decadence?), the video, the unplugged guitars, the beach, the forest, the bass lines, Vedder/Cornell duet, Mother Love Bone. WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN.

It means one of the 90s best alternative/rock songs. This is 1991's "Hunger Strike" off of Temple of the Dog's eponymous (and only) release, Temple of the Dog. Enjoy this. You deserve it. Have a great weekend. 

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

Happy Friday! This was a middle school banger for me; one of the only songs that would transform me from a shy wallflower into a willing participant at any Moody Middle School dance. Just kidding, I never danced. Still, I listened to this song ON REPEAT. Here's "Unbelievable" from the UK band EMF off of the 1991 album Schubert Dip. Have a great weekend!

Friday Fun Post: Sneaks!

Happy Friday! Seriously, I'm about ready for this week to be over if only to clear the sub-sub-freezing temperatures from my half frozen psyche. I'm DREAMING ABOUT COLD, people. It's invaded my dreams. And it's getting a bit old. So dumb. ANYWAY, talking about the weather is boring. 

On to more exciting topics! I thought I'd dedicate this Friday Fun Post to one of the District's most creative , fun, and entertaining bands - Coup Sauvage & The Snips. This video doesn't do CS & TS justice; they're best seen live. That being said, here's Sneaks, the band's latest single. You can see them perform next at Comet Ping Pong on February 5, with JD Samson & MEN. Have a great weekend!

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

Happy Friday! OK, this is totally a cheat because it was released in the year 2000. Whoops! From Wheatus' debut album Wheatus, this is the oddly addictive "Teenage Dirtbag." Have a great weekend!

Friday Fun Post: Darkest Hour

Happy Friday! Thought I'd pay tribute to one of my favorite DC bands, --and favorite metal bands in general-- Darkest Hour. This band has been playing for more than 15 years and although they have gained national acclaim, I still think they are a bit underrated. If you like metal, you need to see them live! Killer shows. Here is "Convalescence" off of 2005's Undoing Ruin. Have a great weekend.

Friday Fun Post: Ted vs Tears

Here's a fun cover of the timeless Tears for Fears song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Matador Records' Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. Not sure if they still record these, but A.V. Club used to recruit popular bands to cover other popular bands' songs. This was one of the better entries. And, hey Marty and James. Have a great weekend everyone.

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

This is a bit of a cheat. "On Our Own" was released in 1989; obviously not in the 90s. But, it's such a 90s song, it counts for today. Bobby Brown was kind of on top of the world for a hot second. Maybe nano second. OK, maybe not really on top of the world, but damned close. I was already a huge fan when he teamed up with THE GHOSTBUSTERS (!!!) to pen this gem for the Ghostbusters II soundtrack. Keep in mind this was on an album with Howard Huntsberry's version of Higher and Higher and Run DMC's version of Ray Parker Jr's Ghostbusters. Anyway, dance to this.

PS. Rest in peace Chris Kelly! 

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

Enjoy this classsick track from 90s stars Pete Rock + CL Smooth. "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" is off of 1992's Mecca and the Soul Brother. The whole album was a beast. One of the more complete hip hop albums from the 90s. Luckily it came out before the scales tipped all the way to west coast party/gangsta rap. Mecca was one of the first CDs I ever purchased. Back when they were all $17.99 and came in that long flimsy cardboard box. Heh. Compact discs. Have a great weekend.

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

Most people probably know of Letters to Cleo from the late 90s movie 10 Things I Hate About You. But, others may know the Boston band from their hit song "Here and Now" on 1993's excellently titled Aurora Gory Alice. Love this song. Best of the 90s here, let's be honest. Have a great weekend.

Friday Fun Post: Easy Listening

Haven't done a Fun Post in a while. Sugar is one of the gems of the 90s. They produced a several great albums, but mostly flew under the mainstream radar in the U.S., gaining a bit more recognition in the U.K. Everyone's favorite seems to be Copper Blue, but I'm partial to 1994's File Under: Easy Listening and this track: "Your Favorite Thing." Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

"Everlong" may be the best track on the Foo Fighters' 1997 release The Colour and the Shape. The video is one that has always sticks in my mind and to be honest, I always thought it a bit creepy, if not downright disturbing. And I love it! Colour and the Shape was Foo Fighters' second album, and probably the best (although I love love love In Your Honor + One by One as well). Enjoy. Have a great weekend.

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

Haven't done one of these in a while. The 1997 film "The Saint" was mostly forgettable. But, the soundtrack was awesome. Duran Duran, Bowie, Chemical Brothers, Underworld; just great stuff. This is probably my favorite, or second favorite track, by Sneaker Pimps. It should make for a smoothed out, chill start to Friday. Here's "6 Underground." Have a great weekend.

Friday Fun Post: Sunny Day

How about a little Sunny Day Real Estate for a sunny Friday. "Seven" is the first song on Diary, one of the best albums released on the seriously stellar Seattle label, Sub Pop. SDRE released Diary in 1994 and many people are as familiar with the music as they area with the unique, cartoonish album cover artwork.  A great, great song. Have a great weekend. Enjoy this gem!

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

2Pac. Whenever I hear his songs, I'm reminded that he was a very complex artist and musical mastermind. So many people in my age cohort, who were into 90s American pop culture, were familiar with him. Pretty much every dance party from 1996 until, like, now, has played "California Love" from All Eyez on Me. 

But, not all of his songs were club bangers. There are a few gems that never really got radio play after All Eyez, but offered a positive, introspective message. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song. "Dear Mama" is raw and honest and clear in message. A nuanced, complete, unrelenting love for mom. You can't beat it. From 1995's Me Against the World, "Dear Mama." Have a great weekend

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

Holy cow. Kinda can't believe this song is almost 20 years old. So that makes me... older than that. Dinosaur Jr. is one of the best damned bands to play music during my lifetime. Period. This is quintessential quality 90s alternative. There were the STPers and then there were the Dinosaur Jrs. No comparison. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Stone Temple Pilots song, but come on. They just don't make music like this anymore. This is "Feel the Pain," off of 1994's Without a Sound.

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

When Mike Murphy showed me his new tape, I did a double take. I was in middle school and was just getting over the Red Hot Chili Peppers' weird name. But, I liked them a lot. Butthole Surfers on the other hand, no way. Just too weird and I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone that I was listing to a band with the word "butthole" in the name. So I kindly passed on even trying to give them a listen. Even on Mike Murphy's advice. He did turn subsequently turn me on to Faith No More, though. And some other good bands. Good job buddy.

Anyway, a few years later Butthole Surfers released another Mike Murphy approved record with 1996's Electriclarryland and the rest is history, as they say. Butthole history. This is the biggest hit of of that particular album. It's called "Pepper".

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

A classic from 1997. Harvey Danger's Flagpole Sitta. Have a great weekend!

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

Ringer t-shirt? Check. Sadly turning your face away from the camera? Check. Out of focus macro shots? Check. Clips of random people twirling around for no good reason? Check. Pretty much ever 1990s music video has these elements, yes? This particular video leaves much to be desired, but the song, I like.

"Fake Plastic Trees" was the oddly chosen follow-up single to Radiohead's "Creep." Both songs are off of the same album, The Bends (1996), but are almost in different genres. ("Creep" is off of 1993's Pablo Honey; "Fake Plastic Trees" from 1995's The Bends.)

I saw Radiohead live, opening for Alanis Morrisette(!), in 1996. Thom Yorke walked right in front of our blanket on the lawn. No one else recognized him as he made his way down through the crowd and back to the stage at what was then called GTE Amphitheater in Virginia Beach. We kept that secret; never told anyone. Great times, great band. Happy weekend.