PREMIERE: They Might Be Giants - Judy Is Your Viet Nam
(Photo: Shervin Lainez)
Respect for They Might Be Giants, and not just because dudes are the ‘90s college rock equivalent of Stonehenge. Respect because these untiring nerds are on their 29th year, their 15th album, their (probably) billionth single, and are still showing energy levels usually reserved for firsts. Yes, “Judy Is Your Viet Nam” exhibits a mastery of all that time in the field, but it does so while being a taut, catchy-riffed and utterly ingratiating jingle that ends before the two minute mark. Whippersnappers, take note: this is how you do the short-form sing-a-long. Study the rest on Join Us, out today.
PREMIERE: The History Of Apple Pie - Tug
Once upon a time (the ‘90s), in a land far, far away (Bill Clinton’s America), life was so beautiful and fat that even the bands were named after food (Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam). That great time, with its great music, has gone. But, it’s not forgotten, thanks to London quintet The History Of Apple Pie—a gang of muss-haired youths who emanate slacker rock as sweet and satisfying as the dessert after which they’re named. “Tug” is glorious fuzz, with jangling guitars and weak-kneed vocals reminiscent of early grunge and nascent dreampop. It’s taking us back and God, is it good. Get the release, coming on Roundtable.
The History Of Apple Pie - Tug
VIDEO THRWBCK: "The Real Deal", a documentary about the Breeders from 2002
Yeah, we're still on a severe Breeders kick (granted, we have been on one since 1993 but you get our drift). While we were waiting for the Deal twins to take the stage this past weekend at McCarren Pool, our friend and fellow Breeders obsessive Gary told us all about The Real Deal, a German documentary from 2002, right when the band were readying the release of their LP Title TK. The documentary is a shockingly unguarded look into the inner workings of the Breeders during that era--from Kelley Deal's obsession with knitting and her fear of a heroin relapse, to Kim's hatred of Foreigner and her move, more or less on a whim, to East LA so she could record with the members of '80s hardcore band FEAR. We were lucky enough to see the Breeders on the Title TK tour, and it remains one of the highlights of our musical careers (it was at our favorite rock venue in Paris, Le Trabendo, and they opened with "No Aloha"). The documentary is also interspersed with live performances of Breeders favorites like "Divine Hammer" and "Cannonball", in what seems to be Kim's backyard. It's amazing that a band so popular (with or without Kim's legacy as a member of the Pixies) can exist within their own realm and relate the brilliance to a faceless audience. Be sure to watch the documentary till the end (there are five parts), when Kelley gives Kim a pretty rad new hairstyle.
VIDEO THRWBCK: The Breeders - Divine Hammer (1993)
We were lucky enough to be able to catch the Breeders play a show at McCarren Pool yesterday, in the blazing hot sun and positively wasted on Dewar's (both them and us). Way better set than when we saw them in March at SXSW, they even busted out "I Just Wanna Get Along", which blew out minds straight into the stratosphere. But as far as Last Splash goes, we have to give it up to "Divine Hammer", if only because that songs makes the world an OK place to live again. So brilliant.
