Friday, August 31, 2012

Week Seventeen: 90s Britpop - Suede - "Animal Nitrate" - Suede

Week Seventeen will be Installment I of 90s Britpop and will feature Ash & Suede (also referred to as London Suede)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Holy hell!!  And just when you were thinking that Brett Anderson could not possibly get any sexier, I've gone and saved the video where he totally outdoes himself for last!  Although, I must admit that it is kind of difficult to look at a guy whom I know is far prettier than I am, but I make an exception for Brett.

Be forewarned that if you are easily susceptible to motion sickness, you might want to turn away for the first part of the video because they kind of do a fast forward movement on what appears to be a fairly high walkway.  But don't look away for too long!  You might miss Brett Anderson!!  Enjoy!!


Like his dad you know that he's had
Animal nitrate in mind
Oh in your council home he jumped on your bones
now you're taking it time after time

oh it turns you on, on, on, now he has gone
oh what turns you on, on, on, now your animal's gone?

Well he said he'd show you his bed
and the delights of his chemical smile
so in your broken home he broke all of your bones
now you're taking it time after time

oh it turns you on, on, on, now he has gone
oh what turns you on, on, on, now yor animal's gone?

what does it take to turn you on, on
now he has gone?
now you're over 21?
now your animal's gone?
animal, he was animal, an animal



Thursday, August 30, 2012

Week Seventeen: 90s Britpop - Suede - "The Beautiful Ones" - Coming Up

Week Seventeen will be Installment I of 90s Britpop and will feature Ash & Suede (also referred to as London Suede)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

I wasn't terribly crazy about the album, Coming Up, nor was I terribly crazy about this song when I heard it the first few times.  However, sometimes when I watch a video, it just seems to sell the song to me, and that's what happened in this case.

I adore how they cleverly incorporated the lyrics into everyday and household items as Brett is singing.  I also adore the fact the the keyboardist is playing a Korg synthesizer because Korg has some of the most kick arse sounds - just ask Depeche Mode.  We also had a Korg in the band that I played in.

iTunes actually offered this video as one of its free selections one week, and I snagged it up in a nanosecond.  So anytime I need to feel inspired by the male beauty of Brett Anderson, he's just a wheel click away.  Yeah, I know, I need to upgrade to one of those touch screen things, but I love my iPod --- uh huh, enough to marry it!! :-D


High on diesel and gasoline
Psycho for drum machine
Shaking their bits to the hits

Drag acts, drug acts, suicides
In your dad's suits you hide
Staining his name again

Cracked up, stacked up, 22
Psycho for sex and glue
Lost it to Bostik, yeah

Shaved heads, rave heads
On the pill, got too much time to kill
Get into bands and gangs

Oh, here they come
The beautiful ones, the beautiful ones
Loved up, doved up

Oh, here they come
The beautiful ones, the beautiful ones
Loved up, doved up

Loved up, doved up
Hung around, stoned in a lonely town
Shaking their meat to the beat

High on diesel and gasoline
Psycho for drum machine
Shaking their bits to the hits

Oh, here they come
The beautiful ones, the beautiful ones
Loved up, doved up

Here they come
The beautiful ones, the beautiful ones
Loved up, doved up

You don't think about it
You don't do without it
Because you're beautiful

And if your baby's going crazy
That's how you made me
La, la, la

And if your baby's going crazy
That's how you made me
Whoa, whoa

And if your baby's going crazy
That's how you made me
La, la, la

La, la, la
La, la, la
La, la, la

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Week Seventeen: 90s Britpop - Suede - "The Drowners" - Suede

Week Seventeen will be Installment I of 90s Britpop and will feature Ash & Suede (also referred to as London Suede)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

It should come as absolutely no surprise to you when I tell you that my gay best friend in college was just as much in love with Brett Anderson of Suede as I was in love with Brett Anderson of Suede - I just like saying his name in my head as I type this!! :-D

We both went crazy when we heard him pronounce the word: "over".  In this song it sounds so superbly sexy with that English accent as it comes out sounding like: "oh-va".  For weeks, we would find reasons to say "over" just so we could sexify (not sure if that's a word) it just like Brett.

There are two versions of the video for this song - the original and the US version.  I personally prefer the original version because I find it more visually appealing.  However, the US version (included below lyrics) is equally enjoyable to watch - I mean, c'mon, it's Brett Anderson!!  How difficult is it to watch Brett Anderson?!?!?!?  :-D



Won't someone give me a gun?
oh well it's for my brother
well he writes the line wrote down my spine
It says "Oh do you believe in love there?"

So slow down, slow down, you're taking me over
And so we drown, sir we drown, stop taking me over

Won't someone give me some fun?
(and as the skin flies all around us)
We kiss in his room to a popular tune
Oh, real drowners

slow down, slow down, you're taking me over
And so we drown, sir we drown,
stop takin' me over!




Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Week Seventeen: 90s Britpop - Suede - "Metal Mickey" - Suede

Week Seventeen will be Installment I of 90s Britpop and will feature Ash & Suede (also referred to as London Suede)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Be forewarned, my fantastically awesome blogland readers, that the next four posts will be dedicated to Suede, a band that absolutely oozes sex appeal.  Brett Anderson, the lead singer, whose name I often follow with the word: "yummy!", is so strikingly handsome that it almost hurts to look at him for too long.

I believe that I actually saw pictures of Suede in one of my music magazines before I even heard any of their tunes, and I could tell that they were amazing by just looking at them.  At least one Suede song made it on to every mixed-tape that I ever made for anyone in high school and college.  To me, their sound is so unique and so appealing.  Since "Metal Mickey" was one of the first songs I ever heard by this band, I will start with that one.  The part where he sings: "Oh, dad, she's driving me mad" absolutely drives me mad... it's just so damn hott!! (That's right with two "t"s!!)

Also, I believe that they were forced to go by London Suede in the States because someone else had already snagged the name, Suede, before them, but I could never force myself to call them that because, to me, they were always Suede! 


Well, she's show showing it off then
The glitter in her lovely eyes
Show, show showing it off then
And all the people shake their money in time

She sells hearts
She sells meat
Oh, dad, she's driving me mad
Come see

We shake, shake, shake to the trumpet
And through the slippery city we ride
Skyline swine on the circuit
Where all the people shake their money in time

She sells hearts
She sells meat
Oh, dad, she's driving me mad
Come see

She sells hearts
She sells meat
Oh, dad, she's driving me mad
Come see

She sells hearts
She sells meat
She sells hearts
She sells meat

She sells hearts
She sells meat
She sells hearts
She sells meat

She sells hearts
She sells meat
She sells hearts
She sells meat

Monday, August 27, 2012

Week Seventeen: 90s Britpop - Ash - "What Ever Happened?" - Little Infinity (EP)

Week Seventeen will be Installment I of 90s Britpop and will feature Ash & Suede (also referred to as London Suede)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Even to this very day, I still come across little musical treasures, like this cover that Ash did of The Strokes tune, "What Ever Happened?" (original included below the lyrics).  I did not even know that Ash had done a cover EP, but when I was searching youtube for Ash's videos for my other two posts, I just happened upon this.  It's got to be a fairly new release because it was uploaded to youtube in June 2012.  It also features Emma from the band, Emmy the Great, who just so happens to be Tim Wheeler's love interest.

I adore this tune, especially after it was included on the Marie Antoinette Soundtrack, and I think The Strokes did an amazing job with this one.  However, I also really like Ash's cover.  I am typically not a huge fan of covers.  It's not that I completely dislike them; it's just that sometimes I feel like the magic is lost in the cover.  On the other hand, there are times when certain bands have totally done the original some justice, which I feel is the case here.


I want to be forgotten,
and I don't want to be reminded.
You say "Please don't make this harder."
No, I won't yet.

I want to be beside her.
She want to be admired.
You say "Please don't make this harder."
No, I won't yet.

Oh dear, is it really all true?
Did they offend us and they want it to sound new?
Top ten ideas for countdown shows...
Whose culture is this and does anybody know?
I wait and tell myself "Life ain't chess,"
But no one comes in and yes, you're alone...

You don't miss me, I know.

Oh Tennessee, what did you write?
I come to get her in the middle of the night.
Oh that's an ending that I can't write, 'cause
I've got you to let me down.

I want to be forgotten,
and I don't want to be reminded.
You say "Please don't make this harder."
No, I won't yet.

I want to be beside her.
She want to be admired.
You say "please don't make this harder."
No, I won't yet...




Sunday, August 26, 2012

Week Seventeen: 90s Britpop - Ash - "Burn Baby Burn" - Free All Angels

Week Seventeen will be Installment I of 90s Britpop and will feature Ash & Suede (also referred to as London Suede)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

After hearing "Goldfinger", I had kind of forgotten about this darling band called Ash, until they came to visit me again on one of my Pandora Stations many years later in the form of this song, "Burn Baby Burn".

If you have never heard this song, you are in for a real treat today!!  Even from the opening notes, you can just tell that this tune rocks hard!!!

One thing I will never understand, however, is why bands have an obsession with shooting their videos in school gymnasiums (i.e. Nirvana, She & Him, & now Ash).  Maybe it is because I have to walk my students over to their P.E. class every day and attend pep rallies four times a year in the stinky school gym that the whole idea of it having any allure has been lost.  Who knows?  But this is yet another school gymnasium video, which can be excused only by the fact that the track they are playing is simply amazing!



You're all I have in this teenage twilight
Your golden hair and pale blue eyes
But through all the days and the sleepless nights
We have never been satisfied

Tumbling like the leaves
We are spiralling on the breeze
Almost to the point of no return
Everything will burn baby burn

Look into my tired eyes
See someone you don't recognise
Binds that can't be untied
Oh yeah, this is slow suicide
Feelings that I can't disguise
And never will be reconciled
Oh something inside has died

You walk like you're in a daze
Unresponsive eyes in a distant gaze
Like all the good times have flown away
And their memory leaves a bitter taste

Tumbling like the leaves
We are spiralling on the breeze
Destructive love is all we have
Destructive love is all I am

Look into my tired eyes
See someone you don't recognise
Binds that can't be untied
Oh yeah, this is slow suicide
Feelings that I can't disguise
And never will be reconciled
Oh something inside has died

Vicious bitter words
Becoming more and more cruel
But you always take me back
And let me lick your wounds

Tumbling like the leaves
We are spiralling on the breeze
Almost to the point of no return
Everything will burn baby burn

Look into my tired eyes
See someone you don't recognise
Binds that can't be untied
Oh yeah, this is slow suicide
Feelings that I can't disguise
We're living in a compromise
Oh something inside has died


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Week Seventeen: 90s Britpop - Ash - "Goldfinger" - 1977

Week Seventeen will be Installment I of 90s Britpop and will feature Ash & Suede (also referred to as London Suede)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Back when I was still in high school and when my parents provided for my basic needs (aside from car insurance), I had the freedom to spend my hard-earned paychecks on lots of music and music magazines.  And wowzer, did I ever subscribe to a plethora of music magazines!!

My favorite of all the magazines was CMJ New Music Monthly because it included a promo CD with an insanely cool mix of up-and-coming bands.  It was on one of these promo CDs that I first met the band, Ash.

I fell in love with this song from the initial listen.  I remember putting this song on repeat and realizing that no matter how much I listened, I was never going to tire of it.  I could not even begin to tell you what else was on that particular promo CD because I was so fixated on this song.  I wish I still had all of those CMJ promos.  I'm fairly certain that I either sold them to used CD stores while I was still a starving college student or gave them away to music-loving companions.

Regardless, no matter how sour my teenage mood ever became, all I had to do was reach into the mailbox and find my latest CMJ, and I was surrounded by rainbows, ponies, and butterflies once more!!



Move closer, set my mind on fire
Taking over, the world seems so alive
The world seems so alive

She slipped into the night and she is gone
Gone to settle the score, gone into the town
Rain shining in her eyes

Her brother started school again today
A thought to pass the time, to occupy my mind
While I'm waiting for her

Down in the basement, listening to the rain
Thinking things over, I think it over again
I think it over again

She slipped into the night and she was gone
Gone to settle the score, gone into the town
Rain shining in her eyes

Her brother started school again today
A thought to pass the time, to occupy my mind
While I'm waiting for her

I'm riding it down, listen to the rain
She'll be here soon, I lie back and drift away
I lie back and drift away

She slipped into the night and she was gone
Gone to settle the score, gone into the town
Rain shining in her eyes

Her brother started school again today
A thought to pass the time, to occupy my mind
While I'm waiting for her

I'm feeling so alive, feeling so real
On a stormy night, the rain is coming down
Rain like never before

I've got some records on, and some bottles of wine
On a stormy night, the rain is lashing down
And I'm waiting for her

Friday, August 24, 2012

Week Sixteen: Screeching Weasel - "Peter Brady" - Anthem for a New Tomorrow

This song is ridiculously hilarious, and I cannot listen to it without chuckling a bit.  I loved The Brady Bunch, and Peter Brady was, by far, my favorite.  Boy, did I have a serious crush on him when I was a kid!  However, I knew that, in reality, he was way too old for me.

Interestingly enough, it turns out that his most recent ex-wife is actually younger than I am by quite a few years.  Peter Brady was played by Christopher Knight, who ended up on VH-1's Surreal Life.  His wife, Adrianne Curry, who was the Season One Winner of America's Next Top Model, was also on that show, which is where they met.  Together, they starred in a show called My Fair Brady, where he eventually proposed to and married her.

Yes, I used to waste countless hours watching all of that trash TV, and I will never get those hours of my life back - ever!!!

I remembered the exact episode of The Brady Bunch to which this song was referring as soon as I heard those lines at the end.  Again, countless hours of youth were spent in front of the TV. 

Fortunately for me, I have not owned a television for two years; therefore, I will not have to look back and regret anymore wasted TV time...  I do not fault people for watching TV; it's just that, for me, the best decision was to rid myself of it completely!!  When my students question my choice to go TV-less, I respond, "Why would I want to sit around watching others' fake lives when I could be out living my own real life?"  It makes them scratch their heads and think for a moment...



Don't you see that people
Will like you for who you are
'Cause life is like a sitcom, a senior prom
And I'm OK and you're OK
Grade A - 10-4 - roger - over and out
Listen up - check it out
There's something ugly inside of you
There's a big empty hole there inside of you
There's something creepy crawling on your brain
There's something in you
It's red white and blue inside of you
As long as you don't have
Lots of zits or small tits

Or crooked teeth
Then you won't be a freak, a wildebeest
And people won't tape signs onto your back
Or beat the crap out of you
Or ignore your sorry ass
See, there's something vapid inside of you
There's a sweet little robot inside of you
So take off that silly moustache
Don't be a baby
There's a Pete Brady inside of you
Boy, I really learned a lot today
ONE: You act your age
TWO: You don't try to be something you're not
THREE: You find out in advance
What restaurant your mom and dad are going to
And go someplace else

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Week Sixteen : Screeching Weasel - "Your Name is Tattooed on My Heart" - Bark Like a Dog

A few years ago, after ending yet another lengthy relationship, I came to the conclusion that I was a serial dater.  The longest I had ever gone without a boyfriend, from the ages of 17 to 30, was for 3 months.  I was fed up with the idea of pairing up, and I needed a break.  Therefore, I forced myself to remain single for a minimum of one year!

It was not incredibly difficult to do.  Most people understood and respected my choice, but a few thought it was a little weird and unnecessary.

During this time, to keep myself occupied, I began a flower garden in my back yard.  I took a tap dance class (don't laugh - it was really fun!!!)  I began sewing lots of skirts.  I joined Big Brothers Big Sisters, and I even still have my Little Sister.  I would read a lot, which was no big chore for a literature major, and I would also frequent many coffee shops around town, just to get myself out of the house.

During this time, I developed the biggest crush on one of the guys at a local independently-owned coffee establishment.  I even titled him - "my coffee shop boyfriend" - and I would give my co-workers a running log of our interactions.  Granted, we never went out on a date or had any intimacy of any kind (that would have totally defeated the purpose of being single for a year), he was still "my coffee shop boyfriend".  I didn't even know his name (nor did I even really care), but I would always preface my stories by saying: "While I am fully aware that he is being paid to serve me lattes with a smile and to be nice to me, I really think there is something there..."  My co-workers would shake their heads at me and tell me I was never going to make it a year.  Little did they know that I had made it quite clear to everyone in that coffee establishment that I was "off the market".

I did, indeed, hit my year mark, but about three weeks later, I was embarking upon my next lengthy relationship, which meant that I had to hypothetically break up with "my coffee shop boyfriend".  Since I tend to give all of my exes a song after the break-up, at least in my mind, because I never really make them aware of which song belongs to them, this was the song that I gave to him.  He had two full sleeves of tattoos, which is the only explanation I can give for why this became his song, since it would be really difficult for his name to be tattooed on my heart - because I didn't even know his name.  However, the relationship with "my coffee shop boyfriend" was, by far, the easiest relationship I had ever been in.  He doesn't work at the coffee establishment anymore.  I don't know what even ended up happening to him. 

Regardless, I no longer consider myself a serial dater.  I have a total of almost 5 months strung together since the end of my most recent relationship.  It's nice to give oneself little breaks!





Well I know that our love is for real
But I thought you should know
How I feel
So you're not going anywhere
Won't fade away
Cause your name is tattooed
On my heart
And I'll always be true
Don't forget that I won't forget you
Wherever I go what I do
And should you slip my mind
I'll have this to remind me
Your name is tattooed on my heart
And I'll always be true
Am I such a fool
To show my love for you
I know it's no mistake
And no this thing is not a fake
Don't forget that I won't forget you
Wherever I go what I do
And should you slip my mind
I'll have this to remind me
Your name is tattooed on my heart
And I'll always be true

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Week Sixteen: Screeching Weasel - "Every Night" - Anthem for a New Tomorrow

I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I have personally related to the first two lines of this track - "I'm not feeling human anymore; Half connected all the time".  With all of this new technology that is supposed to be connecting us so easily, I see it hindering bona fide human interactions and effective interpersonal communication - in essence, half connecting us all the time.

Nonetheless, the imagery in this tune is pretty amazing, especially for it being a song favored primarily by those of the punk persuasion!!  My favorite lines are:

"I've sat and smoked a billion cigarettes
And wished to hell that you were here
My stained and calloused fingers hold a pen
Scratching apologies to you too late too little"


I highly doubt that the guys from Screeching Weasel ever imagined anyone analyzing their lyrics using literary techniques, such as imagery, but here I am doing just that.

When I teach my poetry unit, I require my students to select song lyrics that have some type of special meaning to them, and I also make them mark various literary techniques that are being employed within the song, like symbolism, alliteration, simile, metaphor, etc.

It fascinates them to see how the artists utilize these techniques... it fascinates me that they can actually do it because their minds always seem to be floating off to who knows where during daily lessons - oh, the joys of junior high!!

I apologize for focusing so much on school during Screeching Weasel week, but that's where my mind is at the moment.  I seriously cannot believe that today is only the third day of the 2012 school year... I swear, it already feels like the thirtieth day or beyond!!!!





I'm not feeling human anymore
Half connected all the time
Each night I document the things I've done
The pointless points I've made for stupid reasons

Every night I'm always the same
You're pounding on my brain
Tonight and every night
I lie down clenching up my teeth
Trying to fall asleep
I've sat and smoked a billion cigarettes
And wished to hell that you were here
My stained and calloused fingers hold a pen
Scratching apologies to you too late too little
Every night I pay off my debts
Trust me I don't forget
Tonight and every night
I will analyze everything
And make myself count the ways
I f*cked up today

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Week Sixteen: Screeching Weasel - "Leather Jacket" - Anthem for a New Tomorrow

To me, this is the ultimate break-up song.  Even if I have had an amicable parting with my significant other, I still play this song when the relationship officially ends - just for kicks... to "seal the deal", I suppose!!

I remember that on the day that I was driving home after taking my very last exam to earn my Bachelor's Degree in Literature - with a double minor in History and Communications - from UNT, this song came on my mix as I was crossing the bridge from I-35 onto 635.  I had the volume blasting, and I was singing along to the lyrics at the top of my lungs - because technically, if you think about it, I was kind of breaking up with UNT.


I wanna tell you what's on my mind
And I wanna bill you for wasted time
And wasted cigarettes that quenched your fix
And wasted spit I left there upon your lips
I'm getting used to the fact you left
And I'm getting used to the loneliness
But even if you knew that you wouldn't care
And now I sit and talk to an empty chair
And bang my head against the wall
And think up ways I should've told you to f*ck off
But I won't lose a bit of sleep
'Cause I know that you're really just a creep
And I've got something that I'm gonna keep
Forever and ever and ever
Your leather jacket

Monday, August 20, 2012

Week Sixteen: Screeching Weasel - "Totally" - Anthem for a New Tomorrow

I was actually introduced to Screeching Weasel through this song, "Totally," which I strongly suggest that you check out when you get a chance if you have never heard it.  So, if I recall correctly, the story went a little something like this...

Right around the end of my junior year in high school, I was getting a bit tired of being goth (wearing all that black and being sad all the time is incredibly exhausting- no, really, it is), so I decided that I would flirt around with punk a bit (as well as punk boys).  It was one of these punk boys who made known to me the awesomeness that is Screeching Weasel. 

My relationship with punk lasted about as long as my relationship with this punk boy, which was about the length of a summer, if even that.  However, I did incorporate lots of pairs of super cool plaid pants into my wardrobe as a result of my short-lived relationship.  Believe it or not, the best place to locate them was in the men's department of the local thrift store.  After a few minor alterations, they were perfect.  In fact, I even still have a pair (and I can even still fit into them - go me)!! :-D



Totally cool that your hair is blue
I totally drool when I think about you
Totally neat totally sweet
Totally knocked me off my feet
Totally rad but it's too bad
You're not aware of all my plans
I totally lust when I see you around
The Belmont bus takes me right by your house
Totally neat totally sweet
Totally knocked me off my feet
Totally lame that you won't say
You'll hang out with me every day
I totally, I totally,

 love everything about you
I totally, I totally,
love everything about you

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Week Sixteen: Screeching Weasel - "(She Got) Electroshocked" - Bark Like a Dog

So back in 2004, I dated a psychiatrist for awhile.  He wasn't my psychiatrist or anything - that would be totally unethical.  In fact, I met him at Half Price Books.  He was still finishing up his rotations when I met him, but he has his own private practice now.

He would tell me the most bizarre stories about his patients.  At one hospital, where he did his rotations, they had a ping pong table for the patients to use in order to get a bit of exercise and recreation.

He was in charge of electroconvulsive therapy - formerly known as electroshock therapy - at this particular hospital.  He told me that he had to make certain that their motor skills were back to normal after he would administer these shocks.  So he would challenge some of his patients to a game of ping pong.

One lady accepted his ping pong challenge; however, he said that she would cluck and flap her arms like a chicken every time she would hit the ball - so he obviously determined that it wasn't quite time for her to leave the hospital just yet.  Every time I hear this song, I cannot help but think of the ping pong playing, clucking chicken lady!!



she got electroshock therapy
fifty thousand volts
way outta control
she got electroshock therapy
a hundred thousand volts
way outta control
and hey whaddya know
it wasn't much of a joke
she got electroshocked
she got electroshock therapy
half a million volts
way outta control
she got electroshock therapy
twenty million volts
and hey whaddya know
it was a bit of a jolt
way outta control
she got electroshocked
she got electroshock therapy
a hundred million volts
way outta control
she got electroshock therapy
eighty billion volts
way outta control
and hey whaddya know
it wasn't much of a joke
she got electroshock therapy
what a riot



Saturday, August 18, 2012

Week Sixteen: Screeching Weasel - "Cool Kids" - Bark Like a Dog

So as I embark upon my ninth and final year of teaching, before I move into the area of law, I am feeling slightly angst-ridden.  Screeching Weasel has always been my "go-to" band when I feel this way.  I just don't want to be stuck in a teaching contract for one more year, but I don't have much choice because I have a few more legal courses to finish up.  I suppose I should also be grateful that I have a job.

Therefore, I will return on Monday to the "Cool Kids", the freaks, the geeks, the athletes, the cheerleaders, the brainiacs, and everything in-between.  Since my school is a small private school, we have from kindergarten to eighth grade in the building.  So I suppose I will technically be graduating with the little folks who were the kindergartners when I first arrived back in 2004.  I am teaching them as 8th graders this year.

What really sticks with me in regards to this particular tune is that a few years ago, I was returning to Dallas from a road trip to San Antonio, and I stopped to get gas at a tiny little gas station somewhere off I-35.  There was a cute little punk girl behind the register, and I think she had to catch her breath from pure shock when I commented that I liked her Screeching Weasel tune, which happened to be "Cool Kids".  I imagine that not too many of the Podunk, Hillbilly types from her town expressed appreciation for her musical tastes!! :-D

I found a super cool video for this song on youtube that someone created using stick figures - totally worth the watch:


There's a real cool club on the other side of town
Where the real cool kids
Go to sit around
And talk bad
About the other kids

Yeah it's a real cool club
And you're not part of it

There's Millie, Pickles and Pattycakes too
And Cubby's making mean jokes about you
Ha Ha
Ya little twit
Yeah it's a real cool club, and you're not part of it

They're a real cool bunch of Die
Fledermausketeers
And they'll laugh at the Toughskins
Your mom got you from Sears
You dork
They'll never let you in
'Cause it's a real cool club and you're not part of it

You're fat and ugly
And an imbecile too
And that's why the draw funny pictures of you
And talk bad about all the kids

'Cause it's a real cool club, and you're not part of it
Yeah it's a real cool club, and you'll never be a part of it
Yeah it's a real cool club, and you're not part of it
Yeah it's a real cool club, and you'll never be a part of it

Friday, August 17, 2012

Week Fifteen: XENON Mix - MC 900 ft. Jesus - "The City Sleeps" - Welcome to My Dream

Week Fifteen belongs to the most wickedly cool teen club that opened in Dallas in the early 90s - XENON
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I actually scanned my remaining ticket stub (included below) as proof that the story I am about to tell you actually occurred because I am not sure that even I would believe it without some kind of proof.

Back in 1991, Mark Griffin, aka MC 900 ft. Jesus, had made a name for himself in the Dallas area with his hit, "The City Sleeps".  So why he chose to spend New Year's Eve 1991 at a teen club will forever be beyond me.

What is even more humorous is that I completely forgot about the champagne toast that the club had that night until I looked at the ticket stub.  Yes, a teen club gave us alcohol at the stroke of midnight.  Therefore, it should not surprise you that it did not stay open for much longer after this event.  I'm not sure if it was a result of what occurred at this New Year's shindig or not, but I was sad for weeks after XENON closed its doors.

Another teen club opened shortly after in North Dallas/Plano, but it was a church-sponsored establishment - and it was lame!  I have only run into one other person who remembers XENON, a chick that lived in my dorm in college, and she has the same fond memories of the place as I do...



stealin' down an alley on a cold dark night
I see a halo in the rain 'round a street light
I stop and look and listen to the sound
as the raindrops penetrate the silence all around

alone, I gaze into the glistening street
the distant thunder
echoing my heartbeat
urging me on to a secret goal
away from the light from this lamp on a pole

so I turn
slip away into the rain
drifting like a spirit through the shadows in the lane
clutching the tools of my trade in my hand
an old box of matches and a gasoline can

darkness envelops the scene like a shroud
a veil of emptiness hangs from the clouds
filling up the cracks in this desolate place
cradled by the night in an icy embrace


I move through the town like a ghost in the rain
a dim reflection in a dark windowpane
blackness beckons from every side
creeping all around like an incoming tide

a broken window in an empty house
I slip inside and begin to douse
the whole place with the fuel that will feed the fire
and push back the night, taking me higher

on out of the darkness
in a deafening roar
the match in my hand is the key to the door
a simple turn of the wrist will suffice
to open a passage to paradise

I pause
think about the past in the gloom
the smell of gasoline permeates the room
everyone has a little secret he keeps
I light the fires while the city sleeps


the match makes a graceful arch to the floor
time stands still as I turn for the door
which explodes in a fireball and throws me to the street
I hit the ground running with the flames at my feet

reaching for the night
which recoils from the fire
the raindrops hiss like a devilish choir
dying in the flames with a terrible sound
calling all the names of sleepers all around

but then in the arms of the night they lay
their dreams
sprout wings and fly away
out of their houses in a gathering flock
swarming overhead as I hurry down the block

I make my escape with the greatest of ease
and safe in the darkness, I drop to my knees
a light in this window, my hand on the latch
I reach in my pocket
and pull out a match





Thursday, August 16, 2012

Week Fifteen: XENON Mix - V.I.M. - "Maggie's Last Party" - Oak Lawn Records: Retro Club Classics

Week Fifteen belongs to the most wickedly cool teen club that opened in Dallas in the early 90s - XENON
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If you ever want to stump a DJ, ask them to play this song.  I have encountered many DJs, in the DFW metroplex at least, who have looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language when I have requested this tune!!!

However, the first place I ever heard it was at XENON, so kudos to them for being "in the know" long before many others!

Basically V.I.M. took phrases from a speech by Margaret Thatcher and spliced them together, as well as creating a danceable beat in the background, to create this fun little tune about a rave.

It took me forever to locate a copy of this track, but Oak Lawn Records out of Dallas, TX, put together a mix of Retro Club Classics, with songs like "New York" by MCL (Micro Chip League) and "American Soviets" by C.C.C.P. (both included below) to create a rare and must-have collection.

I'm sure DJs have a far easier time locating "Maggie's Last Party" these days, but that was not the case for a long while!!!





It was impossible to locate lyrics for this, but some youtube users typed out select lines; so I included some of those below:


rave, rave, rave, murder.
the bass goes on.
everybody knows that this party is best.
thatcher, power, cool, murder.
nevermind the politics.
it's a party, it's a party - yes, yes, yes.







Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Week Fifteen: XENON Mix - The Shamen - "Make It Mine" - En-Tact

Week Fifteen belongs to the most wickedly cool teen club that opened in Dallas in the early 90s - XENON
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***UPDATE - 12/02/2012***

I've been graced with more XENON memorabilia... I chose to put it on this post because I was listening to Old School Edge this morning with Jeff K, and he played The Shamen. Here's a promotional card for XENON, and it was pointed out to me that it even has the phone number - this must have been back before we added (972) as an area code in Dallas...


Most people would remember The Shamen as a result of their dance hit, "Move Any Mountain".  However, I am here to tell you that "Make It Mine" totally kicked the arse of "Move Any Mountain"!!

The earlier work of The Shamen is often cited as the primary influence on bands like EMF and Jesus Jones; so it should not come as a surprise that The Shamen were a major staple at XENON. 

I brought a copy of this tune to The Art Bar's 80s night years and years later and convinced the DJ that 1991 was close enough to the 80s that he would be able to squeeze the song in without anyone so much as even flinching.

And I was right... no one cleared the teeny tiny dance floor and no one questioned his choice to include it because the song totally rocks that hard!!!!






Lean, mean, lazy and fine
That's the way I make it, make it mine
Sure, slow, rolling with the flow
That's the way I make it make it show
That's the way I move it
That's the way I prove it
Just so you know, here's how to do it
Now I make it, make it mine
Everytime



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Week Fifteen: XENON Mix - EMF - "Unbelievable" - Schubert Dip

Week Fifteen belongs to the most wickedly cool teen club that opened in Dallas in the early 90s - XENON
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***UPDATE*** 10/16/2012



More fun club-related treats found their way into my inbox recently.  These are VIP cards from XENON and the clubs that came before it, including Metropolis & Level V.  I was just entering the club scene when XENON came around so I was never cool enough to actually possess one of these cards.  However, I was discussing fashions of the "in crowd" from the early 90s with the individual who sent me this photo.

I realized that many of the club patrons dressed similarly to a few of the guys in EMF, which is why I chose this post to add the photo update.  We collectively determined that the fashion of the time definitely included the grunge/skater look for guys with items like anything Vision Street Wear, anything Stussy, anything Girbaud, and black leather motorcycle jackets.  For the ladies, the fashion centered around garters or colored tights under short (and often ripped) jean shorts, as well as band t-shirts, flannels, and Docs.  It was not unheard of to see the ladies sporting the Sinead O'Connor look either!!


EMF popped up in my world around the same time that Jesus Jones did.  Their song, "Unbelievable", was played all over the radio and at XENON.  EMF was a band that just looked insanely cool, and their cassette, Schubert Dip, was one of the few that I owned at the time that I could listen to all the way through without hitting the fast forward button.

My friend, Brandy (from yesterday's post), was convinced that she was going to marry the lead singer of EMF and that I was going to marry the lead singer of Jesus Jones and that we were going to be one big happy 90s Britpop family.

Sadly, when EMF did get around to touring Dallas, they stopped at a venue that was 18 & up.  I did get to hear a radio interview with them while they were in town and some small sound clips of the live show, as well, but I was heartbroken that my age was keeping me from being in attendance.

I was so distraught that my mother even offered to drive me to the venue to see if they would let me in if she was there with me as my legal guardian.  At that time, I did not want to be caught at an EMF show with my mother, but now I wish I would have at least let her try.  Boy, those were awful growing pains, but I soon after turned goth and forgot all about my lads in EMF & Jesus Jones; however, I love it when they come back to visit me on my iPod! 

"Unbelievable" was in no way, shape, or form my favorite EMF song.  It was just the one that was played at XENON.  Therefore, I am also including a clip of "Admit It" below, which does happen to be my favorite, because I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to speak more of EMF in later posts.




Oh!
What the f**k...

What the f**k was that?

You burden me with your questions
You'd have me tell no lies.
You're always askin' what it's all about,
don't listen to my replies.
You say to me I don't talk enough,
But when I do I'm a fool.
These times I've spent, I've realized,
I'm gonna shoot through, and leave you.

Chorus:
The things, you say,
Your purple prose just gives you away.
The things, you say,
You're unbelievable.

Oh!
What the f**k...

What the f**k was that?

You burden me with your problems,
By telling me more bout mine.
I'm always so concerned,
With the way you say,
you're always at stop,
To think of us,
being one is more than I'd ever known.
But this time I realize,
I'm gonna shoot through, and leave you.

Chorus:
The things, you say,
Your purple prose just gives you away.
The things, you say,
You're unbelievable.

Oh!
What the f**k...
Good point...
What the f**k...
Good point...
What the f**k...
Good point...
What the f**k was that?

Seemingly lastless, don't mean you can ask us.
Pushing down the relative
Bringing out your higher self
Think of the fine times
Pushing down the better few
Instead of bringing out just want, the world,
and never think of your attitude.
Brace yourself, with the grace of ease,
I know this world, ain't what it seems!

What the f**k was that?
It's unbelievable.

You burden me with your questions
You'd have me tell no lies.
You're always askin' what it's all about,
don't listen to my replies.
You say to me I don't talk enough,
But when I do I'm a fool.
These times I've spent, I've realized,
I'm gonna shoot through, and leave you.

Chorus:
The things, you say,
Your purple prose just gives you away.
The things, you say,
Before I love you more.
The things, you say,
Your purple prose just gives you away.
The things, you say,
You're unbelievable.

Oh!
What the f**k...
Good point...
What the f**k...
You're so unbelievable.

Good point...
What the f**k...
Good point...
What the f**k...
You're unbelievable.

It's unbelievable.
Whoa....
What the f**k...
Good point...
What the f**k...
Good point...
What the f**k...
What the f**k was that?
You're unbelievable.


Monday, August 13, 2012

Week Fifteen: XENON Mix - Renegade Soundwave - "Biting My Nails" - Soundclash

Week Fifteen belongs to the most wickedly cool teen club that opened in Dallas in the early 90s - XENON
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Back when my friends and I started going to XENON, our mission became to familiarize ourselves with as much cutting-edge music as possible so that we could appear "in-the-know" when we made our way over to the DJ booth to request a song.

I could not, for the life of me, figure out how in the world my friend, Brandy, discovered Renegade Soundwave.  She kept it a closely guarded secret for a very long time, and come to find out, for a very good reason.

Now, keep in mind that we were thirteen, maybe fourteen, at the most, and apparently, Brandy met Garry - that's right, with two "r"s- at the pool at her father's apartment complex.  Garry was a recent California transplant in his early twenties, or so he claimed!!

In my opinion, Garry was nothing special to look at, but he did have excellent taste in music.  So, according to Brandy, he was under the impression that she was somewhere around the age of sixteen, and he decided to embark upon an elicit affair with her.  Sadly, Brandy's dad would be passed out on the couch in the living room while she would be doing it with Garry in the next room.

Brandy once convinced me that she was running away with Garry to California to get married, and I didn't even attempt to stop her because I honestly thought it would be for the best, considering how pitiful her home life was at the time.  I'm not sure what happened to Garry, but Brandy did get in touch with me a few years ago.  She is married, but not to Garry, and has a little girl.  I sometimes wonder if she ever still listens to RSW, as we lovingly referred to them in the notes we would pass in class because it was easier to abbreviate - probably not - too busy being a mom, I imagine.  Oh well, her loss!!

Also, this song is originally by an artist by the name of Genevieve Waite.  I did not include her version here because you can easily locate it on youtube - be forewarned.... it's not good!!



She came up to me and she said,
Catch you later, baby, I gotta split,
I got a habit, I just can't quit.
Catch you later, baby, I gotta split,
I got a habit, I just can't quit.

Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.

Sound system plays a Renegade tune,
Pretty woman and a big full moon,
A handsome man, look, a diamond ring,
How he wishes he had that thing.

Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.

He's got a finger in her painted lips,
Oh he's got a hand upon her African hips,
So give me money for adventures, honey, not this time,
I've gotta habit, and it's all mine.

Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.

A fanfare played, feeling great
Put a shine on your shoes
Does it have to end
Our guest of honour, it's you
I'll take you back,
My diction's hit for a four
I will recover
I'll even come back for more.

Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.
Just biting my nails.

Get on my case,
The guitar breaks,
She's got a devils tattoo,
It's playing live,
Let's take a drive,
And push the volumes up high.
Can't hear no bass,
But I catch you face,
And it's inline with mine.
All around the world,
A sexual term,
So let's turn off the light.

I'm gonna,
I'm gonna,
I'm gonna,
I'm gonna,
I'm gonna,
I'm gonna,
I'm gonna,
I'm gonna,

Give it up,
Put me down.

I want long nails, honey, so I can scratch your back.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Week Fifteen: XENON Mix - Erasure - "Chorus" - Chorus

Week Fifteen belongs to the most wickedly cool teen club that opened in Dallas in the early 90s - XENON
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***UPDATE*** 10/24/2012

Another fancy, fun photo found its way into my inbox recently... this one is super-cool and super-rare... behold --- the DJ booth at XENON - where all the musical magic took place!!! :-)



Back in 1991, somewhere kind of close to Christmas, Erasure released their long-awaited album, Chorus.  The reason that I remember it being around Christmas was because my mother purchased me the cassette as one of my presents, but then she had the nerve to make me wrap it and place it under the tree.  I nearly died waiting until December 25th!!

The song, "Chorus", was not initially one of my favorites.  It took a few listens for it to really grow on me.  However, "Love to Hate You" (youtube clip included below) was, hands down, my favorite song on the entire album.  Unfortunately, XENON was not as keen on playing it.  Instead, they played "Chorus" much more frequently because the DJ told my friend that it got more people on the dance floor.  This really irked me, until my friend and I and a couple of the other regulars came up with a ridiculously goofy dance to this song.

Now, you will have to use your imagination as I describe this to you.  When Andy would sing: "And they covered up the sun" - we would circle our hands in front of our faces and up above our heads; "Until the birds had flown away" - we would hook our thumbs together and flap our hands like birds flying above our heads; "And the fishes in the sea" - we would do that 60s dance that looks like you are swimming; "Had gone to sleep" - we would finish off that swimming dance by pinching our nose shut with one hand and sinking down to the dance floor.  Sooner or later, everyone would join in.  Hey, they wanted people on the dance floor, and they definitely got their wish.  I would kill to have a recording of it all!!!


Go ahead with your dreaming for what it's worth
Or you'll be stricken bound kicking up dirt
For when it's dark
You never know what the night it may bring

Go ahead with your scheming and shop at home
You'll find treasure while cooking up bones
But the knife is sharp
You'd better watch that you don't cut your hands

And they covered up the sun
Until the birds had flown away
And the fishes in the sea
Had gone to sleep

And they covered up the sun
Until the birds had flown away
And the fishes in the sea
Had gone to sleep

Go ahead with your dreaming for what it's worth
Or you'll be stricken bound kicking up dirt
For when it's dark
You never know what the night it may bring

Go ahead with your scheming and shop at home
You'll find treasure while cooking up bones
But the knife is sharp
You'd better watch that you don't cut your hands

And they covered up the sun
Until the birds had flown away
And the fishes in the sea
Had gone to sleep

And they covered up the sun
Until the birds had flown away
And the fishes in the sea
Had gone to sleep

Holy Moses, our hearts are screaming
Souls are lifting, only dreaming
We'll be waiting, some are praying
For a time when no one's cheating

The sunlight rising over the horizon
Just a distant memory, the dawn chorus
Birds singing, bells ringing
In our hearts, in our minds

And they covered up the sun
Until the birds had flown away
And the fishes in the sea
Had gone to sleep

And they covered up the sun
Until the birds had flown away
And the fishes in the sea
Had gone to sleep

And they covered up the sun
Until the birds had flown away
And the fishes in the sea
Had gone to sleep

And they covered up the sun
Until the birds had flown away
And the fishes in the sea
Had gone to sleep



Saturday, August 11, 2012

Week Fifteen: XENON Mix - The Farm - "All Together Now" - Spartacus

Week Fifteen belongs to the most wickedly cool teen club that opened in Dallas in the early 90s - XENON
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*****UPDATE***** 09/21/2012 --- Check out this fancy little token of photographic history that found its way into my inbox last night:



So back in 1991, when I was beginning my 8th grade year, a local teen nightclub, called XENON, opened up off of Northwest Highway and Abrams Road, across from Keller's Hamburgers.  Prior to XENON taking over, it had been Monopolies or Metropolis, or possibly both.  I never got the full story on that.  However, now I think it is a Tejano club. 

XENON catered to those (supposedly) aged 14 - 18-years-old, but seriously, there was no way to truly know how old anyone was without proper ID, which one did not acquire until the tender age of 16.  So there's no telling how old most of the patrons actually were.

The nightclub was nowhere near where I lived at the time - a lovely (and I use that term loosely here) little neighborhood called Pleasant Grove (which is anything but Pleasant these days) - but that did not stop me from begging, pleading, and driving my dear mother crazy about taking me to XENON.

I finally broke her down, and she began driving me and my friends to XENON almost weekly.  I was madly in love with the place!!  They had smoke machines around the dance floor, and to this day, I cannot smell that smoky mist without being taken back to that dance floor at XENON.  They also had the most amazing light system, and more importantly, they had phenomenal music.

The Farm is the same band who introduced that insanely annoying song called "Groovy Train", but I forgive them for that error, since they also released this tune, which was the first song that I ever heard upon entering the doors of XENON.


Remember boy that your forefather's died
Lost in millions for a country's pride
But they never mention the trenches of Belgium
When they stopped fighting and they were one

A spirit stronger than war was at work that night

December 1914 cold, clear and bright
Countries' borders were right out of sight
When they joined together and decided not to fight

All together now
All together now
All together now, in no man's land

All together now
All together now
All together now, in no man's land

The same old story again
All those tears shed in vain
Nothing learnt and nothing gained
Only hope remains

All together now
All together now
All together now
In no man's land
All together now
All together now
All together now
In no man's land

The boys had their say they said no
Stop the slaughter let's go home, let's go, let's go

Friday, August 10, 2012

Week Fourteen: Mixed-Tape Madness - Echobelly - "Insomniac" - Everyone's Got One

Week Fourteen will be dedicated to the most awesomely awesome mixed-tape that I ever received from someone with a Y-chromosome (that would be a male, for all of you who slept through science class - shame on you!!!)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yes, my darling blogland readers, this was the song that concluded the most awesomely awesome mixed-tape that I ever received from someone with a Y-chromosome.  While I was looking for the Echobelly album that this song originally appeared on, I ran across a fun fact on wikipedia that I thought I would share with you: "It is based on a 4/4 alternating verse/chorus structure and may be an homage to one of Echobelly's major influences, Morrissey."  Pretty nifty info, eh?

I was indeed familiar with this tune because, believe it or not, it actually appears on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack.  I got that soundtrack because I love, love, love the song, "Crash", by The Primitives (youtube clip included below - you owe it to yourself to listen!!!), and it turns out that the soundtrack was loaded with all kinds of little treasures, most of which I did not even remember being in the film because I was laughing so hard I nearly peed myself. 

Granted this song is about the cocaine-influenced party lifestyle of many rockers, it's still the sweetest sounding song about a cocaine-influenced party lifestyle.  So boys, don't ever think that your simple, sweet, kind, and loving little gestures have no impact on girls because I'm here to tell you that they absolutely do.  I still remember (most of) this cassette from 1997, and it still makes me slightly giddy reminiscing about it... or maybe I am just a sentimental fool... probably the latter...

Just don't go sleeping around with every tramp in town, and you may fare better than Mr. Y-chromosome!!! :-D


I think you ought to know
  I think we've lost control dear
  Whatever turned you on
  You put it up your nose dear

And though the feeling was sublime
 I think we're running out of time
 'Cause when you found it, you'd fix it
 Then lose it and then you'd go

Will you be long, will you be long dear
 Will you be long, I'm waiting
 No sleep at all, carry me home
 No sleep at all, carry me home
 Won't you take me there

I serenade the walls
 Young people have it all dear
 And surely life is a gas
 We never had it bad dear

Oh was it pointless from the start
 Or did we cultivate the arts
 I swim in circles, in puddles, in trouble and then I go
 Will I be long, will I be long dear
 Will I be strong, you're waiting


No sleep at all, carry me home

 No sleep at all, carry me home

 Won't you take me here

 I don't feel good inside, I don't feel good inside
 My darling don't you cry, home, home

No sleep at all, carry me home
No sleep at all, carry me home
 Won't you, won't you home home, won't you take me there
 I'm ready home, home, won't you take me there
I'm willing home, home, won't you take me there
 I want you home, home, won't you take me there