When Mike Watt's Ball-hog or Tugboat? was released, I hadn't heard Minutemen, but I did recognize most of the artists who contribute to this record. It's an impressive list: J Mascis (Dino Jr), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Evan Dando (Lemonheads), members of the Beastie Boys and Sonic Youth, etc.
What I remember most about this album is that Mike Watt played at the Cat's Cradle one night while I was at UNC. The opening band? Foo Fighters. Also there? Eddie Vedder. I have a list (in my head) of concerts that I should have gone to, and this one is near the top (the top concert I thought about going to but didn't and therefore I'm an idiot is Radiohead at the Cradle in 1995.)
I still really like this album and feel it's pretty underrated. Even without all of the guest stars, most of these songs are great, including covers of Sonic Youth and Funkadelic. But this song, featuring Frank Black (Pixies) on vocals, is one of my favorites.
Showing posts with label Pixies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pixies. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Song of the Day: Pixies - Head On
When I was a youngster, I used to go to Long Island twice a year to visit family. My grandparents had cable, which we did not have at home, so I took full advantage. I remember the Christmas of 1991, when I was 15, watching MTV and seeing a video that would change my life - Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The album had only been out a few months but was starting to gain steam, and this video was repeating like crazy. But this post is about another video I saw that impacted me - the Pixies' "Head On."
Two things I didn't know at the time - the Pixies were a huge influence on Nirvana (of course, Nirvana was new to me at the time too) and this is a cover of a Jesus and Mary Chain song (no idea who they were either, even though Frank Black/Black Francis says it at the beginning). All I knew at the time is that this song was catchy as hell and the video that made them look like midgets was entertaining. When I got home after Christmas, I immediately got the Nirvana CD (sidenote - it doesn't include the bonus track Endless Nameless, which means it was one of the first pressings...maybe 20,000 or so depending on who you ask) and the Pixies album, which of course would be there last. But it led me to find their earlier, superior albums, although I have to say that Trompe Le Monde still sounds pretty great to me (but Doolittle and Surfer Rosa...I mean c'mon those are tough to beat). While not the best song by any stretch, I still love it. Bonus: the video also is included below.
Two things I didn't know at the time - the Pixies were a huge influence on Nirvana (of course, Nirvana was new to me at the time too) and this is a cover of a Jesus and Mary Chain song (no idea who they were either, even though Frank Black/Black Francis says it at the beginning). All I knew at the time is that this song was catchy as hell and the video that made them look like midgets was entertaining. When I got home after Christmas, I immediately got the Nirvana CD (sidenote - it doesn't include the bonus track Endless Nameless, which means it was one of the first pressings...maybe 20,000 or so depending on who you ask) and the Pixies album, which of course would be there last. But it led me to find their earlier, superior albums, although I have to say that Trompe Le Monde still sounds pretty great to me (but Doolittle and Surfer Rosa...I mean c'mon those are tough to beat). While not the best song by any stretch, I still love it. Bonus: the video also is included below.
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