PW's Song Of The Week: SONG OF THE WEEK: 6/6/21

Saturday, June 5, 2021

SONG OF THE WEEK: 6/6/21

SONG: "Chasing Rainbows"

ARTIST: Tony Sly

ALBUM: "Acoustic: Volume Two"

YEAR: 2012

PLACE OF ORIGIN: San Jose, California

YEARS ACTIVE: 1987 - 2012

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Chasing Rainbows" is a song that appears to be about putting too much trust in those around you to a fault. The vocalist is trying to tell this person that if they don't stand up for themselves and stop putting all their trust in others, the outcome is they will be let down, hurt or completely taken advantage of. Don't turn advice or help away, but trust yourself to make the right decisions for you. Tony Sly recorded "Chasing Rainbows" originally with his band No Use For A Name. You can check out the original version on No Use's 1999 album "More Betterness!".

TONY SLY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - Acoustic (w/ Joey Cape) (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - 12 Song Program (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - Sad Bear (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Acoustic: Volume Two (w/ Joey Cape) (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON TONY SLY:

Tony Sly is best knows as the frontman for long time Fat Wreck punk band No Use For A Name. From 1987 till 2012, No Use cranked out eight studio albums, one live album, compilations, EP's and split singles. In 2004, Sly put out his first solo release, "Acoustic". This was a split album with his longtime friend, Joey Cape of Lagwagon. It wouldn't be for another 5 years however before Sly would actually partake in a solo tour. 2009 saw him play several dates and perform acoustically. In 2010, Sly released the album "12 Song Program". Again, this included newly written compositions that were performed acoustically. His split albums with Cape featured mostly No Use For A Name songs re-worked as acoustic renditions. In 2011, Sly released "Sad Bear" After performing many shows with Joey Cape, Jon Snodgrass and Brian Wahlstrom, the foursome decided to form a band called Scorpios and released an album in 2011. Again, this was an acoustic project. Tony's last solo release was another album with Joey Cape, 2012's "Acoustic: Volume Two". Sly and Cape went on a small tour to promote the album but unfortunately, the tour was cut short. After playing in Gainesville, Florida on July 29, 2012, Tony Sly passed away in his sleep, the date was July 31, 2012. This was just a crushing loss for the punk rock community and I know for myself, it was just a terrible day. No Use was and is one of my favorite bands of all time. In my mind, Tony Sly is arguably the best songwriter in punk rock music. Just a keen sense of melody. His songs are really the soundtrack to me going from my teenage years to a legal beer buying adult and beyond! I found his acoustic stuff, especially "12 Song Program" and "Sad Bear" very introspective and sad. Some of it even depressing. I think he was dealing with a lot of inner demons and perhaps some of those ultimately led to his untimely death. Tony and his band, No Use, meant so much to me growing up. I still listen to them weekly. If I make an Itunes playlist, you can be sure there will be No Use For A Name and Tony Sly solo songs on it. R.I.P. Mr. Sly. Thank you for the music and the memories!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Joey Cape

No Use For A Name

Dave Hause

Chuck Ragan

Greg Graffin

TEN TONY SLY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Not Your Savior (No Use For A Name cover)

2. Chasing Rainbows (No Use For A Name cover)

3. International You Day (No Use For A Name cover)

4. Soulmate (No Use For A Name cover)

5. Amends