SONG: "Twisted"
ARTIST: Avail
ALBUM: "Satiate"
YEAR: 1992
PLACE OF ORIGIN: Richmond, Virginia
YEARS ACTIVE: 1987 - present
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:
"Twisted" appears to be a song about going insane. You almost get the sense that the vocalist is in a manic state where sounds are freaking him out and no matter what he does to clean up his surroungings, he just winds up making things worse. Definitely seems like it's about someone who is crumbling and can't keep it together.
AVAIL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
1988 - Each Other (self-released demo)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1989 - Reaching Out (self-released demo)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1992 - Satiate (Catheter-Assembly Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1994 - Dixie (Lookout! Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1994 - Live At The King's Head Inn (Old Glory Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1996 - 4AM Friday (Lookout! Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1998 - Over The James (Lookout! Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1998 - Live At The Bottom Of The Hill In San Francisco (Lookout! Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1999 - V.M. Live Presents...Avail (Liberation Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2000 - One Wrench (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2002 - Front Porch Stories (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
MY THOUGHTS ON AVAIL:
Avail formed as a band back in 1987, originally from Reston, Virginia. After a couple of years and a few demo's, the band basically broke up, but member Joe Banks decided to keep Avail alive by partnering with Tim Barry of the band Learing Disabled Kids. Now Avail was ready to move forward as a proper band. The band's debut album was "Satiate" in 1992. This album caught the ear of famed punk label Lookout! Records who promptly signed the band. The band's first album on Lookout! was 1994's "Dixie". 1996's "4AM Friday" featured Avail's most famous track, "Simple Song". The band finished their work with Lookout! in 1998 with the release of "Over The James". In 2000, Avail inked a deal with Fat Wreck Chords and released "One Wrench". The band's most recent release would be 2002's "Front Porch Stories". It seemed at this point that Avail had called it quits as a band. Frontman Tim Barry began to focus on a solo career of acoustic/Americana type songs. Some 12 years after "Front Porch Stories" was released, Avail reunited to play a live show at The National in Richmond, Virginia. They have since went on some tours but there is no word as to whether the band will get back in the studio to work on new music. Avail is a hardcore punk band through and through. These guys really represent their hometown of Richmond, Virginia and their city has always held Avail up on a pedastal. As respected as Avail was in punk rock circles, they never could get over the hump as a super successful band. They were always regarded as an underground band. I think Avail is a good punk band, but I think Tim Barry's solo stuff is incredible. His songwriting really shines on his solo releases. I first heard of Avail in 1996 when I heard "Simple Song" from their 4AM Friday album. To me, that's their signature song for sure. As much as I'd like to see what Avail could come up with for new music in 2022, I'm also very content with Tim Barry continuing to put out killer solo albums.
SIMILAR ARTISTS:
Strike Anywhere
Good Riddance
American Steel
Dillinger Four
The Bouncing Souls
TEN AVAIL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Simple Song
2. West Wye
3. Union
4. Cross Tie
5. On The Nod
6. March
7. Black And Red
8. Pink Houses (John Mellencamp cover)
9. Taken
10. Tuesday
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