SONG OF THE WEEK: 4-28-2024

SONG:  "Dead And Bloated"

ARTIST:  Stone Temple Pilots

ALBUM:  "Live 2018"

YEAR:  2018

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  San Diego, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1989 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

This is what STP original vocalist Scott Weiland had to say about "Dead And Bloated". "It’s not really about anything. It’s just stream-of-consciousness words. I mean, at the age of 21, 22, I didn’t have a whole lot of life experiences. So it’s more about the vibe, the angst and that kind of a thing, as opposed to actual life experiences." To me it seems like it about not quite being sure of yourself or not quite assertive in who you are. For my song of the week, I chose a live version of the song. You can hear the original on Stone Temple Pilots' debut album, 1992's "Core". 

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1992 - Core (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 on 9-29-92

* certified 8X platinum

1994 - Purple (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 6-7-94

* certified 6X platinum

1996 - Tiny Music... Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 on 3-26-96

* certified 2X platinum

1999 - No. 4 (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 on 10-26-99

* certified platinum

2001 - Shangri-La Dee Da (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 on 6-19-01

* certified gold

2010 - Stone Temple Pilots (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 5-25-10

2018 - Stone Temple Pilots (Rhino Records)

* peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200 on 3-16-18

2018 - Live 2018 (Rhino Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Perdida (Rhino Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON STONE TEMPLE PILOTS:

Stone Temple Pilots formed as a band back in 1989, originally called Mighty Joe Young. When they signed with major label Atlantic Records, the band changed their name to Stone Temple Pilots. The band dropped their debut album "Core" in 1992. Riding the wave of the grunge/alternative explosion of the early 90's, "Core" would go on to be certified 8X platinum! The album includes the single "Plush" which is arguably STP's best song. The band kept on rolling with their sophomore release "Purple" in 1994. This album was certified 6X platinum! On the band's third release, 1996's "Tiny Music... Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop", the band veered away from the grunge/alternative rock style and really started to incorporate more of a glam rock style. This would also be a time when lead vocalist Scott Weiland's addiction problems began to cause some unrest within the band. In 1997, STP members Dean DeLeo (guitar), Robert DeLeo (bass) and Eric Kretz (drums) formed a short lived band with vocalist Dave Coutts called Talk Show. Weiland released a solo album in 1998 as well. STP worked through their differences to release their fourth album in 1999 called "No. 4". This was a return to their early, heavier sound. In 2001, the band released "Shangri-La Dee Da". This album marked another slight shift in sound, becoming a little more experimental. The record was seen as a bit of a disappointment for the band even though it was certified gold. In 2003, the DeLeo brothers pretty much put it out there that STP was done. In 2004, Weiland joined a supergroup with Slash and Duff McKagan of Guns 'N Roses called Velvet Revolver which went from 2004 till 2008. The DeLeo brothers also formed a supergroup in 2006 with Richard Patrick of Filter called Army Of Anyone. This short-lived outfit only released one album. In 2008, STP again worked out their differences and reformed, releasing a self-titled album in 2010. As the band was working out what they were going to do for the 10 year anniversary of their debut album "Core", in fighting again started to derail the band. By 2013, the DeLeo brothers decided to fire Weiland and all kind of legal battles ensued after that. Ultimately, the DeLeo brothers were awared the right to keep the name Stone Temple Pilots. Weiland would go on to form a band called The Wildabouts and STP recruited Linkin Park's Chester Bennington as vocalist and they recorded an EP called "High Rise" in 2013. Bennington would leave the band in 2015 however to focus on his main band Linkin Park. In 2015, tragedy struck the band and the whole music world when Scott Weiland was found dead on his tour bus in Minnesota. Though Weiland and the band went through some tumultuous times, the news still carried a lot of weight for the remaining STP members. There was always the thoughts of what might have been had addictions not taken over Weiland. In 2017, STP announced new lead vocalist Jeff Gutt and the band released yet another self-titled album in 2018. The lead single of that album "Meadow" showed clearly that STP still had it. Gutt's vocals and delivery are eerily similar to Scott Weiland's. In 2020, the band released "Perdida", an album that is mostly acoustic and played with vintage instruments. The lead single "Fare Thee Well" is an excellent song. Stone Temple Pilots are an incredible band. These guys got some shit early on, critics panning them as grunge light or whatever. Those critics were totally wrong. STP is a band that can stand on it's own and stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of the grunge era. Lead vocalist Scott Weiland had a definite David Bowie and Jim Morrison influence to his style. You could always see that the band was more glam than grunge. "Purple" in my mind is one of the greatest albums of all time. It's a shame that Weiland just couldn't control his addictions because we definitely missed out on more great music from these guys. It's great to see the band still pushing forward with their new lead vocalist Jeff Gutt. He does Weiland justice for sure. It's been 3 years since their last release so hopefully STP has something in the works for the near future. Top 10 band for me for sure.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Soundgarden

Alice In Chains

Temple Of The Dog

Mad Season

Pearl Jam

TEN STONE TEMPLE PILOTS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Interstate Love Song

2. Plush

3. Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart

4. Fare Thee Well

5. Sour Girl

6. Meadow

7. Out Of Time

8. Days Of The Week

9. Between The Lines

10. Andy Warhol (David Bowie cover)

SONG OF THE WEEK: 4-21-2024

SONG:  "Beyond The Valley Of Snakes"

ARTIST:  Local H

ALBUM:  "Lifers"

YEAR:  2020

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Zion, Illinois

YEARS ACTIVE:  1987 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Beyond The Valley Of Snakes" appears to be a song about moving past old debauchery. What once was cool or fun now seems to be played out and overrated. I guess that sometimes with age, you grow out of things. That could be a good thing if you move past bad devices. 

LOCAL H DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Ham Fisted (Island Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - As Good As Dead (Island Records)

* peaked at #147 on the Billboard 200

1998 - Pack Up The Cats (Island Records)

* peaked at #140 on the Billboard 200

2002 = Here Comes The Zoo (Palm Pictures Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2004 - Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles (Studio E Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Alive '05 (Cleopatra Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - Twelve Angry Months (Shout! Factory Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Hallelujah! I'm A Bum (Slimstyle Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Hey, Killer (G&P Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Live In Europe (G&P Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Lifers (AntiFragile Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON LOCAL H:

Local H formed as a band back in 1987. Originally, the band was a 3-piece, drums, guitar and bass but when the bassist left the band, guitarist/vocalist Scott Lucas and drummer Joe Daniels decided to move forward as a 2 man band. The band's first official release was an EP in 1991 titled "Drum". As grunge and alternative rock began gripping the nation, Local H wound up signing a contract with major label Island Records and released their debut full length, "Ham Fisted", in 1995. It was their next album, 1996's "As Good As Dead" that really put Local H on the map. Thanks in part to the singles "Bound For The Floor", "Eddie Vedder" and "Fritz's Corner", Local H started to gain a bigger fanbase. 1998's "Pack Up The Cats" would be Local H's highest charting album, peaking at #140 on the Billboard 200. After this album, original drummer Joe Daniel departed the band and was replaced by Brian St. Claire. He would perform as the drummer on Local H's next four albums, 2002's "Here Comes The Zoo", 2004's "Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles", 2008's "Twelve Angry Months" and 2012's "Hallelujah! I'm A Bum". St. Claire would be replaced by Ryan Harding for the band's next releases, 2015's "Hey, Killer" and 2020's "Lifers". Local H's most recent release would be "Local H's Awesome Quarantine Mix Tape #3" in 2021. Local H was the original most famous 2 man band! That is before The White Stripes came around. As I said earlier, Local H caught the wave of the grunge/alternative rock movement that was so prominent in the 90's. The band's style, especially early on was very reminiscent of Nirvana. Local H is probably most well known for their live shows and the fun things they do at times to incorporate the crowd, like passing out lists that the fans can fill out to create set lists or doing full on cover shows on Halloween of bands like Nirvana and Kiss and more. They are a really fun band. I'll always remember seeing these guys perform a show with Silverchair and Handsome in Boston. Great times! 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Sponge

Everclear

Candlebox

Stone Temple Pilots

Bush

TEN LOCAL H SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Fritz's Corner

2. All Right (Oh, Yeah)

3. California Songs

4. Cynic

5. Half Life

6. Cold Manor

7. Mansplainer

8. Patrick Bateman

9. Time (Pink Floyd cover)

10. 24 Hour Break-Up Session

SONG OF THE WEEK: 4-13-2024

SONG:  "Random Harm"

ARTIST:  Kevin Seconds

ALBUM:  "Good Luck Buttons"

YEAR:  2010

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Sacramento, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1978 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

I couldn't find the lyrics to "Random Harm" anywhere on the net. After a few listens to the song, it appears that the vocalist is describing someone who is somewhat of a loner. The guy tends to keep people, even the few close friends he has, at arm's length. People tend to try or want to help him because he is a good guy. He just wants to be left alone it seems.

KEVIN SECONDS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Rodney, Reggie, Emily (Cargo Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1997 - Stoudamire (Earth Music)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Heaven's Near Wherever You Are (Headhunter Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - Rise Up! Insomniacs (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - Good Luck Buttons (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Don't Let Me Lose Ya (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - Off Stockton (Rise Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - New Years Rulin's (This Means Nothing Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Band-Aid On A Bullet Wound (Birthday Money Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON KEVIN SECONDS:

Kevin Seconds was born in Sacramento, California but he made his mark on the music world in Reno, Nevada when he helped form the legendary punk band 7 Seconds. 7 Seconds, along with bands like Minor Threat and Bad Brains, were at the forefront of the hardcore, straight-edge movement. During the 80's, 7 Seconds helped to root the seed for several punk bands to grow from. Lead vocalist Kevin Seconds began doing some solo projects as early as 1989. In 1994, Seconds released his first full length album, "Rodney, Reggie, Emily". He would follow that up with "Stoudamire" in 1997. After 2001's "Heaven's Near Wherever You Are", Kevin signed a deal with punk label Asian Man Records where he released his next three albums, 2008's "Rise Up! Insomniacs", 2010's "Good Luck Buttons" and 2012's "Don't Let Me Lose Ya". 2014 saw Seconds release "Off Stockton". Also in 2014, Seconds released an album inspired by Woody Guthrie's New Year's resolutions for 1943. Kevin's most recent full length album was released in 2016, titled "Band-Aid On A Bullet Wound". You gotta check out Kevin's bandcamp page. This dude puts out stand alone songs constantly and has been doing so for years. It's a good mix of acoustic, folksy stuff and some stuff that's a throwback to his 7 Seconds days. Kevin Seconds is really a legend in punk rock circles. 7 Seconds is definitely one of the most influential bands to come out of the hardcore punk scene. But even with 7 Seconds, Kevin didn't like to be put in a box. They altered their style throughout the years before leaning back on their punk roots with their most recent releases. Kevin's solo stuff started out as mostly acoustic stuff. Definitely a more Americana vibe but as I said earlier, some of his stand alone singles that he's been putting out could easily fit on a 7 Seconds album. When I first got into punk rock music, it was more from 90's skate punk. So when I started working my way back to 80's punk, it was bands like Bad Religion, Social Distortion and 7 Seconds that I really loved. 7 Seconds could go hard, but they always seemed to have a good melody, much like some of those 90's skate punk bands. Kevin Seconds is the man and I'm glad he keeps putting out music. I guess 7 Seconds broke up in 2018 but they did get back together in 2022 to do a tour with the Circle Jerks so who knows. Maybe they have something in the oven too!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Brendan Kelly

Joe McMahon

Dan Andriano

The Riot Before

North Lincoln

TEN KEVIN SECONDS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Rise Up! Insomniacs

2. My Recollection

3. Cellphones & Guitars

4. The Elements And You

5. Random Harm

6. You Ain't Talking To No One

7. Weather Everything

8. I, Pedestrian

9. A Random Thought

10. Wash Teeth If Any

SONG OF THE WEEK: 4-7-2024

SONG:  "All By Myself"

ARTIST:  Forgotten Sons

ALBUM:  "Angst And Apathy" EP

YEAR:  2019

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  The Shetland Isles, Scotland

YEARS ACTIVE:  2015 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"All By Myself" is a relationship song where the girl walks out on the guy, leaving him in a dark and lonely, depressed state. This poor tormented guy still thinks she's gonna call him. Poor fella!

FORGOTTEN SONS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

Forgotten Sons have yet to release a full length studio album.

MY THOUGHTS ON FORGOTTEN SONS:

Scotland's own Forgotten Sons formed as a band back in 2015. Their first release was an EP in 2016 called "Just So You Know". They followed that up with another EP in 2019 called "Angst And Apathy" and their most recent release was the 2022 EP, "Forgotten Sons". They also sprinkled in a few stand alone singles along the way as well. Forgotten Sons were heavily influenced by bands like Alkaline Trio, The Gaslight Anthem and the Foo Fighters. You can hear a lot of elements from all those bands in their music, especially Gaslight. I would say their foundation is rooted in melodic punk rock, but they are not afraid to explore different genres. You can even hear a little country influence in their sound on some songs. I'm not quite sure how I stumbled upon these guys in my travels but if I had to guess, I read about them on either the DyingScene blog or Punk Rock Theory. Who's to say? These guys have a pretty decent band there. Hopefully they drop a full length soon.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Chewing On Tinfoil

The Kimberly Steaks

Ambitions

Timeshares

Nightmares For A Week

TEN FORGOTTEN SONS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Leave The Light On

2. Wasteland Mindset

3. Ragged Sails High

4. Time Heals All

5. Blackened Heart

6. Flipside

7. Socials

8. I'm Fine

9. Faded

10. Last November