SONG OF THE WEEK: 9-28-2025

SONG:  "Davidian" (Machine Head cover)

ARTIST:  Lostprophets

ALBUM:  "Higher Voltage!:  Another Brief History Of Rock (Compilation)

YEAR:  2007

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Pontypridd, Wales

YEARS ACTIVE:  1997 - 2013

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Davidian" is a cover song of heavy metal band Machine Head. The song's lyrics and themes are directly inspired by the tragic events of the 1993 Waco siege in Waco, Texas. This 51-day standoff involved the Branch Davidian religious sect, led by David Koresh, and federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and later the FBI.

LOSTPROPHETS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2000 - The Fake Sound Of Progress (Visible Noise Records)

* Peaked at #186 on the Billboard 200

2004 - Start Something (Visible Noise Records)

* Peaked at #33 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2006 - Liberation Transmission (Visible Noise Records)

* Peaked at #33 on the Billboard 200

2010 - The Betrayed (Visible Noise Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Weapons (Epic Records)

* Peaked at #145 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON LOSTPROPHETS:

Lostprophets was a Wales band that formed back in 1997. After self-releasing a few EP's, that band dropped their debut full length album in 2000, titled "The Fake Sound Of Progress". While this album generated some buzz for the band, it was their follow up, 2004's "Start Something" that really put Lostprophets on the musical map thanks in part to singles like "Last Train Home" and "Last Summer". This album would go on to be certified Gold in the United States. The band followed that success up with another huge album for the band, 2006's "Liberation Transmission". 2010 saw the band drop "The Betrayed". In 2012, the band finally got signed to a major label, Epic Records. In that year, it would be the final full length album to be released by Lostprophets. That album is "Weapons". Lostprophets would break up in 2013 due to some pretty terrible circumstances. The band's lead singer, Ian Watkins, would be charged with hideous sex crimes, some against children, even infants. He initially plead not guilty to the charges but ultimately took a guilty plea, owning some just horrific crimes. I felt torn about Lostprophets after finding out about Watkins. They're not my favorite band by far, but I do enjoy their music. I feel bad for the rest of the band members. They had nothing to do with what Watkins did. The problem is that Watkins is the voice of the band. If it was the drummer or a guitarist, you could easily replace them and the band could go on. The band just couldn't go on knowing that their songs have Watkins' fingerprints all over them, obviously with him being the singer. The good news is that the remaining members of Lostprophets would go on to form a new band called No Devotion with Thursday's Geoff Rickly on vocals. That makes me happy for the members of the band who had absolutely nothing to do with Watkins' crimes.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Trust Company

Story Of The Year

Hoobastank

Trapt

Taproot

TEN LOSTPROPHETS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Last Summer

2. Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)

3. Last Train Home

4. Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja

5. It's Not The End Of The World, But I Can See It From Here

6. Bring 'Em Down

7. The Fake Sound Of Progress

8. We Bring An Arsenal

9. A Town Called Hypocrisy

10. Where We Belong

SONG OF THE WEEK: 9-21-2025

SONG:  "Mackey Sasser & Steve Balboni Ride Again"

ARTIST:  Taking Back Sunday

ALBUM:  "Taking Back Sunday" (Limited Edition Bonus Disc)

YEAR:  2011

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Amityville, New York

YEARS ACTIVE:  1999 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The song "Mackey Sasser & Steve Balboni Ride Again" by Taking Back Sunday uses two former baseball players as a metaphor for dealing with a relapse into old, destructive patterns. The title refers to returning to a difficult or problematic situation, like a bad habit, a toxic relationship, or a substance abuse issue.

MY THOUGHTS ON TAKING BACK SUNDAY:

Taking Back Sunday formed as a band back in 1999, hailing from Amityville, New York. Interesting note, one of the founding members of the band was Jesse Lacey, who would ultimately leave the band on bad terms in 2000 and go on to form Brand New. Adam Lazzara, who was originally brought into the band to play bass, would soon become the lead vocalist for the band. While Lazzara handles the bulk of lead vocals, the band's sound incorporates a back up/sharing lead vocals style which was at first handled by John Nolan. The band's debut album, "Tell All Your Friends", was released in 2002. This is the band's only album to be certified Platinum. In 2003, Nolan left the band and was replaced on guitar/vocals by Fred Mascherino. In 2004, the band dropped "Where You Want To Be". This album continued the success of their debut album. 2006's "Louder Now" would prove to be the band's highest charting album, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts. The single "MakeDamnSure" is arguably the band's most famous song. After this album, Mascherino would depart the band. 2009 saw the band release "New Again". In 2010, John Nolan rejoined the band and he's still currently a member. In 2011, Taking Back Sunday released a self-titled album. After being on major label Warner Bros. for their last 3 releases, Taking Back Sunday would sign a 2 album deal with punk rock label Hopeless Records for their albums "Happiness Is" in 2014 and "Tidal Wave" in 2016. The band's most recent full length album would be 2023's "152". Taking Back Sunday was a leader of a pop punk/melodic punk movement in the early 2000's. For as good and solid of a band that they are, they have had a ton of turnover with band members, most leaving, then coming back, and leaving again! It's good that John Nolan returned to the band. Him and Lazarra are a strong team together. Mascherino has also rejoined the band recently as a touring guitarist, making the band a 6 piece. It would be cool if he contributes to new music with the band too because you can argue that he was a part of the band's best two albums. Taking Back Sunday just writes great songs. I love this band! Their cover of Green Day's "She" is next level! You gotta check that out!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Senses Fail

Hawthorne Heights

Brand New

The Used

Armor For Sleep

TEN TAKING BACK SUNDAY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. MakeDamnSure

2. Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)

3. A Decade Under The Influence

4. She (Green Day cover)

5. Flicker, Fade

6. Great Romances Of The 20th Century

7. Faith (When I Let You Drown)

8. S'old

9. Tidal Wave

10. Sink Into Me

SONG OF THE WEEK: 9-14-2025

SONG:  "Crackerman" (Stone Temple Pilots cover)

ARTIST:  Velvet Revolver

ALBUM:  Unreleased

YEAR:  ???

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Rancho Santa Margarita, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  2002 - 2008

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Stone Temple Pilots song "Crackerman" from their 1992 debut album "Core" is a complex and often debated track, primarily interpreted as exploring themes of drug abuse, paranoia, and the internal struggles of addiction. This is a cover version by Velvet Revolver, obviously with Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots' fame on vocals.

VELVET REVOLVER DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - Contraband (RCA Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Platinum

2007 - Libertad (RCA Records)

* Peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON VELVET REVOLVER:

Velvet Revolver would turn out to be a supergroup of members from the bands Guns N' Roses, Stone Temple Pilots and Wasted Youth. While their roots date back to a little before 2002, the band wasn't official until 2002. Former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum began working together again after departing Guns by 1997. Add in rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner of Wasted Youth fame and settling on STP's Scott Weiland on vocals. Initially Weiland did not want to join the band as he was already in STP. But, when his relationship with the other guys in Stone Temple Pilots soured, he eventually joined Velvet Revolver. This band came out of the gates hot! 2004's "Contraband" would be a huge success for the band, peaking at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts and being certified 2X Platinum to date. The album also featured the #1 hit song, and grammy winning song, "Slither". After doing major world wide touring in support of "Contraband", cracks were beginning to form in Velvet Revolver. Much of the same drug induced, self-inflicted problems that plagued Weiland's other band STP, began coming to the surface in Velvet Revolver. The band did manage to release their sophomore effort in 2007, titled "Libertad". Though still a very solid album, many people didn't think it reached the standards of their debut album. By 2008, the inner turmoil was too much for the band and they fired Scott Weiland. The next few years, Velvet Revolver did audition many lead singers, but ultimately, did not see a fit with anyone. The band did have one reunion concert for a benefit show in 2012. That would be the last time Weiland and the rest of Velvet Revolver would perform together again. Weiland would go back to working with Stone Temple Pilots and Slash and McKagan would eventually rejoin Guns N' Roses in 2016. Any future reunion of Velvet Revolver was basically crushed when Scott Weiland was found dead on his touring bus on December 3, 2015. Velvet Revolver was a really good band. First, let me say, I was never much of a Guns N' Roses fan. But I always respected Slash and McKagan's playing. I was, however, a huge Stone Temple Pilots fan. Still am. One of my favorite all time bands. I was kinda bummed at first about Velvet Revolver because I just wanted STP to get their shit together. Well, actually for Weiland to get his shit together. The minute I heard "Slither", I was like, ok... This band fuckin' rocks! Velvet always seemed to me to be a temporary project. I always thought STP was Scott's first love and if there was any way for all those guys to work out their differences, then STP would go on to make more music. The fact of the matter is, it's just terrible that Weiland has passed and he will never release new music with either band. It sucks for sure. 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Stone Temple Pilots

Audioslave

Aerosmith

Foo Fighters

Puddle Of Mudd

TEN VELVET REVOLVER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Slither

2. Psycho Killer (Talking Heads cover)

3. Fall To Pieces

4. She Builds Quick Machines

5. Set Me Free

6. No More No More (Aerosmith cover)

7. Dirty Little Thing

8. Come On, Come In

9. The Last Fight

10. Get Out The Door

SONG OF THE WEEK: 9-7-2025

SONG:  "The Saddest Song"

ARTIST:  The Ataris

ALBUM:  "Live At The Metro"

YEAR:  2004

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Anderson, Indiana

YEARS ACTIVE:  1996 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Ataris' song "The Saddest Song," from their 2003 album "So Long, Astoria", is a deeply personal ballad primarily about lead singer Kris Roe's relationship with his daughter, Starla, and his feelings of absence due to constant touring. The song also draws a parallel to Roe's own childhood experience of growing up without a consistently present father due to divorce.

THE ATARIS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1997 - Anywhere But Here (Kung Fu Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits (Kung Fu Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - End Is Forever (Kung Fu Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - So Long, Astoria (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

2004 - Live At The Metro (Columbia Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - Welcome The Night (Sanctuary Records)

* peaked at #85 on the Billboard 200

2015 - Hang Your Head In Hope (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Record Store Day 2015 (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - Silver Turns To Rust (funk turry funk Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Live In Chicago 2019 (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE ATARIS:

The Ataris formed as a band back in 1996, hailing from Anderson, Indiana. The band is essentially the brainchild of guitarist/vocalist Kris Roe, who basically writes all the music and lyrics for the band. Plus the fact that the band has basically been a revolving door when it comes to band members with Roe being the only constant. The band's debut album dropped in 1997, titled "Anywhere But Here". This whole album was recorded in less than a week. At this time, the band was really struggling financially and Roe was living in his car in California at that point. The band's 1999 album, "Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits", was the album that started generating some buzz around The Ataris, especially from what is their signature song, "San Dimas High School Football Rules". In 2001, the band released "End Is Forever" which finished their relationship with Kung Fu Records. At this point, The Ataris were garnering attention from major labels and eventually they would sign with Columbia Records. Their major label release, 2003's "So Long, Astoria", proved to be the high point for the band. It was their highest charting album, peaking at #24 on the Billboard 200 and it would eventually be certified Gold. Their cover of Don Henley's "The Boys Of Summer" proved to be a huge radio hit for the band. Here's where things start turning somewhat sour for the band. All of the band member besides Roe would leave the band. Roe brought on new members and began work on their  next album, 2007's "Welcome The Night". This album was a real departure from The Ataris style and sound. It was darker and lacking the pop punk and melodic rock sensibilities that The Ataris were known for. I thought it was a real bummer of an album. In 2009, there was talk that The Ataris had completed a new album tentatively titled "The Graveyard Of The Atlantic" but the album would never see the light of day. Eventually, the songs recorded for this project would show up on later EP's and compilations that The Ataris would put out. From 2010 to 2020, the only full lengths The Ataris would put out would be compilation albums or rarities or re-recordings like 2017's "Silver Turns To Rust" or the all acoustic "Hang Your Head In Hope" in 2015. Most recently, Kris Roe has stated that The Ataris have been in the studio in 2024 writing and recording a new full length album so we'll see. The band has released a single called "Car Song" in 2025 and Roe has confirmed that the band will cover Bryan Adams' "Summer Of '69" on the new album.  The Ataris at their best are a pop punk band. Even their major label debut, "So Long, Astoria", had pop punk elements, maybe with a more mature sound but that catchy, melodic pop punk was always at the core. "Welcome The Night" was a disaster. I don't know what they were trying to prove with that album. It's just boring and has no life to it. Sometimes you are what you are. I know people want to push themselves but their is something at it's core that is the reason why people love what you do. Hopefully Kris Roe doesn't lose sight of that with this new album he's working on. People love The Ataris melodies and people love the heartfelt, personal lyrics of Kris Roe. Let's hope he gets back to his roots on this new release.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Fenix TX

MxPx

The Starting Line

Midtown

Rufio

TEN THE ATARIS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Summer Wind Was Always Our Song

2. San Dimas High School Football Rules

3. The Boys Of Summer (Don Henley cover)

4. A New England (Billy Bragg cover)

5. The Saddest Song

6. Boxcar (Jawbreaker cover)

7. Your Boyfriend Sucks

8. Rock N' Roll High School (Ramones cover)

9. All Soul's Day

10. Not Capable Of Love

SONG OF THE WEEK: 8-31-2025

SONG:  "The Rope"

ARTIST:  Smile Empty Soul

ALBUM:  "Swan Song" EP

YEAR:  2025

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Santa Clarita, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1998 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Smile Empty Soul song "The Rope" is about being on the run, specifically from what frontman Sean Danielsen describes as an "authoritarian wave" that is diminishing freedoms, symbolizing the tightening of a "rope" around people's necks.

SMILE EMPTY SOUL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - Smile Empty Soul (Lava Records)

* Peaked at #94 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2006 - Vultures (Bieler Bros. Records)

* Peaked at #169 on the Billboard 200

2009 - Consciousness (F.O.F. Label Group)

* Peaked at #156 on the Billboard 200

2010 - More Anxiety (F.O.F. Label Group)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - 3's (eOne Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Chemicals (Pavement Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - Rarities (MRAfia Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Oblivion (Smile Empty Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - The Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 1 & 2 (Smile Empty Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - Black Pilled (Smile Empty Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse (Smile Empty Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SMILE EMPTY SOUL:

Smile Empty Soul formed as a band back in 1998, hailing from Santa Clarita, California. It would take the band 5 years of honing their sound before they would release their debut full length self-titled album in 2003. This album proved to be the pinnacle of the band's success thanks in part to the singles "Bottom Of A Bottle" , "Nowhere Kids" and "Silhouettes". This album would eventually be certified Gold. In 2005, the band was supposed to release "Anxiety", but problems with their record label halted that release. More on that later. In 2006, the band dropped "Vultures". This album featured the single "The Hit". Great song! 2009 saw the band release "Consciousness". In 2010, "Anxiety" was released as "More Anxiety" which featured the entire album as well as bonus tracks.  2012 and 2013 saw the releases of "3's" and "Chemicals" respectively. Around this time, frontman/guitarist Sean Danielsen began to release some solo material. A rarities collection was released by Smile Empty Soul in 2017 simply titled "Rarities". A proper studio album was released in 2018 called "Oblivion". 2021's "Black Pilled" is the last full length album released by Smile Empty Soul to date. The band released a compilation of most of their recent EP tracks in 2023 titled "Four Horsement Of The Apocalypse". The band's most recent release was an EP in 2025 called "Swan Song". Smile Empty Soul is kinda like a post-grunge/alternative metal type of band. It truly is Sean Danielsen's baby. He is the chief songwriter, writes all the lyrics and pretty much is the whole vision of the band. He is the only constant in a revolving door of band members. Smile Empty Soul is a very dark band. Themes of neglect, abuse, depression, addiction all weave through Smile Empty Soul's material. I got into these guys right from their debut album. The minute I saw the "Bottom Of A Bottle" video they had me! I love their style. Crunchy guitar riffs, most of the time just 3 chord bangers. Simplicity works. Just ask band's like The Ramones or AC/DC. I find Smile Empty Soul's music to be raw and emotional. Sean Danielsen just puts his soul out there in his music. Great band. Underappreciated band in my mind.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Trapt

The Exies

12 Stones

Trust Company

Seether

TEN SMILE EMPTY SOUL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Bottom Of A Bottle

2. Silhouettes

3. The Hit

4. We're Through

5. Savior

6. Don't Need You

7. False Alarm

8. Afterlife

9. Sunburn

10. Sides