SONG OF THE WEEK: 7-5-2026

 

SONG:  "Arcadia"

ARTIST:  Ash

ALBUM:  "A-Z:  Volume One"

YEAR:  2010

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland

YEARS ACTIVE:  1992 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The meaning of the song "Arcadia" by the Northern Irish alt-rock band Ash is an earnest celebration of a powerful, "once in a lifetime" love that brings a deep sense of safety, peace, and ultimate freedom.

ASH DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Trailer (Infectious Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - 1977 (Infectious/Home Grown Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1997 - Live At The Wireless (Deathstar Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Nu-Clear Sounds (Infectious/Home Grown Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Free All Angels (Infectious/Home Grown Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2002 - Cosmic Debris (Infectious Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2004 - Meltdown (Infectious/Home Grown Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - Twilight Of The Innocents (Infectious Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - A-Z Vol. 1 (Atomic Heart Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - A-Z Vol. 2 (Atomic Heart Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Kablammo! (earMUSIC)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Live On Mars:  London Astoria 1997 (earMUSIC)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Islands (Infectious Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Race The Night (Fierce Panda Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2025 - Ad Astra (Fierce Panda Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON ASH:

Ash is a Northern Ireland band that formed back in 1992. The band's first release, which was considered a mini-album, was 1994's "Trailer". This featured a lot of the band's previous singles with a few new songs. I guess what would be considered their "real" debut album was 1996's "1977". You could argue this is the best Ash album that the band came out with, but there may be another that you can make an argument for. 1998's "Nu-Clear Sounds" proved to be a little bit of a disappointment for the band. It almost signified the downfall of Ash, but the band rebounded with 2001's "Free All Angels". This is the other album you can make an argument for as being their best album. It was definitely their most successful album to date. The band followed this up with 2004's "Meltdown". Pretty solid album in it's own right! 2007's "Twilight Of The Innocents" was supposed to be the last full length album that Ash was going to release as they wanted to just put out singles. They would put out 2 singles a month for a year that culminated in the "A-Z" compilations in 2010. Alas, in 2015, Ash returned to releasing albums with the release of "Kablammo!". In 2018 the band released "Islands" and in 2023, "Race The Night" was released. Ash released their latest full length studio album in October of 2025, titled "Ad Astra". Like most people who became Ash fans here in the States, I discovered this band from the "Angus" soundtrack that came out in 1995. Once I heard "Jack Names The Planets", I instantly fell in love with these guys. "1977" is just an awesome album. The song "Goldfinger" to this day gets in just about every playlist I create! I loved when the band brought Charlotte Hatherley in as an extra guitarist and back up vocalist. She was in the band from 1998 until 2006. Her background vocals were just totally legit and I always thought she brought just that little extra to the band that I really loved. Plus she killed it on lead vocals on the track "Taken Out"! Even after Charlotte left the band, these guys just kept on releasing music. Ash is a super active band, coming out with albums every 3 years or so. Can't wait to hear the new record in a couple of months. Ash never got super successful here in America, but in the U.K. and Europe, they're considered a pretty successful band. If you grew up in 90's America, you gotta check these guys out. Awesome band!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Liam Gallagher

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Beady Eye

Hurricane #1

Oasis

TEN ASH SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Goldfinger

2. Burn Baby Burn

3. Jack Names The Planets

4. A Life Less Ordinary

5. Starcrossed

6. Jesus Says

7. Cocoon

8. Buzzkill

9. You Can't Have It All

10. Race The Night

SONG OF THE WEEK: 6-28-2026

SONG:  "Sentimental Halos"

ARTIST:  Scott Weiland

ALBUM:  "Happy In Galoshes"

YEAR:  2008

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  San Diego, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1985 - 2015

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Sentimental Halos" is a deeply personal track by Scott Weiland that explores themes of spiritual exhaustion, the loss of innocence, and a desperate plea for salvation amidst addiction and personal turmoil.

SCOTT WEILAND DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - 12 Bar Blues (Atlantic Records)

* Peaked at #42 on the Billboard 200

2008 - Happy In Galoshes (Softdrive Records)

* Peaked at #97 on the Billboard 200

2011 - A Compilation Of Scott Weiland Cover Songs (Softdrive Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2011 - The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (Softdrive Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Blaster (w/ The Roundabouts) (Softdrive Records)

* Peaked at #133 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SCOTT WEILAND:

Scott Weiland's musical origins date back to 1985 in San Diego, California. It was around that time that he hooked up with the DeLeo brothers and Eric Kretz to form a band called Mighty Joe Young, which of course would go on to become Stone Temple Pilots. From 1989 till 2013, Stone Temple Pilots released six albums and would become one of the biggest rock bands to come out of the grunge/alternate rock era. From 2003 till 2008, STP disbanded due to internal conflicts. During that time, Weiland became lead singer of the supergroup Velvet Revolver, which featured former members of Guns N' Roses. VR released two albums till tension rose between Weiland and the rest of the band. STP reunited in 2008 but in 2013, Weiland was fired from the band. Weiland and the rest of the members of STP were mired in lawsuits after the firing. From 2012 till 2015, Weiland wrote lyrics and contributed vocals for the band Art Of Anarchy's debut album. This would only be a one album deal as Weiland said he wasn't going to tour with or promote that band and the other band members thought otherwise. More lawsuits! From 2013 until 2015, Weiland formed a new band called Scott Weiland And The Roundabouts. Because my song of the week is from Scott Weiland's solo career, I'll dive more into that here. Weiland's debut solo album came out in 1998, titled "12 Bar Blues". This was a very diverse album stylisticly as compared to Stone Temple Pilots. He would cover various genres including blues, jazz and even bossa nova! He wouldn't release another solo effort until 2008, which was "Happy In Galoshes". Again, this album offered many different musical styles. In 2011, Weiland released two albums. The first was a cover album called "A Compilation Of Scott Weiland Cover Songs" and the 2nd was a Christmas album titled "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year". In 2015, with his new band The Wildabouts in tow, Weiland released "Blaster". On December 3, 2015, Weiland was found dead on his tour bus in Minnesota. He was just 48 years old. Scott Weiland is a legend in the music world. Stone Temple Pilots is one of the greatest bands to come out of the 90's, and while they get lumped in with grunge, they had many influences. They could be heavy like Alice In Chains or glam like the New York Dolls! Scott Weiland is definitely one of the most gifted and influential rock singers of all time. It's such a tragic story. Weiland just couldn't shake his addictions and it haunted him his entire professional life. It caused the break ups of STP and Velvet Revolver and ultimately, it cost him his life. If you put together parts Jim Morrison, parts David Bowie and parts Johnny Rotten, you'd probably come out with something that's very close to Scott Weiland. Rest in peace legend!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Stone Temple Pilots

Velvet Revolver

Eddie Vedder

Chris Cornell

Art Of Anarchy

TEN SCOTT WEILAND SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Way She Moves (w/ The Roundabouts)

2. Breathe

3. The Jean Genie (w/ The Roundabouts) (David Bowie cover)

4. Fame (David Bowie cover)

5. 20th Centure Boy (w/ The Roundabouts) (T. Rex cover)

6. Barbarella

7. Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down

8. Missing In Cleveland

9. Paralysis

10. Into Your Arms (The Lemonheads cover)

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: 6-21-2026

 

SONG:  "Sugar In The Engine"

ARTIST:  Hawthorne Heights

ALBUM:  "Fragile Future"

YEAR:  2008

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Dayton, Ohio

YEARS ACTIVE:  2001 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Hawthorne Heights song "Sugar In The Engine" is a deeply emotional tribute dedicated to the band's guitarist, Casey Calvert, who tragically passed away in November 2007.

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2004 - The Silence In Black And White (Victory Records)

* Peaked at #56 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2006 - If Only You Were Lonely (Victory Records)

* Peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2008 - Fragile Future (Victory Records)

* Peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200

2010 - Skeletons (Wind-Up Records)

* Peaked at #50 on the Billboard 200

2013 - Zero (Red Records)

* Peaked at #118 on the Billboard 200

2014 - The Silence In Black And White Acoustic (In Vogue Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Bad Frequencies (Pure Noise Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - The Rain Just Follows Me (Pure Noise Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - If Only You Were Lonely XV (Skeleton Club Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS:

Hawthorne Heights formed out of the ashes of a band called A Day In The Life back in 2001. Hailing from Dayton, Ohio, A Day In The Life basically broke up when all the bandmembers left in 2003. Vocalist JT Woodruff decided to put a new band together and Hawthorne Heights was formed. The band's debut full length album was 2004's "The Silence In Black And White". Thrusted by the singles "Ohio Is For Lovers" and "Niki FM", Hawthorne Heights made an immediate impact on the pop punk/emo/screamo scene. The band's follow up album, 2006's "If Only You Were Lonely" was the band's highest charting album, peaking at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts. In 2007, tragedy befell the band as rhythm guitarist Casey Calvert was found dead on the band's tour bus on November 24, 2007. The 2008 release, "Fragile Future", contains some tracks that are dedications to Calvert, my song of the week, "Sugar In The Engine" being one of them. In 2010, Hawthorne Heights left Victory Records and signed a one off with Wind-Up for the release of "Skeletons". 2013 saw the band release "Zero". In 2018, Hawthorne Heights inked a deal with Pure Noise Records and their last two full length studio album were distributed by that label, 2018's "Bad Frequencies" and 2021's "The Rain Just Follows Me". Along with their seven full length studio albums, Hawthorne Heights also released an acoustic version of "The Silence In Black And White" in 2014 as well as a re-imagined version of "If Only You Were Lonely" in 2023. The band has also released nine EP's, stand-outs include the trilogy, "Hate", "Hope" and "Hurt". The band's most recent release was the 2025 EP "Sandpaper And Silk". As I said earlier, Hawthorne Heights has been called anything from emo to screamo to pop punk to alternative rock. The band themselves doesn't take kindly to the genres that are placed on them and they just consider themselves to be a rock band. I'd add melodic to that! Bands of their style and sound really dominated the early 2000's. I'd put Hawthorne Heights closer to the top of the mountain when it comes to those bands. I'd have them a peg below bands like Silverstein and Taking Back Sunday. They are a solid band tho. I got into these guys early on. The first time I heard "Ohio Is For Lovers", the band had me at hello! Hawthorne Heights is a pretty active band too. When they're not releasing new music, you can be sure they are out playing live shows. 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Senses Fail

Silverstein

Armor For Sleep

Taking Back Sunday

Scary Kids Scaring Kids

TEN HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Bring You Back

2. Ohio Is For Lovers

3. Saying Sorry

4. Niki FM

5. Gold Econoline

6. Golden Parachutes

7. Rescue Me

8. Push Me Away

9. Hate

10. Constant Dread

SONG OF THE WEEK: 6-14-2026

 

SONG:  "Make A Stand"

ARTIST:  Like A Storm

ALBUM:  "The End Of The Beginning"

YEAR:  2009

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Auckland, New Zealand

YEARS ACTIVE:  2005 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The song "Make A Stand" by the New Zealand alt-metal band Like A Storm is a high-energy, motivational anthem centered around overcoming victimization, standing up against oppression, and reclaiming personal power.

LIKE A STORM DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2009 - The End Of The Beginning (Prospect Park Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Worlds Collide (Live From The Ends Of The Earth) (Fatal Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - Unplugged (Another Century Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Awaken The Fire (Another Century Records)

* Peaked at #200 on the Billboard 200

2018 - Catacombs (Red Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - In Isolation Vol. 1 (self-released)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - In Isolation Vol. 2 (self-released)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - In Isolation Vol. 3 (self-released)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - In Isolation Vol. 4 (self-released)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2022 - Okura (Okura Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON LIKE A STORM:

Like A Storm is a New Zealand band that formed back in 2005. The band's debut full length album was 2009's "The End Of The Beginning". By this time, the band had moved to America to tour extensively for this album. The band Creed would be one of the first American bands to really take Like A Storm under their wings, giving them the opening slot for their "Full Circle" tour. The band spent the next 6 years touring as well as releasing a double live album and an "Unplugged" album. The band's sophomore studio effort would be 2015's "Awaken The Fire". This would be Like A Storm's only album to chart on the Billboard 200, just squeaking in at #200. The band followed that album up in 2018 with "Catacombs". In 2020 and 2021, Like A Storm self-released 4 albums called "In Isolation", volumes 1 thru 4. This was mostly cover songs and different takes on some of their own songs. They did this while the Covid pandemic basically shut everything down. The band's most recent release was 2022's "Okura". Like A Storm is kinda like a post-grunge/alternative metal type of band. They kinda remind me of a less dark Smile Empty Soul type of band. They have a melodic style with a hard edge. They are also not afraid of expanding their sound and style. I first got into these guys when I heard the song "Chemical Infatuation" back in 2009. Like I said earlier, if you like bands like Smile Empty Soul or Three Days Grace, then you would most likely like Like A Storm.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Saint Asonia

Trapt

Smile Empty Soul

Three Days Grace

Breaking Benjamin

TEN LIKE A STORM SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Become The Enemy

2. Lie To Me

3. Chemical Infatuation

4. The Devil Inside

5. The Phoenix

6. Death By A Thousand Cuts

7. Love The Way That You Hate Me

8. Black Rain Hurricane

9. Let It Be (The Beatles cover)

10. Death Defying