SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-1-2024

SONG:  "The Last Song I Will Ever Write About A Girl"

ARTIST:  The Ataris

ALBUM:  "Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits"

YEAR:  1999

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Anderson, Indiana

YEARS ACTIVE:  1996 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"The Last Song I Will Ever Write About A Girl" appears to be about someone who's heart is constantly broken by the girls he's had a relationship with. Every time he thinks the relationship is going great, something happens that makes him think that love is shit and he just doesn't understand women.

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 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: 11-24-2024

SONG:  "Drowning" (acoustic)

ARTIST:  MxPx

ALBUM:  Unreleased

YEAR:  2012

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Bremerton, Washington

YEARS ACTIVE:  1992 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Drowning" appears to be a song about a broken relationship. More specifically, the deep depression that is felt after the end of a relationship. You just feel like drowning in your sorrows and you don't want to be bothered. I chose an acoustic version of "Drowning" for my song of the week. The original version can be found on MxPx's 2007 album "Secret Weapon".

MXPX DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Pokinatcha (Tooth & Nail Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1995 - Teenage Politics (Tooth & Nail Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - Life In General (Tooth & Nail Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo (A&M Records)

* peaked at #99 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

1998 - Let It Happen (Tooth & Nail Records)

* peaked at #161 on the Billboard 200

1999 - At The Show (Tooth & Nail Records)

* peaked at #189 on the Billboard 200

2000 - The Ever Passing Moment (A&M Records)

* peaked at #56 on the Billboard 200

2003 - Before Everything & After (A&M Records)

* peaked at #51 on the Billboard 200

2005 - Panic (SideOneDummy Records)

* peaked at #77 on the Billboard 200

2006 - Let's Rock (SideOneDummy Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2007 - Secret Weapon (Tooth & Nail Records)

* peaked at #76 on the Billboard 200

2009 - On The Cover II (Tooth & Nail Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Plans Within Plans (Rock City Recording Company)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2014 - The Acoustic Collection (Rock City Recording Company)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - Left Coast Live (Rock City Recording Company)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - MxPx (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Life In Quarantine (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - Southbound To San Antonio (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Find A Way Home (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON MXPX:

MxPx formed as a band back in 1992, hailing from Bremerton, Washington. All the guys were in high school when they formed the band. Originally called Magnified Plaid, the moniker was soon shortened to MxPx. Early on, the band signed with Christian punk label Tooth & Nail. Their debut full length album dropped in 1994, called "Pokinatcha". For a band kinda known for being pop punk or skate punk, there are a lot of hardcore elements in this album. They would follow that up with 1995's "Teenage Politics", which features long time MxPx set closer "Punk Rawk Show". 1996's "Life In General" was probably the album where MxPx started to achieve some success. So much so that the band was signed by major label A&M Records. 1998's "Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo" would wind up being certified gold. 2000's "The Ever Passing Moment" features the song "Responsibility" which became a hit for the band. 2003's "Before Everything & After" would finish their deal with A&M. In 2005, the band released "Panic" and in 2007, MxPx returned to Tooth & Nail for the release of "Secret Weapon". In 2012, the band dropped "Plans Within Plans". There was a little bit of a hiatus for this band around this time as guitarist Tom Wisniewski and drummer Yuri Ruley decided to retire from touring. Bassist/vocalist Mike Herrera began focusing on his punk/country outfit Tumbledown during this time period. In 2018, the guys were back to being a full on band and they self-released  "MxPx". Most recently, MxPx released the album "Find A Way Home" in 2023. MxPx has always been one of my favorite bands. They just write such great catchy songs and have so much energy, especially live. Their style is melodic punk/pop punk/skate punk. As I wrote earlier, every now and then they'll give you some hardcore! It's pretty awesome that these guys just keep churning out new music fairly regularly. For me personally, I love their albums "Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo", "Before Everything & After" and "Secret Weapon". Those are just 10 out of 10's in my opinion. 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Ataris

Slick Shoes

No Use For A Name

Fenix TX

Lagwagon

TEN MXPX SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Well Adjusted

2. Secret Weapon

3. Under Lock And Key

4. Heard That Sound

5. Doing Time

6. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Ramones cover)

7. Middlename

8. Cold And All Alone

9. Rock And Roll Girl

10. Far Away

SONG OF THE WEEK: 11-17-2024

SONG:  "Combination"

ARTIST:  Aerosmith

ALBUM:  "Rocks"

YEAR:  1976

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Boston, Massachusetts

YEARS ACTIVE:  1970 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry wrote "Combination"  and also shared lead vocals with Steven Tyler - Perry's first lead vocal on an Aerosmith recording. He says the song is about "heroin, cocaine and me." With money coming in thanks to the band's newfound success, Perry could afford luxuries like designer suits, and could also take as many drugs as he could handle, which was quite dangerous.

AEROSMITH DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1973 - Aerosmith (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #21 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

1974 - Get Your Wings (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #74 on the Billboard 200

* certified 3X Platinum

1975 - Toys In The Attic (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200

* certified 9X Platinum

1976 - Rocks (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* certified 4X Platinum

1977 - Draw The Line (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

1979 - Night In The Ruts (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1982 - Rock In A Hard Place (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

1985 - Done With Mirrors (Geffen Records)

* peaked at #36 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

1987 - Permanent Vacation (Geffen Records)

* peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200

* certified 5X Platinum

1989 - Pump (Geffen Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

* certified 7X Platinum

1993 - Get A Grip (Geffen Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 7X Platinum

1997 - Nine Lives (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

2001 - Just Push Play (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

2004 - Honkin' On Bobo (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

2012 - Music From Another Dimension! (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON AEROSMITH:

Aerosmith formed as a band back in 1970, hailing from Boston, Massachusetts. Though their beginnings date back to the 60's, the classic Aerosmith line-up of Steven Tyler on vocals, Joe Perry on guitars, Brad Whitford on guitars, Tom Hamilton on bass and Joey Kramer on drums began in 1970. Very early on the band caught the attention of Columbia Records who quickly signed the band. Their debut, self-titled album came out in 1973. Instantly, this band was showing fans something. This album featured one of the band's most classic songs, "Dream On". This was followed up by 1974's "Get Your Wings". It was the 1975 release, "Toys In The Attic", that fully catapulted Aerosmith to a headline, arena act, thanks in part to another of their most famous tracks, "Walk This Way". The band continued it's dominance on the rock world with 1976's "Rocks". 1977's "Draw The Line" still had some killer tracks, like the title track and "Kings And Queens", this album started to mark a little bit of a tailspin for the band. Internal struggles and rampant drug use began taking it's toll on Aerosmith. When it came time to record and release 1979's "Night In The Ruts", Joe Perry left the band, a crushing blow. In 1981, Brad Whitford also departed the band. 1982 saw the band release "Rock In A Hard Place", a true low point for the band. Luckily, in 1984, Perry and Whitford returned to the line-up and in 1985, the band dropped "Done With Mirrors". With all the members having entered rehabs and in much better health and mind, 1987's "Permanent Vacation" would prove to be the first album that the band recorded totally sober. It was also sparked by a resurgence for the band thank to a collaboration a year earlier with rap group Run DMC on a remake of "Walk This Way". Suddenly, the arrow on Aerosmith was pointing up! 1989's "Pump" turned out to be one of the band's most successful albums and 1993's "Get A Grip" became the band's first album to peak at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts. This proved to be the peak for Aerosmith. Their next two albums, 1997's "Nine Lives" and 2001's "Just Push Play", were successful but the success was taking a bit of a southward turn. 2004 saw the band do a blues cover album, "Honkin' On Bobo", sort of a return to their musical roots. The band's most recent release would be 2012's "Music From Another Dimension!". There has always been an underlying tension in Aerosmith, all the way back to the beginning of the band. Most of it between Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. This has led to a lot of internal struggles and spats. Since they're last studio album, the band has been kinda on again, off again. They did tours, they cancelled tours, There's been talk of creating new music and there has been talk that they may be done. It's always something with this band. The last thing I know is that in 2023, Steven Tyler had a vocal chord injury that caused the band to cancel their supposed "farewell tour". But, in 2024, the members have kept open the chance of creating new music together so who knows?! What I do know is that Aerosmith is the most successful American band of all time. They have sold more albums than any other American band, over 150 million records worldwide! They were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001. These guys were heavily influenced on the blues rock sounds of bands like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin and they would carve their own lane and identity as a band, a legendary band at that! For me personally, I love their 70's stuff. I think that is Aerosmith at their best. Raw, bluesy..  just a kick ass rock and roll band! Their 80's and 90's stuff is still good, I'm just partial to the early albums and sound. I always felt their stuff from say "Pump" and on was a little too polished for my liking. But I will say this, they weren't really affected by the grunge movement because the songs were still there. Aerosmith's songs were just far superior to a lot of the hair metal bands back then in my mind. Plus, they still had the respect of being rock legends so they didn't catch a lot of the flack that a lot of those 80's bands caught in the 90's. I hope it all works out for these guys and maybe they can get some new music out there cuz you'd hate to see them just fade away. Fingers crossed for my Boston bro's!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Van Halen

Kiss

AC/DC

Def Leppard

Led Zeppelin

TEN AEROSMITH SONGS THAT YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Last Child

2. Sweet Emotion

3. Mama Kin

4. Kings And Queens

5. Dream On

6. Angel

7. F.I.N.E.

8. The Other Side

9. Walkin' The Dog

10. Same Old Song And Dance

SONG OF THE WEEK: 11-10-2024

SONG:  "Waiting For The Sun"

ARTIST:  The Doors

ALBUM:  "Morrison Hotel"

YEAR:  1970

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Los Angeles, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1965 - 1973

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Waiting For The Sun" appears to be a song about the quest for the American Dream, which is never attained.

THE DOORS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1967 - The Doors (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* certified 4X Platinum

1967 - Strange Days (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1968 - Waiting For The Sun (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1969 - The Soft Parade (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1970 - Morrison Hotel (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1971 - L.A. Woman (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200

* certified 3X Platinum

1971 - Other Voices (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #31 on the Billboard 200

1972 - Full Circle (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #68 on the Billboard 200

1978 - An American Prayer (Elektra Records)

* peaked at #54 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

MY THOUGHTS ON THE DOORS:

The Doors are a legendary Los Angeles based rock and roll band that got it's start back in 1965. Formed by lead singer Jim Morrison and keyboardist Ray Manzarek, and eventually rounded out by drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger, the band was quickly signed by Elektra Records after seeing the band perform as the house band for the legendary L.A. club, Whiskey A Go Go. The band's debut album dropped in 1967, titled "The Doors". This album featured the successful singles "Break On Through" and "Light My Fire", the latter possibly being the band's most famous song. They followed that album up with 1967's "Strange Days", featuring the notable singles "People Are Strange" and "Love Me Two Times". 1968 saw the release of "Waiting For The Sun", which many people don't know, does not feature the song "Waiting For The Sun"! In 1969, The Doors released "The Soft Parade", which many see as their most experimental album that they've released. 1970 saw a return to a more blues based sound with the release of "Morrison Hotel", as shown by the single "Roadhouse Blues". In 1971, "L.A. Woman" was released. This album has been certified 3X Platinum to date. Unfortunately, this would also be the last album to feature Jim Morrison as the lead singer. Tragedy struck the band in 1971 when Jim Morrison was found dead in Paris. The three remaining members of The Doors would continue on releasing two more albums, 1971's "Other Voices" and 1972's "Full Circle" in which Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger provided vocals but it was clear, The Doors were not The Doors without Jim Morrison. So, in 1973, the The Doors officially disbanded. The three remaining members did get back together in 1978 to put music to Jim Morrison's live poetry and release the album, titled "An American Prayer". The Doors are one of the most famous, or sometimes considered infamous, bands in rock and roll history. They rose to fame as a part of the counter culture of the late 60's. Their music is often considered like a soundtrack to the rebellious youth and the LSD crowd. They felt like they were in a movement and in fact, they were. Unfortunately, the movement seemed like it died out much like The Doors did. But, their legacy lives on. As I said earlier, The Doors were, and are one of the most successful bands of all time, selling over 100 million albums worldwide. They are also one of the most influential bands of all time. In 1993, The Doors were rightfully inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and their legendary music is still resonating almost 60 years after they formed as a band!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Cream

Jimi Hendrix

Led Zeppelin

The Rolling Stones

The Beatles

TEN THE DOORS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Love Me Two Times

2. Break On Through

3. Roadhouse Blues

4. L.A. Woman

5. Five To One

6. Light My Fire

7. Waiting For The Sun

8. Touch Me

9. Riders On The Storm

10. Hello, I Love You

SONG OF THE WEEK: 11-3-2024

SONG:  "Hit The Breaks"

ARTIST:  Plosivs

ALBUM:  "Plosivs"

YEAR:  2022

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  San Diego, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  2022 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Here's how the band described "Hit The Breaks". "Hit The Breaks" is "a headfirst charge straight into the highest form of kinetic energy, be it sonic, fluid, or pure human euphoria."

PLOSIVS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2022 - Plosivs (Swami Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON PLOSIVS:

Plosivs is a new band, but the members of the band have a rich history in punk rock circles. Formed in San Diego, California in 2022, Plosivs is a collaboration of John Reis, who has and is involved in such bands as Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Pitchfork and most recently as touring member of punk cover supergroup, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes, and Rob Crow of Pinback fame. Throw in Atom Willard on drums who has played in Against Me!, The Offspring and Social Distortion and you got yourself a punk supergroup! Plosivs released their debut and only full length album to date in 2022, titled "Plosivs". This band would seem to have a bright future but because all the members are involved in so many projects, it will be interesting to see how much time is invested in the project. They put out a really solid album so hopefully, all the members shift some focus to this project cause it seems like they may have something here. Not a whole lot more info I can give as the band is just 2 years old.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Sparta

The Gaslight Anthem

Incubus

Decent Criminal

Bayside

TEN PLOSIVS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Hit The Breaks

2. Broken Eyes

3. Never Likely

4. Rose Waterfall

5. See You Suffer

6. Bright

7. Iron Will

8. Pray For Summer

9. Pines

10. Thrown Clear