SONG OF THE WEEK: 2-23-2025

SONG:  "Steel And Glass" (John Lennon cover)

ARTIST:  Candlebox

ALBUM:  "Working Class Hero:  A Tribute To John Lennon"

YEAR:  1995

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Seattle, Washington

YEARS ACTIVE:  1990 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Candlebox’s cover of John Lennon's “Steel and Glass” retains much of the original’s thematic essence while infusing it with their unique sound. The song serves as a poignant exploration of personal struggles against a backdrop of societal expectations. You can hear the original version of "Steel And Glass" on John Lennon's 1974 album "Walls And Bridges".

CANDLEBOX DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1993 - Candlebox (Warner Bros./Maverick Records)

* Peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 4X Platinum

1995 - Lucy (Maverick Records)

* Peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1998 - Happy Pills (Maverick Records)

* Peaked at #65 on the Billboard 200

2008 - Into The Sun (Silent Majority Group)

* Peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200

2008 - Alive In Seattle (Image entertainment)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2012 - Love Stories & Other Musings (Audionest Records)

* Peaked at #82 on the Billboard 200

2016 - Disappearing In Airports (Pavement Music)

* Peaked at #112 on the Billboard 200

2017 - Disappearing Live (Pavement Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - Wolves (Pavement Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - The Long Goodbye (Pavement Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Live At The Neptune Theatre (Pavement Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON CANDLEBOX:

Candlebox formed as a band back in 1990, hailing from Seattle, Washington. Riding that early 90's grunge super wave, Candlebox's debut 1993 self-titled album went on to be certified 4X Platinum, thanks in part to hit singles like "Far Behind", "Change" and "You". Their follow up album, 1995's "Lucy", would be a bit of a disappointment even though it was certified Gold. In 1998, the band dropped "Happy Pills". In my mind, this was Candlebox's most complete album from first track to last but in the years after the release, the band was entrenched in turmoil with their record label and the dispute ultimately led to the band calling it quits in 2000. After 6 years apart, Candlebox reunited in 2006 and in 2008, released their first album in 10 years, "Into The Sun". In 2012, Candlebox dropped "Love Stories & Other Musings". 2016's "Disappearing In Airports" was the last album that entered the Billboard 200 charts for the band. 2021 saw the band release "Wolves" and the band's most recent release would be 2023's "The Long Goodbye". Candlebox took a lot of shit when they came out in the early 90's. I think most of it was just from the fact that they were from Seattle. They were a good band, but they just weren't Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden or Alice In Chains. I think if they were from any city but Seattle, they wouldn't have caught as much flack. They weren't nearly as dark or brooding as those bands but for all the shit they caught from their peers and critics, the fans spoke. Their debut album went 4X Platinum. "Far Behind" is a great song, I don't care what anyone says. Candlebox lacked the consistency of the "Big 4" Seattle bands. I thought "Lucy" was a bit of a downer for their 2nd album but "Happy Pills", on the other hand, was a very solid album. Their best overall album in my opinion. These guys had their little 6 year hiatus but other than that have been pretty active throughout the 2000's. They just recently completed a tour with Bush and Jerry Cantrell so they're still kicking out there! If you compare them to Chains, Nirvana, PJ and Soundgarden, they surely lag behind. But if you just listen to them as their own band, I think you'll find that they are a pretty damn good rock and roll band!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Bush

Fuel

Temple Of The Dog

Jerry Cantrell

Stone Temple Pilots

TEN CANDLEBOX SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Far Behind

2. You

3. Sometimes

4. Spotlight

5. Punks

6. Best Friend

7. Believe In It

8. Stand

9. Let Me Down Easy

10. Out Here All Night

SONG OF THE WEEK: 2-16-2025

SONG:  "One Shot" (acoustic)

ARTIST:  Pulley

ALBUM:  "Different Strings" EP

YEAR:  2021

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Simi Valley, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1994 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

  “One Shot” by Pulley is a profound exploration of the pressures faced by artists in the music industry, emphasizing themes such as the fleeting nature of fame, resistance to commercialism, and the vital importance of authenticity. It serves as both a critique of industry practices and an encouragement for individuals to stay true to themselves amidst challenges.

PULLEY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1996 - Esteem Driven Engine (Epitaph Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1997 - 60 Cycle Hum (Epitaph Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - @#!* (Epitaph Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Together Again For The First Time (Epitaph Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2004 - Matters (Epitaph Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2005 - Beyond Warped (Immergent Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - No Change In The Weather (Cyber Tracks Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2021 - Encore (SBAM Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2022 - The Golden Life (SBAM Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON PULLEY:

Pulley formed as a band back in 1994, hailing from Simi Valley, California. Lead singer Scott Radinsky was the frontman for the band Ten Foot Pole, but because he was also a Major League Baseball pitcher, that band wanted someone who was a full time member of the band. Radinsky's love for punk rock led him to form Pulley so he could continue releasing music in between baseball seasons. Pulley's debut full length album was released in 1996, titled "Esteem Driven Engine". This marked the beginning of a 5 album relationship with legendary punk label Epitaph Records. The band's sophomore effort was 1997's "60 Cycle Hum". 1999 saw the release of "@#!&", some people just call this album "Pulley". 2001 saw the band drop "Together Again For The First Time". This album features "The Ocean Song" which is just a punk rock anthem in my mind. One of my all time favorite songs. 2004's "Matters" ended the band's relationship with Epitaph. It would be 12 years between full length albums at this point for Pulley. They did release a few EP's in between but their next full length wouldn't come out till 2016, "No Change In The Weather". The band's most recent release was 2022's "The Golden Life". Pulley is one of my all time favorite bands. I always loved these guys. I think Scott Radinsky improved on what he did on early Ten Foot Pole material and for me, stamped Pulley as one of the best skate punk type bands in the world. I remember listening to their debut album at a listening station at the old Tower Records in Boston and being blown away! When I heard the first song, "If", off of their 2nd album, they had me hook, line and sinker! I also want to give these guys so much credit on their No Use For A Name cover "Black Box". They do an amazing job on that song and No Use is probably my favorite punk band of all time. What else can I say? Pulley is F'n awesome! These guys gotta be due for something new sooner rather than later. I can't wait!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Ten Foot Pole

Strung Out

Lagwagon

Good Riddance

No Use For A Name

TEN PULLEY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. The Ocean Song

2. If

3. Working Class Whore

4. Insects Destroy

5. Black Box (No Use For A Name cover)

6. In Search

7. Four Walls

8. Lonely

9. Different

10. The Long And The Short Of It

SONG OF THE WEEK: 2-9-2025

SONG:  "No Way Out"

ARTIST:  Stone Temple Pilots

ALBUM:  "No. 4"

YEAR:  1999

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  San Diego, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1989 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The song “No Way Out” by Stone Temple Pilots delves into themes of struggle, isolation, and the challenges of addiction. The lyrics express a sense of suffocation and drowning, which can be interpreted as metaphors for the overwhelming feelings that often accompany substance abuse or emotional turmoil. The repeated lines about going under and suffocating suggest a battle against these feelings, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining sobriety or finding a way out of a dark situation.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1992 - Core (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* certified 8X platinum

1994 - Purple (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 6X platinum

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

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X platinum

1999 - No. 4 (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200

* certified platinum

2001 - Shangri-La Dee Da (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200

* certified gold

2010 - Stone Temple Pilots (Atlantic Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

2018 - Stone Temple Pilots (Rhino Records)

* peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200

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 4 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: 2-2-2025

SONG:  "Sometimes It Hurts"

ARTIST:  Stabbing Westward

ALBUM:  "Darkest Days"

YEAR:  1998

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Macomb, Illinois

YEARS ACTIVE:  1985 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The song “Sometimes It Hurts” by Stabbing Westward delves into the emotional turmoil and pain associated with losing a loved one. The lyrics express a deep sense of regret, self-loathing, and the struggle to cope with heartbreak.

STABBING WESTWARD DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Ungod (Columbia Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1996 - Wither Blister Burn & Peel (Columbia Records)

* Peaked at # 67 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

1998 - Darkest Days (Columbia Records)

* Peaked at #52 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2001 - Stabbing Westward (Koch Records)

* Peaked at #47 on the Billboard 200

2022 - Chasing Ghosts (COP International Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON STABBING WESTWARD:

Stabbing Westward formed as a band back in 1985, hailing from Macomb, Illinois. After dropping an EP in 1992, Stabbing Westward got signed by Columbia Records and dropped their debut full length album in 1994, "Ungod". It was the band's next release, 1996's "Wither Blister Burn & Peel", which would put the band on the map, thanks in part to the singles "What Do I Have To Do" and "Shame". The band had another very successful release in 1998's "Darkest Days". This was pretty much the height of the band's success. In 2001, they dropped the album "Stabbing Westward". This album was not as successful as their previous releases, possibly because it was a much less industrial rock sounding album and was more straight forward alternative rock. In 2002, Stabbing Westward decided to disband. While all the members worked on various projects, the most successful was lead singer Christopher Hall's band The Dreaming. In 2015, Stabbing Westward reunited. First, it was just to perform some shows to celebrate their 30th anniversary, but eventually, it became a full on reunion and a return to making new music too. In 2022, the band released "Chasing Ghosts", their first release in 21 years. As I said earlier, Stabbing Westward is an industrial rock/metal band. If you crossed The Cure with Nine Inch Nails, you'd probably get something close to sounding like Stabbing Westward. I got into these guys when I heard the song "Shame" back in 1996. I liked "What Do I Have To Do", which was the first single off of "Wither Blister Burn & Peel". But I really became a fan from "Shame". The funny part is, the album that was pretty much panned by fans, their 2001 self-titled album, is my favorite album by the band! I'm not a big industrial rock/metal guy so I liked the more alternative rock sounding "Stabbing Westward". "I Remember" is an incredible song from that album. I also maybe like The Dreaming better than Stabbing Westward. I'd have to think about that one though! 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Dreaming

Sponge

Fuel

Taproot

Oleander

TEN STABBING WESTWARD SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Save Yourself

2. I Remember

3. Shame

4. So Far Away

5. Home In You

6. Violent Mood Swings

7. What Do I Have To Do

8. I Am Nothing

9. Ghost

10. Sometimes It Hurts