SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-9-2025

SONG:  "Touchdown"

ARTIST:  Hurricane #1

ALBUM:  "Hurricane #1"

YEAR:  1997

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Oxford, England

YEARS ACTIVE:  1996 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Touchdown" seems like a song about how a band just shows up date to date, show to show, and is somewhat oblivious to where they are, what venue they're playing, who's on the bill. They're in a blur. Just the whirlwind of being in a touring band!

HURRICANE #1 DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1997 - Hurricane #1 (Creation Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - Only The Strongest Will Survive (Creation Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Find What You Love And Let It Kill You (Tapete Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Melodic Rainbows (Rooster/Helipad Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Buddah At The Gas Pump (Blossom Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Backstage Waiting To Go On (Golden Robot Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON HURRICANE #1:

Hurricane #1 formed as a band back in 1996, hailing from Oxford, England. Guitarist Andy Bell, who previously played in the band Ride, was the key to forming the band. Their debut, self-titled album was released in 1997 and featured their biggest hit, "Step Into My World". They followed that album up with 1999's "Only The Strongest Will Survive". Though both of these albums were solid front to back, the band would actually break up in 1999. Andy Bell would actually join Oasis as their bassist after Hurricane #1's break up. After releasing some solo albums, lead vocalist Alex Lowe decided to reform Hurricane #1 with all new members. In 2015, the band released "Find What You Love and Let It Kill You". Andy Bell actually played on the first single "Think Of The Sunshine". 2016 saw the band release "Melodic Rainbows". Though there have been many line-up changes, Hurricane #1 did release two more albums, 2019's "Buddah At The Gas Pump" and there most recent release, 2023's "Backstage Waiting To Go On". Though Andy Bell started Hurricane #1, the band is now Alex Lowe's baby. He is the only constant member and he's the one keeping the train rolling. The obvious comparison to Hurricane #1 is Oasis. Especially their first two albums. If you were just familiar with Oasis and not a huge fan, if you heard "Step Into My World" or "The Greatest High", you would probably think that it was Oasis. Maybe that's why Hurricane #1 didn't quite sustain success. As I said earlier, their first two albums are fantastic. Solid all the way through. It's good to see Alex Lowe continuing the band.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Oasis

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Beady Eye

Ash

Liam Gallagher

TEN HURRICANE #1 SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Step Into My World

2. Let Go Of The Dream

3. The Price That We Pay

4. N.Y.C.

5. The Greatest High

6. Think Of The Sunshine

7. Drive All Night

8. Shine On Through

9. Best Is Yet To Come

10. Beat Me To The Gutter

SONG OF THE WEEK: 3-2-2025

SONG:  "New Millennium Homes"

ARTIST:  Rage Against The Machine

ALBUM:  "The Battle Of Los Angeles"

YEAR:  1999

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Los Angeles, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1991 - 2024

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The song “New Millennium Homes” by Rage Against The Machine addresses themes of social injustice, economic disparity, and the influence of the banking industry on society. It critiques the systemic issues that arise from capitalism and highlights the struggles faced by marginalized communities.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1992 - Rage Against The Machine (Epic Records)

* Peaked at #45 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 3X Platinum

1996 - Evil Empire (Epic Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 3X Platinum

1998 - Live & Rare (Sony Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - The Battle Of Los Angeles (Epic Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Platinum

2000 - Renegades (Epic Records)

* Peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2003 - Live At The Grand Olympic Auditorium (Epic Records)

* Peaked at #94 on the Billboard 200

2021 - The Battle Of Mexico City (Epic Records)

* Peaked at #70 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE:

Rage Against The Machine formed as a band back in 1991, hailing from Los Angeles, California. The band dropped their debut, self-titled album in 1992. Soon the song "Killing In The Name" began popping up on steady play from radio stations across the country. Though the band was about to take off, there was already plenty of in-fighting, almost to the point where they almost broke up. More on that later. The band did keep it together to drop their sophomore effort, 1996's "Evil Empire". That album also featured a killer lead single, "Bulls On Parade". In 1999, "The Battle Of Los Angeles" was released. This album peaked at #1 on the Billboard charts just like their previous album. 2000 saw the band release "Renegades", which is a covers album. Lead vocalist Zack de la Rocha would leave the band shortly after this release citing too many problems, mentally and physically, within the band. During this first hiatus, de la Rocha pursued a solo career while the remaining members, Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums), hooked up with Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell to form Audioslave. By 2007, Audioslave was done and Rage reunited to play several shows and festivals. There was no sign that the band would enter the studio at that time however. In 2011, the band once again went on a hiatus. This time around, while Zack was focusing on a solo career yet again, the remaining members of Rage formed a new band with Chuck D. of Public Enemy and B-Real of Cypress Hill. The band was a short-lived project called Prophets Of Rage. Again, in 2019, Rage Against The Machine would reunite to perform live shows. And again, it seemed like it would remain just live performances and no new material. In 2023, Rage Against The Machine was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Only Tom Morello attended the ceremony. In 2024, bassist Tim Commerford all but confirmed that Rage was officially disbanded. Rage Against The Machine was like a hurricane of a band! Very early on, they kicked in the door of the music scene and turned it upside down! While there was some old school hip hop songs that incorporated guitars, like Run D.M.C.'s "King Of Rock" or Ice-T's "The Girl Tried To Kill Me", Rage was the first band to incorporate that style fully. That's why they are so influential. Tom Morello is a genius on guitar. He gets sounds out of a guitar that are amazing. Zack de la Rocha is a ferocious frontman. He's almost like an out of control wolverine on the stage. Tim C. and Brad Wilk hold down the groove like no other rhythm section. They were just a bad ass band! And if you want a band that shines a light on politics, societal ills, revolution and a search for truth and justice, then Rage Against The Machine is the band you're looking for! It's a shame these guys just can't keep the peace with each other because they are a force and the musical landscape can use a little roughing up!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Audioslave

Soundgarden

Alice In Chains

Stone Temple Pilots

A Perfect Circle

TEN RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Testify

2. Sleep Now In The Fire

3. No Shelter

4. Killing In The Name

5. Bulls On Parade

6. Know Your Enemy

7. Guerilla Radio

8. People Of The Sun

9. Renegades Of Funk (Afrika Bambaataa cover)

10. The Ghost Of Tom Joad (Bruce Springsteen cover)