Song Of The Week: 4/5/20

Song: "Tracers" (acoustic - featuring Emmy The Great)

Artist: Ash

Album: "A-Z Acoustic EP"

Year: 2010

Place Of Origin: Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland

Years Active: 1989 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Tracers" is a song that appears to be about knowing that the girl of your dreams is out there, perhaps living a parallel life, but, when the vocalist wakes, he realizes that all it is is a dream. She may be out there, but for now, she's just in his mind. He has hope though, that some day this person will in fact physically come into his life. This is an acoustic version of "Tracers" featuring Emmy The Great on background vocals. You can hear the original full band version of the song on the "A-Z Vol. 1" compilation that came out in 2010.

ASH DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1994 - Trailer (Infectious Records)
* #143 on the UK Charts

1996 - 1977 (Infectious Records)
* #1 on the UK Charts
* certified platinum

1997 - Live At The Wireless (Deathstar Records)
* #85 on the UK Charts

1998 - Nu-Clear Sounds (Infectious Records)
* #7 on the UK Charts
* certified gold

2001 - Free All Angels (Infectious Records)
* #1 on the UK Charts
* certified platinum

2002 - Cosmic Debris (Infectious Records)
* #3 on the UK Charts
* certified gold

2004 - Meltdown (Infectious Records)
* #5 on the UK Charts
* certified gold

2007 - Twilight Of The Innocents (Infectious Records)
* #32 on the UK Charts

2010 - A-Z Vol. 1 (Atomic Heart Records)
* #68 on the UK Charts

2010 - A-Z Vol. 2 (Atomic Heart Records)
* #130 on the UK Charts

2015 - Kablammo! (earMUSIC)
* #41 on the UK Charts

2016 - Live On Mars: London Astoria 1997 (earMUSIC)
* did not chart on the UK Charts

2018 - Islands (Infectious Records)
* #18 on the UK Charts

MY THOUGHTS ON ASH:

ASH formed back in 1989, originally as an Iron Maiden cover band. Soon, this Norhern Ireland trio would begin writing their own songs and eventually sign on with label Infectious Records, a relationship that has continued to the present day. The band's proper debut was 1994's "Trailer", which is a culmination of some new songs and some old songs. The album featured the single "Jack Names The Planets" which began giving the band some buzz. Their breakthrough was 1996's "1977". With singles like "Goldfinger", "Girl From Mars" and the cult classic "Kung Fu", Ash began making waves on the alternative music scene. In the UK, this album soared to #1 on the charts. After the release of their third album, "Nu-Clear Sounds", Ash was on the brink on going bankrupt. "Nu-Clear Sounds" was also the first album to feature Charlotte Hatherley in the band on guitar and background vocals. Determined to get back on track, Ash released what many feel is their pinnacle album, 2001's "Free All Angels". This was yet another album to reach #1 in the UK, thanks in part to hit singles like "Shining Light" and "Burn Baby Burn". After the 2004 release of the album "Meltdown", Charlotte Hatherley decided to leave the band, making Ash a three piece once again. Surprisingly, Ash has maintained their original line-up since the beginning of the band with Tim Wheeler on guitar and vocals, Mark Hamilton on bass and Rick McMurray on drums. In 2009/2010, Ash took part in an ambitious effort of releasing a single every other week for 26 weeks. This was called the "A-Z" series. Eventually two compilations were released featuring all of these singles. Ash has most recently released the album "Islands" in 2018. Ash broke out just after the Seattle grunge scene. Their music is definitely more upbeat than grunge. It features elements of pop punk and brit pop with great hooks and sing-a-long melodies. They do have the ability of changing styles from track to track. They can put together a harsh, aggressive style song, then follow that up with a pretty, melodic radio friendly type of song. In particular, these shifts of styles show up on their "1977" album with the heavy "Darkside Lightside" and the pop heaven of "Girl From Mars". I discovered Ash through the "Angus" soundtrack in 1995. That soundtrack featured their songs "Jack Names The Planets" and "Kung Fu". Then, once I bought "1977", I was hooked. I'd say their pinnacle area for me is from 1996 to 2004. I loved when they brought Charlotte Hatherley aboard. Her background vocals just brought a special element to Ash's songs and they definitely shine on songs like "Starcrossed", "Burn Baby Burn", "Shining Light" and "Aphrodite". Even still, Ash has been consistently dropping new music every 2 to 3 years and are showing no signs of slowing down. Pretty much all of their records have charted in the United Kingdom while "Free All Angels" reached #11 on the Billboard Heatseekers charts in the U.S. That album is most likely the bands high point, selling over 3 million albums worldwide. Ash didn't explode in the U.S. as much as they did in England and their native Ireland, but they definitely left a mark on me. They combine elements of melodic punk that broke in the States with that melodic pop that was brimming in England to form a sound of their own. This is a really good band. Definitely an unheralded band in my eyes. To this day, "Goldfinger" and "Burn Baby Burn" are staples on any music playlist that I make. Top tier band for sure.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Weezer
Superdrag
The Vines
3 Colours Red
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. Jesus Says
6. Teenage Kicks (The Undertones cover)
7. Tracers (acoustic - featuring Emmy The Great)
8. Starcrossed (acoustic version)
9. Cocoon
10. You Can't Have It All

Song Of The Week: 3/29/20

Song: "Stolage"

Artist: Taproot

Album: "Plead The Fifth"

Year: 2010

Place Of Origin: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Years Active: 1997 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Stolage" appears to be a song about being back in control of who you are and the path that you want to follow. The song gives you the feeling of a pack of wolves or a gang moving forward to achieve a common goal and they are prepared to overcome any obstacle in their way or knock down any door that impedes them. You feel like there is an air of confidence in who they are, what they are about and where they intend to go.

TAPROOT DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - Something More Than Nothing (Pimp Ass Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

1999 - Upon Us (self-released)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2000 - Gift (Atlantic Records)
* #160 on Billboard 200

2002 - Welcome (Atlantic Records)
* #17 on Billboard 200

2005 - Blue-Sky Research (Atlantic Records)
* #33 on Billboard 200

2008 - Our Long Road Home (Velvet Hammer Music)
* #65 on Billboard 200

2010 - Plead The Fifth (Victory Records)
* #107 on Billboard 200

2012 - The Episodes (Victory Records)
* #156 on Billboard 200

2018 - Besides (self-released)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON TAPROOT:

Taproot formed as a band back in 1997, hailing from the college town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Early on, the band passed a demo to that stiff Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit. Luckily, they did the right thing and broke all ties with that moron and seeked the help of the guys of System Of A Down and even Ozzy Osbourne's son, Jack. Even though this decision left Mr. Durst butt hurt, Taproot did the right thing to veer away from that waste of life! Anyway.. though Taproot did put out a couple of albums in 1998 and 1999, their defacto debut album is considered to be 2000's "Gift". This album, as well as their next two would be distributed through major label Atlantic Records. It was 2002's "Welcome" that really put Taproot on the musical map however. This turned out to be the band's highest selling album, highest charting album and featured perhaps their most famous single, "Poem". In 2002, "Poem" was the #5 most played rock track! The record sales would dip from this album on, but still, all of their full length studio albums would chart on the Billboard 200. In 2010, Taproot signed on with Victory Records and created what I feel is their best album, "Plead The Fifth". The lead single, "Fractured (Everything I Said Was True)", is an awesome song and my personal favorite by the band. Taproot hasn't released a proper studio album since 2012's "The Episodes", though in 2018, they did release an 8-CD box set called "Besides", which features mostly b-sides and demos spanning their entire career. Word is that band has been working on new material for a new album since 2018. No word yet if they have finished up with that. Taproot is a nu-metal/alternative rock type band. I definitely hear a little Alice In Chains influence on their music, which tends to be dark, but with melodic elements. I got into this band when their album "Welcome" came out in 2002. Like a lot of people I assume, I think I caught their "Poem" video on MTV or something like that and I was immediately intrigued by the band. I was a little lukewarm to their next couple of albums, but as I said earlier, when I got "Plead The Fifth", I was super impressed. For me, that's their pinnacle. When it comes to nu-metal/alternative rock bands? I would place Taproot as a definite 2nd tier band, possibly a borderline top tier band. That being said, they are a really good band. This genre isn't quite my favorite type of music, but I do like a few bands like Taproot. And, the fact that they left that shitbox Fred Durst waiting at the altar back in the day makes me respect them even more!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Trapt
Staind
Chevelle
Trust Company
Smile Empty Soul

TEN TAPROOT SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Fractured (Everything I Said Was True)
2. Mine
3. Poem
4. Calling
5. Release Me
6. Again & Again
7. Wherever I Stand
8. No Surrender
9. The Everlasting
10. Birthday

Song Of The Week: 3/22/20

Song: "Harder Than You Know" (acoustic version)

Artist: Escape The Fate

Album: "This War Is Ours (Deluxe Edition)

Year: 2008

Place Of Origin: Las Vegas, Nevada

Years Active: 2004 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Harder Than You Know" is yet another song about infidelity. The vocalist believed in his partner's lies that they would always be together and that nothing else mattered as long as they had each other. But, the vocalist knows that she has been unfaithful and he can feel her pulling away from him. He's still madly in love with her, but maybe he can see that this relationship is going nowhere so, he reluctantly lets her go. I chose the acoustic version of "Harder Than You Know" from Escape The Fate's "This War Is Ours" (Deluxe Version). The original version of the song can also be found on this album.

ESCAPE THE FATE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Dying Is Your Latest Fashion (Epitaph Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2008 - This War Is Ours (Epitaph Records)
* #35 on Billboard 200

2010 - Escape The Fate (DGC Records)
* #25 on Billboard 200

2013 - Ungrateful (Eleven Seven Music)
* #27 on Billboard 200

2015 - Hate Me (Eleven Seven Music)
* #58 on Billboard 200

2018 - I Am Human (Eleven Seven Music)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON ESCAPE THE FATE:

Escape The Fate is a post-hardcore/metalcore/screamo type band. The original line-up of the band featured Ronnie Radke on vocals. This line-up actually won a radio contest that was voted on by the band My Chemical Romance. The win earned them an opening slot on the My Chemical Romance/Alkaline Trio tour. It also caught the attention of famed punk rock label Epitaph Records who promptly signed Escape The Fate. The band recorded their debut EP, 2006's "There's No Sympathy For The Dead", as well as their debut album, "Dying Is Your Latest Fashion", in that very same year. Despite the buzz that Escape The Fate was generating, their lead singer Ronnie Radke was having all kinds of legal issues. He was involved in an altercation where someone got shot and died. Though he was not the one who pulled the trigger, he was still indicted on battery charges. He was also sent to prison for missing an appointment with his probation officer. Radke's erratic behavior led to his dismissal from Escape The Fate in 2008. The band would continue on with former Blessthefall lead singer Craig Mabbitt on vocals. Mabbitt felt a little rushed to come up with lyrics and songs for his own debut in the band, 2008's "This War Is Ours", but he was much more in his comfort zone when the band released the self-titled "Escape The Fate" in 2010. This album was not only their highest charting album on the Billboard 200 (#25), it also reached #1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Album charts. This album benefitted from major label money and production as the band inked a short deal with DGC/Interscope Records. It was an album that the band was very proud of. The band would continue on under label Eleven Seven Music for their next three album releases, the most recent being 2018's "I Am Human". The song that got me into Escape The Fate was definitely "Situations". This was around the time when their were a lot of kinda goth/dark/metalcore/screamo bands coming out in the mid to late 2000's. Being associated with Epitaph certainly gave Escape The Fate some clout, even though Epitaph was primarily associated with skate punk bands and hardcore punk bands. Still, even though I wouldn't consider Escape The Fate punk rock, it still gives them some cred being on the same label as Bad Religion. I think "Dying Is Your Latest Fashion" is the band's best album. But i'm not a hardo for Ronnie Radke over Craig Mabbitt. I like both of them but, like I said, I really like "Situations" which Radke sang vocals on. Escape The Fate is pretty active as a band, releasing music every 2 to 3 years and they were pretty successful in an era when musical artists are having a harder and harder time selling their albums because of all the streaming and free downloading that goes on nowadays. For those Escape The Fate fans who preferred Radke on vocals, you can check out his band Falling In Reverse which he formed shortly after he was fired from Escape The Fate. Though their was originally some friction between Mabbitt and Radke, the two have cleared the air and are now friends. I would consider Escape The Fate a top tier band in the metalcore/screamo genre. This is not my favorite genre of music, but I do dabble in it from time to time.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Falling In Reverse
A Day To Remember
From First To Last
Bullet For My Valentine
Story Of The Year

TEN ESCAPE THE FATE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Situations
2. There's No Sympathy For The Dead
3. The Flood
4. Remember Every Scar
5. Liars And Monsters
6. Something
7. Massacre
8. One For The Money
9. Until We Die
10. Broken Heart

Song Of The Week: 3/15/20

Song: "Tangle With Your Mind"

Artist: Scott Weiland

Album: "Happy In Galoshes"

Year: 2008

Place Of Origin: San Jose, California

Years Active: 1985 - 2015



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Tangle With Your Mind" appears to be a song about infidelity in a relationship. The vocalist can tell that his partner has been unfaithful to him and he can read her actions and see through her lies and false alibis. You get the sense that he doesn't want to lose her or the relationship, but when honesty and trust has been broken, what do you really have?

SCOTT WEILAND DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - 12 Bar Blues (Atlantic Records)
* #42 on Billboard 200

2008 - Happy In Galoshes (Softdrive Records)
* #97 on Billboard 200

2011 - A Compilation Of Scott Weiland Cover Songs (Softdrive Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2011 - The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (Softdrive Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2015 - Blaster (w/ The Wildabouts) (Softdrive Records)
* #133 on Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SCOTT WEILAND:

Scott Weiland's musical roots go back to 1985 when he met Robert DeLeo at a Black Flag concert. The two formed a band called Mighty Joe Young which soon added Robert's bother Dean and Eric Kretz in a union that would eventually become Stone Temple Pilots. Weiland and the Pilots would have a 14 year run, from 1989 till 2013. It wasn't always an easy relationship as Weiland dealt with drug issues throughout his life. Even with all the drama with their lead singer, Stone Temple Pilots became one of the biggest acts in rock music in the 90's and early 2000's. They would release six full length albums with Weiland on vocals before the turmoil eventually led to him being fired from the band in 2013. Weiland also fronted the supergroup Velvet Revolver from 2002 to 2008. This was basically the Guns N' Roses band with Weiland on vocals. This band had tremendous success but only released two full length studio albums. Some of the very same problems that plagued STP would hurt Velvet Revolver as well. Scott Weiland was a volatile individual and his unpredictablility hurt many of his relationships. VR would eventually disband in 2008, though the band did play one reunion show as a benefit concert in 2012. Scott fronted another band called Art Of Anarchy. He contributed vocals for the band's debut album but distanced himself from the project after it's release. He said he collaborated with the band and helped write the songs but was not officially a band member. The band went on to hire Creed frontman Scott Stapp as a replacement. Now we get to Weiland's solo career. During his time with STP and Velvet Revolver, Weiland always made a little time to put out some solo material. This probably happened at times when he was at odds with his bandmates. His solo material is much different from the material released with his bands. He's much more explorative with his solo stuff. I think you really see his love of the music of David Bowie and Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd with his solo material. Some of it is acoustic based. Some is electro and trippy. He really tries to branch out into genres that may have been impossible to do with the Pilots or Velvet Revolver. It gave him real artistic freedom to create whatever he wanted. That being said, Scott Weiland is one of the best hard rock singers of all time for a reason. He's best in a rock band setting. Still, his solo material is filled with some gems. He also has a cover song compilation he released in 2011 that features some great covers of David Bowie, Nirvana and The Rolling Stones to name a few. When the 20th anniversary was coming around of Stone Temple Pilots debut album "Core", the band had big plans involving an anniversary tour and other extras to celebrate that album. Unfortunately, all the turmoil between Scott and the band never allowed that to happen. Weiland would form a backup band called The Wildabouts and go on a "Purple To The Core" tour and celebrate that album on his own. Weiland's last solo release would also feature The Wildabouts. It dropped in 2015 and saw Scott get back to his rock band roots. Sometimes the whole myth of the rock and roll lifestyle meets with tragic ends. The end came for Scott Weiland on December 3, 2015 when he was found unresponsive on his tour bus in Minnesota. Though he's gone, Scott Weiland has left a lasting legacy on the rock and roll world. He's definitely one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time and a great frontman. While born out of the grunge era, Stone Temple Pilots turned out to be more glam than grunge and their influence is huge. Velvet Revolver was just a flash in the pan, but that flash burned bright. They injected life into rock and roll. Scott's solo material is full of songs that bare his soul. Whether his songs are about his failed relationships, his struggles with addiction or the loss of his brother, his music always has brutal honesty packed inside. It's amazing and really heartbreaking when I look back at the music of my generation and see the best of the best no longer with us. Scott Weiland, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley and Chris Cornell. It sucks that we'll never get to hear new music from these legends.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Stone Temple Pilots
Jerry Cantrell
Chris Cornell
Velvet Revolver
Eddie Vedder

TEN SCOTT WEILAND SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Way She Moves
2. Breathe
3. Fame (David Bowie cover)
4. 20th Century Boy (T. Rex cover)
5. Mockingbird Girl
6. Missing In Cleveland
7. Barbarella
8. The Jean Genie (David Bowie cover)
9. Paralysis
10. Into Your Arms (The Lemonheads cover)

Song Of The Week: 3/8/20

Song: "A Perfect Voice"

Artist: The Classic Crime

Album: "Vagabonds"

Year: 2010

Place Of Origin: Seattle, Washington

Years Active: 2004 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"A Perfect Voice" appears to be a song about living your dream. You may not be the greatest at something and not everyone may like what you do, but if you have the passion for it, then by all means, continue doing it. If you're really passionate about something, keep doing it for you. Who cares what anyone else thinks? If it makes you happy, it makes you happy. For the vocalist, his passion is creating music and playing it live.

THE CLASSIC CRIME DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Albatross (Tooth & Nail Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2008 - The Silver Chord (Tooth & Nail Records)
* #123 on Billboard 200

2010 - Vagabonds (Tooth & Nail Records)
* #105 on Billboard 200

2012 - Phoenix (Goomba Music)
* #130 on Billboard 200

2014 - What Was Done: Volume 1 A Decade Revisited (BC Music)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2017 - How To Be Human (BadChristian Records)
* #95 on Billboard 200

2020 - Patterns In The Static (self-released)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE CLASSIC CRIME:

The Classic Crime is a melodic/alternative rock band hailing from Seattle, Washington. The band got their start back in 2004 and quickly signed on with famed Christian punk label, Tooth & Nail Records. The band's debut album, "Albatross", made history for having the highest sales of any debut album on Tooth & Nail Records. Four out of the band's six albums would go on to chart on the Billboard 200 charts, the highest being 2017's "How To Be Human" which peaked at #95. My interest piqued in the band in 2010, when I got their "Vagabonds" album. To this day, "Four Chords" is my favorite song by the band. The boys just recently self-released the album "Patterns In The Static" in late February 2020. Not sure if there is a physical release for this album yet, but it is available digitally on The Classic Crime's bandcamp page as well as Itunes. A lot of people assume that The Classic Crime is a "Christian" band, mostly because of their association with Tooth & Nail Records. The band kinda shunned the term because not all the band members share the same thoughts on faith and the band allows everyone to have their own personal beliefs on religion. The Classic Crime is also a pretty active band, releasing music pretty consistently every two or three years. I'd call them a solid band. I don't think they seperate themselves too much from the pack of alternative rock/melodic rock bands, but they're pretty good and craft well written songs. I'd say they're a 2nd tier band in the alternative rock genre. Not too shabby!!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Anberlin
Dead Poetic
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Thousand Foot Krutch
Acceptance

TEN THE CLASSIC CRIME SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Four Chords
2. The Coldest Heart
3. Salt In The Snow
4. Beautiful Darkside
5. The Fight
6. Solar Powered Life
7. Not Done With You Yet
8. Summer Of '92
9. The Precipice
10. Holy Water

Song Of The Week: 3/1/20

Song: "(Memento Mori)"

Artist: Tim Barry

Album: "28th & Stonewall"

Year: 2010

Place Of Origin: Richmond, Virginia

Years Active: 1990 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"(Memento Mori)" appears to be a song about always keeping in motion, or moving forward. Sometimes life can get stagnant, but the vocalist seems at ease when he in on the road. No surprise this thinking comes from Tim Barry, a guy who is constantly on the road playing shows. There's a sense that, as long as you have time, you can strive to reach new goals that you set for yourself so, keep pushing forward and accomplish as much as you can before you die!

TIM BARRY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Rivanna Junction (Suburban Home Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2008 - Manchester (Suburban Home Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2010 - 28th & Stonewall (Suburban Home Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2012 - 40 Miler (Chunksaah Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2013 - Laurel St. Demo 2005 & Live At Munford Elementary (Chunksaah Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2014 - Raising Hell & Living Cheap: Live In Richmond (Chunksaah Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2014 - Lost & Rootless (Chunksaah Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2017 - High On 95 (Chunksaah Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2019 - The Roads To Richmond (Chunksaah Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON TIM BARRY:

Tim Barry has been making music since 1990. Most notably, the Richmond, Virginia native made his mark as the lead singer for the legendary underground hardcore punk band Avail. Avail dropped six full length albums and several live albums and EP's right up till 2007 when they took a long hiatus. It was during this time that Barry began embarking on a solo career. This was somewhat of a trend for punk rock frontmen I'd say around the mid 2000's. They packed up their acoustic guitar and began performing stripped down sets. Some performed their band's songs in an acoustic setting, while others just pursued creating new songs to highlight this new stage in their musical careers. Tim Barry was the latter. Barry's songs are honest portrayals of life on the road, keeping family close and the struggle to make ends meet. His songwriting paints portraits. You almost feel as if you can picture the places he's singing about in your head. I was a casual fan of Avail, but when I got "Rivanna Junction", I was hooked! I think Barry's solo work blows Avail away. And i'm not a big country/folk fan either. I do respect old outlaw country like Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson. I think Tim Barry captures some elements of their music. It's brutally honest and painful and hard. Not hard in the sense of heavy music, but that life is hard and Tim Barry captures the struggle super poetically. When you're talking about acoustic/folk/punkers, Tim Barry is right up on the top of the mountain with Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music in my opinion. These two guys got their shit together in this particular genre. Tim Barry's been pretty much releasing new solo albums every 2 to 3 years with his most recent being 2019's "The Roads To Richmond". He also found time for a reunion tour with Avail in 2019, but there is no news as to whether those hardcore legends will create new music in the future.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Chuck Ragan
Dave Hause
Dan Andriano In The Emergency Room
Sundowner
Mike Ness

TEN TIM BARRY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Avoiding Catatonic Disaster
2. Thing Of The Past
3. No News From The North
4. Idle Idylist
5. South Hill
6. 40 Miler
7. Giving Up
8. Driver Pull
9. Wait At Milano
10. High On 95

Song Of The Week: 2/23/20

Song: "Good Enough For Rock And Roll"

Artist: Chuck Ragan

Album: "Gold Country"

Year: 2009

Place Of Origin: Gainesville, Florida

Years Active: 1993 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Good Enough For Rock And Roll" appears to be a song about life on the road, loading up the truck or van with your gear and heading to the next town to set up and play a show. Then you break it down, load it up and drive to the next town and do it all over again. It's the life of a touring musician. If you stay in one place too long, it probably means you're ready to die so keep loading up that truck!!

CHUCK RAGAN DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2007 - Feast Or Famine (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2007 - Los Feliz (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2007 - The Blueprint Sessions (No Idea Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2008 - Bristle Ridge w/ Austin Lucas (Ten Four Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2009 - Live At Hafenkneipe Zurich (Leech Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2009 - Gold Country (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2011 - Covering Ground (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2011 - Live At Cafe Du Nord (Ten Four Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2014 - Live At Skaters Palace (Uncle M Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2014 - Till Midnight (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2016 - The Flame In The Flood (Ten Four Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

2016 - The Winter Haul Live w/ The Camaraderie (Ten Four Records)
* did not chart on Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON CHUCK RAGAN:

For those who know, Chuck Ragan is more well known as the guitarist/vocalist of seminal Gainesville, Florida punk outfit Hot Water Music. Hot Water made their bones as a live act, kind of considered the Bruce Springsteen of punk bands when it came to their live performances. In the late 90's, Ragan and fellow Hot Water bandmate Chris Wollard started an acoustic project called Rumbleseat which was probably the seed for Chuck to pursue a solo career a little later on. In 2005, Hot Water Music actually disbanded with Ragan pursuing a solo/acoustic career and the other three members of the band forming The Draft. This would be a short-lived hiatus as Hot Water Music would get back together, create new music, release new material and still go on tours. Ragan does manage to split his time between his band and his solo material however. In 2005, Ragan came up with the idea of touring with like-minded musicians performing acoustic sets and allowing for jams and collaborations by all the artists on the tour. This was The Revival Tour and it was awesome!! Fellow punk rock frontment like Tim Barry (Avail), Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!), Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem), Dave Hause (The Loved Ones), Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio) and many more often joined The Revival Tour and it proved to be a great time for not only the audience, but the artists themselves. In 2014, when Ragan released his "Till Midnight" album, he chose to work with a full band, albeit still with an acoustic feel. He dubbed that band The Camaraderie. Chuck Ragan's a beast man!! I almost like his solo stuff better than Hot Water Music, and Hot Water Music is great. I love the dude's gruffy vocals and he's a great songwriter. The Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon often is cited as the "Bruce Springsteen" of punk rock because of his Jersey connection, but in my mind, Chuck Ragan is punk rock's "Boss"! Ragan was kind of at the forefront of the whole punk rock frontman going acoustic craze that's been going on since the mid-2000's. And I place him in the top tier of that genre for sure.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Dave Hause
Tim Barry
Brian Fallon
Dan Andriano In The Emergency Room
Sundowner

TEN CHUCK RAGAN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Meet You In The Middle
2. Something May Catch Fire
3. Pretty Good Year (The Loved Ones cover)
4. Symmetry
5. For Broken Ears
6. The Boat
7. Let It Rain
8. Revival Road
9. The Fire, The Steel, The Tread
10. Non Typical