Mouse Music

This page is dedicated to the bands and their tunes that I like to listen to when I'm not undermining Greenback's criminal plans.  Most of the music is classified as Rock or Alternative Rock.  I will start with some bands that I listen to extensively and then more on to bands that I may like just a few of there songs.

Powderfinger

This Brisbane band would have to rate as some of Australia's best artists.  The band grew out of a three-piece, becoming Powderfinger in 1990 with the addiction of two additional members, including singer/guitarist Bernard Fanning.  Within the space of three albums Powderfinger emerged as one of Australia's most popular radio-friendly rock bands.  Powderfinger's debut album Parables for Wooden Ears was released in August 1994, but only was really successful in Queenslands ranking in the top ten.  Their next album was the bands  breakthrough, Double Allergic, which revealed a significant shift towards accessible rock songs rooted in melodic grooves.  The singles "Pick You Up" and "DAF" (which stands for the first three chords of the song) picked up strong airplay support. The album went straight to the top ten in September 1996, sold double platinum and spent half a year in the Top 30.  The follow-up album Internationalist was released two years later in September 1998, entered the charts at #1, and was still charting a year later when it landed the band a handful of ARIAs, Australia's annual industry awards.  On a roll with September releases 2000's Odyssey #5 again went straight to #1, became the group's biggest selling album with sales in excess of five platinum awards, and at the end of 2000 secured the band world-wide releases.

Creed

If any late-'90s band can claim to have ascended strictly on its own merits, it's Creed, a Florida-bred foursome that went from zero to sixty (or, more accurately, zero to nearly 4x Platinum) by virtue of a combination of finger-on-the-pulse songs and powerful live performances, rather than a raft of hype.  Creed was the first band in history to have four Number One Rock Radio singles from a debut album -- a feat even more impressive in these days of love-'em-and-leave-'em, one-hit wonders.  During the past two years the band has played to more than two million fans worldwide

Tonic

Vocalist/guitarist Emerson Hart formed the alternative/roots band Tonic in 1993 with guitarist Jeff Russo (a childhood friend), bassist Dan Rothchild and drummer Kevin Shepard.  After gigging around Los Angeles and replacing the departed Rothchild with Dan Lavery, the foursome signed with A&M Records.  There debut album, titled Lemon Parade, was released in July 1996.  Tonic's second album, Sugar, was release about two years ago.   

Everclear

The story of Everclear begins with the story of front man Art Alexakis. Art grew up in the projects of Santa Monica. Abandoned by his father and living in poverty, he was very troubled. Growing up in the "dark 70's" he was highly exposed to drugs, in fact he lost a girlfriend and a brother, due to heroin. Art himself almost died from a cocaine overdose when he was a teen.

Like many punk stars, Art refers to himself as having a bad attitude, when referring to his teens. He would have done any drug on the table and even tried to commit suicide at one point, by jumping off of a Santa Monica pier. Lucky for Art, he found the wonderful instrument we call the guitar, when he was 15. Eventually he quit drugs and threw himself into his music.

Art placed an ad in a local newspaper looking for band mates. The ad only generated two responses but luckily they were just what he needed. In '92, Everclear formed with members, Art Alexakis, Craig Montoya, and Scott Cuthbert. The band released to demo, to get club gigs but instead ended up with a record deal.  Drummer Scott Cuthbert was kicked out for violating the band's no drug policy. He was replaced by Greg Eklund, fresh out of a band called "Jollymon."

Crowded House

Crowded House, a reflection of the bands living conditions in L.A.  Crowded House formed in 1985 by Neil Finn a former member of  Split Enz.  Crowded House recorded some of the best pop music of the late '80s and early '90s.  The band was composed of band leader Neil Finn, drummer Paul Hester and bassist Nick Seymour.  Neil's brother Tim and American guitarist, Mark Hart were also part time members over the band's ten year career.  Neil Finn's carefully crafted songs, meticulous eye for lyrical detail and gift for melody are matched by few other songwriters.  After a handful of "final shows" in various locations, on Sunday November 24, 1996, Crowded House played their official farewell show at the Sydney Opera House to 100, 000 fans as a benefit for the Sydney Children's Hospital Fund.

To be continued...

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