Music

Non-Mainstream Music

Really good music has a funny way of escaping the mainstream or majority of listeners. Which, in a way, is good for those that like these bands. As much as I would like to see these bands do better, it's kind of nice to be a part of the small group that really digs these artists.

Mazzy Star - The first band I think of when discussing non-mainstream music. This moody band brings me back to the winding roads and, despite its unbelievable beauty, the sullenness of the Pacific Coast Highway. In particular, the section from Seattle to San Francisco. So Tonight That I Might See, is easily one of my favorite albums. Hope Sandoval, no longer doing stuff with her Mazzy Star troup can be heard most recently on a track on the Chemical Brothers' newest album.

Blur - These Brits have produced something like 12 albums. Most of it is probably not worth listening to but the good stuff is really good. And their album cover art is amazing. Usually, not surprisingly, blurred - or objects that often are seen as a blur; i.e., dog races, etc. Plus the lead singer was dating that girl from Elastica - another quirky band that could have done real good for itself.

Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians - This girl married Paul Simon. That should be enough for ranking in the cool category. But beyond that, she produced 2 really good albums, opened up for the Grateful Dead a few times and made one cheesey video of a really good song. Plus, it was good road trip music on my way looking for colleges to go to. Kind of reminds me of Boston.

Luscious Jackson - These girls rip it up. I plan on seeing them in March 2000 for my 4th time. Can't get enough of these girls. Jill Cuniff is just way to awesome and the lyrics, despite being anti-guy most of the time, are really quite witty and have become more idea oriented then guy bashing. They play great show too.

Ween - These guys are crackers. Hailing from the nifty little town of New Hope, PA - these oddball "brothers" really know how to make you laugh, cry and fall into a flat spin of confusion all in just one song. Any song. Phish recently gave these 2 guys major credo when they started covering one of their (Ween's) least favorite originals - Roses are Free.

Veruca Salt - Another band that broke up because they weren't selling out shows and had minimal record sales success - plus who knows what other reasons. These girls whine and yell and bitch and moan and its all great. There songs despite being the above mentioned, are darn close to real as opposed to super melodramatic. I've had the pleasure of catching 2 of their gigs. And c'mon - a Willy Wonka reference. Perfect.

Weird Al - Ok, maybe this should be in the section for Everything 80s, but this guy has stood the test of time and is more popular than ever. Sort of like Santana, but not. Dave Grohl said it best - "you know you are successful when Weird Al parodies a song of yours. Talk about a barometer of sorts." I know more lyrics to Fat than to Michael Jackson's Bad. Go Figure.

Sonic Youth - Forget Kim Gordon's singing. It blows. But it is somewhat mesmerizing. Nevertheless, it is Thurston Moore's guitar play that makes this band a success. The crazy fans also help.

Chemical Brothers - Although these guys are pretty well-known, I have a hard time calling them Mainstream. These guys really made, along with their own label Astralwerks, this style of "electronica" popular. It also set a sort of standard. They might be considered down the road, similar to Run DMC in how they combined 2 styles of music together making it forever popular and ever-changing.

Dave Matthews Band - Just kidding. This is about as mainstream as you get. Which really stinks because DMB was sooo much better as an unknown band. Plus Dave had less money back then to spend it on things that make him, lets just say a bit incoherant on stage. Sold Out. No link for these guys

Porno For Pyros - When Jane's Addiction broke up and Lollapalooza wasn't as exciting as it once was, Perry and Steven from Jane's got together with another dude and put together this amazing band. Their second album is a must for anyone that likes to surf, likes women and or loves the beach. These guys bring the ocean and its secrets and stories to you. Fun stuff. The punk stuff is great too.

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