No matter what your party affiliation. Enough already. Blue. Red. Whatever. I say get out the vote and kick out the jams. To that end, Actual Monkey presents the first Monkey Mix Tape. Like mix tapes back in the day, it's features a seamless collection of songs loosely threaded by a common theme. I thought it fitting to use Election Day.
And remember if you're still undecided, vote along Monkey Party lines. I'm just sayin'.
Monkey Mix Tape Vol. 1 No. 1 Tear the whole thing down- The Higsons Transmission- Joy Division Careering- Public Image Ltd. What more can I say- DJ Dangermouse (Jay-Z/Beatles) In the meantime- Spacehog One of these things first- Nick Drake The funeral- Band of Horses Light & Day/Reach for the sun- The Polyphonic Spree
The red-headed stepchild of Halloween is the rarely celebrated and all but ignored All Saints Day. But we here at Actual Monkey want to change all that. It is time to repent, see the wrong of our ways, and say "Devil, get behind me."
All Saints Day follows All Hallows Eve (Halloween) on the Christian calendar, and celebrates the select few, known and unknown, who have achieved beatific vision in Heaven. It always falls on November first. Also known as Samhain, this three day event is one of several Pagan holidays that have been adopted into the Christian calendar over the centuries.
In acknowledgment of this lesser known but equally important holiday, I present a collection of saint-themed songs, from the known to the not so known.
The first is one of the most recognizable songs in the history of popular music, especially in regards to the genres of Jazz and Inspirational. It is the toe-tapping, hand waving, Sunday go to meetin' opus, 'When the Saints Go Marching In'.
This Dixieland classic has seen innumerable recordings, featuring countless renditions and dozens of arrangements. First and foremost though, it is the signature song of Satchmo. No one can say where it came from, but Louie Armstrong owns it. Everyone else just borrowin' it.
The lyrics are directly attributed to Revelations. Filled with doom and gloom, they possess the hope that we too, can be in that number when the saints go marching into heaven.
A tough act to follow, but the good Lord will give us strength.
On an all together different, and equally mystic vibe we have The Dead with their signature song, 'St. Stephen'. I think he was the patron saint of flashbacks. Not much to say about this classic, except it is still an amazing anthem from a band and a time that now seems like a million trips away.
Before this all gets too heavy, We have a proper helping of fluff, beginning with the Indie dance trio Saint Etienne. Named after the French futbol team, these kids had a few minor hits during the whole 'madchester' movement back in the early 90's. Best known for their catchy cover of the Neil Young classic 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart', they also scored with 'Nothing Can Stop Us Now'.
Last but certainly not least, we have St. Elmo, who I believe is the patron saint of Brat Packers. 'St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)', John Parr's hit from the 1985 coming-of-age classic of the same name, was not nearly as famous as 'When the Saints', but equally uplifting, albeit in an archetypical 80's, self-absorbed sorta way. Was I the only one who despised Rob Lowe? Can I get a witness?
Next to the Jersey Devil, and possibly Bon Jovi, the scariest thing to ever emerge from the depths of the Garden State are the Misfits. Formed in 1977 by high school buddies in Lodi, the Mistfits would become the biggest Horror Punk act ever. Combining thrashing, three chord punk with schlock-horror lyrics and sing-along style choruses, their music has forever ranked these Jersey boys in the upper echelon of Punk Rock.
I can remember the first time I dyed my hair with Clairol Nice-n-Easy blue-black and styled my own devilock. A certified member of the 'fiend' club, the Misfits were, and still are, one of my favorite bands.
Having a fractured career spanning over 30 years, the band, in it's different incarnations, has spent more time in the courtroom than O.J., yet still manage to satiate their fans with incredible live shows.
Aside from the Misfits, no Halloween post would be complete without a few of the old standbys. First we have the original Monster of Rock, Bobby 'Boris' Pickett performing 1962's novelty hit, the 'Monster Mash' backed by the infamous Crypt-Kicker Five. In this ghoulish classic, Mr. Pickett poses the question 'Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist? I Googled it and unfortunately there are no easy answers.
Next up there's 'Werewolves of London', the perennial AOR FM staple from the late rock genius Warron Zevon. Seems like classic rock radio has never been able to let go of this one, yet never delved any further into the tremendous musical legacy he left us. Pretty scary, but typical.
I've also included a personal favorite from the quintessential hippie/flower child, Donovan. 'Season of the Witch', originally released on his smash 'Sunshine Superman' LP in 1966, was later the inspiration and title for horror director George A. Romero's 1971 low budget flick about a suburban witch. What's scary here is just how unscary a horror movie can be.
What follows is the penultimate music video by the King of Pop. Michael Jackson's still thrilling 'Thriller' from 1983's album of the same name. As it turns out, his real life is far more frightening that any video.
What may be the most horrifying, yet amazing clip comes from the inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines. Check out over 1500 inmates in lock-step, flawlessly performing the dance sequence from Thriller. Did I miss a memo? What happened to cons making license plates?
Last week I was discussing the frenetic and indiscriminate nature of Actual Monkey with a regular visitor, (Yes, they exist). They commented that my musical tastes were so diverse, they were borderline schizophrenic.
Nonsense, we exclaimed.
To quiet the voices in and out of my head, I've decided to add a few new features to AM. The first is Audient Monkey. Every so often I will highlight my five favorite songs from one of the countless artists I rely on to get me through the day.
The second is the Monkey Mix Tape. In this day and age of the click and drag playlist, the art of threading a narrative through song has somehow been lost, I will rectify this.
The goal, if there is one, is to provide some semblance to the strands that comprise my musical DNA. That and the ability to haphazardly throw one up and be done with it.
I'm just sayin'.
To get this party started, here are my top 5 favorite Talking Heads songs, in no particular order. I am prompted to start with the Heads, after repeatedly hearing 'Once In A Lifetime' in the trailer for the new Oliver Stone biopic 'W.' In hindsight, they could have just used the following.
P.S. What happened to David Byrne? Guess he believed his own hype. A shame really.
CSS, abbreviated from CanseideSer Sexy, is the Brazilian Electroclashtroupe that enjoyed explosive overnight global success just weeks after the spot broke in 2007, propelling the song to a level of international recognition not seen (or heard) since Los Del Rios scored with the hip-gyrating, wedding-reception staple, the Macarena.
The iPod Touch ad has been viewed over 112 million times, subsequently pushing 'Music Is My Hot Sex' right up the charts. It reached #63 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest charting song ever for a South American act.
But who are these guys and gals? The name of this San Paulo band, formed in 2003, translates literally from 'tired of being sexy', a quote from R&B diva Beyonce. Not unlike their nomenclature, the band is steeped in pop culture references. Driven by infectious beats, their music is unpretentious and fun. A killer live act, their innocent, juvenile approach translates well onstage. They also sing in both English and Portuguese. Bonus.
Fortunately, CSS isn't another international fluke (read; Bay City Rollers). They haven't fallen prey to the sophomore slump and their latest release 'Donkey' is filled with the acerbic wit, frivolous lyrics and shake-your-booty groove that has become the band's trademark.
With so many 'important' bands around, it's refreshing to hear some good old mindless pop. Reminds me a lot of the stuff I listened to in the 80's.
To celebrate AM's safe and victorious return from Dixieland as well as the kickoff of the 2008 CMJ Music Marathon, I've put together a few bands I like, a few bands I've never heard of that I might like, and bands that I don't know and probably would never like. In no particular order, as subjective and random as the festival itself.
The mission of CMJ has always been 'New Music First', but I think the Marathon has morphed itself into a hipster popularity contest. I found the following diagram and it seems fittingly appropriate.
As we prepare for our road trip down to Barber Motosports Park in ol' Alabamy, Actual Monkey brings you a few of the South's greatest hits. Not a huge fan of southern fried rock, but I do think there were some absolute gems from that period.
Included herein are several vids, one of which gives a good idea of what I'll be up to this weekend. Ding Dang! Enjoy y'all!
Purchased sight unseen in 1969, WIllie Nelson's trusty Martin N20, affectionately known as 'Trigger' has never missed a gig, performing with him in over 7000 shows.
As haggard as the Red Headed Stranger himself, Trigger has to be the most famous axe this side of Jimmy Page's double neck Gibson. It's recognizable patina is indistinguishable from Nelson's, both having been acquired from a life (mis) spent on the road.
A disciple of Django Reinhardt, Nelson's arpeggio style is partly responsible for the distinctive hole that has worn through the guitar's Brazilian Rosewood face over the past 40 years. He also identifies his use of a pick on the nylon-stringed classic as another culprit.
The foreseeable future holds little chance of either Nelson or Trigger slowing down. At 75, Willie maintains a vigorous touring schedule, equivalent to around 200 days a year. Still is still moving.
My guess is that one day Trigger will be buried with Willie, if not, his old friend should be put out to pasture. I'm sure they'll find some room for it in the Smithsonian.
Tearing a page from Yoko Ono's playbook on how to sustain a positive cash flow from your dead rock star husband, Courtney Love quietly negotiated several licensing deals, exploiting the Kurt Cobain 'brand' while simultaneously lining her pockets. After signing away all of Kurt's integrity, creativity and hard work in 2006, much of the resulting merchandise has now found its way to store shelves.
Currently, Cobain is the top earning dead celeb. Estimates put his estate around $50 million, handily out-grossing other dirt nappers like Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Bob Marley.
Not unlike her lipo-suctioned abdomen, Love has sought to drain every penny possible from Kurt's legacy, selling off a 25% stake in his catalog, allowing his music to appear in ads and on network television. Oh, the Guilt.
As for the swag? In addition to the typical fare of t-shirts, key chains, and lunch boxes, additional licensing was granted to companies like Converse. Now Kurt's soul and your sole can be as one. The following is a product description for the Chuck Taylor All Star Kurt Cobain:
"He haunted Seattle's music scene, withdrawing into its grit and grime. He thought some of it made sense, but most of it didn't. So he turned to the only thing he knew for sure: his own music. Soon it became clear; the inspired songwriter with scruffy hair and stormy eyes had taken the underground grunge movement mainstream. Distressed canvas upper with Kurt Cobain signature, available in widths to EEE $59.99."
Enough to make you wanna blow your brains out.
I'm just sayin'.
P.S. Here's a little something she won't be cashing in on:
After seeing the Killer's killer performance on this season's premier of Saturday Night Live, it solidified two things I've known for years: 1. SNL sucks. 2. Most good new music is just repackaged old music. Not to discount any of these new bands, I really like a lot of the 'new' new wave current making playlists, albeit derivative of the classics. I guess it makes me feel like I'm still 'in touch' with the kids, but more times than not, it has me going back to my 'Living In Oblivion' collection and pining for the Reagan era tunes of my youth. So please join me in a little reminiscing. In with the old new and with the new old new.
First we have L.A's Sparks. Fronted by brothers Ron (Hitler Moustache) and Russell Mael, the group had a string of hits, most of which can be found on soundtracks to John Hughes films. By the time this duo peaked in 82', they had already been making music for 12 years (having launched their career on Todd Rundgren'sBearsville Records. After teaming with ex- Go-Go's guitarist/songwriter Jane Wiedlin on 1983's 'Cool Places', things cooled off for the band, and although they haven't charted since, they do still continue to record.
The second band, ClassixNouveaux was basically a one/two hit wonder band from England. Formed after the break up of the legendary punk outfit, X-Ray Specs, they charted as high as #11 with '"Is It A Dream'. I've included here, my fave, 'Guilty' from 1980.
Finally, we have the darlings of the recent post-punk revival, The Killers. These guys have done a good job maintaining/evolving a sound that started over 30 years ago. Lead singer Brandon Flowers alludes a certain jenesaisquoi, that to me, aligns him with the vulnerable, sensitive lead singer type that was a staple of almost every 80's electronic pop band. Kinda like a skinny Robert Smith without the big hair and all the makeup. Kind of wimpy, but it works.
One other thing. While electronic pop is currently enjoying a renaissance, SNL is not. The show is just awful. If not for the musical guests, it would be unwatchable. However, when the time comes for Lorne to mercifully pull the plug on Studio 8H, there will remain a rich musical legacy of some of the most outstanding performances in popular music history.
No matter what your party affiliation. Enough already. Blue. Red. Whatever. I say get out the vote and kick out the jams. To that end, Actual Monkey presents the first Monkey Mix Tape. Like mix tapes back in the day, it's features a seamless collection of songs loosely threaded by a common theme. I thought it fitting to use Election Day.
