Replay Issue 2

by Seth Hover • 02/08/2007 at 03:56 PM

Replay 2: Badass

Welcome to the second installment of Replay, Macteens’ music blog. This week we’ve got 10 more songs for you to listen to and enjoy. The theme? Every song on the list is gritty, dirty and badass. Sounds cheesy, but the songs don’t.

FEDERATION X- Song About The Sweet Lovin’ Woman
I take any chance I get to promote local or formerly local bands from my area, and there are few bands I’d recommend above Federation X. Almost like a cross between rockabilly, punk and country, they manage to sound nothing like those genres on their own. Song About The Sweet Lovin’ Woman has one of the greatest intros to a song ever (even if they screwed it up the first time) and the rest of the song dredges on with the same loud and raw grind.

ZEN GUERILLA- Black Eyed Boogie
Zen Guerilla has a more bluesy-rock sound than the other bands on this list. With a 12-bar chord structure and simple-but-powerful drumming, this song is nearly three minutes of nonstop overdriven guitar and singer Marcus’ trademark howling.

THE VANDALS- I’m The Boss Of Me
While the feeling behind this song is definitely more tongue-in-cheek than badass, the music speaks for itself. The Vandals are one of the most talented punk groups still around, and this is one of their heaviest songs. Drummer Josh Frese keeps a solid beat while throwing in great tech fills; the guitar and bass combo of Warren Fitzgerald and Joe Escalante never cease to amaze and Dave Quackenbush has one of the most versatile voices in punk rock.

TURBONEGRO- All My Friends Are Dead
Turbonegro is such a ridiculous band that I couldn’t not include them- just look at the title of the song. With metal, punk and progressive influences, they blend all the best elements of badass songs (loud drums, loud guitar solos, loud everything) and they make their songs fun to boot. With a great singalong and tight playing all around this song deserves a spot on the list and a good listening-to.

SCHOOLYARD HEROES- Panic In The Year Zero
This is another (semi)local band that I love to recommend. Everything about this band screams horror-movie,creepy melodies, the big drum sounds and Ryann Donnelly’s opera-like vocals. The song shifts from a loud instrumental to a spooky-sounding thin verse to one of the greatest bridge/solo combos I have ever heard. If you can stand the vocals, you’ll love this song.

ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT- Savoir Faire
The definition of the term ’savoir faire’ is “the ability to say or do the right or graceful thing” which RFTC does well in all of their songs. No note sounds out of place, no part of the song seems ill-fitting; my only complaint is that this song is too short. With heavy guitars blazing, Savoir Faire is a two minute exercise in pure horror rock.

MARILYN MANSON- Rock And Roll N*****
No, I’m not some neo-Nazi, white pride racist, but hopefully you know that already. This song is a departure from a lot of Manson’s work,rather than drum machines and creepy synthesizers, RARN opts for distorted drums and bass and loud, overdriven guitars, while Manson screams about how he’s got it off so bad through a fuzzbox. The song is, dare I say it, almost silly, but it rocks harder than any other shock-rocker can.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE- Bulls On Parade
It would be stupid of me not to include this song. I hope I don’t have to explain why Rage belongs on this list, but just in case you’ve never heard them, give this a listen and tell me you don’t like it. Bulls On Parade begins with the heaviest intro this side of southern Mexico (read into the band’s sympathies if you don’t get it) and smoothly flows from part to part all the way through. Add in Tom Morello’s creative soloing (forget notes- he just makes the weirdest sounds he can) and you just can’t refuse.

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE- Six Shooter
I really, really wanted to include the first track from Songs For The Deaf, but for some reason it’s not available on iTunes. Go figure. I hate to say I ’settled’ for this song, though. With the same bloody-throat screaming by Nick Oliveri and frantic pace of Millionaire, Six Shooter is a short (too short) blast of hard rock.

SUPERSUCKERS- Born With A Tail
Fact: Singer Eddie Spaghetti was, in fact, born with a tail. Really.
Anyway. If I was numbering the songs in order of preference in Replay, this song would stay at the top of any list. Hip hop list? Born With A Tail. Mellow list? Born With A Tail. Synth-pop list? You guessed it- this happens to be one of my favorite songs ever. The common subtitle for the Supersuckers is “the greatest band you’ve never heard of” and risking hyperbole, it’s a damn shame. Give this song a listen and then go buy all of their music. THAT’S AN ORDER.

Okay, that’s ten songs. By now you should feel like you could take on Mike Tyson and drive a truck off a cliff (and survive) at the same time. If not, you should probably talk to your parents about your hearing. See you next week.