Dig Me Out - The 90's Rock Podcast

Cornershop’s 1995 sophomore album Woman’s Gotta Have It gives a hint of the hit they would release two years later. The album shifts between rhythm driven “Hindi Pop” and jarring, dissonant indie guitar rock. While both have their merits, the melodies flow smoother on the former leaving the latter wanting. This album may have been out of step with the UK Battle of Britpop taking place between Blur and Oasis in 1995, but we contemplate if the sounds of Woman’s Gotta Have It would influence Damon Albarn’s songwriting on future Blur releases. Bonus audio from this episode can be found at Patreon, including a mini-review and discussion on the Foo Fighters latest album Concrete and Gold. Special thanks to Sudio Sweden (Facebook/Instagram), who hooked us up with two pairs of Regent headphonesto test out. We’re reporting on them all month - if you like what you hear and want to grab a pair, use the code DIGMEOUT15 for 15% off your purchase with free worldwide shipping. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Wog 8:48 -

The second album from Hot Water Music gives us plenty to like, but much to scratch our heads at as well. Whether you call them punk, post-punk, post-hardcore or emo, HWM forge a unique path on 1997′s Forever and Counting, avoiding the rhythms and structures traditionally associated with punk rock. While we dug the diversity, the presentation left us wanting, as a dynamic-less mix and some questionable guitar and bass tones muddied the water. Give a listen and share your thoughts. Special thanks to Sudio Sweden (Facebook/Instagram), who hooked us up with two pairs of Regent headphones to test out. We’re reporting on them all month - if you like what you hear and want to grab a pair, use the code DIGMEOUT15 for 15% off your purchase with free worldwide shipping. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Translocation 14:26 - Just Don’t Say You Lost It 18:36 - Manual 22:24 - Man The Change 33:45 - Three Summers Strong Outro - Position Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   htt

We’re heading to the land of ten thousand lakes to uncover the Minneapolis St. Paul music scene of the 1990s. With names like The Replacements and Husker Du, the twin cities have been established as an 80s mecca for underground hardcore and punk rock, but the story of the city is much deeper and broader. In the 90s bands like Soul Asylum and Semisonic scored massive hits, while The Jayhawks, Low and the Dillinger Four expanded the sonic pallet. And of course, there’s Prince. To help us understand the roots of the punk and hardcore scene, we invited author/writer/KFAI DJ Cindy “Cyn” Collins, who recently released Complicated Fun: The Birth of Minneapolis Punk and Indie Rock, 1974-1984 to talk the early years and bands like The Suicide Commandos and The Suburbs. Returning is Michelle Leon, former Babes In Toyland bassist and author of I Live Inside: Memoirs of a Babe In Toyland to give us insights on the various famous (and infamous venues) and more, along with record producer, engineer, singer-songwriter and t

With help from Jason Falkner of Jellyfish, Brendan Benson crafted a fine if overlong debut album in 1996′s One Mississippi. Some of us may have discovered Benson thanks to his team-up with Jack White in The Raconteurs, but he had a number of solo releases to his name by that point, and One Mississippi shows the promise of what was to come. Like so many 90s albums, the first half was satisfying while the back half became less focused and felt padded, but there is still plenty to like about this power pop debut, brought to us thanks to a twelve-month Patreon anniversary pick by past guest Keith S. Special thanks to Sudio Sweden (Facebook/Instagram), who hooked us up with two pairs of Regent headphones to test out. We’re reporting on them all month - if you like what you hear and want to grab a pair, use the code DIGMEOUT15 for 15% off your purchase with free worldwide shipping. Songs in this Episode: Intro - I’m Blessed 13:31 - Emma J 18:40 - Got No Secrets 23:00 - Insects Rule 32:08 - House in Virginia

Into Another bring the riffs, the big vocals and locked-in rhythm section on 1995′s Seemless. Even though we’re fans of New York City bands such as Quicksand and Handsome, Into Another somehow flew under our radar. However, thanks to Patreon patron Chris M. with his twelve-month anniversary pick, he enlightened us on the major label debut (and third overall) album by the band. We dug deep into the record, enough to give you some bonus content over at Patreon discussing b-sides and more. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Mutate Me 12:43 - Mutate Me 21:42 - For a Wounded Wren 27:20 - The Way Down 30:30 - Actual Size Outro - T.A.I.L.   In the 1990s the term alternative country appeared, we’re talking the bands, the sound and influences. What is alternative country an alternative to? Country? Rock? We dig into the unique aspects that separate alternative country from its more mainstream counterparts and the sounds that help create it. We talk some of the biggest influences upon 90s alternative country, incl

In the 1990s the term alternative country appeared, we’re talking the bands, the sound and influences. What is alternative country an alternative to? Country? Rock? We dig into the unique aspects that separate alternative country from its more mainstream counterparts and the sounds that help create it. We talk some of the biggest influences upon 90s alternative country, including Gram Parsons, Neil Young, the punk rock from labels like SST and more. We talk about our favorite 90s alternative country albums, and which artists today are carrying the alternative country torch. To do so, we’re joined by returning roundtable guests Eric Grubbs of Dallas Observer, Jim Kopeny of Chicagoist and Jim Hanke of Vinyl Emergency. Songs in this Episode Intro - Are You Ready for the Country by Neil Young 16:42 - Blue by The Jayhawks 29:08 - Postcard by Uncle Tupelo 47:36 - California Stars by Billy Bragg and Wilco 1:01:32 - Dancefloors by My Morning Jacket Outro - Hot Burrito #2 by Dinosaur Jr (Flying Burrito Brothers

What happens when you remove Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots - you get Talk Show. Attempting to fill the hole left by Weiland’s drug problems in 1996, the DeLeo brothers and drummer Eric Kretz recruiter former Ten Inch Men frontman/guitarist Dave Coutts to take the lead on this self-titled release from 1997. The album failed commercially and band quickly dumped Coutts to welcome Weiland back into the fold. We revisit the album with fresh ears to try to figure out if Talk Show was a missed opportunity for listeners or a misfire by the band. We also delve into the career trajectory of Stone Temple Pilots to determine if Talk Show was a harbinger of things to come for the band as they chased radio friends sounds (i.e. “Down”) and relevancy in the 2000s. Over at Patreon, we take a few minutes to discuss if any band successfully pulled off the lead singer switch, whether with an existing band (like AC/DC or Alice in Chains) or a new outfit (Audioslave). Songs in this Episode: Intro - Hello Hello 14:08 -

The debut Save Ferris album It Means Everything is everything you know and love/hate about 90s ska-punk. The snappy snare, the upstroke guitar lines, the energetic horn stabs - all the hallmarks of the familiar 90s sound utilized by early No Doubt, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish and others. Save Ferris don’t break the mold, but they do add a few extra layers, inserting a distorted guitar from time to time, as well as taking advantage of Monique Powell’s pipes to slow down the tempos into classic reggae and dub influenced grooves. Neither of us are ska punk aficionados, or really fans for that matter, but did Save Ferris win us over? Tune in to find out.  Songs in this Episode: Intro - Come On Eileen 18:11 - Lies 22:56 - SuperSpy 32:20 - The World Is New Outro - Goodbye Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com

From up north comes The Tea Party, creating a stew of eastern scales, industrial rhythms and Zeppelin-esque dramatics. Their 1997 sophomore release Transmission is the quintessential headphones album. Though only a three piece, they pile on a wide range of non-traditional instrumentation to create a unique, swirling sound that goes big rock in the vein of The Cult or Led Zeppelin while grounding with industrial rhythms at home on a Nine Inch Nails or Stabbing Westward record. All while frontman Jeff Martin bellows and shrieks like the lost cousin of Jim Morrison and Ian Astbury. It can be exciting and overwhelming just a few bars apart - we try to figure out which way the overall experience leans. Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Temptation 15:11 - Gyroscope 17:54 - Psychopomp 22:05 - Babylon Outro - Alarum Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com

Sandwiched between 80s metal and 90s alternative, Mindfunk occupy the same limbo space as Mother Love Bone and Saigon Kick. We’re checking out their self-titled 1991 debut, a mix of big metal riffs, groove rock with funk influences and some slow burn nods to what would later be called desert or stoner rock. While Jason was familiar with this from when it was released and bought it on cd when it came out, Tim had never heard a note prior to reviewing the record. Does it still hold up for Jason? Is it a worthwhile discovery for Tim? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Sugar Ain’t So Sweet 14:17 - Bring It On 16:55 - Sister Blue 22:21 - Blood Runs Red Outro - Innocence Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com  

Greg Glover, co-founder of the Arena Rock Recording Company stops by for a lengthy chat. After some initial Goonies talk, we revisit our recent review of Harvey Danger’s Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone to fill in some blanks and learn some information about the behind the scene machinations involving the record business. We cover Greg’s childhood and college days, running a fanzine and how he got into “the music industry.” He share how Superdrag ended up being release number one for Arena Rock and the story of how they returned to the label years later. We get into reissuing previous releases, and how the Mineral rereleases came together, as well as the dreaded “unsolicited demos,” signing Elf Power, MTV and 1980s, dinners with Seymour Stein at Sire, how to get free shipping and much, much more. Songs in this Episode: Intro - NA Kicker by Superdrag 8:12 - Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger 15:34 - Private Helicopter by Harvey Danger 40:20 - Lighting The Way by Superdrag 47:34 - Let It Out by The Life A

From charity comps to label samplers, the 1990s may have been the peak decade for compilation albums. We discuss the qualities that make a worthy compilation album with our guests Keith Sawyer from WMBR, Jim Hanke of Vinyl Emergency and Eric Peterson of Love That Album. We pick our favorite comps and favorite compilation-only tracks, and discuss whether compilation albums are still relevant in the age of streaming music playlists. We’ve got over ten minutes of bonus content over at Patreon this week. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Sexual Healing by Soul Asylum (Marvin Gaye cover), from No Alternative 13:14 - Riot on the Rocks by The Hellacopters, from Riot on the Rocks Vol. 1 20:35 - Effigy by Uncle Tupelo (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover), from No Alternative 42:03 - Einstein on the Beach (For an Eggman) by Counting Crows, from DGC Rarities Vol.1 Outro - Compilation Blues by Sonic Youth, from DGC Rarities Vol.1 Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle

With her first solo outing, Tanya Donelly attempts to balance her indie rock past with a radio friendly approach. 1997′s Lovesongs for Underdogs, our latest album selected by our Patreon voters, came with the burden of Tanya having been a part of numerous successfully and respected indie rock group, including Throwing Muses, The Breeders and Belly. Striking out on her own with a bevy of players, she shows off a wide array of songwriting styles all grounded by her sharp and hooky melodies. Songs in this Episode Intro - The Bright Light 8:25 - Pretty Deep 12:01 - Lantern 14:06 - Bum 19:45 - Clipped Outro - Breathe Around You Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com

Harvey Danger being tagged as a “one hit wonder” can be both a blessing and a curse. Is the rest of the album criminally overlooked, or does it pale in comparison? We put it to a vote on our Patreon page, and our patrons made Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?, released in July 1997 our latest review. Reviews at the time were mixed, but this album and band have gained their share of advocates, who praise lead singer Sean Nelson’s witty and self-deprecating lyrics and the tight power-pop-punk songwriting of this and their follow-up album, King James Version. One of of us thought this was a start-to-finish gem worthy of revisiting, and one of us thought the brilliance of Flagpole Sitta set the rest of the album up to fail. Disagreement! Songs in this Episode: Intro - Flagpole Sitta 9:21 - Radio Silence 14:48 - Carlotta Valdez Outro - Jack The Lion Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com

For our latest roundtable we aim at the heavens and request an audience with the gods! The guitar gods, that is. The 60s had Clapton and Hendrix, the 70s had Page and Blackmore, the 80s had Eddie and a slew of gunslingers, now it’s time to christen the guitar gods of the 90s. First, we try to figure out what exactly elevates a guitarist to god status. Then we open the floor for nominations. Some of the names will be familiar and expected, while others may be more obscure and surprising. To help us, we’re joined by returning guests Andy Derer, Eric Grubbs and Joe Royland.  Make sure to visit Patreon for over fifteen minutes of bonus content from this episode at https://www.patreon.com/digmeout. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Guitar God Medley (Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, Dinosaur Jr., Pantera) 13:28 - Bulls on Parade by Rage Against The Machine 27:50 - No More Tears by Ozzy Osbourne 33:09 - Chemical World - Intermission by Blur 1:00:21 - Tired of Sex by Weezer Outro - Pull Me Under by Dream

Back when we started this podcast, we created a long list of albums we wanted to eventually get to, mostly due to only knowing one song off an album thanks to a lone minor radio hit single. One of those bands is Ruth Ruth, and it’s finally time we got around to checking out their 1995 debut Laughing Gallery. To help us dig into this album, we invited roundtable alum Jeff Takacs of Rocket Fuel Podcast, who authored a history of Ruth Ruth for Punktastic a few years back, for some insight on why this band with a catchy pop-punk-flavored single in the heyday of mainstream punk didn’t make it past the first single. Where they miscategorized? Does the album hold up? Tune into find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Uninvited 13:08 - Uptight 19:19 - I Killed Meg The Prom Queen 23:19 - I Grew Up Outro - All Readydown Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com

On this Fourth of July, we could think of nothing better than to revisit the human firecracker himself - David Lee Roth. With help from our friend Gavin in Australia, we’re checking out the 1991 album A Little Ain’t Enough, the third solo release after Dave departed Van Halen. For this outing, there were lineup changes, producer changes and a changing musical landscape. Songs in this Episode: Intro - A Little Ain’t Enough 7:47 - Sensible Shoes 17:43 - Last Call / Walk This Way by Aerosmith 22:33 - Tell The Truth / Black Velvet by Alannah Myles Outro - It’s Showtime! Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com

For our last review of June 2017, our Patreon patrons selected from one of four albums from June of 1997, and settled on Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space, the third album by Spiritualized. Much has been written about the album, from reviews to anniversary retrospectives detailing the creation and recording of the massive achievement that finds Jason Pierce and crew exploring gospel, soul, britpop, blues, psychedelia, noise, experimentation and more, including an orchestra. It’s a headphone album of sprawling proportions one moment and cacophony worthy of a stadium the next. We try to figure out which works better for us, if at all. Songs In This Episode: Intro - Come Together 10:07 - Cop Shoot Cop... 13:46 - Cool Waves 20:15 - I Think I’m In Love Outro - Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com

We don’t often get a chance to check out bands from the 90s where the terms ragtime or waltz get tossed around, but The Whitlams qualify. We’re checking out the 1997 album Eternal Napcap by this Newtown, Australian band. Led by vocalist/pianist Tim Freedman, The Whitlams can tow the line between indulgent Rufus Wainwright-style balladry and Ben Folds-esque pop, remaining radio friendly with mature lyrical content. Does it all work for us? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - No Aphrodisiac 11:42 - You Look Like Louis Burdett 15:09 - Life’s A Beach 20:23 - Charlie No. 1 Outro - Buy Now Pay Later (Charlie No. 3) Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle Merch Store   http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com

Previously we chatted about movie soundtracks of the 1990s, so this week we’re switching to the small screen and hosting a roundtable discussion on television soundtracks of the 90s. The best and memorable, the one’s that surpassed the show and stand on their own, and the one’s that were HUGE at the time but maybe haven’t aged all that well. We talk about them all (or all that we can squeeze into an hour). To help us do so, we’re joined by two veterans of our program, Eric Grubbs and Joe Royland, to talk My So-Called Life, Friends, Melrose Place and much more. Yes, even Cop Rock. Songs in this Episode: Intro - I’ll Be There For You by The Rembrandts (from Friends) 9:53 - Teenage FBI by Guided By Voices (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) 25:36 - Good Intentions by Toad the Wet Sprocket (from Friends) 51:22 - Down in the Park by Foo Fighters (from The X-Files) Outro - Here and Now by Letters to Cleo (from Melrose Place) Request a 2017 Review / Subscribe at Patreon   Facebook / Twitter / Instagram   Zazzle M