Dig Me Out - The 90's Rock Podcast

Our latest requested review takes us back to Australia, this time checking out the 1992 sophomore album Tear of Thought by The Screaming Jets. On first listen, you might pigeonhole the band as nothing more than AC/DC influenced pub rock, but further investigation reveals a wide array of classic and hard rock influences from the twin guitar attack of Thin Lizzy to the southern rock boogie of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Sound interesting? How about some horns and jazz guitar? Does that work? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Alright 4:45 - History of the Band 12:50 - Dream On 15:00 - Meet Anybody 20:02 - Alright 21:34 - Hard Drugs Outro - Helping Hand Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

For this week’s requested review we’re taking a ride on the wild side, revisiting Mötley Crüe’s self-titled 1994 album, the only one featuring John Corabi on lead vocals. Mega producer Bob Rock returned after helming the successful Dr. Feelgood album, but the sheen of the Sunset Strip was cast aside for a heavier twin guitar attack. With a new singer and new sound, the album divided fans and critics at the time, and the album failed to meet commercial expectations in the prime alternative and grunge years. Is this a classic hard rock album awaiting rediscovery? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Hooligan’s Holiday 23:39 - Uncle Jack 30:17 - Poison Apples 33:44 - Misunderstood 41:41 - Welcome to the Numb Outro - Hammered Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

We’re back with our latest requested review, this week we’re checking out the second and final album by School of Fish, 1993′s Human Cannonball. The band scored a minor hit on their first album, but none of the singles reached the same level of success from this release, and we try to figure out why. While the main songwriting tandem of Josh Clayton-Felt and Micheal Ward stayed in tact, the rhythm section changed, and that might have had some impact, while other parts that should have made an impact didn’t. We struggled with this record, are we justified in our criticisms? Tune in hear what we’ve got to say, and let us know if you agree or disagree. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Take Me Anywhere 2:25 - 3 Strange Days 16:47 - Everyword 20:13 - Stand in the Doorway 23:15 - Fuzzed and Fading Outro - Complicator Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

Last year we had a lot of fun (and learned a lot) during our Australian music of the 90s episode. In fact, we had so much fun, we decided to turn it into new series we’re calling “Digging Your Scene,” where we explore a city or region that made an impact on alternative and indie music in the 1990s. To kick off the series, we’re heading to a city once described (like a few others) as “the next Seattle,” Chicago, Illinois. To help us getting dig deep into the Chicago music scene, we’ve invited back Andy Derer of the Chicago-based Andy Derer Show podcast, Chicagoist Senior Editor Jim Kopeny and Annie Zaleski, writer for AV Club, Salon and more, to talk the history, the bands, the venues, the record stores, the legacy and more of Chicago. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Chicago Medley (The Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, Urge Overkill, Liz Phair, Ministry) 12:17 - Suffocation by The Pulars 25:15 - Valerie Loves Me by Material Issue 33:11 - Lotion by Wesley Willis 51:58 - Sugar, We’re Going Down by Fall Out Boy

Another week, another requested review! This week we’re checking out the 1993 debut album Icky Mettle by Archers of Loaf. Check out any music website, blog or magazine, and when the best alternative albums of the 90s are ranked, you’ll usually find this album somewhere on it. Propulsive drums, melodic bass, dissonant guitars and urgent vocals are combined in short bursts without adhering to the verse/chorus/verse format. The results are definitely superior to most of their 90s counterparts, but does that make it a perfect record? We have thoughts, tune in to find out what they are. Note: we apologize for the audio quality on this one, we had some technical difficulties with Jason’s microphone. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Web in Front 17:35 - Last Word 23:00 - Web in Front 24:31 - Hate Paste 27:53 - Might 31:20 - Learo, You’re A Hole Outro - Wrong Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

Our latest requested review brings us The Welcome Mat’s debut release Gram from 1993. This four-piece from Sydney, Australia packs some power-pop worthy hooks thanks to crisp vocal harmonies, well-crafted tunes and expert guitar riffage. It’s only when either of the vocalists steps out on their own that the songs start to suffer, but how much? It’s (mild) disagreement time! Songs in this Episode: Intro - Everyone’s Gone 3:13 - History of the Band 6:52 - Deathbag 8:36 - Junkmail 12:48 - All or Nothing 18:07 - Blew Outro - Gram Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

Thanks to a requested review, we’re joined by Bluebottle Kiss lead singer/guitarist Jamie Hutchings to revisit the 1996 album Fear of Girls. We chat about his earlier years playing drums and how that influenced his guitar playing and singing. We discuss seeing late 80s/early 90s American indie-rock bands touring Australia before forming Bluebottle Kiss, then getting signed and working with producer Jack Endino on Fear of Girls. We talk touring, songwriting, going solo, his new band Infinity Broke and more. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Helping You Hate Me from Fear of Girls 18:38 - Claim from Fear of Girls 33.52 - Stained Mouth from Fear of Girls 38:51 - Return to the City of Folded Arms from Patient Outro - Outside Are The Dogs Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

We’ve got a requested review this week, and to help us revisit his request, we invited Brandon Trammell, guitarist for Braidedveins and Kid Brother Collective on to talk about his pick - 1997′s Pure Juice by Summercamp. After an independent release under a different name, this was the only album released by the band, and it runs the gamut from syrupy power-pop to grungy thumpers and big rock ballads. There are some real diamonds in this rough to be discovered, but also a few lumps of coal. Is it a worthy record? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Drawer14:42 - Nowhere Near28:24 - Should I Walk Away39:00 - Ninety Nine49:25 - Two Shades of GrayOutro - Keep An Eye On You Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

Joining us this week is Kevin Martin to walk us through the past, present and future of Candlebox and his career in music. Kevin fills us in on his earliest musical influences - his Mom and Dad, the Texas punks, and the mid/late 80s Seattle scene. From there, Kevin walks us through the wild ride that landed Candlebox on Madonna’s Maverick record label and put the band on the road for well over the year. We explore trials and tribulations surrounding the release of the bands second album Lucy and third album Happy Pills before going on hiatus. From there, we talk reforming Candlebox, releasing new albums in the ‘00s, politics in music, songwriting (for himself and others), working with Ken Andrews, the new album on Pledgemusic and much much more. For bonus content from this interview, be sure to join us at Patreon.com. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Candlebox medley (You, Simple Lessons, Far Behind, Best Friend, Change)18:25 - You from Candlebox45:18 - Butterfly from Lucy1:02:44 - Best Friend from Lucy1:12:44

What exactly is emo? To help us, and several listeners who have asked this same question, we’ve assembled an emo all-star team to figure it out. Joining us is Tom Mullen (Washed Up Emo podcast, Is This Band Emo?) Eric Grubbs (Do You Know Who You Are? podcast, author of Post), and Jeff Takacs (Rocketfuel podcast, Punktastic). In This Episode: Intro - Emo Medley (Sunny Day Real Estate, The Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, Cursive, At The Drive-in)9:05 - What does the term “emo” mean?13:40 - What’s the difference between emo, post-punk and post-hardcore?”23:30 - What are the musical hallmarks of emo?30:30 - How did emo become mainstream in the ‘00s?53:50 - What’s the first emo album you give to someone who’s never heard emo?59:25 - What is the current state of emo?Outro - The Day’s Refrain by Texas Is The Reason Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

With an well-received new album just released, it’s the perfect time to check out an album by Britpop pioneers Suede (or, The London Suede here in the states). We put it up for a vote on our Patreon page, and after a tie-breaking coin flip, we’re checking out the 1994 sophomore album Dog Man Star. Like a lot of sophomore albums in the ‘90s, this album came after a well received (critically and commercially) debut. Did Dog Man Star suffer the dreaded sophomore slump? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - We Are The Pigs5:58 - History of the Band16:17 - We Are The Pigs23:58 - Still Life30:39 - HeroineOutro - The Asphault Life Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

For our first interview of 2016, we’re chatting with Andy Hindman, current bass technician (aka, roadie) for the Goo Goo Dolls. Andy started out in Columbus, Ohio playing in bands and going out on the road as a driver/roadie first for Watershed, then Howlin’ Maggie. After short stints with Dovetail Joint and Luscious Jackson, he joined the Goo Goo Dolls crew, which led him to jobs on tours for artists such as Buckcherry, Santana, Alanis Morrisette and Britney Spears. Andy gives us a behind the scene look at the world that takes place in the shadows of your favorite live shows. To hear a bonus clip from this episode, become a subscriber at Patreon. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Roadie Medley (Jackson Browne, Tenacious D, Motorhead, Alice Cooper)Outor - Fucked by Lights by Angry Neighbors Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

It’s our first roundtable discussion of 2016, and we’re tackling the albums from 20-years prior, with special guests Matt Wardlaw (Ultimate Classic Rock, Lost Together podcast), Chip Midnight (KidsInterviewBands.com) and Jeff Takacs (Rocketfuel podcast, Punktastic) to help us cover the best, the overlooked, the letdowns and faded-aways of ‘96. In This Episode: Intro - 1996 Medley (Soundgarden, Soul Coughing, Weezer, Stone Temple Pilots, Nada Surf)3:36 - Overall Thoughts on Music in 199610:08 - Albums That Made An Immediate Impact29:39 - Anticipated Albums That Were Letdowns40:57 - Discussion on R.E.M.’s New Adventures in Hi-Fi46:47 - Albums from 1996 Discovered Later in Life56:13 - Albums That Have Not Stood The Test of Time1:04:01 - Choose One Albums to Represent 1996Outro - If I Could Talk I’d Tell You by The Lemonheads Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

It’s with heavy hearts we share with your are latest episode, recorded four days prior to the passing of David Bowie. With Black Star, his 26th album just released, we decided to revisit his 1993 album Black Tie White Noise, co-produced with Nile Rodgers, who worked with Bowie on the successful Let’s Dance album ten years earlier. With drum and keyboard loops influenced by the burgeoning house and early 90s dance scene, BTWN shows off Bowie’s penchant for melodic hooks and Rodgers talent for infectious grooves, but the spotless production ended up sacrificing some of the emotion and left us feeling a bit cold, despite the inspired cover choices. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Black Tie White Noise10:44 - The Wedding Song13:33 - I Know It’s Gonna Happen18:41 - Don’t Let Me Down and DownOutro - Jump They Say Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

We start our first show of the 2016 season addressing the passing of Scott Weiland before tackling our first requested review of the year, the 1991 album Thrumdone by Carnival Art. Band member connections to Weezer and Jane’s Addiction make this an interesting listen, but the sounds of those bands aren’t really present, for better or worse. Bouncing between catchy new wave, metal riffing and arty experimentation, Thrumdrone rarely stays on one idea for too long. Does that make for an interesting listen? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Hammers and Nails14:09 - Wrestling Swamis17:12 - Itchy Little House25:19 - Sticky GreenOutro - Mrs. Pears's Reptile Homework  Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request a 2016 Review / Subscribe at Patreon

It’s the final episode of 2015, and what a year it was! We recently kicked off our Patreon campaign, and on this episode dig a little deeper into what that means for the future of the show. We talk about our favorite interviews, roundtable discussions and album reviews, read some listener feedback and preview 2016. Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

For our final review of 2015, we’re checking out the sophomore album Aluminum from Gods Child. This New York City band has an interesting and at times odd combination of influences and sounds, jumping from jazz verses to soaring Bon Jovi choruses literally in the same song. Sometimes it works, other times it left us scratching our heads. But did we like it? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - This is the Real World3:36 - History of the Band7:01 - Serve Yourself13:09 - Need16:24 - Heart of ExtasyOutro - Female Elvis Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

As we discussed in our October roundtable episode on female artists of the 90s, 1995 was a historic year thanks to Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette. But Alanis wasn’t the only artist to make an impact. The New York Times noted in early 1996 about the debut album Hello by Poe and her “moody hip-hop to hymnlike piano to fingerpicking pop-folk.” We revisit this eclectic record that features contributions from former Guns ‘n Roses drummer Matt Sorum, late hip-hop producer/artist J Dilla and Alice in Chains/Jane’s Addiction recording engineer Dave Jerden.  Songs in this Episode: Intro - Junkie1:38 - History of the Band10:33 - Hello16:36 - Choking the Cherry19:45 - Angry Johnny24:00 Trigger Happy Jack (Drive By A Go-Go)Outro - Hello (Band Version) Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

For our final roundtable of 2015, we’re joined by Matt Wardlaw and Eric Peterson to discuss movie soundtracks of the 1990s. Where the 90s the ultimate decade for movie soundtracks? Can a great soundtrack redeem a mediocre movie? What were the best songs written specifically for movies? What artists made their careers thanks to soundtrack songs? All this more, plus special thanks to our guest introduction announcer who filled in for our regular. Songs in this Episode: Intro - A Girl Like You by Edwyn Collins (Empire Records)9:19 - Kids in America by The Muffs (Clueless)20:54 - Runnin’ on Go by New Bomb Turks (Glory Daze)32:36 - Seasons by Chris Cornell (Singles)50:40 - BBC by Ming Tea (Austin Powers)Outro - Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe by the Afghan Whigs (Beautiful Girls) Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week Scott Lucas of Local H joins us to talk about their latest album Hey, Killer and their recent tour with Failure. We dig into Scott’s early years in Zion, IL, getting his first Harmony guitar and playing basement and garage shows in the dry town. We discuss the early years of the band, working various jobs while gigging and writing before signing to Island Records. We talk about the upcoming 20th anniversary of their breakthrough sophomore album As Good As Dead, plans for reissues and upcoming shows. The music industry, streaming vs. physical media, Mad Max, the upcoming book coffee table book “Twenty-Five Years of Skin in the Game,” and much much more. Songs in this Episode: Intro - City of Knives3:45 - Gig Bag Road40:39 - Bound for the FloorOutro - Age Group Champion Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt