Tales From The Drop Box Episode 135 (2019-02)

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 135 is about old and new. That is, this episode brings you some current music from this brand spankin’ new year but also gives you a smattering of some older stuff but not so old that it is dusty. I am not sure why this society is so preoccupied with “new” because there is just simply too much recorded musical output to be dismissive of a band, an album or a song because it is more that a year old. In that regard, I am going to try better this year to uncover some gems from the past (few) year(s) and shine a little spotlight on them. Some have had brief moments of publicity (mostly on the regular blogs you likely read periodically) but for some reason or another you just didn’t catch on to how good the track sounded. Some will be familiar names such as the Smashing Pumpkins or Rhett Miller. These artists are included because they bring a different element to this show. You might argue that they have been played on radio ( I am confident that neither of these tracks have received airplay) but that is not the point of this exercise. This show is to bring you interesting and entertaining music no matter the source. In some cases the critics killed the album but I still found something worthwhile. My goal this year is to change all preconceived notions about an artist or an album and perhaps help you discover a new band, or an old band with a really good album, that you accidentally missed or never heard. Sure, I’m going to play new stuff. After all, I know that is why many of you took a chance on this podcast in the first place. I am not changing the direction of this podcast. Tales From the Drop Box will always be somewhat eclectic and my humble effort to give you a glimpse to the breadth and potentials of amazing music that exists and hopefully I will capture lightning in a bottle a few times per episode and play something you’ll find truly amazing. My hope is that I create opportunities for you to become a fan such that you’ll search out for your own pleasure or to share with someone else. Music is truly magic.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode #135:

  1. Angelic Milk – Helluva Dr. “ (Angelic Milk)
  2. We Are The Union – “Self Care” (Self Care)
  3. Shotty Horroh – “Dirty Old Town” (Salt Of The Earth)
  4. Weakened Friends – “Good Friend” (Common Blah)
  5. Film School – “Waking Up” (Bright To Death)
  6. Generationals – “Keep It Low” (State Dogs: Singles 2017-18)
  7. Rhett Miller – “Close Most Of The Time” (The Messenger)
  8. Smashing Pumpkins – “Seek And You Shall Destroy” (Shiny And Oh So Bright, Vol. 1)
  9. Monovine – “Throw Me A Bone” (D.Y.E.)
  10. Claw Boys Claw – “Red Letter” (It’s Not Me, The Horse Or Not Me)
  11. Nerd School – “Time” (Blue Sky For White Lies)
  12. Tallies – “Have You” (Tallies)
  13. It’s For Us – “Red Light” (Come With Me)
  14. Sahara Hotnights – “Keep Callin’ My Baby” (Kiss & Tell)
  15. Cherry Glazerr – “Daddi” (Stuffed & Ready)

Screwed up badly the last time didn’t take the chance to make it right, right, right figured there was no next time ’cause I’d been kicking up a storm I’d been starting up a fight . . . I got a girl who didn’t get me when I withdrew, she’d put me down heartbroken but still hopin’ love would fall in line

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 134 (2019-01)

So it has been a month since the last episode of Tales From The Drop Box was posted. I think the break was just long enough to be enjoyable and definitely long enough to re-charge my batteries for the upcoming year. In short, I am glad to be back! I am truly excited about the prospects for music in 2019 as there are a number of new releases that preorders have just gone up including new albums by Teenage Bottlerocket, Pup, Tame Impala, Lemonheads and finally last week a hint of a new King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard release shortly. We were truly spoiled by their 5LPs released in 2017.

What was missing from last year’s episodes that I didn’t get to play for you? Well, I’m glad you asked! Before we get to this year’s new music releases, this episode is a look back in order to pick up a few tracks from the end of last year that you might have missed. Tales From The Drop Box Episode 134 is as usual filled with a pretty broad spectrum of music encompassing some folk, pop, indie rock, punk rock. The true surprise however is this episode’s throwback track which is from The Kids, who are a European first wave punk rock act that never made any impact in America. That said, for most listeners this will be your introduction to a terrific rock act that are still playing hook filled punk rock for 40 years. Honestly, they are a band that should not be forgotten and if you missed them you can run right out (or stay home and download) and buy their reissued back catalog.

Finally, this episode is also dedicated to the memory of Teresa Ryan, better known as Lorna Doom, the bass player of the Germs who passed away last week. I only caught the Germs live once (I think in 1979) but the memory of that performance is indelibly etched in my memory.  That show was sloppy, funny, and chaotic. Simply, magical. Lorna was an important figure in Los Angles punk rock and a role model for many who followed her in the early L.A. scene. Her contributions to the scene were never truly given their due but hopefully history will be kind and recognize her important role is the growing punk pantheon as well as her contributions to the legendary Germs.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode #134:

  1. Wargirl – “How You Feel” (Wargirl)
  2. Bad Nostalgia – “Patricia” (Silent Through The Fall)
  3. Welshy Arms – “Wild” (No Place Is Home)
  4. Smokescreens – “Falling Down” (Used To Yesterday)
  5. Spirit Animal – “BST FRNDS” (Born Yesterday)
  6. Blood On Wheels – “Don’t Wanna” (Blood Money)
  7. Civic – “Pleasure” (Those Who No EP)
  8. Boygenius – “Bite The Hand” (Boygenius EP)
  9. Kælan Mikla– “Skuggadans” (Nótt eftir nótt)
  10. Choke The Pope – “Fuck You” (Who Cares?)
  11. C.I.A. – “Pleasure Seeker” (C.I.A.)
  12. Big Bliss – “Constants” (At Middle Distance)
  13. Sports Bar – “Is It Strange? (Stranger In My Mind)
  14. The Kids – “The City Is Dead” (Naughty Kids)
  15. Sister Sparrow – “Ghost” (Gold)

I can’t hear you, you’re too far away I can’t see you, the light is in my face I can’t touch you, I wouldn’t if I could . . . Lights out on this endless sunny day (You trippin’, you trippin’, you trippin’) Plastic queens and palm trees on parade . . .

KFR