Tag Archives: Indie

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 195 (2021-07) / Still The Pandemic Episodes, Damn..

Posted on by
2

I’m still here! There is not a better way to start the week than with some new tunes. This episode of Tales From The Drop Box explores a very poppy side of the musical world. This week’s episode is really a trip through some neglected pop music that inhabits the multiverse and that is not on any popular radio in the U.S. (for the most part). Episode 195 explores that indie pop genre with some lyrically catchy and somewhat dark themes sprinkled throughout. It is interesting to hear music that is somewhat upbeat and then takes that dark sharp left into the uncomfortable. It’s not all dark as you’ll quickly discover, but then that is the joy of these podcasts – you’ll discover that we like to do it with the lights on!

Here is what you will find in Episode 195 (2021-07):

  1. Nessa Barrett – “I Hope Ur Miserable Until Ur Dead” (Pretty Poison)
  2. Sly Withers – “My Bullshit” (Gardens)
  3. Islands – “(We Like To Do It) With The Lights on” (Islomania)
  4. Latewaves – “Too Much” (Hell To Pay)
  5. Juliana Hatfield – “Suck It Up” (Blood)
  6. The Reds, Pinks, and Purples – “Living On Sunday” (Anxiety Art)
  7. Captain Kaiser – “Moscow Mule (The Drover’s Inn)
  8. Sydney Sprague – “Object Permanence” (Maybe I Will See You At The End Of The World)
  9. Why Elephant – “A Pair” (Today EP)
  10. Nasty Cherry – “All In My Head: (The Movie EP)
  11. Longstocking – “Teenage Angst At 27” (Once Upon A Time Called Now)
  12. Adult Books – “Holiday” (Grecian Urn)
  13. The Beaches – “Blow Up” (Future Lovers)
  14. The Stranglers – “5 Minutes” (No More Heroes)
  15. Remember Sports – ” Like A Stone” (Like A Stone)
Tales From The Drop Box Episode 195 (2021-07)

When I think of you I, I get angry and I – I see couples in love, I hope they die I don’t really, I’m not that violent . . .I lost my love on the holiday my drugstore flowers bought with change
the smell of wet leaves in the fireplace . . .

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 194 (2021-06) / Still The Pandemic Episodes, Damn..

Posted on by
1

Well, I’m back again for another week of new-ish fine-ish music. Thanks for the positive comments. I missed you all as well. So, there should be some candy in this week’s episode of Tales From The Drop Box because for some unknown reason there are more pop sounds than usual. So, don’t be alarmed if there is not a plethora of heavy music or you missed your favorite punk rock track. We will get back there at some point but for now,

here is what you will find in Episode 194 (2021-06):

  1. Faded Paper Figures – “She’s Walking Out” (Kairos)
  2. Bull – “Green” (Discover Effortless Living)
  3. Cloud Nothings – “Things I Fucking Like” (April 2021 EP)
  4. Fightmilk – “Hey Annabelle!” (Contender)
  5. Polish Club – “Stop For A Minute” (Now We’re Cookin’)
  6. Acid Dad – “Good Time” (Take It From The Dead)
  7. Ferraro – “Fools Paradise” (Sweet Fever EP)
  8. The Jungle Giants – “Treat You Right” (Love Signs)
  9. Nonagon – “Hack” (They Birds)
  10. Free Throw – “Ocular Pat Down” (Piecing It Together)
  11. Authority Zero – Seas And Serpents” (Ollie Ollie Oxen Free)
  12. LionLion – “Language” (Perspective)
  13. Demolition Doll Rods – “Believe” (Into The Brave)
  14. Eddie And The Hot Rods – “Do Anything You Wanna Do” (Life On The Line)
  15. Maggot Heart – “Lost Boys” (Mercy Machine)
Tales From The Drop Box Episode 194 (2021-06)

Meet me in the club tell me that’s what’s up baby hold on hold on, wait stop for a minute … Well, I’m a lover, girl, I want you to know well, I will treat you right I got your number, babe …

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 193 (2021-05) / Still The Pandemic Episodes, Damn..

Posted on by
Reply

Well I bet you thought that this podcast had evaporated into the sands of time. It still might, but I’m going to give it a shot. As this is only Episode 5 of Tales From The Drop Box in 2021, and we’ve had several COVID vaccine options in the time I’ve been away, I’m hoping that as things now, after some clusterfuckery, are heading on a positive trajectory. Maybe it was the January 6th insurrection and coup attempt that got me sideways, but I’ll try to get back on track. So, rather than jibber-jabber about nonsense, here is what you came for – nuggets of sonic goodness that will make you want to shake a body part or two.

Here is what you will find in Episode 193 (2021-05):

  1. Neighborhood Brats – “Miss America Pageant” (Confines of Life)
  2. Chubby And The Gang – “Coming Up Tough” (The Mutt’s Nuts)
  3. Jake Bugg – “All I Need” (Saturday Night, Sunday Morning)
  4. Kurt Vile – “Run Run Run” (I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute To The Velvet Underground)
  5. Kenny Hoople/Travis Barker – “Estella//” (Survivor’s Guilt: The Mixtape)
  6. New Candys – “Evil Evil” (Vyvyd)
  7. Social Haul – “The Bayou” (Social Haul)
  8. The Lillingtons – Project 313″ (Can Anybody Hear Me? A Tribute To Enemy You)
  9. Mighty Oaks – “Ghost” (Mexico)
  10. Useless I.D. – “Turn Up The Stereo” (Most Useless Songs)
  11. The Snuts – “Always” (W.L. (Deluxe Edition))
  12. Citizen – “I Want To Kill You” (Life In Your Glass World)
  13. Skeggs – “Fantasizing” (Rehearsal)
  14. Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros – “Coma Girl” (Assembly)
  15. Halsey – “The Lighthouse” (If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power)
Tales From The Drop Box Episode 193 (2021-05)

Two broken hearts, but I won’t let you go until you are a ghosts to me…Coma Girl was beating with the oil drum gang some fast food fanatic was burning down a burger van . . .

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 161 (2020-09) The Pandemic Episodes

Posted on by
Reply

Sad week in America. COVID-19 deaths are increasing, George Floyd’s senseless death, and violent protests against police brutality exposing a systemic failure of leadership and a nationwide culture of racism. All this is against a backdrop of civil unrest, looting and destruction in many cities across America demonstrating just how thin the line between good and evil is in this country. The politics of outrage will not be a satisfactory response to the wounds of racism ripped open this week and then poked at by the occupant of the White House. Regardless of your political affiliation, you should certainly be able to see the injustice perpetrated against Black America and institutionalized in the militarized police force against all persons of color. Certainly you should be able to recognize that George Floyd’s death was morally wrong. He was murdered by a police officer and three others watched and failed to intervene. Black lives do not matter to the police as currently constiuted in cities across the nation. The data is shocking and disturbing. Police violence is not isolated.

As this week’s George Floyd protests have spotlighted, police violence is endemic and it is multi-generational. NWA’s “Fuck tha Police” (August 9, 1988) was not the only song pointing out the obvious 32 years ago, the Dead Kennedys, eight years earlier than that identified the police as a criminal gang in “Police Truck” (May 1980). “Police Truck” was inspired by an incident in Los Angeles in the late 1970s in which two police officers performed illegal activities such as drinking on the job, beating up drunks, and raping prostitutes. A similar incident was documented recently in 2017. Obviously, I do not have the answers but I have to believe that answers do exist and are out there to be adopted. A recent report issued by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights entitled “Police Use of Force: An Examination of Modern Policing Practices” might be a good place to start.

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 161 seems a rather insignificant offering in light of the protests, but perhaps you can reflect, as I am, about what we can do to stop the violence. Perhaps it is something simple such as giving support to peaceful protestors who were arrested exercising their freedom of expression and rising up against wrongdoing, such as protesting the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and Ahmaud Arbery. You can contribute to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, Louisville Community Bail Fund, Columbus Freedom Fund, Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, and Los Angeles’ People’s City Council Freedom Fund.

Here is what you will find in Episode 161:

  1. Retirement Party – “Compensation” (Runaway Dog)
  2. The Detectors – “Opportunities To Grow” (Ideology)
  3. Duncan Reid and The Big Heads – “Your Future Ex-Wife” (Don’t Blame Yourself)
  4. Boat – “So Many Reasons Your Hair Turns Grey” (Tread Lightly)
  5. Ethyl Ether – “Cold Black Soul” (Chrome Neon Jesus)
  6. One Dollar Short – “Board Game” (Unforgotten Songs)
  7. 999 – “Statue” (Bish! Bash! Bosh!)
  8. All Time Low – “Bottle And A Beat” (Future Hearts B-Sides)
  9. Moses – “Basically” (Almost Everything Is Bullshit)
  10. Rocket Surgeon – “Lich King” (Flash Fiction)
  11. Melenas – “No Puedo Pensar” (Dias Raros)
  12. The Luka State – “[Insert Girls Name Here]” (Feel It)
  13. Public Practice – “Cities” (Gentle Grip)
  14. Stiff Little Fingers – “ A River Flowing” (Tinderbox)
  15. Answering Machine – “Bad Luck” (Bad Luck)

Judgment man on the bench again telling me what I’ve done wrong . . . what can you do if you feel that way so many reasons your hair turns gray…

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 160 (2020-08) The Pandemic Episodes

Posted on by
Reply

We are going to get to the music, but as tomorrow is Memorial Day in the United States, I have a few thoughts. As we observe Memorial Day amidst a pandemic that has killed, as I write these words, 100,000 Americans (THIS IS A REALLY BIG NUMBER) , I am reminded of the powerful words of General John Logan about the importance of this day and what it means as we honor the lives of those who sacrificed for a “free and undivided Republic”:

“We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or the coming generations, that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided Republic. If other eyes grow dull, and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains to us.” (General John Logan, General Order No. 11, May 5, 1868.)

As we are confronted with a new enemy the ravishes of which seeks to destroy all of mankind, perhaps on this day, as we remember our fallen heroes, we should, with sacred vigilance, we should also remember that we are all Americans and that we have a duty to not let the sacrifice of our heroes be wasted on trifles. It is not a day for golf. It is a day to again pick up arms and do what is necessary to protect what so many died for – died so that we all could be free.

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 160 is another terrific episode of new music with its usual genre jumping mix. Here is what you’ll find in Episode 160:

  1. Kidbug – “Lovesick” (Kidbug)
  2. Chemtrails – “Rats” (The Peculiar Smell Of The Inevitable)
  3. Western Addiction – “Frail Bray” (Frail Bay)
  4. Painkillers – “Invisible” (Storytellers)
  5. Emery – “Now What” (White Line Fever)
  6. Gerry Cinnamon – “Head In The Clouds” (The Bonny)
  7. Wyldlife – “Crime Of The Scene” (Year Of The Snake)
  8. Damn The Witch Siren – “Ghost In A Sheet” (White Magic)
  9. Fake Names – “Lost Cause” (Fake Names)
  10. Sky Valley Mistress – “You Got Nothin‘ (Faithless Rituals)
  11. I’m Glad It’s You – “Big Sound” (Every Sun, Every Moon)
  12. Call Me Malcolm – “What You Burn” (Me, Myself And Something Else)
  13. 1000mods – “Warped” (Youth Of Dissent)
  14. Angelic Upstarts – “I’m An Upstart” (Teenage Warning)
  15. Maita – “Can’t Blame A Kid” (Best Wishes)

We don’t need to be clever to learn your lies  we only have to listen, open up our eyes try to be honest, get kicked in the face . . . Believe and build your bonny gonna never know unless you try one life is a short time and no one knows where you go when you die . . .

KFR