Tag Archives: Indie

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 159 (2020-07) The Pandemic Episodes

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Episode 159 of Tales From the Drop Box is a no-frills affair. As will become evident to you at some point in the program this episode is just the usual assortment of awesome music packaged into about an hour. I do think you will find some ear-worms in this episode that will make their way into your soul.

Upon reflection, that is the simple goal for this program – to find some ear-worms – a song or two each episode that makes a connection with you in some manner. Simply put, finding music that alters your perspective about music, life, and where you fit in the world. Tales From the Drop Box is a form of mind control. Over the past couple of years, I have attempted to influence your musical tastes by subtly mixing tracks together that would not be found together in any contemporary musical program. Instead I have tried to use the music presented as communication with you. Music is immersive and if it makes you move or connects with you emotionally  – regardless of the way you characterize or organize that music in your mind –   then I have accomplished my goal for this program. Keep moving, make connections with others on an emotional level (keeping 6ft apart!) and good things will flow from those efforts. This is probably good advice for the pandemic – keep moving forward and things will flow.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 159:

  1. Worriers – “End of the World” (You or Someone You Know)
  2. Blank Spaces – “My Heart Skips” (A Home Away From Home)
  3. Car Seat Headrest – “Hollywood” (Making a Door Less Open)
  4. Mr. T Experience – “More Than Toast” (MTX Forever)
  5. Wares – “Survival” (Survival)
  6. Boston Manor – “Playing God” (Glue)
  7. Kyle Forester – “Strange Vision” (Hearts in Garden)
  8. The Men – “Breeze” (Mercy)
  9. Man-eaters – “Baptized in Spit” (Gentle Ballads for the Simple Soul)
  10. Mando Diao – “One Last Fire (Acoustic)” (BANG (Acoustic Versions))
  11. Circa Waves – “Wasted On You” (Sad Happy)
  12. The Anxiety & Tyler Cole – “Poolside” (The Anxiety)
  13. Serious Fraud Office – “Uptown” (15 Pieces of Flair)
  14. The Partisans – “17 Years of Hell (Single Version)” (1981-84)
  15. Caveboy – “I Wonder” (Night in the Park, Kiss in the Dark)

Call off the dogs, I can see through the fog and I’ll kill ’cause I want to call off the dogs or I’ll keep playing God . . .Pushing me too hard can’t believe what they’re saying they try to make the wrong seem right pushing me too hard with the games they keep playing . . .

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 158 (2020-06) The Pandemic Episodes

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Happy Mother’s Day! It is  a special day for many of us as we take time to appreciate the primary source of nurturing and love that also gave us life. This is not to say that fathers don’t provide nurturing love, they almost certainly do, but fortunately for most of us, moms are the endless fount of love. So, for all of you moms who have given their unwavering love, support and care for your child(ren) – enjoy your day. This episode is for the moms in my life and most importantly for my children’s mom, a special woman who has raised some intelligent, talented and loving children and who puts up with this overgrown child every single day! For those of you listening to this episode, why not share it with your mom…

Typical of this podcast, Episode 158 of Tales From the Drop Box is not a celebration of Mother’s Day. It is a little softer at the beginning but it slowly builds to that unpredictable chaotic diversity you’ve come to expect. So, as always rock the crap out of this one.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 158:

  1. Charly Bliss – “Feed” (Supermoon)
  2. San Cisco – “Gone” (Flaws)
  3. Zuzu – “Get Off” (How It Feels)
  4. Violent Soho – “Lying On The Floor” (Everything is A-OK)
  5. The Amazons – “25” (Future Dust (Expanded Edition))
  6. The Big Moon – “Why” (Walking Like We Do)
  7. Miss Fortune – “No Hesitation” (Miss Fortune)
  8. Gaytheist – “The Dark Deep” (How Long Have I Been On Fire?)
  9. Flat Worms – “Plaster Casts” (Antarctica )
  10. Fire in the Radio – “Let’s Get to the Start” (Monuments)
  11. Fatal Blow – “Rich Man’s War” (Generals & Soldiers)
  12. The Cowboys – “The Human Puzzle” (Room of Clons)
  13. The Brotherhood & Co. – “The Devil You Know” (Simple As That)
  14. The Rats – “Can’t Stand Back” (In a Desperate Red)
  15. The Svetlanas – “Karma Soldier” (Disco Sucks)

I would feed the whole world I would feed the whole world if I could… I can’t live in my head / I gotta be outta my mind every time before bed . . .

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 157 (2020-05) The Pandemic Episodes

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Hmmmm…..I am in an aggressive mood today so Episode 157 of Tales From the Drop Box is going to be far more up-tempo than the last couple of episodes of these pandemic versions of your favorite podcast. I’m telegraphing a few things in that last sentence. Yup, it is a punk rock episode! You should also note that I’ve also upped significantly the caloric content of this episode with a couple of extra tracks (okay – it’s 10 extra tracks) so you can enjoy these short songs longer.I also provided some YouTube links for those tracks that are available.

Hopefully all of you are staying as safe as you can, keeping others safe by physically distancing yourself from people in the wild, and doing your best to try to control the spread of COVID-19. I offer these wishes because in case it skipped your news feed – there is no cure yet, there is no treatment that reduces the lethalness of the virus, and real people are still dying – in large numbers. Consequently, if you are one of those who believe your individual freedoms are more important than the collective good and are willing to risk your life for your own reason, then please don’t freaking risk other people’s lives with your choices. Freedom is a choice (Devo?) but your individual actions may cause other individuals to die. By all means enjoy your personal freedom but don’t interfere with my right to be safe from exposure to a potentially deadly virus as I can’t predict what the outcome of your choice on my life will be.

On a separate note, I fully understand and agree that we must restart our local and national economies in order to prevent mass starvation and the very real consequences of a depression like economy. However,  re-opening the business community without clear and consistent guidelines based upon reasonable objective data and supported by adequate COVID-19 testing is just freakin’ madness.

Are governments truly willing to risk people’s lives by a lack of preparation and planning? In a number of places, the answer to this question is certainly yes. Please hold these murderers accountable in the next election.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 157:

  1. Upset – “Over My Head” (Upset)
  2. Dave Smalley & The Bandoleros – “Punk Rock Battle Cry” (Ignited)
  3. The Brains – “Satana Tarantula” (Satana Tarantula)
  4. Burning Heads – Colors and Blood (feat. Anne Durand – Off Models)” (Under Their Influence)
  5. Remember Sports – “Tiny Planets” (Sunchokes (Deluxe Edition))
  6. D.O.A. – “Just Got Back From The U.S.A.” (Treason)
  7. The Shiverettes – “Abort” (Real Shrill Bitches)
  8. Aanthems – “Seen a Ghost” (Blood Fortune)
  9. The Suicide Machines – “Cheers To Ya” (Revolution Spring)
  10. Kills Birds – “Jesus Did” (Kills Birds)
  11. Four Year Strong – “Crazy Pills” (Brain Pain)
  12. Haggard Cat – “Pearl” (Common Sense Holiday)
  13. Starbenders – “Getting Harder” (Love Potions)
  14. Naked Six – “Sticky Gum” (Lost Art of Conversation)
  15. Everfresh – “Abandon Me” (Forever)
  16. Le Butcherettes – “Out For You” (Don’t Bleed)
  17. The Clinch – “Atoms” (Basecamp)
  18. Rotting Out – “Unforgiven” (Ronin)
  19. Hellfreaks – “Tabby” (God On The Run)
  20. SPC – “I Never Learned How Not To Love” (Socially Problematic Children)
  21. The Thirtysevens – “A Gaunt Perspective” (Play Your Cards Right!)
  22. The Subway Thugs – “Catch 22” ( The Good, The Bad & The Thugly: The Complete Collection)
  23. Friendly Fire – “Overgrown” (Terminalwanderlust)
  24. Joy Division – “The Kill (Pennine Sound Studios Oldham 18.07.77)” (Closer To The Unknown)
  25. Cayetana – “Dirty Laundry” (Nervous Like Me)

Someone tell me if I’m going crazy or if your rattling in my head is just another mind game that you’re playing… My brother’s life was over with a flash of light the gun was sure to have seen him comin’….

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 156 (2020-04) The Pandemic Episodes

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And the pandemic continues … . I never thought I’d ever have to use the word “pandemic” in a sentence. As some areas of the country begin to open up their businesses and try to gain some economic activity, I find it somewhat distressing to discover that I am curious about how willing our politicians are to engage in a potential lethal social experiment.  Certainly some citizens will lose their lives as we move forward, the unaddressed question being – “How many?” Hopefully the death rate from this latest virus declines and the country, which has been largely cast adrift by the staggering incompetence of the White House, somehow finds not only relief from the deadly virus but also rediscovers its soul. I’m not so confident about the last statement. COVID-19 deaths have converted individuals into mere numbers uprooted from the tragedy of each individual’s death.

Hopefully, you’ll find some joy in this episode – Episode 156 of Tales From the Drop Box. Take care my friends. Stay safe.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 156:

  1. The Tuts – “Always Hear the Same Shit” (Update Your Brain)
  2. Ultimate Fakebook – “Manhattan Kansas” (The Preserving Machine)
  3. The Candy Coat Hook (Andy Partridge) – “Cavegirl” (Various Artists – 12 The Flavors of Hercules)
  4. Canine 10 – “On/Off” (Nonsense!)
  5. The Smith Street Band – “Big Smoke” (Don’t Waste Your Anger)
  6. Love Fame Tragedy – “My Cheating Heart” (I Don’t Want To Play The Victim, But I’m Really Good At It)
  7. Savak – “Exposure” (Rotting Teeth in the Horse’s Mouth)
  8. Bloodwitch – “Hey Little Girl” (I Am Not Okay With This (Music from the Netflix Original Series)
  9. Naked Six – “Lost Art of Conversation” (Lost Art of Conversation)
  10. Twisted Wheel – “Black and Blue” (Satisfying the Ritual)
  11. Butterfingers – “Dancing (To The Beat Of My Own Drum)” (Bad News)
  12. Dry Cleaning – “Magic of Meghan” (Sweet Princess EP)
  13. The Subways – “ I Want To Hear What You Have Got To Say” (Young for Eternity (Deluxe Edition))
  14. Fine Young Cannibals – “Don’t Look Back” (The Raw & the Cooked)
  15. Leslie Mendelson – “If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…” (If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…)

Never had a holiday in the tropical sun, good times look like they’re never gonna come . . . My mind is all made up I’m doing all I can I’m trying hard to think but I can’t understand why every time I see you, you just walk away…

 

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 155 (2020-03) The Pandemic Episodes

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Now we are just Zoom-bombing along! Tales From The Drop Box Episode 155 is truly an embarrassment of musical riches. I have had some time i.e. several months to gear things up during the long cold winter and there is simply a glut of very good music being released during the time I was away. Unfortunately, for a number of musical acts, the COVID-19 pandemic is going to wipe out any commercial opportunity from the release of their music. This lack of commercial opportunity is just one of a myriad of consequences caused by the pandemic and the resultant 22 million people applying for unemployment benefits in the U.S. in just the past 30 days. As this episode of Tales From The Drop Box amply demonstrates – there is some really good music out in the world right now. I am bringing these episodes to you with the hope that you actually buy the music. Most of these acts and their labels have Bandcamp websites or stream through Spotify. If your curious, reach out and find out how you can support them to create more music.

Taking the slim silver-lining position amidst this unusual and very tragic period, can you imagine the explosion of music that is going to be released post-pandemic? However, I am a more than a little worried about the artists and bands that will not recover from the economic consequences caused by this pandemic. In essence, musicians are small businesses and they need your help. So, if you are so inclined, seek out and buy something from any one of these bands in this episode – large act or small, national, regional or local act. It doesn’t matter what stage the act is in because they all could use the cash.

Oh, turn it up and PLAY LOUD!

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 155:

  1. The Bombpops – “Notre Dame” (Death in Venice Beach)
  2. Born Ruffians – “Breathe” (Juice)
  3. The Lovely Eggs – “I Am Moron” (You’ve Got The Balls)
  4. All Time Low – “Some Kind of Disaster” (Wake Up Sunshine)
  5. The Decibels – “Million Ways” (Big Sounds Again)
  6. High Hi – “Firepool” (Firepool)
  7. Parsonsfield – “River Town” (Happy Hour on the Floor)
  8. Beach Bunny – “Ms. California” (Honeymoon)
  9. Chubby and The Gang – “Speed Kills” (Speed Kills)
  10. Part Time Killer – “Insane and Free” (The Fight)
  11. The Special Bombs – “Not Too Old” (Eruptions)
  12. No No No – “Hypocrites” (Live Fast)
  13. Kingswood – “Cigarettes in Bed” (Juveniles)
  14. Pete Yorn – For Nancy (‘Cos It Already Is)” (Musicforthemorningafter)
  15. Brix & The Extricated – “Wolves” (Super Blood Wolf Moon)

Like the flames to Notre Dame, nothing sacred here is safe I’ve exhausted all my prayers here on these pews . . . And when you said I could not stay with you that’s not the way you would have wanted to be convince yourself that everything is alright

KFR