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Tales From The Drop Box Episode 168 (2020-16) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

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Another week, another 4300 deaths in America. Perhaps we should take a long hard look at what we are doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You already have much confirmation that your government will not save you, your family or anyone else from this deadly virus. Honestly, the only effective weapons in the fight seem to be wear a mask and stay the f__ away from each other. Seems simple and practical to me. It is also readily apparent that not everyone is on board with simple and effective.

As evidenced by my first trip to a beach yesterday, Mr. Belding, not a notorious sun worshipper, attempted a foray into the wild only to observe that, for many, COVID-19 does not exist and physical distancing is a mere suggestion. Amidst all the 1st Amendment debate over the claimed right to not wear a mask in a pandemic (Freedom of Expression) and the stupid outrage over having to wear a mask as somehow a violation of this right (Karens and Kens – you know who you are), what is apparently missed by a markedly large number of covidiots is that society depends on personal accountability and wearing a mask is an expression of that personal accountability choice. That is, in order for society to function we can not reach a critical threshold of people who are just ass hats.

Mask mandates for public health reasons should not be necessary. No government wants to order people to do what should be obvious. The big picture is that we need to actually care about each other and be personally responsible and accountable for our own actions and not let our desire to be “different”, part of the “silent majority” or any other lame excuse to be a moron and actually interfere with the right of others persons to be free from stupid. Don’t be an idiot, wear a mask and as noted above, stay the f___ away from me.

As for Episode 168 of Tales From The Drop Box, I am solely responsible for the content. Yup, and in my humble and very biased opinion, I believe this episode, much like the 167 preceding this one, is it worth about an hour of your time. 15 songs by bands that you likely don’t know much about, in a variety of genres that are carefully mixed to touch your soul. I am personally responsible for making sure you enjoy your time. Give it a try.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 168:

  1. Portland – “Lady Moon” (Your Colours Will Stain)
  2. The Rhymes – “Viral” (The Rhymes)
  3. Spacey Jane – “Wasted on Me” (Sunlight)
  4. Honest Men – “Lose My Head” (I’m Okay)
  5. The Airborne Toxic Event – “All The Children” (Hollywood Park)
  6. Custard – “Take The Skinheads Bowling” (Respect All Lifeforms)
  7. America’s Favorite Punk – “Mr. Citizen” (Life After Quarantine)
  8. Flashfires – “Circus Boy” (Flashfires)
  9. Gaffa Tape Sandy – “Meat Head” (Family Mammal EP)
  10. The Growlers – “Dream World” (Dream World)
  11. The Winter Passing – “Ghost Thing” (New Ways of Living)
  12. Loyalty To Me – “Rewrites” (Clash//Co-Exist)
  13. Matthew Sweet – “I’ve Been Waiting” (Blue Sky on Mars Tour – Live At Pleasure Island, Florida June 17, 1997)
  14. Manic Street Preachers – “Roses In The Hospital” (Filet O Gang Remix Remastered)” (Manic Street Preachers)
  15. Dream Wife – “Homesick” ( So When You Gonna …)

Lady Moon may I ask you why you comfort me? When autumn comes you’re always near . . This is the part where I lose my head breaking my fingers to make amends . . .

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 167 (2020-15) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

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Another week and the COVID-19 pandemic is out of control here in America. An abject failure of federal leadership is the cause of the uncoordinated patch work of responses and when combined with the large volume of inconsistent information, disinformation, and misinformation the result is that a large number of people are going to die needlessly. That is the true cost of a President who is wholly incompetent and callous.

So, where do we go from here? Good question. Hopefully, someone with the power to enact change will step up. As I’ve mentioned previously somewhere in these posts, I believe the start for change begins with us individually. The only person who can save us from the impending disaster, whatever the disaster, is ourselves. That is, the first step forward begins with us. So, as you think about the next couple of months, some of which are likely going to be spent at home as stay at home orders are reimposed, ask you may ask yourself how did I get here? And you may ask yourself how do I work this? And you may ask yourself Am I right? Am I wrong? And you may say yourself “My God! What have I done?”(And you may ask yourself isn’t that the Talking Heads “One in a Lifetime” playing in the background as I read this?). And that is the point – what are you asking yourself as you sit at home unable to go outside, unable to go to work, unable to feed your family, unable to eat in a restaurant, unable to be? You should be asking yourself what is the next step forward. That begins with you.

Register to vote and then vote. There must certainly be a better option to lead our country than the idiot who has raised the level of misery so high that having a misery index seems irrelevant. Each of us is responsible for our choices, but those choices impact other lives. Rather than bitch about the past, take action.

Here is what you will find in Episode 167 of Tales from the Drop Box:

  1. Whim – “Brick Walls & All Their Secrets” (Abuzz In The Abyss)
  2. Jehnny Beth – “Heroine” (To Love Is To Live)
  3. Bad Moves – “Cape Henlopen” (Untenable)
  4. Disheveled Cuss – “Nu Complication” (Oh My God)
  5. Jaded Truth – “Wide Asleep” (Rx)
  6. Rowland S. Howard – “I Burnt Your Clothes” (Teenage Snuff Film)
  7. The Real McKenzies – “Big Foot Steps” (Beer & Loathing)
  8. The Vacant Lots – “Into The Depths” (Interzone)
  9. C Silver – “Gentle Yellow” (In Clarity & Curses EP)
  10. Back Up Kid -” I’ve Got a Bad Habit of Looking Down Alleys and Thinking Too Much” (Goodness, Gracious)
  11. Badtalkers – “Better Run” (Sick Arms)
  12. Wire – “The Art of Persistence” (10:20)
  13. Unknown Era – “Meet Me (On The Dancefloor)” ( A State of Affairs)
  14. The Dukes Of Stratosphear – Vanishing Girl (2001 Mix) (Chips From The Chocolate Fireball)
  15. Delacey – “Actress” (Black Coffee)

The art of persistence, survival bred skills repairs for the final, test of the wills persistence, survival, test of the wills prepare for the final, perfect rival to kill … Someone’s knocking in the distance but I’m deaf and blind she’s not expected home this evening so I leave the world behind

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 166 (2020-14) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

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I hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July holiday. To my Canadian friends, I hope you had a terrific Canada Day. Normally, I would be celebrating America’s birthday, but it is difficult to celebrate America’s success when we are in the vortex of a disaster of our own creation. As COVID-19 numbers cross the 50,000 new cases per day threshold and a Federal administration that has fully given up talking about or doing anything about the senseless deaths, the signs for America’s future look a little bleak right now. However, there is still hope. America can reclaim its place as the greatest democracy by taking small individual and collective steps designed to unite one another for a common purpose. That purpose I would offer is to heal and protect our communities from threats from within. If July 4th is to remain a marker for the celebration of our culture and our nation – past, present and future – then action to preserve our democratic way of life must start with us. If we fail to take action to reverse the rivers of division threatening to drown our democracy then we are lost. The fight for a society where all persons are created equal is a good place to start. Black Lives Do Matter. Register to vote. Participate. Be a positive force for change and not just a critic.

In California you can register to vote here: https://registertovote.ca.gov/

As for Tales From The Drop Box Episode 166, it is definitely a hodgepodge of old and new. I think you are going to love a number of these tracks which might have passed you by during the past couple of months as social issues predominate attention and time. You’ll also get some insight into one of my guilty pleasures, San Cisco, including why I feel guilty, along with the usual mix of new music that you should be listening to right now.

Here is what you will find in Episode 166:

  1. Hinds – “Waiting For You” (The Prettiest Curse)
  2. Tuff Sunshine – “We Seal Every Deal With A Kiss” (Dig Deeper, Peanut)
  3. Rusty – “Tricker Tricker” (Dogs Of Canada)
  4. Animal House – “Modern Romance (feat. Lucy Sheehan)” (Premium Mediocre)
  5. All The Wasted Years – “Ship Going Nowhere” (I’m Fine)
  6. Disq – “D19” (Collector)
  7. Honey Lung – “Getting Off” (Post Modern Motorcade Music)
  8. Raveslut – “Insanity” (No Escape)
  9. Jeff Rosenstock – “Leave It In The Sun” (No Dream)
  10. Pretty Thrills – “Scarlett” (Pretty Thrills)
  11. San Cisco – “On The Line” (On The Line – Single)
  12. Silver Sun – “Needle In The Ball Pit” (Switzerland)
  13. Terry Sharp – “Put In Bay Ohio Death Bird” (The Death Choir Sings)
  14. The Skids – “The Saints Are Coming”
  15. Bad Cop/ Bad Cop – “Breastless” (The Ride)

I gave you time in crowded places gave you love in empty spaces waiting for you . . . Don’t let me know all the reasons that it probably shouldn’t work or let me know all the things I’ll never do.

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 165 (2020-13) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

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Pandemic still ongoing. Still no justice for victims of systemic racism carried out by police officers against Black Americans and other persons of color. Still no answer to the real problem of privilege in our country. The COVID-19 problem is, alarmingly, growing. As the world wide number of estimated infections crosses the 10 million persons infected threshold this should give us all pause to think about the rapid acceleration of the virus. The numbers are accelerating world wide. Last week the WHO reported 183,000 new cases – the single largest number of new cases reported in one day. On average, there are approximately 150,000 new cases per day worldwide. The U.S. which accounts for 25% of those cases recorded the largest number of daily reported cases since April 23 – the peak of the New York infection. There is little doubt that the lack of leadership at the federal level is the greatest threat to the safety of our country. The response is an abysmal failure. So, as I try to be positive with these notes, here are some suggestions:

  1. Always physically distance yourself from persons who are not your immediate family. This should make intuitive sense to everyone. I stay away from you and yuo stay away from me and we don’t spread the virus to each other. Why people still argue this point is a mystery to me. The large numbers of people who believe that this advice is false is a greater concern. Truly, this mystical belief that the physical distancing from each other is not effective and that the virus will disappear as if by magic (see a certain POTUS) is the very definition of idiot.]
  2. Wash your hands and avoid contact with your nose, eyes and mouth.
  3. When you cannot physically distance yourself from other people wear a cloth covering over your mouth and nose i.e. a face mask. [This is not a political statement – it is an objective statement based upon the best available science. Don’t be stupid – mask up].
  4. Vote for leaders who understand that public health emergencies are not political theater and need to be taken seriously; react by providing responses based upon based available objective data; provide a consistent rational message including realistic probabilities of events where the data is unclear; and don’t lie to the people. [Again, this is not advocating for any particular political party. It is a statement about leadership. Don’t vote for idiots who will kill you because they are either stupid or incredibly uniformed and lazy to actually think and then take reasoned action].

As for this week’s episode of Tales From The Drop Box Episode 165, there is no real theme. I have tried for consistency over these latest episodes and this one should fit right in the pocket. I have some power pop, indie rock, pop, punk rock and hell yeah a little live Chris Isaak whose first couple of records were actually really good. So, turn it up a little bit (because you are physically distanced) so you can share it with your neighbors, think positive thoughts and stay safe until next week!

Here is what you will find in Episode 165:

  1. Indian Queens – “Wanderlust” (God Is Woman)
  2. Butch Walker – “Gridlock” (American Love Story)
  3. Nova Twins – “Devil’s Face” (Who Are The Girls?)
  4. The Whiffs – “Hey Little Anne” (Another Whiff)
  5. The Wombats -“Headbutt Rock” (B-Z Sides 2003-2017 (In Rough Chronological Order))
  6. Japan, Man – “I Like To Wait” ( I Like To Wait EP)
  7. Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band – “Stay Away” (Nevermind)
  8. Pkew Pkew Pkew – “The Polynesian” (Optimal Lifestyles)
  9. Silverstein – “Coming Down” (A Beautiful Place To Dream)
  10. Woods – “Where Do You Go When You Dream” (Strange To Explain)
  11. My Ugly Clementine – “Don’t Talk To Me” (Vitamin C)
  12. Boniface – “Dear Megan” (Boniface (Deluxe Edition))
  13. Single Mothers – “Road Sick” (New Damage Switcheroo Vol. 1)
  14. Chris Isaak – “Somebody’s Crying (Live)” (The World Was On Fire (Live 1995)
  15. Abbey Glover – “La Nuit” (Everybody Leaves)

Counting the days ’til, ’til I run away counting the days and the nights I stay oh, waiting is a game I like to play . . . Preoccupied with life itself absorbed all the attention you need
return to the state you were born an old friend you left to die . . ..

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 164 (2020-12) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

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A Father’s Day edition of Tales From The Drop Box amidst continuing national unrest in the wake of a growing number of police shootings of Black Americans following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, increases in COVID-19 cases across America, and the release of the John Bolton book confirming what the nation suspected about the corrupt unhinged troll living in the White House. I wish this was a world created in a fantasy novel but, unfortunately, we are living this fantasy as reality. We must not lose the plot though. The fight for change is a daily struggle. It is much like fatherhood with some challenges scattered among the many joy filled days. When we look back on the challenges we are now facing I hope that enough time will have passed that these troubling times are but a blip on a road filled of hope and joy. For those of you are fathers, I wish you all a very happy Father’s Day as our children are truly our greatest blessing.

Episode 164 of Tales From The Drop Box is yet another banger filled with upbeat melodic music guaranteed to free you from the doldrums you might be experiencing from the past couple of months. It should be obvious at this point, but you need to turn up the volume, eh?

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 164:

  1. Impulsive Hearts – “Melody” (Cry All The Time)
  2. Je T’aime – “Fuck Me” (Je T’aime)
  3. Chemtrails – “Uncanny Valley” ( The peculiar Smell Of The Inevitable)
  4. Names Without Numbers – “Middle Ground” (Silos & Smokestacks)
  5. Kiwi Jr. – “Swimming Pool” (Football Money)
  6. Coriky – “Clean Kill” (Coriky)
  7. Spanish Love Songs – “Beach Front Property” (Brave Faces Everyone)
  8. Heavenly – “Mark Angel” (Operation Heavenly)
  9. Pixies – “Catfish Kate” (Beneath The Eyrie (Deleuxe Edition))
  10. Mush – “No Signal In The Padlock” (3D Routine)
  11. Johnossi – “Hot Thoughts: (Torch//Flame)
  12. The Animen – “From The Get-Go” (Same Sun/Different Light)
  13. Screeching Weasel – “Brain In A Jar” (Some Freaks Of Atavism)
  14. Greg Kihn Band – “Valerie” (RocKihnRoll)
  15. Amyl & The Sniffers – “Control (Live)” (Live At The Croxton)

She reached out a cup when the next she showed up replacement asking what’s been going on she says “Not very much” but she’s seen a lot of action . . . When I’m not with you, I jump in my car and drive to the place that I think that you are if you’re not there, I might just park
And dream about your face in the dark …

KFR