Tag Archives: punk

Classic Albums

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The first in an ongoing series, where I will be discussing some of the best records ever made.  These are the “classics” of my record collection, that no-one should be without.

1. The Cult – “Love”

Released in 1985, The Cult’s album Love still sounds fantastic to this day.  It’s a potent cocktail of resurrected blues-rock riffs, screaming psychedelia and murky atmosphere that transcended music of the time.  Listening to it now, it seems unbelievable that the record was created in the mid eighties.  And yet it has enough power – and melodic charm – to still sound great.

In late 1988 I had become obsessed with Electric, the full-on rock monster that the Cult had released a year earlier.  A friend lent me a copy of Love, promising that the songs contained therein were the best the band had recorded.  cult-love

At this point I had explored some rock, metal and punk.  Love was to be a bridge between these genres in many ways.  Happily it was (what would become) “alternative” rock – though it worshipped at the altar of Hendrix, The Doors and Led Zeppelin, it was birthed from the fire of punk rock.

Opening track “Nirvana” kicks things off in blazing style.  It has a fast pace and contains a euphoric instrumental section.  Both “Big Neon Glitter” and the title track “Love” offer up the Big Zep riffs and allow guitarist Billy Duffy to add a psychedelic shimmer.  Then “Brother Wolf, Sister Moon” provides a quieter moment.  If the earlier tracks were ideal for blasting out the windows of a 1970 Dodge Challenger, this track is more singer Ian Astbury sitting on a pony surveying the prairie.  As the song ends, rumbling clouds herald the next track: “Rain”.  One of the best songs the Cult have ever recorded, “Rain” has a truly classic riff that is instantly recognisable and never forgotten.

Side Two (!) opens with “Phoenix”.  This track, unashamedly adorned with Hendrix inspired acid rock guitar, hints at the heavier sounds to come in later chapters of the bands story.  “Hollow Man” provides more driving bass (Jamie Stewart) and a simpler, melodic lead guitar.  Astbury has the chance to really shine on ballad “Revolution”, with a calmer moment that harks back to the bands Goth post-punk phase.

Next we have the mother of all Cult songs – “She Sells Sanctuary”.  A vaguely Eastern sounding intro leads into a stomping rhythm as the song grabs the listener and drags them along for the sheer hell of it.  This song became an instant favourite and still has an impact all these years later.  Final track, “Black Angel”, is a sombre Velvet Underground do Spaghetti Western affair that again adds some darkness to the proceedings.

The band received a lot of criticism for having a somewhat “hippie-ish” element to their sound, and look, on this album.  There are a few moments where the “peace and love” vibe wear a bit thin (see “Revolution”), however the overall sound of the record retains a dark edge to it – more decadent than naive.

The Cult would go on to fully embrace their heavy rock interests with Electric.  But for a kid who had never heard Zeppelin or Hendrix, Love was a monumental discovery.  Put it on and listen to it now, this record has a magic that is of it’s time and yet speaks of the past and future.

The Cult – Love

  1. Nirvana
  2. Big Neon Glitter
  3. Love
  4. Brother Wolf, Sister Moon
  5. Rain
  6. Phoenix
  7. Hollow Man
  8. Revolution
  9. She Sells Sanctuary
  10. Black Angel

Best tracks: Rain, She Sells Sanctuary, Nirvana, Brother Wolf, Sister Moon

Other cool points: great cover!

Buy this Classic Album here.

New Year – New Playlist

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What did you do on New Year’s Eve?  Did you go out partying?  Did you dance the night away in a pub or club?  Or maybe you gathered together with family and friends for a house party.  The really fancy ones amongst you may have done something extravagant, and gone away for a short break.  Perhaps somewhere with it’s own bar and hot tub.

Chez Platinum Al, we stayed in and rocked.  Drinks, food and music – that’s how we roll at the Virtual Hot Tub.  Staying in has been the new going out for a good few years for us.  No queues at the bar; no being crammed in like cattle; no paying for tickets when you’re VIPs at your own party.

Instead, Mrs Platinum Al and I sipped some fine drinks and played a music playlist game.  Here are the rules:

  1. One person starts, and chooses a band/artist beginning with a letter of the alphabet.  Start with the letter A.
  2. Pick one song by that artist and play it.
  3. The next person picks a song by an artist beginning with the same letter and plays that.
  4. Then you move on to the next letter in the alphabet, and pick one more song by a band/artist beginning with that letter.
  5. Continue in this fashion.  You can be as obvious or as random as you like in your choices.

Here’s how we got on:

  • Al: AC/DC – “Big Gun”
  • Ness: ABBA – “Happy New Year”
  • Al: Boney M – “Daddy Cool”
  • Ness: Belinda Carlisle – “Heaven is a Place on Earth”
  • Al: Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Born on the Bayou”
  • Ness: The Cure – “In Between Days”
  • Al: Donovan – “Season of the Witch”
  • Ness: Destiny’s Child – “Independent Women Part 1”
  • Al: Eagles of Death Metal – “Anything ‘Cept the Truth”
  • Ness: EMF – “Unbelievable”
  • Al: Fun Lovin’ Criminals – “Too Hot”
  • Ness: Foo Fighters – “Monkey Wrench”
  • Al: Garbage – “Queer”
  • Ness: Green Day – “Basket Case”
  • Al: Hard-Ons – “Don’t Wanna See You Cry”
  • Ness: Heart – “Alone”
  • Al: Iggy Pop – “Beside You”
  • Ness: INXS – “Never Tear Us Apart”
  • Al: Johnny Cash – “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”
  • Ness: Jane’s Addiction – “Been Caught Stealing”
  • Al: Kool & the Gang – “Jungle Boogie”
  • Ness: Kylie Minogue – “In Your Eyes”
  • Al: Led Zeppelin – “Whole Lotta Love”
  • Ness: Lenny Kravitz – “Stand By My Woman”
  • Al: Motorhead – “Killed By Death”
  • Ness: Madness – “One Step Beyond”

That was as far as we got before it was time for sleep.  We aim to complete the other half of the alphabet soon.

This is a fun game that can reveal a lot about your mood, or just your taste in music.

All selections were provided by Platinum Al’s monster iPod, Ipodicus.

The Damned – Gig Review

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The Damned + The Ruts DC

Sunday 1st December 2013

Buckley Tivoli

It’s Sunday night, and far from milk and cookies and watching Songs of Praise, Mrs Platinum and I are off to see The Damned.  At the Tivoli in Buckley, no less.  A venue I’ve been to many times (remind me to tell you about my 21st birthday sometime) and a place I’d hoped this lot would play for years.

Support tonight is from The Ruts DC, and blimey they’re good.  I’d have gone to see them headline their own gig – with The Damned to follow this is unmissable.  A great set that swings from ska-reggae boppers to punk rock seven inch masterpieces.  Highlights include “It Was Cold”, “West One (Shine On Me)” and of course “Staring at the Rude Boys” and “Babylon’s Burning”.  They sound exciting, contemporary and confident.  Final song “In a Rut” put the lid on a support set that could have been a headliner.

I might as well own up and admit that the Damned are probably my favourite band of all time.  To see them in my “local” venue is a real delight.  As I hinted earlier, I’ve had many adventures at the Ballrooms over the years and always wanted to see this band here.

The Damned are the band that I’ve seen more than any other.  Tonight though, they play an astounding set that both entertains and surprises.  How do they do that?  Well, they play many songs I’ve never heard them play live before.  First song “Sanctum Santorum” is an interesting choice – atmospheric rather than bludgeoning.  The song worked really well live and served to create a sense of theatre from the start.

From that point on, The Damned kept me guessing.  “Don’t Cry Wolf”?  Yes, please!  “Sick of Being Sick”?  Don’t mind if I do!  Following “Wait for the Blackout” with the songs that followed it on The Black Album is a stroke of almost genius.  “Lively Arts” and “Silly Kids Games”?  Why sirs, with these gems you are truly spoiling us!

“Ignite” and then “Generals”?  They won’t play the third track off Strawberries though.  But they do!  “Stranger on the Town” is probably my favourite Damned tune, and one I never thought I’d hear live.  Brass section, you see.  Yet there it is, and Platinum Al can’t help but sing along.  Thank you, Damned!

And so it goes.  Later in the set we get the classic singles: “Neat Neat Neat”; “New Rose”; “Love Song”; “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today”.  “Eloise” sounds great.  More first time airings (for me) of “The Eighth Day” and “Ballroom Blitz” put the marzipan on the cake before a glorious “Smash It Up” finale.

Any criticisms?  The sound wavers a few times, unusually for the Tiv – some of the early set doesn’t sound as “full” as it should. A minor comment as this didn’t spoil my enjoyment.  Beyond that, it would have been nice to hear more of the recent material (no “Thrill KIll”??!)  – we don’t hear anything off the So, Who’s Paranoid? album.

Though as I’ve been treated to so many new live gems tonight, a full fourteen minute version of “Dark Asteroid” is probably a bit too much to ask.  Maybe next time.

So thank you The Damned, The Ruts DC and Buckley Tivoli.  It was a great night.  Work in the morning.

http://www.officialdamned.com/

http://www.theruts.co.uk/

http://www.tivolivenue.com/index.htm

Hallowe’en Playlist

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All these posts about horror movies, it’s about time there was a post devoted to music for Hallowe’en!

I have a couple of Hallowe’en compilation CDs, this playlist puts together various songs not on those collections.  Some of the choices are obvious horror themes (“The Number of the Beast”, “Nasty”); others are more tenuous (“Devil in Disguise”, “Hotter Than Hell”).  Other selections are related, directly or not, to great scary movies: you know where “Bad Moon Rising” is from, right?

Either way, there’s a variety of styles here – suitable for (most) Hallowe’en gatherings…

  1. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Bad Moon Rising”
  2. The Damned – “Nasty”
  3. Elvis Presley – “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise”
  4. Ramones – “Pet Semetary”
  5. Motorhead – “Hellraiser”
  6. Johnny Cash – “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky”
  7. Iron Maiden – “The Number of the Beast”
  8. The Misfits – “Vampira”
  9. Kiss – “Hotter Than Hell”
  10. Rolling Stones – “Sympathy for the Devil”
  11. Zombina & The Skeletones – “Nobody Loves You (When You’re Dead)”
  12. Ozzy Osbourne – “Mr Crowley”
  13. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – “I Put a Spell on You”
  14. GBH – “Horror Story”
  15. Van Halen – “Runnin’ with the Devil”
  16. David Bowie – “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)”
  17. The Cult – “The Witch”
  18. Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”
  19. Alice Cooper – “I Love the Dead”

Random Bike Ride Playlist #6

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This was a fun one.  Lots of uphill.  Going fast downhill.  Got chased by a dog.  13.36 miles, iPod on shuffle:

  1. The Misfits – “Crimson Ghost”
  2. Muse – “Screenager”
  3. Dio – “Straight Through the Heart (Live)”
  4. Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Foxy Lady”
  5. Angel Witch – “Dr. Phibes”
  6. Johnny Cash – “Cocaine Blues”
  7. Los Olvidados – “Going Down”
  8. Soundgarden – “Somewhere”
  9. Devo – “Girl U Want”
  10. Dio – “Mystery”
  11. Matt Monro – “Hey”
  12. Dusty Springfield – “I’m Coming Home Again”
  13. The Cult – “The Witch”
  14. Howlin’ Wolf – “Sittin’ On Top of the World”
  15. Mudhoney – “In the Winner’s Circle”
  16. Melvins – “Missing”
  17. Rocket From The Crypt – “Poison Eye”
  18. Weezer – “Troublemaker”
  19. Bob Dylan – “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”
  20. Sham 69 – “They Don’t Understand (Live at the BBC)”
  21. Van Halen – “Mean Street”
  22. John Lee Hooker – “I’m Going Upstairs”
  23. Hard-Ons – “Breakfast Caramel”
  24. Stereophonics – “Check My Eyelids for Holes”
  25. Black Flag – “Annihilate This Week”
  26. Mudhoney – “Magnolia Caboose Babyshit”
  27. Lit – “Lovely Day”
  28. Rob Zombie – “Return of the Phantom Stranger (Tuesday Night at the Chop Shop Mix)”
  29. SNFU – “Bobbitt”

Double Melvins, double Mudhoney, double Dio!

Random Bike Ride Playlist #5

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A mission up the river.  No chopper cover.  Just the mission, the river, the bike and me.  This was my soundtrack.

Again some interesting choices from Ipodicus, covering several different genres.  I particularly enjoyed the Finale from Return of the Jedi – nearly brought a tear to my eye!

If you’re not a fan of these random lists, click away now – this is the longest yet.  22.5 miles.

  1. Free Beer – “We Are Free Beer (We Got the Beer)”
  2. Tom Jones – “Delilah”
  3. Groove Armada – “At the River”
  4. Shania Twain – “From This Moment On”
  5. The Who – “Pictures of Lily”
  6. Pantera – “Walk”
  7. Cypress Hill – “Hits from the Bong”
  8. System of a Down – “Aerials”
  9. John Williams – “Victory Celebration/End Title” (from Return of the Jedi!)
  10. Steve Jones – “Leave Your Shoes On”
  11. Eminem – “Under the Influence”
  12. Fun Lovin’ Criminals – “Friday Night”
  13. Imelda May – “Tainted Love”
  14. Fishbone – “Those Days Are Gone”
  15. Ramones – “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”
  16. Dusty Springfield – “Some of Your Lovin'”
  17. Hayseed Dixie – “Whole Lotta Rosie”
  18. Suicidal Tendencies – “Pledge Your Allegiance”
  19. Beach Boys – “Let Him Run Wild”
  20. Orange Goblin – “Hot Magic, Red Planet”
  21. Ramones – “Wart Hog”
  22. Toto – “Africa”
  23. Ween – “Happy Colored Marbles”
  24. L7 – “Me, Myself and I”
  25. The Yardbirds – “For Your Love”
  26. Tom Waits – “Jersey Girl”
  27. Motorhead – “Crazy Like a Fox”
  28. Beck – “Derelict”
  29. Fishbone – “Sunless Saturday”
  30. Sound of Guns – “Antarctica”
  31. Joe Walsh – “Time Out”
  32. Danzig – “Black Acid Devil”
  33. Manic Street Preachers – “Nat West – Barclays – Midlands – Lloyds”

Random Bike Ride Playlist #4

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Some interesting choices from Ipodicus, Greek god of digital music.  11.75 miles.

  1. Eminem – “Kill You”
  2. Gang Green – “I’m Still Young”
  3. Roni Size – “Share the Fall”
  4. Air – “Lucky and Unhappy”
  5. Tom Jones – “Kiss”
  6. Lil’ Kim – “Queen Bitch”
  7. John Lee Hooker – “I’m a Boogie Man”
  8. Beastie Boys – “Sneakin’ Out the Hospital”
  9. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – “Mean Heart”
  10. The Damned – “Disguise”
  11. Fu Manchu – “Time to Fly”
  12. Reverend Horton Heat – “Holy Roller”
  13. SNFU – “Spaceghost, the Twins & Blip”
  14. The Clash – “Brand New Cadillac”
  15. House of Pain – “Jump Around”
  16. Roxy Music – “Same Old Scene”
  17. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – “When I First Came to Town”
  18. The Beach Boys – “Aren’t You Glad”
  19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Punk Rock Classic”
  20. David Guetta ft Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over”
  21. Black Flag – “Drinking and Driving”
  22. Hanna-Barbera – “Yakky Doodle (Syndicated Titles with Sub-Main Title)”
  23. Janis Joplin – “Move Over”

 

Random Bike Ride Playlist #3

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Monday’s bike ride – a bit late but never mind.  Sixteen miles.

  1. Roxy Music – “In Every Dream Home a Heartache”
  2. Syd Dale – “Come One Come All”
  3. Vince Dicola – “Training Montage”
  4. D.R.I. – “Suit and Tie Guy”
  5. Hanna-Barbera – “Yogi Bear (Main Title)”
  6. Oakenfold – “The Way I Feel”
  7. Neil Young – “Tell Me Why”
  8. LL Cool J – “Illegal Search”
  9. N.W.A. – “Cash Money (Insert)”
  10. Luke ft The 2 Live Crew – “In Colour-Men on Records”
  11. Smut Peddlers – “Let’s Get Fucked Up”
  12. The Company Band – “Lethe Waters”
  13. Neil Young – “Revolution Blues”
  14. UK Subs – “Limo Life”
  15. Clutch – “WYSIWYG”
  16. Black Label Society – “Blood is Thicker Than Water”
  17. Duffy – “Stepping Stone”
  18. The Cardigans – “Marvel Hill”
  19. T.S.O.L. – “Waiting For You”
  20. Elton John – “The Bitch is Back”
  21. Roy Orbison – “She’s a Mystery to Me”
  22. Alice Cooper – “Pretty Ballerina”
  23. Flipper – “Sex Bomb”
  24. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – “Monkberry Moon”
  25. The Stupids – “Sorry, It Blew My Head”
  26. John Zacherle – “Coolest Little Monster”
  27. The Damned – “Sugar and Spite”
  28. Johnny Cash – “White Girl”
  29. Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster – “Man For All Seasons”

Platinum Al’s Platinum Artists

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There are over 23,000 songs in my iTunes library.  Hundreds of artists across numerous genres.  But which artists have contributed the most to my music collection?  I’ve reviewed all of them and compiled a list of which artists I have the most songs by.  Some may surprise you.

The list below comprises the twenty artists with the most number of songs in my music collection at the moment.  The list grows all the time.  I should point out that this isn’t a list of my favourite artists in order, just a list of who’s music I have the most of.

All duplicate tracks (for example, a hit single appearing on an album and a Greatest Hits compilation) have been removed.  Also extended versions, remixes and so on are usually not in my library anyway – with a few exceptions.  And I generally don’t collect live albums – again with one or two exceptions – so duplicates of this type don’t generally figure in this list, unless there’s a particular reason for them to be here.  In many cases, there are more tracks to be added for these Top 20 artists.

Here they are:

Top 20 Bands with the Most Songs in my Collection

20. Clutch – 128 songs

A massive contribution from this fine Maryland band, with only one track duplicated (an alternative, acoustic version of “Motherless Child”).  This doesn’t include their great new album “Earth Rocker”, which isn’t added yet.

19. Danzig – 130 songs

The mighty Danzig makes a respectable appearance at number 19, thanks to a complete collection of studio albums and a helping hand from the “Lost Tracks of Danzig” compilation.  This figure does not include any Misfits or Samhain tracks either, as I’ve classed them in this case as separate entities.  Otherwise Glenn would be even higher up the list.

18. David Bowie – 133 songs

Spanning most of Dave’s career, but still with quite a few albums missing from my collection – so this number could increase.

17. Hawkwind – 148 songs

Admittedly, this figure does include live tracks – but then “Space Ritual” is such an integral part of the bands persona it has to be included.  Still many, many more albums to collect though.

16. The Beach Boys – 149 songs

What a band.  I’ve loved the Beach Boys for so long.  There are so many great album tracks beside the obvious hits, everyone should investigate them further.  I still have at least three albums to add here though, so a Top Ten position could be on the way in future updates.

15. AC/DC – 153 songs

All the albums, no live tracks – surprising though that there isn’t more from the mighty AC/DC.  Several of their albums also appear in my “Greatest of All Time” list, no doubt coming soon…

14. Red Hot Chili Peppers – 154 songs

One of the best bands ever.  Not just one of the best alternative bands, or one of the best funk rock (ugghh) bands – one of THE best bands ever.  I’m surprised they don’t come in higher on this list, however, given the massive amount of work they’ve produced.  Their best album? A debate for another time.  But it’s “Mother’s Milk”.  No, “BloodSugarSexMagic”.  No, “Mother’s…”, ah, we’ll see.

13. Metallica – 159 songs

Now this number does include the live album “S & M”, though as those tracks are accompanied by an orchestra (and therefore sufficiently different) I decided to include them.  Also includes their totally mental collaboration with Lou Reed – which everyone hates except me.

12. The Damned – 163 songs

Ah, The Damned.  Probably my most favourite band ever, this number includes all the albums, plus compilations of B-sides etc, from “Damned Damned Damned” to “So Who’s Paranoid”.  But remember, no duplicates – so for example “New Rose” only appears once (on the original album) – reappearances on the (many) compilations have been discounted.

11. The Rolling Stones – 165 songs

Only 165 songs?  Clearly, I have some work to do here.  There must be another 30 or so albums to get.  This includes all the greats though.  And the debate over their best songs and albums will be tackled in a future post.

And now the Top Ten…

10. Iggy Pop – 177 songs

A fantastic, under rated musician.  Not nearly well known or respected enough these days. This number includes all the Stooges albums, as I decided that to exclude them would deprive a historical view of Iggy of some important milestones.  Iggy rocks.

9. Beastie Boys – 183 songs

You’re surprised that the Beasties have recorded so much?  Don’t be.  And the quality is excellent throughout.  Includes all of their forays into different musical genres, such as the fantastic “In Sound From Way Out” album.

8. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – 185 songs

I still have a few albums to collect from Nick Cave.  The 185 songs includes the three disc “B-sides and Rarities” album, but no Birthday Party, Grinderman or film soundtracks.  Maybe I’ll add those to a future update.  Amazing music.

7. Queen – 191 songs

“Greatest Hits I and II” is not enough.  You need the studio albums for some of the outstanding lesser known compositions.  More on this in a later post.  No live tracks included.

6. Ramones – 199 songs

There are just a couple of bonus tracks from “End of the Century” I don’t have.  No live tracks included.  I’ve loved this band ever since my English teacher played “Go Mental” in class.

5. Alice Cooper – 204 songs

Often maligned as a cock-rock Metal caricature, many miss the impact that Alice has had on rock, punk and alternative music.  Pay this man some respect.  NOW.  Still loads of albums I don’t own, but I’m working on it.

4. The Beatles – 207 songs

I was surprised I had this many tunes by The Beatles, but what a band.  Beyond compare, and I’m happy to see them up near the top of the list.  This number doesn’t include my Mum’s original 7 inch singles, of course.

3. Motorhead – 221 songs

How many albums have Motorhead made now?  Not enough.  Recent output has been just as great as the early years.  Still got two or three albums I need to get though, unbelievably.

2. Melvins – 282 songs

I love this band.  282 songs, including collaborations with Jello Biafra and others.  Doesn’t include the new record “Everybody Loves Sausages” (yet), and still quite a few albums (not just single tracks!) I need to track down.

So which recording artist has the most songs that I own?  Who could possibly top that list?  Only one man…

1. Johnny Cash – 330 songs

That number doesn’t include the Christmas album or a new three disc set I picked up recently.  A duets album with June Carter Cash is in there, however.  And the two live albums “At Folsom Prison” and “At San Quentin” – as they’re both indispensable.  I am a huge fan of Johnny Cash, and thankfully there’s still loads of his music out there for me to discover.

Johnny Cash is my hero.

Any thoughts?  Disagree with any of the above criteria?  Leave a comment.

 

Random Bike Ride Playlist

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First bike ride of the year this afternoon.  Just a short one to check the gear still works.  Whilst out on my bicycle, I hit shuffle on the ipod and this is what I got:

  1. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Police Station”
  2. The Damned – “She”
  3. Deep Purple – “Hey Joe”
  4. Johnny Cash – “Send a Picture of Mother”
  5. Zombina & the Skeletones – “The Fragile Heart”
  6. Tommy James & the Shondells – “I Think We’re Alone Now”
  7. UK Subs – “Teenage”
  8. Nashville Pussy – “Nutbush City Limits”
  9. DJ Format – “2,3.. scrape”
  10. Iggy Pop – “Starry Night”
  11. The Cult – “Tiger in the Sun”
  12. Flogging Molly – “The Rare Ould Times”
  13. Nirvana – “Been a Son”

With apologies to Matt Barnes – ripping you off a bit here, but I did warn you.

Bike riding t-shirt option for today – Motorhead