Weekly Underrated

As far as rowdy Irish-punk music, we tend to only think of the heavyweights who dominate the category: The Pogues, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys and maybe just maybe Flatfoot 56.

As far as a band, especially a song, that is way underrated in this particular category, it is none other than “Mad Men” by The Briggs.

The song, to put it simply, is insane. From the second it starts you feel the need to stop your feet and clap your hands. There is none of the waiting around idly for the “good part” when it comes to “Mad Med.” On the recording of the song they even Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys doing some guest vocals.

With a fast tempo, pounding rhythm and the vocals of Joey and Jason LaRocca (yes, brothers)- the song is everything Irish-punk should be.

I suggest you take a listen to this amazing song by an amazing band. I only wish they did more shows in Southern California because they seem like they would be so fun to see live!

A new year means a new start

Although my absence and lack of dedication to the upkeep of my beloved blog was unintentional, it did, nonetheless happen. In an effort to reboot this bad boy, I am trying to stick to what I should have been doing all along, writing on a schedule.

I will start my new semester on Monday, Jan. 28th, and therefore, I have decided that the easiest choice was to dedicate every Friday morning from here on out to strictly blog-writing- unless my attention is absolutely required somewhere else.

I’ve missed the world of WordPress, the random chats that would spark out of a comment or a mutual interest with fellow bloggers. I’m happy to be re-focused and back with some serious determination to write.

My Weekly Underrated series will continue, even if it kills me (which it won’t because I absolutely love talking and writing about music).

Tomorrow is the kick-off, come check out what my first pick of 2013 will be!

 

~Sima

Weekly Underrated

Weekly Underrated.

Weekly Underrated

Yesterday afternoon, while I was trudging along in gridlock 5 o’clock traffic, it finally happened. I actually heard, for the first time ever, KROQ play a band that has for many years deserved and warranted some serious airtime.

Los Angeles’ own KROQ actually played “45” from The Gaslight Anthem’s newest album, Handwritten.

First off, if you don’t know who this band is, you are seriously missing out on an amazing band that literally has it all: rock n’ roll, blues, lyrics that you can’t help but sing (or scream) along to and overall just a true and honest sound.

I got so excited, it was actually kind of sad. I mean, it’s not like I actually accomplished anything, I just happened to be hearing one of my favorite bands on the radio for the first time. To best describe my mood I think i’d have to use the term “giddy.”

You get the point.

Anyway, I thought to commemorate this awesome moment that happened just yesterday afternoon, I had no choice but to pick one of their earlier songs as my “Weekly Underrated” song.

From their earliest album, Sink or Swim, which made its debut in May of 2008, I bring you “Red at Night.”

“Red at Night” shows none of The Gaslight Anthem’s “typical” sound – which as everyone already knows is heavily influenced by people like Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton. (Which I’m sure the poor guys are tired of hearing)

It’s instead a slow, acoustic type memoir-the song walks the line between telling a story and giving a confession, it’s simplicity and balance are pure perfection. The song is timeless….

“I was born in a town where the rivers flow free

On a january night when the cold winds freeze

I got an Irish name and an injury

Got a blessing and a curst cast down on me

Ain’t nobody got the blues like me

Ain’t nobody got the blues like me”

 

 

Courtesy of YouTube.com

Weekly Underrated!

Weekly Underrated!.

Weekly Underrated!

Hello!

I’m excited to once again be doing my weekly underrated song pick! It’s the first one that I’ve done in a while, so I’m sorry for my short absence!

This week my song (and artist) is one that I have not been able to get out of my head since the day I heard it. It is by one of my favorite artists to see live, especially on his Revival Tour. The song is in no way a typical “forgotten gem,” in fact, it’s fairly new (it was on his last album Covering Ground.) The song’s lyrics, notes, melodies, harmonica and violin parts are all what we’ve come to expect form this songwriter and it’s anything but underrated for his fans.

This week’s song was chosen because of the simple fact that I HAD to write something about it. It’s overdue and I’m sure the fans will agree on the absolute perfection that is, “Meet You In The Middle,” by none other than the super talented Chuck Ragan, of Hot Water Music.

Ragan’s solo work is honest, pure, genius and basically fucking incredible. His love and enthusiasm for music can be seen in each of his performances. He does not perform anything “half-ass.”

He left, temporarily it has been proven, his punk rock roots in Hot Water Music only to find himself years later with a wider fan base (old punk fans + his singer songwriter solo-style fans) that can’t get enough of his music. Usually he is flanked by Jon Gaunt on violin, playing his harmonica and beating away at his acoustic guitar, Ragan does not let down his audience. He is a master of the stage and his passion is real- through and through.

His song “Meet You In The Middle” is a perfect example for the reason that I love and live for live music. This type of craft and talent is what music is supposed to be about. No offense, but that “dub-step” stuff has zero soul and zero passion. It’s nothing but a beat and rhythm created by a machine, music is meant to be made by men. 

I really don’t know how to express how much I love this song, but it’s heartfelt, and it speaks a story of someone giving their all for the one they love.

“Well tell me what you want, i’m all ears

give you all I got, blood, sweat and tears

yea tell me what you need, and i’ll do my job

meet you in the middle

like it’s running out of style….” 

I’ve included a link to a YouTube clip of the song being performed on The Revival Tour. Seriously, watch it and tell me that this isn’t amazing.

Source: P1tchBlackN1ght

Weekly Underrated

Weekly Underrated.

Weekly Underrated

It’s that time again!

Time for a taste of something that has been either forgotten, overlooked, or discovered.

This week my pick for Weekly Underrated is The Detroit Cobras with their song Hey Sailor.

This track is off of the band’s second album, Life, Love, and Leaving.

With a garage punk sound, that has a retro sound, this band and this song, are literally just fun to listen to. Their songs can always perk you up and make you tap your toes.

Hey Sailor is one of my favorites simply because of how much I love to sing along to it. Yes, this is a dorky reason, but it’s true.

Formed in Detroit, Mich. in 1994, the band is known for their changing line-ups, covers, and spunk on stage.

Lead singer Rachel Nagy looks like a punked out pin-up model with her bangs, full lips, and high heels. She’s often seen with either a smoke or flask on stage. Her attitude is exactly right for the songs she sings and the crowd she sings them for.

Although their sophomore album Life, Love, and Leaving was released in 2001, the sound fit’s into what I think of as the 70’s and 80s punk scene.

Another favorite song of mine from The Detroit Cobras is Boss Lady. I had a ten minute long internal battle when trying to decide which song I would name as my Weekly Underrated. Boss Lady is just as upbeat, spunky, and in its own right, bad ass.

As I always do, I really encourage whoever reads this to give the song(s) a listen. The Detroit Cobras are a great listen, and instead of giving it a listen with a glass of wine, i might suggest a rum and coke for this kind of tune. You’ll understand why once you give it a listen.

 

If anyone has suggestions for a Weekly Underrated song or band, please let me know in a comment or message! 🙂

 

 

Weekly Underrated

Photo Source: http://www.google.com/imgres

Hello WordPress,

I’m back again, ready to give you my second dose of Weekly Underrated!

I hope that whoever was kind enough to read the first post which was dedicated to Mr. Bob Dylan and his song Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts- from his album Blood on the Tracks- enjoyed it and got a chance to listen to the 9 minute story!

This week, I’m doing a follow up on my Gits post, and declaring not only an underrated song, but an underrated and forgotten band of the grunge punk age.

I implore you all to spend the pocket change on an iTunes purchase that you won’t regret. The Gits are not only amazing, but the vocal talent and haunting soul that lead singer Mia Zapata threw into every song is mind boggling. It will give you goosebumps.

The song that is on the drawing board this week is Second Skin. It is fast, frenzied, full of soul, and utterly perfect.

Zapata was a musical force that may still be remembered by the Seattle community, her bandmates, and no doubt her family, but the music that we’ve been left with after her death in 1993 hasn’t gone far enough. Her talent, voice, and passion have certainly paved the way for the later generations of female vocalists- whether they realize it or not.

“I just tell myself, girl, just let it breathe/ It’s a calmness I’m always searching for/ But the dirt it gets so heavy/ It falls above my head/ Seeping from under my feet/ It just keeps on getting deeper/ I need a second skin/ Something to hold me up/ Can’t do it on my own/ Sometimes I need just a little more help/ I’ve got that chance to give every drop that’s left in me/ I need a second skin/ Something I cannot break free of!”

Give the song a listen- and enjoy! (I’ve posted a YouTube link for the song below)

Weekly Underrated

Weekly Underrated.