Friday, February 6, 2009

'That Dude!'

I have a confession to make. I love being 'that dude'. What dude you ask?

Well when you're introduced to an unknown band or performer that completely blows your socks off, that makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time you'll always cast your mind back at some point and wonder where you first heard your new favourite band.

"Oh yeah it was that (insert name here) dude!"

I love that moment. There have been so many 'that dudes' that have enriched my life with albums, songs and artists that I listen to and religiously follow for years to come and I can't thank them enough.

Someone could take everything away from me one day, I could be down, destitute and next to death but I always know that I can call up on my memory bank of music and hum a tune.

Being that I'm actually a music writer and that I've been playing music for 13 years in 2009 I somehow feel ever so slightly qualified (not that these are prerequisites) to suggest a few amazing bands to you that you may not of heard of.

So check my list out, give it a listen, and maybe I can be 'that dude' to you. Nothing would make me happier!

Brand New

I started listening to this Long Island foursome (get yer mind out the gutter) when I was in high school. Never before had I heard the kind of poetic lyricism that Jesse Lacey spewed out album after album. He got me through plenty of break ups and sleepless nights. If you're going to listen to one song then listen to Jesus Christ:

Jesus Christ I'm not scared to die, I'm a little bit scared of what comes after
Do I get the Gold Chariot; Do I float through the ceiling?
Do I divide and fall apart? Cause my bright is too sly to hold back all my dark
And the ship went down in sight of land, and at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands?

Enough said.

Say Anything

What do you get when you give a bipolar, angry, incredibly intelligent, sarcastic Jewish kid a guitar? Say Anything. Forget Rage Against the Machine, I've never known anyone to kick the system in the balls with such complete eloquence. He also gets pretty sensitive and the songs are amazing. It takes a listen or two but when you're hooked that's it.

The Police

My favourite pre 90's band. Do I really need to introduce these guys? Stings' mix up of new wave and reggae was completely new and uncharted when they came out and since then The Police have really stood the test of time. Go buy their greatest hits and take in some lesser known songs like 'Walking on the Moon' or 'Synchronicity', then listen to the big ones like 'Roxanne' and 'Can't Stand Losing You'. Forget The Beatles, this is THE shit.

aKING

You didn't think I wouldn't drop some South African flavour in there did you? These guys are good friends of mine and are currently writing their second album. Over here their kind of a big deal and I think they are our best chance of exporting another South African rock band to the international circuit (did you know Seether are from SA?). The songs are amazing - it's Springsteen meets Foo Fighters all the way.

Fall Out Boy

Yeah yeah they're totally pop but I've been listening to them since 2003 so that makes me kind of cool right? I was given their new CD Folie a Deux to review and I'm in love with it. Such great melodies, such great lyrics.

We will never believe again, kick drum beating in my chest again! - (Coffee's for Closers)


There you go, five recommendations to chomp through if you see fit. If you enjoyed this post I'm willing to make it a weekly/monthly thing so let me know!

Be my 'that dude' and suggest some of your favourites to me!

13 comments:

Carlinn said...

I love the police. I was just singing Roxanne last night (i saw a red light across the rd.. :P )

Janine / Being Brazen said...

Love the Police, like Fall out Boy :)

Bella@That damn expat said...

Umm I've only heard of the Police and Fallout Boy.
But I'll give the others a listen when my speakers start cooperating, and see if you are that dude for me.

Chloe said...

Great list. Brand New, Say Anything & Fall Out Boy were all bands that I listened to in high school as well. But when I started university, I slowly migrated over to a more alt-indie realm, and didn't listen to much pop-rock anymore (which is more or less what they were back then).

Brand New's 2006 album blew me away when I first heard it; it was so different from the debut one that I had been listening to before! It was a favourite for quite some time.

Also loving Fall Out Boy's newest album. Infinity on High was a terrible album, and I'm glad that's over with (I was also a fan of theirs in 2003).

I've generally found that, although I'm theoretically "that dude", people don't realise that I've introduced them to something great until AFTER they've become annoyingly popular (Fall Out Boy, for example).


Loved this post... You should do more. It's nice to find someone else on the same page as I am. :)

AngelConradie said...

very cool dude!
i have a blog friend who is a dj, and he puts his playlist on his blog every week!

Kristen said...

Hey! I've just discovered your blog- hope you don't mind that I add you to my blogroll.

I listened to Brand New in high school a lot... sometimes they pop up when I randomize my iPod and it always brings back a lot of memories. :)

Thomas said...

Superficial: How fitting! Yeah they are too cool for school.

Brazen: Sheesh, a lot of Police lovers in the house!

Bella: I hope I can be. Fingers crossed for your speakers.

Astharis: Thanks for the long comment. Wow it's always cool to hear from someone that knows what I'm talking about. Your views have been duly noted, I have to say that I agree!

Angel: Send me the link!

Kristen: Yeah Brand New were pretty much the soundtrack to my Matrci year (senior year) in high school. Thanks for adding me to your blogroll!

Helen said...

I'm fortunate enough to study with an American who shared her iTunes librry with me a while ago, so a lot of music that's really hard to find in SA is already on my IPOD! So I'm 'that dude' to a lot of people! I also go to spin.com regularly and get the free mp3's it's a good way of seeing some o the slightly less mainstream stuff that's coming out (more indie-pop than indie, but hey, it's nice and accessible!)

Anonymous said...

I know the police and fall out boy - and have to admit that I don't *love* them. They're likeable but I wouldn't buy the cd's. I like say anything too.

I'm lucky that I have so many international blogging buddies that I get exposed to so many bands that I wouldn't have known otherwise.

Tamara said...

The Police... "Every bond you break. Every step you take. I'll be watching you. Every single day. Every word you say..."

Doesn't that scare you a little ;-)

Justin said...

Where to start, where to start...

Try some Bauhaus, Joy Division or Pink Floyd for starters. Then throw in a few old Ramones classic and add just a touch of Nouvelle Vague. Follow this up with a large dose of Death in Vegas and The, The.

AngelConradie said...

http://camelsback23.blogspot.com/

Justin said...

This post got me thinking, so a few weeks back I started this: http://popshopmania.blogspot.com/ Shot for the inspiration!