The Velvet Underground began as a collaboration between frustrated songwriter Lou Reed and classically trained John Cale. Cale had worked with experimental composers John Cage and LaMonte Young, and Reed’s interest in alternative guitar tunings and drone notes provided common ground. The…
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in 1972, the two-LP set covered American garage rock and psychedelia from the years 1965 to 1968…
Congratulations to Rich Kamerman, who identified some obscure acts and scored 20/20 in last week’s quiz. This week’s challenge involves identifying acts who enjoyed a Billboard #1 single in the 1980s. Note that you don’t get disqualified for clicking a…
It’s a diverse week – the folky American of Amanda Shires, the intensity of UK’s Black Midi, and the smooth amapiano of South African DJ Kabza De Small. Amanda Shires Take It Like A Man 2022, 8/10Texas-born fiddler and singer-songwriter…
It’s local election season here in New Zealand. In my home city of Lower Hutt, we have the now standard blend of people running for mayor. Some pleasant community-minded citizens, interspersed with a few conspiracy theorists – a bush-faced gentleman…
Congratulations to Tony, who scored the fastest competitor time in last week’s AI-Generated 1970s Song Quiz. This week, you are presented with four names – one is the name of the band and three are songs by that band. You…
Frederic Fatzer grew up in the small town of Kinsley, Kansas, notable for its equidistance between New York City and San Francisco. He sensibly adopted the stage name Freedy Johnston. His small town background initially constrained his music career –…
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in 1972, the two-LP set covered American garage rock and psychedelia from the years 1965 to 1968…
Congratulations to boppinsblog, who beat kingclover for bragging rights in last week’s quiz. We’re staying in the classic rock era for this week’s quiz. You need to guess the song based on AI-generated art. I scored 15/15 with 5:18…
It’s a surprisingly homogenous week of new reviews. Three American rock acts, all from the heartland, all dabbling a little in psychedelia and country. Surprisingly, Soccer Mommy, based in Nashville, is the least country-influenced of the three. Soccer Mommy Sometimes,…
