Ask 411 Music 07.24.08 Rambling Man

Posted by Blake Lauderback on 07.24.2008

This week we look at the greatest soundtracks of all time, the essential artists of the 60's, new Hendrix material, The Who for beginners, and we finally unveil the final "Untouchable Bands List" that you the reader helped decide! Check it out!

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Hello to all of you out there in internet land. I hope everyone is enjoying their week thus far. In case you are joining us for the first time… come in and find a seat. I know it is tough being the new kid in class, but get over it. It is time you toughened up anyway! In all seriousness, I am very grateful to all of you that have stopped by. I hope you enjoy this little capsule of information (Now guaranteed to be at least 75% useless!) We have a lot to cover, so enough with these formalities and on with the show.

As always, let's begin with a bit of review…

- Apparently I am not explaining myself well. I have been trying for two weeks to explain that "Layla" is a more controversial song by Eric Clapton in referance to his eventual bride Patty Boyd, because it was written about her while she was still with her Beatle husband, George Harrison. "Wonderful Tonight" was written after Clapton had already stolen her away. People keep emailing me trying to convince me that "Wonderful Tonight" was written after the two were together.. which is true… because it what I have been saying for two freaking weeks! Hopefully this will clear up any lingering confusion.
- Not too many people had beef with the "Greatest Ballads" list, except for some guy that emailed me multiple times and ranted about how "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is the worst song of all time. I was completely caught off guard, because while I have talked to people who say Simon and Garfunkle are not their personal favorites, I have never heard anyone say that they hated them and their music. How can you hate them? It is like hating Kermit the Frog or something equally as cuddly.
- The love continues to roll in for Thin Lizzy, so much so that I am debating holding an actual election for our nominee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. Who knows? Maybe we can submit a petition to the board, or maybe just build a really cool shrine in their honor. Or maybe just the first part.
- KISS has as many detractors as they do fans. It seems quite a few of you aren't as willing to forgive Disco-era KISS or no-makeup-wearing KISS.

A really quick random thought/rant before we move forward. Have any of you seen the commercials for the new reality show were idiots battle to work for P. Diddy? Has anyone ever come off as such a pompous ass as Diddy does in these promos? He seems to think that he is the end all be all of the world's culture instead of the talent-less hack rapper that is willing to sell out on a moments notice that he actually is. The one thing you could have previously said about the man was that he was a shrewd business man, but I think he has shot himself in the foot here because his arrogance and whininess is going to negate whatever positive press he has ever garnered from being a "survivor" from a sad upbringing. Then again, maybe he is just banking on the public being completely stupid, and why not? It seems to have worked for him so far since people still seem to buy his "music."

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Now ladies and gentlemen, the votes have been counted and tallied and double checked by the prestigious law firm of Lauderback and Lauderback (my wife and I), and I am proud to now present the final version of the "Untouchables List." Remember, bands #1-10 were picked by me, with you all selecting the final 5. Now without further ado…

Drum roll please…

Got to make sure there is the proper amount of antici…

Pation…

The Untouchable Bands List



- The Beatles - Honestly, if I ever say anything negative about these guys, call me an ambulance because I have obviously suffered some sort of head trauma. They are the best…ever… period.
- Led Zeppelin - Truly deserving of their legendary status. All Zeppelin did was churn out some of the greatest hard rock of all time.
- Pink Floyd - Progressive rock at it's finest in my mind. Not just rock stars, but true artists.
- The Rolling Stones - They are still going, and will probably outlive all of us. While the last few decades haven't been the best for them creatively, they are absolutely one of the biggest influencial bands ever.
- The Who - Easily one of the best all around bands ever. Hard rock, ballads, operas, heart-pounding live shows, crazy antics… how anyone can miss their brilliance I don't understand.
- Queen - If you don't like Queen, you don't like good rock music. Mercury and company created one of the most amazing a unique sounds in the history of popular music, and backed it up with some amazing songs.
- Aerosmith - The real deal when it comes to American rock music. They trail only The Stones when it comes to longevity, and Steven Tyler has managed to keep his boys current in every era while other acts, including The Stones, have often been left in the past decade. Ever he chameleon act, these guys are still pumping out solid tunes to go with their classics.
- The Jimi Hendrix Experience - The sport the greatest guitar player of all time, and the other two were far from being slouches themselves. They had a short run, but their influence is undeniable.
- Black Sabbath - The unholy four. Sabbath took hard rock and molded it to their liking, and it became known as metal. They created the image, the persona, and 90% of the riffs for the next thirty years of metal.
- Creedance Clearwater Revival - These guys have done nothing but churn out classic tunes, and no band seems to capture that "Oh my god, I didn't know that THEY sang this song!" dynamic like these guys. They quietly helped blaze the trail, while all the while acknowledging and respecting their influences. CCR certainly has earned this spot in my eyes.

The rest were picked by you, the readers!

- The Doors - I won't argue the contributions of this band. They were one of the first bands to really bring in the gloomy side of rock and roll while cementing the role of the organ in the genre. While the band seems to be more remembered these days for the antics of their front man, Jim Morrison, they deserve tons of credit for their amazing music.
- Rush - Few bands, even those on this list, can matchup with Rush from a talent perspective. Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, and Neil Peart are certainly extremely gifted, and their grandiose music is the perfect blend of hard rock and progressive music that no critic can deny. I had thought that the voice of Geddy Lee, which is often the biggest bone of contention with the band, might keep them from this spot. However, now that they are "Untouchable," we'll just chalk it up to part of their charm.
- Cream - These guys were originally on my list before I axed them for having such a short career. I was worried that too many of you out there wouldn't be willing to see them for their greatness because of their limited career, and I am quite happy that that isn't the case at all. Cream was the first true "power trio," and proved that three musicians, at least three immensely talented guys like this, could create and sustain a full sound. Even with a short tenure, Cream is one of the most important bands in the history of rock.
- The Ramones – Another shocker in my opinion. While I am more than willing to call these guys the best punk band ever (as you can see proof of HERE), I would not have penciled them in here. But, the masses have spoken, and the majority of you seem to feel that these punk rockers from NYC deserve some love on this list. I won't deny the fact that I love their sense of humor, and I can't knock a bunch of fellow Beatles fans either.
- AC/DC - As you may already know, these guys didn't even get nominated in the first place by you all. I was dumbfounded as to how no one brought these guys up in the first week! Last week was a totally different story, as I received so many right-in votes for this hard rock act from down under that I had no choice but to give them the final slot. It is no skin off of my nose however, as I personally love the down and dirty rock of Angus Young and company.

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It is now time to return to our break down of the decades of rock. A few weeks back we wrapped up our look at the early days of the genre in the 1950's. It is now time to step forward and take a look at the times that would follow and the artists that would influence the changes.

The 1960's

The 60's were an interesting time in our culture, because it was as if the sexual revolution launched right off of Elvis Presley's gyrating hips and into the public consciousness. It was a time of great change with issues like racism, sexuality, war, and politics being pushed to the forefront.

The decade saw tragedies like the death of President John F. Kennedy, (which many historians refer to as the moment that stole America's innocence) and incredible moments of joy like the "Summer of Love" and "Woodstock." In this era, music played it's role to the fullest, by not only creating many of those joyous moments, but also by helping the world heal from tragedy, and by giving a voice to the people.

While I could go on for pages about how critical the 1960's were to the world as we know it and about the artists that made it so, I will do my best to narrow it down to what I believe to be the ten most essential artists from the 1960's. (Note: We are looking at the most essential Rock and Roll artists ever. This in not meant to be a slight to the greats in all of the other genres, because they are quite important as well.)

Here they are (in no particular order)…

The Beatles- We won't dwell too much on this one since it is already a forgone conclusion, and I am too often accused of gushing over them too frequently. So, to keep it simple, without The Beatles, no one else on this list would matter half as much as they do now, and we would not be able to recognize our trusty old rock and roll, assuming it would even exist at all.

Bob Dylan - The true poet of rock and roll. You can say all that you like about his lack of vocal ability, but there is no denying his lyrical genius. "Like a Rolling Stone," "All Along the Watchtower," "Subterranean Homesick Blues…" this is just a sample of the classics penned by Dylan, whose popularity rivaled that of The Beatles at some points in his career. I personally advocate the use of Dylan's work in the school system's study of poetry, but not TOO much. We don't want a ton of school kids thinking they are hippies and not showering.

The Beach Boys - These guys managed to straddle the fence of parent-friendly pop music and the evil rock and roll. Their surf-inspired tunes are still burned into the minds of everyone from that era, and they will always be the symbol of the happiest, sunshine filled days of the 1960's. Plus, they made some great strides in recording technology with their album Pet Sounds.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - In a decade absolutely dominated by rock from across the pond, Creedence was one of the few consistent American bands that could hang with some of the greats from the British Invasion. Their grittier sound that drew from the music of the south really made them stand out in a time when everyone wanted to recreate The Beatles or Bob Dylan. Dan Fogerty is one of the most influential American song writers of the day, churning out classics like "Fortunate Son" and "Proud Mary."

The Kinks - While the seem to be most remembered for two big hits "You've Really Got Me" and "Lola," these guys were a crucial band to the development of hard rock and put forth a great deal more quality material than just those two songs. The Kinks' harder edge would go on to influence the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and The Who, and countless other bands that have been touched by their influence, whether they are aware of it or not.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Class is in Session

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"I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink / I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink. / I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink. / No, no, no.

I'm so tired I don't know what to do. / I'm so tired my mind is set on you. / I wonder should I call you but I know what you'd do.

You'd say I'm putting you on, but it's no joke, it's doing me harm. / You know I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain, you know it's three weeks, I'm going insane.

You know I'd give you everything I've got for a little peace of mind!" - I'm So Tired

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Q: Hey,

Thanks for answering my question. :) Can't debate with you on The Who being in the Greatest 5... I've never heard any songs of them. Any of their albums you'd like to recommend for a music n00b? :)

Anyway, I was reading an old Geezer Butler interview somewhere and he mentioned Tony Iommi's 20 minute solo on Warning which the producer cut. My question is Which is the longest guitar solo recorded?

Maybe you could even do one of your list's for the most memorable Guitar solos! :)

Have a great day!

Regards,
Ashish

A: Ashish, I can't believe that you are new to the world of The Who! Now there is so much pressure on me to steer you in the right direction so you can enjoy the best sampling that The Who have to offer. One way or another, I can assure you that a treasure trove of music awaits you.

If I were going to recommend three albums to you in order to give you a good feel of their career and their work, it would be the following…

1. My Generation - This was the debut album from the future hall of famers, and it is most notable for it's raw, British Invasion-era sound. This was the world's first look at these brash Brits and their tendency to be a little wilder and in your face than some of their other contemporaries from across the pond, as well as their Peter Panesque desire to hang on to their youth and their youthful ideals. Key Tracks: "My Generation," "I Don't Mind," and "The Kids are Alright."



2. Tommy - This was a huge risk for any rock band to take as the guys set out to basically "invent" the rock opera. While the story is an odd one to say the least, with the central character being a deaf, dumb, and blind kid that struggles through life before discovering his hidden talent for pinball, the music is top notch from start to finish. On this album you can observe the transition of the band, and more specifically, Pete Townsend from rock band to true artists. Key Tracks: "Amazing Journey," "Sparks," "See Me, Feel Me," "I'm Free," and of course, "Pinball Wizard."



3. Who's Next - This is my personal favorite album of the band. While the album infamously started out to be a concept album like many of their others, the concept was so deep that many people simply could not grasp what Townsend was going for… including his own band mates. The result? They dropped the storyline that was to be told through the music ala Tommy and simply turned it into one of the most complete albums in all of rock history. Top to bottom, this album is loaded. There are band's who would kill to have a "Greatest Hits" CD with this kind of fire power. If you pick up only one album by The Who, make it this one. (And if you pick up a fourth, make it Quadrophenia) Key Tracks: "Behind Blue Eyes," "Baba O'Reilly," "Bargain," "My Wife," and "Won't Get Fooled Again."



Now as far as the longest recorded guitar solo, the record seems to be teetering back and forth between Louisiana's James Brister and Chicago's Jef Sarver. I have found a few conflicting reports in regards to which one is actually the record holder, but the record appears to be hovering around the 43 hour mark. Kind of makes Tony Iommi's solo in question look a little puny doesn't it?

As far as rock music goes, most sources that I have found point to Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple as the man to beat when it comes to hard rock/metal solos.

Finally, I agree, I think a list of the greatest guitar solos could be quite interesting (and probably spark a bit of controversy). So, next week's Top 7 will be "The Top 7 Guitar Solos of All Time," so be sure to stop by and see it!

Q: Are the Offspring technically a punk band or not?

Thanks – Brian J.

A: Now Brian, I am not sure that I am qualified to answer this question, because I was attacked for considering Green Day to have been punk at some point. I will give it a shot anyway.

Most of the places that I looked did refer to the boys of The Offspring as "American Punk Rock." I suppose that I can see that a little bit in some of their earlier material, but I would have to say that I consider most of their later work, including most of what they are known for, to be closer to alternative or post-grunge.

But, as I have been told a few times this week already, punk music is all about having the right attitude and not about a particular sound, thus making the characterizing of this band even more subjective than it was before!

Q: Hey man, great to see that you think the Sex Pistols are overrated too. One album(and an awful one at that) with two well known songs doesn't make a legendary band.
For the untouchables list, out of the choices offered i'd go with Deep Purple, The Eagles, The Doors, Thin Lizzy & Guns N' Roses.

Anyway I was wondering what your opinion is on Velvet Revolver. Do you think they should carry on without Scott and if so who with? – Robert E.

A: Hey Robert, thanks for writing and sending in your votes. I cannot find fault with any of your suggestions, except perhaps Guns and Roses, considering the damage that Axl Rose has done to the band's image.

As far as Velvet Revolver goes, I have covered both my thoughts on them as a band and the fact that I think they should go on without Scott Weiland HERE.

I would like to add though that I think that if Velvet Revolver is going to make a move, they need to do it soon. It seems as though "victory" in the public eye in these types of splits is often determined by which party finds success first. If Weiland ends up making up with his former band mates in Stone Temple Pilots, and then heads to the studio with them, the battle is lost. People will eat up a STP reunion, especially if it includes some new material, and Velvet Revolver will be left standing there like they were victims of a "Dear Slash…" letter.

I don't suppose any other names have really jumped out at me as far as new lead singers go, at least not any more that would still scream "super group" the way Weiland did. They are all solid musicians, so I am sure they will be successful regardless, but I truly hope that they avoid the reality television route.

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This week's list…(Insert mental drum roll here)

The Top 7 Movie Soundtracks

Disclaimer: I omitted any movie ABOUT music since I have already covered those HERE. I also didn't cover any movie musicals, because I plan on stretching that into another list entirely. I did not differentiate between scores and collection-style soundtracks, but be prepared to see more about movie scores in the future.

7. Armageddon – What can I say? I like Aerosmith. This album is crammed to the point of bursting with music from the boys from Boston, Mass., and the other appearances (Jon Bon Jovi, ZZ Top, Our Lady Peace, etc.) aren't too bad either. The movie is an over the top action adventure movie, so who better to save the world to than Aerosmith? Though I am sure that the involvement of Steven Tyler's daughter might have played a small roll in the guys hitting the studio to record half of the soundtrack.

6. I Am Sam– So, did anyone think that I wouldn't be all about a movie that features Sean Penn as a struggling, mentally challenged father that only knows how to relate to the world through the music and the lives of The Beatles? That's what I thought. The soundtrack is comprised entirely of Beatles covers by a wide range of popular artists. Some of the highlights include Eddie Vedder's rendition of "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," Ben Folds' version of "Golden Slumbers," and The Wallflowers rocking cover of "I'm Looking Through You." The best part to me is that Sean Penn refused to use the material until it was approved by the surviving Beatles, which he did not have to do since they did not control the usage of their music.

5. Singles– Or perhaps more aptly titled, "a grunge fan's depiction of heaven." This 1992 soundtrack is one of the most stacked recordings by "Various Artists" in history, featuring the likes of Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Mudhonney, and Mother Love Bone. Plus, throw in a little bit of Jimi Hendrix for good measure. Not bad, right? It would seem that far more people remember the soundtrack than the film though.

4. American Graffitti – In this day and age, nostalgia is nothing new. We are so desperate for that warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling that VH1 couldn't even wait until the end of the decade to start recapping it! This wasn't always the case. In fact, many people turned their nose up at the idea of George Lucas' film waxing nostalgic to a time so recently removed. Instead, the film became a success and an instant classic, in part for it's 41 track soundtrack that is headlined by Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Bill Haley and the Comets, and some guy named Buddy Holly. As a result, the world never stopped looking backwards over it's shoulder again.

3. Forrest Gump – For anyone unfamiliar with this classic 90's film, the story follows Forrest Gump throughout his remarkable (and remarkably unbelievable) life, and director Robert Zemeckis used a collection of classic songs to chronologically tell the story. Featuring the likes of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, this album makes the trip down musical memory lane almost as amazing as the story of Mr. Gump himself.

2. Apocalypse Now – Oliver Stone has most certainly gone on record as declaring his love for the work of The Doors, including directing their biography. Sometimes there are combinations of film and music that just don't look like they should work on paper, but are completely brilliant when put together. This is one of those incidents to me, because in theory epic war movie and organ-laden rock and roll do not mix, but in this particular case the mix to perfection.

1. Psycho – No film is effected by music that this one, as the score could not fit the film in a more perfect or iconic way. As an Alfred Hitchcock fan, I cannot ignore the brilliance of Bernard Herrmann's score. Oddly enough, Hitch was opposed to using strings at all, because he thought it impossible to capture the darkness or suspense of this thriller using a notoriously "romantic" instrumentation. Herrmann assured him that it would work, and to his credit, Hitch listened, and Psycho went on to become on of if not the most iconic thriller sporting one of the most recognizable scores in all of film.

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Forgotten Classic Now, not every forgotten classic has to be a couple of decades old to be both amazing and oft-forgotten. With that in mind, I submit to you one of my favorite all around albums in my collection… Clumsy by Our Lady Peace. If you are a fan of alternative music and have yet to hear this album, I highly recommend that you find a way to work it in to your regular rotation. This disc features arguably the band's biggest hit, "Superman's Dead," but is also loaded with other goodies like "Automatic Flowers," the heartfelt "4am," and the title track, "Clumsy," which starts with a beautiful little piano intro before swelling into a solid chunk of rock and roll. While I am a fan of almost all of the band's material, this album still hold's a special place in my collection and in my heart. I can't urge you enough to check it out.

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Q: Here's the list to that abomination i was talking about.

http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/rock_honors/_2008/voting.jhtml

I also saw creed on there.

Did you see Rush on the Colbert Report?

What about The Who on VH1?

Also, what do you think is the best Red Hot Chili Peppers album? I could give it to Stadium Arcadium or Californication, but the favorite is Blood Sugar Sex Magick? I haven't heard it though. I also like Mother's Milk.

There you go,
Steveo

A: It wouldn't be an Ask 411 Music without you Steveo! Good to hear from you as always. Now… down to business.

Now, as far as this nefarious list goes, it is one of the biggest "list offenders" that I have ever encountered. I do not even know where to begin with this piece of crap. It does appear that these are going to be VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs and that they are asking us to vote on the order in which they should be ranked.

First question is this. Is there some issue with band's having more than one song on the list? I wouldn't think so, as AC/DC starts off the list with two songs, but then why are there so many greats with just one song? These guys deserve to have more than one for sure (especially before some of these other tracks made it):

- Deep Purple
- Guns and Roses
- Jimi Hendrix
- Judas Priest
- Metallica
- Motorhead
- Nirvana
- Pearl Jam
- The Who
- Rush
- Thin Lizzy

Secondly, do any of these bands deserve such a spot?

- Warrant
- Winger
- The Hives
- Wolfmother
- W.A.S.P.
- Creed
- Nickleback
- Pat Benetar
- Linkin Park
- Kid Rock
- Evanescence
- Europe
- Andrew W.K.

Plus, did anybody proofread this stuff? There are some pretty ridiculous typos on here.

All in all, it is horrible. I know VH1 wants to spread the love around, but this is ridiculous. Please, check it out for yourself if you have a strong stomach.

I missed out on seeing Rush on the Colbert Report. I didn't realize that they were going to be on until it was too late. I am going to try and find it on YouTube as soon as I can.

I did, of course, catch VH1's Rock Honors: The Who. I thought it was an AMAZING show, and that all of the bands paying tribute to the legends did an outstanding job… in particular The Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam. The Foos kicked it off with a stunning rendition of a personal favorite, "Young Man Blues," that rocked unbelievably hard. Pearl Jam wrapped up the tributes with a killer set featuring a blistering performance of "Real Me" that had me hyped up for The Who, who most certainly did not disappoint. They may be getting up there, but these guys showed the world how to REALLY rock and roll. By the way, anyone wondering about the drummer for The Who? Why that would be Zak Starkey, son of some guy named Ringo Starr, and Zac played out of his mind on the show. Congrats to The Who for their lifetime of achievements and to VH1 for getting something right.

As far as the Red Hot Chili Peppers go, it is tough to narrow it down to one album. I absolutely love Stadium Arcadium, and I think it is one of the best albums to come out in the last couple of years. That said, I think my favorite still has to be Californication, which is not so much a pick based on quality (though it is still a solid record) but one based more on sentimental attachment. I have some great memories tied in with that particular album, which is one of the reasons that it is required summer listening for me.

Q: Hey Blake,

I really need to know the details, so what's the deal with this new Hendrix material?

I know Stephen Stills found it, but what else - how do you just misplace a whole album like that? Is the new stuff related to Hendrix's work on Stills' 1970 self-titled album or is it just a separate collaboration with Stills and Hendrix? In any case, do you have any idea when the album will be released?

While we're at it, Blake, would you share a brief history of one of our most innovative and influential guitarists of all time?

Oh, and as for your untouchables list, I'm pretty much in agreement with you top ten. Despite that, I still don't consider Aerosmith untouchable. Then again, maybe that's just me, but as for my votes: (Mind you I am quite biased to blues-rock, but you knew that from my Clapton question a few weeks ago...)

Cream - Clapton deserves to be on this list, and everyone knows it.
Traffic - For the albums John Barleycorn Must Die and The Low Sparks of High-Heeled Boys
Yardbirds - They helped so much to popularize that British blues and rock sound. Not to mention, they paved the way for Messrs. Beck, Clapton, and Page
Allman Brothers Band - Those first few albums with all of the original members (especially Duane) blow me away every time.
Faces - Ronnie Wood and Ronnie Lane make me realize that yes, there was a time when Rod Stewart could actually fucking rock my world.

Have a good one, Blake!

- Stephanie G.

A: Stephanie, you are one blues-rock loving gal aren't you? I love that you mentioned Traffic and The Allman Brothers, because I think both of them are outstanding and deserve more credit than they are given. The Allman's are recognized a lot, but I don't think most people fully grasp why, or just how amazing they were before that tragic motorcycle crash. Traffic is criminally underrated in my opinion, as is Steve Winwood. I suppose that their folkish side keeps them from being remembered in their rightful place these days.

We will have to agree to disagree on Aerosmith, but rest assured that you are not alone. A couple others have made the same comment, but I stand firmly behind my pick.

As far as the new Hendrix material goes, not too much seems to be known about it yet. Based on the time frame that it came from, it could certainly be related to Stephen Stills solo album, but they are treating it as if it is a separate beast all together. There is no news as far as when it could be released to the eagerly awaiting public, but I have heard that Graham Nash is working with his band mate to get it ready to be released.

If I had to guess as to how someone misplaces a recording with one of the greatest guitar players ever, I would blame it on the drugs. I hear it makes remembering little details like that difficult. However, Nash claims that Stills lost it because he has such a massive amount of recordings from that era, and that he would record and jam with as many other musicians as possible. I for one love the idea of an era where every musician wanted to work together and create together. If that isn't really the case, please don't tell me and burst my bubble. I like it in here.

A Hendrix biography? That is a great idea, but it will have to be put on hold for a few weeks. This week's edition is already turned into quite the monster, and I would hate to slight Jimi by not doing him justice. Rest assured though Stephanie, I will get on that really soon.



Alrighty, to quote Mr. Plant, "let's bring it on home tonight."

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This week's drop of band name knowledge is…

Flogging Molly - For any that are unaware of this band, they are a seven piece celtic punk band based out of Los Angeles. That make any sense to you? No? Good. Anyway, these guys have been churning out music for years to various amounts of success, though their popularity seems to swell a bit every year in March. I guess everyone wants to get into the St. Patrick's Day spirit, but isn't ready to commit to full blown celtic music. I have heard many people claim that this band name glorifies the abuse of women, which is supposed to be some big Irish stereotype. The fact of the matter is, the band constantly played at a L.A. nightclub called "Molly Malone's" when they were getting started. In fact, they played their so frequently that they say they felt like they were "flogging it to death." Hence, ladies and gentlemen, Flogging Molly. See, sometimes there is a perfectly acceptable reason.

See you all back here next week… and send me some freaking questions.

Class Dismissed.