Ask 411 Music 12.08.08: Green Day, Christmas Hits, The Beach Boys Solo Work, Under-Appreciated Artists, and More!

Posted by Rob Samuels on 12.08.2008

The grand return of Ask 411 music features an explanation from the writer, Green Day's many aliases, the most under-appreciated artists and the first ever teaser competition! Check it out!

‘Hello, I Love You...'

Good day peoples and welcome to the grand return of Ask 411 Music! Put away the party poppers for we have a lot to get through today, and I have no time for your nonsense. Apologies for my absence these past few weeks, I had become a recluse - spending my days philosophizing about my own mortality, the meaning of life and what to have for dinner. Fortunately I awoke one morning to the sweet sound of a birds song - more specifically a Yardbirds song, and I instantly regained my sanity.

Anyway, this is Ask 411 Music, your weekly intake of trivial musical mayhem! Because this is the grand return of the column I still need me some questions to answer so do send me any query, quibble or quandary to: [e-mail]. If you leave questions in the comments section I can't promise to answer them, because quite simply I may not see them.

Because it's been such a long time, even those of us with a great memory may need a refresher, so here is the last edition of Ask 411 Music (written, produced and edited Rob ‘a hero amongst men' Samuels):

Sorry to thatguy and every other listener for posting a topless Keith Richards picture without due warning - that won't happen again. In other news people agreed with me (I know!) about underrated songs. The Stones and Zeppelin seem to have a few gems in their lengthy back-catalogues that are worth checking out.

Anyway that's all in the past now, so let's roll like a proverbial stone to the questions...

Send in your questions NOW to [e-mail]! NOW damn you!

‘I Can't Tell You Why...'

Here is Round 1 of the questions (Just a quick apology to the people who sent in questions that I have taken a while to answer - they are all answered in this edition):

From Carl,

Hi Rob how are you? My question is a bit of a tricky one - The Beach Boys were hugely successful but out of the Wilson brothers who do you think had the best solo career?

I'm fine thank you Carl, terribly nice of you to ask. That is indeed a tricky question to answer. If you consider ‘Pet Sounds' a Brian Wilson record (which it essentially was) then it has to be him. Seen as though it technically says Beach Boys on it, I will not consider it a part of his solo work. Brian Wilson's mental issues really had a massive effect on what his solo career could have been, delaying his first solo album until 1988. He did however release the superb ‘Smile' (over 30 years after it's conception) in 2003 to great critical success.

Carl Wilson's solo career never really took off and both his albums remain the most obscure of all the Wilson's work. The third brother, Dennis, released the critically acclaimed ‘Pacific Ocean Blue' in 1977, making him the first Beach Boy to release a solo album. The album is one of ultimate forgotten classics and was re-released this year with a load of bonus tracks, so it is well worth tracking down. His follow up ‘Bambu' was never completed due to his death in 1983.

Brian Wilson's career as a solo artist was up and down, whereas Dennis immediately hit the nail on the head. I suppose we'll never know what either of these men could have achieved without their respective issues and Dennis' early death. If I had to pick one I'd say Dennis.... or Brian. Definitely not Carl.

From Leo,

Seen as though you have reviewed all three on the site, which is the best album - The Clash's debut, The Sex Pistols debut or The Ramones debut?

Ah yes, I often forget about the level of my celebrity across the worldwide web. It is true I have reviewed all three records (rather spectacularly if I do say so myself) on my currently semi-retired column ‘The Classic Record Review'. Although the Pistols album is great and a real landmark for Punk, it is easily the worst of the trio. For me, The Clash debut ‘The Clash' is an exceptional record musically and lyrically and well worth looking at if you are a Punk fan. The Ramones debut is also excellent and really the first Punk album.

If you want to get into Punk, then I'd suggest ‘The Ramones' as your first port of call. If you are a Punk connoisseur (and they do exist) then get ‘The Clash'. If you like some good old fashioned ballsy anti-establishment music get ‘Never mind the bollocks...'. If you're one of those wealthy punks I hear about, then get all of them and a big expensive Hi-Fi and sit in a darkened room with a syringe and enjoy the experience.

DISCLAIMER: Heroin is bad and should only be done by Rock stars, hobo's and prostitutes.

‘A Quick One While He's Away...'

Let's take an interlude from this question madness with an opinionated list! Hoorah! Like many of you, I have my favorites who seem to not be recognized by the masses for their genius. Therefore...

(drumroll)

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The Top 4 Most under-appreciated musicians/artists

As a self-proclaimed music nerd I love to think I know more than the average music fan. This may not be true but it makes me feel superior, and I like that feeling. Ahem yeah. Here's the list:

4. The Small Faces - I love the Small Faces, who are only really remembered as the band that paved the way for the much more popular ‘Faces' (who featured Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart). The Small Faces were a great band in their own right and were one of the ultimate mod groups in 60's London.

3. Donovan - Everyone loves Dylan but few remember Scotland's equivalent, the always lovable Donovan. At his best his songwriting was up there with the top performers of the time, and his voice certainly more toneful than his American counterpart. Ok, he wasn't as consistent as Dylan, but he's British so I prefer him (Only joking).

2. Thin Lizzy - They'd be number one in any other under-rated list, because these guys are the forgotten band of Rock. I have no idea why as their dual lead guitar style was as revolutionary as their songs. It is one of music's great tragedies that Thin Lizzy are only remembered for ‘The Boys are back in Town'. Lizzy for the 411mania Hall of Fame '08!

1. The Funk Brothers - Easily the most under-appreciated men in music. For those who have never heard of them they are the musicians behind all the Motown hits. They played on more number ones than The Stones, The Beatles, Elvis and the Beach Boys combined - yet received no credit. Incredible.

(The Funk Brothers with Stevie Wonder)

Send Your Questions Now To [e-mail]!

‘You Really Got Me...'

Back to the questions:

From Mark,
 
Rob, alright...This is a question I'm sure has been attempted by several folks before.
 
For the last time....How many albums has Green Day put out that AREN'T technically Green Day albums...I've heard of a few that are under different names, but I don't know how many.
 
Also, has anything ever been found from the tapes that were stolen that led to the recording of American Idiot? Or was that just a publicity stunt, and there never was another album?

Right, As a casual Green Day fan at best, I may not be the best person to answer this. I'll try my best but feel free to correct me if I am wrong dearest readers. They recorded an album ‘Money Money 2020' as part of a six-piece new-wave band called ‘The Network' in 2003. Although Green Day denies any involvement in the band, everyone and their nan knows they're in it. They actually re-released the album a year later so thats technically 2 releases.

‘Stop, Drop and Roll!!!' was released this year by the Foxboro Hot Tubs, another side-project which features all three Green Day members - so that makes 3... which is all I could find that actually include Mike Dirnt, Billy Joe and Tre Cool. Each band member does have other side projects, but that would be going off-piste and I don't want to do that do I?

As far as the tape theft goes, yes it was true the band had recorded around 20 tracks for an album called ‘Cigarettes and Valentines' which were stolen. According to Mike Dirnt they had backups but chose to scrap them, instead writing a new album which became ‘American Idiot'. As far as I'm aware the tapes have never shown up. There are some rumors that the aforementioned ‘Money Money 2020' was simply ‘Cigarettes and Valentines' but these seem to be untrue.

From Martin,

Yo Rob man, as we're approaching the holiday season, what do you think is the best Christmas song?

Well ‘tis the season and all that, so why not enjoy a festive song? The best Christmas song is obviously ‘Millenium Prayer' by Cliff Richard which is simply a stunning track. If you haven't heard this song before I have enclosed a video you lucky bastards:



Okay, in all honesty this is amongst the worst songs ever written (well stolen), and I for one have just vomited simply at imaging Cliff Richard's holier than thou face. Anyway, my personal favorite seasonal number has to be The Pogues with ‘Fairytale of New York', and you can't go wrong with Slade's ‘Merry Xmas Everybody' because it has a loud Brummy man shouting ‘It's CHRISTMAS!' and what could be better than that? I also like Wizzard's ‘I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday' mainly because of Roy Wood's beard. Is that a good enough reason to like a Christmas song? Probably not but fuck it.



If you watch this video for one reason and one reason only, watch it for the drummers (yeah there's two of ‘em). Coolest men alive.

‘Don't Believe A Word...'

I've decided to feature a weekly true or false question which i have wittily dubbed a ‘teaser'. The first to answer correctly will win a special (undisclosed) prize. Incorrect answers will receive the scorn of myself and the billions of readers I pull in every week. Be warned.

This weeks teaser:

Thin Lizzy were named after an extremely skinny groupie whom the bands original guitarist Eric Bell had met in Galway in the summer of 1968.

True or False? (Answers in the comments section please)

‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat...'

And that neatly brings us to the end of this weeks Ask 411 Music. I will be back next Monday and hopefully every subsequent Monday barring illness, laziness or bad luck. So until then get your brain ticking and send in any questions, queries, quibbles or quandaries to me at [e-mail]! If you don't send in questions then I'll show topless Keith Richards pictures until you do!

See you next week.