Thursday, December 31, 2009

Andrew WK Corporate Creation Controversy


In response to: http://bit.ly/4I22Ee & http://bit.ly/4UklGc


I’m more disturbed by the idea of music fans being freaked out by the idea of Andrew WK possibly being a character played by numerous people, than the idea of actors possibly playing Andrew WK.

First off I do not subscribe to conspiracy theories or anything else that is not based on fact. So throw the theories out the window. I’ve heard everything from Dave Grohl being Andrew WK to Steve Mike being WK. Well maybe, just maybe, Andrew WK is actually Kurt Cobain who after faking his suicide underwent plastic surgery and resurfaced years later to tell America to party hard after the towers fell in New York. Who gives a fuck?

Seriously, I don’t even care for Andrew WK that much, but I can tell you that if this truly was constructed out of a post- 9/11 demented corporate entertainment whore of a company; then kudos to them for blindsiding everyone after all these years.

People quickly forget that music is entertainment first and foremost. Fans create personal connections with the artist and create “romantic” ideas of the artists’ personalities in their heads- the so-called celebrity. 10 out of 10 times these celebrities are NEVER how you imagine them. Because perception of celebrity is based out of Hollywood fantasies and never on the only thing that matters- FACTS. Director Kevin Smith responded to a question recently on twitter as to why he had never worked with Bill Murray, he said- “Never meet your idols”. Couldn’t agree more, sir.

In a world of horrible corporations whose ends need only be higher profits no matter what the cost, then why are people so outraged that the above formula wouldn’t include musical acts? Major labels are traded on Wall Street are they not?

If it is true that Andrew WK is a corporate creation, then this is the closest the major record companies have come to over-taking the various underground music scenes. The lessons learned from Nirvana may have been applied & successfully executed on an unexpecting, susceptible post 9/11 public. If this is all bullshit then Andrew WK has just stirred enough interest to guarantee him Andy Kauffman/ Tony Clifton status for the rest of time. Either way it's excellent marketing.

By the way you know what the major difference between the Sex Pistols and the Ramones is? The Ramones weren't started by an marketing investor- http://bit.ly/519UUR .

About the author: Chuck Livid is the owner of Livid Records based out of Boca Raton, Fl. Chuck’s been involved in the South Florida music scene since 1994.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Angry Samoans "Back from Samoa"


For 40 days I will write short blurbs on what I consider the most essential recordings of all time. Enjoy...


Oh, the Angry Samoans! I <3 me some Angry Samoans! To me this is what California Punk Rock is all about. I'd argue that the Angry Samoans are in the in top three most influential West coast punk/hardcore bands (the other two being Black Flag & The Dead Kennedys).

90's Pop-punk owes alot to the Samoans. Back from Samoa is about as good of any to start. Pick it up.

Tracks to listen for are: Lights Out, Steak Knife, My Old Man's a Fatso

Buy it HERE- http://www.amazon.com/Back-Samoa-Angry-Samoans/dp/B000000P3G

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Ramones "Leave Home"

For 40 days I will write short blurbs on what I consider the most essential recordings of all time. Enjoy...




This list of 40 albums should technically contain almost every Ramones record ever made. The Ramones are the reason I love punk rock; hands down, end of story. The reason I chose Leave Home out of their massive catalog is that this was the first record I got from the Ramones. Leave Home radically changed my perception of rock music at the tender age of 13. This record single-handedly made me turn away from mainstream corporate rock to punk. Although I personally enjoy The Ramones' self-titled just as much, Leave Home means more to me because it was my introduction to a sub-culture that had been spewing for a good 16 years at that time.

Honestly The Ramones' first 4 albums should be considered as pinnacle American Rock and Roll albums but if you're reading this you know that already ;)

Tracks to listen for are: Carbona Not Glue, Commando, You're Gonna Kill That Girl.

Buy it HERE- http://interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=124543&

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Groovie Ghoulies "Appetite for Adrenochrome"

For 40 days I will write short blurbs on what I consider the most essential recordings of all time. Enjoy...



In my opinion the Groovie Ghoulies' Appetite for Adrenochrome is one of the best pop punk albums of all time. The Goulies covers of Don't Go Out Into the Rain (You're Going to Melt) from the Herman's Hermits & Lookout! from Neil Diamond (actually written by Neil for The Monkees) are easily the best covers EVER done in punk rock. Although some will claim that the Groovie Ghoulies' sound wasn't refined until later records like Re-Animation Festival I beg to differ and say that what makes Appetite such a gem is it's raw, straightforward musical compositions. Appetite still manages to show Kepi's amazing voice and his ubber awesome vision of campy horror meets the pop sensibilities of American pop legends Neil Diamond and Carly Simon to the mix. Unlike the horror styling of the early Misfits, the Groovie Ghoulies version of horror punk laid more in a Hanna-Barbara world versus a Vampira/Ed Wood world. Appetite for Adrenochrome is an excellent 1st record which still gets me singing along each and every tune.

Tracks to listen for are: My Computer Said Kill, No Blood, Lookout!

Buy it HERE- http://interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=130487&

Monday, December 7, 2009

The Misfits "Walk Among Us"

For 40 days I will write short blurbs on what I consider the most essential recordings of all time. Enjoy...




I remember when I first listened to this record thinking it was the most amazing thing ever. I actually had this on cassette and man I tore the fuck outta that tape. Walk Among Us is the quintessential Misfits record in my opinion and the ultimate testosterone ride a wimpy kid could ever get their hands on.

Tracks to listen for are: 20 Eyes, Hatebreeders, Skulls & I Turned into a Martian.

Buy it HERE- http://interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=165041&

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Favorite albums of all time

I was asked what I thought the best records of all time were. This is a cynical question in my opinion because music is something that means so much to everyone.

Here's a list of 40 records that I will never get sick of listening to. This is a very personal list of records, they are my musical tattoos of life events if you will.

In the coming days I'll write a short piece on why each of these records have changed my life and why I hang on to them.

In no particular order I introduce you into what makes me happy. I'd suggest you'd check these artists out if you haven't already.

1. The Misfits "Walk Among Us"
2. Groovie Ghoulies "Appetite for Adrenochrome"
3. Ramones "Leave Home"
4. Angry Samoans "Back from Samoa"
5. Beastie Boys "Paul's Boutique"
6. Beck "Odelay"
7. Bouncing Souls "The Good, The Bad and the Argyle"
8. Buena Vista Social Club "S/T"
9. The Clash "London Calling"
10. The Crumbs "Low and Behold"
11. Dwarves "Are young and good looking"
12. Jon Cougar Concentration Camp "Til Niagra Falls"
13. Nirvana "Incesticide"
14. The Vaselines "Enter the Vaselines"
15. Guitar Wolf "Planet of the wolves"
16. The Lillingtons "The Backchannel Broadcast"
17. The Mr. T Experience "Revenge is Sweet, and so are you"
18. Mudhoney "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge"
19. Mudhoney "Superfuzz Bigmuff"
20. Pixies "Doolittle"
21. The Queers "Love Songs for the Retarded"
22. The Riverdales "Phase 3"
23. Screeching Weasel "Anthem for a new tomorrow"
24. Screeching Weasel "Boogada Boogada Boogada"
25. Sonic Youth "Bad Moon Rising"
26. Sonic Youth "Goo"
27. Sonic Youth "Sister"
28. Suicidal Tendencies "s/t"
29. Weezer "Blue Album"
30. Youth Brigade "Sink with Kalifornia"
31. The Beatles "Rubber Soul"
32. Butthole Surfers "Hairway to Steven"
33. Danzig "S/T"
34. Green Day "Dookie"
35. The Illustrated "Alphabaggage"
36. Pink Lincolns "Back from the Pink Room"
37. Foo Fighters "S/T"
38. Yellowman "King Yellowman"
39. Groovie Ghoulies "Born in the Basement"
40. Glocca Morra "The Working Bones, A Health Decline"