sing a long

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Released in 2002. This is the “uncensored” version. The video was edited by MTV to remove the references to “pistol” and “blood.” I had this CD of course. I assumed the singer committed suicide over a breakup with his girlfriend. That, or else he killed her… ("all I can hear is the sound...") I guess it’s up to the listener to decide. Very intense subject matter in either case. “Click Cilck Boom” and this song were on my football “pre-game” playlist. If it doesn't sound like your “brand of vodka” better pass on this one. "Always" reached #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock tracks in February 2003.

Here’s what Wikipedia says about the video:

Directed by Charles Infante, the video focuses on a young man, played by future Criminal Minds star Matthew Gray Gubler (Me: Awesome! I never knew that. Bet you’re surprised I’m a fan of “Criminal Minds.” Not. Especially “A.J.” ) who appears to be haunted by a woman of his past, sporadically appearing throughout the city. The video ends with the man, enraged, destroying a telephone booth before collapsing to the ground. MTV requested an edit of the lyrics in the final verse. The line "the pistol shaking in my hand, and all I can hear is the sound" was edited to replace the word "pistol" with "anger" in the video version.

Wonder if my younger friends know what that is on the cover? God that makes me feel old.

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“Californication” is by far my favorite song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. One of their biggest hits, it was released in 2000 and has been played at every show since then according to what I’ve read. I have seen them perform it in concert.

If you aren’t aware of him on YouTube, Leo Moracchioli has gained quite a following through his “metal” versions of pop hits. He has covered everything from Lady GaGa and Adele to “Despacito” and "Zombie.” An extremely talented musician who plays all instruments, he records his covers at his home studio in Norway. Sometimes his wife joins him on bass, or their daughter takes part in the video. They even have done a version of “Baby Shark” so that will give you some idea. I am a huge fan of his.

Unlike many of the “hard rock” versions out there his covers are not in my opinion disrespectful of the original artists. Although if you don’t like “heavy metal”…

Sometimes he does a cover that I genuinely like better than the original. I love this song as originally performed but this is one of those cases. The video was filmed at the 2017 NAMM show in Los Angeles.

The song’s lyrics are very intense (if you know what it’s about) and were written by Anthony Kiedis the RHCP’s lead singer.

“First born unicorn” is a reference to Dorothy Stratten a Playboy Playmate who was murdered in 1980. The “metal” treatment adds additional intensity to an already awesome song. While no one could improve on John Frusciante’s original guitar solo, I especially like how Leo turns that part over to several “relatively unknown” guitar players giving them recognition.

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More listening unpleasantness from the world of extreme metal. This time in Spanish. Brujeria (Witchcraft or Sorcery) was a side project founded by Dino Cazares (Guitar) and Raymond Herrera (Drums) of the band “Fear Factory.” One I grew up listening to and have been to see in concert. Dino was one of the first I’d ever seen use a 7-String guitar.

“Matando Güeros” was released in 1993. However, I did not learn of the album until much later although I had been a fan of Fear Factory for several years. Not all members were Hispanic or Latino. Shane Embury (Guitar and Bass) had been a member of “Napalm Death” and was born in Born in Broseley, Shropshire, England. The band was meant to be somewhat “tongue in cheek.”

The severed head on the cover is allegedly real. The story behind it is he had been an informant or narcotics agent who was murdered by a drug cartel. The album was banned due to its cover and violent drug related content. One of the songs on the album, an instrumental, is called “Chinga tu Madre.” I’m sure even if you don’t speak Spanish you can figure it out.

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Leo once again. This time he covers Metallica’s “Battery” turning the guitar, bass, and drums over to his friends: Trey Xavier, Noah Martin, and 66Samus.

Again, if you are a fan of this style of music, especially “classic” Metallica (1986), you will love this. And if not… well, let’s just say “I warned you.”

Personally, I don’t know how this cover could be improved upon. Seriously. The only thing “missing” was that they didn’t go right into “Master of Puppets” after.

(My wife was quite accurate in her assessment of my musical tastes. She listens to everything and knows a lot about music and she has met many famous musicians and celebrities. Her “ex” was a guitar player in an Indianapolis based band, they split largely due to his drug and alcohol abuse. Anyway, she had this to say about my own preferences: “You like that crazy, loud, heavy shit and you like whatever your girls do. Everything else you think sucks.” What could I say? )

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I’m sure most of you will recognize this one. The original was performed by Gorillaz in 2005 and hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks.

Best YouTube Comments:

“I love how everybody is so nonchalant about a heavy metal guitar playing rabbit running around.”

“Please cover Slayer Raining Blood.”

“Idk how i feel about it but i think its growing on me.”

“Great cover man, I love the heavy guitar on this track, it brings power to the original song!”

“WHEN YOU TAKE ALL THE DRUGS AT ONCE.”

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Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics live! From 1980. Before my time, I credit my older cousins for introducing me to lots of good music much to my parents’ shock and anguish. I have an original pressing of “New Hope For The Wretched” on vinyl—but nothing to play it on… “Tight Black Pants” is the first track.

Wendy is really cute here. She was one of the earliest pioneers for women in modern rock. Especially punk and hard rock. Her stage act often consisted of using a chain saw to cut a guitar in half, smashing a TV with a sledgehammer, and blowing shit up.

Wendy took her own life in 1998. From what I know she suffered from depression for many years. You can read about it on the Internet. I think Wendy would rather we celebrate her life and enjoy her music.

Here is a review from Instant Karma Records:

This is a 2014 remaster of The Plasmatics Earth Shaking 1980 debut album "New Hope For The Wretched" Right when you thought Punk was dead Fuck You!!! Along cums the Plasmatics sticking it in your eye with "Butcher Baby." The first catchy tune to utilize a chainsaw on a hit record. This edition includes a second album of live performances of some wonderfully sick shit This double album has been pressed with some baby vomit colored vinyl. The songs on this sonic disaster are: Tight Black Pants,Monkey Suit, Living Dead, Test Tube Babies, Won't You, Concrete Shoes, Squirm (Live), Want You Baby, Dreamlover, Sometimes I, Corruption, Butcher Baby, Sometimes I (live) Tight Pants (live), Butcher Baby (live), Corruption (live), You Think Your Comin' & Fast Food Service.

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August 14, 2001. Nu-Metal was at its peak. Formed in Memphis, Tennessee, a relatively unknown band, at least compared to Slipknot, Korn, Godsmack, and Disturbed, came out with their second studio album “The New Release.” It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and #102 on the Billboard 200.

The album was shelved by their record company after the attacks of “9/11.” If you are too young to remember that tragic day, or weren’t born yet, one of the dumbest things that occurred afterward was the infamous “Clear Channel Memo” banning over 150 songs including everything by Rage Against the Machine. Snopes however claims this was more of an "Advisory List" for radio stations. The perception at the time among people my age was that this amounted to a "ban." A search will quickly find this memo.

“This Life” is very intense, the subject was someone the singer knew who was in an abusive relationship:

Bruises on your face, I guess you fell down the steps again
that's such a shame, cause you let it,
you let it happen over and over again

This isn't what you wanted
someone to break you down every motherfucking day
it's not the life you wanted
someone to break you, someone to make you

It's just another day, the last day he touches you again
but there’s a price he'll pay
pull the trigger…

“55” refers to Interstate 55 which runs from Chicago to St. Louis to Memphis. Listening to this album again in 2019 I couldn't help but think of “This Life” as the Metal version of “Face Down.” Although “This Life” preceded that song by at least 3 or 4 years. No one should have to suffer abuse, verbal or physical. I’m glad that music often speaks to that. Maybe more people will pay attention.

Like many of the songs from this era, this was always on my “pre-game” football playlist.

RIP Jason "J-Sin" Luttrell (1978-2018)