Soundtrack Only Songs: Deftones- Can’t Even Breathe

The sounds track to 1996’s Escape From L.A. is quite a good one. It features songs from White Zombie, Tool, Ministry, Clutch, Deftones and many more. The film itself is still a fun movie but, the soundtrack is what holds up most. One song from it that I’ve always enjoyed and have hoped for years that would be played live is the contribution from Deftones and their song “Can’t Even Breathe.” It’s an early Deftones track that is a bit of a pre-cursor to where they were headed after Adrenaline. This is one of those soundtrack only songs that should be celebrated!

Deftones- Can’t Even Breathe:

Soundtrack Only Songs: Crosses- The Years

Since Crosses announced their upcoming new album, Good Night, God Bless, I Love You, Delete., I’ve naturally gone back to listening to their debut. While doing so, I remembered a track that wasn’t on their album or previous EP’s. The song I’m talking about is “The Years” and it was featured on the soundtrack to the video game for Batman: Arkham City which was released back in 2011. The soundtrack also features tracks from Coheed and Cambria, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Blaqk Audio, The Damned Things and more. The Crosses track though is pretty damn good. It’s an eerie song that packs one hell of a punch. I’d love to see this song on their upcoming tour.

Crosses- The Years:

Crosses- The Years (Making Of):

Soundtrack Only Songs: Filter- One from The X-Files

What would the 1990’s be like without The X-Files? It was one of the best shows of the 90’s without a doubt. The popularity of the show grew by leaps and bounds and in 1998 there was a feature length film to accompany the series. The movie while decent produced a pretty damn good soundtrack featuring Filter, Foo Fighters, The Cure, Bjork, Noel Gallagher and more. The album’s producer, David Was, intended to match the film’s tone rather than using the songs as content, leading to several of the artists involved contributing material which would seem “uncharacteristically eerie” compared to their usual work. Many of the songs that appear on the soundtrack are cover versions like Filter covering Harry Nillsson’s “One.” This one in particular was deliberately constructed by Was once he realized that Duchovny had ad-libbed the song’s opening line during one of the film’s scenes. Filter’s version of “One” is striking and fits the vibe of the the film.

Filter (Harry Nillsson)- One:

Those 90’s Songs: Gin Blossoms- Til I Hear It From You

I have this really deep love for the movie Empire Records. Ever since I saw it as a kid, I’ve loved that movie and the soundtrack. There are plenty of songs to focus on from it but one in particular has always intrigued me mainly due to the story of how the song came to be. In between the Gin Blossom’s debut and second albums, there was a song written, “Til I Hear It From You” that would be the lead single for the Empire Records soundtrack. The song was written in a hotel back in 1995 during the annual South By Southwest Festival. The writing of the song according to the story took about two hours with Gin Blossom’s guitarist Jesse Valenzuela and songwriter Marshall Crenshaw having committed a rough version of the tune to tape, and about two weeks later Crenshaw received a copy of the completed track from the band, lyrics having been written by the group’s frontman Robin Wilson. Interestingly too, the Gin Blossom’s were being sought after to be on the soundtrack but due to label issues it was proving to be a struggle. Then as things worked out and the soundtrack to the movie was then switched to the label home of the Gin Blossom’s, A&M Records. The song was a hit for sure and spent soooo many weeks as a staple on rock radio in the mid 90’s. And even to this day, when this song comes on, it takes me back to that time, the movie and eventually wind up singing along!

Gin Blossom’s- Til I Hear It From You:

Soundtrack Only Songs: Rob Zombie & Howard Stern- The Great American Nightmare

Howard Stern has been a mainstay in American pop culture for many, many years now. Back in the 90’s, Howard was everywhere. Not only did he have his ever popular radio show but, also a successful TV version of his show, a best selling autobiography with Private Parts and now he topped the box office with the movie of Private Parts AND the reason for this article today, his Billboard chart topping soundtrack for Private Parts which features songs from Ozzy, Ramones, AC/DC, Van Halen, Deep Purple, Porno For Pyros, RHCP w/ LL Cool J, and an awesome collaboration Howard did with Rob Zombie. The song with Rob Zombie entitled “The Great American Nightmare” is a badass track that can only be found on the soundtrack. The song also has been the opening theme to Stern’s radio show since 1999. Interestingly, the song has only been performed live 5 times (according to Setlist.fm), the most recent time was in 2014 at Howards 60th Birthday Bash. Personally, I’d love for this song to be part of Rob’s setlist again.

Rob Zombie & Howard Stern- The Great American Nightmare:

The Great American Nightmare (Live 2014 Howard’s Birthday Bash):

Howard & Rob Rehearsal in 1997:

New Release: Ghost- Hunter’s Moon

Ghost are back with a new track, “Hunter’s Moon.” The single arrives in collaboration with the new horror film ‘Halloween Kills.‘ The song will be availble on a 7” as the A Side with John Carpenter’s “Halloween Theme” on the B Side. The track is quite fun and catchy as most Ghost songs tend to be. Interestingly too, the song and partnership with the latest installment in the ‘Halloween‘ franchise came about after a meeting between Blumhouse Productions and Ghost that took place at The Forum in Inglewood, CA back in November of 2018.

Ghost- Hunter’s Moon:

Soundtrack Only Songs: The Offspring- Defy You

Last night, I was scrolling through the channels to find something to watch and I noticed that the movie Orange County with Jack Black and Colin Hanks was just about to start. It had been a minute since I’ve seen it and I thought, why not watch this. The moment it started, I remembered the song “Defy You” by The Offspring is in the movie. I’ve always dug that song. It’s just a cool rock jam. The song was long rumored to be a part of the band’s album Splinter but, it was left off. Instead the only other way to obtain “Defy You” was via the Orange County soundtrack or The Offspring’s Greatest Hits album.

The Offspring- Defy You:

Soundtrack Only Songs: Cold- With My Mind

The band Cold has long been a favorite of mine. Their album 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage is truly a remarkable album. Over the years, I’ve sought out the band’s b-sides and have found quite a few. One of the songs that I’ve come to really enjoy more and more over the years is their song “With My Mind.” You can’t find this song on any of their albums sadly but, it was released as part of the soundtrack to the video game Psi Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy back in 2004. This track is a great song. Sadly too, it’s only been played live a handful of times. Hopefully, when shows can happen again, and Cold tours, they will add this song to their setlist.

Cold- With My Mind:

Soundtrack Only Songs: White Zombie Feed The Gods in Airheads

The movie Airheads is quite a fun one to go back and watch. It’s still ridiculous and silly but, there is something so good about it. Perhaps it’s because of Adam Sandler and Steve Buscemi, or Chris Farley, or even the soundtrack (which is absolutely worth checking out if you haven’t). I still remember watching the movie years back and seeing White Zombie performing “Feed The Gods” and thinking, how cool they were live. I still wish I had been able to see them live. Anyways, this song I’ve always thought was a badass White Zombie song.

White Zombie- Feed The Gods:

Soundtrack Only Songs: Scott Weiland (Depeche Mode)- But Not Tonight

The 2001 parody movie, Not Another Teen Movie had it’s moments of hilarity but, the best part of the movie truly was the soundtrack. There are so many great cover songs on it. One of my favorites from it is Scott Weiland’s version of Depeche Mode’s “But Not Tonight.” The song is originally a B Side to the “Stripped” single by Depeche Mode. It was written during the bands Black Celebration era. Scott’s version is quite different but, it’s equally impactful. There’s a real warmth to Scott’s version too.

Scott Weiland- But Not Tonight: