Cover Song: Nirvana (The Velvet Underground)- Here She Comes Now

I keep finding myself going on these artist catalog deep dives and finding things I’ve forgotten about. I love when that happens. Recently in the past few days, I wound up going on a Nirvana deep dive. I’m not quite sure how I wound up here but, while going through all sorts of their songs, albums, demos, etc, I remembered that they did a cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Here She Comes Now.” When I listen back to the Nirvana version, it’s kind of interesting that at moments, Kurt really does sound like Lou Reed. The cover is a pretty solid and good version. As a huge fan of both The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed, I can get behind this version. Plus it gives me an excuse to take a break from my Nirvana deep dive and go listen to The Velvet Underground!

Nirvana (The Velvet Underground)- Here She Comes Now:

Nirvana- Here She Comes Now (Live 1991):

The Velvet Underground- Here She Comes Now (from the album White Light/White Heat):

Deep Cuts: Foo Fighters- Come Back

Ever since the news broke that Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters died I’ve gone back through their catalog and marveled at some of the songs that Taylor played on. He was an absolute beast on the drums. There are certain songs I heard during this delve that hit me in different ways. One song that really got me (and is actually a top 5 favorite Foo’s song) is “Come Back” the last song on their great album, One By One. This track is epic, heavy, melodic, dynamic in all the right places and the one thing that really sells it is the drum performance by Taylor. He really nailed this one. If I had to pick a Foo’s song that shows off his dynamic range as a player and power I’d go for this one instantly. It’s so damn good I can’t get enough of listening to it. Interestingly this song was only ever played live once in 2002. Taylor Hawkins you will be missed greatly. The couple times I met him he was a super nice guy and took time to chat for a few minutes.

Foo Fighters- Come Back:

New Release: Liam Gallagher- Everything’s Electric

Liam Gallagher is back yet again with a new album, C’mon You Know which is out May 27, 2022. The first song released “Everything’s Electric” has Dave Grohl playing drums on the track as well as being a co-writer on the song along with Liam and producer Greg Kurstin. Since Liam started his solo career a few years back with the great debut As You Were, he’s been on fire. The singles released are superb but when you get deeper into the other songs on the albums you’ll find a plethora of other great songs. As much as I would love an Oasis reunion, at least Liam is back out here and delivering solid good rock n roll songs and albums!

Liam Gallagher- Everything’s Electric:

New Music Friday!!!

It’s Friday, and there have been a ton of new jams that have come out this week that need your attention. New tracks by Aeges, Palm Reader, The L.I.F.E Project (Josh Rand of Stone Sour), Portal, Jim Ward (of Sparta/At The Drive-In), Dave Grohl and his daugher Violet with an excellent cover of an X song, Steve Von Till (of Neurosis), The Bronx, Big Brave, Deftones and Fear Factory. After you are done checking these out, let me know what you liked best!

Aeges- Colors:

Palm Reader- False Thirst:

The L.I.F.E. Project- The Nothingness:

Portal- Eye:

Jim Ward- Paper Fish:

Dave & Violet Grohl- Nausea by X:

Steve Von Till- The Spiraling Away:

The Bronx- Superbloom:

Big Brave- Of This Ilk:

Deftones- Ceremony (Video Directed by Leigh Whannel writer of SAW):

Fear Factory- Distruptor:

Collaborations: Nirvana with Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth

Back in 2014 when Nirvana was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Shame, the remaining members performed with a bunch of guest singers. Joan Jett, Lorde (for some reason I can’t ever understand why), St. Vincent and my personal favorite of the set, Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. I especially liked Kim joining them onstage because she sang my favorite Nirvana song, “Aneurysm.” This was also the most “punk” thing the band did that night and it was glorious. A few interesting tidbits about this performance, the dress Kim wore on stage is actually the same one she wore when Nirvana and Sonic Youth toured together in the early 90’s. Also according to Kim’s book Girl In A Band (which you should totally read), during this performance she channeled a lot of her anger over her divorce with Thurston Moore (also of Sonic Youth) and the grief over Kurt’s passing into this performance. This explains a lot when you put it all in context.

Nirvana with Kim Gordon- Aneurysm:

 

 

Collaborations: Foo Fighters with Joe Walsh

While I was thinking of what to write about over the weekend for Monday, I came up with an idea. It’s definitely going to be a fun one and it will allow you to further delve into some songs and artists/players you might not have normally listened to. The first one I’d like to get into is the collaboration between the Foo Fighters and Joe Walsh from the Foo’s album Sonic Highways. On that album, the two collaborated on a song (the best song on the album by far too) called “Outside.” Joe Walsh is such an integral part of any band or appearance he’s ever been a part of. There is a way to how he plays and his overall vibe and style, that just makes those songs and bands great. This song is no different. His minimalist guitar solo truly sets a mood and as you listen to the song and the lyrics, you really understand why Dave Grohl had asked Joe to guest on the song. It’s one of those perfect collaborations.

 

Foo Fighters w/ Joe Walsh- Outside:

 

 

Foo Fighters- Making of Outside (from Sonic Highways DVD):

 

Secret Songs: Nirvana- Endless, Nameless

I still remember listening to Nirvana’s Nevermind all the way through the first time and wondering why there was all this empty dead air after “Something In The Way.” Then, after about 10 minutes of silence “Endless, Nameless” begins to play and it all makes sense. The song itself is an interesting one. It’s a very Sonic Youth inspired song with all the noise but, it also has this really cool vibe that acts as a precursor of sorts (all be it probably indirectly) for what would become the raw sound attached to In Utero. It’s also worth noting that this is the only other song on Nevermind credited to all three members of Nirvana, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” being the other.

Nirvana- Endless, Nameless:

 

Deep Cuts: Nine Inch Nails- Getting Smaller

I love this topic. It’s a lot of fun to showcase a song at a time that deserve their due. As I’m sure over time, you’ve all come to realize that Nine Inch Nails is my all time favorite band. Through the years, Trent has written some pretty amazing songs and a lot of them have never really gotten the attention the deserve. One such song I’d like to highlight is “Getting Smaller” from 2005’s With Teeth. I still remember hearing this song for the first time and thinking to myself, what a great song this is, and as time went on I kept thinking why wasn’t this song a single or a live staple. Something fun about this song is that the drums on this track were played by the one and only Dave Grohl. This song too, is one of the best songs on With Teeth. I truly hope that when Nine Inch Nails comes back around to touring again, this song makes the set list.

Nine Inch Nails- Getting Smaller:

 

Alternate Version: Nirvana- Aneurysm (Live 1991)

My all time favorite Nirvana song is Aneurysm. I’ll never forget the first time I heard it thinking that this is one hell of a jam. The dynamics of quiet to loud on this song are stunning. One thing I’ve always noticed is that live versions of this song are way better than the  version that appears on the Incesticide album. This live version is from their performance at the Paramount in Seattle in 1991. Some other tidbits you might find interesting about this song is that,  “Aneurysm” is one of the few Nirvana songs credited to all three members. It was first performed live on November 25, 1990 at the Off Ramp Café in Seattle. The first studio version was recorded on January 1, 1991 and was the their first with Dave Grohl, who had joined Nirvana in September 1990. This version of the song was released as a b-side on the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” single in September 1991.

 

Nirvana- Aneurysm (Live 1991 at Paramount Theater-Seattle):

 

Soundtrack Only Songs: Foo Fighters- The One from Orange County

Flashback to 2002 and the movie Orange County starring Jack Black and Colin Hanks. The movie was a fun and funny one to watch. Jack Black was perfect in his role as the older brother. The movie still holds to a point but, the soundtrack is even better. There is a song on the soundtrack called “The One” by Foo Fighters that has a tendency to pop in my head from time to time. An interesting side note, “The One” is also a b-side to “All My Life. The song isn’t the best the Foo’s have done but the video is hilarious. Enjoy this soundtrack only song!
Foo Fighters- The One: