Memorable Live Performances: Stone Temple Pilots- Dancing Days on Howard Stern

Yesterday I had a Stone Temple Pilots song stuck in my head (it was “Trippin On A Hole In A Paper Heart” in case you were wondering). While I had that song replaying in my mind, I found myself delving into the very underrated and unsung masterpiece album that is Tiny Music… From The Vatican Gift Shop (which I will get into on another day because that album is truly great). During that time in 1996, while out promoting the album, Stone Temple Pilots stopped by the Howard Stern show for an interview and performance. Howard, who you can tell is a fan of the band and had them on the show throughout their career, as well as just Scott Weiland, mentioned that he loved their recent cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Dancing Days,” and low and behold, STP would go on to perform it that day on the show (they also performed “Seven Caged Tigers” as well). I truly think this cover is spectacular. I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to this version over the years but, it’s definitely up there. I just love the honest and pure approach STP had to their music and time together. It’s performances like this that make me miss Scott Weiland. What a talent and voice! You are missed Scott!

Stone Temple Pilots (Led Zeppelin)- Dancing Days on Howard Stern:

Cave In (Led Zeppelin)- Dazed and Confused

Many years ago, the mighty Cave In did something daring and courageous. They took on one of the greatest bands of all time and put their spin on one of their best songs. That band would be Led Zeppelin and the song was “Dazed and Confused.” Seeing as though Cave In is the type of band that is willing to take a chance and expand upon what they’ve done, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they would tackle such a song. Just listen to their opus that is Jupiter (which by the way just turned 20 years old this year). Not only did they pull it off in a great way, they even went as far as opening their sets with their version of it a few times in the early 00’s. If you are a lucky one out there that owns their Anomalies Volume 3, you get the almost 11 minute long version of it. This is just the 6 minute live version but, it’s worth every second you listen.

Cave In- Dazed and Confused (Live at Marquee Theatre 2003):

 

And just because it’s awesome, listen to Jupiter while you’re at it!

Best Guitar Solos: Led Zeppelin- Achilles Last Stand

Jimmy Page is a master of his craft without a doubt. Led Zeppelin is for sure one of the best bands ever and beyond inspirational and influential. Their album Presence, is one of the most overlooked albums in rock history. That is something I never will understand. Over the years, I’ve really come to love that album and all that it has to offer. “Achilles Last Stand” is truly one of the best songs the band ever wrote and I’d even go as far to say that it’s better than “Stairway To Heaven.” When you listen to this song, you truly get swept away by the sheer force and magnitude of it’s rock. Plus, the solo’s that are featured on this song are astounding.

Led Zeppelin- Achilles Last Stand (Live in Los Angeles 1977):

 

 

 

List: Best UK Bands

The other day I was hanging out with a friend and I presented him with a question, who are the best UK bands of all time. So, we sat there for a few minutes and created a list that pretty much sums up the best bands from the region. There are so many bands from that area but, the impact the ones on this list had made them the standouts. This list is in no particular order as well. And your input is always greatly appreciated to make this list complete.

01) The Beatles
02) The Rolling Stones
03) David Bowie
04) The Who
05) Pink Floyd
06) The Kinks
07) Led Zeppelin
08) Cream
09) Joy Division
10) Sex Pistols
11) The Clash
12) Radiohead
13) Depeche Mode
14) The Cure
15) New Order
16) Black Sabbath
17) Iron Maiden
18) Motorhead
19) Judas Priest
20) Oasis
21) Placebo
22) Blur
23) The Smiths
24) The Cult
25) Oceansize

Alternate Versions: Led Zeppelin- Dazed And Confused (Live 1972)

I have a strange and somewhat cruel, yet comical thing that I love to do. When I’m out and about and I’m at a place with a jukebox, before I leave I like to leave a couple songs playing. What I do is pay the extra money and pick really long versions of songs and then leave. I know it’s silly but it’s also awesome and funny at the same time. One of my go to picks for years now has been this version of Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused.” Clocking in at 25 minutes (yes that is correct, twenty five minutes), it’s one of the most epic versions of this track. Found on the live album How The West Was Won, this version was recorded in 1972 from a concert at the Forum in Los Angeles, this version also features parts of the songs “Walter’s Walk” and “The Crunge.”  Needless to say, when you gotta get the Led out, this is one hell of a way to lay it on thick! Take a few minutes to enjoy this awesome alternate version.

Led Zeppelin- Dazed and Confused:

 

 

Cover Song: Mastodon (Led Zeppelin)- Stairway To Heaven

Mastodon recently released a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven.” They did this as a tribute to their late manager Nick John, who passed away due to pancreatic cancer. Mastodon was asked by Nick’s wife to play the song at his funeral. Gojira’s Joe Duplantier (who Nick John also managed),  was at the funeral and recorded the band performing the song on his phone. The band afterwards, went and recorded a full studio version of the song. When the song was released, side A featured the studio version while side B featured the phone recording. Mastodon did a phenomenal job of taking this gem of a classic on. They didn’t stray too far from the original but they definitely knocked it out of the park. Brann Dailor is seriously one of the best singers in rock music. That guys got one hell of a voice.

Mastodon- Stairway To Heaven:

 

Bands That Should Come Back: Them Crooked Vultures

It’s been about 10 years now since we have heard from Them Crooked Vultures. The “supergroup” featuring Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones was one hell of a band. They had this really cool bluesy jam band style along with some really fun songs like “New Fang,” “Dead End Friends,” “Mind Eraser, No Chaser,” “Elephants,” “Reptiles,” “Caligulove,” and “Spinning In Daffodils.” The best thing about this band though was that it gave Dave and Josh a break from their main bands and when they returned to those bands, the material they made sounded rejuvenated and alive again. Though the Queens Of The Stone Age album made after TCV, hasn’t really aged well, while Foo Fighters Wasting Light is still one of the best rock albums of the last 10 years. I had the chance to see Vultures live and they were great live. Yes the band has Dave and Josh in it but the whole time I was watching them on stage, I was in awe of John Paul Jones. I truly believe he has never gotten the proper credit and respect for his contributions in Led Zeppelin. That man is a talent among talents. I’d love to hear a new Them Crooked Vultures release, mainly to hear more of John Paul Jones but, also because I think the Foos and Queens need to take a break. It’s worth noting that they’ve all said in recent years that they wouldn’t rule out working together again, it’s just getting the timing right. Who else wants to see this?

 

Them Crooked Vultures- Them Crooked Vultures:

Cover Song: Jane’s Addiction (Led Zeppelin)- Whole Lotta Love

This past week I’ve been on a Jane’s Addiction kick. While further delving into their early career, before Nothing’s Shocking, I came across a very interesting cover they did of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” They really made the song their own in a way that only Jane’s Addiction could. Dave Navarro’s playing and little additional leads to the song are outstanding. Stephen Perkins nails the Bonham feel but adds a bit of a funkier vibe to it, Eric Avery is so damn steady and loose that it just comes natural for him and of course the vocals from Perry Farrell are so uniquely his. This is just a really well done and fun cover. Enjoy!

 
Jane’s Addiction- Whole Lotta Love:

 

End Of Album Songs: Led Zeppelin

Some of the all time best end of album songs have come from Led Zeppelin. They really knew how to pick best song to end their records. Each and everyone they picked has this perfect element of everything they just gave your from the start of the album. I have my favorites like “How Many More Times,” “When The Levee Breaks,” “The Ocean,” and “Tea For One.” Led Zeppelin were masters of their craft and these songs help to show that.

 

How Many More Times (from Led Zeppelin I):

 
Bring It On Home (from Led Zeppelin II):

 

Hats Off To Roy Harper (from Led Zeppelin III):

 

When The Levee Breaks (from Led Zeppelin IV):

 
The Ocean (from Houses Of The Holy):

 
Sick Again (from Physical Graffiti):

 
Tea For One (from Presence):

 

I’m Gonna Crawl (from In Through The Out Door):

 

 

Wearing and Tearing (from Coda):

 

That Was A Bad Idea: Jimmy Page and Puff Daddy

There are certain collaborations that should have never happened. One HUGE one that has stuck in my head for years is when Jimmy Page gave permission for Puff Daddy, Diddy, or whatever he calls himself, to use Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” If you don’t recall this atrocious moment, it was during the Godzilla soundtrack and the song was called “Come With Me.” I don’t know why or how this came about to be but it’s something that should have NEVER happened. It almost, actually it did ruin that song for quite some time. Also it’s worth noting that Tom Morello was also featured on this song. The sheer association of Zeppelin and P Diddy is about as wrong as oil and water, they just don’t go together!

 

Puff Daddy with Jimmy Page- Come With Me: