16 responses so far ↓

• Jonathan // May 2, 2008 at 1:52 am

  Another list which I can’t help but to add my two-cents.

  #1 Tight Like That by Clutch
  #2 Five-Oh by James
  #3 Fitzcaraldo - The Frames
  #4 Stockholm Syndrome- Muse
  #5 Light by KMFDM
  #6 Head Hunter by Front 242
  #7 Head On by Jesus and Mary Chain
  #8 Drown by Smashing Pumpkins
  #9 Wave of Mutilation by The Pixies (Pump of the Volume version)
  #10 Broken by Nine Inch Nails

  I could have done a top twenty just of Clutch
  I could do the same with Zepplin - so much talent in one little group.

• Katy // May 2, 2008 at 2:55 am

  They are obscure alright! Never heard any of them. Is it an Australian thing??

• Pete // May 2, 2008 at 9:49 am

  The only Aussies in the group are Flash & the Pan. We’ve got at least 6 other countries represented here, but I’m not surprised you don’t know some of these songs. So what’s your list Katy? You can blog it if you want and I’ll link later…

  Jonathan, I’m looking forward to checking these out. There’s not one I recognise though I know some of the bands of course. I’m already listening to Drown … and I like it!

  And comparing Clutch to Zeppelin? What happens if you play Clutch backwards?

• jonathan // May 2, 2008 at 10:56 am

  As to comparing Clutch to Zepplin… I tried finding a live video of Jean-Paul Gaster (the drummer of Clutch) doing his thing. Unfortunately this video was about the best in quality. Clutch has transitioned into quite a jam band and they love to let JP show off. From about 2:45 seconds on in this video you can get somewhat of an example of JP’s drumming.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEf2N9pTyKo

• Jonathan // May 3, 2008 at 1:55 am

  KD lang’s version of Hallelijiah is a good one. Interesting song. I had heard Bono sings this, and Rufus Wainwright but not her version.

  There are about 50 covers of this song and almost all of them are different as the author Leonard Cohen lets people cover it quite freely and he has about 15 versus to the song, so people pick and choose.

  I bought a tribute album to Leonard Cohen quite a while ago. I didn’t know who he was, but the album had Bono, Tori Amos, Billy Joel, Sting, Willie Nelson and a slew of other artists. I was intrigued but never knew what I was gettting into.

  His music is at once brooding, beautiful, haunting, and poetic. I don’t know why I don’t get into him more, except perhaps to say his stuff is so deep and intense that I can only handle it in small doses.

• Jonathan // May 3, 2008 at 4:01 am

  Sorry for spamming your comments…I just watched the video for Flash & the Pan. I can honestly say, without any doubt, that this was the funniest tribute I’ve ever seen for such a tragic event. This really ought to be shared with everyone.

• Pete // May 3, 2008 at 11:03 am

  You’re always welcome to spam me, mate.

  Sounds like I need to seriously visit Cohen’s music. I’d heard both Bono’s and Wainwright’s (which I heard first in Shrek). I actually love Wainwright’s vocals but because we’ve watched Shrek a million times I’m kind of over it. Lang has a different spin on it and when she sang it live on a morning show here recently, I had goosebumps.

  Flash & the Pan were on a different plane of existence from other 70s bands; I loved their quirkiness and the blend of dark and light in their music. But yes, it’s an interesting parody isn’t it?

• Leah Maclean // May 5, 2008 at 11:20 am

  I know I’m a little slow getting here - had a weekend without the computer on - but in what universe is Zepplin’s Kashmir obsure??? Maybe if you’re into “manufacturered” pop music or are under 30 but Zepplin’s Kashmir period was one of my favourite.

  As for Flash & The Pan - I’m not going to even admit that I know every word. Way to tacky 70s for me. I suppose you also liked watching the clip for “Baby It’s You” (same time frame).

  As for my obsure favourites - couldn’t even hope to list or rank them all. Here are a couple as food for the ears :

  - Immigrant Song by Led Zepplin
  - Baby Please Don’t Go by AC/DC
  - Hotel California (in French) by Cat Empire
  - I Want to be Evil by Eartha Kitt
  - Nude School by Painters & Dockers
  - Courtship of Amercia by Hunters & Collectors
  - You’re 39 You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine by Paul Kelly

• Pete // May 5, 2008 at 12:12 pm

  Leah, great list. Man I’m discovering so many songs I’ve never listened to before (even though I once went to a Painters and Dockers concert, don’t remember a single song of theirs).

  Kashmir was “recently” covered by someone for the Matthew Broderick Godzilla movie (of all things) so it’s been heard since the 70s, but there’s lots of people even in my peer group (read AGE group) who don’t know it. I think that’s appalling and I’m reassured in your brilliance and good taste that you know and love the song like me.

• Bunk Strutts // May 5, 2008 at 4:10 pm

  Way too many to cover. “Wall of Death” is one of my all-time favorites. –Bunk

  1. Wall of Death - Richard & Linda Thompson
  2. Last of the Teenage Idols - The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
  3. Melissa - The Allman Brothers
  4. Black Crow 16 Shells - Tom Waits
  5. Black Napkins - Frank Zappa
  6. I Can’t Make It On Time - The Ramones
  7. Sheik of Araby - Leon Redbone
  8. Mr. Sellack - The Roches
  9. Powderfinger - The Beat Farmers
  10. Lorraine - Bad Manners

• Bunk Strutts // May 5, 2008 at 4:13 pm

  Number 10 might also be “Don’t Touch Me There” by the Tubes.

• Pete // May 5, 2008 at 10:43 pm

  Man, I need a spare day to check these out! Keep em coming folks!

  Bunk, Tom Waits, Zappa, Bad Manners - all artists I’ve heard bits and pieces of and loved their work! Looking forward to chekin out these too…

  … oh and Leah, I’m horribly offended that you’d assume I’d like Baby It’s You!! Erk, yech, [copious vomiting sounds].

• Leah Maclean // May 6, 2008 at 9:13 am

  Didn’t say you’d like the song Pete just the video clip. Most guys in my “peer” group managed to overlook the song and pay attention to the girl who sang the chorus

  Just in case you forget http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyvgv9J6maE

• Pete // May 6, 2008 at 9:25 am

  Ohhhhhhh, now I get you. Looks like I have some research to attend to.

• Pete // May 6, 2008 at 9:34 am

  Sorry, Leah, I just watched it and I’m literally laughing. It’s actually funny. The placement of her braces (as in the trouser kind), arms held at her side … everything to accentuate what the producers obviously felt were her best qualities.

  What’s also noticeable is how SKINNY everyone was in the 70s!

• Bunk // May 6, 2008 at 12:12 pm

  Ditto that barf, bro. She should’ve been wearing the same outfit as the nancy girl behind the keyboard.

  Steam Powered Airplane by the New Grass Revival is another obscure favorite of mine.

  Radio stations should play more “B-Sides.”

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