Fishbone, Blonde Redhead & The Connells
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The Connells - One Simple Word | 90s Rock Podcast
You know those bands whose names sound vaguely familiar, like maybe you saw a poster once or a dusty CD case in a college radio station bin? The Connells are that band. Formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1984, they’ve been hiding in plain sight for decades—long enough to chart a #1 single across Europe in 1995 with “’74–’75” while staying virtually un…
70s Rock Tournament | 🗳️Vote
Before metal had a name. Before FM rock got safe and predictable. There was a sound that was raw, heavy, and full of fire. It lived in the margins, just outside the mainstream.
New Releases
Sodom - The Arsonist
Remember when German thrash meant something beyond nostalgia tours and greatest hits packages? Sodom’s The Arsonist kicks you back to 1989 with the conviction of a band still angry about everything . After five years away, Tom Angelripper and crew recorded drums on analog tape—“no plastic!”—and the difference hits like a sledgehammer to synthetic modern metal . Early reviews praise the raw, uncompromising energy, with many calling it their strongest effort in years . “Battle of Harvest Moon” captures their essence perfectly: a Vietnam War anthem that drives hard while maintaining that dark undercurrent of genuine historical weight . If you’re tired of overproduced thrash that sounds like it was made in a computer, this analog fury will remind you why Sodom helped define the genre .
Fishbone - Stockholm Syndrome
Think back to the first time you heard punk-ska-funk and thought “this shouldn’t work but it absolutely does.” That’s Fishbone in 1985, and remarkably, it’s still Fishbone in 2025 . After nearly two decades without a full-length album, Angelo Moore’s crew returns with their ninth studio effort, featuring a revamped lineup and George Clinton himself . The consensus from early listeners is unanimous: they haven’t lost a step, delivering their signature mix of social commentary and irresistible grooves . “Last Call in America” exemplifies everything great about this band—Moore screaming about inflation while Clinton hollers “5 dollars for gasoline!” over a bassline that could move mountains . If you believe rock music should make you think while making you move, Stockholm Syndrome proves some bands never sell out their mission .
Blonde Redhead - The Shadow Of The Guest
Close your eyes and remember the first time “For The Damaged Coda” stopped you cold—whether through Rick and Morty or that perfect late-night discovery . Blonde Redhead’s The Shadow of the Guest takes their 2023 album Sit Down for Dinner and reimagines it as something between a fever dream and a lullaby, featuring the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and ASMR reworks . Kazu Makino describes it as “a long time dream that finally came true,” and the ethereal results speak to fans seeking beauty in unexpected places . The “Before (Choir Version)” showcases their genius—children’s voices transforming already haunting melodies into something transcendent . If you’re drawn to music that exists in the spaces between genres, this dreamy companion piece rewards patient listeners who appreciate sonic curiosity over conventional structure .
Bruce Springsteen - Tracks II: The Lost Albums
Picture this: your favorite songwriter just handed you seven complete albums you never knew existed, spanning 35 years of creative detours and abandoned masterpieces . Tracks II: The Lost Albums isn’t just outtakes—it’s Bruce revealing the paths not taken, from the lo-fi intimacy of LA Garage Sessions ’83 to the synth-driven atmospheres of Streets of Philadelphia Sessions . Critics are calling it “revelatory,” offering unprecedented insight into Springsteen’s home recording experiments . The LA Garage Sessions ’83 serves as the crucial link between Nebraska and Born in the U.S.A., capturing that raw vulnerability that made those albums legendary . For Springsteen completists and casual fans alike, this collection proves that even his discarded ideas contain more emotional truth than most artists’ best work .
Motörhead - The Manticore Tapes
August 1976: Lemmy, Fast Eddie Clarke, and Philthy Animal Taylor step into ELP’s Manticore Studio for the first time as the classic trio, unknowingly recording rock history . Nearly 50 years later, these “lost” tapes have been discovered and restored for the band’s 50th anniversary, capturing the raw essence of what would become heavy metal’s most influential power trio . The restored audio quality has impressed long-time fans, offering a glimpse into the band’s formation with startling clarity . “Leavin’ Here” showcases everything that made this lineup legendary—Lemmy’s growling bass, Clarke’s razor-sharp guitar, and Taylor’s thunderous drums creating the template for speed and power . If you’ve ever wondered what lightning in a bottle actually sounds like, these tapes prove that some magic can be preserved for decades and still shock you .
Deadguy - Near-Death Travel Services
Remember when hardcore meant angular riffs that could cut glass and vocals that sounded like they were torn from someone’s throat? Deadguy’s 1995 Fixation on a Coworker defined metalcore before the term existed, and now they’re back after 30 years with the same palpable fury . Tim Singer’s return proves that three decades haven’t dulled his edge—if anything, fatherhood has given his rage more focus and his dark humor sharper teeth . Early reactions describe the album as “absolutely ripping,” with fans celebrating the band’s decision to dig deeper into their original sound rather than modernize it . “Kill Fee” ignites with the same enraged scream that made their debut legendary, showcasing fractured rhythms and clashing guitars that no one else executes better . For those who believe hardcore lost its way when it became predictable, Near-Death Travel Services delivers the red meat and gristle that extreme music desperately needs .
The Dickies - What Once Was
March 13, 1980, Portland’s Euphoria Tavern: punk rock’s most manic goofballs are captured at their peak, tearing through hits from their first two A&M Records albums with the original lineup intact . This previously unreleased live recording showcases Leonard Graves, Chuck Wagon, Billy Club, Karlos Kaballero, and Stan Lee when they were young, hungry, and completely unhinged . Leonard Graves himself calls it their best concert recording ever, and listening to their breakneck versions of “Paranoid” and “Banana Splits” makes it hard to argue . “Gigantor” exemplifies their genius—taking a cartoon theme song and transforming it into two-and-a-half minutes of pure punk insanity . If you miss when punk rock was genuinely unpredictable and funny without being stupid, this time capsule proves The Dickies were doing “pop-punk” decades before it became a marketing term .
Heaven Shall Burn - Heimat
The word “Heimat” has been weaponized by politicians and misunderstood by many, but German metalcore masters Heaven Shall Burn reclaim it as a starting point for critical reflection rather than retreat . Their tenth studio album follows their number-one success Of Truth And Sacrifice with a band that’s taken time to craft something meaningful, featuring orchestral arrangements and collaborations with Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach . Early fan reactions praise the band’s return to their heavier roots while maintaining the sophisticated songwriting that made their recent work so compelling . “My Revocation of Compliance” serves as a powerful statement of the band’s uncompromising vision—heavy, political, and unafraid to challenge listeners . For metalcore fans who demand both crushing heaviness and intellectual substance, Heimat proves that some bands can evolve without abandoning their principles .
Pete Crighton - The B-52s’ Cosmic Thing (33 1/3 Series)
Remember when “Love Shack” was inescapable, and you couldn’t decide if you loved or hated its sticky-sweet hooks? Pete Crighton’s book reveals the queer coding that was hiding in plain sight all along, using 1989’s Cosmic Thing as a lens to examine both personal and cultural awakening . This isn’t just another music book—it’s a deep dive into how the B-52s created joy in the face of tragedy, crafting their biggest success after losing guitarist Ricky Wilson to AIDS complications . Crighton’s perspective as a queer music fan adds crucial context often missing from rock criticism, showing how the band’s coded messaging provided community and hope during the Reagan era . The analysis of “Love Shack” itself becomes a revelation, demonstrating how the B-52s weren’t just party music but survival anthems disguised as pop confections . For readers who want to understand how queer artists navigated mainstream success while maintaining their authentic voices, this book proves that the best rock criticism changes how you hear familiar songs forever .
Thanks for including Motorhead! \_/