Oasis’ “Bonehead’s Bank Holiday” could’ve been one of the band’s most famous songs… had the musicians bothered to release it on an official album or even “The Masterplan” b-sides collection. Such was the measure of Noel Gallagher’s brilliance and work ethic at the time that great songs came flying in and disappearing into the sunset. Hardcore fans, however, love the tune. And they have every reason to do so. This is why today I am looking at this forgotten classic and trying to get to the bottom of the meaning of the lyrics of “Bonehead’s Bank Holiday.” Oasis’ Journey to Making Their Classic ..read more

Aura Bora – Sour Skittles Similar artists: Cub, Tiger Trap, Charly Bliss, Chumped, Martha Genre: Punk, Pop Punk Bands nowadays tend to resemble a bride dressed all in white that’s been forced to walk all the way to the supermarket after a rain storm. Everyone about her is perfect. There’s been so much thought put into every detail of her appearance that it’s inevitable that she’ll ruin everything just by walking around. Hell, should she even try to move too much, she’ll end up ruining it.  With so much fancy technology at the producer’s disposal and radio interested only in pristine, pitc ..read more

Pleasure Nature – Kerosene Similar artists: Nirvana, Bauhaus, Radiohead, The Smiths Genre: Grunge, Alternative Rock Doing things differently is bound to get an artist praised by some and misunderstood by most others. But do the same thing enough times, and it will become a staple. And, if the idea is good enough, it’ll start being used by a bunch of other artists with fewer original ideas, or just not enough bravery to try things out first.  It’s interesting how musical ideas by bands like Nirvana or Radiohead, groups who proudly did things just a little bit differently from their more co ..read more

Say what you want about Mötley Crüe, their collective playing ability, or recent accusations of using pre-recorded tracks on stage, but the band could deliver songs designed for giant arenas. Much of this was due to band leader Nikki Sixx and his ability to zero in on what his band’s audience needed. “Kickstart My Heart” is one of those anthems. And, while you’ve likely heard it in commercials and at live sporting events, you may be confused about the song’s meaning. That’s why today, I will examine the lyrics of “Kickstart My Heart” more closely, examining Nikki Sixx’s bold, often-made claims ..read more

Meimuna – sous la nef Similar artists: Pomme, Tim Dup, Feu! Chatterton, Tamino Genre: Indie Folk A lot of pop music, at least the little bit of it that still matters, is about the need to add some kind of spiritual meaning to a regular life. It’s like that because much of art throughout history has been about this topic. In fact, it used to be easier. Unless music or painting expressed a religious ideal in its most conservative manner, there was no possible way to showcase that work.  People have falled out of love with organized religion of the past century in Western countries. But the ..read more

“Double Talkin’ Jive” was a rock diss track, Guns n’ Roses calling out one of their biggest hard-rock rivals, and a tune about a gruesome murder. It’s one of the most powerful songs on the “Use Your Illusions” albums and one of the last contributions from guitarist and songwriter Izzy Stradlin. But what’s the exact meaning of the song? Today, I will examine the history and lyrics of “Double Talkin’ Jive” and try to explain its true meaning. Guns n’ Roses’ Journey to Making “Double Talkin’ Jive” Guns n’ Roses was something resembling an L.A. gang before they were a well-known band. Many rocker ..read more

Baroody – Doctor Similar artists: Songs: Ohia, Jason Molina, Beck Genre: Pop Rock, Lo-fi Rock, Garage Rock It’s always the ones you least suspect. Sure, we’ve all read the outrageous autobiographies written by rockstars, movie actors, and other types of perverts. And, we’ve delighted in their tales of debauchery and the inevitable, terrible consequences that followed it. We’ve dreamt of being them at their best and feared we might just end up like them.  But in the way that some pop singers are able to hide uncomfortable truths underneath the surface, some of the most respectable members ..read more

The Pineapple Beach Experience – They Remember Us (Shakin’) Genre: Garage-rock, Alternative rock I hate having to figure out the world. I’m too lazy to read the instructions when buying any new gadget and can’t be bothered with the label on food bought in the supermarket. I’m lazy, and I know it. And, yet, my job involves trying to figure out what would-be rockstars mean to say in their songs. Most of the time, with little to lash onto, I am forced to invent meaning where there isn’t.  This is why I absolutely love bands that spare me this suffering. I, like most people whose senses are i ..read more

Julia Gaeta – Hangin’ On A Dream Similar artists: Depeche Mode, Chelsea Wolfe, Cocteau Twins Genre: Post-Punk, Dream Pop You’d like to think that you’d enjoy meeting your favourite pop star at a cheap restaurant and ordering a hamburger. But you’re wrong. You wouldn’t enjoy it. You’d hate that in your eyes, they’d be reduced to an easy-to-understand character that resembles all of your friends. This would strip them of their mystery.  The pop stars that matter are the ones that, at least, appear to be otherworldly. They need to be above the common the common temptations that all of the re ..read more

Where do broken hearts go? If they belong to an artist dedicated to their craft, it’s likely that they’ll go on forever and stay broken. It’s a cliche to claim that artists’ work is assisted by disappointment, but it’s certainly been proven to work. The real trick is getting through all the other hours in the day that do not involve the art.  Mary Middlefield is stuck. She has a beautiful problem that could turn into a living hell any second. But Middlefield is not only dealing with it, but laying all the cards on the table on the revealing “Poetry (for the scorned and lonely).” This is n ..read more