Three on the Ones and Twos

From Kelly Hester: "The Melvins Ozma record is my favorite record for many reasons but mainly cause it blew me away when I first heard it and changed how I looked at heavy music. The Melvins have an incredible catalog spanning several years but this album , to me, is the most unique.  I hope you enjoy hearing my perspective on this gem."

Check out Kelly's Death Pickles in their Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/KellysDeathPickles 

Greg King is our special guest on this week’s episode of Three on the Ones and Twos. We honestly had no idea what record he would pick for us to discuss, but when he told us it was “Forever Came Today” by The Flesh Eaters, it all made sense. I can see Chris D.’s influence on Greg’s style and persona as a frontman of GG King, and is a perfect fit for Jesse Smith’s pick on the previous episode as a classic LA band from the punk era that does not get enough attention. Enjoy the episode, and listen to some Flesh Eaters! 

Our latest episode features our friend Jesse Smith talking about one of his favorite records, Dark Continent by Wall of Voodoo. We dive into a very specific corner of the LA Punk scene, our exposure to this album through the Urgh! A Music War movie as kids and our love of Wuxtry Records in Decatur as a place where we have bought so many of our favorite records over the years. - James

You can take a listen to some of Jesse Smith's music at https://gentlemanjesse.bandcamp.com/ This episode also features our friend Greg King as a special co-host. Be sure to check out Episode 36 for Greg's record pick. Enjoy!

From Randy Michael: "Bob Dylan is Jesus in my house. He’s the Raekwon, the chief of the rock n roll. He’s the first person to make me care about lyrics but he did it in a way where he’s the hero - whether he’s right or wrong. I love this album."

From Rebecca Merchant: "I chose this album because it’s been one of my constants since it came out in 1990. I was 14 going on 15, just on the other side of a bunch of bad childhood stuff and starting to learn what it was like to no longer be a child. Getting all of my music from MTV’s 120 Minutes, which I taped every Sunday night because my parents wouldn’t let me stay up that late. I would then watch the episode over and over until I had to record over it on the next Sunday night. Imagine little Becca, sitting on the carpeted floor in front of the tube TV, mouth open, trying to process the “Dirty Boots” video. Every song on that album rages, even “Scooter and Jinx” (which has a fun origin story, btw). Cameo by Chuck D? C’mon, it doesn’t get better than this. Thanks to Cassy, Tom, and James for having me on and for loving this album along with me."

From Tom Cheshire: "This one here is a no brainer. Actually, I take that back. I hate to use the term game changer, but that's actually what this record is. When I heard this record it changed everything. It changed the way I listened to songs, it changed what I expected to hear in songs and it certainly changed the way I approached and wrote songs. This is a perfect record. It is a movie soundtrack without knowing it. It is my favorite New York record. I see the wet dark streets and I hear people screaming out the windows. I hope you dig it too."

The Constantines "Shine a Light" was originally the pick of our good friend Derek Wallace. He was all set to be our guest but had to cancel last minute because of Daddy Duties. You know what they say in the business, the show MUST go on. With his approval we went and did the episode anyway. Luckily, we all had a lot to say. This is such a great record. I had many late nights myself listening to it with Derek, singing along and dissecting each song. Thank you Derek for your pick. Please BLAST this record and enjoy this episode. 

From Georgie Harris: Grievous Angel was the album that taught me how to sing with another person in the most meaningful ways. Gram and Emmy Lou's sonic and artistic partnership has been a constant beacon and reminder of the only sort of collaborations I'd like to have: complimentary, supportive, honest, and equitable. This record is one I can play on repeat in the same way many of us will put on a familiar movie or tv show to keep us company in the background. The harmonies hit. The genre-making power is immortal. The palpable spirit of creativity is soul-soothing. 

I hope you enjoy hearing us talk about it as much as I love this album. 

From James Joyce: To me this is an album unlike any other ever made. It sits in a dreamy part of your subconscious: atmospheric, experimental, abstract, meandering, confusing, cluttered, but always beautiful, surprising and engaging. Like so many of Miles’ albums, In a Silent Way set the precedent for entire genres of music, cutting paths that lead to post-rock, post-jazz, post-music, post-everything you have known before. This can be the record you listen to with your friends at 4AM to wind down after a long night of jamming at the practice space, or something to peacefully start your Sunday morning. It is a wonderful soundtrack to long road trips, long plane rides, long periods of inactivity of any kind where you can just let the music wash over you without having to think or act. Just when you think the songs are going to end, they start again and you have wonderful cyclical quality that makes the album seem like it will go on forever. Listen for the rest of your days!

From Cassy: To the best of my knowledge, the first time I heard Echo and the Bunnymen was sometime late in 1987 after the release of their self-titled “grey album” which produced hits like “Lips Like Sugar” and, my personal favorite from their eponymous release, “The Game.” I fell for their sound quickly and didn’t understand why both the critics and the band itself were underwhelmed by the final product until I went back through their earlier catalogue. I could have easily picked Crocodiles. I almost picked Ocean Rain. But my heart belongs to “The Cutter” and all things Porcupine so, of course, it won out in the end. I hope you enjoy this episode where I profess my undying love for my favorite Liverpool band and if all you know by Echo and the Bunnymen is “Bring on the Dancing Horses” from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack or the undeniably beautiful “The Killing Moon” because it was featured in Donnie Darko, I beg you to give a listen to Porcupine (or Crocodiles, or Ocean Rain, or …) because they are all truly sublime from start to finish. ❤ -