thanks for that ok go video

1) it is awesome
2) the song is happy making
3) I got like my one hipster point of the year by knowing who they are and introducing music guy in our office to them

Music can be very soothing. There's a couple of new songs that have really helped me through the last couple of weeks. One in particular is the new Jurassic 5 tune, Work it Out. It does have Dave Matthews singing on it, and I know some people have issues with him, but it's quite upbeat, and helped ease my troubled mind and heart through my recent rough times.

Hec, you might be interested in this -- there's a new band called Angels and Airwaves, formed by former Blink 182 frontman Tom DeLong. Why would you be interested, you might ask? Well, their overtly stated mission is to bring positivity and a bit of bubblegum sensibility back to rock. They may not be your cup of tea, but for that reason alone, I thought you might be interested in checking them out.

On a slightly different subject, a friend of mine who is in to punk rock is looking for good, current punk music. I'm thnking of pointing out to him that Bad Religion is still cutting albums, and that Iggy Pop just put out a new song (singing for the Teaddybears). Also, thanks to a rec from NoiseDesign, I'm going to point him in the direction of Jesus H. Christ and the Four Hornsmen, particularly their song Connecticut's For Fucking, currently getting some play on one of the Sirius stations. Anybody have any other good recs for a punk lover looking for new stuff?

It depends on what you and your friend's definition of punk is, but as I mentioned above, I'm really into The Gossip right now. The free iTunes download has expired, but they have a video up on the Kill Rock Stars home page.

Thanks, Tom! Yeah, I'm going to through some recs at him to gauge his definition of punk, then use that to refine my recs.

Damn. Computer won't let me access The Gossip video.

I'm not sure I'd call them punk, either. But fans of Janis Joplin should check them out immediately. If not sooner.

Hec, you might be interested in this -- there's a new band called Angels and Airwaves, formed by former Blink 182 frontman Tom DeLong. Why would you be interested, you might ask? Well, their overtly stated mission is to bring positivity and a bit of bubblegum sensibility back to rock. They may not be your cup of tea, but for that reason alone, I thought you might be interested in checking them out.

Thanks, Sean. I've seen a gradual change in attitude over the last several years where the (as I see it) more British notion of Pop has gained some credence over in the States. That's cool.

As for punk, it is a deepy and mighty river. I kinda doubt your friend has heard everything of the old stuff. You know what I'd recommend? The fantastic 2-CD comp of Australian punk from the late 70s early 80s called Do The Pop.

Tons of great stuff, all very hard rocking but tuneful. Also with lots of garage and Stooges influences. Lime Spiders, Saints, Radio Birdman, New Christs. It's probably the single greatest compilation of hard rock/punk ever.

Oh, thanks for the rec, David. I'll try and track that down and send it to him. My friend's a big Stooges/Cramps fan, among others.

Also, the section you quoted had a they're/their typo, so I went back and edited.

What typo?

My friend's a big Stooges/Cramps fan, among others.

Well then he'll love this because those are the two biggest influences on Australian punk during this era. Then again he might already have it. But you can check!

Nice rec, David. Do The Pop is a great compilation.

Nice rec, David. Do The Pop is a great compilation.

Thanks, Jon. I was educated by my old roomie who had the nuggets-like LP Where The Birdmen Fly.

billytea got Emmett to play one of bt's board games while he was hear and I was much reminded of you and Emmett competing intently at the Powerpuff Girls game. I'm looking forward to seeing you this fall.