Those of us in our mid 30s recall the impact of the Alternative Revolution quite distinctly. For me, it got me growing my hair out, wearing a short sleeve shirt over a long sleeve shirt, prowling around every record store I could find, and playing a lot of power chords on guitar. I've put together a bunch of videos that you may recall from early 90s 120 Minutes (possibly also Headbangers Ball from the same era), and stuff that they used to play on HFS (or your local modern rock radio station equivalent). You probably haven't thought of most of these songs or their videos in years. This will become a series on my blog, 13 songs in each installment. And Grungers - look forward to a grunge spectacular early in 2012! But for now, here are 13 songs that spring to mind when I think back to the Alternative Revolution. Note: There will be no Pearl Jam, Candlebox or Counting Crows.
1. The Charlatans (UK) - Weirdo.
This is one of the first songs I remember falling in love with on WHFS. And yes, this is the alternate version of the video that, to my knowledge, only aired once on 120 Minutes. But it is the superior version.
2. The Best Kissers in the World - Pickin' Flowers For
Sort of a forgotten little Power Pop act with a neat video. I wonder whatever became of these guys.
3. Faith No More - Midlife Crisis
The first song from Faith No More that really pricked up my ears. I still don't really like their stuff before Angel Dust. And a really dark video, or so it seemed to me as teen.
4. Buffalo Tom - Taillights Fade
Brilliant example of the kind of music that Nirvana just totally wiped off the map. These sensitive, college types had a very brief heyday.
5. The Beautiful South - We Are Each Other
Cute Brit Poppers, also assassinated in the Grunge Wave. Super catchy ditty.
6. The Jesus Lizard - Puss
This was on a split single with Nirvana's Oh, the Guilt (which may be Nirvana's best song), and I recall that HFS debuted the Jesus Lizard one night, and promised to play the Nirvana track the next night. Being a total Nirvana freak at the time, I couldn't wait. But when the time came, they fucked up and played the Jesus Lizard track again. After calling up and arguing with the DJ, he played the Nirvana song a couple hours later. Fucking Aquaman. Oh, anyway, this song too is great, and it introduced me to one of my favorite bands.
7. Ned's Atomic Dustbin - Not Sleeping Around
These guys had TWO bass players. That alone makes them two good as any band with only one bass player.
8. Live - Pain Lies on the Riverside
This song used to move me... my whole body would fill with emotion when I heard it. I bought the album, and it was pretty good. Then their second album came out. They had been tainted by the Grunge epidemic and were unrecognizable.
9. Rollins Band - Low Self Opinion
I bought this album, too. And I really didn't like it at all. I was still finding my feet and wouldn't really figure out what I liked for another couple years. But in the meantime, I did a million push ups and listened to Rollins.
10. Lemonheads - It's a Shame About Ray
Video starring Johnny Depp. It signaled these guys were going to be huge. But they never really lived up to their potential. Note: This video cuts off like 2/3 of the way through the song for some reason.
11. Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy - Television
A rap group that only white alternative kids, like me, listened to. No wonder he formed Spearhead after only one album with the Heroes.
12. Julianna Hatfield -
Everybody Loves Me But You
She's so cute, I don't know why she didn't have bigger hits.
13. The Odds - Heterosexual Man
Totally only paid attention to this video because it has members of Kids in the Hall in it, but now I actually miss the song and wish it was on the radio.
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