Dig Me Out - The 90's Rock Podcast

It’s time to bring the rock, Grand Rock that is, in the form of Sweden’s The Hellacopters, and their 1999 album. Borrowing equally from the Motown garage rock of the MCS, Stooges and Sonic Rendezvous Band, as well as stadium rockers like KISS and The Who, The Hellacopters combine it all into one big, bombastic record. While the stripped down garage rock of The White Stripes and Strokes would kick-off the '00s, The Hellacopters among a slew of other Swedish acts would put their own high-octane spin on it. We explore their game-changing third album, and discuss why Grande Rock wasn't a Grande Hit. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Move Right Out of Here4:12 - History of the Band17:42 - Welcome to Hell22:57 - Paul Stanley32:51 - LonelyOutro - The Devil Stole the Beat from the Lord Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

We've talked about Catherine Wheel many times throughout the years, finally we're getting around to reviewing an album - their 1995 release Happy Days. Although their sophomore album Chrome hinted at a heavier sound from the band, their earlier shoegaze influences were still evident. Not so on Happy Days, which amps up the volume and dips into the New Wave of British Heavy Metal the same way Billy Corgan would on the Smashing Pumpkins 'Gish' and 'Siamese Dream.' Many fans were caught off guard while the band attracted a whole new audience thanks to a pair of semi-successful singles. Does Catherine Wheel's embrace of metal riffage stand the test time? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Judy Staring at the Sun6:34 - History of the Band12:12 - God Inside My Head24:37 - Heal32:15 - My ExhibitionOutro - Receive Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Our second review of 2014 takes us to Knoxville, Tennessee to revisit the major label debut album Regretfully Yours by Superdrag. Released in 1996, the same year Alanis Morissette topped the charts while bands like The Verve Pipe, Dave Matthews and Rage Against the Machine followed closely behind, the retro power-pop of Superdrag seems radically out of place. Though they managed to breakthrough with Sucked Out, a minor hit, the band never crossed over into mainstream consciousness. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Sucked Out4:03 - History of the Band8:52 - Slot Machine12:49 - Phaser22:41 - Destination Ursa Major31:02 - N.A. KickerOutro - Rocket Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

For our first review of Season 4, we're revisiting the 1998 sophomore album Villa Elaine by Remy Zero. Comparisons at the time to Radiohead were common, but time reveals other influences creeping in from track to track, making what some would call a diverse, other inconsistent, listen. Is it a worthy album, or does the variety sink Villa Elaine? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Prophecy3:22 - History of the Band10:14 - Hermes Bird21:54 - Problem26:24 - Gramarye33:20 - FairOutro - Goodbye Little World Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Our third season is a wrap, so it's time to recap. We've found our favorite tunes of the past season, and picked our album discovery of the year. Surprises? Maybe. Disagreement? Possible. Tune in to find out, to hear who received our Request a Review Thank You drawing, and for news about the upcoming 2014 season. Songs in this Episode - you have to listen to find out! Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

Our final review of the year brings us the 1995 album Superfriends by Sweet Water. Although released right smack in the middle of the 90s, this album feels out of place thanks to big guitar riffs more reminiscent of the 1980s and a lack of anything "alternative." The single "Superstar" failed to connect with a big audience, but there is no doubting it's a damn good song. So how does the rest of the album compare? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Cake and Strychnine4:42 - History of the Band13:28 - Happy18:07 - Superstar20:44 - No Syrup for Your PancakesOutro - Adeline Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

We haven't visited our home state of Ohio in awhile, so this week we're making a trip to Cincinnati to check out Throneberry, and their 1998 album Squinting Before the Dazzle. In the 90s they drew comparisons to fellow 'nati residents The Afghan Whigs, but time has provided more perspective on their third and final record. Are they truly a lesser imitation, or does Throneberry step out of shadow and into their light. Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Summer School3:43 - History of the Band8:53 - Squint Before The Dazzle12:35 - Guerrilla Skies17:53 - Shut UpOutro - Isn't It A Pity Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

Jason wanted to bring the heavy back, so he made this week's pick, the 1993 album Inhaler by Tad. One of the bands often mentioned along with Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam as early members of the Seattle grunge movement, but never achieving the same level of recognition or success, Tad tread in heavier and harder sounds. Some consider this a lost classic, but do we? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Grease Box5:55 - History of the Band19:58 - Grease Box23:39 - Lycanthrope26:53 - Just Bought The FarmOutro - Rotor Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

Thanks to a recent Facebook poll, this week we're tackling a 1990s benefit album, specifically the 1993 compilation Sweet Relief - A Benefit for Victoria Williams. As with any tribute record, some artists will stay true to the original version, while others will make the songs their own, which can lead to mixed results. Tune in to find out where Pearl Jam, Lou Reed, Shudder to Think and more come out as we go track-by-track through the album. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Summer of Drugs7:48 - Summer of Drugs16:22 - Weeds23:23 - This MomentOutro - Crazy Mary  Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

This week's Requested Review comes from a group that started as a busking Irish folk band. But Jump, Little Children, and their 1998 album Magazine, are far from their origins, combining high-energy pop rock with more introspective mid and slower tempo tunes. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Not Today1:49 - History of the Band10:13 - Violet Dreams15:42 - Cathedrals18:12 - Body PartsOutro - My Guitar Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

Our latest listener request takes us back down under to revisit the 1999 album Grand Slam by Spiderbait, an odd mix of power pop, metal, trip-hop, brit pop and just about every other genre from the 90s. In fact, Grand Slam feels like a 90s mix that tries to cover a variety of sounds from the decade (minus ska and nu-metal, thankfully). It's weird, it's long, and we kinda dig it. Tune in to find out why. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Shazam!2:21 - History of the Band7:49 - Shazam!10:13 - Bessy's Last Journey13:17 - King of the NorthernOutro - Glokenpop Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

Having just explored the lone album from the Holy Barbarians, we decided to investigate further the guitar/drum combo of Patrick Sugg and Scott Garrett on their 1991 self-titled album by Neverland. On the edge of 80s glam metal and 90s alternative, Neverland isn't as easy to pin down as you might think, but do they do any of it particularly well? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Drinking Again4:11 - History of the Band14:41 - Mama Said19:02 - For The Love27:52 - Cry All NightOutro - Talking To You Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

Almost 12 years to the day, Teenage Fanclub released their third, and some would say best, album Bandwagonesque. To help us dissect the album Spin choose as Album of the Year in 1991 (over titles like Nevermind, Badmotorfinger and Ten) is Andy Derer of The Andy Derer show. Power pop bands like Teenage Fanclub never reached the heights of success that grunge bands achieved, but that didn't stop a legion of Big Star followers from trying.  Songs in this Episode: Intro - December5:44 - History of the Band11:53 - What You Do To Me34:20 - AlcoholidayOutro - The Concept Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

To help us discuss the one and only (and legendary) album Do You Know Who You Are? by Texas Is The Reason, we're joined by Eric Grubbs, fan of the show and author of Post: A Look at the Influence of Post-Hardcore 1985-2007. We dive into the unique story of Texas Is The Reason, as well as their influences and influence on emo and post-hardcore bands that followed. And of course, we dissect one damn fine record. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Johnny On The Spot9:56 - Johnny On The Spot17:21 - A Jack With One EyeOutro - Every Little Girl's Dream Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

Jason has a pick for our latest episode, and it's an oddball among oddballs. Ian Astbury and The Cult towed the line between goth, hard rock and alternative, and after their break-up, he continued down the road less taken and formed Holy Barbarians. Their lone album, 1996's Cream, stands out with it's nods to '60s psychedelia combined with modern keyboard-centric twists. Our review of the self-titled 1994 Cult album ended with gushing praise, so how does the unofficial follow-up fare? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode:Intro - Space Junkie2:48 - History of the Band9:55 - You Are There12:32 - Dolly Bird20:27 - Brother FightsOutro - Bodhisattva Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

To wrap up our Fall of New Releases by 90s Bands schedule, we revisit the 1999 album Emergency & I by Dismemberment Plan, who recently reunited to release the new album Uncanney Valley out this week. Emergency & I combines a whole bunch of alternative rock royalty, like the Pixies, Pavement, Talking Heads and Gang of Four just to name a few, and produces a wholly individual sound. One of us is on board the D-Plan's ride, the other wants to get off after just a few stops. Yes, it's disagreement time! Songs in this Episode: Intro - Gyroscope2:30 - History of the Band11:50 - What Do You Want Me To Say?15:59 - A Life of Possibilities20:40 - I Love A MagicianOutro - Back and Forth Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

Monster Magnet has a new record out, so you know what that means - we ignore it and review an album from their 1990s output. Before their breakout single 'Space Lord," MM scored a minor hit with 'Negasonic Teenage Warhead' off their 1995 album Dopes to Infinity. Does the whole album live up to the promise of the single, or this a case where stoner rock experimentation turns into a big mess? And what really is stoner rock, anyway? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - I Control, I Fly3:20 - History of the Band12:26 - King of Mars15:42 - Ego, The Living Planet20:45 - Blow 'Em OffOutro - Negasonic Teenage Warhead Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

With their first new release in eleven years, it about time we got around to one of the most unique bands of the 90s, Girls Against Boys, and their sophomore release from 1993, Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby. With a pair of bass slingers and a vocalist buried in the mix that sounds like he's gargling rocks (that's a compliment), GVSB explores the dark and dirty side of alternative, combining elements of post-punk and industrial into a murky but often tasty stew. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Rockets Are Red3:41 - History of the Band11:00 - Satin Down16:58 - Get Down19:34 - Bullet Proof CupidOutro - Learned It Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

With a new record out, we added Mazzy Star to our list of 90s bands with new releases that we needed to check out, so this week we're revisiting their 1990 debut album She Hangs Brightly. Know for the single "Fade Into You" from their sophomore release, She Hangs Brightly showcases the band in their familiar slow-to-midtempo dreamy, shoegaze, blues-influenced sound, albeit with the occasional jazzy or noisy detour. All the elements that made "Fade Into You" a hit are there, but do they come together? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Ride It On4:29 - History of the Band9:53 - Halah13:10 - Be My AngelOutro - Give You My Lovin' Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

Toad the Wet Sprocket just wrapped up their new album Kickstarter campaign, and with that new record out next month, founding members Glen Phillips and Dean Dinning stopped by to revisit their 1994 album Dulcinea, talk songwriting, maintaining independence in a major label world, the importance of maintaining the mailing list and much more. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Fall Down4:59 - Fly from Heaven33:04 - Fly from Heaven37:55 - Something's Always Wrong50:04 - Nanci55:41 - Fall Down1:04:05 - Begin1:14:17 - WoodburningOutro - Stupid Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review