Dig Me Out - The 90's Rock Podcast

Joining us for episode #120 is Happy Chichester, formerly of Howlin Maggie, who has just released his second solo album, Torchwood Loop. After spending almost a decade in legendary funk-rock band Royal Crescent Mob, Happy formed Howlin Maggie, who released their debut album Honeysuckle Strange in 1996. After a line-up change and follow-up release in 2001, Happy struck out on his own, releasing studio and live releases, while playing sideman in the Shawn Smith/Stone Gossard band Brad. We cover all this, plus Happy's take on the current state of the music industry, analog vs. digital recording and plenty more. Songs in this Episode: Intro - $3.99 3:39 - Miss Universe 12:41 - How The West Was Won 28:48 - Easy To Be Stupid 34:52 - I'm A Slut 43:07 - Long Live Doug (Standing) 1:09:34 - Alcohol Outro - Rubbing The Industry Raw Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

For episode #119, we're tackle a listener suggestion: The Moray Eels Eat The Space Needle by Space Needle from 1997. Only this time, we've brought in our listener to tell us why he decided to suggest this album, that bounces between ten-plus-minute space rock experiments to concise and bittersweet harmonized morose pop. Songs in this Episode: Intro - One Kind of Lullaby 4:21 - History of the Band 12:41 - Where the fucks my wallet? 14:32 - Never Lonely Alone 18:32 - Old Spice 21:17 - Hot for Krishna Outro - Love Left Us Strangers Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

For episode #118, Aaron Perrino of The Sheila Divine joins us to revisit their debut 1999 album, New Parade. Our wide ranging discussion covers a variety topics, including the whether Cleveland or Buffalo are the sadder city, the workout habits of Greg Dulli, eyeglass endorsements and contracting SARS in China. Oh, and we also talk music, songwriting, recording, touring and all that good stuff, as well as an impromptu a cappella version of Joe Esposito's "You're The Best." Songs in this Episode: Intro - Automatic Buffalo 17:42 - Hum 20:17 - Automatic Buffalo 33:10 - The Modern Log 1:04:20 - The Amendment Outro - Awful Age Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review

For our latest listener suggestion, we finally get around to a beloved album that flew under our collective radar for too long - 1994's Pony Express Record by Shudder To Think. The twists and turns are plenty on STT's major label debut, but hidden inside these dissonant and jagged tunes are melodic hooks that would make Matthew Sweet swoon. And that's not the only oddball reference we'll make, as Alice Cooper, Jesus Christ Superstar and more get tossed into the reference potluck in an attempt to figure out Pony Express Record. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Gang of $ 3:30 - History of the Band 16:15 - No RM. 9, Kentucky 19:01 - Kissi Penny 22:02 - Earthquakes Come Home 29:00 - X-French Tee Shirt 33:06 - So Into You (Atlanta Rhythm Section) 34:36 - So Into You (Shudder To Think) Outro - Trackstar Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

Episode #116 brings us another listener suggestion, this time we check out the 1995 album Murk Time Cruiser by aMiniature (the first "a" is silent, if you didn't know). Combining disjointed rhythms and razor sharp guitar riffs, aMiniature are in the same stratosphere as the recently reviewed Knapsack, evening sharing the same producer for their third and final album, just like Knapsack. But is that where the similarities end? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - He, The Bad Feeler 1:50 - History of the Band 12:27 - He, The Bad Feeler 14:00 - Peddler's Talk 17:21 - Long Live Soul Miner 24:39 - Bored Spy Outro - Signer's Strut Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

The day has finally come - Dig Me Out is intercontinental! For episode #115, we're joined on Skype by Australian filmmaker Shaun Katz to talk about his upcoming music documentary, Underground, Inc., as well as review his pick, the 1996 album Endless Bummer by My Head. Help back Underground, Inc. by backing the Kickstarter campaign. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Killer Hair 6:09 - History of the Band 14:22 - Teenage Foxes 18:20 - Carnasaur 23:38 - Fall 25:49 - Humbucker 32:34 - Don't Waste My Time Outro - Log Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

The lone release by Seattle-supergroup Mad Season, 1995's Above, is being re-released in 2013 as a box set with new material and a live concert, so now is the time to revisit. Often, musical supergroups fail to live up to the sum of their parts (re: The Thorns or Velvet Revolver), does Mad Season? Is this just another "grunge" record, or does Above rise...um, above? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - I'm Above 3:20 - History of the Band 10:52 - Wake Up 19:27 - I'm Above 23:25 - November Hotel 36:19 - Artificial Red Outro - I Don't Know Anything Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

For listener request episode #113, we're heading down the road less, or never travelled: Radial Spangle, and their second (and last) album, 1994's Syrup Macrame. Indie and alternative aren't specific enough to describe Radial Spangle's music: neo-experimental-space-psychedelic-lo-fi-rock? We're not quiet sure what to make of much of the album, but moments shine through - are their enough? Tune in to fine out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Special Love 2:38 - History of the Band 6:31 - Caf, 'Fine 9:33 - Busy Hole 14:58 - Knees 18:06 - Patio Furniture 27:17 - Sunflower Graveyard Outro - New Dress Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

For episode #112, we're tackling the third and final album from Knapsack, 1998's This Conversation Is Ending Starting Right Now. Jason brings a favorite of his to review, and Tim's never heard it. Will Tim share Jason's appreciation for an album that got plenty of Facebook love, or is disagreement on the horizon? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Arrows to the Action 2:46 - History of the Band 10:42 - Cold Enough To Break 15:56 - Shape of the Fear 25:06 - Change Is All The Rage 28:38 - Cinema Stare Outro - Hummingbirds Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

We're back with another listener suggestion for episode #111 as we return to the world of 90s one-hit wonders and the 1996 album Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy by The Refreshments. Combining bar-band like guitar crunch with clever lyrics, FFBB shows of the Arizona band's musical range, adding elements unique to the Southwest like Mariachi rhythms and horns, and plenty of references to Mexico. There's no doubting "Banditos" worthiness as a 90s hit, but does the rest of the album measure up? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Down Together 3:17 - History of the Band 14:32 - Down Together 18:46 - Banditos 24:12 - Mexico Outro - European Swallow Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

We're back with another pick from Jason - the 1997 album Sound Of Lies by The Jayhawks. Written and recorded after the departure of co-founding lead singer and songwriter Mark Olsen, Sound of Lies rests on the shoulders of Gary Louris, who expands the Midwestern Americana sound to include psychedelic and Beatles-esque pop. Reviews were mixed at the time, but some claim this is a buried treasure. Are they right? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Think About It 3:06 - History of the Band 12:41 - Sixteen Down 20:26 - Trouble 23:22 - Dying On The Vine 29:18 - It's Up To You Outro - The Man Who Loved Life Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

Episode 109 brings us another listener suggestion, this time the swan song of the Screaming Trees, their 1996 album Dust. The band recruited legendary producer George Drakoulias and legendary keyboardist Benmont Tench to create their most polished and radio-friendly album of their career, but did it turn out legendary? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Make My Mind 5:15 - History of the Band 18:56 - All I Know 22:04 - Halo of Ashes 24:14 - Sworn and Broken Outro - Dime Western Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

It's Tim's turn to make a pick, and this one brings the first big disagreement of the 2013 season as we tackle the sophomore album from Big Ass Truck, 1996's Kent. The gentlemen from Memphis combine Southern rock, funk and a little Ska with touches of Dust Brothers production ala the Beastie Boys and Beck. It's definitely an acquired taste, and one host did not acquire it. Can you guess who? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Theem From 2:28 - History of the Band 11:33 - Lil Tico 16:06 - Thermopolis 18:36 - Quart St Parakeet 21:15 - Dog Chases An Iguana Up A Tree & Barks At It All Night (pts I & II) Outro - Sweetness Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

This week it's our third requested review of season - the lone self-titled release by Handsome. The 90s had it's fair share of supergroups, from Temple of the Dog to Golden Smog, but Handsome flew under the radar, featuring members of legendary bands like Quicksand, Helmet, Cro-Mags and Murphy's Law. Terms like hardcore and alternative are easy to associate to Handsome, but what about shoegaze and industrial? Like G.I. Joe, there's more than meets the eye (or ear) with Handsome, but does it all work? Tune in and find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Going to Panic 5:32 - History of the Band 16:20 - Going to Panic 18:16 - Ride Down 21:10 - Lead Bellied 29:08 - Dim The Lights Outro - Eden's Complex Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

This week we review a band that has sold over two million albums over a seventeen-year, ten-album career - and most people outside Sweden have never heard of them. It's Kent, and their 1998 album Isola. Well, 1998 is the release of the English-language version, the Swedish-language version came out a year earlier, but that's not the point. We're hear to talk about the music, which in it's finest moments recalls Pablo Honey and The Bends-era Radiohead. But are there enough fine moments to call this a worthy album? Tune in to find out. Note: Tim is now aware he pronounced "Isola" incorrect during the entire episode thanks to his better half. Songs in this Episode: Intro - If You Were Here 3:11 - History of the Band 10:07 - If You Were Here 14:40 - OWC 21:58 - Lifesavers Outro - 747 Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

Episode 105 brings us our second Requested Review of the 2013 season: 1997's Rock Collection by Pond, the third and final album from the Portland, Oregon trio. Combing angular guitar riffs with tricky drumming and challenging melodies, Pond brings to mind better known 90s rock darlings like Built To Spill and Pavement. Do they have what it takes for consideration in the indie-rock pantheon along side those bands? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Twins 3:32 - History of the Band 6:40 - Scoliosis 11:36 - Spokes 15:16 - You're Not A Seed 18:54 - Twins Outro - Filterless Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

For episode #104, Tim sifted through his college radio archive to dig out the lone album by Pusherman, 1996's Floored. Combining the long-form jams of The Verve with the attitude and pop-sensiblity of Oasis, the band pushes the envelope on song and album length, usually bad signs when we get our hands on a record from the 90s. Through in a harmonica and some dance beats, and it sounds like a recipe for a disaster, but is it, despite the term "timeless" being used to describe it? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Sold 5:36 - History of the Band 10:15 - Chase It 17:30 - The Aim Indeed 21:44 - Whole 23:46 - Never Coming Back Outro - First Time Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

For our first episode of Season Three, we've got a requested review: the 1997 album One Day At A Time by Symposium. Once the "it" band for NME and Melody Maker, the band fell as fast as it rose, while it's brand of energetic pop punk seemed more in step with American bands like Green Day and Blink-182 than it's brit-pop contemporaries Oasis and Blur. The young band knows how to write a melodic hook, but do they know how to seamlessly integrate ska? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Drink the Sunshine 2:30 - History of the Band 8:44 - Farewell to Twilight 10:24 - Puddles 15:54 - One Day At A Time 20:07 - Smiling Outro - Fear of Flying Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

Season Two of Dig Me Out is in the books! For the last episode of 2012, we're taking a look back at our sophomore year and picking our top five favorite songs as well as our new album discovery. We've got plenty of thanks to dispense to those who made Season Two a huge success: all of our great guests and folks who suggested albums, and of course our listeners. Lastly, towards the end of the show there is a special announcement regarding something brand new in 2013 (hint: it's music related). Note: Tim imbibed too much celebratory champagne and thought this podcast went up New Year's Day instead of Christmas Day. Tim promises to lay off the champagne in future episodes. Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise

For our last review of 2012, of course it's a listener suggestion. To wrap it up, we're checking out Chicago's Eleventh Dream Day and their 1993 album El Moodio. EDD provides a unique sound with their male/female vocal combination and wild swings from concise jangle pop to sprawling jam ballads. Does it all work? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Makin' Like a Rug 2:40 - History of the Band 9:57 - After This Time Is Gone 14:26 - Makin' Like a Rug 18:18 - Bend Bridge Outro - Rubberband Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Merchandise