Blast From The Past

I spent a ton of yesterday reminiscing, in between being huddled over sick. I thought about the novels of Anne Rice. I thought about me in a Siouxsie and the Banshees tee, short skirt with a garter belt hanging out attached to thigh high checkerboard tights, and creepers on. I thought about the fact that at one point I used baby powder instead of regular powder on my face 'cause I wasn't white and gothy enough. I thought about my transition to a hardcore kid in huge pants, fitted shirts, and old school Vans and traveling across the country just to watch music. I had a great time in high school and college. I was one of the weirdos, but I was also in all advanced classes so I didn't get teased nearly as much as my friends. The kids who did tease me quit quickly when I came back with something that embarrassed them or just knocked them unconscious in the bathroom. Of all the memories though, my head always goes back to music. I went on YouTube and went crazy watching some of the bands I listened to, and got to see live, during those years. Here are some of my favorites:

Fugazi - Waiting Room
I was lucky enough to get to see Fugazi three times. Also, I wrote to them as a junior in high school when I was doing a report on independent music. Guy wrote me back and I really wish I still had that letter. They were one of the most memorable bands to see live. Absolutely amazing.

Jawbox - Savory
I only got to see Jawbox once. They are still one of my favorite bands to listen to. You may know this song from The Deftones cover. I am not a fan of The Deftones but they did the song justice.

Jejune - Fixed on the One
This band was so extraordinary 'cause they were bi-coastal. One or more lived in Boston and the others lived in San Diego. During this time there were SO MANY great bands coming out of San Diego it was insane. I still listen to most of them.

Jets To Brazil - Chinatown
Blake Schwarzenbach can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. His voice is one of my favorites: gritty yet melodic. I love every band he's ever been in. Jawbreaker, and his new band The Forgetters. I recently saw The Forgetters and they put on a great show. A great, 10 dollar, in a punk run venue, show. There aren't enough of those around anymore.

De La Soul - Me Myself and I
These guys totally rocked my high school world. I was already listening to quite a bit of hip hop but they really stood apart. Smart lyrics and really catchy tunes. They made me happy. They were more like hippy hop. I got to see them in the early 2000s at a rave. It was so fun.

Public Enemy - Can't Truss It
This band got me in to more arguments with ignorant people claiming "reverse racism" than I care to get in to. The term is so ridiculous I can't believe how many hours I wasted telling people why they were stupid to let it escape their lips.

Manufacture - As The End Draws Near
I LOVED this song in high school. I danced to it at many a dance club. It's not until recently that I learned that is Sarah McLachlan singing. She started out as an industrial music vocalist. I kind of like that.

Inside Out - No Spiritual Surrender
This is what I like to call "Zach De La Rocha's good band." I actually saw them on a reunion tour right after the first Rage Against The Machine album came out. I asked him why the new broseph rock band. He said the band became something he never would've imagined. He quit the band shortly after. He was one of the most no nonsense hardcore singers out there. He traveled to protests and really practiced what he preached. Super good guy.

 The Cure - Boys Don't Cry
This band was IT to me in high school. I saw them three times and was madly in love with Robert Smith. Funny thing is: all the kids acted like they were terrible and they hated them, but now this band is considered one of the most influential bands out there. I saw one of the boys from high school who used to make fun of me, wearing a Cure shirt and I had to point and laugh at him.

The Smiths - How Soon Is Now
The first song I ever danced to at a dance club when I was 14 or 15. I can even remember the outfit I was wearing, which is strange 'cause I have very few distinct memories of high school. Glad this is one of them. I never got to see The Smiths but I did get to see Morrissey. Probably my favorite fan base of all time are the cholo Morrissey lovers. It's pretty awesome to see these kids run up and hug Morrissey, and more than a little strange.

Happy picture of the day: probably the most righteous kitty photo bomb in the history of kitty photo bombs. Molly thinks she's the star of this photo. Little does she know...there's a creeper way in the background.