the list is too long for me to bother

Colonel Panic wrote:A Certain Ratio

I like them a lot. People call them a Joy Division ripoff and then a horrendous synth-pop band, and while the latter is certainly true after 1981, the Joy Division ripoff charge is mystifying. They don't sound anything like Joy Division except for typical atmospheric Martin Hannett production and a moody baritone Manc singer. Maybe just because they were both on Factory? Great moody sub-funk postpunk. Moody and occasionally creepy, but nowhere near the kind of grandeur and depression of Joy Division. I think it's inarguable that ACR's efforts to become a dance band undid them.

I'd strongly recommend the first two records - The Graveyard and the Ballroom and To Each..., and especially the live record Live at Groningen, which features a lot of the tunes from To Each... given better, more organic performances through a truly bizarre and murky live almost-dub mix. The version of the 12-minute percussion jam "Winter Hill" on that record really is the closest any postpunk band got to Can.

Colonel Panic wrote:
Man Sized Action

The U-Men

Breaking Circus

These're all pretty swank. U-Men, I particularly like their first 2 eps. Man Sized Action, I've only heard the Reflex ep. Can't vouch for the ablum. Breaking Circus, you can not go wrong:

Bjorklund: HE TOOK A HAMMERING!
Trainer: he took a hammering.

Replacements
Husker Du
The Velvet Underground
Patti Smith
Guided By Voices
The Arcade Fire
Pavement
Television
Interpol
Sonic Youth
Shellac
T-Rex(aside from bang a gong)
Modern Lovers
Sea And Cake
Public Image, LTD.
Ramones
Mudhoney
Fugazi
Motorhead
Tricky
Motley Crue
My Morning Jacket
The Flaming Lips
Jellyfish
Superchunk
Ben Harper
Cocorosie
Big Black
The Wedding Present
The Birthday Party
Belle&Sebastian
Cows
Jesus Lizard
The Mekons
Most Hip hop
etc.

KISS
Considering they're tremendously famous and everyone in the world knows who they are, I don't think I could recognize maybe more than one or two of their songs. I mean they have conventions about these guys and was apparently the biggest band ever in terms of selling merchandise. Other than that "Rock & Roll All Night" song I can't think of one. Maybe I've been living under a rock my whole life...

Colonel Panic wrote:Man Sized Action

Our pals and contemporaries from the early '80s onward. Still very good friends with all of these guys. Best people in the world.

What do they sound like? Very unique, drummer had no hi-hat. They all decided to start a band without ever having played any instruments. Maybe a sped-up Wire. Two albums released, Claustrophobia and Five Story Garage. Read Steve's old review:

http://www.dementlieu.com/~obik/arc/oth ... ter10.html

Colonel Panic wrote:
Articles Of Faith

BATTITUDE BATTITUDE BATTITUDE BATTITUDE BADADDATUDE BADDADDATUUUDE.

Colonel Panic wrote:
Breaking Circus

Several versions of this band. All records are great. Live shows were spotty, depending on the lineup. The mentioned "Hammering" was a Todd Trainer tune. This band imploded, too volatile to last very long.

Two that immediately come to mind are Neil Young and The Who. At this point in my life I feel like I shouldn't even bother.

The following just embarrasses me:

Julian Cope
Mogwai
Whitehouse
Necros
Therapy?
MC5
Arcwelder

...there's more.

H-GM wrote:Arcwelder

One of my all-time favorite bands. I know we do not know each other and you have no reason to trust me but I suggest you buy everything you can find by Arcwelder. Absolutely fantastic.


Jon

Barbo wrote:

H-GM wrote:Arcwelder

One of my all-time favorite bands. I know we do not know each other and you have no reason to trust me but I suggest you buy everything you can find by Arcwelder. Absolutely fantastic.

Jon

Seconded - I was in your same position less than a year ago - I knew nothing about them until I saw their set at T&G25. Everyone kept saying "Yes, it will be worth it to get up early on Sunday for them!" - so I did. And boy am I glad. Lately I have been playing the shit out of the "Pull" album. I'm savoring this for a bit before I decide which one to get next.

Barbo wrote:One of my all-time favorite bands. I know we do not know each other and you have no reason to trust me but I suggest you buy everything you can find by Arcwelder. Absolutely fantastic.

I think it was the Neil Young references that initially gave me pause. The name is a mix of two Neil Young albums, right? Albums that people tell me I would really enjoy. I didn't even see them during Touch & Go's 25th Anniversary shows. Lame, I know.

(Not that this is the thread for it, but I've never seen The Blues Brothers, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Godfather, or Caddyshack)