Head on over to my new record label site, Subdude Records

I just launched a new online Record Label, Subdude Records. Check it out! http://www.subduderecords.com and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/subduderecords

Check out Subdude Records

With the postings to this blog being fewer and farther between, I encourage you to take a look at my newest project, Subdude Records.

It’s my latest foray into online music. This is my record label, and our music is better than theirs. Give us a look.

www.subduderecords.com

Veruca Salt – So Weird

(image courtesy of VerucaSalt.com)

So Weird (Right Click/Save As)
(this track is provided by VerucaSalt.com)

Veruca Salt was formed in 1992 in Chicago, Illinois by Louise Post and Nina Gordon. The two had been introduced by a mutual friend and decided to form a band.

In 1994, they signed with a local indie label before being snapped up by Geffen Records (home to Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, Weezer, etc.) where their debut album American Thighs was re-released. The first single off of the album was the song Seether, and it quickly became a hit.

The band then released (the now out of print) “Blow It Out Your Ass, It’s Veruca Salt” E.P., as a hold-over until their next album was to be released.

In 1997 the band released Eight Arms To Hold You to much fan-fare and acclaim (it quickly went Gold), and spawned a few singles. The first was Volcano Girls which was then followed by the heavy rocker Shutterbug. Videos were made for both singles.

In 1998, co-founder Nina Gordon left the group and the band was dissolved but reformed a year later (with Louise Post being the sole original member) and released the album “Resolver”, with the lead single “Born Entertainer” in 2000.

Over the next few years, band members rotated in and out (except for Post and guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick) with the band releasing the Lords of Sounds and Lesser Things EP in 2004.

**Update** in November of 2013, Veruca Salt formally announced the reunion of the original band. They are currently recording a new album, and planning a tour in 2014!

2006 saw the release of the bands latest album Veruca Salt IV, featuring the lead single So Weird.

This track is my favorite on the whole album. The album is really good, and is a worthy addition to any alternative music fan’s collection.

Pick up these albums in the Zune Marketplace, as well as AmazonMP3.

Check out the band’s official YouTube page, as well as their website for more info and content.

I Am Santa Claus

It’s not Christmas without posting this MP3. It’s been a favorite of mine for nearly 15 years. It’s  a parody of “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath, but with a Christmas theme.

I now present, “I Am Santa Claus” by Bob Rivers:

Get It HERE (Left Click only)

Buy it at Amazon MP3

Danyul Kostin – The Drama

In 2006 Danyul Kostin recorded his first EP, entitled “The Drama”.

Here, for your listening pleasure, is “The Drama” in it’s entirety.

1. Scars

2. Retarded

3. Shannon

4. Voices Chasing The Sound

5. Stay With Me

Held Hostage: Escaping Your Cell Phone Carrier’s Iron Grip

I wrote this article, over at EnConnected, mainly in response to all of the hullaballoo surrounding the announcement of current Windows Phone devices not being upgraded to Windows Phone 8.

Many folks were very irritated and upset by this. In some ways, I really understand. However, in my opinion, there is no one but themselves to blame for it.

Head over to EnConnected to read why.

PS – I promise I’ll start posting more music soon. With Zune dead and all, I’ve got to rethink the purpose of this site. Xunetracks.net maybe?

ZuneTracks.net is BACK!

Back in June of 2010, the server hosting the original ZuneTracks blog, died…suddenly. After two years of having life throw curveballs, job changes and whatnot, I decided it was high time to get the old blog back up again. So here it is! We now have blog posts reaching all the way back into 2007, the heyday of Zune!

Feel free to stay a while, enjoy the wonderful content, and stroll down memory lane with us, for Zune has died today and is being replaced with “XBOX Music”.

RIP Zune. 6/4/2012

Iris

(image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Iris – (click to get it from SkyDrive)

Kim Deal is a name that is very familiar to any fan of indie rock. She is equally recognized as the bassist for Pixies, and as the singer/guitarist of her own band The Breeders.

The Breeders were originally formed in 1988 by Kim Deal and Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses (and Belly). Originally the band was formed as a creative outlet for Deal, as she didn’t get to write many songs for Pixies, which was a major point of contention and eventually lead to the band’s breakup.

The Breeders lineup has changed over the years, with Kim Deal as the only original member. Currently the band consists of Kim Deal (Vox/Guitar), Kelley Deal (Guitar, Backing Vox), Jose Medeles (Drums), and Mando Lopez (Bass).

The band has released 4 full length albums over the last 20 years: Pod, Last Splash, Title TK, and Mountain Battles.

Today’s track is a live version of “Iris” which is found on the No Alternative soundtrack. The original studio cut of this track is found on Pod.

Check them out in Zune Marketplace or get them at AmazonMP3.

Check out their 1993 video for “Cannonball” at the Youtube.

“Caution: Birds Fly Low, Overhead”

(Image Courtesy of Amazon.com)

“Who are these guys”, “What a stupid album cover”, “What a sucky band name” are all things that you might say, in regards to “Them Crooked Vultures”. I should know, because I said those very same things, until I actually took the time to listen to this album…which is currently 5 bucks at AmazonMP3.

TCV is a “supergroup” (I HATE that term) comprised of Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) on Guitar/Vox, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) on Bass/backing Vox/various other instruments, and Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) on Drums/backing Vox. The three started collaborating as early as 2005, but didn’t actually get to start recording until early 2009. They originally wanted to call themselves “Caligula”, but they found out that the name was taken. They then settled on “Them Crooked Vultures”, since it had absolutely no meaning.

The fruits of these sessions are a wonderful 13 track recording which is neither QotSA, Foo Fighters, or Zeppelin, though you can certainly hear those influences in the music.

My current favorite tracks are:

1. No One Loves Me, Neither Do I

8. Reptiles

Also check out these guys on YouTube.

If you subscribe to Zune Pass, pick them up in the Marketplace, or pick up the album from AmazonMP3.

My apologies for the lack of a downloadable mp3, but thanks to the PROTECT IP act, I’m having to find other means to share the music I love. Thanks Congress for restricting my speech, in favor of a dying industry’s whims…

16 Pounds of Pet

“Arm”

Click here to download the track from SkyDrive

16 Pounds of Pet is an Alternative Rock band from Asheville, NC.

This particular track is from their 1999 self titled album. This album used to be available at Independent Music Online, but the site is offline now.

Very little is known about the band, but they sound like an amplified dishwasher on crack. Ok, not really. The best way to describe them is a weird hybrid of Melvins and Faith No More.