The Ramones, Unlikely Cover Songs, Pearl Jam, As Well As Some History - Come On In, Take A Seat & Enjoy!

I have to admit - some of the latest news in the world of alternative has finally gotten mixed up a bit... and that's a good thing. For a while, all the news seemed to be about new releases, upcoming tours & concerts, and more of the same old blah, blah, blah. Don't get me wrong - I'm diggin' on the new releases and other cool tidbits, but it seemed we just had a steady diet of it for weeks.

Yeah, that type of news is still out there and I'm going to leave it alone on this entry. If you really need to know, Goggle it... that info is everywhere.

About a week ago, we celebrated a true milestone. Back on April 29th, we noted the 35th anniversary (sorry 'bout that) of the release of the Ramones 1st album. Whether you liked it or not, it changed the world of music - period. While the album only peaked at #111 on the Billboard charts, the influences it created are still being felt today. Released at a time when rock 'n roll was truly a bullshit leisure industry for the most part, it not only threw the punk movement into high gear, both here and abroad, but brought back the true DIY mentality and attitude that was flushed out of the industry by 1970.

I also had a chance to "revisit" a DVD I hadn't seen in a while; "Ramones: Raw". Clocking in at 5 hours worth of material, it's not something you sit through in one sitting, even if you're a die-hard Ramones fan. The only bummer about this DVD is, that while it slogs through a bunch of very cool band history and concerts, it starts at 1979. The early years are missing. Someone needs to release an "early years only" Ramones documentary. Still, it is still a cool DVD. The parts that feature the band receiving their lifetime achievment award, and the dedication of Joey Ramone Place in NYC is almost worth it alone. Maybe Cameron Crowe will do it...

Speaking of which, that leads me to this next bit I stumbled across. It seems for their 20th anniversary (which is this year), Pearl Jam are throwing one hell of a party: They've rolled out deluxe reissues of Vs. and Vitalogy. Their pal, director Cameron Crowe, is also digging through hours of video footage to compile a documentary that traces the band's entire history, which is due to hit theaters in September.

While thinking about what to write about for this entry, it seems I've been doing quite a bit of stumbling... and this next one is no exception. Found this story on Rolling Stone. It's called "The 12 Most Unlikely Covers of "Smells Like Teen Spirit". No biggie you think? Well, what if I told you the cover versions were done by artists ranging from Miley Cyrus to Paul Anka? It has some cool pics as well as links to videos via You Tube. Click here to check it out. You've been warned...

Getting back to the anniversary thing, we celebrated another one of sorts. Hard to believe, but it's been 25 years since we first heard the Beastie Boys scream over the airwaves and through stereo speakers, much to the dismay of parents everywhere. Remember back in 1986, when they released their debut Licensed to Ill? That album that proved three white kids from New York could deliver hip-hop as hot and groundbreaking as Run-D.M.C. or Public Enemy. It was also the first hip-hop album to hit No. 1 on the charts. Since then, Mike D, Ad-Rock, and MCA have become one of the genre's most consistent acts — even when they were experimenting with organ-driven funk on Ill Communication or opting not to rhyme at all on The Mix-Up.

We're going to wrap things up a bit here with something we haven't touched on in a while... some history. We've always said here at 360 Degrees that you need to respect the past in order to appreciate the present.
- 1959; Ian McCulloch lead singer of Echo and the Bunnymen is born.

- 1983; the 1000th edition of Top of the Pops broadcast on BBC TV. This show was the equivalent to American Bandstand and featured many now-famous groups and artists. The show, for a while, even featured "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" by The Who as it's opening theme.

- 1973; David Bowie's Aladdin Sane LP was #1 in the UK.

- 1974; A big milestone on this day - Television & The Stilettoes (Blondie in less than 2 years) are on a double bill at CBGB's. This is the first gig of many where Television would be a "regular" every Sunday night. An ad in Soho Weekly News noted that Television would be "the next big break-through group" coming out of New York.

- 1978; another milestone. The B-52's release their debut single on their own label. The two songs on the 45 single are Rock Lobster and 52 Girls. Both songs are primitive versions far different than what would show up on their debut album. The bands contact address at that time (and on the back of the 45 sleeve) is the El Dorado Restaurant... that's where singer Fred Schneider works.

- 1981; We save the weirdest for last. The Dead Kennedy's are barely on vinyl for 2 years, and are already having problems getting their songs released... even on their own label! Their new single Too Drunk To Fuck is running into roadblocks in England due to the title. Many people never knew that the DK's actually own two record labels - Alternative Tentacles is here in the US. Cherry Red Records is their label in the UK. The band thought this would save hassles in regards to worldwide distribution. Oh well...
They have to get the single pressed in France, presumably where they have no problem with the title or can't read it. With that solved, they run into another snag - their overseas distributor Rough Trade wants to hear the single BEFORE they will send it out! I guess the F word was can be too controversial, but not politics...

Until next time, keep listening. We added more than 30 songs this week, so let us know what you think... and thanks!

Peace out,
Dave