| 06/13/2007 |
| Mix Tape... |
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Tara Murtha Contributing Writer |
Band of Thieves' Mix Tape for people who like Classic Rock but don't know it
Band of Thieves bills their product as sunny music for shady people, and declares their purpose as pure, straight ahead blues-influenced rock 'n' roll - causes that we can both get behind and down to, respectfully and respectively.They'll be stealing into Philadelphia next week to play at the Grape Street Pub (Thursday, 7/19) fresh off setting a date to rock the choppy waters of a blooze booze cruise with none other than Skynyrd de la Lynyrd. All the basic accoutrements of rock and roll are here, complete with studied-cool scattershot band photos and references to the hot little girl's daddy who doesn't think a band boy is worth a damn. Classic rock for people who don't know they like classic rock is what the kids are into these days, most of them just don't know to call it that yet (shout out to Wolfmother!). With this in mind, sharpen your utensils and dig in on the mix tape below, a feast of favorites for the most jaded of radio dial swivelists. Band of Thieves' Mix Tape for people who like Classic Rock but don't know it When I was first asked to come up with a mix tape to represent ten songs that were my "favorite" the idea kinda freaked me out. I figured there were two options: write about obscure music so I look cool, or write about the music I really listen to regardless of how ridiculous it might sound. I chose the latter. * The Changeling by the Doors I know it's not the Doors' biggest hit song by any means but I find this to be their most compelling song on my favorite record. You can hear bloated, fat-bearded Jim Morrison really giving it to his vocal chords on this one with a devil-may-care attitude. With each garbled grunt you can actually hear his beard. Fucking great song. * Every Picture Tells A Story by Rod Stewart This was a tough one for me to choose because I love Rod Stewart and it was hard to pick just one. But this song captures the sloppy, a-bit-out-of-tune vibe of the Faces with my favorite lyric ever written. "Don't lose your head to a woman that will spend your bread." GENIUS! I wish I could talk that way. * L'hotel Particulier by Serge Gainsbourg Now I know you must be thinking I have some nerve to write about someone who sings in French. But for everyone out there who is unfamiliar with Serge, trust me, it's fucking great. The vibe that he puts through on this song is just about the sexiest thing ever. Want to set the mood with your lady? Look no further than this drunk, chain-smoking Frenchman. * Staying Alive by Bee Gees This song is the reason iPods were invented. Nobody wants anyone to know they are strutting down the street to the Bee Gees, but everybody wants to do it. I re-enact the intro scene to Saturday Night Fever pretty much daily. And you have to admit that Barry Gibb falsetto + just about anything = sonic gold. * Rocks Off by Rolling Stones Picking a favorite Rolling Stones song is probably similar to picking a favorite child; you love them all for different reasons. I picked this first track off of Exile because to me you can hear all the debauchery that was their lives at the time bleeding through into the mix. And the trippy phaser on Mick's vocals in the bridge is just killer. What a great song. * (Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon The mix of the distinct Lennon vocal and doo-wop production is an awesomely powerful thing. While paying homage to his musical roots he created something else entirely. And that is why it has become my karaoke anthem. * The Passenger by Iggy Pop Iggy Pop has to factor into every mix tape. This is one of the first Iggy songs I can remember hearing, and I even vaguely remember the music video of him riding the subway. Again something about the overall sound of this song, just miserable and gloomy, turns me on. And the whole song is four chords. * Reelin' In the Years by Steely Dan I am the first to admit I am a new convert to Steely Dan. This song is Thin Lizzy singing and I like that. Just another feel-good summer rocker from the past that sounds just as fresh and relevant today. * Starman by David Bowie For a big dreamy ballad, this song still kind of rocks. Bowie's voice is killer, as is Mick Ronson's orchestration and guitar. The chorus is one of his best and this song, production-wise, still sounds ahead of its time. And it's about an alien. * I think of Demons by Roky Erikson This is one of the most bizarre songs I have ever heard. If you don't pay attention to the lyrics it sounds like a killer late seventies rock song, full of big hooks and pop elements. But once you realize that the singer isn't kidding and is honestly talking about Lucifer and demons talking to him and such, it takes on a whole new element of craziness. I once had a tour manager named Magnus from Sweden who introduced me to Roky Erikson; apparently he is well known there. Another example of how the Swedes are advanced. To admit you're one of the shady people interested in sunny sonics, go to wearebandofthieves.com.
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