sonofcds

Four sonofsaf mix cds are available upon request. All the selections are taken from live concerts or demo tapes. I usually try to wrap things around a theme. And here they are...

sonoftsunami
Another sonofmix cd. This one is on the aggressive side.

Let's open with a no-brainer. Any live version of Foo Fighter's Monkey Wrench will do. But this one is really good quality. It's a shame the Foo Fighers don't have any decent quality bootlegs out there in musicland.

Next up is this kick-ass version of Turnin' on the Screw from Queens of the Stone Age. Snagged it off a 2008 show from Melbourne, Australia. The first time I heard this I thought to myself - these guys are really enjoying themselves. Sure enough, a few songs later, the singer (Josh Homme) says, "Hey we're really having a good time up here. I'm not just saying that."

I'm not a huge Nine Inch Nails fan but "Terrible Lie" seemed to be a good fit. This one's form Universal City, CA - Gibson Ampitheatre, 2005.

Lately, I'm on a big Marilyn Manson kick. Not the satanic-unisexual-gothic-freakshow shit. Just the raw power of the music even though it's a bit synthetic sometimes. This cover of Five to One is worth a listen.

Queensryche is hard to define. Not really alternative. Not really hard rock. Just fun to listen to. I like the pre-Operation Mindcrime material. This was ripped from the Westwood One Radio network in 2001. Can you believe "Screaming in Digital" was written about 25 years ago? How old would that make Englebert Humperdink?

Nobody except Jepsonian knows who The Crumbusckers are. In the late 1980's, this garage band from Brooklyn put out one my all-time favorite tapes - Beast on my Back. Every song's a killer. This one's called Initial Shock. This band was way ahead of it's time. Kind of the punk rock equivalent of the tv show Miami Vice.

A demo version of Lithium by Nirvana. You can really hear the angst in Cobain's voice. Nearly as potent as the anguished oink of Pigman.

Had to follow it up with Nirvana's show opener - "Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam." Taken from Nirvana's hometown of Seattle in 1991 This was an outdoor MTV concert. Only Nirvana would open with a cover song.

Had to throw in a few Cure tunes (The Kiss & Torture) from the late 1980's. However, these are from Hamburg, Germany (2002). Love the Cure. Hate the Goth.

Back to the Northwest, for this Jane's Addiction stuff. I wish the sound was a little cleaner but I dig the emotion. Perry Ferrel? Sure he's a weirdo freak. But the guy is a BAD ASS weirdo freak. "Summertime Rolls" and "Ocean Size" - This was from a show in Enumclaw, Washington (1991). I'd like to tell people that I'm from Enumclaw. Sounds more interesting than my standard Canonsburg refrain.

Wanted to pick things back up with a Chili Peppers tune. "Me and My Friends" is an unusual choice considering I'm becoming more of a loner these days. Taken from one of those all-day rock festivals in Roskilde, Denmark (2002).

More screams of Dave Grohl. I was going to close out "sonoftsunami" with this cover of Prince's "Darling Nikki" because it's difficult to top. But then I discovered this King Diamond soundboard version of "Welcome Home" from Curitiba, Brazil. Case closed.


sonofsaved (by the bell)

Let us take a moment and reflect on the 1980's. Despite the ongoing Cold War with the Soviets and the accompanying threat of nuclear annihilation, we somehow managed to survive. It must have been the music of that era which pulled us through. It is with that indomitable spirit... I bring you Sonofsaved (By The Bell). And yes, I'm fully aware that Saved By The Bell reached prominence in the early 90's, but I think that sitcom would have fared better in the mid 80's. Lisa Turtle, Screech Powers, Miss Bliss - these are the children of the 80's.

I snagged the "Pop Muzik" opener from U2's Popmart tour. This one's from 1998 in Santiago, Chile. I think this tour was underrated. When I was a kid, Pop Muzik was one of my all-time favorite songs at the skating rink. I have absolutely no idea who the real writers are. I don't think anyone does and I vehemently refuse to Google it. I'd prefer to remain ignorant.

A strong version of The Cars "Hello Again" from Memphis, TN (1987). I've always been a big Cars fan but you gotta take them in modest increments.

This version of "Day By Day" by The Hooters goes out to Danno. It's from a July 4, 1990 Independence Day show in Philadelphia. It makes me want to celebrate FREEDOM - like when Mel Gibson gets tortured to death at the end of Braveheart.

Another show from 1990. Huey Lewis and The News open with "Jacob's Ladder" at some venue in Portland, Oregon. Yes, I know - you saw their show at the Wheeling Civic Center in 1988. Forgive the hyperbole, but that was the greatest concert ever. Little known fact - Huey Lewis actually got his start playing synagogues all over the east coast. They were originally known as Huey Lewis and The Jews.

I included Big Country's version of "Big Country" just because I think every band should name a song after themselves. Someone else did that but I can't remember who it was. This version is from Glasgow, Scotland (1984).

Billy Idol - killer version of "Flesh For Fantasy" from 1987, Cow Palace in San Fransisco. He really went downhill fast when he put out that Rock the Cradle bullshit/ass-crapola. I guess the country wasn't ready to fully embrace mainstream pedophilia.

I couldn't stand Simple Minds and the overplayed Don't You Forget About Me Breakfast Club soundtrack, but I always liked "Alive and Kicking." This one's from Saturday Night Live in 1985.

OK, here's where it gets a little gay. I'm eventually rolling out a live mix cd of various homosexual performers called "Sonofsodomy." A tribute to Freddie Mercury, Elton John, the entity of Lillith Fair, etc. George Michael's "Everything She Wants" would have been better suited for that cd, but I just got sooo excited when I heard this version. LOL.

Here's a Duran Duran choice which symbolizes the entire decade - "The Reflex" taken from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Double D rocks the River Plate in 2005. I wish American concertgoers were as rowdy as the South Americans. We have no passion these days - it's all about American Idol. Sucked.

A smokin' version of "Darling Nikki" taken from Hotlanta in 1985. I've never been to The Omni, but I'd be willing to lie and say that I have. Others would not find that so compelling.

This song was probably ripped of a VHS tape. The quality is a tiny bit murky, but if you ever doubted the awesome power of Cyndi Lauper (I've doubted it plenty of times)... The song is called "Money Changes Everything" from the Boston Garden (1984). The Celtics always sickened me, but not as much as The Lakers.

Here's a version of "Our Lips Are Sealed" by the Go-Go's. It's from Emerald City, a small club in Cherry Hill, NJ. Summer of 1981. Saf has the beat, as do many others.

Very few decent quality Michael Jackson bootlegs are in existence. This gives me slight hope in a higher power. The most famous show is from Yokohama, Japan in 1987. The time has come to celebrate and acknowledge the historic contributions of dead pedophiles. Let this version of "Billie Jean" provide that spark.

Here's a great closer from a dedicated musician. Al Yankovic brings the house down with "Another One Rides The Bus." It's from a small venue in Buffalo, NY (1984). I will mourn the death of Weird Al. Did I mourn the loss of Michael Jackson? No.


sonofsweatin' (to the oldies)

You are the recipient of "Sonofsweatin' (to the oldies)." Enjoy. And now for a detailed explanation...

I love the Steelers intro music for the Alan Parsons concert (Cincinnati, Ohio - Riverbend Music Amp 1995). And it merges perfectly into "Eye in the Sky" so I had to keep it moving along. Kind of like Officer Barbrady on South Park - "nothing to see here, just keep moving" (as he sprays Cartman with mace).

Robert Plant's "In The Mood" keeps the same mellow vibe. It drones on for just over 10 minutes so if you want to skip it, I won't be entirely offended.

Supertramp is one of the most underrated bands of the 1970's. Everybody loves the song "Dreamer." I even once saw an elderly woman humming it in Krogers while she was reaching for an overpriced jar of prune juice. This version is from London, England back in 1977.

I needed a Who song but I wanted something different then the standards so I went with "You Better You Bet." Mostly for sentimental value, I snagged this from a 1989 benefit show at Radio City Music Hall (New York City, of course).

I'm surprised that Tom Petty never kept "Jammin Me" in his concert rotation these days. It's a great overlooked song from when I think he pretty much peaked musically (mid 1990's). This one's from San Fransisco, CA circa 1993.

REO Speedwagon tunes can get a little stale. I wouldn't recommend most of their overplayed anthems, but I do like "Don't Let Him Go." This one's from the early 1980's, either 1980 Lansing, MI or 1983 somewhere else. If you're overly concerned with the origins of this song, you may have more issues than I do for currently writing all this nonsense. I wonder if anyone reads this shit.

I downloaded a demo of my favorite Zeppelin tape - Physical Graffiti. Most of the stuff sounds really distant but this version of "In The Light" is kind of cool. I'm guessing it was from around 1979-80. I think that was the year for Physical Graffiti. I listened to that tape over and over again when I worked the parking lots back in the early 1990's. I recommend reading the book Midnight Express while listening to it. It's about this kid who winds up in a Turkish prison for smuggling hash. They made it into a movie, but it's pretty weak. Read the book.

I found this killer acapella version of Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out With Him." It's from 1983 Rockaplast (sounds like one of those European festivals). Different version of a great tune.

I had to include a Pearl Jam cover so I went with their take on the Rolling Stones "Waitin' On A Friend." It's from one of my all-time favorite shows in the Burgh - the summer of 2006.

Then, I needed a real Stones song. I originally had Undercover of the Night - it's a song I like but when I listened to it, it just didn't seem too inspired. I liked the quality of this late 90's show form Atlantic City so I went with the standard Tumbling Dice instead.

And then I had to put another Pearl Jam cover on this thing. This is a show closer at the MGM Grand in Vegas (2006). Sick.

I closed out this sonofsweatin' with Knockin' on Heaven's Door. Probably my favorite Dead show encore ( I like Brokedown too and even adapted it into a devastating foosball finishing move - it's called "Slowboy" aka Brokedown Palace). I always preferred the ballad encores - the goal being to send everyone home on a peaceful note. However, we'd usually choose to keep the party going. Always enjoyed the "dead party scene." You wake up and start partying. Then you hit the parking lot and the party continues. Continue rocking during the show. Then, it's back to the lot where you feel compelled to carry on. Just when you think it's all over - Fuck that - back to the campground or hotel room where you keep going strong. Wake up and do it all over.


sonofpsychotic

Welcome to the newest sonofsaf release - sonofpyschotic. The name is a bit misleading. I was searching for songs that are loaded with energy but kind of demented. As always, if you find a particular track compelling, just ask me for a copy of the entire concert. Studio music gets tiresome. If you have no soul or passion, you would probably disagree with this assessment.

The first song is a recording of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" from The Wall (DEMOS). The entire demo is a killer find. All the songs are bare bones with a raw feel. It gives you a different perspective of The Wall.

I always liked the song Astronomy Domine by Floyd but there's a metal band from the late 1980' called Voivod that does a pretty decent cover. I'm normally suspect of trying to cover a classic (unless you're on American Idol of course - you wouldn't want to throw a curve ball to all those soccer moms and male beauticians).

We're From America is the new hit from Marilyn Manson. I thought it fit well. Remember, this is America - the land where Jesus was born and they cum on your face.

"Session" by Linkin Park is a cool, scratched up instrumental. They used it in a closing scene of The Sopranos at The Bing.

I put "The Kiss" from The Cure on my previous release sonoftsunami, but I like this version even more. It's from Carhaix, France - 2002.

Beck had a ton of great material from his early days. The vast majority of it is long forgotten. Here's the song "Novocaine" from a show in Cologne, Germany (1999).

Radiohead has a lot of synthesized/psychotic sounding material so I threw in 2 songs from their 2009 concert in Santiago, Chile. I doubt it would soothe the recent earthquake victims, but I like these two songs (Everything in its Right Place and Idioteque). Great versions.

Here's an unusual mix of the Queens of the Stone Age song "You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, but I Feel Like a Millionaire." You might hear this song on tv - they use it for some kind of X-Box/Nintendo video war game commercial.

I needed to calm things down a bit so I threw in a version of Tom Sawyer from London (1992). Great intro.

And then we'll pick things up with The Breeders "Cannonball" - everyone likes this song. It's from a small club in Chicago (1994).

And everyone also likes "Take Me Out" by the emo-Germans Franz Ferdinand. This version is from a private party in 2009.

And another song everyone likes - REM's "It's the End of the World as We Know it (and I Feel Fine). If you're ever out at a bar and the song comes on, watch closely. Every moron in the place will temporarily suspend their conversation, tilt their head upward and yell "LEONARD BERNSTEIN" along with Michael Stipe. A man named Soulman once made this telling observation.

Here's Dave Grohl with the remaining members of Led Zeppelin in 2008 at London's Hyde Park. It's a bit distorted and pretty sloppy, but if you don't like it you should follow some generational advice from a decade ago - SUCK IT!

And finally I needed to bring it all together so I returned to where the cd began with Pink Floyd. This one is an anthemic version of Comfortably Numb. Twice as long as the earlier one and (in my opinion) far superior. 1989 in Venice Italy.

Remember, there's only one surefire way to obtain the newest sonofwhatever cd. If you run into me, lavish me with praise for the last cd and you'll receive the new one.