Entries Tagged 'Rock' ↓

Sam Sprague of The Donkeys and The Flamming Groovies

Sam Sprague’s recommendation: “A band The Donkeys really love is The Flamin’ Groovies. Especially fond of the early Roy Loney era records. The Groovies really proved that it’s okay to span all type of genres in music, something The Donkeys really appreciate because all four of us write songs which in turns brings alot of diversity. But enough about us. The Groovies are a Rock n Roll monster. They are just so fun and excting. So many bands forget that Rock n Roll should have a lighter side. The Groovies write such amazing songs. And they just are a kick ass tight machine. Sneakers, Super Snazz, Flamingo, Teenage Head. You can’t go wrong. Teenage Head was the first one I got. I can’t believe these guys weren’t as big as The Rolling Stones. I love and appreciate all their records. I think Norton has re-released some of the early albums. Grab ‘em up and Bam-A-Lam all night long!”

About our guest author, Sam Sprague: Sam is the drummer and lead singer of The Donkeys, a band that Rocktorch learned about from, you guessed it, an artist recommendation. Craig Finn of The Hold Steady was asked during the Jim Beam Music Series who the best kept secret in music is and Craig chose The Donkeys. We snagged up their CDs and found one treasure after another. Each album is stocked with laid back tunes that would get thumbs up from Gram Parsons, Wilco and Pavement fans alike, but their appeal easily can spread beyond the alt/alt-country sphere. Are The Donkeys alternative? Country? 70′s throwbacks? We’d say yes to all and just add that this is simply good music that has to be heard. Be sure to catch The Donkeys on tour and pick up their latest album, Born With Stripes.

MP3: I Like the Way You Walk by The Donkeys from
Born With Stripes

Don’t Know Who We Are by The Donkeys

Kevin Murpy of the Moondoggies and Kurt Cobain

Kevin Murphy’s recommendation: “There’s a lot of people I could recommend. Out of Seattle pride I’m gonna say Kurt Cobain and that’s because from the 2nd grade on I was hooked. I’ve never lost that love for the music he created either. I believe Kurt Cobain channeled the same primal human frustrations that John Lennon was so good at. It was balanced and extreme in either direction. It was honest and that’s the intangible we’re always seeking out.”

If you are new to Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, where should you start? Here’s Kevin on his favorite Nirvana album: “The most obvious thing is that Kurt’s possibilities could have been endless. The understatement is we wish we had a huge catalog to draw from. I love In Utero for so many reasons. But one reason is that the statement he made in response to a huge hit is unparalleled. He ignored the advice of his contemporaries and made the record he had to make; the big picture is what matters. That album is RAW. If you are interested in the most immediately likable, obviously I’d say Nevermind but if it was an in depth conversation I’d probably end up rambling about In Utero record to some capacity.”

About our guest author, Kevin Murphy: Kevin sings and plays guitar for The Moondoggies, a Seattle based band whose two albums are steeped in traditional American rock influences and lush three part harmonies. The band’s first album, Don’t Be a Stranger was classified by The Seattle Times as being “…brilliant, each gem deserving a number in the Great American Jukebox.” Their latest release, Tidelands is a bigger sounding album than the rookie release, but the powerful harmonies remain. The band is currently touring (one upcoming stop is part of The Dave Matthews Band Caravan tour), so be sure to check their web page for live dates,

MP3: What Took So Long by The Moondoggies from Tidelands

Grace Potter and Karen Elson

Grace Potter’s recommendation: “I just started listening to Karen Elson. I read about her while we were at SXSW and was drawn in by that fact that she had so many pre-conceived notions about her because she’s a high-end fashion model and she’s married to Jack White. That’s a lot to live up to. No one ever wants to believe that a model has any talent beyond starving themselves and looking forlorn, but I found her take on gothic americana deeply moving.”

New to Karen Elson? Grace suggests you start here: “Her new record The Ghost Who Walks is bone chilling from beginning to end and had me listening to it over and over again.”

About the guest author, Grace Potter: Even though Grace Potter just released her third album, she still managed to sneak on to Rolling Stone’s Best Bands of 2010 Liist. The Daily Times accurately describes her as “…Lucinda Williams fronting the Black Crowes, or Janis Joplin if she’d cut a few albums with The Band.” Their excellent new album, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals was produced by heavyweight Mark Batson who in the past has spun the dials for biggies like Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay-Z and The Dave Matthews Band. Potter and her crew also have an explosive live show, called by Jambase.com “…without a doubt one of the very best American touring acts today.” Check her site for tour dates and spy her take on a Jefferson Airplane classic here: