The worst symptom of the Coronavirus might be boredom. So it’s time to go down some of these wormholes on YouTube to get me through the social distancing.
Also, to start writing my blog again.
So I’m going to do different topics, I think mostly music related. This one will be kicked off with some various music series on YouTube that are fun to follow. To be honest, I haven’t checked in with some of these for a while.
AV Undercover
This is a fun series where top up-and-coming acts come through and cover a song from a selected list. Some of these can be really inspired.
Other times, you’re wondering what the hell you just watched.
But that’s the pure fun of this series. I haven’t been following this lately. But above is a fun cover of “Brandy, You’re a Fine Girl” from Looking Glass. Or maybe you’ll know it better from Guardians of the Galaxy II,
Below is one of my favorites from the series, which is Ted Leo and the Pharmacist covering “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” It’s just a fun rock-punk vibe to an 80s staple.
And this one might be my favorite, Nada Surf covering “Bizarre Love Triangle” from New Order. This song seems to be a favorite of a lot of people as I’ve seen numerous covers of this song. Nada Surf added some horns and a beatbox (kind of) to this song which makes it fun.
PS22 Chorus
I stumbled across this when I was looking up music from Walk The Moon, and “Anna Sun” was one of those earworms I couldn’t shake off. That’s when I discovered this performance with this chorus in New York. It’s a really good series that’s truly inspiring.
Here’s another fun video with Portugal the Man performing “Feel It Still” with the chorus.
Live from Daryl’s House
This is an amazing series that features Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates, and he brings in various acts for some amazing jam sessions. This started when I was obsessed with Fitz and the Tantrums and I was blown away when they were on.
I think this one is a real gem with Nick Lowe, covering his hit “Cruel to be Kind.”
And finally, here is Neon Tree with Daryl covering their hit “Animal.”
Let me know what your favorite music series are on YouTube and I’ll feature my favorites in a future blog. I need the inspiration during this pandemic.
Last week, it was announced on social media that the British group Wolf Gang was breaking up, which was unfortunate for me as they were one of my favorites at Coachella in 2012, which might have been one of the best of the festival from top to bottom.
Another inspiration is the release of the biopic “Straight Outta Compton,” the story of Dr. Dre and NWA. It just reminded me of the blowout rap showcase Dr. Dre put on with Snoop Dog during their headlining set in 2012 that provided the iconic moment of the festival.
Here’s a look at my top one-time wonders.
PRINCE: The purple one arguably took Coachella to another level, placing it at the top of the festival circuit when he played in 2008.
Being a child of the 80s, he was one of the biggest acts and most talented performers. And he did not let anyone down. He opened the show with Morris Day and Jerome doing a little medley of “Jungle Love” and “The Bird.” Sheila E banged on drums and sang “The Glamorous Life,” and a woman with a phenomenal voice, Ledisi, covered Sarah McLachan’s “Angel.”
And Prince was amazing.
One of the standouts from the show was covering Radiohead’s “Creep.” And he also hit the biggies like “Little Red Corvette,” and “Let’s Go Crazy,” just to name a few.
PAUL MCCARTNEY: Pretty cool to have a Beatle headline your festival.
Honestly, going in, I wasn’t that excited because I wasn’t sure how good McCartney would sound. Boy, was I surprised.
We grew up hearing those songs, but what a joy to hear them live. And the night also had it’s emotional moments, when McCartney dedicated “My Love,” to his wife Linda who passed away 11 years earlier, and two other songs to fallen Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison.
This was the year when they released the Beatles “Rock Band” video, although the announcement came afterwards. but much of the video used was also for the game, providing a nice sneak peak.
There were rumors that Harrison’s son Dhani might join Paul on stage, but that was not to be.
AMY WINEHOUSE: This was the ninth consecutive year I’ve been to Coachella, and the first one to kickoff this streak was Amy Winehouse. I went that year specifically to see her after catching her performance of “Rehab” on David Letterman. A great throwback style, fantastic voice and great performer, Winehouse did not disappoint and announced she would be a force in the music industry.
Unfortunately, this bright star burned out quickly. She was supposed to play in 2009, but Winehouse’s demons had caught up with her by then.
WOLF GANG: Carson Daly described their sound as symphonic pop and it certainly did fit Wolf Gang. I liked them so much, I went to the Troubadour in Los Angeles to catch them again six months later on their headlining tour.
Wolf Gang won me over with their song “The King and All of His Men,” a song you can’t help but start moving your feet. They were the first band to kickoff the 2012 festival, playing around noon or 1 p.m. (it escapes my memory), and I figured they would be back, playing much later in the lineup. Unfortunately, it won’t be happening.
Am I the only one to thing lead singer Max McElligott looks like Jude Law? I think these guys will go down as cult classics of the festival scene.
It’s out of focus, but here’s the video I caught of them at Coachella.
NEON TREES: It’s a shame they haven’t been back. They really exploded after their 2011 performance. And unfortunately, Neon Trees were in a tent as The Strokes and Kanye West were performing at the main stage. But it was a treat to catch them in an intimate setting and Tyler Glenn came out with one of the most tricked-out Mohawk you’ll ever see.
They shared a great story about how a few years ago, they were in the parking lot, passing out their homemade CDs and dreaming of someday playing Coachella.
The show was phenomenal. Since then, their image has been a little more bubble gum, and not as edgy as they were that night. It was really fun.
DR. DRE AND SNOOP DOG: The iconic rappers put on a showcase that included Eminem, 50 Cent and other rap royalty.
The place was hopping with Dre and Snoop. It was off the hook.
But everyone remembers hologram Tupac. It was perhaps the iconic moment of Coachella 2012. Hell, maybe the most iconic moment of Coachella.
BLACK KIDS: I missed these guys and really regretted it in 2008. I didn’t learn about them until afterwards. Their CD, “Partie Traumatic,” was a terrific CD that included the hits “I’m Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You,” and “Look At Me (When I Rock With You).”
They were an indie darling and “Rolling Stones” dubbed them a band to watch. But they haven’t done a follow up CD, although they said they started recording in 2010 and again in 2013. They did tour again in 2013, but nothing since. Hopefully they will return.
Here is their performance on David Letterman.
Did I miss any other one-time wonders that I should have included? Let me know.
Ginn & Topics 