Once owned on compact disc (ripped if I remember correctly), I was rather pleased when Epitaph Records released a transparent orange vinyl version of the Dropkick Murphy’s second album (and in my option BEST), The Gang’s All Here. 500 copies of this color were released in 2010, some 11 years after the original release, and upon quick digging, there appears to be a red vinyl version limited to 600 pressings. Though they fall under the pop-punk umbrella, the Dropkick Murphy’s were a refreshing, big-band take at the pop-punk soundscape during the late 1990’s, and The Gang’s All Here stuck out like a much-needed and bloody sore thumb. More nostalgia than casual spinning these days, this record still sparks joy. (Yes, we’ve been Marie’d…)
Category Archives: 1999
Grand Royal Addition
Rare are the days, these days, when I stumble across a Grand Royal Records release for under $2 that I don’t already have in the collection. Such was the case with GR063 and DJ Strictnine and Paranorm’s The Blow Up Factor contribution from 1999 titled, Mic Reaction. Included is the raging title track, its instrumental sibling, in addition to three other off-the-hook hip hop explosions (there were hooks? I didn’t see any hooks…). Anyway, one simply doesn’t pass up a Blow Up Factor release. If you own one, you know exactly what I’m talking about. All that’s left to complete the set is 2000’s Vol. 4 by The Prunes featuring Freestyle, the final of four in the coveted series. The label would be defunct a year later, finally closing its bankrupt doors in 2001.
Fatty Music
Fat Wreck Chords’ Fat Music Vol. IV: Life in the Fat Lane was released back in April of 1999 and contains some classic, pop-punk tracks from seminal Fat Wreck mainstays. Lagwagon’s May 16 to start it off, Road Rash by Mad Caddies, and San Dimas High School Football Rules by Indiana’s The Ataris. Presented here is a detailed insert featuring all the information one would need to get to know any and everyone one of the artists on this fun and playful compilation. Sometimes, information just simply laid out in black and white is the most effective and viable option.
Worth the Hype?
Hype stickers rarely lie, at least, that’s my humble opinion on the matter. So what surprises me about this Dust Brothers promo of Fight Club Re-Mixes is the blinding, and ridiculously cheap asking price for near mint copies. Keep in mind that this 6-track 12″ is pressed on red vinyl (for those of you into such things.) But $6 for six Dust Brothers remixes of Dust Brothers songs, that seems asinine to me. Anyway, it’s (clearly) a must have, and can be nabbed for cheaper than a Taco Tuesday lunch.
Jaxx
I know little-to-nothing about the debut album by Basement Jaxx, 1999’s Remedy. The bulk of my knowledge of this electro-house duo comes from the 13-tracks on their sophomore effort, 2001’s Rooty. Never one to pass up on a great deal, I was surprised to see this double LP in VG+ shape listed for only $5. She just arrived, which means I know what our Tuesday night entails.
Sofa King Cool
Sofa King Cool not only perfectly sums up the late 1990’s with its outlandish play on words and Teletubbies-inspired cover art, it also marks the third studio release (of four) by Santa Rosa skate punks, Diesel Boy. Not much has come from the band after their 2001 effort, Rode Hard and Put Away Wet, and then they unofficially split, playing their last show in 2002 (some 16 years ago!). There were rumors of a new album around the 2010 – 2011 mark, but nothing has come to fruition. My 19-year-old self misses these guys, but their studio offerings speak for themselves.
Lesson #2
Rock N’ Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This).
Spoon
Available on vinyl for the first time (or so the hype sticker says), Ministry’s disappointing, yet essential 1999 industrial-metal album, Dark Side of the Spoon recently received (2015) the Music on Vinyl treatment… which mainly means it 1) was pressed on 180 gram audiophile vinyl, and 2) was released on vinyl at all. Essential for rounding out one’s Ministry vinyl collection, I implore you to mosey on over to Amazon.com and pick one up. Please ignore the goofball in the album cover’s reflection. Glossy covers are this photographer’s nightmare.
Life in the Fat Lane
Life in the Fat Lane, Fat Music Vol. 4 was my first introduction to The Ataris, and their late 90s summer classic, San Dimas High School Football Rules. They must have fallen into obscurity after that, as that was my only exposure to this crazy pop punk band. A quick Discogs check indicates that The Ataris, in fact, did NOT fall into obscurity as they put out a new, self-released album just last year. LitFL also houses Lagwagon’s May 16, Me First & the Gimme Gimmes’ My Favorite Things, and Tilt’s Old School Pig, all of which were late 90s personal classics. Anyway, enjoy your hump day, kids!Hopeless
“I’m a hopeless romantic. You’re just hopeless.”
Delorean
$16 shipped?! Are you kidding me?! RFTC split 7” w/ The Hellacopters from Gearhead Mag issue #10 back in ’99?! I mean, k’mon now, people! That’s a great fuggin’ deal (ebay)! Needless to say, I’m one notch closer on the RFTC belt, and a bit (overly) excited about this one…
The Prudent Groove 