Waxing Nostalgic

Jul
30

Me Unchained: Beat Happening, The US Navy, And Me

Posted in Waxing Nostalgic |

By Emily C.

Some personal history: at the age of 19, I joined the United States Navy. The reason why I joined the military was ostensibly to get money for college. After many struggles (too many to mention, or else this article would be at least 100 pages long), I went to my first (and only) ship, the USS George Washington, CVN 73, in January 1999. I was one of the only women in my department at the time, and certain higher-ups (chiefs and officers) made it abundantly clear that my 100-pound frame would not make it in the US Navy. I was terrified.
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May
30

Before They Were Big: Gwar, Pop Will Eat Itself, Oingo Boingo

Posted in Waxing Nostalgic |

By Christian Lipski

“Before They Were Big” could also be seen as “Before They Sold Out,” or “Before They Got Good,” depending on your point of view. What I really mean is that these albums are from the artists’ earlier days, before what would become their more popular period. In my own personal opinion, these particular records are some of my favorites from the artists. While I don’t begrudge any band the opportunity to become successful and evolve one’s style, I do like having their earlier stuff around.
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May
30

After They Split: Limahl, Don’t Suppose and Kaja, Extra Play

Posted in Waxing Nostalgic |

By Less Lee Moore

I received Kajagoogoo’s White Feathers at my 13th birthday party. I’d asked for it on cassette because my family and I were going to Disneyworld the next day and I wanted to be able to listen to it on my Walkman. (Ah, the pre-digital age when you had to have blank tapes handy and couldn’t just rip a CD to your hard drive and then transfer it to your MP3 player.)
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Mar
30

The Cramps, Smell Of Female

Posted in He Had Good Taste, Music, Waxing Nostalgic |

By Christian Lipski

“Ladies and Gentlemen, live from the Peppermint Lounge, The Cramps”
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Mar
30

Albums In Decline: T.Rex, Iggy Pop, The Ramones

Posted in Waxing Nostalgic |

By Christian Lipski

There comes a time in every band’s life when they release the album that represents their commercial and/or critical peak. And then there are the albums that come out after that. Perhaps on their own, the later albums would be popular and appreciated in their own right, but when compared to the more well-known works, they tend to fall short in most fans’ minds. They get passed up in retrospectives if not mocked outright, and they’re rarely on the list to be re-released. But there’s always something to love about them, especially if you bought them new.
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Jan
30

Adam Ant, Strip

Posted in Music, Waxing Nostalgic |

By Less Lee Moore

In 1983, having just experienced Adam Ant performing live to support Friend Or Foe (my very first concert!), I was a certified fan. I loved the videos for “Strip” and “Puss’n Boots” and was psyched for the upcoming Strip album.
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Jan
30

There’s A First Time For Everything: David Bowie, Stryper, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Robyn Hitchcock

Posted in Music, Waxing Nostalgic |

By Christian Lipski

pulp dyrtft

Beginnings are a very delicate time. No matter how rabid or deep your fandom may be now, at some point there was a first experience, an introduction at a time when you weren’t sure that you were going to like whatever it was. If you do end up loving that artist, the first work always holds a special place in your heart, even if it’s not the “best” effort from that artist. I think it’s interesting to know how a fan was introduced to the object of his or her obsession, to see the foundation of a lifelong love. Interesting, too, to see the introduction to a failed obsession, when that first work didn’t blossom into more, but still remains important. Here is a selection of albums that were my first from the artists, some of which became the first in a long line of acquisitions, and some which did not.
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Jan
30

Japan, Quiet Life

Posted in Music, Waxing Nostalgic |

By Less Lee Moore

Duran Duran have often been accused of shamelessly plagiarizing from Japan, via their sound as well as Nick Rhodes’ makeup sensibilities. Both accusations are true; however, the Fab Five at least had the good sense and manners to acknowledge the influence of Japan on their own music.
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Jan
30

Beastie Boys, Paul’s Boutique

Posted in Music, Waxing Nostalgic |

By Laura L.

Although the Beastie Boys released Paul’s Boutique in 1989, I was too busy gushing over Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block to even notice. Like most eight-year-olds at that time, my taste in music wasn’t all that hot. Thus, I did not listen to anything considered “edgy” or even “cool.” However, as I got older, I started to listen to the Beastie Boys and grew to appreciate their lyrical delivery and New Yorker commentary (much, much better than a commentary from The New Yorker, believe me). Finally, during my freshman year of college, I went on a music-shopping spree and bought a used copy of Paul’s Boutique. It has been a solid part of my record (CD?) collection ever since.
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Jan
30

Love And Rockets, Express

Posted in Music, Waxing Nostalgic |

By Less Lee Moore

Every Mardi Gras, the suburban kids in Metairie, Louisiana would congregate in the 7-11 parking lot on the corner of Bonnabel and Veterans Boulevard to “watch the parades.” It was mostly an excuse to escape the watchful eyes of parents and hang out with fellow miscreants and misfits. For many, it was a way to smoke dope or huff amyl nitrate. But for me, it was a way to rub shoulders with the only new wave and punk rock kids I could find.
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