Category Archives: Music

SANTARCHY 2020 & 2021

It’s a double dose of holiday musical oddities this year, as I plumb forgot to release the 2020 edition when it was time. So please enjoy these two new volumes!

Santarchy 2020 cover

As far as the 2020 volume goes, one surprise was finding out that Harvey Danger (the one-hit wonders who did “Flagpole Sitta” in 1997) actually made some great music and deserved a better career than they got. I really like their Christmas song here and hope you do too. I was also pleased to find a nice J-pop song by the wonderful Mariya Takeuchi as well as an unreleased Christmas jam by the English band Gene, a group I used to enjoy playing on my college radio show back in the 90s. Also, if you enjoy the Julia Mattison & Joel Waggoner ditty, I highly recommend all of the hilarious videos on their “adventcarolnder” Instagram account.

01 Santarchy 2020 intro
02 Dum Dum Girls – On Christmas (2014)
03 Scott Weiland – Happy Christmas and Many More (2011)
04 Jellies – Candy Cane Lane (2020)
05 Make Like Monkeys – Christmas Doesn’t Last (2018)
06 Seasons Greetings From Weird Al Yankovic (1987)
07 Arthur Treacher – Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1966)
08 Sheb Wooley – Santa Claus Meets The Purple People Eater (1958)
09 Julia Mattison & Joel Waggoner – Christmas Fondue (2020)
10 Harvey Danger – Sometimes You Have To Work On Christmas (Sometimes) (2004)
11 Tik Tok user slim_shitty – Crabs Intro (2021)
12 David DeBoy – Crabs for Christmas (1981)
13 Kate Nash – I Hate You This Christmas (2013)
14 Kenny Burrell – The Little Drummer Boy (1967)
15 Mariya Takeuchi – Suteki Na Holiday (2001)
16 Ice Choir w Kristin Kontrol – Last Christmas (2013)
17 The Futureheads – Christmas Was Better in the 80’s (2010)
18 Merry Christmas from Peter Capaldi & Doctor Who (2016)
19 Mary Schneider – Yodelling Jingle Bells (2017)
20 Dr. Noose – A Very Gremlin Christmas (2018)
21 Sofia – Shitty Xmas (2020)
22 Gene – Someone For Everyone (1998 unreleased Christmas song)
23 Frank Woehrle – Auld Lang Syne (1990s)

DOWNLOAD

Santarchy 2021

This 2021 volume has all kinds of fun surprises in it. More J-pop, a funky couple of tracks at the end to kick the New Year off right, an ancient Simpsons clip from their Tracey Ullman Show days, heavy metal jocularity from Megadeth, and much more. Enjoy, friends!

01 NBC Friday Night Videos Christmas Special w Whitney Houston & Pebbles (1990)
02 Fast Food Rockers – I Love Christmas (2003)
03 Laurence Made Me Cry – It’s Not You, It’s Christmas (2017)
04 Sparks – Thank God It’s Not Christmas (1974)
05 Merry Christmas from Captain Sensible (1982)
06 Kate Bush – December Will Be Magic Again (1980)
07 Tatsuro Yamashita – Christmas Eve (1983)
08 Tom Cardy – Not Quite Almost Christmas Time (2021)
09 Jim Tews & Mike Polk – Oh Christmas Ale (Tribute to Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Christmas Ale) (2009)
10 Season’s Greetings From Megadeth (1989)
11 Megadeth – Thrashing Through the Snow (2013)
12 King Diamond – No Presents for Christmas (1985)
13 Fascinating Aida – Try Not To Be a Cunt, It’s Christmas (2021)
14 Vincent LaGuardia Gambini – If It Doesn’t Snow For Christmas (1998)
15 Big Freedia – Smoked Out Santa (2020)
16 The Simpsons – The Night Before Christmas (1988)
17 Bev & Bob – Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time
18 Spike Jones & The Bell Sisters – Socko the Smallest Snowball (1952)
19 Vera Lynn – Jolly Jolly Jingle (1952)
20 Paul Winchell – Roly Poly Snowman (1960)
21 Rachel Sweet – Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day (live 1979)
22 Christmas Message from Donnie Wahlberg of NKOTB (1989)
23 Skratch Bastid – Merry Christmas & Happy New Year (2019)
24 The Black On White Affair – Auld Lang Syne (1970)

DOWNLOAD

SANTARCHY 2019

What’s a three-year gap between friends? Please enjoy this “annual” (insert laugh track here) selection of non-traditional Christmas songs, with love from me to you. As always, if you hear a song you like on here, please track it down online and pay for it. Artists need all the help they can get. Happy Holidays to one and all!

01 – Homer Rodeheaver – A Warm Welcome (1955)
02 – Groovie Ghoulies – Christmas On Mars (1992)
03 – The Buzz of Delight – Christmas (1983)
04 – The Police – Merry Christmas from Andy & Stewart (1982)
05 – Thee Mightees – Christmas Song (2018)
06 – Billy Idol – Yellin’ At the Xmas Tree (2005)
07 – REO Speedwagon – Season’s Greetings (1988)
08 – Andre Kostelanetz – Christmas Chopsticks (1972)
09 – Arcade Fire – Jingle Bell Rock (2002)
10 – Breakestra – Let the Bells Ring (2009)
11 – Fitz & the Tantrums – Santa Stole My Lady (2010)
12 – Bugle Podcast – Christmas News (2017)
13 – Susan Kay – I Won’t Let You Lick My Candy Bar (1969)
14 – Eddie Blazonczyk’s Versatones – Twinkletoes (1966)
15 – Duran Duran – Christmas Greeting (1982)
16 – Hot Dad – Christmas Pain in Christmas Town feat. Dave Pino (2019)
17 – Fred Schneider & the Superions – Fruitcake (2010)
18 – Paul F. Tompkins & Scott Aukerman – Please Don’t Joke About ‘I, Robot’ This Christmas (2016)
19 – Frankie & the Lake County Collective – I’m So Over Christmas (2018)
20 – Ozzy Osbourne – Season’s Greetings (1987)
21 – Joey Ramone – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (2002)
22 – Parry Gripp – I Wanna Guinea Pig For Christmas (2017)
23 – Aloe Blacc – I Got Your Christmas Right Here (2018)
24 – Musical Youth – Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer (1982)
25 – Wendy Rose – We Need a Little Christmas (1999)
26 – Max Headroom – Merry Christmas Santa Claus (You’re a Lovely Guy) (1986)
27 – Stompin’ Tom Connors – Kiss Me the New Year In (1970)
28 – Homer Rodeheaver – A Fond Farewell (1955)

DOWNLOAD LINK

Freak Me: Tim’s 1990s R&B Booty-Rockin’ Sex Jams

Okay y’all, here’s a hot mix for those sweaty nights full of liquor and lust. Slip off those Timberland boots and Coogi sweaters and get back to the days when R&B stood for Rubdowns and Booty…

  1. Silk – Freak Me (1992)
  2. Mark Morrison – Moan and Groan (1996)
  3. Smooth – Strawberries (1998)
  4. Montell Jordan – I Can Do That (1998)
  5. Tasha Holiday – Just The Way You Like It (feat. Ma$e) (1997)
  6. Adina Howard – Freak Like Me (1995)
  7. LL Cool J – Doin’ It (feat. LeShaun) (1995)
  8. Link – I Really Wanna Sex Your Body (1998)
  9. Keith Sweat – Nobody (feat. Athena Cage) (1996)
  10. Jodeci – Freek’n You (1995)
  11. 112 – Anywhere (1998)
  12. Ginuwine – Pony (1996)
  13. D’Angelo – Brown Sugar (1995)
  14. Maxwell – …Til The Cops Come Knockin’ (1996)
  15. Aaliyah – Hot Like Fire (Timbaland’s Groove Mix) (1996)
  16. Prince – Shhh (1995)
  17. Sylk E Fyne – Romeo and Juliet (feat. Chill) (1998)
  18. SWV – Downtown (1992)
  19. Monifah – Touch It (1998)
  20. Toni Braxton – You’re Makin Me High (1996)
  21. Men Of Vizion – Break Me Off (1999)
  22. Kreuz – Nice and Slow (1995)
  23. TLC – Red Light Special (1994)
  24. Janet Jackson – Any Time, Any Place (1993)
  25. Johnny Gill – It’s Your Body (feat. Roger Troutman) (1996)
  26. H-Town – Knockin’ Da Boots (1993).mp3
  27. Usher – Nice & Slow (1997)
  28. Next – Too Close (1997)
  29. Gina Thompson – Freak On (1996)
  30. Mary J. Blige – Sexy (feat. Jadakiss) (1999)
  31. Changing Faces – Stroke You Up (1994)
  32. Xscape – Work Me Slow (1995)
  33. Kut Klose – I Like (1995)
  34. LSG – My Body (1997)
  35. Another Level – Freak Me (1998)

CLICK TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Santarchy 2016

It’s back! Time to say a not-so-fond farewell to 2016 with my annual collection of holiday oddities. Disco, retro, beatnik power-pop for everyone.  Don you now your gay apparel and dig this track listing:

01 Seasons Greetings From Krystol
02 Mr. Little Jeans – Dear Santa (2014)
03 Anita Kerr Singers – Snowbound (1962)
04 Kylie & Danii Minogue – 100 Degrees (2015)
05 Raindolls – Disco Santa Claus (1978)
06 Sheila E. – The Belle Of St. Mark (1984)
07 Ice Choir – It’s Different Now (2014)
08 Computer Music All-Stars – O Holy Night (2015)
09 ShiSho – Get Behind Me Santa (Original Version, 2005)
10 Seasons Greetings From Weird Al Yankovic
11 Rudy Ray Moore – Merry Christmas Baby (1986)
12 Dustin the Turkey – Christmas Tree (1996)
13 Conan O’Brien – Santa’s Secrets (2016)
14 Nuclears, The – Nuclear Winter Wonderland (2011)
15 Shadowy Men On a Shadowy Planet – Faster Santa Claus, Ho Ho Ho (1988)
16 Shake Some Action! – Christmas In the Sun (2015)
17 Ryan Adams – Hey Parker It’s Christmas (2003)
18 Seasons Greetings From MC Hammer
19 Patsy Raye & the Beatniks – Beatnik’s Wish (1958)
20 Judith Owen & Harry Shearer – Christmas With the Devil (2004)
21 Saturday’s Children – Christmas Sounds (1966)
22 The Stylers – Frosty the Snowman Medley (1960s, Singapore)
23 Seasons Greetings From Lloyd Cole
24 The Gasoline Brothers – Hungover Boxing Day (2013)

DOWNLOAD!

GOD IN THE MIRROR, VOL.1: 1982-1985

God In the Mirror vol.1

A DECADE IN THE MAKING!  30 PAGES OF LINER NOTES!  The finest rock songs from 1980s cinema, guaranteed to send you straight to the gym and give you muscles of steel.

From the liner notes:

Welcome to “The God In the Mirror.”  Your first question is probably what the title refers to and that is you, my friend.  You are the god in the mirror.  Why?  Well, because the 1980s were a unique time for American cinema and this great nation in general.  For most of the decade we could feel Communist USSR breathing down our necks (or so we thought).  It’s rather quaint to recall it now, with the great Soviet bear just a memory, but there were times when nuclear annihilation seemed just around the corner.  If you go back now and examine the films, television and books of the era you see it everywhere.  Paranoia and fear were the order of the day and the American Action Movie was born anew from the womb of President Ronald Reagan.

None of the action films from the 1980s could have succeeded quite so well if it weren’t for the music.  Hard-rocking vocals near the upper limits of human hearing, squealing guitar solos, a pounding drum beat, and those lyrics…sweet Jesus, the lyrics!  The finest examples of the era (featured here) speak directly to the listener, goading him to start pummeling his problems into submission.  Eschewing proper grammar and logic in favor of testosterone, these songs have come to be known as “You Songs” by me and my friends.  They address the listener directly like a badass sermon from the pulpit of pain.  Check out the lyrics and your questions will all be answered.

Assembled here in this collection are the best of the best, a batch of headbangers meant to move you to action.  They are songs to inspire you to shrug off defeat and fight for your country, your life, and the possibly fictional American dream of being “a winner.”  Whether these are legitimate aims is for you the listener to decide.  I warn you though:  when I first started this project I was a quiet, unassuming guy with little drive and no prospects.  Now I’m an unstoppable force, crushing those who get in my way and bedding people by the score, all in the name of Me.  Hetero ladies and lesbians, gay men and my trans sistren and brethren, I encourage you to listen too!  The power exists in every one of us.  It’s up to You to use it.

TRACK LISTING:

01 – Survivor – Eye of the Tiger (1982, Rocky III)

02 – 707 –  Mega Force (1982, Megaforce)

03 – Paul Engemann – Scarface (Push It To the Limit) (1983, Scarface)

04 – Paul Engemann & Giorgio Moroder – Success (1983, Scarface)

05 – Frank Stallone – Far From Over (1983, Staying Alive)

06 – Joe ‘Bean’ Esposito – You’re the Best (Karate Kid 1984)

07 – Shooting Star – Get Ready Boy (1984, Up the Creek)

08 – Bobby Caldwell – Don’t Quit (1984, Body By Jake)

09 – Chris Thompson – The Runner (1984, The Philadelphia Experiment)

10 – Survivor – Moment of Truth (Karate Kid 1984)

11 – Joseph Williams – Firepower (1984, Body By Jake)

12 – John Cafferty – Heart’s On Fire (1985, Rocky IV)

13 – Dwight David – The Last Dragon (1985)

14 – The Power Station – Someday, Somehow, Someone’s Gotta Pay (Commando 1985)

15 – Chaz Jankel – Number One (Real Genius 1985)

16 – Derringer – Real American (1985 WWF album)

17 – Survivor – Burning Heart (Rocky IV 1985)

GET IT NOW AND GET PUMPED!

[As always, if you enjoy the music, don’t forget to support the artists.  And visit the great blog to learn more about this kind of stuff!]

 

SANTARCHY 2015

Hold on to your candy canes, true believers…this is it! My all-new, all-festive, annual compilation of Yuletide cheer…

Santarchy 2015

Guaranteed to have at least three songs you never heard in your life, or you get your download back!

DOWNLOAD NOW

Tracklist:

01 Chris Lohr – Oh My God It’s Christmas (L4D2 Remix) (2009)

02 The Shades of Love – Sho Nuff Boogie Down Sock It To Me Sleigh Ride (1979)

03 Village People – Special Christmas Message (1979)

04 And What Will Be Left Of Them – Have Yourself a Filthy Little Christmas (2005)

05 Kenn Rowell & the Baghdaddios – Christmas At C.B.G.B.s (2008)

06 Gary Owens – Christmas ad

07 Marty Marchant – E.T.’s Helping Santa (1982)

08 Nina & Frederik – Christmas Time In London Town (1966, Germany)

09 Europe – Season’s Greetings

10 Sammy Davis Jr. – A Kiss for Christmas (1962 promo single)

11 Turk Murphy & His Jazz Band – Santa Claus Blues (1954)

12 Gaz Coombes & Adam Buxton – I Believe in Father Christmas (2014)

13 The Three Stooges – Wreck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly (1959)

14 Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – Big Bulbs (2013 single version)

15 Three Day Threshold – Hot Chocolate Kisses (2008)

16 The Figgs – Christmas Sake (1995)

17 Crowded House – Season’s Greetings

18 Julian Cope – Christmas Mourning (1988)

19 Stephen Colbert & Henry Rollins – Carol Of the Bells (2015)

20 Kathy Garver – Lem, the Orphan cartier bracelets
Reindeer (1969)

21 Ray Coniff – A Special Holiday Message

22 Latch Key Kid – Christmas Everyday (2009)

23 Postcode – Black & White Xmas (2012)

24 The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing – Ebenezer’s Carol (2010)

25 Julie Brown – Christmas Minute and a Half (1980s)

26 Decoration – See You In the New Year (2012)

Wet Hot American Summer soundtrack

Wet Hot American Summer soundtrack

My friend was just talking about how there’s no official soundtrack for this fine film and it really does seem like a shame.  So I went ahead and made one!

[Not For Sale, please don’t sue, etc.]

01 Peter Salett – Wet Hot American Dream (2001)
02 Jefferson Starship – Jane (1979)
03 Coop’s Bunk Boys – Juke Box Hero (1981)
04 Foreigner – Juke Box Hero (1981)
05 Craig Wedren and Theodore Shapiro – Backwards From Three (2001)
06 Craig Wedren – Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
07 Rick Springfield – Love Is Alright Tonight (1981)
08 Loggins & Messina – Danny’s Song (1971)
09 Loverboy – Turn Me Loose (1980)
10 Kiss – Beth (1976)
11 Susie’s Drama Group – Day By Day (1981)
12 Godspell – Day By Day (1971)
13 Quarterflash – Harden My Heart (1981)
14 Craig Wedren & Theodore Shapiro – Higher & Higher (2001)
15 Loverboy – When It’s Over (1981)
16 Peter Salett – Wet Hot American Dream (end credits version) (2001)
17 Mr. Blue & Chubb Rock – Summer In America (2001)

FONDUE WITH CHEDDAR

QUIZ: 1980s Punk Song or New Wave Band?

1980s

A quiz by yours truly.

The music of the 1980s blended social awareness with raw emotion like never before, resulting in some very memorable song and band names.  Can you tell which of the following is a 1980s punk song title and which is a 1980s new wave band?

1. Weatherbox
2. Reverse Heck
3. No Sorrow
4. We Became Snakes
5. Coup D’Etat
6. Koo De Tah
7. Life’s Process
8. My Father’s Dream
9. Ack Ack Ack
10. Picnic At the Whitehouse
11. Straightline Thinking
12. Kiss the Blade
13. Riding With Mary
14. Memories Past
15. Piece de Resistance
16. This Beautiful Place
17. Classified Info
18. Roaring Boys
19. Sub-Liminal
20. Wheedle Dee
21. Serene Danker
22. No Right No Wrong
23. Kids of the Black Hole
24. Kissing the Pink
25. President Reagan Is Clever

================

ANSWERS:

1. Punk song by Mission Of Burma (1982)
2. New wave band
3. Punk song by Legal Weapon (1982)
4. Punk song by Saccharine Trust (1986)
5. Punk song by The Circle Jerks (1983)
6. New wave band
7. Punk song by Nihilistics (1983)
8. Punk song by Articles of Faith (1982)
9. Punk song by the Minutemen (1985)
10. New wave band
11. Punk song by Subhumans (1985)
12. New wave band
13. Punk song by X (1982)
14. Punk song by Government Issue (1986)
15. New wave band
16. Punk song by Flag of Democracy (1988)
17. New wave band
18. New wave band
19. Punk song by Nihilistics (1989)
20. Punk song by Articles of Faith (1985)
21. Punk song by Flag of Democracy (1985)
22. New wave band
23. Punk song by The Adolescents (1981)
24. New wave band
25. New wave band

Tim’s ‘Rock & Punk Meet Reggae’ CMP

rock & punk meet reggae

In the mid-20th century, jazz & rhythm-and-blues influenced and gave birth to many other genres.  Ska reggae and rock ‘n’ roll came into their own as they solidified a set of basic ideas in sound, look, and lyrical content.  Cross-pollination of sub-genres all over the world produced some very interesting experiments that still continue to this day.

While most popular music fans are aware of modern ska – now a hybrid of rock, punk, and a brass section – not everyone realizes the extent to which reggae and ska influenced the punk and rock scene of the 1970s and 1980s, even outside of the “2-Tone Ska” bands like Madness and The Beat.  This collection is mainly about exploring those little musical pockets and one-off singles, where rock musicians borrowed a reggae beat or guitar upstroke here, or a ska-influenced organ riff there.

There’s very little to be found here in the way of saxophone or trumpet and that’s intentional.  I had a lot of fun poking through musical history to put this together.  You may notice some missing tracks that seem like glaring omissions (“Hey, where’s Dylan’s ‘Man Gave Names To All the Animals’?”  “What about Blondie’s “The Tide Is High’?”).  That’s just personal preference; feel free to add them yourself.  That’s half the fun of homemade music collections.  They can always keep changing as the years go by.

Hope you enjoy this compilation.

—Tim H., 2014

————————————————-

01 – Paul McCartney & Wings – C Moon (1972)

02 – Led Zeppelin – D’yer Mak’er (1973)

03 – J. Geils Band – Give It To Me (1973)

04 – Patti Smith – Redondo Beach (1975)

05 – Rolling Stones – Cherry Oh Baby (1976)

06 – Elvis Costello – Watching the Detectives (1977)

07 – The Modern Lovers – Egyptian Reggae (1977)

08 – The Stranglers – Peaches (1977)

09 – Coventry Automatics, The – Wake Up (1978)

10 – 10cc – Dreadlock Holiday (1978)

11 – Members – Offshore Banking Business; Pennies In the Pound (1979)

12 – Joe Jackson – Fools In Love (1979)

13 – Killing Joke – Turn To Red (1979)

14 – Nina Hagen – African Reggae (1979)

15 – Police, The – Walking On The Moon (Live 1979)

16 – Scorpions – Is There Anybody There (1979)

17 – The Ruts – Jah War (1979)

18 – The Terrorists – Happy Man (1980)

19 – The Plugz – Electrify Me (1979)

20 – Slits, The – Man Next Door (1980)

21 – Angelic Upstarts – I Understand (1981)

22 – The Clash – Guns of Brixton (Live 1981)

23 – D.O.A. – War In the East (1982)

24 – Nick Lowe – Heart (1982)

25 – Cutting Edge – Lonesome Cowboy (1983)

26 – Spliff – Carbonara (1982)

27 – Newtown Neurotics – Newtown People (1983)

28 – David Bowie & Tina Turner – Tonight (1984)

29 – Subhumans – When The Bomb Drops (1985)

30 – Hitlist – High Treason (1986)

31 – Beats International – Dub Be Good To Me (1990)

32 – Tim Armstrong – Hold On (2007)

——————-

GRAB THEM CAKES