"They are always different, they are always the same."
As the fall Ponderosa Stomp lineup comes out, we revisit some unsung heroes and cult classics of the garage rock scene.
This week's soundtrack remembers protopunk and the early garage sound, from LA to the UK, and soon to be found on The Ponderosa Stomp stage.
1. “Rolling in the Deep” - Jake Shimabukuro: Virtuoso ukulele musician and composer from Honolulu, coming to House of Blues Friday. A clip of Shimabukuro playing “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in Central Park was one of the first You Tube videos to go viral, all the way back in '06.
2. “Freak When I'm Dead” -King Tuff: From a recently re-released 2008 cult album Was Dead, this Vermont modern garage rocker is now on Sub Pop Records and topping the CMJ charts.
3. “I'm a No Count” - Ty Wagner: The definitive single from one of the godfathers of garage or protopunk in the mid-'60s, Wagner plays New Orleans' Ponderosa Stomp this October. The Stomp is an annual festival to celebrate "the unsung heroes of American music," featuring some garage rock icons this year.
4. “Riot on Sunset Strip” - The Standells: Also playing Ponderosa Stomp, this Los Angeles '60s garage rock band recorded this song as the title track for cult classic movie of the same name. They're also widely known in Boston for the use of their song “Dirty Water,” which has become the victory anthem for the Red Sox.
5. “Black is the New Black” - Bipolaroid: This local psychedelic garage band plays Siberia Thursday.
6. “Psykick Dancehall” - The Fall:The great punk contrarians, never having given up, broken up, or had reunions. Led by Mark E. Smith since the mid-'70s, they just released their thirtieth studio album Re-Mit in May. John Peel, a BBC DJ and producer, who referred to The Fall as his favorite band, once summarized their impact: “they are always different, they are always the same.” This is a classic from a hits collection, 13 Killers.
7. “Symphony of the Nymph” - Ariel Pink's Haunted Grafitti: Touring 2012's Mature Themes record, they play Tipitina's Saturday.
8. “Too Jung” - The Popinjays: Britpop from their 1992 release Flying Down to Mono Valley
9. “Troublemaker” - Camera Obscura: New music from Scottish indie pop group, Desire Lines, who have also received the attentions of Peel over the years.
10. “In The Light” - Shana Falana: Debut EP from this Brooklyn-based experimental dream pop band, playing Siberia Tuesday.
11. “Moonsea” - Phildel: UK artist whose name is a mash-up of her Chinese father (Phillip) and her Irish mother (Della). Phildel's music has been cited at sonic inspiration for the author of the True Blood graphic novel series, Mariah Huehner. The Disappearance of the Girl is the newest release, and feels at home in the sultry Louisiana landscape that frames the series.
12. “Lights” - Victoria Williams: Originally from Opelousas, her music similairly describes a time and place, from her record Happy Come Home.
13. “Bloody Mary” - Barrence Whitfield and The Savages: More Ponderosa Stomp alumni. A new album out featuring a reunion with the original guitar player from their '85 breakout record, Peter Greenberg of The Lyres, Dig Thy Savage Soul comes out this summer.
14. “I Sat by the Ocean” - Queens of the Stone Age: New music out from California desert rock group, ...Like Clockwork, on Matador Records.
15. “Dying Breed” - Slam Dunk: Canadian indie rock that describes themselves as “E Street Band on Crack,” and has opened for the likes of Les Savy Fav and The Japandroids. Playing the Circle Bar Tuesday.
16. “Come On, Illinois” - Houndmouth: From the debut album out by this Indiana Americana band, From the Hills Below the City.
17. “Lover of the Light" Live from Red Rocks - Mumford and Sons: British folk rock band, playing a sold out show at Mardi Gras World Thursday.
18. “Heavy Map” - Weatherbox: San Diego indie rock group, played the Circle Bar on Sunday.
19. “We Disappear” - Jon Hopkins: UK electronic music composer, known for his collaborations with Brian Eno, and his work on the Monsters soundtrack. Immunity comes out this month on Domino Records.
