Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (August 25-31, 2019)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week. This week was no exception, as many new songs and music videos hit the internet in the last seven days. That was especially true for rock, jazz and pop, as we got new tracks from the likes of Liam Gallagher, Lewis Capaldi, Miles Davis, Simple Creatures and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are eight (and a few more) that we think are worth checking out this weekend.

1.       Lewis Capaldi, “Someone You Loved”: “Someone You Loved” is a down tempo, piano-driven ballad about opening your heart and getting hurt. Capaldi sings with heart and passion, so much so that you can feel his pain in the song. The video perfectly choreographs the song’s emotion as people (presumably friends) try to prevent Capaldi from trying to talk to the girl again after she hurt him. (video)

2.       The Faim, “Humans”: “Humans” is a high-energy, pop-infused rock jam that will get stuck in your head from the first notes. The song draws elements from Imagine Dragons’ and Fall Out Boy’s sounds, blending melodic verses and heavier choruses with ease. I could definitely hear this song being played on alternative radio. (video)

3.       Simple Creatures, “Thanks, I Hate It”: On the heels of their debut EP, Simple Creatures, the duo of Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus and All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth, have announced their second EP, ‘Everything Opposite,” for October 11. Along with the announcement, they released a new single, “Thanks, I Hate It.” The song is a polished piece of melodic, electronic-tinged pop-punk with excellent movement and enough catchiness to keep you coming back. I like that you can still get the buzz-y heaviness of the guitars coming through (video)

4.       Liam Gallagher, “One Of Us”: “One Of Us” takes the Britpop sound that Gallagher helped create with Oasis and lightens it up, bringing in a more wistful dreaminess to the melody. The song lyrically reads nostalgic for his younger years and almost seems like a letter to brother Noel about how things ended. This rings true even hiding the day the band broke up (28/08/09, 10 years to the day the single comes out incidentally) on a door as a little Easter egg. (video)

5.       Miles Davis, “Give It Up”: Jazz legend Miles Davis’ lost album ‘Rubberband’ is set to hit shelves in September and now we’re getting a taste of what we can hear from it. “Give It Up” is a funky instrumental track that’s fast-paced enough to be engaging for those who may not even be fans of jazz. (video)

6.       Subhumans, “99%”: UK punks Subhumans are releasing their first album in 12 years, ‘Crisis Point,’ in September and have released its latest single, “99%.” This no-frills punk track is short and to the point, embracing their brash political side with abandon. (video)

7.       The High Dials, “Employment and Enjoyment”: “Employment and Enjoyment” has a 90s alt-rock feel that mixes Beck’s eclectic style and Britpop style melody. There’s a kind of psychedelic fuzz over the whole song that contributes to that overall feel. (video)

8.       Graduating Life, “Wonderful”: It’s uncanny how much “Wonderful” sounds like a Say Anything track, right down to the vocal intonation. The trumpet in the background is a nice touch, accenting the vocals and guitars, adding to the song’s big, triumphant feel. (video)

Further Listening/Viewing:

·         Audio Karate, “Sin Cuchillo”: (video)

·         !!!, “Couldn’t Have Known”: (video)

·         Have A Nice Life, “Sea Of Worry”: (video)

·         Blink-182, “Darkside”: (video)

·         Katy Perry, “Small Talk”: (video)

·         Alessia Cara, “Okay Okay”: (video)

A lot of great new rock and pop songs and music videos hit the internet this past week. With the long Labor Day weekend ahead, check out some of our favorite new tracks above and let us know what new songs you’ve been digging in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Six Songs about Work for Your Labor Day Weekend Playlist

Labor Day is coming up this weekend. A holiday celebrating hard-working individuals and their effort and impact in creating the “American dream,” many take it as that one final blast of summer before school and work become reality once more.

Like so many other relatable topics, there has been many a song dedicated to celebrating (or scorning) the working world. Hard work is a trope used in classically Americana-type songs, especially when it comes to country music and rock. The pains and pleasures of working hard are also a popular topic, from getting paid to getting off work.

In celebration of Labor Day, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at songs about work. Whether about respecting the nine to five or being glad that it’s over, here are six tracks to soundtrack your end-of-summer barbecues.

1.       Dolly Parton, “9 To 5”: “9 To 5,” one of country legend Dolly Parton’s first big hits, is an ode to working women everywhere. Written for the film of the same name and titled for a working women’s organization, the song details the day in and day out of work life for women. From the get up and go and humdrumness of the workday to the struggles of inequality in the workplace, there is a lot of reality summed up in those nearly three minutes that it’s “enough to drive you crazy.” (video)

2.       Donna Summer, “She Works Hard for the Money”: Labor Day is all about respecting workers, whether they are in an office, building things or serving you coffee at a local watering hole. “She Works Hard for the Money” is an ode to the latter, painting a picture of a hard working waitress serving clients and trying to make ends meet. Often these pink-collar workers get overlooked and mistreated by customers, so they deserve to be “treated right.” (video)

3.       The Bangles, “Manic Monday”: Monday can be a drag coming off a fun and/or relaxing weekend. Sometimes it can be a struggle just to get to work on time. “Manic Monday” puts the pains of starting the work week into an upbeat, dreamy, danceable package that one can relate to. (video)

4.       *NSYNC, “Just Got Paid”: Who doesn’t like the feeling of just getting paid and having a little disposable income in your pocket? “Just Got Paid,” originally by Johnny Kemp, got a facelift from *NSYNC back in 2000 with even more pomp and flare for an even bigger celebration. Celebrate this Labor Day and be happy that you just got paid. (video)

5.       The Vogues, “Five O’Clock World”: Best known as one of the theme songs to the cubical-set sitcom ‘The Drew Carey Show,’ “Five O’Clock World” is an early Rock ‘N’ Roll tune extolling the hour most people get off work. The song mirrors the work day cycle: sluggish in the beginning as you get up for your job and hustle to work, then explodes at the chorus when work is over and the world seems brighter.  (video)

6.       The Offspring, “Why Don’t You Get A Job?”: It sucks to have someone leaching off of you and your hard earned money. The Offspring’s 1998 hit “Why Don’t You Get A Job?” is an anthem for anyone who’s significant other won’t work, telling them that things must change and to go get a job. (video)

Whether singing about respecting the working class, getting a job, getting paid or the joys of leaving work, work has been a popular topic in music for decades. This Labor Day weekend, celebrate the fruits of your labor by adding some of the work-themed songs above to your holiday playlist. Then, let us know some of your favorite work-themed tracks in the comments below.

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Find the music that drives your work at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles in a variety of genres to choose from. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (August 18-24, 2019)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week and this one was no exception. Especially when it came to rock and pop, there were some great new songs and music videos that hit the internet this week, including tracks from the likes of Taylor Swift, Missy Elliott, The 1975, Waterparks and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again searched the internet for the week’s hottest new songs and music videos. Here are seven (and a few more) that we think are worth checking out.

1.       Waterparks, “Dream Boy”: “Dream Boy” is a bright, upbeat pop-punk jam that is sure to bring a smile to your face. The synths and sound effects provide a new layer to the band’s already fun, bouncy sound. The video, directed by frontman Awsten Knight, is a bit rough around the edges, though its scattered-ness is kind of charming. (video)

2.       Missy Elliott, “Throw It Back”: Missy Elliott still has it. “Throw It Back,” from her surprise-released new album ‘Iconology,’ throws things back while managing to stay current at the same time. The slow melody and cadence blend in nicely with today’s hip-hop, borrowing a page from recent collaborator Lizzo. But the beat, lyricism and energy are very reminiscent of Elliott’s heyday. I love the nods to her previous songs and history just gently placed within her words that only those who listened to her in the 1990s would get. She is still in control of everything about this song and commands your attention with every word (no matter how repetitive or boastful). (video)

3.       The 1975, “People”: The first single from The 1975’s upcoming album ‘Notes On A Conditional Form,’ “People” is a hard turn from the indie-pop of ‘’A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships.’ Frontman Matt Healy (who in the video is dressed like Marilyn Manson) screams/speak-sings the song’s intense political lyrics amidst buzzy, distorted guitars and heavy bass. Together it’s an intense mix of power and emotion that grabs your attention (video)

4.       Taylor Swift, “Lover”: “Lover” is a downbeat, dreamy love song with an old-soul, country-tinged style that sounds like it could soundtrack a musty saloon basement as well as it would your dreams of romance. The colorful-ness of the video is a little more muted than in her previous ‘Lover’ singles, though the ambiance matches that of the song. (video)

5.       The Menzingers, “America (You’re Freaking Me Out)”: “America” has this melodic Americana punk vibe to it, kind of like a mix between the Gaslight Anthem and Social Distortion with harder guitars. The song was written with today’s political climate in mind and the video cements that, putting an interesting twist on what has been going on in the US with “illegal aliens.”(video)

6.       Twin Peaks, “Ferry Song”: With its 70s throwback vibe, “Ferry Song” is very easy to listen to. The laidback melody, accented by jazzy horns and atmospheric keyboards, transports you someplace simpler. (video)

7.       Lemmy Kilmister & Lynda Kay, “The Mask”: A lost song written by late Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister in 1979 and completed in 2009 was released this week. “The Mask,” a duet with country artist Lynda Kay, is far from the aggressive metal sound you would associate with Kilmister, taking on more of a Willie Nelson, outlaw vibe. He doesn’t sound out of place on the song either, instead showing the versatility of his voice and writing prowess. (video)

Further Listening:

·         The New Pornographers, “The Surprise Knock”: (video)

·         X Ambassadors, “Optimistic”: (video)

·         Bayside, “Prayers”: (video)

·         The Sidekicks, “Feed II”: (video)

This week saw the release of a lot of great new pop and rock songs and music videos. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tracks you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit the tastes of most music lovers. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Musicians Who Competed on ‘Dancing With The Stars’

The latest cast of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ has been announced, and as is to be expected, it includes a few singers amongst its celebrity ranks. Singers competing in season 28 (which starts September 16) include Fifth Harmony’s Ally Brooke, The Supremes’ Mary Wilson and ‘American Idol’ alum-turned-country superstar Lauren Alaina.

Though not always a given, musicians tend to do well on ‘Dancing With The Stars.’ There have been multiple occasions where they have risen to the final rounds and even won the entire season.

In honor of the new ‘Dancing With The Stars’ cast, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of the most memorable musicians to grace the ballroom stage. Here are seven singers / groups whose performances captivated viewers.

1.       Normani Kordei: Ally Brooke isn’t the first member of Fifth Harmony to put on her dancing shoes. Back in 2017 bandmate Normani Kordei took to the stage to compete, finishing in third place on season 24. At the time, the group was still going strong, having released their third, self-titled album just months after her appearance. Going by just her first name, Normani’s solo career is heating up now as her single featuring Sam Smith, “Dancing with a Stranger,” peaked in the top 10 this year.

2.       Drew & Nick Lachey: 98° singer Drew Lachey was an early contestant on the show, winning season two all the way back in 2006. It took his older brother and bandmate Nick 11 years to follow suit. Nick became part of the second married couple to compete against each other on the show, as he was joined by his wife Vanessa Lachey (a former MTV V-Jay), and first couple to be partnered with another married couple (dancers Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy). When Drew competed, 98° had been on hiatus for several years, but by the time Nick danced, the band was back in the swing of things with a studio album, a Christmas album and a couple of tours under their belt.

3.       Nick Carter: Surprisingly the only Backstreet Boy to compete, Nick Carter placed second in season 21. A fan favorite, he was a high-scorer from the beginning. He even performed to two of BSB’s songs. While on the show, BSB were in the midst of a comeback of sorts (though they never really left), having just gotten off an extensive world tour behind their album ‘In A World Like This.’

4.       Joey Fatone & Lance Bass: Though they participated in different seasons, the tongue-in-cheek rivalry between *NSYNC’s Joey Fatone and Lance Bass was one of the drivers during Bass’ season. Fatone came in second on season four, which meant Bass had a lot riding on his appearance. He ended up coming up at tad short, placing third on season seven. *NSYNC never managed to spark a real reunion after the show (they’ve sang together at a few one-off events), but Fatone did get some acting and hosting gigs out of the show, while Bass’ brand has never been stronger.

5.       Donny Osmond: In a season filled with musicians, teen star all-grown-up Donny Osmond came out on top for season 9, beating out Mya (2), Kelly Osbourne (3), Aaron Carter (5) and Macy Gray (15) for the mirror ball trophy. Osmond had been a fan-favorite from the beginning, especially with older viewers and his success most likely came from that fan base pushing him through.

6.       Nicole Scherzinger: Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger went for the gold on season 10, winning the whole competition. It was around this time that Scherzinger’s solo career was taking off, though she became better known for judging musicians than being one.

7.       Kellie Pickler: Lauren Alaina is also not the first ‘American Idol’ alum-turned-country superstar to hit the dance floor. Back in 2013, Kellie Pickler won season 16 of the program. At the time, Pickler was working on her fourth studio album, ‘The Woman I Am,’ releasing first single “Someone Somewhere Tonight” while still competing.

Musicians have usually done well competing on the reality dancing competition ‘Dancing With The Stars.’ Like the artists above, the show has seen several take the top or runner-up spots with memorable performances. With season 28 starting in September, time will tell how this year’s musicians fare against the other celebrities competing for the mirrorball trophy.

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Find music from these ‘Dancing With The Stars’ competitors and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

New York Events Celebrating Woodstock’s 50th Anniversary

The Woodstock Music and Arts Festival celebrates its 50^th anniversary this weekend. Originally taking place August 15-17, 1969, the historic festival summed up an era of “peace, love and music” that has continued to inspire five decades on.

Even without Woodstock 50, there are a lot of tributes happening around the New York area to celebrate the festival’s 50^th anniversary. Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of this weekend’s events ranging from concerts to movies to art exhibits. Whether you’re heading out to the original grounds or staying right here on Long Island, here are six ways you can celebrate Woodstock on this historic anniversary.

1.       Bethel Woods: Why not spend the anniversary of Woodstock at the place where it happened? The Bethel Woods Center For The Arts is celebrating all weekend long with special shows from Ringo Starr (August 16), Santana and The Doobie Brothers (August 17) and John Fogerty (August 18). If you can’t make it up this weekend, the museum’s special ‘We Are Golden: Reflections on the 50^th Anniversary of the Woodstock Festivals and Aspirations for a Peaceful Future’ exhibit goes on until December 31. That’s not to mention that it will be a whole lot easier to revel at the concert grounds post-Woodstock as security will be tight around the venue this weekend.

2.       ‘Woodstock: The Director’s Cut’: If you’re looking to see never-before-seen footage from the original Woodstock festival, Fathom Events is showing the director’s cut of the original ‘Woodstock’ film on August 15. Locations on Long Island showing the film include the Regal Westbury 12, the Regal Farmingdale 10, Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas, Regal Deer Park 16 & IMAX and the AMC Stony Brook 17, among others. A full list of New York theaters showing the film can be found on the Fathom Events website.

3.       Morrison Hotel Gallery: If you want to see some photography from the historic event, Morrison Hotel Gallery locations in New York, Los Angeles and Maui will be hosting an exhibit called “Woodstock: 3 Days That Lasted 50 Years.” Featuring works from Henry Diltz (the official Woodstock photographer), Elliott Landy, Lisa Law, Ken Regan, Amalie R. Rothschild, Rowland Scherman and Baron Wolman, the exhibit runs through August 31.

4.       Café Wha?: A staple of 60s counterculture itself and a first home to many of the acts who would go on to perform at Woodstock, Café Wha? will be doing their own tribute to the festival this Friday (August 16). JT Curtis of Let It Be and Joan Chew of Lez Zeppelin will be on hand to cover the music of the original event’s biggest draws, including Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who and more.

5.       Deepwells Farm: Those looking to head out east on Long Island can find an outdoor tribute to Woodstock at Deepwells Farm County Park in St. James this Saturday (August 17). The event runs from 2PM to 8PM (doors open at 1PM) and features tribute performances from The Janis Joplin Experience featuring Lisa Polizzi (Janis Joplin), the Kerry Kearney Band (Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane), Reckoning (the Grateful Dead) and Dear Prudence (general Woodstock favorites and the Beatles), with a special appearance from Zebra’s Randy Jackson.

6.       Jones Beach Bandshell: Over to the west, Jones Beach has their own Woodstock tributes scheduled as part of their summer concert series at the bandshell. Friday (August 16) will pay homage to The Who with a performance from tribute band Who’s Next with special guest Katie Pearlman. Then on Saturday (August 17), Willie And The Poor Boys will pay tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival and Lisa Polizzi will make her second appearance of the day in tribute to Janis Joplin.

Woodstock turns 50 this weekend and there are many ways to celebrate the momentous occasion in New York. From visiting the original location to watching archive footage from the event to outstanding tribute concerts both in the city and Long Island, there is an event for however you want to celebrate.

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Find music from Woodstock and its historic line-up right here at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (August 4-10, 2019)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week. This one was no exception as we saw a plethora of new songs and music videos hit the internet over the last seven days. It was a busy week for rock and pop in particular, as we saw new tracks from the likes of Katy Perry, Lana Del Rey, Pixies, The Darkness and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for some of the week’s hottest new songs and music videos. Here are six (and a few more) that we think are worth a listen.

1.       Maddie & Tae, “Die From A Broken Heart”: “Die From A Broken Heart” is a heartfelt, heartbreaking country tune about a bad breakup. You can hear and feel the anger in the song’s blunt lyrics as the narrator vents about this once flame. The video drives home the song’s story, with Tae taking on the starring role to tell her tale of heartbreak in the most genuine way possible. (video)

2.       Katy Perry, “Small Talk”: “Small Talk” isn’t the big, over-the-top dance pop track that Perry has come to be known for. However, it is a catchy, hummable, almost minimalist pop tune that sticks with you. Driven by a constant drum machine beat, the song’s airy instrumental melody for the most part remains low in the background and doesn’t ramp up into something bigger until the very end. (video)

3.       Tool, “Fear Inoculum”: First, Tool announced that their first album in 13 years, ‘,’ was coming out in September. Now they’ve released its first single, “Fear Inoculum.” The track is fairly quiet and atmospheric at the beginning with the instruments coming in one by one until it ramps up into the song’s main melody about two minutes in. The mood from there is intense, coming at you with the band’s signature low, rumbling bass, an almost Asian-inspired melody and metallic guitars. Maynard James Kennan’s vocal delivery is calculated, sometimes slow and always edging on creepy. In its dauntingly long 10-minutes run time the track takes you to a few different places, keeping your attention moving with the song’s every change. (video)

4.       Pixies, “Catfish Kate”: “Catfish Kate” is a catchy indie-rock track with a bouncy melody that sounds like the 1990s never died. The melody is so light and unassuming that it completely covers up the odd narrative of the lyrics, which tell a story about a girl that was dragged into a river by a giant catfish and sent to an alternate universe. (video)

5.       The Ivory, “Eat Your Heart Out”: The Ivory test out a new indie-pop-leaning sound on their new single “Eat Your Heart Out.” Going for an 80s inspired sound, the duo nailed it with the snare beat, groovy synth and fuzzy guitars. (video)

6.       The Darkness, “Rock and Roll Deserves to Die”: Part funeral dirge, part over-the-top rock frenzy, “Rock and Roll Deserves to Die” has this great juxtaposition of soft verses and loud choruses that make it a varied and interesting listen. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Grade 2, “Graveyard Island”: (video)

·         Alex the Astronaut, “I Like To Dance”: (video)

·         Mallrat, “Charlie”: (video)

·         Lana Del Rey, “Looking For America”: (video)

·         nothing,nowhere feat. Travis Barker, “destruction”: (video)

This week saw a lot of great new pop and rock songs and music videos hit the internet. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tracks you’ve been digging in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

‘The Stooges’ at 50: The Influence of Iggy Pop and The Stooges & Their Debut LP on Punk

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island's music outlet, takes a brief look at the legacy of The Stooges' and their influential debut album

Iggy Pop, October 25, 1977 at the State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN.
Taken by Michael Markos. Found on Wikimedia.

The Stooges’ self-titled debut album turned 50 on Monday (August 5). Noted as one of the very first “punk” albums, the band’s sound, as well as their on stage performances from the era, would prove influential in creating the sound and style that would become an integral part of the subculture.

When most people think of “punk,” they think of the mid-1970s, New York CBGBs scene or its counterpart happening in the UK a couple of years later, not a band out of Ann Arbor, MI. But with songs like “I Wanna Be Your Dog” and “No Fun,” The Stooges had grasped that iconic, attitude-filled sound years before the Ramones or the Sex Pistols came on the scene. Iggy Pop’s speak-sung delivery on “I Wanna Be Your Dog” backed with Ron Asheton’s loud, distorted guitar was something completely new. “No Fun” mixed this grainy textured sound with the popular psychedelic and garage-rock elements of the time.

It wasn’t just the music that intrigued people. The band’s irreverent live shows featuring a perpetually shirtless and erratically body contorting Iggy Pop as its main spectacle captured the attention of audiences looking for something different. Their shows were unpredictable, as Pop would often cut his chest and bleed on his fans, an occurrence that seems to have started after the release of their debut album and continued on.

Of course Iggy and The Stooges had their own influences, taking inspiration from fellow Michigan rockers the MC5 and pre-punk legends The Velvet Underground (whose John Cale helped produce, not to mention played on, their debut). But they did just as much influencing themselves. The Sex Pistols infamously covered “No Fun” as their final song during their on stage break-up in California in 1978. Many a punk and hardcore band took on the kind of atonal, speak-sung vocal delivery that Pop started on that first album. Fast and loud became defining sounds of the genre. There were even a number of musicians, like Sid Vicious, Henry Rollins, GG Allin and Courtney Love, that incorporated Iggy Pop’s kind of destructive on-stage behavior.

The Stooges helped set the stage for the punk rock revolution to come with their 1969 self-titled debut album. With sound that ended up predicting what was to come several years later, it can be said with confidence that the album was influential on even the main players of the punk scene. There have been many bands since the heyday of first wave punk that have kept the aesthetic alive decades later.  

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Find music from The Stooges and more influential bands at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island's top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (July 28-August 3, 2019)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week and this one was no exception. That was especially true for rock and pop, as we saw a wealth of new songs and music videos hit the internet from artists like Ariana Grande, Korn, Haim, Sleater-Kinney, Meg & Dia and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for some of the week’s hottest new songs and music videos. Here are six (and a few more) that we think will be worth checking out as you kick back in the summer sun this weekend.

1.       Half-Alive, “Ok Ok?”: “Ok Ok?” seems a little all over the place upon first listen with its thrashing guitar opening, soft, unassuming verses and over the top choruses. But it’s those big, airy choruses that really make it memorable. There’s this elated, soaring feeling you get from those operatic group vocals, a high which ends up staying until nearly the end, at which point the final, soft vocal of the verses returns to bring you back down to the ground. (video)

2.       John 5 and The Creatures, “I Want It All”: “I Want It All” doesn’t need a ton of lyrics for it to rock hard. A combination of Daft Punk electronics and metal griminess, the mostly instrumental track uses John 5’s distorted vocal repetition of the title phrase as another instrument in the mix alongside his distorted and noodle-y guitar riffs. The video gives a sense of cultural critique to the song, showing John 5 playing guitar in various positions and video clips as ladies at a pool party just stare at their phones. (video)

3.       Meg & Dia, “American Spirit”: After nearly seven years apart, sister duo Meg & Dia reunited in July, surprise-releasing their fifth studio album, ‘happysad,’ last week. Earlier this week they released a video for single “American Spirit,” a dreamy pop song with an upbeat vibe and existential lyrics. Meg & Dia work together as if no time has passed.  The video is also very creative, putting the sisters into a sci-fi-like scenario where the robot directing their video malfunctions and turns deadly. (video)

4.       Lagwagon, “Bubble”: “Bubble” kicks off fast and loud with pounding drums and intense guitar shredding. The song doesn’t let up either, holding that energy for nearly three-and-a-half minutes. (video)

5.       Sleater-Kinney, “Can I Go On”: “Can I Go On” is a semi-upbeat track with a dark air about it. Written about a women grappling with her inner frustrations and how society wants her to act, the song speaks volumes with tunnel-y, distorted vocals and a melody that feels like a deep-seeded anger is bubbling under ready to explode. (video)

6.       Haim, “Summer Girl”: Slow and slinky, “Summer Girl” isn’t pop-y like the songs on their previous album. There is a certain jazzy, riffing quality to the vocal and instrumental melodies. The saxophone line adds to that feel, giving it an even sultrier undertone. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Sheppard, “Kiss My Fat Ass”: (video)

·         Ra Ra Riot, “Belladonna”: (video)

·         The Kinks / Arthur And The Emigrants feat. Ray Davies, “The Future’s Coming”: (video)

·         Have Mercy, “Heartbeat”: (video)

·         Lauv feat. Anne-Marie, “F***, I’m Lonely”: (video)

This week saw a lot of great new pop and rock songs and music videos hit the internet. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new songs you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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