Tag: Playlist

All Work and No Playlist: Fitz & the Tantrums drummer John Wicks’ favorite songs of the moment

June 8, 2012 /

Q: What do you call a guy who hangs around with musicians?
A: A drummer.

One of our college advisers told us that joke. He was a tool. He’s also dead wrong.

All great bands have great drummers (yes, that includes Ringo), and we suspect that John Wicks (far left), drummer for Motown revivalists Fitz & the Tantrums, would agree, if we could get him to stop shaking his ass. In the middle of a summer tour where they are headlining shows as well as supporting Dave Matthews Band, Blues Traveler and Ben Harper – with a Tony Hoffer-produced sophomore album set to drop in October – Wicks took a few minutes out of his super-busy schedule to accept our invitation to list the 10 songs he wishes he had written. Knowing that this is the sort of thing that can descend into hipster elitism in a heartbeat, Wicks decides to turn the question on its head, and gives us 10 songs from right now. Well played, sir.

So whenever I get asked to do any sort of top 10 favorite records or top tunes, everyone expects me to come up with these hidden deep cuts from my record crates. I usually do just that. But truth be told, I am a pop fanatic. I LOVE great, modern day cheesy, sugary, infectious, danceable pop music! So here are the top 10 tunes I wish I wrote within the last couple of years, and they are the songs I will be secretly listening to in my tour bus bunk starting tonight. Hope to see you all out at a FATT show near you!

“Big Mouth,” Santigold

Santigold’s Coachella time slot was right before us. She played a lot of her previous record in her set, which I love, but when she premiered this song, it just knocked me out. Her new album was not due out for a week or two, and the wait was just killing me. The whole record is great, and she has the best smile in the biz.

“Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5

My twin 3-year-old daughters absolutely freak over this song, and admittedly so do I. I’m obsessed with anything Benny Blanco, Dr. Luke, and/or Max Martin produce. This song and “The Voice” brought Maroon 5 back into the limelight. They gave Fitz & the Tantrums a huge break, taking us out on tour with them in ’09. Awesome guys, and drummer Matt Flynn has become a dear friend.

“Pon De Floor,” Major Lazer

Man, Diplo and Switch can do no wrong in my eyes. Whenever I do DJ sets, this song always gets dropped in there somewhere.

“Fuck U Betta,” Neon Hitch

This chick is rad, and has a crazy back story. Again, produced by Benny Blanco. Can NOT get this song out of my head. Also one of the sexiest videos ever.

“Nightcall,” Kavinsky featuring Lovefoxxx

I’ve seen the movie “Drive,” five times! I’m an ’80s fanatic and when the movie opens with this song, the ’80s synth sounds and drum machines just slay me. I’m also a huge fan of CSS (Lovefoxxx’s band), so this song is just a win/win for me.

“Kilo,” Bonde Do Role

Another Brazilian band I love. I wish I wrote this song and every party classic this band comes out with! But I DID play drums on it! That’s me in the background on drums and finger cymbals. I recorded the drums in my garage, and had a blast. Produced by Diplo. Also one of the sexiest recent videos out there. Fruit porn!

“Groove is in the Heart,” Deee Lite

Okay, so this song came out in 1990, but it still sounds up to date. Deee Lite made me realize the power of a dance classic! No matter where or when this song gets played, everyone gets happy and wants to party. I strive to someday write a song that is this timeless and spreads such great vibes.

“Genesis,” Justice

Whenever the intro to this song begins, my daughters scream “Here come the monsters!” Love this tune.

“Domino,” Jessie J.

Another Dr. Luke pop masterpiece. This girl can SING! It sounds like her voice is so powerful that she may just blow out the speakers.

“Wild Ones,” Flo Rida featuring Sia

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Sia at an animal adoption charity event we were both working at, and I can tell you she is one of the sweetest, most down to earth people you could ever meet. During the hook of this song, there’s a slight raspy break in her voice when she sings “Ooooooh.” It’s the sexiest sound ever. Slays me every time.

Rock it…
John M. Wicks

Music, Videos

Jacks Mannequin

All Work and No Playlist: Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin

October 18, 2011 /

Jacks Mannequin

(*Spoken as Jimmy Fallon doing wacky FM DJ*) And we’re back! Actually, we were planning on being back a few weeks ago, but Andrew McMahon, lead singer and songwriter of Jack’s Mannequin, is a tough guy to pin down. Turn your back on him for a second, and he’s peeled off in his tour bus to do another four months of dates. We caught his final show with Guster last month, and it was a blast, especially when the two teamed up for a cover of Peter Bjorn and John’s “Young Folks.”

The Mannequin’s third album, People and Things, was released last week, and when McMahon finally decided to sit down and rest for a second, we were quick to strike: Tell us the 10 songs rocking your world at the moment, or your piano bites it. Surprisingly, there is little piano to be found here, but there are lots of happy techno beats. Rave on, rave on.

“Safe and Sound,” Capital Cities

A great tune in the indie/techno vein.

“Our Hearts Are Wrong,” Jessica Lea Mayfield

“The only time I miss you is every single day.” That says it all.

“Heartbeats,” Jose Gonzales

Hypnotizing guitars and vocals on this sad jam.

“I Think It’s Going to Rain Today,” Randy Newman

Randy’s not normally my jam, but this is a haunting song.

“Wonderful The Way I Feel,” My Morning Jacket

Damn, this dude can sing and the lyric on this tune is genius.

“The Day Is Coming,” My Morning Jacket

Killer groove and production on this track.

“Holocene,” Bon Iver

A truly beautiful piece of music.

“Patience Gets Us Nowhere Fast,” Capital Cities

So true.

“Go Outside,” The Cults

The song does the title justice, it makes me want to go party in the sunshine.

“Young Blood,” The Naked and Famous

Reminds me of the “Breakfast Club” soundtrack, and that’s hard to argue with.

Music

All Work and No Playlist: Taking Back Sunday drummer Mark O’Connell’s favorite songs

June 20, 2011 /

Welcome to another installment of All Work and No Playlist. This week’s victim (we really do feel bad stealing all these iPods) is Taking Back Sunday drummer Mark O’Connell (far left, kneeling, in photo below), whose band has reformed with the lineup from their Tell All Your Friends days and will release a new self-titled album June 28. Says Mark: “We couldn’t be more excited about it.” Perhaps these 10 songs will provide some insight into the sound of the new record. Or perhaps not. He did put a Billy Joel song on here, after all, and we don’t see the band making the next “Tell Her About It” anytime soon.

“Battery,” Metallica

I remember the first time I heard this song, I couldn’t believe what was happening. I had no idea music like that existed. They are the pioneers of thrash metal.

“The Downeaster – Alexa,” Billy Joel

I am from Long Island — Billy Joel is from Long Island. He has Long Island pride — I also have long island pride. I want to meet that guy so badly, it hurts.

“Choices Made,” CIV

This reminds me of when I was in high school, and I was constantly pissed off at my mom. Every time I listened to this, I had that ‘Fuck you mom, I’m gonna do whatever I want to’ mentality.

“Long as I Can See the Light,” Creedence Clearwater Revival

This is the perfect ‘sit on the porch while the stars are shining’ kind of song. It reminds me of my dad, because he loves Creedence Clearwater Revival, and because of him, so do I.

“Forever,” Dropkick Murphys

This song makes me think of people that were close to me who died. Even though no one close to me has ever died. But when they do, I’ll definitely listen to this song. It makes me cry.

“J.A.R.,” Green Day

This song came out on the “Angus” soundtrack. I loved that movie and Green Day so much, and still love them to this day. It kind of hits close to home, because the kid was fat, just like how I was…

“The Science of Myth,” Screeching Weasel

Ben Weasel is an idol to me. It kind of bummed me out when he punched two girls in their faces (Ed. Note: Yikes), but the lyrics and music to this song are unbelievable.

“Reach for the Sky,” Social Distortion

It kind of sounds corny, but anytime I feel shitty or down, I put this fucker on, and reminds me to stop being such a pussy, and live life to the fullest.

“My Name is Jonas,” Weezer

I was on my way to visit my brother at Scranton University when I convinced my parents to buy this album for me. When this song came on, I was instantly in love. It reminds me when I started rebelling at 13.

“I Won’t Back Down,” Tom Petty

The album, Full Moon Fever, came out when I was eight years old. I’ve loved Tom Petty ever since. I’ve dealt with a lot of bullshit in my life, just like everybody else, and this is one of those songs that helps me get through to this day. Thank you, Thomas.

Music, Videos

All Work and No Playlist: Hey Champ singer Saam Hagshenas’s favorite songs

May 26, 2011 /

Welcome to a new piece here at the Bullz-Eye blog, where we ask musicians to tell us which songs get their mojo risin’, as it were. Our inaugural subject is Saam Hagshenas, lead singer and guitarist of Chicago synth-rock trio Hey Champ, whose 2010 album Star is still in heavy rotation at BE headquarters and whose new EP Anything at All hit digital shelves earlier this month. It might not surprise you to hear that some Chicago house made the cut, but so did Led Zeppelin. Dude’s got diverse tastes, to be sure.

“Inspiration Information,” Shuggie Otis

Not only does it illustrate Shuggie’s amazing knack for songwriting, but it also seamlessly blends funk, soul, and psychedelic. Not to mention the guy went and pulled a Stevie Wonder, recording basically all the instruments himself while still a teenager.

“Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” Led Zeppelin

This track is just so damn raw. If anyone ever disagrees with the absolute fact that this band is the Godfather of heavy metal and hard rock, make ’em check this one out. Bonham’s thunderous drumming, the precision in Page’s and Jones’ musicianship, and Plant’s ridiculous range and blues-rock crooning make this a definite favorite.

“Can You Feel It,” Mr. Fingers

The bass line is so hypnotic, the chords so lush, and the drums so thumping. It’s a track that makes you feel as if you are in the sweatiest club all drugged out, giddy, and dancing your arse off.

“Can’t Get No Sleep (MK Mix),” Masters at Work

First heard this track on the “Resident Adviser” mix by Scott Grooves and keep coming back to it. Classic early ’90s house that still sounds incredibly fresh today!

“Waiting for the Band,” Nicky Hopkins

Nicky Hopkins was best known (“best known” being a relative term) as the studio keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Kinks, et al. He also made a few undeniably gorgeous songs of his own on his album The Tin Man Was a Dreamer, including this one.

“Video,” Jeff Lynne

Somewhere between putting the brakes on ELO and joining the Travelling Wilburys, Jeff Lynne found time to record this weird doo-wop-meets-synth-pop gem for the “Electric Dreams” soundtrack. We love you, Jeff.

“Melody,” Serge Gainsbourg

This song is all mood and sex; an incredible example of music that creates a tapestry and is so much more than just melodies and a beat. After listening to this, go have a listen to Beck’s “Paper Tiger” to see how much influence Serge yielded on modern music.

“Spacelullabye,” The Universe

While its thematic parallels to Bowie’s “Space Oddity” are obvious, this is a truly beautiful little tune that has one of those melodies you feel you’ve known your whole life. This is from a little side project from Architecture in Helsinki’s Gus Franklin.

“Reach Out (I’ll Be There),” The Four Tops

There was a sort of beautiful pain and desperation in the Four Tops’ music; the result, no doubt, of well placed minor chords and Levi Stubbs’ almost tortured delivery.

“Something in 4/4 Time,” Daryl Hall

We could go ahead and put on “Kiss on My List” on our list but everyone knows that one, and more importantly, this track came first!

Music

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