Tonight I've been at home with a bottle of champagne, having a bit of a post-good news celebration, and listening in to Triple J's 90's House Party. Some might say this is a lame way to spend a Saturday night. I say it was FABULOUS! I love nothing more than sitting around enjoying a beverage and listening to and talking about great music. The music of the 90's was the soundtrack to my youth. I had so much fun singing along to all the tunes from my favourite decade of music (which is a big call I know, the 60's and 70's are close seconds!), blabbing about it on twitter and facebook, and reminiscing about the good old days when I was young and carefree!
Music is such a passion of mine. Not a day goes by when I don't listen to music at some point, either on the radio or from a cd (that's right, I'm old school. I'm still not sold on the music downloading phenomena!). I'm quite knowledgeable about music past and present, particularly the music I grew up with. I've always been interested in the background of the people behind the music, the inspiration behind the songs, what's new and who's who. So much so, that when anyone raises a music-related question in our vicinity, my hubby says "Ask Janelle, she'll know the answer".
And so, fuelled by champagne and the buzz of all the awesome songs I've heard tonight, I've decided to put together a mini collection of some of my favourite tracks of the 90's. Where were you in the 90's? Who were your favourite bands? What were your favourite songs, and what memories do they spark for you?
For me, the 90's spanned all of my schooling years - primary school, high school and college. I'm one of those people who loved school and still wish I could go back! I had a blast, particularly in high school. And music was always a big part of my life, as it still is today. My favourite bands were silverchair (I kept a very impressive collection of magazine clippings, signed bits and pieces, newsletters from their fanclub etc., which I still have today), Korn, Grinspoon and Everclear. Music provided a constant backdrop. My Discman (oh my god, remember those?) was always with me, as were at least 6 cd's at all times (and cassettes before that, when I had a funky red coloured Walkman!). I would listen to it on my way to and from school, during classes if I could get away with hiding the earphone cords in my long hair, in the recess and lunch breaks when I would share an earphone with a friend. And as we got older, I was always the one at parties who would have control over the cd player. I would be the primary chooser of what got played, and if you dared to change the cd before a song had finished or attempt to push your way in front of me to take over - look out!
I wish I had a photographic memory and could remember every song that I've ever loved or has ever had an impact on me. Maybe one day, someone will invent some amazing piece of technology which can easily track all of that for you! In the meantime, here is just a small sample of some of my favourite songs of the 90's, many of which are still on high rotation for me these days, and many of these bands will always remain my favourites:
Veruca Salt - Seether
In high school, my best friend and I both loved Veruca Salt so much that we would occasionally take on the two lead girls' names as aliases for ourselves. I was Louise (the brunette), and my friend was Nina (the blondie). I was so bummed that I didn't get to see them play live when they came to Canberra in the early 90's.
Cake - The Distance
Well, this song's just funky isn't it?
Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Impression That I Get
When I was in high school the MMB had scheduled a show at the ANU Bar in Canberra, and I called up my local radio station to try and win tickets to go. And I WON! As they do, they played the phone call live, in which they told me I was lucky caller number whatever and I was like "Really? Oh my God, seriously? Thank youuuuuuu!" That was an awesome live show. There were a few young kids in the audience, because it just had that kind of fun, family-friendly vibe, and midway through the show they pulled this young girl on to the stage who looked about 8 years old, to dance around to a song with them. Super.
Everclear - Heartspark Dollarsign
One of my favourite bands during the 90's. Again, I saw them play live at the ANU Bar in Canberra. They did a show with silverchair, my absolute favourite band at the time, and I think I was maybe 14 or 15 so you can imagine how squealy I was. My Dad has always had really good taste in music, in fact that's where I credit my music taste to, and he really liked Everclear so he decided to come along with my friends and I. Pretty cool.
Grinspoon - Pedestrian
Grinspoon are one of my favourite Aussie bands, and the 90's were certainly their time of glory. "Guide to Better Living" is one of the defining albums of my adolescence. This video of "Pedestrian" was filmed for the ABC's weekend music show "Recovery" (remember?) which I watched religiously every weekend, and I have fond memories of watching this particular episode. It was screened on my birthday, and on that morning I was with my closest friends at a friend's house, after she'd hosted a "surprise" slumber party for me the night before (which I had helped arrange of course). Hardcore Grinspoon fans will know that the song "Pedestrian" includes the line "Happy Birthday", so it meant the world to me to have Phil sing this live on my actual birthday, and my friends and I shouted it out loud along with him as we watched it on TV.
Custard - Apartment
Ahh Custard, their music never failed to put me in a happy mood. Reminds me of dancing around in bedrooms like a crazy person with my friends.
Frenzal Rhomb - Never Had So Much Fun
Another band I saw play at the ANU Bar (I've seen a lot of gigs there). It cost me a grand total of $13 for a ticket to see Frenzal. Those days are long gone! At this gig, I was right up in the front row of the moshpit as usual, and at one point Lyndsay McDougall (a.k.a The Doctor on Triple J) stood right on the edge of the stage with his back to the crowd. I reached out and grabbed his arse. As you do. I still have the "Never Had So Much Fun" t-shirt I bought at this gig, which proudly states on the back - "I like Frenzal Rhomb music".
Dandy Warhols - Every Day Should Be A Holiday
This is a bit ridiculous, but I had a vague recollection of seeing the Dandy Warhols play at Stonefest 2008 in Canberra, but I couldn't actually remember for certain. How sad is that! I had to check online, and yes, they did play that year so I did see them. I can partially remember singing along to tracks like this one, and "Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth". I put it down to having seen too many bands in my lifetime already, having had too much to drink that night, and my memory being shot since contracting "baby brain". I swear, no drugs were involved. I've never been that girl!
Foo Fighters - Everlong
I've saved the best one for last. For a long time I've considered Foo Fighters to be my all-time favourite band (although I didn't in the 90's, read above!), and this is one of my favourite Foo songs. And one of my favourite songs of all time. And yes, of course, I've seen them live too (only last year). Best thing ever!
And here are links to a few others that I couldn't resist throwing in:
I'd love to know if you were in love with any of these songs, and what memories they conjure up for you!
Oh wow Janelle. I'm sorry I missed it. The 90's certainly weren't a time in my childhood but it was a time when I listened to Triple J all the time and I remember all of those songs. I had the radio on Triple J all the time at work, in the car and at home. Wasn't a big fan of Silverchair but Grinspoon were my favourite at the time as was Jebediah. I'd love a compilation CD of all those songs. Everytime I watch "Willie Wonka" I think of Veruca Salt and "Seether". Great memories!
ReplyDeleteAnne xx
It was such a great time for music, especially alternative music! Of course, there was also the rise and fall of grunge too, but I didn't include any of that here for some reason, even though it had a huge impact on me. I suppose Nirvana is too obvious when you think "90's"! If you want to be taken back to that time, the Triple J Hottest 100 cd's from those years are great! Gosh, they should start paying me for all the spruiking I do on here!
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