My Secret Playlist withScreamfeeder

Tue 9th Jun, 2009 in Features

Brisbane-based – œ90s indie-rock legends Screamfeeder have embarked on a national tour, playing hits from their 1996 classic album, Kitten Licks. To celebrate, they’re re-releasing their breakthrough album with a bonus disc of six rare b-sides.

Thin Lizzy – Running Back
The secret pop hit hidden on the band’s late – œ70s opus Jailbreak. This song cannot be played once, it must be on repeat for at least a few hours. Phil’s vocals are gorgeous, and touching, and sweet. The last verse is all “nah nah nah nah nahs” and by then no more words are needed, pure gold.

Vitreous Humour – Why Are You So Mean To Me?
Later covered by Nada Surf, the original of this – œ90s indie rock noise-up is by far the superior version. Bottom heavy guitars, squawky vocals, and tempos going up and down like a yoyo, it totally distills the essence of – œ90s punk rock into three minutes and 41 seconds. It makes me wanna get drunk and jump up and down. I shouldn’t drive whilst listening to this song.

The Foo Fighters – Everlong
How can a band featuring the ex-Nirvana drummer and with half a dozen or so albums out, only have one good song? Beats me, but this is a total corker.

The Hold Steady – Sweet Payne
Everyone knows I think The Hold Steady fuckin’ rule, so it’s no surprise they are listed here. This is the second last song on their debut, Almost Killed Me. What a classic. It sounds so effortless, like they dashed it off after the session was over. But it sums up their whole thing: sad stories, rocking tunes, a couple of cans, couple of high fives. Yeah, who needs any more than that?

Deus – Popular Culture
Deus are Belgium’s best kept secret, and one of the world’s greatest bands from the last decade and a half. They make me want to give up, they are so good. They also make you say – œdamn, I need to live in Europe, get me some culture’. They should all get jobs at the Belgium Consulate.

Richmond Fontaine – Moving Back Home #1
These guys are incredible: such everyday stories, and no fluff. The song ends when the story ends, no time for rocking out. No need for rhyming or complex melodies. The stories are bleeding and sore and tired and hurting and I don’t want them any other way.

Brazilian Girls – Good Time
Probably an uber trendy underground party hit. I wouldn’t know. It’s kinda disco-y and poppy and fun and bouncy and lo-fi and reminds me of Muscles, who I also love. Effortless, again, and pretty damn perfect. I wanna see Barack Obama singing it on YouTube.

Inner City Unit – Bones of Elvis
Inner City Unit were formed by Nik Turner from Hawkwind in the early 80s. Very weird band, but kinda punky in a no-mucking-around kinda way. This is their big – œhit’, if you can call it that. The guitars sound like shit — in a good way — and the choruses are a bunch of yobs chanting: – œwe’re gonna raise the bones of Elvis!’ It goes on to bayonet everything sacred surrounding the mythology of the King – as expected of a good punk rock song of the era.

For more Secret Playlists from your favourite bands, visit www.mysecretplaylist.com

Words by Tim Steward and Zolton Zavos