This week, we’re expanding out from Nashville and exploring our favorite bands from the places we grew up. We’ve got hometowns all over the map; Texas, California, and even Franklin. You might be surprised to hear where some of these great picks hail from.
Ashley’s Pick- The Cars “Bye Bye Love”
My hometown hero pick is “Bye Bye Love” by The Cars. Their self-titled 1978 debut album practically went platinum in my dad’s car when I was a kid. Being from Boston, there’s something special about listening to music from a time that I never experienced in the city. The Cars give me a peek (even if glamorized) into the now-extinct Boston music scene from the 70s and 80s. And from the sound of it, what a time to be a Bostonian! The Cars’s formative pair Ben Orr and Ric Ocasek had all the right sh-tuff for fame to land in their laps, but it wasn’t until guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes joined that the band really flourished. It began small, where radio stations in Boston (like Lightning!) played The Cars’ demos even before their debut released. This stirred up lots of local buzz and set them up for global success the minute their record hit stores. Ocasek and Orr had a real ear for unique, compelling song form. “Just What I Needed”, one of their biggest hits, is a prime example of this. Somehow, they were able to follow pop patterns yet break through the noise by taking big dynamic and rhythmic risks that paid off. My pick “Bye Bye Love” wasn’t the hit from their debut record, but I think it does a great job at showcasing each band members’ stark individuality so early in their career.
This track has all the elements to a great new wave song, like a quirky frontman and super danceable melody. Yet, The Cars lean more heavily on classic rock structures, forging a brand-new sound for the time of its release. It opens up with an excellent recurring guitar riff from Easton, followed by Orr’s commanding vocals and tricked-out bass line. The track is actually stuffed with killer melodies, whether in the synthesizer or lead vocal. Though co-leader Ric Ocasek’s rhythmic guitar pattern and chord structure isn’t necessarily novel, his turns of musical phrase are intentional and driven, a staple of his musical ability. Ocasek’s quirky songwriting style also shines in the track, my favorite line being, “It’s such a wavy midnight / And you slip into insane / Electric angel rock and roller / I hear what you’re playin'”. Later, a gnarly Mini-Korg synthesizer solo arrives out-of-the-blue from Greg Hawkes. The album’s producer Roy Thomas Baker had a cohesive vision for the sound that would represent The Cars forever. It’s mechanical, provocative, and full of slapback delay and layered vocals. “Bye Bye Love” is one of many songs off of this album that will make you want to get behind the wheel of a stick-shift… pronto.
Listen to “Bye Bye Love” by The Cars below!
Quinn’s Pick- Black Pumas “Black Moon Rising”
As someone from Austin, Texas, there are so many iconic musicians and bands I could choose as my “hometown hero.” But for me, that title belongs to Black Pumas and their track “Black Moon Rising.” This psychedelic soul duo from Austin, Texas, pairs singer-songwriter Eric Burton with Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Adrian Quesada. Black Pumas’ self-titled debut earned widespread acclaim and multiple Grammy nominations. I discovered them in 2020 through my older brother, who found them at SXSW. The duo’s seamless blend of R&B, funk, soul, and psychedelic rock, driven by Burton’s powerhouse vocals and Quesada’s intricate guitar work, instantly resonated with me. While their song “Colors” was the breakout song, “Black Moon Rising” was the first track on their self-titled album and set the tone for what Black Pumas would become. The song quickly starts with a drumming beat followed by Bolton’s vocals layered with a groovy keyboard melody. The song has a hint of violin, completely elevating the track. Quesada also introduces the organ, a feature in many of the Black Pumas’ songs, and gives them their unique sound. “Black Moon Rising” is a track that introduced me to their world and continues to remind me why Austin’s music scene is so special.
Listen to “Black Moon Rising” by Black Pumas below!
Quin’s Pick- James Brown “Get Up Offa That Thing”
When looking at a list of artists from my home state of South Carolina, I was presented with a pretty eclectic list. There are the ones you expect: Hootie & The Blowfish, The Marshall Tucker Band, etc. Like much of my state, there is, however, room for surprises. For example, chillwave pioneer Toro y Moi is a native of Columbia, South Carolina, and even a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Following the prompt, my hometown has produced notable acts such as Edwin McCain and Marcus King. Marcus and I were even taught by the same teacher in my high school jazz program! While it would be nice to highlight one of these acts from my hometown, I’ve decided to bend the prompt ever so slightly in my favor. I feel that it is my duty to highlight the greatest act my state ever produced, that being the hardworking, Mr. Dynamite, James Brown. Born in Barnwell, South Carolina, by all requirements, James Brown is a natural-born South Carolinian. It is all but impossible to overstate James Brown’s influence. Not only is he arguably the most important pioneer of funk music, but he is also widely considered the most sampled artist in history. If you are looking for a taste of the best South Carolina has to offer, it feels like an absolute no-brainer to start with James Brown.
Picking a song to introduce someone to James Brown feels entirely too easy; they’re all incredible. However, James Brown is a rare case where his most popular songs are genuinely some of the greatest. If you have the time, I would seriously recommend taking a drive with the windows down and listening to the entirety of 20 All-Time Greatest Hits!, the James Brown compilation album released in 1991. You’ll thank me later. There is hardly a song that feels more classic than “Get Up Offa That Thing.” If you happen to be one of the unfortunate souls who has not had James Brown grace their ears yet, I would start here. It contains all the elements of a great James Brown song. Perfectly staccato guitars, shouts from unknown players that seem to surround Brown, and a call to action from Brown to get out of that seat and move till you can’t remember your troubles. It is hard to think of an artist whose energy is more palpable on a recording than James Brown. I love South Carolina, but I love James Brown even more.
Take a listen to “Get Up Offa That Thing” below!
Darci’s Pick- Bully ”Days Move Slow”
There are so many musical artists from my home state of Tennessee that I absolutely adore. However, there is one artist that stands out beyond the rest, Bully. My first exposure to Bully was in May of 2018, at Shaky Knees Music Festival. Since then, Bully’s music has consistently played a prominent role in the soundtrack of my life.
Based in Nashville, Bully was founded by Alicia Bonganno in 2013 shortly after she interned at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio. Bully’s sound is heavily influenced by 90’s alternative music, and is distinguished by Bonganno’s raspy vocals that frequently escalate to a fierce scream. Throughout the project’s career, Bully has gone through a musical evolution spanning from punk to indie, but always goes back to its grunge roots. Bully’s most recent album, Lucky For You, is an ode to love, loss, and grief. The 2023 LP tackles these difficult themes by exploring them through raw, cathartic lyrics and high-spirited instrumentation.
“Lose You” was the first single released off of Lucky For You, and features fellow Nashville artist Soccer Mommy. The opening line, “Time’s just a useless measurement of pain,” immediately hits one like a sucker punch to the gut. Bongano’s profound self awareness radiates throughout the track as it reflects on the dual-sided nature of love. In the chorus describes knowing the subject as a dream that she’s lucky to be in, but as the subject gets older Bonganno realizes that she is going to lose her friend eventually. The track is musically backed by a steady guitar riff that transforms into a distorted noise that mirrors the loud chaos that is grief.
Listen to “Lose You” down below!
Brandon’s pick- Death Grips “I’ve Seen Footage”
“Hacker” is a hypnotic initiation to the band’s posse; a welcome to those who accept the call, and a warning to those who stand in the way. When looking at artists from Sacramento, I found that California’s capitol is home to a surprising crop of talent, such as Cake, Daniel Johnston, Tesla, and Deftones. However, my intern pick is on a group who clawed and crawled their way from the foulest corners of the city to cement themselves as a legendary force in the hip hop scene – Death Grips. Formed in 2010 when drummer Zach Hill collaborated with his neighbor, Stefan Burnett (MC Ride), bringing projects in the early 2000s like “Ex-Military” and “The Money Store.” Acclaimed by critics, “The Money Store,” is an intense, feral, and abrasive assault of sound, and one of the standout tracks, “Hacker,” is where every aspect of the album breaks loose, “and all there is left to do is riot.” The song starts with a faint kick drum, putting you in the shoes of someone standing outside of a club, confronted by a bouncer who warns you that once you’re in, there’s no going back. Walking through the doors, you’re hit with a mix of snare drumlines, sirens, and electric production as Ride lays out his plan for takeover. The lyrics of the song are disorienting and disorganized yet convey an underlying message that Death Grips is coming and coming with force. “Hacker” is a violent reminder that the group is a force to reckon with as Death Grips and their mob go on a digital rampage through retail stores and hospitals. By the end of the song, Death Grips has burst through the mainframe and hacked their way into every corner of the world, stretching their hands of control to everything you can think of. They have “all the coconuts,” all the means of survival, and with a simple warning, “I’m in your area,” they’re coming after you too.
“Hacker” is Death Grip’s warning to listeners, critics, the industry, and everyone alike that the group is a force you cannot ignore. In the last decade of releasing music, Death Grips has stayed true to this promise, as they have built a reputation for being one of the most polarizing and powerful groups.
Listen to “Hacker” below!
