Sad Moth Podcast Episode 1!!!

The Definitive History of Shoegaze by Noah Wong

Shoegaze is an experimental genre of rock music, beginning between the late 80s and early 90s with the pioneering bands like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Ride. All early shoegaze bands were from Britain, or in My Bloody Valentine’s case, Ireland. Although early bands produced a new and creative sound by pushing waves of reverb through guitars, adding in bass, drums, and soft vocals to create rock songs with only a few chords, music critics didn’t initially take too kindly to shoegaze. The name “shoegaze” was started as an insult due to how the guitarists stood still while looking at their shoes onstage. The movement was also called “The scene that celebrates itself” because shoegaze bands would often attend each other’s concerts. While their sound was unique and groundbreaking, it was not unheard of. Other bands had experimented with similar ideas, but none had based their music around them. Shoegaze was influenced by bands like Cocteau Twins and Jesus and Mary Chain.

Sad Moth Interview: Buzz Osborne of the Melvins

Pc: Anmol Gupta

This is it fuckin it dudez.  Sad Moth Music has made it big tyme.  This is an interview with Buzz Osborne, singer/songwriter and guitarist of the Melvins.  We were given the opportunity to conduct this interview by the gracious media relations staff at the Eaux Claires music festival, and Melvins management.  Thanks to all involved.

What follows is a poorly moderated, meandering conversation about many things, including the Melvins' new album, an awkward tv appearance in 1995, good seats at a White Sox/Twins game, Alex Rodriguez, a theoretical fight between Robert Plant and Ozzy Osbourne, and novel masturbation techniques.  I added a good amount of links for those not familiar with various topics of conversation.  I conducted the interview, but Patrick gave me some of the best questions to ask.  Anmol Gupta was there also for some fucking reason and took the picture above.  No that's not me.  I'm a little off to the right.  An mp3 of this conversation exists, but I'm not showing anyone unless they really don't believe this happened and ask for proof or stfu.  It reads much better, as you don't get all of my long pauses, "ums" and annoying, waifish voice.

De-Moth-Cracy: Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens vs. Kasimir S. Pulaski Day by Big Black

Casimir Pulaski was a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland.  He is known as the "father of the American cavalry" for his contributions to the American Revolution on horseback.

Casimir Pulaski Day is celebrated in areas with historically Polish populations in the lower midwest, such as Chicago and Bloomington. It is a public holiday where public employees get of work, banks close, and school is out.  According to wikipedia, Casimir Pulaski Day is a state holiday in Wisconsin as well, and schools are mandated to "observe" the holiday, but this loose language allows schools to pretty much ignore the holdiay unless they want to (Fuck Herrmann).

So it would make sense that a band from Chicago, Big Black, and a musician making a concept album about Illinois, Sufjan Stevens, would be the ones to name songs after the event.

But which is better??? Let's be honest, the minute these dudes decided to name their songs the same thing, they were asking for it.  It's time for some De-Moth-cracy!  It's time for stump speeches, it's time for point-counterpoint, it's time restore our faith in the democratic process (it ain't lookin too great right now ifyaknowwhatimean).  I highly encourage you fucks to hash it out in the comments, 1776 style.  Keep the debate dirty guys. Always hit below the belt.

The Case: Kasimir S. Pulaski Day -- Big Black A solid cut off of Big Black's undeniable 1987 album Songs About Fucking, Kasimir S. Pulaski Day is a ferocious slice of noise rock.  Albini snarls the vocals while Big Black's sheet-metal guitars pound through acidic riffs. The lyrics concern a narrorator encountering the news of a brutal mob murder on the south side of Chicago, "down on Pulaski" (also a major Chicago thoroughfare). A lyrical highlight -- "Down on the south side, out on Pulaski There were pieces of a man all over the skyway"

The Case: Casimir Pulaski Day -- Sufjan Stevens The 10th track off of Sufjan Stevens' fantastic 2005 album Illinois, Casimir Pulaski Day is a lovely piece of chamber folk that features a beautiful, simple horn solo in the middle.  The lyrics concern a child narrator whose female friend contracts leukemia and suddenly dies (on Casimir Pulaski Day). The lyrics also go deeper to elude to the problems of believing in a benevolent god in a world of pain and sadness. A lyrical highlight -- "In the morning when you finally go And the nurse runs in with her head hung low And the cardinal hits the window"

So what do you think?  Which song is better?  Which better encapsulates the Casimir Pulaski holiday spirit?  Do you think one is way better?  Do you think one sucks?  Do you think they both suck? Do you think this post really stupid?  Let us know in the comments, and vote for your fave in the poll below!

De-Moth-Cracy: Casimir Pulaski -- Who Did It Better?

Sad Moth Reviews: Weezer -- White Album

Reviews By:

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Noah                       6/10
Go To Review >>>>

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Patrick                    8/10
Go To Review >>>>

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Aggregate Score:     7/10