I like American Music Pt 3 of 50. Independence Day

   Today is the 239th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  We commence the tribute to the USA with a noted dignitary's interpretation of the National Anthem.

  In the early 1780's Thomas Jefferson was asked what was his inspiration for the Declaration of Independence.  He testified 'so that our descendants will have the freedom to Rageth against thee Machine'(independent verification needed).   

 When the poor, tired huddled masses reach our shores one of the biggest obstacles is learning how to speak American.  Here is a compilation of Kubrick film clips set to the (non-American)Screaming Blue Messiahs' tutorial 'I can speak American.

I Like American Music Pt.2 of 50 - Detroit

The Upholsterers - Ain't Superstitious

Majesty Crush - No. 1 Fan

Von Bondies - C'mon C'mon

I like American Music pt. 1 of 50 -- Wisconsin

   We start our tribute to American Music in Wisconsin. I don't know why but I had to start it somewhere.  So I started........there.

  From Milwaukee we have the Violent Femmes.  Discovered as street corner musicians by James Honeyman-Scott of the Pretenders.  They were invited to open for James's band that night and took the opportunity and made a 30+ year career out of it. 

  Next the first of two bands based in the college town of Madison.  The three-piece Rainer Maria turned an inventory of Abraham Lincoln's pockets into a full length song.

   Producer Butch Vig's resume' includes shaping the sounds of two of the touchstone albums of the 1990's Smashing Pumpkins' "Gish" and Nirvana's "Nevermind".  As a drummer he was part of a couple of bands Spooner and First Person before he struck gold with Garbage.  Though the band was based in Madison, they were fronted by Scottish lass Shirley Manson. 

oh Canada, pt. 7 of 7. Fireballs Bursting in the Sky, Wasaga Beach First of July

    The last part of the seven part tribute to the music of Canada.  Lots of talent gets displayed on their airwaves due to the CanCon requirements.  Here are four songs that probably never received much air play in the US.

  5440 - Radio Luv Song

 Treble Charger - Friend of Mine

  King Cobb Steelie - Rational

  We'll let renowned producer Daniel Lanois plays us out of our tribute to our neighbors to the north  with a song of his own. 

Daniel Lanois - Lotta Love to Give

oh Canada, Pt 6 of 7, Canada Day Eve

 The first song in this installment of my week-long tribute to Canadian music is the title track from the soundtrack of the movie Trees Lounge written/directed and starring Steve Buscemi.  The video includes character actor Seymour Cassel miming the drums. 

  Little known fact  1) Seymour is the person who gave his son's childhood friend Saul Hudson the nickname Slash...yes that Slash.  

 Little known fact  2) I know Seymour's oldest daughter Lisa and I used to live with Lisa's half-sister Kelly.    

    Hayden - Trees Lounge

   The Stills - Lola Stars and Stripes

Grapes of Wrath - I Am Here

oh Canada, part 5 of 7. Bands of Vancouver

 The Pacific coast of Canada seems to be a fertile area for the development of innovative music.  The city of Vancouver itself has produced more good bands than one would expect from a city of 600 kilopeople.  In addition to the three bands featured here Econoline Crush, Black Mountain, Moev, New Pornographers and Spirit of the West also call Vancouver home. 

  Pure -  The Hammock

Cub - New York City (They Might be Giants later covered this song), Hockey fans note in the video drummer Lisa G. occasionally sports a retro mustard yellow Vancouver Canucks sweater.

  Pink Mountaintops - While we were Dreaming.

oh Canada, pt. 4 of 7. Bands of Montreal

  Here are three bands hailing from Montreal.

  

   Arcade Fire - Rebellion 

   Handsome Furs - All we want is Everything

   Besnard Lakes - Devastation

   Besides all of these bands sharing a hometown, they each include a married couple among their members.