I WANT TO KILL EVERYBODY AND DECLARE MYSELF KING

by Rose Bimler

I Want To Kill Everybody

It’s as if Ed Haynes knew the United States was going to experience political gridlock. His song about frustrations with the government makes so much sense now. Find this song and more @opensourcemusic.com.

Ed Haynes – “I Want To Kill Everybody” (click to play)

RADIATION BOY EYES ARE FALLING OUT

by Rose Bimler

“Radiation Boy”

Another song I found on this opensourcemusic post is about the dangers of radioactive materials. Written in the 80s, with this quasi-comic song songwriter Eric Din and his band, The Uptones saw into the future, and predicted nuclear accidents.

The Uptones – “Radiation Boy” (click to play)

IT TAKES MONEY TO MAKE MONEY

by Rose Bimler

“It Takes Money”

I found this on tremendous post @opensourcemusic I totally agree with the song’s sentiment. Performed by The Uptones in the 90s, written by Paul Jackson, this song about the concentration of wealth sung with a Ska idiom is totally meaningful today.

The Uptones – “It Takes Money” (click to play)

The Fashion Slaves, "Styrofoam"

by Superfan2011

Taking a page from Devo and a chapter from Alice In Wonderland, Berkeley’s Fashion Slaves let the styrofoam cat out of the styrofoam bag with their first mp3 release. It’s short and sweet and crispy and fun I can’t get that riff outta my styrofoam head. NY art rock, gone hella east bay. I love it.

The Fashion Slaves
Click to play, or right click “save as” to download:
The Fashion Slaves – “Styrofoam” (mp3)
(Fun Fun Fun Recordings)

Dub Gabriel, "Dis Song"

by Elephant

Dub Gabriel‘s influence must be from growing up in a record store his father owned in Chicago. Think Bill Laswell meets Peanut Butter Wolf and you might get an idea of where this cat is coming from. Bare, simple, but never boring production. Crisp drums with a world flare on his sample and percussion choices, “Dis Song” may not be up to speed with the bass centered dance scene, but it’s a refreshing siesta anytime of day.

“Dis Song“ (play/download mp3)

Buy Dub Gabriel CDs

The Uptones – "Solar Disco Ball"

by mp34u

This track from The Uptones‘ new CD is dub sunshine in a bottle. Huge molten brass slathered over a miles-wide bass and drum beat mixes it up with skankin’ guitars and shimmering organ bubbles. An instrumental reggae lovefest, “Solar Disco Ball” just became the soundtrack to my East Bay spring day.

The Uptones
from “East Bay Orbits”
(Fun Fun Fun Recordings)
“Solar Disco Ball” (play)
Need more!

Billie Holiday – "I Must Have That Man"

by publicdomain4u

A soulful rendition of “I Must Have That Man,” Billie Holiday’s intimate crooning and impeccable timing doesn’t disappoint. Lady Day confirms that, like her voice, heartbreak is timeless. Recorded in New York, early on in her career, you feel her personal tragedies in this gem. But, like Billie, the end of this sorrowful song is triumphant with a strong brass finish.

Billie Holiday – “I Must Have That Man” (mp3)

Critical Mass, "Black Liquorice"

by Eric Din

From the vaults, pulled up by my friend Dan over at SFMusicSluts, here’s Critical Mass – one of the wackier ska punky bands from the ever so wacky “third wave” o’ punky ska. Led by tenor sax man Michael Valladares – now proud owner of the bestest watering hole on that strange planet of East Bay, California, ye olde Hotsy Totsy – CM brought metal madness and cartoon music to bear on their special ska brew, here expressed as an epic instrumental.

Critical Mass – “Black Liquorice” (Play/Download mp3)

Buy all of their records

Godspeed You Black Emperor! "Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven"

by Elephant

Godspeed is one of Canada’s most famous bands. One of the archetypes of the post-punk sound, a style of instrumental music that builds and descends in epically long tracks. After releasing an EP, Godspeed released a double album (totaling a whopping 9 songs), “Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven.” This title track is a beautiful introduction to their sound. This song builds and builds until it crescendos making you feel like raising your skinny fists to the heavens!

“Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven“ (play/download mp3)

Buy/Listen to all of Godspeed’s music.

Visit Abassi All Stars, "Heavy Load"

by subverse

Horn driven, bass heavy, Jamaican dub. Abassi All Stars are a collective of Germany roots/dub practitioners. Keeping the heavy sounds of instrumental dub alive!

“Heavy Load“ (play/download mp3)

Visit Abassi All Stars’ label to hear more!