The New Dad Rock
Two college radio DJs during the 90s, hosts Keith and Steve helped expose bands like Nirvana, Pavement and PJ Harvey. They went to shows, interviewed musicians and reviewed albums for various zines and papers. They worked security at concerts and once, even did load-in for Phish. Now they’re dads. Whether you want to explore lesser-known music or take a trip down memory lane, tune in to The New Dad Rock. Join hosts Keith and Steve as they navigate the ages together, sharing their love of music across various eras and genres. Always well intentioned, often well informed, seldom boring, The New Dad Rock will expand your mind.
The New Dad Rock
EP 16. Freak Scene: 13th Floor Elevators, TFS, CocoRosie, RAKTA
No, this isn't about the Dinosaur, Jr. album with the same name. It's weirder than that. In the decades since Pink Floyd, the Beatles, and dozens of psychedelic bands topped the charts, experimental music has been pushed to the side; ghettoized. But it has always been there and continues to evolve like a kaleidoscope.
Steve takes Keith on a journey down the rabbit hole, deep underground to discuss the first psychedelic band, an Australian punk band, a pair of eccentric sisters, and a Brazilian group that has been dubbed psychedelic witches. Tune in as they delve into the lairs of the 13th Floor Elevators, Tropical Fuck Storm, CocoRosie, and RAKTA.
As Keith mentioned in the episode, each of these bands benefit from a deeper listen than a random song or two, nonetheless here are a few possible entry points to the bands we discussed this week:
13th Floor Elevators have three albums, but it's the first two (The Psychedelic Sounds of... and Easter Everywhere) that feature the classic line-up. Some of our favorites are "Step Inside This House," "Roller Coaster," "She Lives in a Time of Her Own," and "Levitation." Their most famous song and title of the Roky Erickson biopic is "You're Gonna Miss Me."
Tropical Fuck Storm have only been around a few years and have released two proper albums and a series of singles with b-sides. "You Let My Tyres Down," "Two Afternoons," "Suburbiopia," and "Maria 63" may be a good way in.
Trying to navigate CocoRosie is a bit more difficult. They have been around over 15 years and have released seven albums. Their songs vary in style from freak folk to hip hop to something that might be played by a baroque music box. They surely have a handful of songs that you will like, it just comes down to finding the ones that suit your taste. "Lucky Clover," "Terrible Angels," "Werewolf," "Restless" and the whole Grey Oceans album are all good entry points. Or you could start with their most recent album, Put the Shine On, released in March of 2020.
It will probably only take you a few minutes to know whether you want to hear more RAKTA. You could start with "Falha Comum," "Fin do Mundo," "Raiz Forte," or "Atrativos Da Mentira."
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