Daily Jam - The Hardest Walk

Do something good for yourself today.  Listen to more Jesus and Mary Chain.  Here's "The Hardest Walk," our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Head On

There are a handful of things that stick to my memory of when I moved into my very first apartment over 20 years ago. I remember that the humidity on move-in day was ridiculous, the Austin air a thick soup of uncomfortable moisture and oppressive heat. I remember being attracted to the pretty woman who worked in the complex’s leasing office, her Bettie Page aura and demeanor being way, way out of my league. I remember my mom cried at the airport when she flew back home to Midland. I remember the pain in the ass that was assembling my heavy, particle board desk. I remember my dad bought a 6-pack of Shiner for my roommate and me. And I remember getting into a friendly argument with the clerk at the corner store as to whether or not “Head On” was a Jesus and Mary Chain song or a Pixies song. Turns out we were both right.

But I was more right.

The Pixies did indeed record a version of “Head On” for their 1991 album Trompe le Monde, but it was a cover of the tune that originally appeared on The Jesus and Mary Chain’s 1989 album Automatic. Both versions are excellent, but I’m partial to the original, the drum and synth heavy surf rock-riffing jam hitting my earspace in all of the right places.

But let’s listen to both today anyway.

Daily Jam - Snakedriver

I love reverb. I love feedback. I love noise. The aesthetic has dominated my musical preference for over 30 years through one genre or another, luring me through so many layers of guitar, so many delay effects, so many echoes, and so much ear piercing triumph. Naturally, I’m a big fan of Scottish act The Jesus and Mary Chain. How could I not be? While the band started to see diminishing returns on their output during the 1990’s before their eventual breakup (and then inevitable reunion a decade later), “Snakedriver,” from 1993’s Sound of Speed EP has been in my constant rotation since I first heard it in the ninth grade.

That year was a wonderful time for me musically, as I discovered so many artists and sounds that have stayed near and dear to me for the last two decades. Just do a Google search of albums released in 1993 and 1994. It’s mind boggling. But back to “Snakedriver.”

The track immediately begins pulsing, a hypnotic, steady tambourine beat that slowly drowns under the growing guitar feedback. It feels like being underwater. It feels like falling or like floating in the sky. Honestly, it feels like getting high. For years this song has been able to put me into a mild trance or ease me into sleep…despite the noise, and it has this classic kind of throwback melody that would fit easily into the catalog of any 60’s garage pop band. But I guess that was kind of their thing. The Jesus and Mary Chain’s sound was always just a much denser and cacophonous version of Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” anyway, with occasional forays into surf rock. And god bless them for that.

The song also appeared on the soundtrack to The Crow the next year, and regardless of your feelings toward the film in general, that compiled soundtrack was an absolute monster when I was fifteen.

Check the song out below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Almost Gold

My schedule is about to really blow once this weekend is over.  So before i get busy, busy, busy, i'm just going to relax (hopefully by the pool) and listen to some Jesus and Mary Chain.  Here's "Almost Gold," our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - April Skies

I don't think i listen to The Jesus and Mary Chain enough, so let's listen to The Jesus and Mary Chain today.  Here's "April Skies" from the band's sophomore effort, our Daily Jam.

Hatchie and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Cover Jesus and Mary Chain

Yesterday i saw that Australian shoegaze pop artist Hatchie had a new track out called "Sometimes Always."  The first thing it thought was, i wonder if that's the Jesus and Mary Chain song.  And it is.  Pairing with indie pop band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, the group offers up a pretty straightforward but great rendition of the '90s alt-rock track.  Check it out below and pre-order the 7" here from Double Double Whammy.

The Jesus and Mary Chain - Amputation

2016 was...challenging.  And 2017 has me nervous as hell.  Anyway, here's some new Jesus and Mary Chain.  "Amputation" comes from the upcoming "Damage and Joy" LP, the band's first in 18 years.  Listen below and get the record in March from Warner.