Gheorghe's 6-Pack: World Party

Who is Mike Scott? 

It depends upon whom you ask. You'll get different answers from different pockets of people. 

If you ask OBXDave, I bet he'd first say that Mike Scott is the Houston Astros pitcher who dominated the National League in 1986 with his newfound, profound splitter, something he developed after scuffling for the Mets for a few years in the early 80's. (He went from scuffling to scuffing, it's said.) The Mets traded him for Danny Heep and then suffered twice over. In '86, this Mike Scott struck out over 300 in '86, won the Cy Young, threw a frickin' no-hitter, and was a whisper away from starting a Game 7 in an utterly insane NLCS that I'm super glad didn't go 7. Danny Heep... did none of those things. 

That's not who I came to write about today.

If you ask rob and AuguryDave, I bet they'd first say that Mike Scott is our pledge brother who also goes by deep cover pseudonyms such as Mitch Scotch, Miles Scoles, Milt Scolt, and Mick Scock. This Mike Scott is a Cherry Hill guy who's an artist in NYC. He once had works in an exhibit comprised of all Legos, ones that featured renderings of up-close faces like Mike Tyson getting punched and porn stars in climactic moments. At least that's what I recall from it, as it was back in my drinkin' days. This Mike Scott was a prop / second row guy and is a quiet but quick wit. Great guy. 

That's not who I came to write about today.

If you ask one of our children, I bet they'd first say that Mike Scott is the former boss at the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin. He's an HR nightmare and hideously off-putting with his insecuri-comedy, but he is ultimately lovable and gets the job done. He founded the Michael Scott's Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run Race for the Cure. He resides in Colorado, not far from TR. Reportedly.

That's not who I came to write about today.

If you ask someone who listens to the kind of alt-80's and 90's music that Squeaky, Dave, rob, and I (among others) enjoyed who was not also our fraternity brother, I bet they might say that Mike Scott is the leader of The Waterboys. This Mike Scott is a Scot (and a Scott) who enjoyed minor success in the milieu of Celtic rock or something that sounds less dorky and pompous. A multi-instrumentalist who has had some solo work but is best known for the Waterboys catalogue. 

You all know "Fisherman's Blues," perhaps most famous for being covered by Random Idiots as "Fischel Man's Blues." You may well be familiar with "Whole of the Moon." You probably don't know "Old England," "This Is the Sea," "Red Army Blues," or the sublime "Church Not Made with Hands," but you should. [ed. Note: Seems like a Waterboys 6-Pack is coming.] Their double-discer The Live Adventures of the Waterboys isn't on Spotify, and it's their best starter kit. [ed. Note: Seems like a Notify is coming.] Anyway, all of this music is a product of this Mike Scott. 

Oddly, that's not who I came to write about today.

I came to write about Karl Wallinger. That's right. You see, Karl Wallinger was another multi-instrumentalist like Mike Scott (and Rootsy) who was a member of The Waterboys for a few formative years in which the band generated all of the above songs save "Fisherman's Blues." His influence is apparent, and his role with the band was large enough for him to pull a "this town ain't big enough for the both of us" and split in 1985. One song he co-wrote with that Mike Scott before departing was eventually recorded and released in 1998. It was based on watching Live Aid and was called "World Party."

World Party became Karl's band name, though it was mostly him at work there. [Factoid #... however-many: Mike Scott himself took the name "Waterboy[s]" from the sort-of chorus lyric in the Lou Reed song "The Kids."] World Party had a tidy but enjoyable run at the modern rock charts whilst a few of us were matriculating, and I have a couple of their discs. 

A couple of weeks ago, Karl Wallinger had a stroke and passed on at the age of 66. Here's a nod to the work he issued while he attended the great big world party called life.

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: World Party

Vitals
Where: Karl is from Prestatyn, Wales; World Party debuted in London
When: 1986-2015
Who: Karl Wallinger mostly, with live and studio performers scattered throughout

One more factoid: As you might be able to tell in the picture above, Karl Wallinger is right-handed but turns a righty-geetar upside down and plays lefty. 

A Rabbit Hole Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

My summer 2023 live music plan just took a hit, and not in the good way. An early August date to go see Social Distortion at the Norva here in town was deleted from the calendar. For among the crummiest of reasons. 

Singer and lifeblood Mike Ness has tonsil cancer. Echo the "F cancer" refrain.

He posted a couple of weeks ago:

We think that life is going to go according to our plan, but it has a way of saying “I don’t think so!”

In the midst of pre-production, I was diagnosed with stage one tonsil cancer. I was feeling well enough to continue with recording in the studio up until the very day before surgery. The band and I were so inspired and excited to lay down these tracks, which by the way sound f-ing AWESOME!

The recovery from surgery is a day-by-day process and in three weeks we start radiation and that should be the last therapy I need. The team of doctors are certain that once finished with this course, I will be able to start the healing and recovery process. We expect a full recovery enabling me to live a long and productive life.

It breaks my heart to postpone the Summer Tour, and this album release, but time is required to heal. I can’t thank our loyal fans enough who have been waiting so patiently for this. While it will take a little longer-I promise you that it will be delivered and it will exceed your expectations.

I want you all to know that this has opened my eyes to a whole new struggle. I know it’s one that many of you or your loved ones have personally endured, and my heart goes out to you-because I now know what it’s like from this heavy experience.

I’m surrounded by love and support from my friends and family ESPECIALLY my lovely wife and incredible boys (oh and don’t forget my 3 dogs and kitty) THANK YOU ALL in advance to our unbelievable fans for YOUR love and support right now. ♥️

We WILL get through this….

Rooting like hell for Mr. Ness. Go get 'em. Happy that the prognosis isn't worse.

I intended to post a Gheorghe's 6-pack for Social D as a tip of the cap to the man, the band, and the predicament. Turns out, I did that 5 years ago! Fancy that.

Post abandoned. Except... my G:TB search returns for "Social Distortion" were way more interesting than I'd ever have thought! 

The beauty of nearly 20 years of Gheorghedom is that I forget most of what our goofy band of misfits have etched in the walls of this blogcave. And walks into the past amuse me greatly, if only to discover how we wrote back then, what predictions did and didn't come true, and what amazing time on my hands I had when I was employed by your federal government.

Take a look at what I mean. Searching for "social distortion" on gheorghe77.blogspot.com...

1. A Social D concert review soon after I attended a show in Norfolk from 14 years ago. A 39-year-old me chiding rob for being/acting old. 

2. The aforementioned Six-Pack. Not their greatest hits but a half-dozen of my faves.

3. The Mike Ness Files, according to rob. A list of being wrong with some of our prognostications.

4. The launch of Music Month. A month that concluded with the list of biggest douches in rock and roll (one which could use some updating... and was recently tagged by Blogger as vulgar). But this post was my equation of album track chronology and baseball lineup cards, with Social D's s/t record as the quintessential analogy. Good banter in the comments.

5. Ghoogles!! From 2009!! "mike ness quotes," "social distortion live at the roxy," "social distortion sick boys blogspot download"... glad we could be of help.

6. Gheorghe's Milestones in Music... wherein we all listed our first concerts, longest road trip for a show, etc. And a quiz! Great comments.

7. Utter filler... Les Coole listing favorite punk band names.

8. 2016 Gheorghemas Day Three: Three Punk Rock Playlists. 

I suppose one could be labeled onanistic for re-reading our posts of yesteryear, but the Gheorghe: The Blog roster has made me chuckle and learn more consistently for longer than any publication out there. 

Dig deep and enjoy. 

And get better, Mike Ness. 

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: Spoon

We have Labor Day weekend coming up. Get out there, hit the beach, and grab a 6-pack. Ah, that reminds me of a recurring segment...

In the interest of spreading the love of good music, we will throw out six suggested songs by certain bands you may or may not know much about. Not much of a time commitment, just a little something to get the flavor and get you going.

When I lived in DC 20 years ago, I used to exchange music ideas with a good friend, a WandM Kappa named Jill. She was always a half-step ahead of me, and she introduced me to a number of bands and albums I still enjoy.

Jill still sends me recs. Here's a wacky one she sent 2 days ago. It's also helpful if you wondered what ever became of TR.

And now onto the sixer...

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: Spoon

Vitals
Where: Austin, TX
When: 1993–present
Who: Britt Daniel, Jim Eno, and a bunch of guys who have rotated in and out

Spoon was one of the first recs Jill shared with me. Their Merge Records debut Girls Can Tell is a very solid listen, and I bought it on her advice in 2001. I still spin that sucker now and again.

Here's a good smattering of Spoon. Surface level warranting a deeper dive. That's what 6-packs are for!

Enjoy.

"Everything Hits at Once," Girls Can Tell, 2001

"The Way We Get By," Kill the Moonlight, 2002


"I Turn My Camera On," Gimme Fiction, 2005


"You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb," Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, 2007


"Hot Thoughts," Hot Thoughts, 2017


"Wild," Lucifer on the Sofa, 2022

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: Cover Tunes

It's Friday.  Afternoon.  Just about Miller Time.

And that means it's time for a 6-Pack!

In the interest of spreading the love of good music, we will throw out six suggested songs by certain bands you may or may not know much about. Not much of a time commitment, just a little something to get the flavor and get you going.

Okay, so that's the charter of this recurring segment that actually recurs, but we're taking a bit of a different path today. We always like tributes here in the G:TB Music department, and we've trod over that ground a fair bit. So let's queue up some new or rare covers for you.

This Bud's for You

Three of them are mellowfied, deconstructed takes on otherwise peppy songs.  The final three are just interesting genre-twists. Have a listen and see what you think.

This may be your reaction to my 6-Pack playlists...

The last one I particularly like.  Eagles of Death Metal was the band playing in Paris when that terrorist bullshit happened there four years ago.  Theirs is a tale of slow recovery from that horribleness, not physically but emotionally. I'd have to figure that would fuck with me pretty good, too.  Their cover of Duran Duran's "Save a Prayer" was both a decent rendition and a mantra in the aftermath of that cowardly act of evil.

This week they released an album of covers called EODM Present Boots Electric Performing the Best Songs We Never Wrote.  Some interesting song choices for sure. I like the Ramones and Kenny Rogers tunes, but by far my favorite is the Wham! cover. If your heart needs some healing, by all means turn to Gheorghe Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.

And in a related move, it's been a while since we gave this guy the airtime he greatly deserves:

Have a great weekend. Be safe and be sure to enjoy something.

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: Little River Band

Hi, gheorghies! Who's hung over?

It got cold here all of a sudden, and snow may be falling on some of you.  You know where it's warm... and summer?  Australia!

You all know quite a bit about rock and roll. If I asked you to name some Australian bands, you'd hit me with AC/DC, INXS, Hoodoo Gurus, Midnight Oil, and Men at Work.  Deeper picks would include The Church or Nick Cave. Marls would say Air Supply. Rob would say Crowded House but he'd be mostly wrong, as the Finns are Kiwis. Only TR would likely get LRB.

Little River Band! They were atop the charts from 1977-1981 nonstop with their brand of light rock / soft rock / not rock / smooth music. People of our vintage have heard all their hit songs, they probably just couldn't name the band who played them.

So here's your 6-pack.  Drink it in. It's Australian for music.

In the interest of spreading the love of good music, we will throw out six suggested songs by certain bands you may or may not know much about. Not much of a time commitment, just a little something to get the flavor and get you going.

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: Little River Band (LRB)

Vitals
Where: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
When: 1975–present
Who: (now) Wayne Nelson, Chris Marion, Rich Herring, Ryan Ricks, Colin Whinnery...
The original members who write and sang the songs you know include Glenn Shorrock, Beeb Birtles (excellent name), Graeham Goble (ditto), and Derek Pellicci

Don't be thinking that I don't want a beer right now, 'cause lady, I do.  Enjoy.

"Help Is On Its Way," Diamantina Cocktail, 1977


"Reminiscing," Sleeper Catcher, 1978


"Lady," Sleeper Catcher, 1978


"Lonseome Loser," First Under the Wire, 1979


"Cool Change," First Under the Wire, 1979


"Take It Easy On Me,"  Time Exposure, 1981

Gheorghe's Six-Pack: Social Distortion

Nothing like a little mid-week six-pack. Nothing like a little mid-week punk rock show.

I'm breaking up the mundane workweek with a trip to the Norva tonight to see one of my all-time punk acts, Social Distortion. I credit Rob for this.

You see, once upon a time, he parlayed our Williamsburg Summer of '90 40-oz. lethargy into something worthy. Amid the dreck of that era of MTV, he identified "Ball and Chain" as potential keeper material, so after a quick jaunt to the Patrick Henry Mall, we played their S/T release. Over and over. Loudly. The first song is still one of my favorites.

In the interest of spreading the love of good music, we will throw out six suggested songs by certain bands you may or may not know much about. Not much of a time commitment, just a little something to get the flavor and get you going.

Gheorghe's Six-Pack: Social Distortion

Vitals
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: 1978–present
Who: Mike Ness, Jonny Wickersham, Brent Harding, David Hidalgo Jr., David Kalish... Ness's HS buddy and lead guitarist Dennis Danell died along the way, which was a big loss, but they still rock

For this edition of the Six-Pack, I am going a little away from the most obvious choices.  Those would be the aforementioned "Ball and Chain," "Mommy's Little Monster," "I Was Wrong," "Story of My Life," "Sick Boys," or the cover of "Ring of Fire."  All are outstanding and where beginners should start.  But let's dig into the second six-pack...

Their live stuff is way way NSFW, just so's you know.

Enjoy.

"Prison Bound [Live]," Prison Bound, 1988 (from Live at the Roxy, 1998)


"So Far Away," Social Distortion, 1990


"Sometimes I Do," Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, 1992


"Untitled," White Light White Heat White Trash, 1996


"Under My Thumb," White Light White Heat White Trash, 1996


"Reach for the Sky,"  Sex, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll, 2004

Gheorghe's Six-Pack: Hymnal

We hired Whitney to innovate, to bring new ideas to the editorial team. Good thing we didn't hire him for volume production.

I digress.

The Six-Pack Filler gambit is an excellent new addition to Gheorghewhorld, one that I'm pleased to embrace.

Chvrches release their newest album, Love is Dead, on May 25. They kick off a world tour on May 19 in Toronto. Eventually, in October, they're coming to Anthem, the new waterfront venue in Washington, DC. I hope to see you there.

Here's 'My Enemy', one of two singles from the new record that have been released to date. You'll recognize the voice of The National's Matt Berninger in this one, which is a bit of a departure from Chvrches' normal sound.



'Get Out' is the other new tune that's in wide release. It's more in keeping with the band's traditional sound.



'The Mother We Share' is the tune that introduced me to the Scottish trio and their foul-mouthed, hypercute lead singer, Lauren Mayberry.



My wife and I took our kids to their very first club show at the House of Blues in Orlando in October 2015. Here's 'Bury It' from that packed venue.



Mayberry has a law degree, which is one more thing that might endear her to certain Gheorghies. I don't think that has much to do with 'We Sink', but I admit that I'm not a legal expert.



The band started covering Prince's 'I Would Die 4 You' early in its touring career, to much acclaim.

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: The Connells

Hi, Gheorghies!

I can't remember when Igor or Clarence first drunkenly threw out the late-night "hi gheorghies," but we need more of that.  And more drinking!

Why are we drinking today?  It's the end of the semester!  Not for most of you, but it is for me.  You see, for reasons still in development, I enrolled at the College of William and Mary business school in January.  I am in their Flex MBA program.  I take night school, two 3-hour classes a week year-round for the next three years.  You know, personal betterment and all.

I just finished my first two classes: Financial Accounting and Organizational Behavior.  I had A's going into this week's finals, but we shall see.  But for now... cue the Alice Cooper / Barenaked Ladies mash-up, "School's Out for One Week."  Gimme some music, gimme some beer.

In the interest of spreading the love of good music, we will throw out six suggested songs by certain bands you may or may not know much about. Not much of a time commitment, just a little something to get the flavor and get you going.

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: The Connells

Vitals
Where: Chapel Hill, NC
When: 1984–present
Who: Mike Connell, David Connell, Doug MacMillan, George Huntley (originally) with some new faces through the years

This weekend is my 30-year high school reunion.  Tonight at my alma mater, The Connells will play to alums and kegs.  In 1992, they played to us, with kegs, at Trinkle Hall at the College.  They played the first live concert my daughter ever saw. 

And they're just an around-the-way band with some good tunes in their catalogue. Enjoy.

"Scotty's Lament," Boylan Heights, 1987

"Fun and Games," Fun and Games, 1989

"Stone Cold Yesterday," One Simple Word, 1990


"Get a Gun," One Simple Word, 1990


"'74-'75," Ring, 1993


"Slackjawed,"  Ring, 1993

Thank You Alt Nation - TR's 6-pack.

I may have mentioned this already, but my kids like to listen to Alt Nation in the car. All the time. They know every song, and love those with a curse in it, probably for that reason alone. Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons, Turn by The Wombats and (F*ck A) Silver Lining by Panic @ the Disco are three examples. I have stopped caring about the language, to be honest. I distinctly remember being fired up when hearing "you son of a bitch" at a very young age during Devil Went Down to Georgia. And I remember giggling when my mom played the Chorus Line soundtrack song "Tits and Ass" on vinyl. So who am I to judge? Oh right, I'm their Dad. I should judge a little bit. Whatever.

Back to the topic. Alt Nation is a decent station to have in the preset mix. Most of the new artists are at least somewhat tolerable.  I also enjoy when I hear tunes from "classic" bands like MGMT, The Killers and Vampire Weekend. The point here is that the station introduces me to a lot of new tunes that I end up digging. Sometimes I'll dive down the rabbit hole to learn more about the band.

So I'll fess up and admit I'm stealing Whitney's 6-pack theme, because lazy. I'm here today to write about Wallows. They are a trio from Los Angeles that goes all the way back to the early 10's. I really really dig their tune being played on Alt Nation right now. It is called Pictures of Girls. The video is below. The song has a great summery, Beach Boys-meets-Vampire Weekend ethereal vibe to it.



My second favorite tune on Wallows' new six-song EP is 1980's Horror Film. Witty lyrics that belie the song's tone. Reminds of old Ben Folds Five songs. Who else could slide the lyrics "and you think Rockford Files is cool" into a song so seamlessly? A lot of people, I guess. But he/they did it better than most.



Below is Pleaser, Wallows' first "hit," at least to some young folks in SoCal. It is a tune from way back in '17. Raw, yet catchy. Like my STDs!



Here is another '17 tune that's fun...



...and here's one more from the Spring EP (which has Pictures of Girls and 1980's Horror Film):



Lastly, here is them doing a tune called Pulling Leaves Off Trees. It's amusing that they make the video look like it was shot with an 80's video camera. Stranger Things ripple effect, I guess. Enjoy!

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: Portugal. The Man

Well, the Gheorghe silence has been deafening.  Spring Break and other goings-on. It's really not time right now to drink a six-pack, unless you're retired or a raging alcoholic. Or in college.

Actually, college spring break was a month ago... and I never quite understood why it was so early.  15 of our fratres trucked it down to Daytona in 1992 and walked around in long-sleeved shirts.  And doing things most of our fortysomething selves still either chuckle or blanche at when mentioned.  Anyway, for those of you who go a bit beyond the domestic debauchery of Daytona, here's a more exotic destination. Portugal.

In the interest of spreading the love of good music, we will throw out six suggested songs by certain bands you may or may not know much about. Not much of a time commitment, just a little something to get the flavor and get you going.

Gheorghe's 6-Pack: Portugal. The Man

Vitals
Where: from Wasilla, Alaska, currently residing in Portland, Oregon
When: 2004 - Present
Who: John Gourley, Zachary Carothers, Kyle O'Quin, Eric Howk, Jason Sechrist, Zoe Manville

You probably heard them last year more than once, as their song "Feel It Still" permeated the airwaves (and the streamwaves) as a summer/fall hit. Perhaps you heard them before that on ORF Rock, as we broke that song in March. That's right.

Perhaps you heard Portugal. The Man before that, because they've been making music for over a decade.  They've had a handful of songs I have dug over that time, so enjoy.


"My Mind," Church Mouth, 2007


"People Say," The Satanic Satanist, 2009


"Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)," In the Mountain In the Cloud, 2011


"Purple Yellow Red and Bluw," Evil Friends, 2013


"Modern Jesus," Evil Friends, 2013

"Feel It Still," Woodstock, 2017

Whitney's 6-Pack: The Jayhawks

Okay, people, it's Friday morning of the NCAA tournament.  It's that time.  Again.

Tournament time is an excellent time to hit Vegas, or have a vasectomy, or just be alive.  It's beer drinking, wing-eating time.  So belly up somewhere on the clock and have a pint of this (no discernible scent; lower ABV), or hit the Total Wine and grab a case of this (Norfolk, VA).

In the interest of spreading the love of good music, we will throw out six suggested songs by certain bands you may or may not know much about. Not much of a time commitment, just a little something to get the flavor and get you going.

In the spirit of the NCAA hoopsters, the next band up is an alt.country classic whose name fits right into Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

Whitney's 6-Pack: The Jayhawks

Vitals
Where: Twin Cities of Minnesota
When: 1989 - Present, with some haituses (hiati?) in there
Who: Gary Louris, Marc Olson (he's left and returned more than once), Marc Perlman, Tim O'Reagan

Never any big hits, but great harmonies and jangly guitar. A nice backdrop to a Friday morning. Enjoy.

"Waiting for the Sun," Hollywood Town Hall, 1992

"Blue," Tomorrow the Green Grass, 1995


"I'd Run Away," Tomorrow the Green Grass, 1995

"Smile," Smile, 2000


"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," Smile, 2000


"Tiny Arrows," Mockingbird Time, 2011

Whitney's 6-Pack: Fountains of Wayne

Okay, people, it's Friday afternoon.  It's that time.  Again.

As you're picking up a six-pack of this or that to round out the week, here's another.  In the interest of spreading the love of good music, we will throw out six suggested songs by certain bands you may or may not know much about. Not much of a time commitment, just a little something to get the flavor and get you going.

We're kicking this off with a band that references New Jersey.  Since it's Dave's birthday and all.

Whitney's 6-Pack: Fountains of Wayne

Vitals
Where: New York City
When: 1995-2013
Who: Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter, Brian Young

Most know them from their biggest hit, the titillating "Stacy's Mom." Not a bad song, and I've included herein, but they've done plenty more worth a listen.  Enjoy.

"Radiation Vibe," Fountains of Wayne, 1996


"Someone to Love," Traffic and Weather, 2007


"Hackensack," Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003


"Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart," Sky Full of Holes, 2011


"Sink to the Bottom," Fountains of Wayne, 1996


"Stacy's Mom," Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003