My sister’s birthday is today.
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According to her myspace she’s turned 30, but my drivers license says I weigh 190 pounds, so who knows what her real age is.
Kamala has been a very large influence on my musical tastes. I used to steal all her tapes and CDs on a regular basis. She had some of the best taste in music out of anyone I know. At least until she started getting into 60’s and 70’s music.
So todays post is very large. I’ve posted some of the music my sister has turned me onto over the past 25 years.
Punk Rock
My sister hung out with some really cool people when she was in high school in Las Vegas. Therefore, I was exposed to a bunch of punk rock and generally “weird” music like; goth and tons of novelty acts. Here is some of the punk music she got me into.
When I was about 8-9 years old my parents went on a trip from Las Vegas to the mid-Willamette valley of Oregon and the coast as well. My sister spent a great deal of time with her headphones on, I knew most of the music on the Ramones tape she had and I was singing it one day on the trip. My parents were appalled that I was singing such crude lyrics and I informed my parents that I was just singing a song on my sisters tape. They put the tape in and were all but disgusted and disposed of my sisters tape. She kept telling me she hated me for the rest of the trip. Strangely enough, my mothers ringtone is Now “Blitzkreig Bop”.
This album still gets played often.
Agent Orange – Cry for help in world gone mad
So does this one.
This album came out before Green Day and The Offspring ruined punk rock for everyone. This song used to be so powerful to me.
My sister had the picture vinyl of this. I couldn’t find a picture of it. FAIL.
I remember my parents took away one of our clash albums based on title alone. The album. Combat Rock.
Fugazi – And the Same(live in Germany)
Before I even turned 10 I was jamming on Fugazi. Ask my sister, she’ll tell you.
I still have the t-shirt that used to be hers of this band.
The album Worlds Apart still gets a lot of play at my house.
80’s Goth and other randoms
Oh how I love this song. The Bauhaus really had some variety going on.
From the Pretty In Pink soundtrack.
I heard the Pixies albums right when they came out because my sisters had them all.
Revolting Cocks – Beers, Steers, Queers
I found a tape of hers with no label on it(probably because the name was Revolting Cocks and our mom would have threw it out in a heartbeat), I thought it was just the weirdest stuff ever.
The Cure – Jumping Someone Elses Train
I used to love this band.
Yes, it’s the “turning Japanese” band. But that song is really good.
Indie Rock/Lo-fi
Guided by Voices – Gold Star For Robot Boy
I got to hear this stuff the first time around too.
I love the video to this song.
My sister had a ton of these guys albums.
Ska
We weren’t ever ruddies or anything but there was some ska being played when I was growing up.
Pretty damn good song.
Operation Ivy – One Of These Days
I thought this song was so tough. Then I found out it was written by Nancy Sinatra.
The Specials – Stupid Marriage
I don’t even think of this band as a ska band. I think of them as something completely different.
Other
When there were a few random things in there I wasn’t kidding, here are the songs that don’t really fit a specific style.
Beastie Boys – High Planes Drifter
I wanted to be a Beastie Boy and I can recite the album Paul’s Boutique verbatim.
Camper van Beethoven – Take the Skinheads Bowling
I didn’t really like this band when I was younger but now I love them.
Cat Stevens – IF You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out
We loved the movie Harold and Maude and probably watched it 200 times.
This was my first concert. We met the singer. When he had to leave my mom was really embarrassing and asked him if that was his “last cigarette”.
Janes Addiction – Sympathy For the Devil
I always like this band. Probably because of the offensive album covers.
King Missile – Martin Scorsese
I stole a random mix tape from my sister once and it started with this song. I liked it purely because it was offensive. I often wonder if Mr. Scorsese has ever heard this song.
I actually put this song on as a joke. She hated this band. I bet she would never even think about this band. I guess I just have weird sense of humor.
They Might Be Giants – Particle Man
Her child loved the NO! album when he was learning to talk.
Only the Opiate and Undertow are good by this band, then they went kind of downhill. This album was so fresh before a million bands tried to copy tool.
Violent Femmes – Girl Troubles
My sister had this friend Jeannie. She dubbed this tape for my sister b/w Monty Python Sings. I quickly stole it and never gave it back.
My Sisters Choices
I asked her if there were any bands she wanted me to post and this is what she picked. If she wants to say something about these bands she’s more than welcome to say it in the comments.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Happy Birthday Kamala.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Aww! Sweet. I’m sure she will love this.