This should be post 13, but it's 12...

...because Field Trip have a song called "Thirteen" that, even though it's not one of their better songs, I have a special place in my heart for. The song s written from the perspective of a man looking back at himself at age 13, wondering "How I'd look to me right now..." Something I have wondered more than once...

Field Trip are a band that can start a new theme of posts here on "Bands that I like that I don't think anyone else does" While I know this is not necessarily true,it has always felt that way. My friend Matt does like them, but I honestly can't think of anyone else who even knows who they are.

Who they are is a group from Pleasanton, California that existed in the late 80s and early 90s. They played upbeat rock with a slight (VERY slight) country edge. I am not sure if this makes sense but they seem to be smiling though their records. Their playing is energetic, their subject matter is usually light and innocent and there is just something special about them that comes across as positive and fun.

Here is an example: All My Fault from their Headgear LP

So of course nobody liked them in the era of grunge and the punk explosion in the mid 90's.

But really all three of their records are thoroughly enjoyable, other people agree- here and here

Their demise seemed to be written in the cards for them by the time their last album came out (seemingly straight to the discount bins) but the band seemed indifferent to it. My favorite song by them is the very last track on their last album called "Ballad of Field Trip". Singer Jim Galbraith recounts the beginnings of the band and their elation at being signed to a tiny independent record label. The song takes you from the bands youth and you grow up with them and in a strange way resign yourself to their inevitable eternal obscurity.

It's poignant, and brilliant.

Ballad of Field Trip

Baby Goes To 11!

Quickly now people, I have a diaper to change and noses to wipe....

Superdrag were (are again now) a powerpop group from Tennessee. They had a minor hit in the mid 90's with this first track

Sucked Out

This is one of those "songs that reminds me of a place and time" songs. I was moving from Baltimore to Fremont, Ohio. My Friend Ken was driving and I had a drugged to a stupor cat (named Blurt) lying limp on a pillow on my lap and the stupid Ryder truck said we had a quarter tank of gas but ran out of gas anyway somewhere near Warren, Ohio.

A great song from a band I tend to rediscover from time to time and really enjoy. The Blogosphere was kind enough to find me their albums I have yet to purchase (but will). They are all good powerpop records... here is proof from their 2000 LP "In the Valley of Dying Stars"

Lighting The Way

Superdrag have reformed and their new record will be out on St. Patty's Day

First person to comment gets a free CDR of In the Valley of Dying Stars, get to it.

Elvis to the power of 10

That would be Elvis Costello to you. I am indirectly dedicating this post to Mr. Costello by bringing you two artists that were/are obviously influenced by the real Elvis.

The first one was a contemporary of his, even signed to the same label after Elvis went on to the major labels. England's Any Trouble were fronted by Clive Gregson a terrific songwriter in his own, but sounding so much like Elvis had to have taken it's toll on the bands acceptance. He even looks a bit like Elvis: see if you can guess which one is him-


Their debut Lp came out around 1980 although I've read that the band started up in the mid 70's but sped up a bit in response to the punk scene and acts like Elvis Costello. Good thing their music is so good. I really can't believe I never heard of this band until a couple years ago. Nothing wrong with being influenced by Elvis if you can do it this well.
Any Trouble "(Get You Off) The Hook"

The second artist is a current (sort of) artist that put out a criminally overlooked CD in 2004. Eugene Edwards' debut LP is an incredible mixture of possible influences - most noticeably Elvis Costello. I do hear other possible influences, like Squeeze or Marshall Crenshaw (any one remember him). In doing a bit of research for this post I am finding out that some of his music was sent out with Dell computers a few years ago so people may know him from that but that still doesn't make not having a Mac excusable.

Even a moderate Elvis Costello fan can hear the influence and will surely see the play on words at the beginning of this track as a nod to that influence:
Eugene Edwards: It Doesn't Get Better Than This"

Edwards has put out one song since 2004 and I can't imagine why, this album is so good and so solid all the way through I can't imagine he is out of good material. His website seems to never be updated and he doesn't seem to play shows...unless he only operates on myspace rather than his own website... if that is the case - shame on him.