Nada Surf - Popular

I propose we support a one month limit on going steady

I think it would keep people more able to deal with weird situations

And get to know more people

I think if you're ready to go out with Johnny

Now's the time to tell him about your one month limit

He won't mind, he'll appreciate your fresh look on dating

And once you've dated someone else you can date him again

I'm sure he'll like it

Everyone will appreciate it

You're so novel, what a good idea

You can keep your time to yourself

You don't need date insurance

You can go out with whoever you want to

Every boy, every boy in the whole world could be yours

If you'll just listen to my plan:

The Teenage Guide To Popularity

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Nada Surf - Popular

In the 90's we learnt some important dating lessons thanks to the musically talented lads in Nada Surf.

From memory I believe there was three important rules for breaking up, the first being you should never put off breaking up if you know you want to. Prolonging the situation only makes it worse.

Tell them honestly, simply, kindly, but firmly. Don't make a big production or an elaborate story - this will help avoid a big tear jerking scene. Even if you've only been together for a short time and haven't been to serious. There's still some feeling of rejection when someone tells you they prefer the company of others to your exclusive company.

If you're honest and direct, and avoid a flowery emotional speech when you break the news they'll respect you for your frankness and honestly appreciate the kind of straight forward manner in which you told them your decision. Unless they're a real jerk or cry baby, you'll remain friends.

Oh yeah, and if you see Johnny football hero in the hall tell him he played a great game, tell him you liked his article in the newspaper.


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Grinspoon - Just Ace

The year was 1999 and it was the summer that Phil Jameson and Grinspoon helped me continually try to blow the bejesus out of my parents lounge room speakers. After all what's the point in playing Grinspoon if you don't have it cranked all the way up?

Weighing in at only 1minute and 46 seconds long, Grinspoon's Just Ace certainly packed a lot of punch for such a short tune. The clip has aged horribly, just take a look at Phil's sexy lipstick and nail polish. He wasn't even a Goth!

This tune is off the album, Guide To Better Living, and was full of Aussie rock gems that would be blasted out of my stereo for years to come.

They played in Victor Harbour for Schoolies, to which Katie and I managed to sneak in through a window, only to get to the stage and hear the band play their final song.

At least it was a good one!

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Regurgitator - Blubber Boy/I Sucked A Lot Of Cock To Get Where I Am

Having a big reflection back at old Aussie albums of late and if you're talking classic 90's Aussie rock then you can't exclude Regurgitator.

The three rockers from Brisbane were a hit with the kids thanks to their rocking guitars and combination of electro beats and effects.

Tu-Plang was one of my first favourite albums and featured hits like Kong Foo Sing, Couldn't Do It, I Sucked A Lot Of Cock To Get Where I Am and of course Blubber Boy.

I couldn't pick between Blubber Boy and Sucked A Lot Of Cock, so I've posted both!

Blubber Boy has the official clip while Sucked A Lot Of Cock doesn't have a filmclip, so I found a reasonably humorous snippet from the net, plus you can hear the song, so all good.

The 'Gurge are getting back on the road and playing gigs at the moment, hope I can catch them live again as they never disappoint.

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Guns N Roses - You Could Be Mine

The year was 1991, I was only ten years old but my god that year was amazing.

We saw the release of the greatest action movie of all time, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and if Arnie's kick arse T2 cyborg tough guy wasn't enough, Guns N Roses released Use Your Illusion 1 and 2.

This song featured on album 2 and also featured in the T2 soundtrack. It was also responsible for starting a love affair with rock that would last a life time.

The Use Your Illusion world tour was the largest in the history of music, lasting 28 months and consisting of 194 shows. It was also well known for the insane antics of Axl Rose who would notoriously rock up late leading to riots, which caused $200,00 in damages and saw the band banned from St Louis for life.

From the moment I heard this song, I was GNR obsessed, and picked up every album they had and played my Walkman until the batteries were dead all while trying to bust out those Axl high pitched screeches.

I do apologise for Axl's white lycra shorts in the clip! W. Axl Rose: Waste Of Ammo.

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Hunters & Collectors - Throw Your Arms Around Me

They're as Aussie as Vegemite, thongs, and AFL footy.

Hunters & Collectors were an essential part of any Australian's late 80' and 90's music collections. Like I've mentioned before, I was thankful enough to grow up in a house where H&C were part of our staple music diet.

This is such an amazing song, could easily be up there in the top ten Aussie tunes of all time. And it also sounds amazing when done by Eddie Vedder.

Not very often that your favourite musician does a cover of one of your parent's favourite bands. Quality.


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Pearl Jam doing an Aussie classic

Butthole Surfers - Pepper

I was amazed to see Cloud Control kick into this song at a recent gig.

One of those odd times where the band hates their own biggest hit and refuses to play it - they describe it, with disdain, as a "pop song". I guess the Butthole Surfer's will be remembered for more than this song.

But they forget how awesome and fresh this sounded in 1996. It fits perfectly with stuff like Beck at the time - weird, cool, fun. Whats wrong with pop songs anyway?

Guest Editor - Danny Yau


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Faith No More - Epic

Faith No More, Epic - I could be talking about the song title or using the word to describe the band and Mike Patton, because everything about Faith No More in the 90's was truly epic, and it's good to see that Mike Patton is never to far away from controversy. If you haven't yet seen Mike having a rant about Wolfmother, then you must... video is below.

This tune has to be up there with the best songs to ever come out of the 90's, we wanted it all but we couldn't have it, but it was fine, because at least we had this tune.


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Mike Patton talks about Wolfmother!

Eels - Novocaine For The Soul

I've always loved the Eels and this tune in particular, it reminds me of my teenage years listening to Triple J in my bedroom and staying up late to watch clips on Rage in the 90's.

Novocaine For The Soul was the very first single released by Eels and I always remember it for the cool clip of E and the band floating around as they sang and played their instruments.

It's the ideal overcast rainy day tune and gets it's laid back cruisy feel from a Fats Domino sample. The song is perfect for someone with a medicated soul who's paint by numbers life is fucking with their head. So just sit back in your chair and nod along in time with the music while watching the rain run down your window. Don't forget your comfort blanket!

Life is hard, and so am I, you better give me something so I don't die.


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Nine Inch Nails - Closer

The year was 1994, the UN called it the International Year of the Family and the International Year of Sport, Kurt Cobain killed himself, OJ Simpson drove a white bronco down the freeway running from the cops, and Nine Inch Nails confessed that they wanted to fuck us all like an Animal.

16 years on and Closer has stood the test of time, Trent Reznor's freaky wild love song, has scared and shocked, while in online polls it still rates up there in the top 5 songs of all time to get 'freaky' to.

The only choice now is, do you watch the original clip or the strange homo-erotic Star Trek one?


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MC Hammer - Can't Touch This

From everyone's favourite rapper turned preacher man came the tune Can't Touch This. In a blurr of happy pants and flat tops MC Hammer and his hammer dancers came charging out of the gates in the year 1990.

20 years on and you'll be hard pressed to find a jumping dance floor filling playlist that doesn't feature this cracking tune. Even those fly boys who hang in the corner looking cool will hit the stage and bust out some shitty/awesome (the shittier the better) dance moves to this one.

Because when it comes down to it, we're all a sucker for a cheesy old school tune.

STOP, hammer time.


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If there's one thing cooler than MC Hammer and happy pants, it's a flash mob dancing to MC Hammer in happy pants. Awesome!