It’s time again for Friday on My Mind. Our weekly blog post where we look at videos centered around one common theme. This is a collaborative effort between KEXP and King 5 News.
Happy Amplifier Love Week to you, you and, YOU! What is Amplifier Love Week you ask??? This week we’re celebrating all of the donors that have chosen to join KEXP’s monthly giving program-these are our Amplifiers. In the past, during this week we would be holding our week long Summer Drive. It’s thanks to our Amplifier donors that we’ve whittled down one week of a fundraising into just 12 hours today. Amplifiers amplify and keep all things good here at KEXP going. Yesterday during The Morning Show, I played music from the year 1994 all morning. Where else are you going to hear that? Theme programming, which is thought out and programmed by a real person, as well as all of the many other services KEXP offers like online streaming, podcasting, and now live video streaming wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of our generous donors. Thank you. And if you still haven’t made a gift to KEXP, there is no better time that right now. Now let’s look at a few songs that are amplifier related…
Pavement - "Stereo"
“Stereo” is found on the band’s fourth studio album the Brighten the Corners.
While a lot of people are familiar with Kim Deal’s non-Pixies band The Breeders, many may not be familiar with The Amps. The Amps started when The Breeders were supposedly on hiatus in 1995. Kim pulled together Nathan Farley, and Luis Lerma of the Toasties, and the Breeders drummer Jim MacPherson to form the band. The Amps kept busy throughout most of 1995, releasing the one album they recorded entitled Pacer and touring with the likes of heavy hitters like Sonic Youth and Guided By Voices. Here is the official video for the title song to that lone release under The Amps name:
The Apples in Stereo - "Dance Floor"
Hailing from Denver, Colorado, our next song choice is from The Apples in Stereo. Apples in Stereo are a part of what is known as the Elephant 6 Recording Company collective. The collective includes bands such as the Olivia Tremor Control and Neutral Milk Hotel and was formed by lead singer of The Apples in stereo, Robert Schneider, Neutral Milk Hotel’s own Jeff Magnum, and Olivia Tremor Control’s Bill Doss. The single, “Dance Floor” is from the album Travelers in Space and Time which was released April 20, 2010. Actor Elijah Wood is featured within the official music video for this song the connection being that Travelers in Space and Time was released via Woods’ label Simian Records, which was the first after they completed a contract with the now defunct spinArt label.
Honorable Mentions:
The Presidents of the United States of America - "Toob Amplifier"
Performed during an episode of 120 Minutes with Matt Pinfield in November of 1996.
Band of Horses - "NW Apt."
With three guitars and one amplifier I'm gonna blow the dust off this sceneEverybody in population are gonna find out what I meanNorthwest apartment, apartmentWhen all the parts equal more than the sumAnd the sum equals none
Soul Coughing - "Rolling"
One, two into the amplifierOne, two into the amplifier, and you got to get toInto the amplifierOne, two into the amplifier, the electrified twoInto the amplifierOne, two into the amplifier, and you got to get toInto the amplifierOne, two into the amplifier
Atlas Sound - "Amplifiers (Live at Pitchfork)"
Open the amps up - let them breatheYou and me in this sceneOpen the big camera box nowBleed the lens (and oh how)It reminds me of a kid - always lit, always didExactly what I said
Kiss - "Psycho Circus"
I've been waiting here to be your guideSo comeReveal the secrets that you keep insideStep up!No one leaves 'til the night is doneThe amplifier starts to humThe carnival has just begun.
Tom Petty - "Makin’ Some Noise"
From across the canyon a guitar playsThrough an amplifier on long delayIt was an old melody, I recognized the songI had an amplifier too, so I played along
Rage Against The Machine - "Know Your Enemy"
Ya got to knowYa got to knowThat when I say go, go, goAmp up and amplifyDefy
Sonic Youth - "Sacred Trickster"
From a performance given by the band during an episode of Later...with Jools Holland back in 2009.
I want you to levitate meDon't you love me yet?Press up against the amp, turn up the trebleDon't forget
It’s time again for Friday on My Mind. Our weekly blog post where we look at videos centered around one common theme. This is a collaborative effort between KEXP and King 5 News.
It’s time again for Friday on My Mind. Our weekly blog post where we look at videos centered around one common theme. This is a collaborative effort between KEXP and King 5 News.
