It's always funny looking at the contradictions in the perceptions vs reality of that. Grunge was supposed to be 'stripped-down' in production, unlike hair metal, but most of the big albums of the era (Nevermind, Superunknown, Dirt) were just as processed, just done differently than the standard wide open big-reverb…

It's just that the label itself doesn't seem to mean anything. 'Grunge' music seems to be a collection of punk/metal/hard rock bands that were mainly defined by their lack of hair-metal fashion and love of BigMuff distortion pedals, and that only becomes more apparent as you include bands from outside the Northwest.…

Dead Meadow? THAT'S THE BAND McNULTY'S KIDS LIKED ON THE WIRE! /heads off to itunes/

I love how statements like this (and there were plenty at the time) completely ignore any avenues that existed beyond the guitar-bass-drum formula of rock. Yep, there was literally nothing else you guys could have done to be different and distinguish yourselves, so long as you don't try to add different instruments or…

Yeah, I'd be interested in hearing exactly what qualities makes something 'grunge'. In musical terms, I can't think of anything that links Nirvana/Soundgarden/PearlJam/AliceinChains except distorted guitars and a lack of keyboard/synths. Lyrically, I guess they were all tortured and depressing, except for like…

She fixed the computer?

that's it, I'm not dating ANY of you.

The really great thing about ICQ is that you could change the name of the contacts on your list. So, for instance, if you found yourself alone in your friend's dorm room, you could switch your name on his ICQ to, for example, the girl you know he has a crush on, then saunter back to your own room and strike up a…

Which one was he again? All I remember is that Marcie (?) enjoyed his flavour of ice cream the best…

an old chatting program. It was ubiquitous for about 3 years in the late 90s/early 2000s, then disappeared without a trace. I can still (UH-OH) remember the (UH-OH) notification sounds (UH-OH) quite clearly.

It's just a great name to say with a tone of derision and disgust.

Pop Culture Tastes and Love

I dated the same girl throughout all of high school but by the end of senior year, I was slowly but surely getting the feeling that I wanted out. Being the non-confrontational pussy that I was, I figured once I went to university (she was staying home, i was going away), and spent some time apart, it'll be easier.

Great idea. For Korn songs, I would probably pick 'Freak on a Leash' (which I can't even blame on my youth, since I was old enough when that came out to know better..!). I'd put up a good defense right up until the point that the 'metal scatting bridge' starts. At that point, I would yell "Hey, isn't that Jonathan…

Very true. The folks I commute with are avid country radio listeners, and the vast majority of what I hear sounds like shittier versions of 40-pop, sang with a bit of a drawl, and a little banjo or fiddle sprinkled on top to let you know it's 'country'. It's sad because I actually really like a lot of '70s country…

"And beige pours out" is going to be the name of my KennyG-style smooth jazz combo.

The guys from Korn explain why they HATE Beethoven's 5th.

I think the big 'secret' to Nickelback is that they're a country ban with slightly louder guitars. Listen to this song and imagine it played with undistorted guitars and a fiddle in the background and it is undistinguished from anything else on the new country station.

I had to scroll to the end of that just to make sure it wasn't slash-fic. Because just the possibility that that might exist makes me a little …uneasy….

I like how your sexual fantasy are Corner Gas-Seinfield crossover pornos.