Stacking The Deck is a feature exclusive to Adam’s World where I bring packs of 1991 Pro Set Superstars MusiCards to artists, and we discuss who they find in each pack. 

NYC-based indie power pop foursome Strange Neighbors are through waiting.

During the pandemic they exercised restraint, debating the appropriateness of releasing music during such a tumultuous time, but having recently released a new single, titled “Window Watching,” they’re officially ready to be back in everyone’s ears.

“We were really excited about ‘Window Watching,’” Strange Neighbors frontwoman Aidan says, “and now I think we’re pretty impatient to get the rest of these songs out.”

Some of those songs will be heard on their upcoming EP, Party of None, which is due out later this year. The band – which consists of Tracey (drums), Aidan (vocals), Dana (bass, and co-captain of the Diamond District Gotham Roller Derby team!), and Zach (guitar) (photo: L to R) – will also have a song featured in an upcoming movie about the life of Gin Blossoms co-founder Doug Owen, who was Dana’s uncle.

Aidan, for one, is anxious for people to hear the new music. “I want it out there,” she says, “It doesn’t have to be perfect … Before I even formed the band, and I was doing solo stuff while trying to get a band together, I was like alright, this recording, I love it, but it’s not perfect, and there’s stuff that pisses me off, but if I don’t put it out I’m never gonna put shit out.”

I caught up with Strange Neighbors before their recent show at Bowery Electric, and when we opened up some packs of MusiCards the artists we found sparked conversations about musical influences, the importance of having just the right amount of flash, and a missed connection with Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik.

 

Aidan: I’m a big fan of the Goo Goo Dolls, and I always have been. I also saw them live once when I was really young, like underage, and it was amazing.

One time, my brother was living in L.A., and we went to this really fancy restaurant called PUMP, which was on this reality TV show (Vanderpump Rules), and I was like I just want to go there because all these reality TV people go there. So we went, and the food was pretty good, but it was very ritzy. After we left we were like oh my God, we know that guy, and it was John Rzeznik. My brother was like, “Yeah, he lives around here with his daughter, or something.” So I was like oh fuck, I don’t know what to do. He did not seem like he wanted to be talked to, so we literally followed him, lagging maybe half a block behind him, until we realized he was walking in circles to shake us.

He was trying to get rid of you? 

Aidan: It seemed that way, yeah, but we kept going for a good while.

You know that feeling after you see a celebrity, and you’re like I could’ve said THIS, and I could’ve done THAT? I felt that way. I did not feel cool about it. I think I did the absolute worst thing I could’ve done by just stalking him around L.A.

Well, you didn’t take a photo of him, so it could’ve been worse. 

Aidan: I don’t think I took a photo of the back of his head.

Dana: Did you guys point a lot?

Aidan: No, I was really careful not to point. I was just trying to get a look at his face whenever he would kind of turn, and I was like oooh, he walks that way!

I was just awestruck because it was someone I actually cared about.

Now it’s many years later, you’ve had plenty of time to think about it – what would you have said? 

Aidan: Oh my God, I definitely would’ve tried to strike up a conversation with his daughter instead. She’s probably way cooler. The kids of rock stars are usually way cooler. They don’t get the attention if they’re not famous.

Dana: Eeeeeh, Chet Hanks.

Aidan: Was he cool?

Dana: No. There’s Colin Hanks, and Chet Hanks, and they’re two totally different people.

And it’s kinda like, how are they even related? 

Dana: Remember The Osbournes reality show? One of the kids was like, I don’t want to be part of this family.

Aidan: Yeah, there’s a whole other Osbourne.

Before we move on, Dana, I believe you have something you want to add about Goo Goo Dolls. 

Dana: Yeah, my mom loved the Goo Goo Dolls, and I didn’t really love them until later. I didn’t go to a lot of Goo Goo Dolls concerts, but I did go to one. I grew up in Arizona, and they came in the summer, it was July, it was like 120 degrees, it was an outside concert, it was so fucking hot, but my mom was like, “We have to go, it’s Goo Goo Dolls, and Counting Crows.” It was really fun.

Peak ‘90s pop-rock. 

Aidan: And the Goo Goo Dolls showed me that you can write a song about something like abortion, and it can totally make Top 40 radio as long as nobody knows what it’s about.

Dana: It’s like Third Eye Blind.

Aidan: It’s perfect.

 

Tracey: I grew up listening to classic rock and oldies, so I remember the first time I ever heard Led Zeppelin. My dad was doing stuff around the house, and he was always listening to old tunes on AM radio, and “D’yer Mak’er” came on, and I just remember hearing that intro drum fill, and I was hooked. I’m like, I’m in love, I’m gonna play the drums.

I started playing guitar when I was 7, and playing the drums when I was 12. From then on out it was a love affair.

Talk about an introduction to the drums! 

Tracey: Dave Grohl was also an influence. I kind of mirror him in a way. He’s super passionate, and self-taught, and I use the same approach.

Dana: We gotta get you a gong!

Zach: To add to the Led Zeppelin story, I bought a copy of Led Zeppelin at garage sale. I had a record player, but I had it on 45 instead of 33, and didn’t realize it. I was like whoa, that guy’s got a high voice, man!

So can we expect some drum solos tonight? 

Tracey: Nope. I’m not a flashy drummer. I play for the song.

My bandmates will tell you I’m a shy person. I’m generally quiet. I let my drumming do the talking.

Zach: Tracey’s a Ringo, in a good way.

The Beatles needed Ringo. 

Tracey: I love Charlie Watts, too, his jazz influence. I really loved him.

 

Zach: I like Tom Petty a lot. I think he’s a great songwriter, and I think he’s a good bridge between a bunch of different genres.

My parents are of that time, so they listened to a lot of Tom Petty in the house. He’s a good bridge between the ’60 British Invasion, and also kind of New Wave, and also kind of Americana

I saw him in concert, it was great. I think it was during a summer break from college, he played at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, in Saratoga Springs, NY. Some friends and I went camping, and saw Tom Petty.

And The Heartbreakers are such an underrated band. Mike Campbell is a great guitarist. Nobody ever talks about him.

Tracey: Their drummer’s great, too. He plays for the song.

Zach: Oh yeah, Stan Lynch, he’s great.

All those guys in that band are super talented, and they’re able to play their parts without getting in the way, and it just makes the songs so good.

You mentioned he’s a bridge. Was he a bridge to anything for you? 

Zach: That’s an interesting question. Not really.

When I was growing up I was a big Beatles kid, so I didn’t really go backwards from Tom Petty, but I think I probably got into Tom Petty because of the Traveling Wilburys. George Harrison was one of my idols. He’s one of those people who, kinda like Tracey was saying, like a Charlie Watts, or a Ringo, he’s not flashy at all, he plays to the song and what it needs to be, and obviously he was pals with Tom Petty, so I probably found that stuff from there.

It’s interesting both  you and Tracey mentioned less flashy, but very effective, and very good musicians. 

Tracey: It’s the perfect recipe, in my opinion.

Aidan: Tracey is the main ingredient!

So Aidan, you’re the flash? 

Aidan: I love flash! I love ‘80s hair metal because everything is flash. I just think it’s fun as fuck. It feels so queer in the best way, and just free.

I like flash. I don’t know, flash me.

Dana: You’ve flashed a couple people.

Aidan: I have flashed on stage from time to time. I flashed you (Dana) yesterday.

Zach: I think that’s really a good point to bring up about flash. You can’t have too many people flashing. I’ve been in bands where everybody’s trying to flash, and then there’s just too much flash going on.

Aidan: But you’re good, because sometimes I’m not in a super flashy mood when I’m on stage. It always comes out a little bit, but I feel like the band members will pick up the flash slack.

If they sense the flash isn’t happening? 

Aidan: Yeah. There have been times where I’m like, “Guys, I’m fucking exhausted today. Give me a little up there.”

Tracey: And I’m not completely dead on stage. I play to the song, but I’m also very animated. I get into it. I thrash around. I’m super into playing. I’m not a robot.

Aidan: It would be jarring if you literally flashed behind the set.

You should drum with your tits!

Zach: I am a robot.

No, I interact.

Dana: We get some coordinated jumps sometimes. Usually half a beat off, but it still looks good.

As long as it’s coordinated! Aidan, let’s get back to hair metal for a minute. You said it’s an influence. 

Aidan: I just love it. I’ve always loved it when ‘80s rock ballads …

Monster ballads. 

Aidan: Yeah, absolutely. It does something to my heart. I just want to be there.

I always used to think that if I was 20 in the height of the ‘80s I’d probably be a very important groupie. I’d be like Kate Hudson in Almost Famous. I’d be a band aid. A groupie, but minus the sex with everyone.

I’d have sex with Lita Ford, but not with the dudes from Foreigner. I just wouldn’t.

What if Foreigner reads this? 

Aidan: Then they can work for it. {laughs} 

For more Strange Neighbors, check out strangeneighbors.band, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Labels: Music Interviews, Stacking The Deck

This week’s NYC Scene Report features Best Breakfast becoming a “Shapeshifter,” Aubrey Haddard feeling “Green As Ever,” and With The Punches telling us about the “Stoneham Blues.”

* Everyone knows breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so I’m leading off this week’s column with Brooklyn based band Best Breakfast, whose upcoming album, Clap If You Can, is due out June 17th.

The second single off Clap If You Can is “Shapeshifter,” which the band’s frontman Ben Majest says is “about life being a giant performance.”

He adds that when it comes to the video for the song, “It came out of a place of responding to what we’ve been feeling the last two years, this sense of isolation in performing for no one, or performing for ourselves – the visual of playing to an empty theater, then to a crowd of mannequins as empty bodies, and then becoming one … it immediately made sense to me, and resonated with that feeling. The irony is that making the video was the most face-to-face project I’ve worked on since before March of 2020. It was truly a team effort getting the long takes right and moving the mannequins in place so they appear out of nowhere. What a trip.”

What a trip, and what a cool video (probably the most relatable video ever for Kim Cattrall, who I’m sure frequents this site). Click play and check it out.

* Are you ready for some plant-based indie-pop? If you said yes, then you’re ready for new music from Aubrey Haddard.

No, Haddard isn’t made out of kale, but her latest single, “Green As Ever,” was loosely inspired by the book The Botany of Desire.

Haddard explains that in the book, “Michael Pollan discusses the reflection of human desires in the way that we interact with plants. We’ve learned how to manipulate them in every way so they become only the best, only exactly what we want.”

She had this in mind when writing “Green As Ever,” which she describes the lyrics of, saying, “According to mythology we play a role, and when that role comes knocking on my door, don’t expect me to answer. Maybe I am destined for something, but maybe I’d rather just run from it. Maybe I could manipulate my life in every way so that it is exactly what I want it to be, or maybe I’ll just throw up my hands.”

“Green As Ever” is off Haddard’s upcoming album, Awake And Talking, which is due out August 19th, and you can check out the video for the song right here.

* Sometimes you have to roll with the punches, and if you’re a fan of pop punk you’ll absolutely love rolling With The Punches. (Don’t look at that sentence too closely. It doesn’t make a ton of sense, but I was going for the pun. Forgive me.) 

The NY-based band recently signed with Mutant League Records, and will be releasing a new EP titled Discontent this Friday. The first single off Discontent is “Stoneham Blues,” which frontman Jesse Vadala explained in a statement, saying, “This song is loosely written about a few close friends who passed away. I struggled like many do in processing death, especially those lost to addiction. We always wish for ways to protect the ones we love. When they leave abruptly, it can shatter so many lives. Some days we feel lost. Other days we shine a bit brighter from the light of our memories. There were several sharp moments like this in the last few years. Now when I give it time, I feel so proud and thankful for all of the beautiful memories, they tend to outweigh the bad.”

Since this is pop punk, all that emotion is wrapped up in a song that’s incredibly high energy, and something you can rage to. After checking it out, With The Punches is a band I would love to see live.

For more of the best of NYC’s indie music scene, come back next Wednesday, and check out the archives for previous columns.

Labels: NYC Scene Report

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Shawn Mendes getting boss-y, to Justin Bieber’s new brew, to what’s coming out of Madonna’s vagina, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Shawn Mendes stars in Tommy Hilfiger’s latest ad campaign, singing Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” Personally, I had no idea Bruce Springsteen was this hard up for money.

* Maple Leif Garrett, aka Justin Bieber, is teaming up with Tim Hortons again, this time for a French vanilla cold brew named “Biebs Brew,” which will be available starting June 6th. I’m still waiting for the Miles Davis estate to get their chance, so we can taste some Bitches Brew.

* Camila Cabello will be a coach on the next season of The Voice. I’m guessing this means she has something to promote on the horizon, since only the careers of the coaches actually gain any momentum.

* A Metallica fan gave birth during the band’s concert in Curitiba, Brazil as the rock legends performed “Enter Sandman.” Now THAT’S how you make an entrance!

* Speaking of giving birth, Madonna released an NFT collection that features her giving birth to trees, butterflies, and centipedes. In an unexpected reaction to this release hundreds of retro gamers have lined up looking to blast the centipede coming out of Madonna’s vagina.

* American Express teamed up with Harry Styles to give away 500 pairs of tickets to his “One Night Only in New York” show. This begs the question – how many Harry Styles fans are even old enough to have a credit card?

* Lyle Lovett released his first new album in a decade. Titled 12th of June, he says he took his time because he wanted his new music “to represent my life in the way my other albums have.” What this release represents for him is fatherhood, as five years ago Lovett became the father of twins. Lovett is now 64 years old, so someone let my parents know I still have plenty of time!

* On June 16th an immersive “DiscOasis” roller disco experience will open at Wollman Rink in New York’s Central Park with Nile Rodgers serving as the event’s official “groovemaster.” Based on the target audience, this might be the funkiest way to break a hip.

* Friends of recently deceased Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins are extremely upset at a Rolling Stone feature that claims Hawkins was pushed to exhaustion. Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, who was one of many artists quoted in the article, says that when he agreed to be interviewed he’d been told the feature would be a tribute, not an article about Hawkins’ last days. Wait, you mean to tell me Rolling Stone basically fabricated a story? I wonder if there are any fraternities at the University of Virginia that could comment on this?

* Liam Gallagher claims he hasn’t seen his brother Noel in 10 years. I think this might be because so much of Liam’s time is now taken up by making his own tea.

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.

Labels: Pop Shots

Back in the day we used to advise people to find their tribe. This involves developing your own unique personality and interests, and then connecting with those who share some, but not necessarily all, of those interests. It’s basically a way of embracing who you really are, and finding those who are on a similar wavelength.

Somewhere along the line, this concept has been bastardized, and now, rather than developing unique personalities and interests, people are deciding on tribes, and then adopting all of that particular tribe’s beliefs. Individuals are allowing themselves to be molded, and whether it’s due to loneliness, or wanting to belong to something, this toxic tribalism has led to the degradation of the concept of friendship.

It used to be people would be able to have disagreements with friends, even about very major topics, but we’d recognize the friendship was the most important thing. If someone has been there for you over time, and you’ve been there for them, everything else is secondary. Maybe they’ve helped you through breakups, the loss of a loved one, picked you up when your car broke down in the middle of the night, introduced you to your significant other, or the biggest of all – maybe they gave you a ride to, or picked you up from, the airport.

This type of friendship started to fade as social media became more prevalent. All of a sudden, people decided that in order to be friends with someone they had to agree with each other on everything. Whether or not someone has been there for you over time be damned, if you disagreed on a topic the friendship was over. “Unfriend” would be clicked. “Are you sure?” Hell yeah, that person who’d been there for you had a differing viewpoint on something, and maybe they didn’t even vote the same way you voted. Who needs ‘em?

Spoiler Alert – YOU need them. You needed them in the past, and they were there for you, and as much as you don’t want to hear it, those new friends you agree with 100% of the time will ditch you the first time you disagree with them.

Things have become even worse in recent years, as now it isn’t even enough for people to only have friends they agree with, now the narcissism has reached it’s absolute apex – forget anyone else’s opinion, only your opinion matters, and in order to be friends with you people have to agree wholly and completely with you!

Each individual now thinks they should be the center of the universe, and that everything they think, and everything they say is the pinnacle of human thought, and human experience.

This is a terrible way to live.

In my memoir I wrote about how when I announced I was diagnosed with cancer back in 2017 I received support from friends of all different religions, ethnic backgrounds, sexualities, genders, political affiliations, and belief systems. It struck me how some of these folks might not be friends with each other due to these differences, but they all had something in common – humanity. All of these people, these wonderful, diverse in thought, people supported me. They all showed they care, and I could not imagine my life without them.

It also reminded me that I have great friendships with people I don’t agree with on everything. Rival sports teams? Cool. Differing political views? No problem. Because when it comes right down to it, I know these folks will be there for me, and I’ll be there for them.

The world doesn’t, and shouldn’t revolve around me, or my beliefs (despite the name of this website), and the world doesn’t, and shouldn’t revolve around you, and your beliefs, or your neighbor, and their beliefs.

We’ve become a world of narcissists, and it’s time to regain some of our humanity.

I think it starts by looking at our tribes, and really putting some thought into if we joined them because they align with our views, or if we aligned our views with theirs in order to join them. Once we figure that out, we can get to work on a truer path of self-discovery, and welcome a variety of people into our lives.

Maybe we can even re-add some of those friends we unfriended, and be reminded of the truly important reasons those friendships existed in the first place.

Labels: Culture

This week’s NYC Scene Report features Baby Got Back Talk feeling Existential Shred, Blake Morgan readying the release of his Violent Delights, and Sickpay breaking through and feeling free with Pureocracy.

* NYC-based pop punk band Baby Got Back Talk have signed with Wiretap Records, and will be releasing a new EP titled Existential Shred this summer.

The band’s vocalist/bassist G’Ra Asim discussed both the signing, and upcoming EP, a statement, saying, “As the D-I-why?-because-we-gotta punk party known as Baby Got Back Talk goes, the medium is the message. The four of us think of our project as a Mom and Pop Punk band, which makes linking up with Wiretap Records a whole vibe, since (Wiretap Records owner) Rob (Castellon’s) hustle and social consciousness are a perfect match for our own. Our forthcoming EP, Existential Shred, is a bold new chapter in the band’s story, and we’re stoked to release it on such a rad and forward-thinking label. Shout to queer punx, and punx of color worldwide –this is for you. Only herbs will miss it.”

For a taste of Baby Got Back Talk, check out “Back to Before,” which was off their debut album, Genre Reveal Party.

As an aside, is anyone better at naming things than this foursome?

* Longtime readers already know that NYC-based indie music icon Blake Morgan has been a favorite here for years. What you may not know is this is a special week for Morgan, as his new album, Violent Delights, will be out on Friday!

The latest single from Violent Delights is “Baby I Would Want You,” the video for which – his third collaboration with New York City indie-filmmaker Alice Teeple – was filmed entirely at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn.

Discussing the thought process behind the video, Morgan said, “For this third video together, Alice and I wanted to do something different – a full-band performance video in a timeless and classic venue. Pete’s Candy Store was our first and only choice, and you can see why when you watch the video. There’s no other stage like it.”

Morgan knows a thing or two about great stages, as he’s graced a plethora of them throughout the city, country, and the world, including his current six-year run of sold out shows at NYC’s Rockwood Music Hall.

Check out “Baby I Would Want You,” and hear why Blake Morgan is always a hot ticket wherever he performs.

* Brooklyn-based composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sickpay released a 5-track, punk fueled EP titled Pureocracy way back in December, but for some reason I just discovered it the other week. Yeah, sometimes even I need a late pass, but I’m glad Pureocracy finally found its way to my ears.

Discussing the project in a statement, Sickpay said, “Pureocracy was born in the darkest days of the pandemic, but is filled with ecstatic anthems for our era. Recorded in a small Brooklyn studio, these five songs feature big choruses, (and are) to-the-point tunes about living through existential oppression. Enjoy the freedom and release that comes from yell singing out of the holler.”

Click play on the EP’s lead track, “Quiet As A Joke,” and get free with Sickpay.

For more of the best of NYC’s indie music scene, come back next Wednesday, and check out the archives for previous columns.

Labels: NYC Scene Report

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week I’m hopping into my time machine again, this time setting the coordinates for 41 years ago this week.

Touching down in 1981, it’s an interesting time to be alive, because it’s the ‘80s, but it isn’t really the ‘80s, at least not in the way we think of the decade. In 1981, most of the rock music still sounded like ‘70s rock, and while new wave was making its presence felt, the ‘80s pop sound wasn’t anywhere near the synth-driven heights it would eventually reach.

The #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 this week might have been one of the first truly ‘80s songs, as Kim Carnes was in the top spot with “Bette Davis Eyes.” Even with Carnes at #1, you’ll swear some of the other songs on this chart were from the ‘70s.

So let’s get into the exploration in chart history! Of course, since this is Pop Shots, you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

1. Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes

As I mentioned in the intro, this is a song from ’81 that actually sounds like an ‘80s song, and because of this it’s correctly remembered as an ‘80s classic. I do wonder, however, how many people in 2022 know “Bette Davis Eyes,” but have no idea who Bette Davis was.

6. REO Speedwagon – Take It On The Run

REO Speedwagon had two classics on the chart this week back in ’81 – “Take It On The Run” at #6, and “Keep on Loving You” at #42. Everyone on the planet knows these songs, and sings along to them when they come on the radio. They are classic rock staples, which is probably why many of us think of them as being from the ‘70s.

9. Hall & Oates – Kiss On My List

As I’m sure birth rates indicate, the music of Hall & Oates was everywhere at this time. On the Billboard Hot 100, not only was “Kiss On My List” at #9, “You Make My Dreams” was at #38. These guys have a sneaky great catalog, and over the years they’ve definitely help a lotta folks seal the deal.

31. Blondie – Rapture

“Rapture” is a great song that is sometimes only thought of as the first song to hit #1 that featured rap vocals. Yes, Debbie Harry rapped, and yes she rapped about general nonsense, but “Rapture” is way bigger than just that aspect of it … and if we’re being honest, the nonsense rap is silly fun. Not everything needs to be serious.

33. Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl

While many of us think of the previously mentioned REO Speedwagon songs as ‘70s rock, Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” is as pure an early ‘80s rock song as you’re going to find. Like many great ‘80s songs, it can get stuck in your head for days. Heck, it’s probably stuck in your head after reading this!

39. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – The Waiting

The music of Tom Petty doesn’t belong to any one decade. In fact, in can only be categorized as – Tom Petty music. He’s always created truly timeless tunes, and “The Waiting” is a song you could imagine being released in any of three, or four decades.

64. Stevie Wonder – Lately

A Stevie Wonder classic that an entire generation knows because of Jodeci’s phenomenal MTV Unplugged version of it, “Lately” is a jam no matter which R&B legend, or group of legends, is singing it. Seriously, though, the Jodeci version is incredible. Good luck to anyone who attempts to top it.

65. Shalamar – Make That Move

Remember how on Wu-Tang Clan’s “Triumph” Ghostface rapped, “Blowin’ like Shalamar in ’81”? This is what Shalamar sounded like in ’81, and I know what you’re thinking – wasn’t disco supposed to be dead by now? Kinda sorta, but much like how some of the rock songs on this chart sound like ‘70s rock, the last vestiges of disco were still around, as well. Hey, it’s never too late to get your boogie on!

81. Joe Dolce – Shaddup You Face

Apparently this is what comedic music sounded like before Weird Al. Thank God our accordion wielding legend came along and saved us!

84. Billy Squier – The Stroke

Not a single one of us thinks of this as an ‘80s song. Much like the previously mentioned REO Speedwagon songs, Billy Squier’s “The Stroke” feels like a ‘70s song, so much so, in fact, that I’m pretty sure there’s an unspoken rule that it has to be played at least half a dozen times a day on every classic rock radio station in the country. You know what, America is a better place for it.

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.

Labels: Pop Shots