What is the best song to introduce someone to a particular band?

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what do you think is the best representative song to play for someone to introduce them to a band they have never heard?

― SAS (sschwartzberg), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 04:04 (nineteen years ago)

My favorite right now:

Echo & The Bunnymen - Rust

― SAS (sschwartzberg), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 04:23 (nineteen years ago)

It never comes up, but if it's Klaus Nomi then it's "Total Eclipse", and if it's Neu! it's "Hallogallo".

― Zachary Scott (Zach S), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 05:11 (nineteen years ago)

Klaus Nomi --> Total Eclipse has come up many, many times with me.

I would say:

Disco Inferno - "Summer's Last Sound"

Talk Talk (I am assuming here that they are already familiar with the pre-Friese-Green stuff) - "Ascension Day"

United States of America - "Coming Down"

Catherine Wheel - "Crank"

Damn. The temptation here is just to play the BEST song, thus hooking the target but instantly raising the bar unreasonably high. I guess I would just say that under no circumstances should you play "Dry the Rain" for someone who has never heard the Beta Band.

― owen moorhead (i heart daniel miller), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 05:28 (nineteen years ago)

Well, at least with Nomi you could substitute "Simple Man" for "Total Eclipse" on occasion. In theory. Every time I've played Klaus Nomi for someone, they just laugh and ask who it is, and then immediately forget about him.

― Zachary Scott (Zach S), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 05:32 (nineteen years ago)

I like this thread...it's the Rough Guide thread for the lazy.

― musically (musically), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 06:28 (nineteen years ago)

What the bloody hell?

― Sick Mouthy (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 06:39 (nineteen years ago)

I guess I would just say that under no circumstances should you play "Dry the Rain" for someone who has never heard the Beta Band.
-- owen moorhead (owen_...) (webmail), Today 6:28 AM. (later) (link)

Also, never let them see the movie "High Fidelity"

― mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 08:23 (nineteen years ago)

Quicksand - "Fazer"

Pavement - "Summer Babe (Winter Version)"

Supercar - "Lucky"

Sonic Youth - "Teenage Riot"

Bad Brains - "I against I"

Bloc Party - "This Modern Love"

Joy Division - "Transmission" or "Disorder"

― J-rock (Julien Sandiford), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 11:24 (nineteen years ago)

hmmm

pavement - cut your hair
bob dylan - ballad of a thin man
black sabbath - into the void
nick drake - things behind the sun
the cure - lullaby (and i would fuckin crank it)

those were just some ideas i guess

― Charlie Howard (the sphinx), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 11:38 (nineteen years ago)

Faith No More would be tricky.

― chap who would dare to contain two ingredients. Tea and bags. (chap), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 12:16 (nineteen years ago)

The Fall - Totally Wired

― Venga (Venga), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 12:18 (nineteen years ago)

faith no more - kindergarten

― Charlie Howard (the sphinx), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 12:24 (nineteen years ago)

Faust - Jennifer

― Venga (Venga), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 12:24 (nineteen years ago)

billie holiday - strange fruit

― Charlie Howard (the sphinx), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 12:27 (nineteen years ago)

Funkadelic - Hit It And Quit It

― Venga (Venga), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 12:27 (nineteen years ago)

Fugazi--Margin Walker

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 13:06 (nineteen years ago)

I presume that the premise is to get a non-fan lstening further, not to sate them entirely with the very best at once, and in that spirit:

The ROCK & ROLL ANIMAL version of "Sweet Jane" has started more than a few unsuspecting guitar fans down a long and very odd path.

― matt the queeg (veal), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 14:48 (nineteen years ago)

Sonic Youth "Teen Age Riot" OTM

Fugazi, I suggest "Waiting Room" instead

― Stephen Bush (Stephen B.), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 15:56 (nineteen years ago)

Low "Sunflower"

Tom Waits "Time" or "Hold On"

Mercury Rev "Holes"

Yo La Tengo "Autumn Sweater"

Cocteau Twins "Lorelei"

― Stephen Bush (Stephen B.), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 16:07 (nineteen years ago)

The White Stripes --- The Flaming Lips' "Thank You Jack White For That Fiberoptic Jesus That You Got Me"

― a naked Kraken annoying Times Square tourists with an acoustic guitar (nickalici, Tuesday, 3 October 2006 17:14 (nineteen years ago)

Sloan - Everything You've Done Wrong

― The PappaWheelie Story: Half Brain, Half Soul, All Mouth (on sale now) (PappaWhe, Tuesday, 3 October 2006 17:33 (nineteen years ago)

The Smiths - Half A Person

― zeus (zeus), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 18:43 (nineteen years ago)

Funny I was seeing this thread just as my cd player on random hit this song:

Jesus Lizard - "Then Comes Dudley"

― Morgan LaVigne (lumpenprole), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 18:48 (nineteen years ago)

Drive-By Truckers--Too Much Sex (Too Little Jesus)

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 19:11 (nineteen years ago)

I had this dilemma today...

For My Bloody Valentine i'm torn between "Only Shallow" and "Come In Alone", and for Portishead I have no clue at all (but am leaning towards "Only You" and "Numb").

Help me make a mixtape for someone: What would you recommend for Slint, Spiritualized, and Mogwai?

― less-than three's Christiane F. (drowned in milk), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 19:59 (nineteen years ago)

Slint 'untitled'
Mogwai 'helicon Part 1'
Big Star 'Back of a car'
spiritualized 'do it all over again'
My Bloody Valentine 'Swallow'
Scratch Acid 'Cannibal'
Husker Du 'Bricklayer'
Haircut 100 'Love Plus one'
Menace 'GLC'
AR Kane 'sugarwings'
Die Kreuezen' Cool Breeze'
The Vandals 'Urban Struggle'
ACDC ' Sheep Farming in the Falklands'
Swell 'Fuck Even Flow'
Dismemberment Plan 'Face of the Earth'
Wire 'The 15th'
Low 'Two Step'
Minor Threat 'Salad Days'
Descendents 'hope'
Aphex Twin 'Xtal'
Orbital 'Halcyon '
Wipers 'up front'
Bad Brains 'Pay to cum'
Cocteau Twins 'Kookaburra'
Portishead'Roads'
Christain Death 'Romeo's Distress'
Dickies 'Manny Moe and Jack'
Nick Drake 'Six Pack'
Cheap Trick ' Bloody revolutions'

― Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountain Dog (Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountai), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 21:45 (nineteen years ago)

thanks everyone... I have been introducing a friend who has really only heard classical music for much of her life... she is really loving what I've been sharing, and I was starting to run out of ideas!

― SAS (sschwartzberg), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 21:54 (nineteen years ago)

tis OK soldier
Are you Andy McNabb?
In return can you please give me some decent survival tips?
Ta

― Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountain Dog (Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountai), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 22:03 (nineteen years ago)

xxpost

What is "untitled"? One of the songs from their s/t EP? They're called "Glenn" and "Rhoda". "Breadcrumb Train", "Nosferatu Man", and "Good Morning, Captain" I think would all be better as a "this is what Slint does" sorta thing.

And Aphex... he really has two distinct phases, the latter marked by the releases of "Hangable Auto Bulb/2" and later "Richard D. James Album", moving from the analog organic/ambient sounds to a much harsher digitally-driven skittery feel. "Xtal" would be good for his early era, but I think "On", "D-scape", "Avid Acrid Jam Shred", "Wax the Nip" or "Polygon Window" would fare equally well.

As for his later sound, "Children Talking", "4", "Come to "Daddy", or "Windowlicker" would be the obvious choices. If I had to pick one, I'd say "Children Talking".

But I'd say it's impossible to pick just one Richard D. James track.

― less-than three's Christiane F. (drowned in milk), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 22:04 (nineteen years ago)

for Portishead I have no clue at all (but am leaning towards "Only You" and "Numb").

I'd go with either "Numb" or "Mysterons".

Squarepusher: "Do You Know Squarepusher"

― chap who would dare to contain two ingredients. Tea and bags. (chap), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 22:08 (nineteen years ago)

devo : too many, but mongloid still sends shivers up my spine.

madness : has to be my girl

cabaret voltaire : the 12" version of sensoria which is easy to get hold of (extra track on microphonies cd, or recent compilation)

jesus and marychain - never understand

etc etc

― mark e (mark e), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 22:14 (nineteen years ago)

Reagarding RDJ I would actually pick 'Girl Boy' or whatever tis called.Got bored after I heard Drugks or wodever da fuk
Tom Jenkinson is somebody i need to hear more of. Please direct me?!! Everything I have heard I dig, so what's stopping me? Always get muddled between him and that other Dand B guy who cannot play bass but it's gone. UFO?

― Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountain Dog (Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountai), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 22:17 (nineteen years ago)

Devo 'uncontollable urge'....nagg nag nag
madness ....has to be my girl
Caberet voltaire... aboring Nag NAG nag
JAMC vegetable man. No; sorry; does 'sometimes always' count?

― Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountain Dog (Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountai), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 22:20 (nineteen years ago)

Photek 'UFO'

― Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountain Dog (Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountai), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 22:21 (nineteen years ago)

Cockney Rejects 'War on The Terraces'

― Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountain Dog (Jessie the Drunk Dutch Mountai), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 22:22 (nineteen years ago)

JAMC vegetable man. No; sorry; does 'sometimes always' count?

Just Like Honey.

― Venga (Venga), Tuesday, 3 October 2006 23:20 (nineteen years ago)

Hey, give her a twofer! Walk This Way - Aerosmith & Run DMC

― jim wentworth (wench), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 00:20 (nineteen years ago)

i always introduce a newbie to pavement with texas never whispers or trigger cut...

boards of canada - roygbiv or kid for today

my bloody valentine - i usually go all out with to here know when...mbv is fairly polarizing...you'll know from this song whether you're gonna love em or loathe them

― robert anderson (venimdenim), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 00:36 (nineteen years ago)

When I have a friend I want to "introduce" a new band to, first I like to set the lights just right. I have installed dimmer switches in my home which are inexpensive but effective at producing the right environment for mind-expanding music listening (I purchased mine at Lowe's). If possible, I like to enjoy some friendly conversation with my friend earlier, so that he or she is loosened up and off their guard, so to speak. I have found on occasion that a little bit of wine can greatly facilitate the exchange of word-sounds and gestures that comprise most of these "ice-breaking" interactions. (I personally am not a wine drinker, but I will sip politely if my guest if having some.) The way my living room is arranged, there is a seating area on the left, a small coffee table, and my "set-up" in the front. I will not bore you with the technical details, but I have assembled an impressive collection of stereo components, which I have slowly put together over the years. Once we have settled in to the seating area and exchanged some talking with each other (and my WIFE has been sent away!!!!!) my choice for a song to introduce the person to a particular band is "Fields of Gold" by Sting. That is the question, right? What is the best song to introduce someone to a particular band? That masterpiece by the former member of The Police simply captures the best aspects of music, and prepares someone for a proper "session" of listening. Just thought I'd share my experience.

― Euai Kapaui (tracerhand), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 00:41 (nineteen years ago)

I think the best song to introduce someone to any band in particular, regardless, is "Fat Boy Fucks Ya," by Darlington Steals.

― Butt Dickass (Dick Butkus), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 01:07 (nineteen years ago)

Wilco - Heavy Metal Drummer

― graf cycliz (graf cycliz), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 04:10 (nineteen years ago)

Basement Jaxx - Romeo

― graf cycliz (graf cycliz), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 04:43 (nineteen years ago)

"Jesus and Mary Chain - Never Understand"

Nah. That was the first JAMC song I listened to, and it made me feel sick. A better choice would be 'Just Like Honey'. That song is ace.

Shihad - General Electric. (Or any of songs 2-5 off 'The General Electric').
Stone Roses - Fools Gold.
Pixies - Debaser.

― GLC (ZakAce), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 05:10 (nineteen years ago)

Yo La Tengo - Sugarcube

― I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit (I say we take off and nuke the), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 06:59 (nineteen years ago)

That was the first JAMC song I listened to, and it made me feel sick.

in the case of the Jesus and Mary Chain surely that means the song worked!!

― Euai Kapaui (tracerhand), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 09:20 (nineteen years ago)

'yo la tengo - sugarcube'

absolutely

― Charlie Howard (the sphinx), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 10:22 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah yeah yeahs - Y Control

― white heat (white heat), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 14:43 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah yeah yeahs - Y Control

What? no way. "Art Star" all the way.

― less-than three's Christiane F. (drowned in milk), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 20:38 (nineteen years ago)

Toby Keith- As Good Once as I Ever Was
Guided By Voices- I Am a Scientist
Sir Douglas Quintet- Mendicino

― ramon fernandez (ramon fernandez), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 21:15 (nineteen years ago)

Mouse on Mars - "Actionist Respoke"

― less-than three's Christiane F. (drowned in milk), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 21:52 (nineteen years ago)

Ariel Pink, "Life in L.A."
FAust, "It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl"
Steely Dan, "Pearl of the Quarter"
Magnetic Fields, "Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side"
Swell Maps, "Cake Shop Girl"
XTC, "Grass"
Excepter, "If I Were You"
Breeders, "Do You Love Me Now?" OR "D.O.E."
Charles Mingus, "Goodbye, Porkpie Hat"
Galaxie 500, "Blue Thunder"
Replacements, "Seen Your Video"
Sex Pistols, "Submission"
Spacemen 3, "Come Down Easy"
Guided by Voices, "Mincer Ray" [tough one]
Jandek, "Alehouse Blues"
Kraftwerk, "Neon Lights"
Meat Puppets, "Up on the Sun"
Dinosaur Jr. "Sludgefeast"

wait... maybe those are just some awesome songs. ah well..

― poortheatre (poortheatre), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 23:11 (nineteen years ago)

i would choose "motor away" by GBV cuz that's the song someone played for me to get me into them....

― M@tt He1geson: Real Name, No Gimmicks (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 4 October 2006 23:15 (nineteen years ago)

Galaxie 500 - Fourth of July

― Thomas Mehlt (Tokyo Ghost Stories), Friday, 6 October 2006 16:50 (nineteen years ago)

autechre - arch carrier
aphex twin - meltphace 6
us maple - whoopee invader
xiu xiu - jennifer lopez (electrified version)

― held tony (held tony), Friday, 6 October 2006 19:41 (nineteen years ago)

for Mingus I'd suggest "Better Git it in Your Soul" . I'd pop that one on to introduce someone to *jazz* even.

I did introduce someone to YYY with Y-Control, and they loved it, though weren't as impressed by the rest. Probably because it's not as impressive.

― bendy (bendy), Friday, 6 October 2006 20:00 (nineteen years ago)

~~Galaxie 500 - Fourth of July~~

Galaxie 500 - Blue Thunder

― Stephen Bush (Stephen B.), Friday, 6 October 2006 20:30 (nineteen years ago)

Well, depending on the person's taste, I'd pick "Schizophrenia" or "Dirty Boots" for Sonic Youth. Not only b/c "Schizophrenia" is my favourite song of theirs but they're tuneful, driving songs that actually display (and give good examples of) a lot of the things they do. "Teenage Riot" is catchy but it's pretty straight alt-rock that doesn't give much of an idea of what's interesting about SY.

And "Heavy Metal Drummer" is the only song I dislike on YHF! Why that one? "Jesus etc" or "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," I say. Maybe even "Theologians."

Aphex Twin - "Girl/Boy Song"

― Sundar (sundar), Friday, 6 October 2006 20:40 (nineteen years ago)

"Everything You've Done Wrong" is probably a good one since it's the song that made me reconsider Sloan.

Terry Riley - "A Rainbow In Curved Air"

If the person's a dork like I was, Pavement - "Stop Breathin'"

― Sundar (sundar), Friday, 6 October 2006 20:46 (nineteen years ago)

Late Radiohead - "Idioteque"

― Sundar (sundar), Friday, 6 October 2006 20:49 (nineteen years ago)

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