MEDICATION: A BUDDYHEAD BLOG

Greg Ashley - "Medicine Fuck Dream"

Hey everybody, meet Greg Ashley.  This guy is gonna "go places".  Greg writes some really good quirky pop songs that make me think of Syd Barrett, Roky Erickson and The Velvet Underground at times (I'm thinking about some of those demos that are on the VU box set in particular).  Yeah sure, those are big names to live up to.  But like those people were, Greg is on his own trip.  Meaning: He doesn't sound like anyone else does.  Now, I don't know Greg personally but after listening to his lyrics... I'd bet that he smokes truck loads of pot.  But that's just a guess.  What I am sure of though, is that he also fronts a pretty killer psy-rock band called Gris Gris.  You should pick up their new album, which is called "For The Season" out on Los Angeles based Birdman Records.  For now... download Greg's cover of Hank William's "Lost Highway" as well as his songs "She" (no, it's not a Misfits cover) and "Apple Pie And Genocide" (which is kind of the "hit single" if you ask me).  Also check this video of homeboy playing "Apple Pie And Genocide" live, it goes off!  Sorry about the download speed on this site lately... but what can I say, we're like totally popular man... plus this site is free so suck it raw style.

(Download - "She")

(Download - "Apple Pie And Genocide")

(Download - "Lost Highway" Hank Williams cover)

The Replacements - "Let It Be"

Most bands couldn't pull off naming their record the exact same thing The Beatles named one of theirs without looking like a bunch of douchey hacks.  Fact!  But always remember: there's an exception to every rule kids.  The exception in this case is The Replacements back in 1984.  Think about it... Four guys from the same Midwestern town as Hüsker Dü (Minneapolis) just went ahead and named their record "Let It Be" and no one could fuck with em' because it was so god damn solid. Now that's punk.  If you haven't gotten hooked on The Replacements yet, get ready cuz Paul Westerberg is one hell of a songwriter and this record is a motherfuckin' roller coaster.  "Let It Be"  has "country jammers", "heavy rockers" and even a few ballads.  This album is so damn good I had trouble picking what songs I should post here for you to check out.  I went with my gut as usual and settled on "I Will Dare" and "Unsatisfied".  Although you gotta make sure to pay attention to "Favorite Thing" and "Androgynous" when you finally pick this baby up.  The whole record just makes me wanna drink a whole lot of alcohol... but I think that was their intent.

(Download - "I WIll Dare")

(Download - "Unsatisfied")

Pretty Vicious - "Hollywood Forever"

I keep getting emails from some of you little ungratefuls that read this site, complaining that I don't post mp3s from NEW bands you haven't heard of yet... Well sorry kids but good new bands just don't grow on trees, they're a rare find.  But you're in luck today, cuz here is a new band I dig.  Everyone, meet Kristin King's "Pretty Vicious".  Their debut full length, "Hollywood Forever" (named after Hollywood's famous cemetery), is out on So Sweet Records but limited to only 1,000 copies so if you want one, order it now by clicking here.  These dudes (and dudette) have some really good songs... catchy yet just fucked up enough where you aren't gonna mind em getting stuck in your head.  From what I heard, Pretty Vicious are going to be playing a record release show sometime/somewhere this month and then a west coast tour early 2006... I'll keep you posted on that crap so you can go see em live and mosh or whatever it is kids these days do at shows. Oh and don't email me to tell me I misuse parenthesis, have bad grammar, spell stuff wrong or write run-ons... No fucking shit, I know I do and I give a shit. I am not getting graded you overly-sensitive weenies. God I love ya.

(Download - "Shake")

(Download - "Romantic")

(Download - "Hollywood Forever")

The Velvet Underground - "Peel Slowly Box Set"

I spent the past few days in New York (and a night in Philly) so I'm kinda beat.  It's nuts, the bars just don't close there.  Not that I was drinking, just saying. I know personal information about my trip to New York is weak but I don't have much else to say here, so I'm just gonna have to roll with it. This is The Velvet Underground's demo of their song "Waiting For The Man" on Disc one of their "Peel Slowly Box Set".  I like this slow country version, it's like so New York or something man. Tell your mom or your girlfriend or someone to get you this for Christmas if you don't already have it.  So anyways, back to me.... This week in New York I got to see Aaron play Madison Square Garden with Nine Inch Nails and Queens Of The Stone Age, never thought I'd say that.  It was pretty cool... Both bands put on a killer show, the new drummer guy is pretty good plus he's got long hair which is always a bonus for a rock band.  Queens Off The Stone Age are one of my favorite live bands if you haven't seen em on this tour, go check em out... maybe you'll even get heckled.  Wait til you hear the new Eagles Of Death Metal, SHIT GOES OFF! Rock N' Roll dance party.... anyways... here's Lou and his Underground.

(Download - "I'm Waiting For The Man" Demo)