Maybe it's just the _Fear of Music_ reissue but is something up with Talking Heads? Each just chose their key TH tracks They did a rare group interview on Sirius XM NPR: Do you have a project you’re trying to wake up right now? Byrne: [pause] Um… yeah but I don’t want to talk about it.

Happy Happy birthday Happy birthday, Steve Happy birthday, Steve Reich Happy birthday, Steve Happy birthday Happy

Legendary Williamsburg post-punk duo They Might Be Giants @tmbg.bsky.social have a lot of songs about bands and being in a band. Here, they comment on those songs and show why they're some of the most insightful commentators on the art of making music.

For drummers only: an outtake from _The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana_ about "The Terminator," the already legendary rented snare drum that Dave Grohl played on _Nevermind_, which is 35 years old today.

Nirvana, Dave Grohl and the Terminator

An outtake from The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana

michaelazerrad.substack.com

On this, the 35th anniversary of Nirvana's _Nevermind_, I will now shamelessly plug my book _The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana_. Read about _Nevermind_'s infamous bio and why it backfired, and the surprising cultural depth of the intro of "Territorial Pissings."

Nirvana's final album _In Utero_ was released this month in 1993. My book _The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana_ reveals the fascinating and deeply poignant meaning of the 21 mysterious little pictograms on the back cover.

Using primitive video software, pop-psychedelic artist and overall '60s art icon Peter Max made a beautiful video for a heartbreaking song: Missing Persons' "Surrender Your Heart" (1984). Max just passed at the age of 88.

Missing Persons - Surrender Your Heart

YouTube video by MissingPersonsVEVO

youtube.com

Last night, speaking after a screening of rare Dylan clips at the Paris Theatre, Bill Frisell conceded he's not the most articulate guy—"I sing through my guitar." And then he did just that, playing three Dylan songs instrumentally. It was lyrical and deep. He went from a caterpillar to a butterfly.

This Tim Curry gem was all over the cool FM stations in '79, '80. What a time capsule the lyrics are: "Pistol Pete," "Miss Rona," "Governor Brown and Linda," "John and Yoko farming beef," etc. Not to mention the vocal pastiche of Davids Bowie and Johansen.

Tim Curry Official Music Video I Do The Rock Superb Quality! YouTube

YouTube video by Chaosmosis

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I loved getting to finally meet and interview one of my absolute favorite music writers @michaelazerrad.bsky.social for the Sugar documentary short. Bob Mould’s memoir that he co-authored was obviously a template for us, and Our Band Could Be Your Life is one of the greatest books about music ever.

I'm going to interview the acclaimed composer Tyondai Braxton about his excellent new album _Splayed Werks_ (out Friday on the venerable Erased Tapes label) at Record Grouch in Brooklyn on Thursday, August 20th. Stop by if you're in town!

I have now sufficiently come down from last night's show and, unclouded by euphoria, can confidently state that Deerhoof is the greatest rock band on the planet and has been so for many years.

Questlove says he's maybe going to do a tribute band with acclaimed jazz bassist Christian McBride, playing "the worst of James Brown," and I am here for it.

This month is the 25th anniversary of my book _Our Band Could Be Your Life_. Fewer than 1% of all books remain in print that long. People still come up and tell me how it inspired them. It's been translated into several languages. The moral of the story: if you have a good idea, make it happen.

I did a lower-level stack about how revelatory a cover can be — not about the song but about the musician who's doing the cover. Featuring: No Wave band DNA, blues legend Willie Dixon, Dirty Projectors and Nirvana.

When Covers Reveal True Colors

On how revelatory it can be when a musician plays someone else's song

michaelazerrad.substack.com

Some singers just have something in their voice that conveys far more than mere notes and words. One of them is Jenn Wasner (Flock of Dimes, Wye Oak). Here's her lovely new thought-provoking and timely song about gratitude and empathy. Produced by the brilliant Nick Sanborn (Sylvan Esso).

DEMO: "Lucky" | Jenn Wasner

The song is called Lucky. Caveat—it’s really an unmixed demo, and all demo rules apply. I did it in one afternoon with my dear pal Nick “San

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I present to you one of the most stankface-inducing riffs of all time. My college roommate and I used to blast this — until one day, we cranked it up as high as we dared and the speakers shook apart and opened up like blooming flowers.

Earthquake

YouTube video by Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Topic

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People, today is a very special day. Not only is it the birthday of Taco, who gave us his immortal 1982 global hit synth-pop version of Irving Berlin's "Puttin' on the Ritz," but it is a Tuesday. And there won't be another true Taco Tuesday until 2031, so celebrate accordingly.

RIP Dave Kendall, who brought a lot of great underground music to the masses with the late-'80s MTV show _120 Minutes_. Dave was a very smart guy, a longtime vegan and environmental advocate (the three things were interrelated) and a resident of Bali, and I'm sad that he's gone.

Aw, jeez: L7 bassist Jennifer Finch has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer. There's a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses etc.

Donate to Jennifer Finch vs. Brain Cancer: It’s Time to Make Noise, organized by Aubree Miller

If you've followed Jennifer Precious Finch over the years, you… Aubree Miller needs your support for Jennifer Finch vs. Brain Cancer: It’s Time to Make Noise

gofund.me

I'll take "Amazing and Surreal Career Highlights" for $800, Alex! On Friday night, one of my books was an answer on @jeopardyofficial.bsky.social!

I would just like to note that the person who recently presented Ringo Starr with his honorary doctorate in music from the University of Liverpool is named Wendy Beetlestone.

New Orleans brass band jazz is like luggage with stickers on it from all the places it's been — it adds more and more sounds as it travels through time. Last night in Battery Park, the Rebirth Brass Band joyously stuck Miles Davis, James Brown, P-Funk, TLC and more on a funky Dixieland suitcase.

“France still hasn’t found what they’re looking for,” says the World Cup commentator after a save by a player named Bono.

Maybe my fellow post-punk buffs would like to read a Substack I wrote about Devo's anthem for the UK's legendary Stiff Records label that they didn't actually write for the UK's legendary Stiff Records label.

"Be Stiff": Devo's Accidental Anthem

The story of Stiff Records' herky-jerky theme song

michaelazerrad.substack.com

In which I ponder mortality at a Feelies show... and might possibly break some news.

Crying at the Feelies Show

On mortality and the last time

michaelazerrad.substack.com

Imagine a single that sampled Drake, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Lady Gaga — without permission — and then hit #3 and went platinum. That's right, you're imagining the mother of all lawsuits. But you're also imagining something that pretty much already happened — in 1956.

Dickie Goodman, Goofball Pioneer of Postmodernism

How novelty record king Dickie Goodman kind of invented sampling

michaelazerrad.substack.com

Hurray for @franznicolay.bsky.social, one of the most astute and eloquent voices in the music business, not to mention an excellent author and longtime Hold Steady keyboardist, for testifying before Congress about the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly.

How the Live Nation – Ticketmaster Settlement Threatens Antitrust Enforcement

YouTube video by House Committee on the Judiciary

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For those who asked, here's what I played for my DJ set at the sold-out opening show of Sugar's reunion tour, May 2nd 2026, at Webster Hall in NYC. And good grief, what a ferocious, intense show they played. Catch it if you can.

Guest DJs! Saturday: Legendary author Michael Azerrad. Sunday: NYC radio luminary Eric Holland. Monday: Friend of SUGAR, David Cross.