“What Happened to the 90s and 2000s?”
Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #156 Feb 2024
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0
Well, as I may have mentioned many times over the past 13 years, I have been in the Music Biz in one way or another since 1982, so it is suffice to say music is my life. I believe it is also well known that the 1960s are my jam, specifically 1965 to 1969, so much of the greatest music was made by so many of the greatest artists. However I hate to say this out loud but it seems the Twin Cities are firmly stuck in the year 1988, and that all of their favorite music comes from the era of when MTV aired Only Music Videos, almost to the point that if there was not a Music Video made for any certain song, it simply did not exist.
While I once was a fan of certain bands when I was younger; Led Zeppelin, Journey, AC/DC. Def Leppard to name a few after hearing the same songs over and over every single day I can simply no longer hear this music. Let’s look at this way, let’s take Led Zeppelin they recorded 9 Studio Albums with 74 Songs, unfortunately 14 of them were cover songs or obscure older songs ripped off to create a “New” Song, and yet somehow people only ever get to hear the same 8 or so songs decade after decade. So many might argue, “Well, that’s the songs people want to hear” is it , really, am I not a person with an opinion, how about actually asking some actual music listeners with real opinions. For example there is one very popular local radio station with a playlist totalling only 350 songs. On my WDGY radio after 7 seasons for my show, I have played conservatively 1932 songs that were probably never played on their station. What is my point …. Well I personally feel there are a great number of artists that are being overlooked or even forgotten such as.
Marshall Crenshaw:
Marshall Howard Crenshaw 11 November 1953 in Detroit, Michigan He started releasing music in 1982 releasing at least 13 Albums and 13 Singles with “Someday Someway” #36 on the Billboard Charts. As well as at least 5 contributions to other artists albums. Some of my favorites by Marshall: “Mary Ann” “Soldier Of Love” “Calling Out For Love” “Somebody’s Crying” “Some Hearts” “Let Her Dance” “Some Place Where Love Can’t Find Me” “Don’t Disappear Now” “Deliliah” “2541” “Television Light” “T.M.D.” I have seen and met Marshall many times. The 1st time at The Electric Fetus and The Fine Line in MPLS in 2000 and at a venue in the Warehouse Dist. in MPLS (wish I could remember the name) in 2001 and 12 June 2004 at First Ave. with MC5-DTK. I 1st heard Marshall working at RecordShop #67 at Valley West Mall. My manager Matt played the Cassette, yes, Cassette, as no one was buying vinyl by this point, of “Mary Jean and 9 Others” in the Fall of 1987. I really like the Pop sensibility of his songs, somehow a mixture of 50s and 60s but with a modern approach. Then in 1989 I heard his album “Good Evening” and I was hooked.
Chris Issak:
Born Christopher Joseph Isaak on 26 June 1956 in Stockton, Calif. He started releasing music in 1985 with 16 Albums and 36 Singles with 6 Songs on the BillBoard Charts and 8 contributions on other albums. I saw and met Chris and his band on 9 Aug 2003 in MPLS. and again on 13 Dec 2004 in MPLS some of my favorites by Chris “Another Idea” “You Owe Me Some Kind Of Love” “Fade Away” “Suspicion Of Love” “Wicked Game” “Wrong To Love You” “Two Hearts” “End Of Everything” “American Boy” “Washington Square” “I Lose My Heart”. Like everyone else I suppose I heard Chris via “Wicked Game” which did grab me as it was a 50s style song but with a dark 80s feel. However it was his 2nd album from 1987 that really pushed me over the edge with the song “Fade Away”.
The Smithereens:
Formed in Carteret, New Jersey and started releasing music in 1986 with 15 Albums and 26 Singles with 4 songs on the BillBoard Charts. Some of my favorites “Blood And Roses” “Behind The Wall Of Sleep” “House We Used To Live In” “A Girl Like You” “It’s Alright” “Now And Then” “House At The End Of The World” I saw and met them on 24 June 2012 in MPLS at Famous Dave’s, their original Roadie and long time friend Jim Brandt introduced me to the band, Jim used to be a good customer of mine back in 2008, Jim also worked with former New York Dolls, Johansen & Sylvain on their first 2 post Dolls albums. How I found out about The Smithereens, my co-worker Kevin S. in late 1986, handed me a Cassette he recorded and said “You like 60s music, I think you will like these guys” it was The Smithereens “Especially For You”. The songs “Behind The Wall Of Sleep” and “Blood And Roses” blew me away. By Sept 1991 when “Blow Up” was released, I was a total fan.
Matthew Sweet:
Sidney Matthew Sweet born on 6 October in Lincoln, Nebraska He started releasing music in 1986 releasing 20 albums and 9 Singles “Sick Of Myself” was #58 on the Billboard Charts. 18 other contributions to other artists’ recordings. Some of my favorite tracks: “Girlfriend” “Evangeline” “Divine Intervention” “Devil With The Green Eyes” “Magnet And Steel” my all time favorite “Faith In You” I saw and met Matthew at First Ave. on 20 Feb 2001 and again on 22 Oct 2008. I plan to make a “PsychoGello Show” on Matthew in the future. I remember Matthew’s “Earth” CD being released in early 1989, and then “Blue Sky On Mars” in Mar 1997, but was the song “Faith In You” from the film “Drive Me Crazy” released in Oct 1999, that hit me straight between the eyes, I was now a Fan!
Don Dixon:
Born on 13 Dec 1950 in Lancaster, S. Carolina. Don’s credits are numerous and vast. Why do I mention him, because at some point he has worked with: Crenshaw, Smithereens and Sweet and even R.E.M. In writing this article I came to realize Dix is the common denominator with this kind of music I love so much. I remember reading Dix’s name throughout the 80s however more as a producer than an artist. I have to say I love his style.
In closing there is so many artists and so much music I fear is being forgotten, so fans sometimes it’s totally worth it to take a chance on a name you are mildly familiar with, in this case I kept seeing the name Don Dixon associated with these artists so I dug deeper to see what more there was.
You can hear me on Radi0 WDGY 8am Sunday AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1, this is my 7th Season of The PsychoGello Show (2017-2024 for 277 shows). You can hear the last 90 Shows @ www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. You can also hear 2 of my other Radi0 Shows @ www.MixCloud.Com MrZeros – Evolation (32 Shows) -Hits And History (17 Shows) with Rick Burnett
You can see MrZerr0 sit in with Thee Mod Garage Alive 16 March 2024 Saturday 7pm in Roseville at The VFW Post #7555. Worth mentioning This IS MrZerr0’s Favorite band. Check them out @ TheeModGarage.Com and on YouTube.
Until my next installment … do some investigation MrZerr0
Mr. Zer0’s *Est.20091744 Lexington Ave. N.St.Paul- Roseville, Mn. 55113www.MrZeroS.ComClassic Music, Retro Toys, Vintage Video Gamesand Movies too.Where Nerd Is The Word.
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