Newt Gingrich – he may be the underdog, but he damn sure isn’t Rocky Balboa. For that reason, Frankie Sullivan, guitarist of Survivor — a band that broke onto the scene and disappeared simultaneously with Rocky III — is suing Newt Gingrich for using their song, “Eye of the Tiger.” He claims there’s no political motive, only an artist’s attempt to protect copyright…or get people interested in a non-Probst related Survivor. Here’s a list of some other noteworthy politicians who found themselves in similar situations.

“America’s future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts. It rests in the message of hope in songs a man so many young Americans admire, New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen.” – President Ronald Reagan (@ 1:04). Springsteen’s case may be the best known instance of musicians and politicians butting heads. While Reagan was campaigning for president, politicians and pundits were citing “Born in the U.S.A.” as an anthemic tribute to the red, white and blue. They saw the album cover, heard a man screaming “U.S.A.” and made some dangerous assumptions. By now, everyone knows (or should know) the song is an account of the Boss’ friends returning from the Vietnam War and being treated poorly.

Michele Bachmann – I understand why she wanted to use Tom Petty’s “American Girl” for her campaign; it makes sense to a degree. Still, don’t we know that those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it? George W. Bush tried to use Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” during his 2000 campaign. Petty threatened to sue and Bush dropped the song. Bachmann, I don’t blame you for trying but you could’ve saved yourself some trouble by using a Dixie Chicks song…kidding.

Speaking of President Bush, did you know he tried to rock the Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These” for his 2004 campaign? You have to give credit to the Foo Fighters on this one, though. Rather than take legal action, they instead decided to dedicate their efforts to the more productive action of campaigning – albeit for Bush’s opponent John Kerry – in order to positively associate themselves with politics rather than engage in a legal battle over their music.

Unfortunately for the Foo Fighters, 2004 wouldn’t be the last time their music was thrown into the political arena. In 2008, “My Hero” was used by John McCain’s campaign. Like “Born in the U.S.A.,” it’s another example of misunderstanding a song’s meaning. McCain may be or consider himself to be a hero – his military service is certainly admirable – but the song is about Grohl’s personal heroes. In a statement published by the band, he wrote: “The saddest thing about this is that My Hero was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song.”

Honorable Mentions:

Al Gore — He’s a repeat offender. 1992 fundraisers for his vice-presidential run featured Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great song. But, besides name/title, what do Al Gore and “You Can Call Me Al” have in common?…besides both maybe wondering why they’re soft in the middle now.

Perhaps the funniest song on this list is Fatboy Slim’s 1999 hit “Praise You.” The song was used in his 2000 presidential run against George W. Bush. Slim’s response was easily the best part of this situation: “Thank God it wasn’t the Republicans.” I can’t write anymore on this because I’m fearful of Gore’s power on the internetz. (See :49)

Last but certainly not least: Mitt Romney. This isn’t a case of politician using an unwilling artist’s tune. This is an unrelated case I had to include because it makes no sense. LMFAO wrote a song inspired by an encounter with the Republican favorite. A band with members named RedFoo and SkyBlu somehow had an encounter with Mitt Romney that inspired a song. You can’t make that shit up. “We Came to Party”

I’m not the biggest fan of Pandora. Usually, I like to have more control over what comes out of my speakers than Pandora can give me. I’ll start listening to Death Cab For Cutie Radio and a song by Pearl Jam will come on; it just kind of throws off my flow.

However, I found one Pandora station that almost never disappoints. “Sunny Came Home” was a one-hit wonder, in every sense of the word, from Shawn Colvin that was released in 1997. I say it’s a one-hit wonder because not only could you not name another song by Shawn Colvin, but you most likely thought this song was sung by someone more well known during this era like Paula Cole or Sixpence None The Richer. Believe it or not, the song reached #1 on the Adult Top 40 Chart in both Canada and the US and reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

There is a theory why I believe this song is the key to unlocking the ultimate 90s Alternative Pandora station. It’s because of its obscurity that it succeeds so well as a station. That song and artist exist at one point in time, where there was a very specific set of music surrounding it. The music songs on the station are probably heard much more and more well known than “Sunny Came Home” in today’s music world, but this song brings the best of the other music from the 90s out. Don’t believe me? Here are the first 12 songs that played when I turned on this Pandora station tonight:

“Slide” – Goo Goo Dolls
No band screams 90s Alternative as much as the Goo Goo Dolls. Many of their songs from Dizzy Up The Girl are still well-known and played today, including “Iris,” “Black Balloon,” and “Broadway.” Somehow Pandora also knew “Slide” is my go-to karaoke song.

“Jumper” – Third Eye Blind
TEB is so memorable as a band from the 90s that people still flock to see them today. Even though they have released two full-length albums and an EP in the 2000s, they’re still most remembered for their self-titled album in 1997 and Blue in 1999.

“Thank You” – Dido
Dido may not have been a tour-de-force in the US when she released No Angel in 1999, but after a year or two she quickly became on of the most well-known singers internationally.

“Bittersweet Symphony” – The Verve
There are certain songs that scream ‘epic’ when they come on, and it’s hard to deny “Bittersweet Symphony” that status. It’s probably the strings – they make everything epic.

“Real World” – Matchbox 20
Yes, Rob Thomas actually had a band when he wasn’t making Christmas songs and playing with Santana. “Real World” and “3AM” were the two powerhouses off their debut Yourself or Someone Like You in 1996. There’s something about Rob Thomas’s voice that just belongs in the 90s.

“She’s So High” – Tal Bachman
This is probably the male equivalent of “Sunny Came Home.” Bachman had no other hits besides this, and while almost anyone around during the 90s would know this song if they heard it, I’d bet a large amount of people don’t know Tal sang it.

“Lovefool” – The Cardigans
Although this song kind of seems like it was from the late 80s (which is probably due to the fact The Cardigans were Swedish), this song came out in 1996. Not only did it influence the music industry, but it was also on the soundtracks for both Romeo + Juliet and Cruel Intentions.

“Roll To Me” – Del Amitri
I’ll be honest: I was almost certain this song was sung by Blue’s Traveler, another 90s band that is featured prominently on “Sunny Came Home” radio. Regardless, it screams 90s the way Hootie and the Blowfish scream 90s.

“Where Have All The Cowboys Gone” – Paula Cole
I always thought this song was kind of ridiculous when they played it nonstop in the 90s, but I almost always find myself singing along when it comes on in today’s day and age. Basically, it’s a timeless classic.

“One Headlight” – The Wallflowers
This was actually the song that was #1 on the Adult Top 40 right before “Sunny Came Home,” so it’s fitting that it came on the radio. Although my favorite song by them is probably “The Difference,” this one holds it own.

“The Way” – Fastball
Although Fastball had three albums come out in the 2000s, it’s hard to imagine they actually had any songs on them since I think it’s physically impossible for them to exist outside the 90s. My fact to back this up is that their song “Sooner or Later” was featured in the 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie ‘Brink.’ Basically, that cements them in time.

“Kiss Me” – Sixpence None The Richer
I’m going to admit something here: this may be on my list of Top 10 Favorite Songs Of All Time. I’m a sucker for it. Not only is it the perfect mix of sentimental and rock-outage, but it’s the theme song of She’s All That, which is my favorite movie from the 90s. Game, set, and match.

As you can see, “Sunny Came Home” takes you back to a simpler time in life. A time where no one knew what dubstep was and “Adult Alternative” was the music of the future. While the music landscape may be very different today, this is a surefire way to go back to a simpler time in music and just enjoy life with your Pokemon cards and Tamagotchis.

I just learned a very exciting word. The word isn’t particularly exciting in and of itself, but the fact it exists is. The word is “frisson,” and in French it means “a sudden passing sensation of excitement; a shudder of emotion.” It’s basically the inexplicable feeling you get while listening to a particularly moving piece of music- you know, when you just feel like crying because all of the sudden you understand life. But then the song ends and you go back to caring about bodily experiences like hunger and pimples and other crap.

Anyway, inspired by this stumbleupon find, I would like to list pieces of music that have resulted in this type of reaction in my own life. I suppose I am emotionally attached to all my favorite music in some way, but these are specific songs during which I can remember the exact moment I was so moved- and why.

Here they are:

Twice – Little Dragon

Just listen to this song; it’s pretty self explanatory why it might be so frisson-inducing. Her voice is so ethereal. It seems fit for lying on a rooftop on a cool summer night, looking into the night sky and pondering the cosmos.

You Already Know – Bombay Bicycle Club

Postcards from Italy – Beirut

Ironically, this song makes me think of my recent trip to Germany. A friend with me on the trip played this song on his ukulele one night, and a group of us all sang along. It is the perfect sound track to a journey of any sort with lyrics like, “we put our feet just where they had to go.”

Nude – Radiohead

The Zephyr Song – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Although this song describes falling for someone in “perfect weather,” I specifically remember first hearing this song when I was falling for someone on a drive home during a snow storm.

My Lady’s House – Iron & Wine 

What Is and What Should Never Be – Led Zeppelin

This song and Led Zeppelin in general reminds me of the freedom of owning my first car. I would drive to Wendy’s and blast this out of my speakers all summer long.

Jesus, Etc. – Wilco

Samson – Regina Spektor

It was hard for me to pick just one Regina Spektor song for this article. Her voice was basically made for this kind of thing. Lyrics like, “You are my sweetest downfall/I loved you first, I loved you first,” just cut into my soul, you know?

New World – Devotchka

He Would Have Laughed – Deerhunter

This song is at the same time beautifully abstract and terribly sad. It was written as a tribute to the late Jay Reatard, solo artist and member of The Reatards and Lost Sounds.

Now Now – St. Vincent

Landlocked Blues – Bright Eyes

I’ve been a fan of Bright Eyes since 7th grade, like many of us, but I listened to this song again just recently. In light of what has been happening in our country recently, the lines, “And our freedom’s a joke/We’re just taking a piss/And the whole world must watch the sad comic display/If you’re still free start running away,” become awfully poignant.

Lake Michigan – Rogue Wave

The Dress Looks Nice On You – Sufjan Stevens

This song makes me think of a first love with innocent lines like, “I can see a lot of bright in you/ And I think the dress looks nice on you.”

Oof. That took a lot out of me.

Also, damn the French for having words that so accurately describe the human condition. Another good one is “l’esprit de l’escalier,” which is the unfortunate predicament when you think of all the things you wanted to say to someone after it’s too late.

On November 19, a sampling of some of Boston’s best rock talent will be descending upon Great Scott for a spirited night of infectious grooves, lo-fi gems and pop pleasure.

Boston-based The Clippers will be opening the night with their patented blink-and-you’ll-miss-it take on pop rock.  This duo brings angular guitar stabs punctuated by unexpected time signature change ups and a killer set of pipes that alternate between sullen and soaring.   Fans of Alkaline Trio and sing-a-longs, take notice.

Earthquake Party!, winners of The Phoenix’s “Best Massachusetts Band of 2011″ award, will be playing a no frills rock ‘n roll set wrapped in lo-fi fuzz and topped off with cutesy girl/guy vocal duties.  A tight, meaty rhythm section acts as a counterweight to the saccharine vocal melodies, best seen on “Pretty Little Hand,” and ode “pills and candy.”  They’ll be self-releasing their three song vs. Pizza EP on cassette the night of the show (the inevitable reaction to vinyl moving into vogue), which clocks in at an ADHD approved 5:01.  While the format may be inconvenient, it’s pretty much a summary of everything that’s good about the lo-fi revival right now.

My guess is that direct support act MiniBoone will arrive late from Brooklyn, burst through the front door with their respective instruments hoisted above their heads, toss their equipment onto the stage, and make sweet, noisy love with everyone in the room.  At least, that’s pretty much what happens when I play their music in my apartment.   In support of their new EP, On MiniBoone Mountain, MiniBoone bring smart-ass, wordy songs to life with frantic guitar noodling and jagged rhythms.  For a bold, full-flavored take on alternative rock music, look no further.

 Pretty & Nice, pushers of crispy pop-rock nuggets, will be headlining the evening of tomfoolery.  Every bit as poppy as they are inventive, Pretty & Nice bring focused songwriting with smirking bass lines and funky keyboard workouts. They’re preparing to release their follow up to their 2008 Sub Pop/Hardly Art debut, Get Young, a messy (usually in a good way) blast of challenging pop-rock.  Hopefully they’ll offer up a few thick slices off of their forthcoming 2012 full length effort!

Great Scott, Allston, MA ,$9, 21+, RSVP on Facebook

Phantogram is an electronic, rock band that uses as many beeps and boops as they do crinkly, fuzzed out bass lines. What sets them apart is their ability to change up their style and technique so flawlessly. The simple, steady crescendo of “Running from the Cops” is almost the antithesis of their boisterous single “When I’m Small.” Equal parts sexy and soothing, Phantogram could easily accompany you on a night on the town or snuggled in a blanket sipping a cup of tea.

So whether you rock out or veg out to the sounds of Phantogram, you won’t want to miss them when they hit Boston.

Purchase tickets for their Royale show here.

1. Bells – Anathallo

2. Classy Penguin – The Books

3. Winter Birds – Ray LaMontagne

4. Each Coming Night – Iron & Wine

5. River – Joni Mitchell

6. The Fairest of the Seasons – Nico

7. To Be Alone With You – Sufjan Stevens

8. The Sounds of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel

9. Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez (Cover of The Knife)

10. Talk Show Host – Radiohead

11. 1979 – Smashing Pumpkins

12. Winter Song – Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

Let’s take some time to reflect on a few music industry developments that have been announced in the news.

First, what’s up with the recent FBI report that claims a correlation among gang recruitment, unlawful activity and rap groups? According to allhiphop.com, the report states that, “gangster rap gangs, often comprised of juveniles, are forming and are being used to launder drug money through seemingly legitimate businesses.”

What I want to know is how legit these so-called “rap gangs” are.Are we talking Young Money status or more like neighborhood-boys-who-call-themselves-rappers-but-never-actually-spit-anything – at all? Strategic ambiguity on the part of the Feds for this report, eh?

In other news, Island Records will release “Lioness,” the third “album” from the late great Amy Winehouse in December, according to the Associated Press.  I use quotations around album because one wonders if the release was any intent on Winehouse’s part before her sudden passing. Does this sound like a potential cash-in of “This is It”- sized proportions to anyone?

Speaking of MJ, one final news tidbit that I find thought provoking enough to share with you involves the trial of the world’s most trusted doctor, Conrad Murray. Supposedly Murray is considering testifying in his own defense, to which I ask: what ever happened to pleading the fifth?

I don’t care how crappy the outcome of this case is looking for Murray (public opinion on the matter considered); there is no way that getting on the stand to try to make himself look like less of a liar (he fudged timelines in his police statement and was proven to have lied thanks to cell phone records) is going to help damage control.

Shake My Damn Head,

Mel

With the leak of Lana Del Rey’s single “Video Games”, along with others this past August, the 4 song EP released on October 16th seems like somewhat of a let down. The EP features two remixes of the single along with another single, “Blue Jeans” . Disappointed with the lack of new, “un-leaked” material on the EP, I along with other fans are anxious to see what’s coming in the future from the sultry songstress. Lana Del Rey is the stage name of singer/songwriter Lizzy Grant and the attention that she has already received from various music blogs and YouTube videos has been overwhelming. With the recent addition to UK’s Top 10 singles, it is clear that this gutsy performer is destined for fame. 

When I first came across Lizzy Grant in Pitchfork’s “Best New Track” section for video games on August 3rd, I was immediately drawn to her unique, sultry voice resembling female legends Amy Winehouse and Nancy Sinatra. The videos for her singles feature low-fi, simple cinematography that is unique in comparison to some of today’s popular videos, showing that Grant focuses on simplicity as something beautiful and different in our world of frivolous music videos from various artists on the Top 10 list.

Grant’s approach to music as an emotional outlet is probably what draws so many listeners, as the majority of her songs contain themes about love, heartbreak, and revenge. Her recent popularity has sparked several remixes and covers featured on YouTube as well as a few shows around the country. Although her recent live performances featured on YouTube have not been as breathtaking as her studio singles, it will be intriguing to see what she does with her growing fame as a upcoming leading lady in the music world.

Killjoy Festival featured a huge variety of local artists. I use that in the italic sense because we were treated with just about every application of the term. Painter Sean Boyce unveiled a new piece of art inspired by Central Square and Rodney’s Bookstore. Author, and Northeastern University professor, Gary Braver gave a riveting and insightful talk regarding his new novel. MEM Tea educated us on the wide range of teas. Peter Rosati premiered a short film that he spent the summer co-writing and directing with Dominic Rodriguez. The film, I might add, stars Rosati’s younger brother Shebl and featured original music composed by his older brother Jacob (who also happens to be the mastermind behind the whole festival in the first place). There was comedy, composting, beekeeping, and, of course, music. Lots of great music.

If it seems like I am rambling it’s because I am, but my point is that everyone involved works very hard at making something. They do their own thing and they do it well. The Killjoy Festival was the product of many local artists putting their hearts and souls into creating something new. They work to add to the world and yet, attendance to the festival was not stellar.  It wasn’t empty, but it was a humble community of people enjoying the shit out of some amazing music and art.

So why is it that the bar was packed while the basement of Pandemonium was not?  The truth is that there is no money in originality. Most bars are only interested in booking cover acts because they typically demand three 40-minute sets and want you playing something everyone knows. The effect we are left with glorifies the echoes of the 60s, 70s, and 80s and leave only the tiniest crack for the new. So I implore you, please make space for the ‘new.’ There are so many people in your community making wonderful art; you just need to know where to look. I hope Killjoy will return next year. Between now and then, study up. Everyone should have at least one local band that isn’t signed to a label and might not even have music online. Listen to their CDs, go to their shows and tell all your friends. Originality might not get money, but it deserves your support.

At first, the only traces of The Weeknd on the Internet were three songs found on youtube. The tracks created a small buzz, but when a nine-track mixtape entitled House of Balloons surfaced on March 21, 2011, word of mouth began to spread. Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd saw a whirlwind response to his music. The artist was co-signed to Drake’s label, OVO XO, soon after the release of House of Balloons. To add more buzz and aura around his name, not much is known about Abel Tesfaye. In most early press shots of the singer released via Tumblr, his face is obscured or out of focus. Music blogs and magazines have learned that the Tesfaye, of Egyptian andEthiopian descent, hailed from Toronto but could not uncover much else about him.

The remarkable thing about The Weeknd is that all this Internet buzz occurred without a single live show to the singer’s credit. To date, Tesfaye has only played two shows as The Weeknd. The first occurred in Toronto on July 24 when tickets sold out in less than two hours and the second was one week later as part of Drake’s OVO Festival. The singer was recently supposed to make his first appearance in America at the Vice.com launch party, but withdrew days later citing to fans and press he wasn’t quite ready to tackle the U.S. just yet.

In mid-August the second mixtape Thursday was released on the singer’s official website. There were reportedly over 180,000 downloads on the first day of release. Many fans complained about an inability to even get on The Weeknd’s website due to frequent server crashes, which forced the singer to upload multiple alternate links. Music blogs and mainstream press were not as impressed by the sophomore effort but still enjoyed the eerie, synth sound offered up in the tracks.

The question many ask right now is where The Weeknd plans to go from here. Tesfaye has been dropping hints online that a third mixtape will soon surface, possibly titled Echos of Silence. The mixtapes are moreso based around certain emotions and moods than subject matter. Abel Tesfaye elicits a bleak, haunting aura crafted from songs driven by drugs and girls. The singer’s falsetto voice adds a raw honesty many feel the R&B genre is currently lacking. Artists from the electronic community such as James Blake and Diplo have also praised The Weeknd for his minimalist, almost ambient-like tunes. Comparisons to British electronic musician Burial have been thrown around by several blogs such as Pitchfork, contributing more attention and credibility to Tesfaye’s music. The samples featured on songs span from indie to post-punk to r&b, offering up a gateway for fans of various music genres to get into The Weeknd’s sound.

Not every listener can relate to tales of parties and drugs, but the feelings of loneliness and heartache are easy to connect with. Looking towards the future, the artist will undoubtedly be recording new records of material, but the buzz and praise launched by the Internet have created hype that will introduce the singer to new audiences who otherwise may never have heard of The Weeknd at all.

Sound Fix

Have a feeling you’ve heard one of The Weeknd’s tracks before? The singer has sampled a wide range of artists and genres on his mixtapes.

Songs sampled:

“Rock the Boat” by Aaliyah on the track “What You Need”

“Happy House” by Siouxsie and the Banshees on the track “House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls”

“Master of None” by Beach House on the track “The Party & The After Party”

“Cherry Coloured Funk” by Cocteau Twins on the track “The Knowing”

“Gila” by Beach House on the track “Loft Music”

My ears (and hopefully yours, too) certainly won’t mind, for they will be way too busy getting serenaded by Moving Mountains’ heavy take on post-rock, La Dispute’s borderline-biblical storytelling, and, well, we all know how brilliant Thrice is. What your ears might, however, be unfamiliar with is the first band of the evening, O’Brother. Hailing from Atlanta and pulling a wide variety of influences ranging from Cave In to Sigur Ros, their genre-defying take on experimental rock is certainly worth arriving early for.  But it doesn’t stop there for O’Brother. Their debut effort Garden Window pulls from an array of influences well beyond the scope of music. With themes of the tension created from being away from home and with a foundation centered around the importance of all of life’s experiences, Garden Window will definitely be a great a way to start off the evening.

So, what are you doing still here? You should be here purchasing tickets.