Dream Lineup

This past week I was able to make my way to Cincinnati for another Social Distortion show. Social D is my all time favorite band.

This started me thinking, what would be the ultimate concert lineup for me?

Social Distortion would be the headliner with an hour to an hour and a half show. But who would open and lead up to the main act?

I thought I would want a variety. But I would want a variety of bands that work well together to create an energy of excitement leading to Social D. For instance, Pink Floyd is a great band that I would love to see again but their show and vibe wouldn't mix with these others at all.

But these bands would need to be among my favorites. They would also need to be excellent live acts since this is live. Quality in the studio doesn't automatically get you in my lineup.

So I thought I would start with A Tribe Called Quest. They would open the show with a laid back vibe to get you started with a smooth groove. Q-Tip and Phife Dog would lay some lyrics and rhyme down as you begin your first drink and bob your head.

Then, Fun Lovin' Criminals would enter the stage and continue the schmooth flow. They would maintain a nice mellow vibe with a couple of jazzy, bluesy songs but also begin a transition to a rock vibe.

Next, things would begin to intensify a bit and move more into a rock mode as Muse would take stage and contribute their epic art rock vibe. While not exactly a hard sound, they would take the music to a more rock genre and lend some strong, loud sound to the show.

The next contributor would be Weezer. Their plethora of familiar songs to draw from would get the crowd even more into it and continue the bridge from the early bands to the last two juggernauts.

At this point, we are four deep already and I would be eager to see the headliner. Just one more addition is needed. In order to take it to another level in the world of rock and intensity, I would have The Bronx come out and kick some ass. They would blow the roof off of the place and allow Social D to come in with the crowd in a frenzy.

Finally, the headliner would come out guns a blazin' and play a set that never slows. Pure rock 'n Roll. Classic stuff from Mommy's Little Monster, my favorite album from them, and rock on through to their new stuff that I also enjoy. Mike Ness would lend his intro to the songs like he always does. The crowd would heave plastic cups of beer on stage. We would sing along and point in the air to the beat.

It would be an epic night.

Best rock show ever.......for me.

Top Bands Revisited

I was reflecting on my 25 favorite bands and the series of posts I wrote revealing them. My list and ranking was done just for fun and I didn't put much effort into it. My criteria was loose and I ranked according to my first impression from thinking their name and my memories of them.

I thought to myself, "Beau, what would the list look like if I got more serious about it and quantified it more rigidly?" I know it would remain extremely subjective but it may be more accurate and account for some things that were accounted for the last time.

This time I selected 6 categories: the band's persona (how they look and act and "feel"), the live show (the concert experience), the number of songs I like and how much I like them, the number of albums that are good top to bottom, the personal connection I have to them (people, memories etc) and their longevity (not as a band but for how long I have enjoyed them).

I gave each band a score of 1-5 for each category and added up their total score to rank. But I quickly discovered that there a number of bands I have not been able to see live like The Who or Nirvana and so on. So it wasn't fair to hold that 0 score against them. I figured I would average the scores to get a better, more fair idea of their overall ranking. I also scored several bands that were on my "honorable mention" list to see if they would crack the top 25. Take a look at what happened.

Before I get into the interesting differences.....

Here is the original list:
25)Public Enemy
24)Nine Inch Nails
23)Huey Lewis and the News
22)Hanzel Und Gretyl
21)Nirvana
20)Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
19)The Who
18)Sublime
17)Outkast
16)Pink Floyd
15)Jane's Addiction
14)Muse
13)The Cars
12)The Hollies
11)Audioslave
10)Linkin Park
9)Stone Temple Pilots
8)The Offspring
7)A Tribe Called Quest
6)Fun Lovin' Criminals
5)Weezer
4)Garbage
3)U2
2)Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
1)Social Distortion

First, two groups fell out with some very low averages under 2. Outkast and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club dropped out and were replaced by Alice in Chains (which I suspected) and Pearl Jam (there's your validation Michelle) who not only cracked the top 25 but landed at 17 and 18 respectively.

Secondly, I only had two bands remain in the same slot so there were many "mistakes."

Here are the big movers and shakers starting with the losers. Jane's Addiction dropped 10 spots with their lack of personal connection as a contributor. Audioslave and The Cars dropped 9 spots also suffering from the lack of personal connections. The big winners were Public Enemy and Pink Floyd. Both groups advanced 13 spots. Pink Floyd made their way to #3 on my list.

I think the Pink Floyd gain was the most surprising. I didn't think they would be a top 3 candidate when I began the list. I didn't examine the amount of respect I have for them and how much I enjoyed their live show. I also didn't think through how many albums I love. The one thing I did not account for this time was that I have to be in the mood for them. I think that is why they weren't this high on my first list.

I was also surprised of how high Hanzel Und Gretyl ended up in this list. They found themselves ranked #14. Their live show for some reason appeals to me and that helped them in the ranking.

My favorite band of all time, Social Distortion, dropped to #4. So there is some validation to Doug's comments regarding their "elevated" status. The longevity component hurt them. And the new #1? Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers who scored a perfect 5 in all but longevity (4).

Overall, the changes were minor although frequent. The number of bands that moved was high but the amount or number of spots they moved was minimal. The mean amount of change was only a minuscule +0.04 even though 25 of 27 bands moved. This tells me I wasn't off by too much. The mode of spots moved was -1. Five bands moved down one spot. No other amount of move happened as often.

Here is the new top ten with their movement from the original list in parenthesis:
10)Stone Temple Pilots (-1)
9)The Offspring (-1)
8)Weezer (-3)
7)Fun Lovin' Criminals (-1)
6)Garbage (-2)
5)U2 (-2)
4) Social Distortion (-3)
3)Pink Floyd (+13)
2)A Tribe Called Quest (+5)
1) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (+1)

The Top Five Favorite Bands!

After a LONG delay I bring you the final installment of Huey's All Time Personal Favorite Bands. Remember this is not indicative of who I think are the overall, objective best bands of all time, but instead, they are my favorites.

Here is a review of where we have come from:
25)Public Enemy
24)Nine Inch Nails
23)Huey Lewis and the News
22)Hanzel Und Gretyl
21)Nirvana
20)Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
19)The Who
18)Sublime
17)Outkast
16)Pink Floyd
15)Jane's Addiction
14)Muse
13)The Cars
12)The Hollies
11)Audioslave
10)Linkin Park
9)Stone Temple Pilots
8)The Offspring
7)A Tribe Called Quest
6)Fun Lovin' Criminals

5) Weezer:
Weezer is an example of a band that grows on you. I bought their Blue Album back in college, 1994ish I believe after hearing several songs on the radio. My roommates and I would chill to the album often. Slowly, I realized how much I enjoyed the album from start to finish. As time went on and they released more and more albums, my appreciation for them grew. Every album was one I would enjoy from the first track to the last. I love their sound, I like their look and the catalog of songs and hits that I never get tired of is endless. They sing about things I can relate to and their general sensibility is one that appeals to me. Overall, the Green Album may be my favorite. With songs like "Don't Let Go" and "Photograph" (what band doesn't have some song titled Photograph somewhere in their collection...geez) and "Knock Down Drag Out" and "Glorious Day"....I mean the list goes on. The whole CD is great.

In these days of iTunes and iPods, I look at my playlist and see that Weezer takes up so much space with the number of songs I have made sure to be included on the list. It is ridiculous. But with a band so tight, it really isn't all that crazy at all. The only bands topping Weezer in number of songs on my iPod would be the next four in my countdown.

4)Garbage:

I have been in love with Shirley Manson since the first time I laid eyes on her petite little figure heading this band of producers back in the mid 90's. I'll be the first to admit she is no Ali Larter or Carrie Underwood in the looks department but her rock n roll attitude was always so attractive and lustful to me. Their debut self titled album was awesome. The sound was something that blended pop and modern rock with some alternative and electronic sound. I have heard some refer to it as post-grunge. They were/are a perfect mix of a kick ass, attention grabbing lead vocalist with three successful producers providing the music and mixing the sound to make the sweetness of Garbage. Manson comes from Scotland while, Duke Erikson, Butch Vig and Steve Marker are from the U.S. Vig was a major player in the album Nevermind by Nirvana during the grunge days as well as other successful bands.

Garbage came out of the box quickly and grabbed me with their debut album and then followed up with Version 2.0 which was just as good if not better. I must admit the third album Beautiful Garbage was borderline fruity and not a real favorite of mine, the came back strong with Bleed Like Me and settled any fears I had of their demise.

Their live shows are tight. The sound is strong, Manson takes control of the stage and leaves out the bull crap. They get right to the point and rock out with little talk in between. Their vibe is upbeat and energetic. The sound is smooth and their sets are always full of quality tracks.


3) U2:

Longevity and sheer volume of albums and tracks that I dig from this band puts them in the 3 hole. Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullens Jr. and Adam Clayton have been around for decades now writing and making songs that I can listen to in so many different contexts. While everyone hated their little escapade into "techno," I enjoyed it. I didn't mind Pop. I loved Achtung Baby. It is still one of my all time favorite albums. I love the sound and feel of that album. "Even Better Than the Real Thing" and "One" are among my favorites but I also love "The Fly," "Zoo Station" and "Until The End of the World." The list goes on though. Like Weezer, U2 takes up a ton of kbs on my iPod. Or would it be mgs?

But while most people appreciate U2's earlier albums, I can get with that too. Obviously, Joshua Tree with its proven success is an album I can listen to front to back without a skipped track. Going back even further to the classics from War and Boy, I find myself waning a bit but still enjoy these earlier albums as well.

The look, the feel and vibe of the band is appealing to me and their songs are about things I can relate to. Bono is a prototype lead, The Edge plays the supporting role perfectly and Clayton just sits back and plays the bass the way bassists should. Mullens Jr. takes care of carrying the tempo and together, they make one tight unit.

Some people may be tired of Bono's holier than thou attitude and work in international relations and others admire him for it. I appreciate people who use their money or fame to try to do what they think is good. God bless him.


I have managed to see their live shows on several occasions. One of which was the PopMart tour that was lambasted by critics. Honestly, what's wrong with an over the top, sensationalist show for the senses? Pink Floyd did much the same. It enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the calmer, more down to earth show I saw later for the How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb tour. Yes, my experience with U2 is rather limited until Joshua Tree and on, but I have been able to "catch up" so to speak over time.

2) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers:

Here it is: Straight up Rock n' Roll. That is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. No stupid crap. Just album after album after album of rock. So many people with so many different tastes can get down to Petty. He was a staple at our college "events." No matter the vibe, Petty worked. He has now rocked several generations of youth and adults. His vibe and sound is consistent and relevant.

Full Moon Fever was my personal initiation to Petty and his band. I loved so many of those songs. It remains one of my favorite albums of all time. "You Wreck Me" on Wildflowers is my all time favorite tune of his. his live shows are awesome. As I said before, consistent with All that is Petty, they are straight up, no frills rock. Greats sets that sound good and get the crowd going. The feeling is always energetic and fun. There's no crazy bull crap talking going on between songs except some quick anecdotal notes regarding the songs.

It was great to see he and the band play at the Super Bowl recently and even better to see how well they played. It was about time we had a Super Bowl halftime show worthy of the event and that lived up to the hype.


I would list the highlighted songs that I love by this man but the list would go on for ever and become biblical in its boring list of information that seems irrelevant. I can just leave it at this: I love just about every Tom Petty song I have ever heard.

AND NOW!!!!!! The most favorite band of mine: (drum roll please)

1) Social Distortion:

God I love this band. I have been on a Social D kick for several years now. I have tried to convince myself that I am going through a phase but I quit. I can't get enough of this band. I am way late to this party as the original lineup began in the late 70s/early 80s. I finally made my way to them in the late 90s and really getting into them more in 2002ish. But in the 6 short years that I have dove head first into their stuff, I find myself appreciating them more and more. I am not sure how to describe their sound. Again, I would say straight up rock n' roll although its a different sound than Tom Petty. They lean more punk, or alternative I suppose. They rock this rockabilly look and vibe. The members of the band have come and gone from what I understand with a guitarist Dennis Danell, passing away in 2000. Mike Ness, lead vocals, has been the mainstay though. His raspy voice has its unique sound that appeals to me as well as the general themes of their songs about going overboard and then dealing with the after effects. It seems like lately they are on this kick "being better." From "Far Behind" about moving from a poisonous friendships or relationships, to "Reach for the Sky" seemingly about working towards better things and "Don't Take Me For Granted" probably about their guitarist passing away and the feeling that you need to appreciate what and who you got while you got it.



I have been listening to Mommy's Little Monster a good bit. I also found myself listening to Halfway Between Heaven and Hell. I love the live album from the Roxy. And I even dig their newer stuff as well. Again, like Petty, the lists of songs go on and on. "Another State of Mind," Let It Be Me," "Cold Feelings," "1945," "Bad Luck," "The Creeps," "Prison Bound" and so much more begin the long list of songs I love. Right now two CD slots in my car are filled with Social D CDs.



As for their live show, anyone who has seen Social Distortion live knows they are awesome. Intense rock. A good bit of talk between songs, but easily overlooked when every song is strong and mindblowing.

There you have it. My favorite bands. I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear more than just comoprozac's Top 5. So join him by leaving your top 5. Or share your disagreements with my opinions. Any of you have memories with me at these shows or listening to this stuff. Feel free to share.

Mommy's Little Monster

I have to express my love for this album. Social Distortion's Mommy's Little Monster is a classic album that I have recently immersed myself in 1000 percent. I have been in a Social D bender for about two years now for some reason. Why it has taken me so long I do not know, but every album I listen to...I love. Mommy's Little Monster has to be the best overall.

Going in, I knew I would like several of the songs including, "The Creeps," "Another State of Mind," "Telling Them" and of course the title track, "Mommy's Little Monster." With this many songs already in my back pocket and knowing how much I enjoyed their live shows, I was very confident I would enjoy the album as a whole. My confidence was confirmed. "It Wasn't a Pretty Picture" jumped out at me with its driving bass line. "Moral Threat" is a track I find myself going back to time and time again.

This is an album I consider top five. I am ashamed that is has taken 26 years for me to finally realize it. Then again, I am rather pleased. It gives me hope. It is nice to know that I have not found all the music that I will love. Since it is difficult to count on new music to hit home like this album has for me, it is exciting to think that I still have older, established bands and albums and songs to explore.