Grunge Days

The next five years were all about grunge. I was in high school, most of my musical tastes and my views on life were formed here. I saw my first concert in 1995 and haven't stopped since.

1993:In Utero: Nirvana I bought this album the day it came out. To be honest, I loved Nirvana, but Nevermind isn't exactly easy to listen to. It has some great stuff, but for me, In Utero is the best Nirvana album, with Heart Shaped Box, Pennyroyal Tea, and All Apologies, lyrically, it destroys Nevermind, the music is even better.

1994:Vitalogy: Pearl Jam Not my favorite Pearl Jam album (that would be No Code) but more than any other Pearl Jam album, it sort of sealed the deal as far as my love for them. It was probably in 1994 that my love for Guns 'n' Roses waned and Pearl Jam took over. The next year, seeing them on the Vitalogy tour made me a rabid fan. I started working at Taco Bell in March of 1994 and by the summer, I was working nights and we would crank up 106.7. Betterman and Courdory were on the radio constantly as well as Interstate Love Song by the Stone Temple Pilots. I also started dating Candy a few months after this album came out and I think I bought her this CD for her birthday.

1995:Melancholy and Infinite Sadness: Smashing Pumpkins This album came out the week before I saw Pearl Jam for the second time in San Jose. I went with Milan, Josh, and some girl I don't remember. We listened to it all the way down and back. Tonight, Tonight is one of the best Track 1 songs ever.

1996:Shootout: The Mother Hips I didn't see The Mother Hips until 1999, but this album was the one that really hooked me. I still listen to it all the time on road trips. It has my favorite live of any song ever in the song Transit Wind "off the white dash line on the black windswept road" as well as a coincidental "Candy...there was a time that your love came in handy but I can't get to sleep without weeping on your name" I've seen them more than any other band. I would say that the number is closer to 200 than 100. I think I have seen them everytime they have played in Chico or Sacramento since 2000 (I've missed one or two shows but not many)

1997: El Ultimo Concierto A & B: Soda Stereo. Still one of my favorite rock bands ever. I didn't discover them until the year they broke up. If they get back together, I will see them immediately no matter where they play. This is also one of my favorite live shows ever. Argentina has some really great rock bands. Soda Stereo is a three piece band but they sound fuller than that. This concert has all of their best 1990's stuff. Early stuff is o.k., but a little too 80's for me. The 90's stuff like "De Musica Ligera" and "Ella uso mi cabeza como un revolver" are nothing short of amazing.

Coming up: music takes a very bad turn with the onset of Rap/Rock bands and crappy grunge copies. It was about that time that I began to look into the past instead listening to the future. That being said, I am sure that Wilco will make an appearance.