ALT RIOT!

Sick of Goodbyes - Sparklehorse

Good Morning Spider (Capitol 1998)

As I’m sure many of you have heard, this morning Mark Linkous, aka Sparklehorse, was found dead after committing suicide. I’ve been listening to this band for years, so it’s kind of a shock to hear an artist you respect has taken his or her own life. I feel this song is appropriate for the day. Enjoy.

Scarface - Cadallaca

Out West (Kill Rock Stars 1999)

Cadallaca is an indie rock band formed out of the riot grrrl movement in Portland, OR.  The group consisted of Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney) Sarah Dougher, and sts (The Lookers).  The band is described as being a classic girl group with feminist rhetoric.

Sounds like:  Sleater-Kinney, The Spells, Bratmobile.

S.F. Sorrow - SF Seals

Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows (Matador 1995)

SF Seals was Barbara Manning’s band in the mid-90’s. Their name was inspired by a San Francisco minor league baseball team.

Sounds like: Barbara Manning, Run On, The Spells.

Manta Ray - Pixies

Complete ‘B’ Sides (c. 1989)

Sounds like: The Breeders, Frank Black and the Catholics, Sonic Youth.

Schizophrenia is Weighing me Down (Sonic Youth Cover) - Cat Power

Clear the Room: Demos & Rarities (self 1996)

Cat Power is one of the most accomplished singer/guitarists of our time. She has released several covers albums, and this one was the first — a self-produced compilation of songs by artists from Pavement to Mary J. Blige. These recordings are very interesting interpretations of the original songs, each echoing a loneliness signature to Cat Power’s slower songs. She produced this album during an off-point in her career as she moved to Portland with her then boyfriend Bill Callahan (of Smog) as she intended to permanently retire from the scene. A nightmare inspired her to start writing songs again, leading to her album Moon Pix.

Sounds like: Liz Phair, Helium, Mecca Normal.