Smells Like Alternative

Before Mother Love Bone and Pearl Jam, Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard were in a band called Green River. Since Green River is reuniting for Sub Pop’s 20th Anniversary gig and I’m celebrating Pearl Jam this month, it’s a perfect time for an FYI on Green River.

Green River formed in 1984 when Mark Arm (guitar, vocal), Steve Turner (guitar) , Alex Vincent (drums) and Jeff Ament (bass) come together.
Later that year guitarist Stone Gossard joined the band.
Arm and Turner were previously in the bands The Limp Richards and Mr. Epp & The Calculations, who was dubbed the the worst band in …read more

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This was the first FYI that I did here at b5, so since it’s May, it’s time to bring it back.
FYI: Pearl Jam
For now enjoy more FYI with some Misheard Lyrics to some classic Pearl Jam tunes.

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Since STP is fully reunited let’s do an FYI on their short, but awesome, catalogue.

Core, the band’s debut album, was released on September 29, 1992.
Core went 8x platinum.
Singles: “Plush”, “Creep”, “Sex Type Thing” and “Wicked Garden”
Must have tracks: “Crackerman”, “Piece of Pie”.
“Creep”

Purple was released on June 7, 1994.
Purpledebuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and went 6x platinum.
Singles: “Interstate Love Song”, “Vasoline” and “Big Empty”.
Must have tracks: “Kitchenware & Candybars”, “Lounge Fly”, “Army Ants”.
“Interstate Love Song”

Tiny Music…Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop was released on March 26, 1996.
Tiny Musiconly went 2x platinum.
Singles: “Big Bang Baby”, “Lady Picture Show” and “Trippin’ On …read more

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Let’s check out the quintessential festival from the 90’s, since this year’s line up has been announced and it’s founding fathers (Jane’s Addiction) are getting back together, at least just for one show for now.

The festival was inspired by the “A Gathering of the Tribes”, which was held October 6 and 7, 1990 at Mountain View and Los Angeles, CA.
“A Gathering of the Tribes” featured: Soundgarden, Iggy Pop, Indigo Girls, Ice T, Joan Baez, Queen Latifah and more.
Perry Farrell attended the L.A. “A Gathering of the Tribes” and came up with a similar and diverse festival as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction.
Lollapalooza …read more

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I’m bringing back the FYI on STP again, because they’re everywhere right now, because of their reunion and all.
FYI: Stone Temple Pilots
Enjoy the video for “Hello, It’s Late”, which was a gem from their last album, 2001’s Shangri-La-Dee-Da.

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Portishead is back from a long hiatus and they should have a big month this April with their current tour in Europe, a headlining spot at Coachella and the release of Third.
Here’s the video for a new track “Machine Gun”

Portishead formed in Bristol, England in 1991 after vocalist Beth Gibbons met keyboardist Geoff Barrow at job-retaining program.
Barrow already had experience in the studio, he was a tape operator for Massive Attack, produced a track for Tricky and remixed tracks for Paul Weller, Primal Scream and Depeche Mode.
The band is rounded out by jazz guitarist Adrian Utley and sound engineer Dave McDonald.
The band’s …read more

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With all this jibber jabber about Billy Corgan suing Virgin Records, we should take a look back to a previous FYI on the Pumpkins from last fall.
FYI: Smashing Pumpkins
For now check out enjoy old school Pumpkins with the video for “Rhinoceros”, which is still one of my favorite Pumpkin songs:

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The Verve reunited last year and this year they’re staying on the road with some big-time gigs, like Coachella and Glastonbury. The band is also working on a new album, so it’s a great time for an FYI on The Verve.
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The band formed in 1989 at Winstanley Sixth Form College.
The band consisted of Richard Ashcroft (vocals), Nick McCabe (guitar), Simon Jones (bass), Peter Salisbury (drums).
In 1991 the band signed to Hut Records (a British subsidiary of Virgin who licensed a little band known as the Smashing Pumpkins).
1992 the band issued …read more

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The Black Crowes seventh studio album, Warpaint, debuted at # 5 on the Billboard 200 Chart. The band’s first album since 2001’s Lions and has sold around 46,000 copies in it’s first week of sales. Not too shabby for the Brothers Robinson. So, with that let’s revisit a previous FYI on the Crowes.
FYI: The Black Crowes
Here’s the video for the band’s first single off of Warpaint, “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution”.

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Since 311 are coming back with a tour and a new album this year, let’s do an FYI on the boys from Omaha, Nebraska.

Nick Hexum, Chad Sexton and Tim Mahoney went to high school school together and in 1988 they formed Unity, with a keyboardist named Ward Bones.
After a unsuccessful stint in L.A., the band moved back to Omaha and teamed up with P-Nut.
Their first show was opening up for Fugazi on June 10, 1990.
In 1991 guitarist Jim Watson with SA Martinez.
The band’s name comes from Omaha code 311 (indecent exposure).
From 1990-1991 the band released 3 records on their own …read more

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