Talk to Me
Last night, I realized that Reality Bites had a strong hand in forming the person I became in my 20s and 30s, which is probably why I’ve had such poor results.
Belly - “Feed the Tree,” live on television
I heard this song for the first time in maybe a decade on the radio (of all places). It’s why I like listening to the radio, because no matter how many gigs an iPod can hold, it can’t possibly contain every song you’ve ever liked. Or maybe you just have a bigger iPod than I do. I’ve just got the Shuffle. And that little fucker is so tiny, I can’t find it anywhere.
I tried looking for the official video on YouTube, but it seems Belly’s label has scoured it from the Internet. Instead, all I could find was this and a few videos of people playing the song on Rock Band 2 (on Expert, but still). It seems the modern world has passed you by, Belly, but I still think you rock.
Matthew Sweet - “Evangeline”
One more, live this time.
Matthew Sweet - “Sick of Myself”
Thanks to Wasted Efforts for getting me on a Matthew Sweet kick. Rip those gueetar solos, dude!
Blind Melon - “Lemonade”
Quickly becoming my second favorite band from the ’90s. Especially with Billy Corgan being such a tool.
The (un)Official Start of Summer
The best summer of my life, I was 18, which is an age typical of best summers.
My cousin got me a job at a warehouse in Brooklyn, and Italian foods distributor. We sent various supplies to restaurants and pizzerias around New York City and even as far as California.
I worked 12 hour days, loading 50-pound cases of mozzarella onto skids and breaking down trailers full of pasta. I was paid in cash—over $300 a week—and ate like a king. I was in the best shape of my life, and bought weed for me and my friends. I cursed like a sailor.
That summer, “Hey Jealousy” was all over the radio. It didn’t seem to matter what station was on. I’d hear it maybe six times a day. I think I’ve only heard it a few times since, including tonight at the bar.
There’s a fixture of Staten Island karaoke who only sings ’90s pop hits. He reminds me of one of the members of Barenaked Ladies. I think he’s the one who sang it, but I was two shots of tequilla and four beers deep, so it could have been anyone.
On my way home from work, I heard this song for the first time in years, and cranked it up. For three or so minutes, I remember that there was a time before Pro-Tools when shitty-sounding dirty music used to be on pop radio. I choked back a quick “Those were the days,” and sang along.
