Aaron Corcoran, aka Skinner, kicks off the first Monday Mixtape of the year with favourites from The Fall, Problem Patterns, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, Leonard Cohen, Beat Happening and beyond.
Beat Happening – Bad Seeds
One of the best bands of all time Beat Happening still encourage me not to take music too seriously and just have fun. Everything to do with K records is really carefree and what the true essence of music is all about. Calvin Johnson’s baritone vocals and the stark space created between the drums and surf guitar with no bass is so striking. This song always makes me think that if Nick Cave and The Ventures had a baby this is the kind of music they would make.
The Fall – Look, Know
I think people get turned off by The Fall because they’ve so many albums but once you get into them it’s like a door into another universe opens. ‘Look, know’ was the song that got me into The Fall because everything about it is great. It’s got such a groovy bassline and it was recorded in a volcano in Iceland that was turned into a makeshift studio. “And they say happy memories / leave a bitter taste” is also a fantastic lyric.
Lizzy Mercier Descloux – Slipped Disc
I cannot express how much I love Lizzy Mercier Descloux. Her music is the weirdest and spans nearly every genre. I love the dub-influenced production on this song and how she floats in and out of the music with this almost spoken word-like vocal. Truly an innovator who refuses to be defined by a genre and a very inspiring artist.
Problem Patterns – TERFs Out
Still to this day there has not been a punk band that has come close to Problem Patterns. I heard this song when it first came out a few years ago and I instantly became a fan. The first time I saw them play was in a tiny basement cellar in Wales and it was PACKED. As performers they give it their all on stage and it’s so cool and inspiring seeing a band have such an effect on the audience. I walked away from that show feeling reborn and I’m still chasing that high to this day. If you’ve never seen PP play do yourself a favour and go, they never disappoint.
Tito Puente – Yeah!
I love Tito Puente. His music is food for the soul. I used to listen to a lot of his stuff when I first took up playing percussion because it’s an endless supply of cool bongo or conga rhythms to borrow from. This song is a great example of Latin jazz percussion and it has such a groove and no drummers. Just percussion players.
James Brown – Super Bad Pt. 1
James Brown is a huge inspiration for me as a vocalist. The way he uses his voice like an instrument is crazy. He always does these little short screams in behind the music and every time it’s like a gunshot in the ear of the listener. His approach to singing is so primal and cathartic and he really is one of a kind. Everything about this song from Clyde Stubblefield’s drumming to Phelps “Catfish” Collins’ guitar playing is the tightest thing imaginable.
Leonard Cohen – Memories
This song is off the album Death of a Ladies Man and I still find it hilarious that it was Leonard Cohen’s greatest commercial failure because it’s honestly his best album. It’s the record that got me into Leonard Cohen because of how funny all of the lyrics are. In another life I think he could have been a very successful comedian because he has an ability to make very serious topics very funny and this song is a perfect example of that. Also, it has one of my favourite screams of all time at the end of the song. All of the vocals on this album are scratch vocals he sang while the band were recording. He was supposed to redo them but Phil Spector the producer stole the master tapes and released the record before he could re-record them.
Number Girl – 鉄風 鋭くなって
Every time I listen to a Japanese punk band I’m struck by how completely unique their music is compared to stuff that’s released here in the west. Number Girl have to be one of my favourite bands of all time and even though I’ve no idea what they’re saying, I always feel like I understand them. Everything about this song from the trebly guitars to the crashing roomy drums is incredible. Such a cool band that I wish more people knew about.
