RIP Les Paul & Jim Dickinson

Posted by Lance Davis - August 16, 2009 - Big Star, Jim Dickinson, Les Paul, Neil Young, Replacements

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If Les Paul had only invented the solid-body guitar that bears his name, he’d be rock royalty. As an icon, the Gibson Les Paul has few peers. But, Paul also transformed the reel-to-reel given to him by Bing Crosby into the first functioning multitrack recording machine. That innovation in the mid-’40s spurred the development over […]

13 Songs: 1989 Reconsidered

Posted by Lance Davis - February 27, 2009 - 1989, Beastie Boys, Chico, Elvis Costello, Flat Duo Jets, Fugazi, KCSC, Maria McKee, Mudhoney, Neil Young, Nirvana, Operation Ivy, Pixies, Public Enemy, Superchunk, Thelonious Monster

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1989 had a profound impact on me. That was the year I started DJing at KCSC, Chico State’s campus radio station (see flyer below), and discovered so much greatness in the vast American rock ‘n’ roll underground. It was like seeing in color for the first time. Music didn’t suck, popular music sucked, mostly. Worst. […]

Rescued From Obscurity: Don’t Be Denied

Posted by Lance Davis - January 7, 2009 - Neil Young

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In the pantheon of Neil Young rock anthems, a number of tunes vie for that coveted #1 slot. There are Girls, both Cinnamon and Cowgirl In Sand varieties, as well as a Southern Man. There are Hurricanes, Powderfingers, Words, and Country Homes. You can go for My My, Hey Hey or possibly Hey Hey, My […]

Six Degrees: Headed For The Ditch

Posted by Lance Davis - June 27, 2008 - Grand Champeen, Neil Young, Slobberbone, Soul Asylum, Thelonious Monster, Uncle Joe's Big Ol' Driver

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We begin this edition of Six Degrees in Miami Beach. Not the actual Miami Beach, mind you, but the Miami Beach of Neil Young‘s fevered imagination. In 1973, Neil was one year removed from the career-defining behemoth that was Harvest and its feel-good granola anthem, “Heart Of Gold.” Problem was, Neil wasn’t in a particularly […]