Hard Drugs is an indie rock opera that trusts in spectacular songs rather than an elaborate stage production to tell a twisted story that could only happen in Terminal City. Aline is a prostitute looking for love. Lloyd is a drug dealer seeking passion. The two find each other, falling madly, deeply into a love few have ever known. That is until Aline’s pimp Slim learns of their affair. To continue riding the high, they must get rid of Slim and escape Terminal City forever. Murder, chaos, and heartbreak ensue. Contributors include members of Blood Meridian, Black Mountain, Lightning Dust, Pink Mountaintops, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Limb Lifter, Bughouse 5, Bend Sinister, Fan Death, The Mohawk Lodge and Bison, among many others.
Ladyhawk / The Dugout
There are lots of great bands from Vancouver, but my favourite is Ladyhawk. Hell, they’re one of my favourite bands period. Goddamn sweethearts. This song is one of their classics but the recording doesn’t do for it what they always pull off live.
The Oh Sees / The Guilded Cunt
Admittedly, I don’t listen to a lot of current music, but this band is the best. I highly recommend checking them out.
Relatively Clean Rivers / Easy Ride
On the other hand, I’m not one of those people who only listens to obscure music because I somehow think it makes me cool-er. Pete Dionne — who does some heavy finger-picking all over the Hard Drugs record — sent me this one and I don’t know where or how he found it. All I know is that it’s probably the best driving music out there and that means a lot to someone who hates driving.
Dead Moon / Time Has Come Today
I first got turned onto this band when we covered I Hate The Blues when I was in Blood Meridian. Listening to a lot of their older stuff lately, it’s so fucking good. Old-school punk married-core. Now they’re called Pierced Arrows.
Black Flag / Wasted
Don’t get me started on my opinion of the singers and eras of Black Flag. I could write a book! Most importantly, I love them all. In my heart, early Black Flag and early Raymond Pettibon? I explode all over you.
Reigning Sound / Find Me Now
Greg Cartwright’s Reigning Sound have a new record, which is great, but as much as I like this band, I love their mellower rarities album, Home For Orphans. Why don’t more bands sound like this? Probably the same reason why bands like Reigning Sound aren’t famous. Listen to the radio. It’s because most people have shitty taste in music.
John Doe and the Sadies / The Cold Hard Facts Of Life
You got John Doe from X — L.A. punk originators basically coming from the same scene as Black Flag and Gun Club (among so many others) — playing an old country tune made famous by Porter Wagoner. Ballads — songs that tell a story, popular in old folk and country tunes — was obviously an inspiration for writing an alt-folk-rock opera. This really doesn’t showcase the awesomeness of The Sadies, so go buy Favourite Colours and New Seasons.
Traveling Wilburys / Nobody’s Child
I guess this was on the first Beatles album. This version, though, is a Wilbury’s bonus track. Thanks dudes. You just saved me having to pick between five of my biggest influences for my last song.
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