Meet The Speedways

 

So after suggesting Cyanide Pills, the band, my friend Mike suggested another band he thought would be in my wheelhouse. Also from England, please meet The Speedways. 

These guys knocked me out. 

 

 

The band sounds like your favorite skinny tie/power pop band from the 70's, occasionally fronted by Tommy Keene. I listened to "Triple Platinum" first, a 2025 collection of songs compiled from their first five releases, with a few being rerecorded in 2023. Not a bad song to be found. Mike's favorite is their 2022 album "Talk Of The Town," which I will get to once I've had enough of "Triple Platinum."

 

 

Do You Dare?

 

 

A month or two ago, Wet Leg released a special edition of their most recent record "moisturizer" with additional tracks that include live versions, demos and remixes. I'm not usually crazy about remixes, but now and then, one hits. And the "Dare Remix" of "mangetout," my favorite track from the album, is pretty great.

Check it out. See if you dig it. Though, if you don't like Wet Leg, I'm quite sure, you won't like the remix either. 

 

Soundtrack To The New Cold War

 

 

 

I spent 8 hours yesterday working the Vinyl Revolution Record Show, my favorite record show of all. The room has a great vibe, the best dealers, and some of the best records at the best prices. This show is far better than your average record store/vaping room/coffee shop/vegan clothier places that have been popping up in all of Brooklyn's most annoying neighborhoods, run by investment bankers who decided on a hobby and who refer to their inventory as "vinyls." 

But I digress. 

I only managed a few minutes of shopping for myself, as I was being paid to work for Slipped Disc and we were busy the entire time. My friend Mike, who runs the show with his daughter Amanda, turned me on to a band from England...I think... called Cyanide Pills. Around since 2010, their most recent, 2023's "Soundtrack To The New Cold War" is a kickass collection of rock and punk that will surely scratch your Buzzcocks itch. 

Check'em out. 

 

 

Songs Of The Week, 2026: 9/26-10/2

 

Naima- John Coltrane
Golden Hours- Brian Eno
Captain Jones- Eddie Addenbury
Growing Older- Graham Gouldman
Chicken Fried- Raisins In The Sun
Nothing But A Heartache- The Flirtations
Somebody's On Your Case- Ann Peebles

 

A few notes:

Both the Graham Gouldman and Eddie Addenbury tracks can be found among many other wonderful tunes on a compilation called "Tea & Symphony: The English Baroque Sound 1967-1974." 

I recently found a cheap copy of the deluxe edition of the first Black Crowes record, which includes a few covers as bonus tracks. This reminded me that they covered the Ann Peebles tune included here.  

And if you are unfamiliar with Raisins In The Sun and have ever wondered what a band that included Jules Shear, Chuck Prophet, Jim Dickinson and Harvey Brooks sounded like, this is the CD for you. 

It's HERE 

BW's Saturday #89

Tom Petty tells a story in a Heartbreakers documentary that gives a glimpse of his analog mindset, the mindset of someone who refuses to settle. Petty was on the bill for The No Nukes Show, and the last three acts were Jackson Browne, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen at the height of his fame. Petty says that Browne came off stage, and told him: “If you go on, and you think they’re booing you, don’t get thrown because they’re really just saying: ‘BRUCE!’” And Petty replied: “What’s the difference?”

I'm So Hot For It, But It's So Cold

 

If asked, I will always say "Street Fighting Man" is my favorite Rolling Stones song. But boy, does it stink live.

Does the band play it badly? No. Not at all. They just play it differently, and it never works for me.

That song is also an amazing record. The tone of the acoustic guitar. The snap of Charlie's snare. The maracas on the coda. None of this translates live. In concert, "Street Fighting Man" becomes another Stones rocker, albeit a good one, just not the amazing record found on "Beggars Banquet."

And so,  I ask of you, what are your favorite songs that did not translate live? That does not mean the concert sucked. I want to know specifically, songs that you love that left you cold in concert.

 

 

Dragonflies

 

Dragonflies are Dhani Harrison and Nigel Godrich. The early word almost put me off completely, as I am not a fan of any Radiohead records post-"OK Computer," and that is exactly what I expected from this album- spacey, amelodic noodling. You can get on me all you want about "Kid A" and all that followed. I've heard it all before and I've given all of those records second and third chances. I don't like them. Thom Yorke gives me the twitch.

Why do I like Dragonflies?

I'll tell you.

Though it does resemble those very same Radiohead records in style and structure, I found the music on Dragonflies to be more melodic and accessible. Dhani Harrison's vocals are less abrasive and the lyrics are easier to decipher. Harrison is also sounding less like his dad on this record and more like Glenn Tilbrook, which made for a fun listening experience, like a cross between Pink Floyd and Squeeze.

I imagine this isn't for everyone, but I was pleasantly surprised when it was all over.