Email Author David Simutis

1999 Stories by David Simutis

• Sophomore Flops

  published December 30, 1999

  Sophomore slump. Sophomore jinx. One-hit wonder. The idea that a band can release one record then either fade into oblivion or fail miserably with... More >>

• Playbill

  published December 30, 1999

  Mojo Nixon's appeal comes from a riotous combination of his rockabilly-inspired adolescent humor and his disdain for icons. For the better part of... More >>

• Do You Hear What I Hear?

  published December 23, 1999

  Some say on-line shopping is great for those who are too busy, self-important or crippled to go to the mall like normal people. In fact, on-line... More >>

• Rotation

  published November 25, 1999

  Beck Midnite Vultures Geffen Nerdboy is feeling frisky. Beck's "official" follow-up to the Grammy-winning,... More >>

• Prolific Pop

  published November 18, 1999

  It has been a long time since Robert Pollard taught fourth grade. Since his indie rock band, Guided By Voices, started getting noticed about five... More >>

• Rotation

  published November 18, 1999

  Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals Burn to Shine Virgin Unlike most guitar heroes, Ben Harper concentrates on... More >>

• Sonic Portraits

  published November 4, 1999

  Nick Currie's motives and intentions aren't always easy to understand. After all, this is the same Scotsman who has been releasing records since... More >>

• Rotation

  published October 14, 1999

  Mark Lanegan I'll Take Care of You Sub Pop There are some kinds of music that really work only at certain... More >>

• Fresh Pavement

  published September 30, 1999

  In the entertainment world, there are natural stars and there are reluctant stars. Stephen Malkmus, leader of Pavement, is that rare person who... More >>

• Rotation

  published September 30, 1999

  Chris Cornell Euphoria Morning A+M Maybe there's a person out there waiting for the Kim Thayil solo... More >>

• Jamming for Dollars

  published September 23, 1999

  Major record labels are still pissed off about digital distribution. The concern that free, nearly perfect copies of songs and albums would be... More >>

• Rotation

  published September 23, 1999

  Air Premiers Symptomes Astralwerks Sukpatch Tie Down That Shiny Wave Grand... More >>

• French Connection

  published September 16, 1999

  Stereolab is an important band. "Important" usually means pretentious or unjustly praised. In this case, it means "influential," a word that can... More >>

• Rotation

  published September 16, 1999

  Richard Thompson Mock Tudor Capitol Richard Thompson is in a position of almost unlimited creative... More >>

• New Releases Reviewed

  published September 2, 1999

  Tricky with DJ Muggs and Grease Juxtapose Island Trip-hop godfather. Hip-hop aficionado. Pot-smoking... More >>

• Good Goo Dolls

  published September 2, 1999

  It might help to think of this summer package tour as a sandwich. Buffalo New York's Goo Goo Dolls is pretty much the white bread. Not exactly... More >>

• The Old and the Restless

  published July 29, 1999

  Robyn Hitchcock is one of those musicians who are (un)lucky enough to be frequently compared to Syd Barrett. For more than 20 years, Hitchcock has... More >>

• Celebrate Good Times, C'mon!

  published July 22, 1999

  There are few equivalents in the business world to the independent record company. Most are labors of love rather than profit. Music lovers first,... More >>

• Youngshtuffs

  published July 8, 1999

  Teen pop, meet your nemesis: The Donnas. A quartet of bad girls a year out of high school who take inspiration from Kiss and the Runaways, the... More >>

• Rotation

  published July 1, 1999

  Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin Warner Bros. Too bad all bands don't spend as much time thinking about what they do as the... More >>

• Original Punks

  published July 1, 1999

  Gotta admire the longevity and stamina of Christian Arnheiter, elder statesman of the Bayou City's punk rock scene. Long after the vast majority... More >>

• Pennywisdom

  published June 24, 1999

  Pennywise is probably the most pleasant, friendliest band that sometimes pukes on people and takes hostages. The Hermosa Beach, California,... More >>

• All Nessed Up

  published June 24, 1999

  Mike Ness, leader of Social Distortion, is getting older and more willing to show his roots. On his solo debut, Cheating at Solitaire (Time Bomb),... More >>

• Rotation

  published June 24, 1999

  Pavement Terror Twilight Matador Pavement has something to prove. Overhyped and overpraised, the quintet has, through the course... More >>

• Natty Pompadour

  published May 27, 1999

  One great thing about novelty acts: They surprise. It's never the gag that gets you or the fact that some of the guys are decent musicians.... More >>