Mixtape #17: Nineteen Songs by The Happy Hollows

Every Wednesday (Friday, in today’s case, Web in Front will be offering up a digital mixtape, comprised of whatever happens to be floating through my head and ears at the time–great local music (including exclusive unreleased tracks from our Featured Artist Interviews), old favorites and oddball obscurities; also featured will be mixes made by some of our favorite Los Angeles musicians, along with the stories and explanations behind their picks.

We’re publishing an extra mixtape this week, as today is something of a special occasion–tonight at Spaceland marks the record release party for Spells, the first full-length album by the Happy Hollows.  A simultaneously blistering and catchy assault of screams, sugary hooks and rolling rhythms, Spells is well worth a listen and stands as one of the best L.A. discs of the year–make sure to come tonight to hear the music live, and then pick up your own copy of Spells at the merch booth.

To celebrate the show tonight, Hollows’ vocalist/ guitarist Sarah Negahdari and bassist Charlie Mahoney were kind enough to contribute a mixtape to Web in Front, one that zooms from The Who to Eagle and Talon to the Smiths to Frank Zappa to the theme from the Megaman 3 video game.  Rest assured, you be listening to it all day; just be sure to take a break from it tonight and come by Spaceland–your ears will thank you.  Tracklisting and band notes after the jump.

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Charlie’s list

1) Funk Factory – “Rien ne va plus”

I originally came across this song because it was sampled by the Dust Brothers on the Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique track “Car Thief.”  It has since become one of my favorite songs.  Great bass line.

2) Frank Zappa – “Uncle Remus”

Great bass work. Great drumming. Love the backing vocals and the social commentary (I think).  The guitar solo kills as well.

3) Fugazi – “And the Same”

Great bass line. Groovy drums and bass with the manic guitars over them. Nice transition from the verse to chorus and gotta love when Ian MacKaye does his anthemic vocal thing.

4) The Last Emperor – “Secret Wars I”

The opening to this song goes:
“What if I had the power to gather all of my favorite MCs / With the illest comic book characters and make them arch enemies? /  Inconceivable? Unbelievable? Yet as wild as it seems /  The Emperor and Stan Lee would coach the two opposing teams.”

5) Yasuaki Fujita – “Megaman 3 Title Theme Song”

Ever since I heard this song when I was a little kid playing on my Nintendo I have been obsessed. Not a day goes by when I don’t hum the melody in my head.

6) The Tornados – “Telstar”

What a classic song!  Sounds really spacey, but in a 60’s sort of way. This is what people imagined the moon was like before they got to the moon. Then, after we finally got to the moon, Pink Floyd wrote Dark Side of the Moon and “Telstar” was forgotten as idealistic fancy ;)

7) Peter Schilling – “Major Tom (Coming Home)”

What I like about this song is the surprise chorus. Based on the verses, you really don’t expect the chorus to have such a great hook. But once you hear that hook, you are singing it the rest of the day.

8) The Soft Hands – “Up the Ladder”

Well constructed. Tight. Epic ending! Long Beach represent.

9) Anchors for Architects – “In the Nineties”

One of our favorite all time bands and our friends, they no longer exist but can be found playing in Traps, Ps and Divisadero.  There are more ideas in this one song than most have bands in a whole album.

10) The Primos – “Cookbook”

After seeing this song performed live you can die fulfilled.

Sarah’s List

11) Pink Floyd- “The Happiest Days of Our Lives/ Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2”

This is definitely one of my top five favorite songs ever. I love the intro, and how it is so surprising that after all the “ahh, ahh, ahh’s”, the song suddenly totally changes gears and goes into “We don’t need no education.” OMG, I never tire of this song. I love how theatrical it is.

12) Danielson- “Did I Step on Your Trumpet?”

I don’t think it gets better than this song. I just love all of the many parts. It has like, at least four completely brilliant “hooky” sections, and its just melodic heavenly fun for my spirit when I hear this song! I love all of his harmonies and the playfulness of this track.

13) Melanie (Safka) “Lay Down”

I love this song so much. This song touches my soul like no other. I love when the big giant chorus kicks in behind her quiet folky voice. Oh, it is simply a perfect song. This song is very, very dear to my heart. I relate to it, the sense of being a woman who is so vulnerable, fragile, but strong in spirit, strong through music.

14) The Smiths- ‘What Difference Does It Make?”

I love this song! I love to dance to this song. The Smiths are a huge influence for me. I love Johnny Marr’s guitar playing and their song writing. Great dark, melodic pop.

15) Thailand – “Strong Like Lighting”

This song is so damn brilliant. I love this local band. I think this song is two years old, but I still listen to it all the time!!!

16) Eagle and Talon – “One Lark”

I love their new album Thracian. I am really good friends with E and T, and I just think they are brilliant. I have always loved this song of theirs!

17) Deerhoof – “Milk Man”

This band is the coolest band ever. I could really pick any of their songs, but I’m sure everyone can love “Milk  Man.” They have my favorite drummer and guitar player ever. It was a real honor for me to open for them, and especially great when their guitar player John Deitrich told me he loved my guitar tone! I couldn’t believe it because damn listen to that tone of his!  Unbelievable! They are total geniuses. I love their musicality, creativity, and their humor, too.
They are the best.

18) The Who – “Happy Jack”

Pete Townsend is my hero. I love The Who and they are huge influences on me. This song is just so brilliant. So much fun, and so silly and cool and kick ass all in one! The drums are sick.  Great melody, such a fantastic band. I try and emulate Pete a lot. I really love his song writing, his Gibson SG, and his stage presence!

19) T. Rex – “Children of the Revolution”

This guy is Genius. Genius. Genius.

September 4, 2009 | Filed Under Exclusive Features, Featured Media, Mixtapes 

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