By the early ‘80s, the consistently increasing popularity of the Star Wars saga warranted the production of all types of merchandise, even a holiday-themed recording. Christmas in the Stars was released in November of 1980 and was largely sung and narrated by Anthony Daniels, the guy who played C-3PO in the films. After the initial pressing of 150,000, RSO Records …

“What the fuck is wrong with popular music these days?” I exclaim as the local alternative radio station plays yet another vanilla, uninspired excuse for a song. In rock & roll’s 60-plus-year existence there have consistently been artists who drastically alter the state of popular music. On occasion a musician emerges whose songwriting and voice is so original and pure …

Whitesnake Tool The Meat Puppets Toad the Wet Sprocket Hole The Flaming Lips Jack Johnson Hootie and the Blowfish Red Red Meat The Slits Swollen Members Limp Bizkit Faster Pussycat Fishbone They Might Be Giants

I know our readership spends a great deal of time thinking, “I am sure curious about Rick Allen’s penis.” What follows is some fascinating insight into the very “private parts” of rock and roll royalty. Ted Nugent “The Nuge” is a mentally challenged, buck-toothed hillbilly and fittingly his ding-dong is half an inch long, but four inches wide, resembling a …

Laird Allen, contributor Scuber Mountain is a musical oddity. In a town where bands wear their influences on their sleeves or take great pleasure in shameless copycatting, Scuber Mountain does all original tracks that defy easy categorization. Is it some kind of jazz? Is it elevator music from an alternate universe where winged whales and fair trade opium are a major …

Lou Reed – Metal Machine Music (1975) A double album of layered guitar feedback and noise which came out at the height of The Velvet Underground leader’s commercial success. Stevie Wonder – Stevie Wonder’s Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants (1979) Arguably the greatest two-disc concept album about photosynthesis. Neil Young – Trans (1983) Young thoroughly pissed off his …

If you’re Snoop Lion, Willie Nelson or Tom Petty, chances are all sorts of ganja is coming your way when you’re performing live. Well known musician/stoners receive an abundance of smoking supplies tossed in their direction as a sign of appreciation from their adoring fans. However, I’m more interested in artists who should have bags of grass thrown at them. …

I recently spent a month traveling to exotic locations throughout the world to meet and interview some wild animals about what’s been on heavy rotation on their iPods. Harriet Halibut The Beatles “Octopus’ Garden” “I like Ringo’s melody. Every time I end up in an Octopus’ garden I regret it. Those things are weird looking and freak me the fuck …