A's Musical Daily Driver
(Newest On Top)
Apr 2 - Sept 11, 2026
Sept 11, 2026
Social Distortion
"Gimme The Sweet & Lowdown"
"Far Side of Nowhere" - Live
From "Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes"
Today is a difficult day for me. I have twins, one boy and one girl. Today is their birthday. Our relationships are far from good right now. I've had severe depressive disorder for 30 years. Although I finally found release from that prison two years ago it prevented me from being myself for 28 years and it prevented me from being the father to them that I yearned to be for a good portion of their lives. Obviously they were deeply affected by my illness and its affects on me. They've been saddled with pain by something over which they had no control. The situation causes me great pain as well to say the least. Point being that I need something to shift my state of mind today. Since I've been in recovery for many years the booze and the drugs are no longer the things I use to make that emotional shift. Music has always done that for me. These guys reach me on a raw gut level and their music helps. Sonic salvation, Rock n' roll, my brethren and sisteren. Thank God above.
Two from Social D today. I've always dug these guys but in the last year I've listened to a ton more of their material and have become a rabid fan. They got started in 1978 in Orange County, CA and are still at it today. Their new album entitled "Born To Kill" was released about a month ago and in my opinion it didn't disappoint at all. It's a shame that a new album took so damned long. That said, thank heavens that it's here.
As always, I've got a personal story about these guys. Sadly, it's a dreadful one, but memorable and worthy of telling. It was somewhere around 2007 and I'd never been to a Social Distortion show. They booked a gig in Memphis. Couldn't wait for the experience. Rabid. As it turned out, a day before the show I got dreadfully sick. The world's worst flu. A fever that brought (involuntary) hallucinations. If I'd been able, I would have crawled to that gig but I couldn't even roll out of bed to fall on the floor. Needless to say, I was devastated. As I thought would likely happen I haven't the opportunity to see them since. I hope it happens one day.
"Gimme The Sweet & Lowdown"
This tune is from the "Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes" record and happens to be Mike's favorite song on that album. I adore it as well. I must say that, for me, this video of the studio version is miraculous. From beginning to end it depicts the story of my life, (if you know you know). It's the very best music video that I've ever seen because of that. It's largely unsettling but it's disturbingly accurate. Fortunately it depicts the miracle that brought me out of hell and into recovery as well. I hope you dig it.
"Far Side of Nowhere" - Live
This one comes from the same record, which is a tremendous one. Be sure to give it a listen with the link above. It doesn't have any profound meaning for me as "Gimme" does but I love it all the same. As always, whenever possible, this one's a live version. Hope it catches your ear.
- A
April 1, 2026
* Post Update *
"The Seeker" - Antioch (Nashville) TN - 5/26/04
Last time we did a post dedicated to The Who's "The Seeker" including both their studio original as well as a studio recording from Rush. I mentioned that I'd been at the show in Nashville that year and caught the first-ever "Seeker".
Never thought I would but I'll be damned if I didn't stumble upon the footage of the tune that very night. My memory of how it went down was exactly right. 🤣
Relive it with me. Enjoy, folks. Rock n' Roll.
- A
Aug 24, 2025
A Strike-Out and A Home Run
The Who
Rush
"The Seeker"
From: The Who - "Who's Next" & Rush - "Feedback"
The Who - "The Seeker" - From "Who's Next"
I believe it was 1985 so I was a freshman in high school. "The Who" were set to play a gig at RFK Stadium in DC. I'd been a fan of the band since middle school. Rationally speaking, I should have been completely elated for the opportunity to catch that show but my musical purist nature got the better of me. Talk about cutting off my nose to spite my face.
Three of my friends were going and spent some time trying to convince me to go as well. Nosir. I wasn't havin' it. "You guys go, you all pretend and have a good time but I'm here to tell you that this isn't The fucking Who. Keith Moon is dead. This whole thing is a damned farce."
Don't remember what they said about the show but there again, at the time, I really wasn't interested. I truly believed that I hadn't missed anything special. I was damned close to resentment against Roger and Pete for carrying on such a shameless charade. At that point I felt that they'd abandoned their musical integrity which, ironically, I think is still very much debatable.
Years later my view changed and I realized that I'd made a terrible mistake and would by all accounts never again have the chance to correct it. Indeed, I never did. I regret that most unwise decision of my youth to this very day. Lesson to be learned: Never be such a purist that you allow your stance to rob you of live musical opportunities that you might otherwise take advantage of. You might never have another chance.
Anyway, this song is short and straightforward which are qualities that a ton of the tunes posted on here simply do not possess. Gems like this one though stand on their own perfectly even at a three-minute run time and musical minimalism. If you're not somewhat of a Who fan you likely haven't heard this song before. I love it. Lastly, if you haven't heard "Who's Next" click the link and check out the remastered, super extended deluxe edition. One of the finest Rock n' Roll albums ever recorded. Give it all a big ol' ear catch.
Rush - "The Seeker" - From "Feedback"
In early 2004 Rush announced that they would be releasing an EP of cover tunes late in the year but didn't reveal any of the songs that would be included. Talk about enticing. They began a tour that Fall before the EP released. I hit a show about three hours from here. Matter of fact, it was the first show of the tour. I never expected them to play any songs from the upcoming EP but that's exactly what they did.
Geddy talked to the crowd just a bit about the upcoming record and said that the wanted to play one tune from it. When I heard the first few guitar chords I erupted. "The Seeker". It became obvious that much of the audience wasn't familiar with it. An absolutely spectacular rendition of a gem from The Who. Couldn't have been any better and I got the very first one they played. A cherished memory. Check out their version and see what you think.
- A
Aug 15, 2025
Bruce Hornsby & The Grateful Dead
Got a two-fer here for you today. 🐔
You children know it's good. These tunes are for the faithful. (Deadheads, if you know, you know).
Leg 🍗
"Tango King-> Sugaree"
Live: 8/9/08 - Buffalo, NY
I've talked a bit about the relationship between Bruce and the Dead. It runs deep. He's a big Head. This first bit is juicy for sure which starts with a jammed-all-the-way-up "Tango King" into a scorcher "Sugaree". "Tango King" is such an interesting tune from a time signature standpoint. I don't know exactly what's going on there but there's a hell of a lot of deft syncopation at work. Stunning.
This "Sugaree", (a Dead tune), almost gets turned on its ear as Bruce periodically wanders into atonal mode. Let it never be said that Bruce isn't a sick musician in all respects. Talk about a refreshing take on an old bit of magic. You know the rules. Watch all the way through with the highest possible audio fidelity at significant volume and discover.
Breast 🐓
(Sorry there's not a better emoji.)
Bruce Hornsby & The Grateful Dead
"Valley Road"
Live: 1990 - Wembley Arena
When the tremendous Brent Mydland, (keys), died in 1990 The Grateful Dead got together with their old friend Bruce and the result was Bruce playing in the Band for three years. (Once again, if you know, you know, good people). I caught quite a number of those shows. Insanely fortunate. They played this version at Wembley Arena in 1990. Nothing complicated. Just a great song played by some of the greatest.
Matter of fact, I caught the three '91 Summer Tour dates at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. (Go 'Skins). They were essentially home town shows for me as I lived in Annapolis MD about 30 mins away. On one of those dates, Sting opened which was a hell of an experience. Don't remember which Bruce tunes I got throughout those three days but I'm pretty sure "Stander On The Mountain" and "Rainbow's Cadillac" were in there somewhere. Holy stuff. Yes lawwwd.
As always, God bless the Tapers.
- A
