Pink Skull
are primarily the brainchild of DJ and producer Julian Grefe, a longtime fixture of Philadelphia's punk and dance music scenes, along with a host of friends and collaborators, most notably Justin Geller, and, eventually, a full-fledged band.
The song reeks of Junior High and High School, teaching myself to play guitar and bass and going out skating for hours at a time with a radio and a bunch of dubbed tapes. Youth of Today’s «Can’t Close My Eyes» runs a close second.
Anything by Iron Maiden. An old friend, Dawn, who owns this cupcake shop in Berlin, took me to go see them years ago. They were incredible, just dead on technically, and consummate showmen. A perfect experience.
Hands down. No questions asked. Without a doubt. The pinnacle of his career.
Self explanatory. And, I think «Someone Great» runs a really close second. They’ve got such pathos. Really touching, depressing, and honest.
A tie between those two. I can’t really defend the first one. Just the way it goes sometimes. A real bitch to find on vinyl. I think finding A German Oak bootleg was easier.
Spent many hours driving around listening to this record with my woman.
I have a VERY vivid memory of Saturday mornings as a child, one winter, watching my father take up the entire dining room painting a large painting of Saint Sebastian. He was going to trade to this Mafioso/Evangelist (seriously) he knew, in order for us to get a vacation home down the shore for a couple of weeks that upcoming summer.
I listened to this record all day, everyday the year my friends and I put together our first band that did anything of note (like get signed and sell some records). The world was totally gigantic and totally new and fun and it was the beginning of the rest of my life. Or, the beginning of the end, or something...
Yeah, REM. There was a time when they were cool. I SWEAR. «Reckoning» is their best album in my opinion, and this song still gets me. I’m so lame. At least I didn't say Bette Midler's «The Rose».
The drum fills at the end of the this song are enough to make you wanna go out of your fucking mind. Total ego annihilator.
This song always does the trick for everyone, every time.
There are many versions of this polka classic (which my girlfriend, Brooke, does a rousing take of), and I think this song touches on a few defining aspects of 'Philadelphia-ness'. We once were awarded the title of 'fattest city in the U.S' (which we've since lost) but, judging by the average Philadelphian, we may soon win again. This city is filled with total PORKERS. Just the fattest, gnarliest bunch of people who continue to dress like they weigh 90 pounds. Its really weird. Also, polka is a VERY popular music format in our general region. And finally, it kinda reminds me of our very own Mummers. A Philadelphia New Years tradition which is like a cross between Carnival, a Polka band competition and Hasty Puddings performed by a bunch of drunken, homophobic union members, cops and firemen. So Philly.
Both purchased at the same time. These are the first two pieces of vinyl that I ever bought. If we count tapes, then it would be The Time's «Ice Cream Castles» and Led Zeppelin III. I was 12 when I got those two records at the Sam Goody in the mall by my mom's house. Still have them. Also bought several Celluloid Records releases too, which took me a few years to really get.
For many, many reasons.
I think like a lot of artsy weirdo kids, this movie was a real touchstone. Every part of the film was stunning and the soundtrack was so eerie and gripping and visual, just as riveting as the film, totally intertwined. And, to boot, it's got Moogs, and Beethoven and bawdy sea shanties. It also reminds me of being a little 14 year old shit getting drunk with my friends and giving each other haircuts in the living room.
This is simultaneously my favorite sunday morning song and my wedding song. Incredible when it finally kicks in. I'm so sappy sometimes.
What can I say? This record seriously preoccupied my thoughts for YEARS. Based my entire first bands’ guitar parts on this particular song. Sheer perfection, Mr. Froberg. Totally tits.
