TURNING TRAGEDY INTO COMEDY!!!

1. GREEN DAY - (ANY SONG). I can't choose. Any song by them will do.

2. CRIMPSHRINE - SUMMERTIME. Classic East Bay punk, w/ gravel vocals and melodic progression. Jeff Ott's later work would never match this.

3. OPIV - THE CROWD. We need a gathering instead. Anthem for the future.

4. HUSKER DU- BACK FROM SOMEWHERE. Although Bob Mould is the man, Grant Hart wrote most of the hits, including this ditty. Classic punk (pop) song. Makes you want to move to Minnesota (just for a day).

5. ONE MAN ARMY- ANOTHER DEAD END STORY- San Francisco street punk.

6. LIFETIME- THEME FROM A NEW BRUNSWICK BASEMENT SHOW- Precusor of emo? Who knows, but anyone whose ever been to a New Brunswick basement show can relate to this.

7. THE REPLACEMENTS - SHIFTLESS WHEN IDLE- Back when Westerberg & Co., were young 'ins. A little more melodic then allot of Minnesota HC that was coming out. Even a little bratty "na na na" is thrown in for good measure.

8. THE JAM - IN THE CITY- Mod rock indeed! Overlooked for being the god fathers of modern pop punk. Classic story about a guy trying to talk to his women ( a subject not beaten too much into the ground) in the city!?!

9. BUZZCOCKS- BOREDOM- More mod rock.What the hell is Pete Shelley saying? I don't know, but you got to love the line " I'm sitting here in this old movie, but it doesn't really move me." Brilliant, I say.

10. SEX PISTOLS- NO FEELING- I love "God Save... and "Anarchy..., but for some reason this one gets me. Johnny Rotten is defintely in love with himself and no one else (and not afraid to say it).

11. BOB DYLAN- ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER- Yo, Dylan ain't punk! Who gives a crap! He's one of the most brilliant performers of the twentieth century. I recently discovered it and his words are more powerful then anything. This song reads like a riddle and an f***** up fairy tale rolled into one. Everyone covers this song.

12. RANCID- HARRY BRIDGES- Tim Armstrong was one to never shy away from talking about his past, but in this tune he shifts his attention to the plight of workers. He tells stories of misfortune like no other.

13. GREY AREA- COLOSSUS- Too bad they broke up, they were incredible. Although there roots were in hardcore , they put a catchy twist on melodic punk rock. Ernie sings about someone that had to put aside their dreams and aspirations to support there family. I like the original version (No Borders comp) then the album one.

14. DILLINGER FOUR- Music is None of My Business- Off of Versus God, D-4 is one of the best kept secrets in underground music. The lyrics, especially in this one, can be so out there, but make sense. Heavy and poppy? They can pull it off. The breakdown toward the end is the best. 15. HOT WATER MUSIC- TURNSTILE- Post Hardcore from Florida. Another band I just got into, w/ screaming dual vocals. Allot of the songs are about personal conflict with allot of introspective lyrics. Good shit!

16. STRAY CATS- RUMBLE IN BRIGHTON- Come on Brian Setzer. I love rockabilly, and the cats just have it.

17. SOCIAL DISTORTION- STORY OF MY LIFE- Mike Ness has had a tougher life then you or I. The lyrics are very personal, and has 2 stories running through it, the first dealing with him going back to his old hometown and seeing the "progress" and the second his past. The song title pretty much sums it up.

18. JAWBREAKER- DO YOU STILL HATE ME? - " Are you out there...Do you hear me...Can I call you...Do you still hate me? I listened to 24 Hour Revenge Therapy allot after i broke up with my ex-girlfriend. I want to do a cover of this or Jinx Removing someday.

19. BIKINI KILL- CAPRI PANTS- Angry young riot grrrls have a sense of humor with song titles. This is a blueprint of how a punk rock song should be (boys and girls) fast, melodic and confusing lyrics! Yes! Just go away!

20. NIRVANA- ABOUT A GIRL- Cobain took a time tested pop formula from Lennon along with his own musical genius and created this soft masterpiece.

21. THE LIVING END- MONDAY- Punkabilly? In the same vein as the Clash, Stray Cats and Green Day, the Aussie Trio pushes music boundaries and raises them to new heights. Yeah, that sounds contrived but they rock, simple. They are beat crazee!!

22. THE BEATLES- 8 DAYS A WEEK- You could say if it wasn't for them, there wouldn't be songs 1-21 or 23 through 30.

23. GENERATION X- READY, STEADY, GO- Before Mr. Idol became an Mtv mainstay, he started off in this little punk band in England. This song talks about how Billy used to love everything (beatles, radio ect.,) and how times have changed.

24. WEEZER- I JUST THREW OUT THE GIRL OF MY DREAMS- This song is yet another example of why Rivers Cuomo is becoming one of the most recognized songwriters around. A simple chord progression and a duet w/ Rachel Haden, easily makes this one my fav.

25. MxPx- LET IT HAPPEN- When I first heard about them, I was told they were a Christian punk band. What a contradiction and how wrong I was to prejudge. Mike Herrera knows a hook when he hears it and this song ( mostly about girls) is definitely tops.

26. RAMONES- I WANNA BE YOUR BOYFRIEND- We lost a pioneer this year in Joey Ramone, but his words and music echo in the choruses of any kind of "alternative" music. This was my favorite just because it shows the Ramones could do more than 1..2..3..4 and could make a ballad w/o it sounding contrived. R . I . P Joey

27. BILLY BRAGG- A NEW ENGLAND- I discovered this on the same comp I found "Boredom". Where are the drums and bass? Don't need it. Billy was able to get such a layered guitar sound that a "band" would not be needed. This tune is about a man looking back on his life so far and that he doesn't want to "change the world" just looking for a chance to start over and find a new girl. Works for me.

28. DESCENDENTS- I LIKE FOOD- Food is good!!!

29. THE CLASH- LONDON CALLING- Whats a ultimate mix tape without the Clash. Adding elements of reggae into there punk style, created a hybrid sound that is still copped by many to this day. And Joe Strummer is still making records and touring, bless him.

30. TOKEN ENTRY- JAYBIRD- NYC Skate-Thrash-Punk, whatever you want to call it, it rocks hard! Timmy Chunks. Anyone thats ever skated knows this song. Hell yeah!

31. THE DICKIES- GIGANTOR- Punky jokesters, w/ crazy song themes. 32. PAUL WESTERBERG- DYSLEXIC HEART- Yeah, I the movie wasn't that good (Singles) but the soundtrack with this catchy heart-on-your sleeve sing-a-long more than made up for it!

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