re: What are YOU listening to?

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The South was still pretty dead for this type of music, the circuit was UNC, UVA and UGA. A lot, from what I understand, also did go to Baton Rouge, is this true?

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In 1982 REM played a legendary show at the equally legendary Bayou Bar (on Chimes St across from the LSU campus)

When I was at LSU in 1988 I went to the Chimes to see a band called The Fleshtones (their "hit" was a great remake of "Ride Your Pony").

The opening act was some band I'd never heard of called... Better Than Ezra. I thought they were great! REM-style power pop with a strong beat. I specifically recall liking a song called "Ezra Pound". After the show I kept telling people about them and wondering why they didn't have a record deal. A friend told me, "There are a bunch of REM imitators out there. Throw a stick in Athens and you hit a hundred of them."

Soon after I left La. and forgot about them. Cut to 1995. I'm watching Letterman when I hear, "And musical guest: Better than Ezra!". I nearly fell out of my chair. They'd changed their sound a bit -- classic REM had gone out of fashion - but at least they'd gotten that deal.

You- REM












Upon first hearing, a forgettable song, based upon the sensory onslaught that is this album. It´s a very, very nice song.

I guess BTE was a bigger deal here than in GA

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Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary Bonnecaze.All four members were attending Louisiana State University at the time of Better Than Ezra's formation. Better Than Ezra's first public performance was at Murphy's in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, also in 1988.

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I must have seen them shortly after they formed. I don't recall Murphy's having live bands. But I didn't go there often -- preferred the Chimes.

BTE is apparently still together and touring and supposedly has a new album coming out

Bang and Blame- REM

Pale Blue Eyes- REM


nice country sounding cover live, in Passaic, NJ. They were received very well, like yokels, until they showed their petulance. Good for them (although it´s true REM always had an entitled aura about them when they left Georgia).

I Am the Resurrection- The Stone Roses










the years go by, and this gold becomes more gilded

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I must have seen them shortly after they formed. I don't recall Murphy's having live bands. But I didn't go there often -- preferred the Chimes.

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Yeah, I still have the first cassette transferred to digital and listen from time to time... Joel's influence (before he killed himself) was sorely missed in later recordings... Murphy's got bands from time to time (Drivin n Cryin, etc), but my favorite was Kevn Kinney and Peter Buck playing MagDougal Blues... awesome!

Anyway, I recall that appearance on Letterman, specifically after the song when he said "Wow, they really get their money's worth out of that drummer"... talking about Cary...

Kevn Kinney & Peter Buck - MacDougal Blues not the Murphy's set, but basicall what they were doing on that tour... I was so stoked when they played!

Made of Stone- The Stone Roses

The Passenger- Iggy Pop

The War on Drugs - Red Eyes