2023, The Master Playlist...!

Another year, come and gone. And as usual, I like to collect together all the tracks from all my mixes and combine them into one master playlist. Usually I make 4 mixtapes throughout the year, one for each season. But there was just so much great music this year, that I ended up with 6 volumes! 

So, now here are all 6 collections, in sequence, plus BONUS TRACKS! It adds up to over 10 hours of muic. And going back to the very first mix, it's just amazing how far we're come. 

2023, Vol 1: I'm Feeling Great Because You Didn't Break Me

2023, Vol 2: Does Anybody Else Feel Numb?

2023, Vol 3: Midsummer Blues

2023, Vol 4: The End Of Summer Is Here

2023, Vol 5: Who's Laughing Now

Vol 6: It's The End Of 2023, And I Feel Fine

2023, The Master Playlist: (BONUS TRACKS)

(Kicking it off with 3 songs revived by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3!) 

151. In The Meantime by Spacehog
152. Creep (Acoustic) by Radiohead
153. Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine
154. Happier by YUNGBLUD, Oli Sykes & Bring Me The Horizon
155. TK421 by Lenny Kravitz
156. Dancer by IDLES & LCD Soundsystem
157. Telepath by Jimmy Eat World
158. Light As A Feather by Crosses
159. Black Horse by Sarah Kinsley
160. Wall of Eye by The Smile

Vol 6: It's The End Of 2023, And I Feel Fine

The sixth and final mixtape of the year! Normally I only make 4 volumes; one per season, and a master playlist at the end of the year with BONUS tracks, but there was just so much good music this year that I couldn't help but add a few extra volumes!

Kicking it off with the final Beatles song, followed by some Rolling Stones and U2.  New music from: Taking Back Sunday, Middle Kids, Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES, Lawrence, Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, MGMT. Always happy to support friends like Skyhill, Katy Tunbridge, and Spiral Moon. (I cover their song "Falling" acoustically as Pike Project.) Speaking of covers, Dolly Parton covering 4 Non Blondes, Pearl Jam covering Tom Petty, guitar protegee Marcin doing his version of Layla! 

I was in a record store not too long ago and I recognized Thom Yorke's voice as they were playing the Modeselektor album. Capping it all off with one of my favorite tracks from one of my favorite albums of the year, "Last Rites" by Crosses. Kick back, relax, crank these tunes, and enjoy! 2 hours straight of bangers! 

Vol 6: It's The End Of The World, And I Feel Fine!

1. Now And Then by The Beatles
2. Whole Wide World by The Rolling Stones
3. Atomic City by U2
4. What's Up? by Dolly Parton featuring Linda Perry
5. Dramamine by Middle Kids
6. DC Special Sha La La by Scream
7. Shame by Lauren Mayberry
8. DArkSide by Bring Me The Horizon
9. Panic Room by I Ya Toyah
10. State Of Mind by 3rd Street
11. Nowhere To Go But Everywhere by Bush
12. The American Dream Is Killing Me by Green Day
13. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT by blink-182
14. I Am The Only One Who Knows You by Taking Back Sunday
15. Addicted By Romance by Bruce Springsteen & Patti Scialfa
16. The Glass by H.E.R. (Foo Fighters cover)
17. Hasta La Vista Baby by Durry
18. Whispers In The Echo Chamber by Chelsea Wolfe
19. 23 by Lawrence
20. Falling by Pike Project (Spiral Moon cover)
21. Layla by Marcin
22. Lying Through Your Teeth by Katy Tunbridge
23. Hands by Jewel
24. I Won't Back Down Live by Pearl Jam (Tom Petty cover)
25. Everything Turns Around by Dogstar
26. Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis
27. The Last Domino by Skyhill
28. Can't Catch Me Now by Olivia Rodrigo
29. Mother Nature by MGMT
30. Better Off (Alone, Pt. III) by Alan Walker, Dash Berlin & Vikkstar
31. Heart over Mind by Alan Walker & Daya
32. Redline (From Road 96) by SURVIVE
33. Shipwreck by Modeselektor & Thom Yorke
34. This by Modeselektor & Thom Yorke
35. Last Rites by Crosses 

Rob's B-Day Mixtape '23 by Christie Gee!

My dear and awesome friend Christie Gee made me a mixtape (on cassette!) for my birthday back in August, and I'm only now getting around to digitizing it so I can share it with all of you! It deserves to be shared because it's a great listen. And the thing I love about receiving mixtapes is you can totally feel the personality of the person giving it to you. Every single one of these songs makes me think of Christie and her beautiful, bright spirit. Hope you dig it too! 

Rob's B-Day Mixtape '23 by Christie Gee:

1. Song for a Mix Tape by The Ataris
2. Hang Out by Morella's Forest
3. Friends of P. by The Rentals
4. Here and Now by Letters To Cleo
5. Burnout by Green Day
6. Popular by Nada Surf
7. Sugarhigh by Coyote Shivers
8. In My Waking Life by Saves The Day
9. Domino Effect by Ozma
10. Teenage Lobotomy by The Ramones
11. Running Out of Time by Hot Hot Heat
12. Hand In My Pocket by Alanis Morissette
13. Can't Hardly Wait by The Replacements
14. Summer Of '69 by MxPx
15. Mr. Brightside by The Killers
16. Man of Conviction by The Get Up Kids
17. Last by Gratitude
18. No Reason by Ben Kweller
19. Til I Hear It From You by Gin Blossoms
20. Lump by The Presidents Of The United States of America 

2023, Vol 5: Who's Laughing Now

 

Music always offers comfort. And this could be my best mix in quite some time. 

It all started with a strong foundation. I was introduced to the band DURRY via my friend Sam Hoyas, and I instantly fell in love with their pitch-perfect pop debut album "Suburban Legend." So right away, I knew at least 3 of the songs from that album would make up the spine of this mix. 

Add to that brand new singles from The Rolling Stones, Crosses, L7, Lawrence, blink-182, Duran Duran; new music from slowdive, Explosions In The Sky, The National (a 2nd album in 2023!?), The Pauses. Friends music including System Syn, AL1CE, John Presnell (with an excellent music video by my dear friend Adam Barnick), my own new EP "Pike Project Plays Spiral Moon!" And the theme song from Netflix's ONE PIECE, arguably the best show this year, and this makes up for a lot of positive vibes. 

Give these tunes a spin, and enjoy! 

2023, Vol 5: Who's Laughing Now

1. Who's Laughing Now by Durry
2. Angry by The Rolling Stones
3. I'm From LA by Go Betty Go
4. 69th St. Bridge (from Escape From New York) by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, & Daniel Davies
5. Ghost Ride by Crosses
6. Terrible Lie by Static X
7. Say It Again by Filter
8. We Hold This Time by System Syn
9. Cooler Than Mars by L7
10. I Cocoon by The Pauses
11. My Sails Are Set (from the Netflix series One Piece) by Sonya Belousova & Giona Ostinelli
12. i'm confident that i'm insecure by Lawrence
13. I'm Fine (No Really) by Durry
14. Nursing Your Shadow by John Presnell 
15. Is It Over (Every Time We Say Goodbye) by Pike Project
16. Space Invader by The National
17. Ten Billion People by Explosions In The Sky
18. the slab by Slowdive
19. ONE MORE TIME by blink-182
20. MORE THAN YOU KNOW by blink-182
21. Are You Awake? by Lauren Mayberry (of Churches) 
22. See Me by AL1CE
23. Danse Macabre by Duran Duran
24. Somewhere by Johnny Marr
25. Another Fire by Voxtrot
26. Encore by Durry
27. Bending Hectic by The Smile 

New 4-Song Acoustic EP! Pike Project Plays Spiral Moon!

 

My new 4 song acoustic EP, "Pike Project Plays Spiral Moon" is now available!!!

I recorded this in 2 nights on my recent NY visit with Jay Catropa.

We spent that time reminiscing, looking at old photos, and paying tribute to that time period from around 1998-2000 where we played countless gigs together & were just having so much fun. He reminded me that when Pretty Polly wasn't available, I used to open up, solo, with an acoustic U2 cover of "Sunday Bloody Sunday." The Edge had done a live, stripped back and slowed down version of it on the "If God Would Send His Angels" CD single, so I did my version of that. 

And I figured... I might as well round it out by doing one of my own Pretty Polly song as well.

Spiral Moon... my high school friends, my favorite local band... this was done with nothing but love and respect for you guys: Clifford Catropa, Jaxon, Frokus, Kenny Meyer. I hope you ALL dig it. ✌️ 

Robert V Galluzzo · Pike Project Plays Spiral Moon

2023, Vol 4: The End Of Summer Is Here

New mixtape to cap off the end of summer! So many of my talented friends put out new music in the last few months, including: Playing Dead, Coventry Carols, System Syn, Miss Randall, & Katy Tunbridge.

My newest band discovery is Pierce The Veil who I caught doing an incredible version of Radiohead's "Karma Police" on Like A Version from Triple J. (Look it up on YouTube.) Also, Sleep Token, great recommendation from Dustin Sain. PLUS: New music from Guns N' Roses, Filter, Crosses, The Chemical Brothers, Ash, The Gaalight Anthem, Kula Shaker (remember them?!), Nation of Language, Alan Walker, and so much more. Kick back, relax, and crank these tunes as we close out the summer of 2023. I"m already working on Volume 5!

*Header graphic art by Spooky Dan Walker!

2023, Vol 4: The End Of Summer Is Here

1. Right? by Mammoth WVH
2. Obliteration by Filter
3. Death Of An Executioner by Pierce The Veil
4. Weak In Your Light by Nation of Language
5. Invisible Hand by Crosses 
6. A Wave Across A Bay by Frank Turner
7. Waves by Kula Shaker
8. Endless Summer by Alan Walker & Zak Abel
9. Pull Me Through by Royal Blood
10. S'old by Taking Back Sunday
11. Kill Your Ego by Pike Project
12. Highlands by Middle Kids
13. History Books by The Gaslight Anthem featuring Bruce Springsteen
14. Blue by Bloc Party
15. Li by Thomas Powers featuring Chelsea Jade
16. No Reason by The Chemical Brothers
17. Perhaps by Guns N' Roses
18. Kill The Light by System Syn
19. The Follower by Miss Randall
20. Follow The Flow by Katy Tunbridge featuring Robert "Peewee" Hill
21. Are You Really Okay? by Sleep Token
22. Usual Places by Ash
23. How Are You? by Playing Dead
24. The Crippling Fear Of Night by Coventry Carols

2023, Vol 3: Midsummer Blues

I ended up finishing this mix a bit earlier than usual as soon as I came up with the title, "Midsummer Blues," and found the above corresponding image! 

Lots of great new tunes from Alan Walker, Morrissey, Olivia Rodrigo, Dean Lewis, Playing Dead, Taking Back Sunday, (a long lost song from) The Breeders, PJ Harvey, Nation of Language and more! But I'm particularly proud of the two Nirvana covers I included, which are radical reinterpretations of those songs. I couldn't resist but put the originals on as well to close it all out!

ENJOY! 

2023, Vol 3: Midsummer Blues

1. Rebels Without Applause by Morrissey
2. vampire by Olivia Rodrigo
3. Go Man Go by The Breeders
4. By A Thread by Playing Dead
5. The One by Taking Back Sunday
6. sickly sweet (Alan Walker remix) by kenzie & Alan Walker
7. Ashes in the Wind (1000 Years Remix) by System Syn
8. Sole Obsession by Nation of Language 
9. In A Perfect World by Dean Lewis & Julia Michaels 
10. Race the Night by Ash
11. Scoliosis by Pond
12. Sugar Babies by Spoon
13. Ride or Die by Tele-Starr
14. Lwonesome Tonight by PJ Harvey
15. Electrical by AL1CE
16. Land of the Heroes by Alan Walker & Sophie Stray 
17. Lounge Act by Touche Amore
18. Very Ape by Mean Jeans 
19. Lounge Act by Nirvana 
20. Very Ape by Nirvana 

2023, Vol 2: Does Anybody Else Feel Numb?

 

The second mixtape of 2023 is here, and it's loaded with lots of great new music! 

I'm particularly proud of the Brit-Pop Blur into Noel Gallagher into James segue. Second track is Foo Fighters and so is the second to last track! Wolfie's Just Fine manages, yet again, to sing a song that completely captures what it personally felt like for me to be 13 years old with "Hulk Hogan Slammed Andre The Giant." New PJ Harvey, Queens of the Stone Age, Alan Walker, and more! 

My favorite discovery was Dean Johnson, a folk singer recommended to me by my music compadre Jay. And I had to close with the opener from The National's latest album. "Once Upon A Poolside" is one of my favorite new songs I've heard in years! Kick back, crank it, and enjoy. 

2023, Vol 2: Does Anybody Else Feel Numb?

1. Tomorrow Never Comes by Rancid
2. Rescued by Foo Fighters
3. Joy by Therapy?
4. Numb by The Used
5. Emotion Sickness by Queens Of The Stone Age
6. The Narcissist by Blur
7. Dead To The World by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
8. Tomorrow (Orchestral Version) by James
9. Mountains At Midnight by Royal Blood
10. Passion Fuels by Playing Dead
11. Eucalyptus by The National 
12. Acting School by Dean Johnson
13. The Crystal Ship by Miss Randall
14. A Child's Question, August by PJ Harvey
15. Bootleg Firecracker by Middle Kids
16. Don't Forget by Sky Ferreira
17. LosT by Bring Me The Horizon
18. Hero by Alan Walker & Sasha Alex Sloan
19. Hulk Hogan Slammed Andre The Giant by Wolfie's Just Fine
20. Another Celebration at the End Of The World by Mammoth WVH
21. Hearing Voices by Foo Fighters
22. Once Upon A Poolside by The National (featuring Sufjan Stevens) 

"Love For The Loveless"... The Original One-Take Version!

"Love For The Loveless"... the one-take version!

Erika Smith and I shot this Pike Project music video on my iPhone way back in November of 2021, and this was the original idea. Just two people walking on opposite sides of the street, all in one continuous take. After nailing it in 3 takes, that's when we went off and improvised a bunch of stuff that ended up in the final released video. But it's fun to look back at this original version. It's goofy, but fun. And it's a catchy tune.

I will always take pride in the Pike Project album, and forever be grateful that Erika is always game to be creative on a whim. (She's got her own album coming soon too!)  

Alternate version of the video below. Released version underneath that. 

Stream or download the full Pike Project album RIGHT HERE!

2023, Vol 1: I'm Feeling Great Because You Didn't Break Me

First mix of the year 2023, with lots of great stuff to help me get through each new day.

New music from: Depeche Mode, Samiam, The National, Alan Walker, The Bouncing Souls, Wolfie's Just Fine. 

Covers: Megadeth doing Judas Priest, Kirsten MacColl covering The Smiths for John Hughes (!), AL1CE doing The Dead Lucky Theme song. 

Music discoveries like: Susie Suh (found her on the soundtrack to the sad, yet beautiful Japanese movie OH LUCY.) The opening song by Freedom Fry that I discovered because my iPhone literally generated a video of pics & clips of me and Alisa and used this song! (Modern technology is WILD!) And I always love anything that my friends Playing Dead put out. But this latest track, "Wherever You Are Tonight," hits hard after now losing both my parents. It's a beautiful celebatory song, and I love these guys for writing it and putting it out when I needed it most. Without further ado...

2023, Vol 1: I'm Feeling Great Because You Didn't Break Me

1. Tell Me It'll Be Alright by Freedom Fry
2. Wherever You Are Tonight by Playing Dead
3. Here With Me (Two Worlds) by Susie Suh
4. Before We Drown by Depeche Mode
5. Delivering The Goods (Judas Priest Cover) by Megadeth 
6. Prisencolinensinainciusol by Adriano Celetano
7. Stanley by Samiam
8. Watermelon (from the movie "Dinner In America") by John + Jane Q. Public
9. Tropic Morning News by The National 
10. Il Grande Silenzio (Restless) (from the movie "The Great Silence") by Ennio Morricone
11. Higher Education (Live) by Cory Kilduff
12. Easy Now by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
13. You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby (The Smiths Cover) by Kirsty MacColl
14. The Dead Lucky Theme Song by AL1CE
15. Over You by Susie Suh
16. Lean On Me (Bill Withers Cover) by Club Nouveau
17. Dreamer by Alan Walker
18. Beautiful Life (featuring Nate Mendell & Jeremy Enigk) by Terrance DH
19. Ten Stories High by The Bouncing Souls
20. Cat and Mouse With the Light by The New Pornographers
21. Bad Intentions by Bayside
22. Everyone Is Dead Except Us by Wolfie's Just Fine 

KART DRIVER! The 2011 R-Rated Super Mario Brothers / Donkey Kong Short Film for G4!

The Super Mario Brothers movie is going to dominate the box office for a 2nd week in a row, BUT… if you wished there was an R-Rated Taxi Driver-esque version, by way of Gaspar Noe, it exists! Here’s the 2011 short film KART DRIVER, written and directed by Drew Daywalt, produced for G4 by Joe Lynch and starring Ben Giroux as Mario, Zoe Simpson as Peach, and yours truly (me!) as Luigi! FX by the grand master Jeff Farley! Enjoy!

 

One Year Later... Hope For Us To Shine (The Black & White Version)

Good God, it's been over a year (Feb 2022!) since my buddy Robbie and I shot this music video on Windansea Beach in San Diego, completely improvised and in a few takes. When I was working on the edit, my friend Natasha suggested I try a black & white version because of how strong the contrast is. I loved the way it looked, but I didn't want to lose the vibrant colors that these latest iPhone's are capable of capturing. So we released it in color, knowing I'd eventually share this alternate version!

This album I recorded with Christian James Hand under the moniker of "Pike Project," and we released it last summer. I'm so, so proud of it. It's a positive that came out of a period of non-stop negative; amid the most difficult time of my life. But when I look back on that time now, I want it to be summarized by this song, "Hope For Us To Shine." If you haven't yet, give the whole record a listen.

Pike Project on:
Spotify
Apple Music
Bandcamp
Soundcloud

Watch all the music videos right HERE.

  

THE HIGH DESERT - A Graphic Novel by James Spooner

Recently read this great graphic novel memoir, THE HIGH DESERT by James Spooner, that takes place in the mid-to-late 80's in an isolated Califorina desert town. (With a trip to NYC in the middle.) Loved it. And because the author regularly references the punk tunes he was listening to on his walkman at the time, I made a mix / playlist of every song mentioned! An unofficial soundtrack! Check it out, and when you get the book, listen along.

1. Institutionalized by Suicidal Tendencies
2. Depression by Black Flag
3. No Values by Black Flag
4. Boys Don't Cry (Single Version) by The Cure
5. The Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
6. Police Story by Black Flag
7. A Day by Clan Of Xymox
8. F**k Authority by Wasted Youth
9. What Do I Get? by Buzzcocks
10. White Minority by Black Flag
11. White Noise by Stiff Little Fingers
12. Hybrid Moments by The Misfits
13. I've Got a Problem by The Meatmen
14. Parents by Descendents
15. Had A Dad by Janes Addiction
16. Attitude by Bad Brains
17. Degradation by Gorilla Biscuits
18. Straight Edge by Minor Threat
19. Take Warning by Operation Ivy
20. Boys Don't Cry (New Voice Club Mix) by The Cure

Spotify
Apple Music
YouTube

Headbanger Metal Mania! 🤘

Alisa had asked me a while back to put together a heavy metal mix. Took me a bit to figure out how to go about it! But it's a mix of classics and personal favorites. And I think it's pretty rockin' way to head into the upcoming week! Enjoy "Headbanger Metal Mania! 🤘"

1. Mouth Of War by Pantera
2. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
3. N.W.O. by Ministry
4. Mr. Brownstone by Guns N' Roses
5. Only by Anthrax
6. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due by Megadeth
7. Raining Blood by Slayer
8. Souls Of Black by Testament
9. Happy Song by Bring Me The Horizon
10. In The Meantime by Helmet
11. Wasted Years by Iron Maiden
12. Epic by Faith No More
13. Stinkfist by TOOL
14. I'm Broken by Pantera
15. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne 
16. Twist Of Cain by Danzig
17. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N' Roses
18. Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue
19. This Is The New Shit by Marilyn Manson
20. Chelsea Smile by Bring Me The Horizon
21. (sic) by Slipknot
22. Dig by Mudvayne
23. Sugar by System Of A Down
24. Ugly In The Morning by Faith No More
25. Holier Than Thou by Metallica
26. Walk by Pantera
27. Train of Consequence by Megadeth
28. Back In Black by AC/DC
29. Breaking The Law by Judas Priest 
30. Ace of Spades by Motorhead
31. The Trooper by Iron Maiden
32. Midlife Crisis by Faith No More
33. Room For One More by Anthrax
34. 5 Minutes Alone by Pantera
35. True Friends by Bring Me The Horizon
36. Just Another Psycho by Motley Crue
37. Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth
38. Exactly What You Wanted by Helmet
39. Forty Six & 2 by TOOL
40. The Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson
41. Just One Fix by Ministry
42. Crucify Me by Bring Me The Horizon
43. One by Metallica
44. Play With Me by Extreme
45. God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You II (Live) by Kiss
46. War Pigs / Luke's Wall by Black Sabbath 
47. Crashing Foreign Cars by Helmet
48. Stigmata by Ministry
49. Mother by Danzig
50. Paradise City by Guns N' Roses

Apple Music
Spotify
YouTube 

MIDNIGHT MUSIC and The Lost Conversation with Mick Garris about Music!

The last podcast I put together back in early 2020 was a music-oriented show called MIDNIGHT MUSIC, which, sadly, never got a proper release. Which is a shame, because it features some of my favorite chats, like this one with my dear friend Mick Garris.

Not only do we listen to and discuss tracks from his band HORSEFEATHERS, but we delve into his early days as a music journalist; and how he interviewed everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Janis Joplin. We even talk about how he was at the legendary Elton John debut performance at the Troubadour, as depicted in epic fashion in the film ROCKETMAN!

Rare that the two of us get to have an enthusiastic conversation just about music, but it exists! Feel free to have a listen:

THE INCREDIBLE 2 HEADED BLOG · EP5 - MICK GARRIS & HORSEFEATHERS