Samiam, "Head Trap"
Samiam were part of the punk scene that would eventualy spawn Green Day. As the labels moved in, hunting for the next big thing, Samiam found themselves on Atlantic Records for a single album, which is as close as they got to breaking through. I always felt like they deserved a bigger audience, and it was a little sad that they didn't connect. At any rate, this actually comes from the album right before their major label record, Billy, which is my favorite album from them.
Vaz, "Blockade"
I'm on record as saying that Hammerhead's albums with Amphetamine Reptile Records are my favorite albums from that storied label. Alas, after the magnificent Duh, The Big City, the band broke up. However, I eventually stumbled across Vaz, who turn out to be a successor band. And it's good stuff! This comes from Chartreuse Bull, the fourth Vaz album, and not a bad starting point.
And, oh my god, while I was looking up discography details for Vaz, I clicked through to Hammerhead's entry and they got back together in 2010! THIS IS A GOOD DAY
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, "Already Too Late?"
Yes, yes, Ted Leo is great, this is an excellent song. I just found out one of my favorite bands reunited without my realizing it and has released three records! I'm losing my mind over here!
Albert King, "I'll Play The Blues For You (Part 1)"
The opening of this song is such a powerhouse. It's been sampled in hip-hop repeatedly, most notably by Big Daddy Kane in "Young, Gifted and Black".
THREE NEW ALBUMS
Hammerhead, "The Starline Locomotive"
YOU KNOW WHAT FUCK IT WE'RE BRINGING HAMMERHEAD IN HERE FUCK YEAH