Time for another edition of First, Last, and Favorite; our column where we get to find out artist’s favorite artists, from early discoveries to latest obsessions. This edition we get to pick the brains of The Paranoyds.
The Paranoyds are an LA based band and one of the latest signings of Seattle’s Suicide Squeeze label which recently released their exciting debut Carnage Bargain. The record is an energized and witty burst of garage-punk brilliance. Expect hints of classic LA-punk voltage, meaty fuzzed-out guitars, vintage organ sounds woven in, and lyrics full of dry humor and everyday observations of our mad modern world. Get excited and go see them play The Barboza on Wednesday, November 6th!
Founding members Lexi, Laila, and Staz were all kind enough to share a little of their listening lives with us. Below are their picks in their own words. Get to know The Paranoyds:
First
Lexi: Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 O.S.T.
This might be a bit nontraditional, as it’s more of a comp than an album, but I can’t think of anything more influential on twelve-year-old Lexi, than the Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 soundtrack. It was a mix of pop-punk, hip-hop, and good ole’ rock n’roll. It’s where I first discovered The Distillers, N.W.A., Public Enemy, Iron Maiden and the Sex Pistols to name a few. The horror stories I had heard from friends about their computers’ early deaths due to Napster, scared me from illegally downloading music—iTunes wasn’t out yet and it was REALLY hard to find music videos on the internet. But at least I had the Tony Hawk soundtrack
Laila: Etta James At Last
One of the first albums I ever owned was At Last! by Etta James. It was the only thing I would listen to in the car, over and over and over again until I knew every word to every song and could belt it out with all the emotion a 7 year old could muster. I was so in awe of her vocal range and how raw her emotion was (I was apparently a very perceptive child). The sadness in her ballads are so tangible in those recordings; it's like heartbreak personified.
Staz: The Crystals “Then He Kissed Me”
I remember watching Adventures in Babysitting and hearing “Then He Kissed Me” by the Crystals for the first time. I was probably 8? I asked my dad what the song was and begged for a cd. I remember we went to the cd store and him having to hum the tune to the clerk till we figured it out. I got a best of the Crystals and im still in love with that Phil Spector sound to this day. Who isnt??
Last
Lexi: Blackwater Holylight Veils of Winter
We just saw Blackwater Holylight play at Desert Daze and I’m obsessed! They’re super heavy and just released an awesome new album. It’s perfect for driving around on a sunny day and BLASTING it through LA side streets. It always feels really good when you’re not horribly late to the game of discovering a new artist!
Laila: Lizzo Cuz I Love You
Lizzo's new album SLAPS. I can be having the worst day, and I listen to that album and I'm instantly feeling amazing. Her music is kind of what the world needs right now. There's something real special about being able to make someone's day with your music. I really want to see her live!
Staz: The Fleetwoods “Unchained Melody” & Lavern Baker “Dix A Billy”
I just discovered the Fleetwoods’ version of “Unchained Melody”. I dont think I’ll get married but it really makes you want to haha. I also just discovered Lavern Baker’s “Dix A Billy” that puts me in a really good mood. You can feel the electricity in her recordings and can only imagine how fun it must have been.
Favorite
Lexi: Television Marquee Moon
I don’t think a more-perfect record exists. The record is timeless, yet, brings me back to what I imagine living in New York in the early 70s was about. They had been a band for years, even recording demos of the tracks on the album with Brian Eno, before releasing this debut. You can hear how long they took with this and I find that to be admirable and honest. Everything is so well planned out—the lyrics and vocal melodies compliment the instrumentation and vice versa.
Laila: The Beatles Abbey Road
So hard to pick one favorite but Abbey Road is obviously up there. This is another one of my first listens, and it will always hold up. There's so much to say about it but the reason why I love it so much is because it takes me on a journey every time I listen to it. The second half of that album? I mean, come on!
Staz: TIE!
Its a tie obviously. Maybe like an 8 way tie but i’ll do my best! It’s somewhere between Nirvana In Utero, X Los Angeles, Sam Cooke Live In Harlem Square, and On The Beach Neil Young. A random mix but they’ve all withstood over a decade long test of keeping my heart. I love tape. i love hearing screw ups and dead air. All of these records come to life when you put the needle down.