Friday, January 09, 2026

Weekend Whatsis/Whatchamcallit?: Special "A Desperate Cry for Help" Edition

So -- here's the deal, kids.

For a variety of reasons -- annoying if minor old age-related health issues (you don't want to know), my general angst over what's going on in the world thanks to President Metamucilini, fear that One Battle After Another won't win the Best Picture Oscar -- I found myself absolutely unable to come up with a new idea for either a Weekend Listomania or a Weekend Essay Question.

There. I've said it.

Seriously, I was gonna recycle an old one, as has been my wont when this kind of malaise has struck in the past, but even that seemed to me too exhausting to contemplate. I mean, I suppose I just could chalk it up to writer's block, which it kind of is, actually, but that's an obvious cop-out, right? So what to do?

And then BOOM! It hit me!

I could ask YOU guys for an idea!!!

So here we go: I'm officially soliciting a subject/theme/whatever for either a Listomania or an essay question for next week.

From YOU -- the readers!!!

In the case of the lists, you don't have to supply the actual individual entries -- I'll be able to do that -- and the essay questions are self-explanatory.

But as Madeleine Kahn said so poignantly in Blazing Saddles -- I'm tired. So can you guys help me?

And just to sweeten (heh) the deal, the reader whose suggestion I take for next week's entry will receive an extra-special/combat valor version of the coveted PowerPop No-Prize© at no extra cost.

Okay, and just because I don't want you to think I'm a total slacker, I'm gonna leave you with this.

From their just released new album Psychology, please enjoy splendidly monikered L.A. wise guy pop punksters Drool Brothers and their aptly titled new single "Have Fuzz Will Travel."

I only just accidentally discovered the Brothers -- who have apparently been making noises like the above for quite a while now -- the other day; you can (and should) hear more of their music and find out more about them in general over at their official website HERE.

What can I say -- for obvious reasons, I'm sensitive about drool jokes, but those guys got to me.

Okay -- apologies again for being such a tool today, and thanks in advance for all your help. I look forward to pondering your brainstorms, which I have no doubt will be absolutely and uniformly brill.

So let's hear from you. The phone lines are open. Our operators are standing by. This is a free call.

Meanwhile, have a great weekend, everybody! See you on Monday with a normal posting featuring the high level of groovieness you've come to expect from me.

38 comments:

HarvG said...

Your top five or top ten album reviews from Stereo Review that you feel still really stand up all these years later. (And of course you would have to publish them as part of the list.)

steve simels said...

Hmmmm.......

Anonymous said...

Top songs identifiable by the opening riff.
Top songs about machines.
Songs referencing colours.
Songs referencing musical instruments.
rs

Gummo said...

Songs you loved when they came out that haven't stood the test of time.

steve simels said...

And may just say that I am loving this? 😎

MJConroy said...

Antifa theme songs.

Dave Leonatti said...

MJ Conroy- Very nice. I'm with you Steve. The Jan 6 anniversary, complete with MAGA pardons and revisionist history; watching Cosplay Noem murder US citizens; Caroline Leavitt dutifully dispatching Metamucillini (brilliant, by the way) lies; JD Vance aping his Fearless Leader's taunts and raging falsehoods, then decrying a murdered mom as a domestic terrorist - the decent in 2025 is truly defeating. My soul is indeed weary. But this here blog is our haven. Music will be our balm.

Anonymous said...

Songs forecasting or a least hopeful of better times ahead would be good ( and timely).

Alzo said...

Boats we missed the first time around.

Allan Rosenberg said...

All very good suggestions!

Captain Al

steve simels said...

Thanks, my friend.😎

Neal t said...

u probably have done something like this; bands that begat acts better or more popular than original band, like Waterboys-World Party, DBT- Jason Isabell, Green on Red- Chuck prophet

Rob said...

1 of 2
The Haight Sounds, overlooked bands
1967 The British Invasion, lesser known

pete said...

best/worst use of "exhaustion" (or the more recent term "mental health issues") in the lexicon of rock-star publicity - Tom Johnson, Hendrix, Ween etc.

Rob said...

Steve, one more thought -
Pick 5/10 of what you consider the best Artist/Venue posters from San Fran that listed the various bands playing. - this could be an interesting discussion both from the Artists to the Bands πŸ˜‰

edward said...

Best B-Sides

steve simels said...

YES!!!! 😎

Allan Rosenberg said...

B-Sides, great!

Captain Al

M_Sharp said...

How about "Favorite AI Songs"?
Here's mine- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zyRaOTY4aM
Be sure to go to his "record label's" page on YouTube, there has to be something there to perk you up!

Anonymous said...

How about the funkiest songs you ever heard that were not disco or rap. Get in your funk mode and let you freak flag fly!

steve simels said...

Another hmmmm.....😎

Tinpot said...

Best artist(s) never before mentioned on this site. Either officially (ie by Steve) or in the comments (ok, hard to verify, but worthy of extra points)

JD Goldberg said...

Top 10 12-string riffs NOT Beatles or Byrds

steve simels said...

Kids -- just lemme say thank you to everybody who's participating above; one of the suggestions (I won't give away which one) is definitely gonna be the theme of Friday's post. And the No-Prize© will be awarded then.

In any case, you guys are the best. 😎

Alzo said...

Late entry: Best use of a Rock song as a cue in a film not about music.

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Allan Rosenberg said...

"AI" attack?

Captain Al

Yo Mama said...

I need an appointment for 10am Thursday.

Crocodile Dundee said...

Post your phone number and email address so I contact you when I need your help, mate.

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Oh wait... never mind, I'm dead.