The Guestlist w/ Jason Reichl

Thanksgiving may still be a day away, but the Turkey Day miracles have already begun. As we mentioned earlier this week, our cornucopia of Guestlist contributors has been overflowing as of late and we couldn't be more Thankful. In the short history of The Guestlist, today's just may be my favorite thus far.

With it's grandiosity in number of choices (or lack of rule-following, depending on how you look at it), outrageous sense of humour, and blatant disregard for authority Jason Reichl's list couldn't encapsulate his band Giggle Party's persona any more accurately. I couldn't reccommend highly enough that you catch their outlandish antics onstage tonight at the new Trees (for free no less).

"10 Songs to Chop Shit Up To" by Jason Reichl


10. "I Don't Wanna Hear It" by Kid Dynamite (Minor Threat cover)

Kid Dynamite was my favorite band in high school and "I Don't Wanna Hear It" was my anthem. I like this better than the Minor Threat original. I can't tell you how many trash cans I knocked over while driving my 1983 Dodge Omni with the windows down yelling "I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT". Damn that was a good time.


9. "Over You" by Mini & The Bear

I'm in this band Giggle Party, which is why I'm writing this article in the first place, but instead of throwing one of our songs on the list I thought I would throw a song by a band associated to Giggle Party. Mini & The Bear shares our guitar player Aaron, except in Mini & The Bear he plays drums, and is fronted by our good friend Nick Scandy. But honestly even if I didn't know these guys I would think their hard jams and screaming was top notch. It's full of energy and is just plain fun.


8. "Yea Yeah" by Matt & Kim

Matt & Kim are super stars now and it's no wonder, just take a listen to their first big 'hit' "Yea Yeah". I have danced uncontrollably to this song in my; house, car, bed, office, etc.
It's so catchy and sweet it makes your heart melt. Some of my friends hate this song. Those are my friends without hearts.


7. "Negative Thinking" by The Deathset

The Deathset should be the biggest band in the world. Their album Wordwide is a lo-fi, high-energy masterpiece, and this song is its crown jewel. I think this band and its songs have personally changed my taste in music. I compare every band I listen to now to this record and the Deathset's live show. If I was going to chop something up right now this would be the song to get my shit amped up.


6. "Art Is Hard" by Cursive

This song always makes me go "Hell, yes, it is!" This song , which comes from what I consider to be their masterwork, Ugly Organ, delivers a smart fist pounding look at what it means to be an artist. I never get tired of the lines "Cause we all know art is hard, young artists have gotta starve."


5. "Radio Radio" by Elvis Costello

Did I ever tell you how Elvis Costello looked at me in the eyes once and I instantly felt like the most lucky boy in the world? No? Well, he did. No artist in the history of my world has ever moved me like Elvis Costello's early work. Elvis was the first artist that I thought was punk that didn't have to sound punk. Which in turn opened the doors to other man crushes like Ben Folds.

4. "Moving To Canada" by Cloud Cult

So, admittedly this song is a little pretentious. But after George Bush won the 2004 election I listed to this song ad nauseum. Now in a post Obama world is seems kind of silly. But I did for sure defile some George Bush supporters cars jamming to this tune in Austin back in 2004.


3. "Song 2" by Blur

While not the best song in Blur's catalog it's definitely their one song that peeked my interest as I was going through puberty. I remember thinking, "If I ever fuck someone I want it to be to that song."


2. "I'm Down Right Amazed at What I can Destroy With Just A Hammer" by Atom & His Package

Atom & His Package redefined pop punk and this track off Hamburgers is essential Atom & His Package. The song walks the fun line of being obnoxious, with its hyper energy and its super positive lyrics. The thing I like most about Atom & His Package, and particularly this song, is that the he creates a world for his listeners to live in. His songs are full of inside jokes but somehow they are still relate able. Plus who doesn't love destroying shit with a hammer?


1. "Pints Of Guinness Make You Strong" by Against Me!

Against Me! is one of those bands that I always forget I like until they put out a new release or my iPod randomly shuffles to one of their songs. And yet here they are as my first pick on the list. Why? If you've never listened to them let me say every song oozes with energy. I think it might be juxtaposition of the hoarse singing against amazing vocal melodies that makes their songs work so well. What I love about "Pints of Guinness" is that it sounds familiar yet engaging with it's classic punk opening and driving country bass line which erupts into a chaotic singalong at the 54 second mark. This is a great song to start the party with.


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