through 2-3 degrees of seperation, i became hip to the likes of bungle, zorn, secret chiefs, ennio morricone, cibo matto, even Oingo Boingo! learned of fairly obscure bands like Duh and Milk Cult, gained an appreciation for hip-hop (boo-ya!!), and definitely became more open to bands such as nirvana who pushed the envelope and made music that meant something. they effectively taught me to dig below the surface of the music industry to find the real gems. follow the music, rather than the branding associated with it.

I owe them for a lifetime of wide and eclectic musical appreciation, stuff i may never have heard elsewhere. the fact patton in particular went on to make such awesome and diverse stuff, with integrity, well that was gravy.

Younger (well under 25) browsers here may not appreciate how truly horrible and dire the mainstream rock scene was in the 1980′s. Poodle hair metal ruled the day. An endless stream of dire songs about ‘girls’ and ‘rockin’ with a hearty “YEEEEEAAAAAHHH” at the end of every line.

To a certain extent (I’m loath to admit) Guns N’ Roses were the 1st to break the mould, although they retained the look in their early days.

Then, as Krist states, the likes of FNM and Jane’s Addiction came and forever shaped the future sounds of this impressionable young dude. And I am so glad that the ‘Alternative’ scene happened in the 90′s, otherwise we could all be walking about with perms and stonewashed denim!