Issue 6 Playlist Notes

Welcome back! People have griped about GFH being too slow; those who followed through will know it was all deliberate, leading to this explosive finale. The trade, which has no chapter breaks, is a purer read of the story – it wasn’t intended to be full of cliffhangers. This final issue of our first arc is fast-paced, desperate and claustrophobic; the songs reflect that energy. No comments on the sound effects, you’ll know why they’re here!

All tracks are added to the Overarching Gunning For Hits Playlist after the previous issue’s.

Please start this issue’s playlist with:

101ers / Letsagetabitrockin

People said Joe Strummer was marble-mouthed on. A lot of Clash songs. I have no idea what the fuck he is singing here, but it works. Great kick-off song to get the energy flowing.

Tsar / Wanna Get Dead

Another high energy song with lyrics that resonate with Billy’s mental state, mentions of guns, etc. Tsar are the best – this is from their highly underrated second album, Band-Girls-Money – an angry pop confection that goes down like an umbrella drink full of razor blades. Please listen.

Joe Jackson / I’m The Man

Titular song from his second album, Joe outlines his gripes with the world of marketing from the standpoint of the marketeer. This is arguably everything that’s wrong with how pop culture is sold to you. I left out two entire subplots (about Brian Slade’s former manager and his wife) that would’ve addressed these grievances in greater detail. They’ll be in the TV show.

The Godfathers / Public Enemy

Pretty good live version of this classic punk instrumental. The best was by the Sid Presley Experience, a precursor band of The Godfathers that featured my friend Del Bartel who later went on to work at Ryko and is helping med out with some upcoming Supermegabot label releases. I think Del is on this recording, as he rejoined the band for a bit, but the original was produced by Vic Maile. It’s not here because it ain’t on Spotify, another reason you should have your own library of music and not rely on streaming.

David Bowie / Rebel Rebel (live)

David always kept this one in his back pocket for live shows (except from 1990-2002, when it had been excised from his repertoire). If I was Brian Slade, opening a concert that may change my fortunes, I’d open with this one. Shocked at how many live versions are derailed by Mike Garson piano noodling – there’s a time and a place, Mike.

Sugar / Needle Hits E

You don’t know this, but Martin has been trying to keep from murdering anyone for a long time. This song speaks to what a monster he really is – that he’s lost all perspective and is on a slippery slope, reverting to a pattern of behavior he’d hoped to put behind him.

Replacements / The Ledge

Billy. I want you to understand that while Billy has a drug problem, it’s not what drives him. The drug problem is a symptom of how he’s been treated all his life and exploited in these last few months. Scars are deep and while they can be cured with love and care, he’s been thrust into an environment that, despite its perceived upsides, is not going to help him heal

Manic Street Preachers / The Masses Against The Classes

This band roared back into my life with this turn of the century track that captured all the vitriol of their earliest days. The struggle, as they say, is real. It’s all very anti-fascistic corporations thinking, and the last line is a perfect capper.

Carpenters / Yesterday Once More

Martin’s mindset. He had a traumatic childhood, comforted by music. When everything works out to his satisfaction, this is the song playing in his head. The irony? It was also in Billy’s head as all this went down. Please note: the Carpenters are awesome.

Dramarama / Senseless Fun

Great band, they should’ve been huge. All about about trying to make it all work in the music business. The sadness, the gun references, the glad-handing and repetition – every bit rings true. I love that they called it Senseless Fun when it clearly should’ve been titled Disappointed. You think comics will break your heart? Try music.

Queen / One Vision

Where we’re going from here.

Jeff Whalen / The Alien Lanes

Jeff is the mastermind behind Tsar. Tsar were the last great rock band. Jeff is the last great rock star. His album is on my label, and this is a shameless plug for a record that’ll make the darkest day of winter feel like the happiest day of summer. Buy it here physically, or you can get it from any digital service. Three songs are streaming as a teaser, but that’s all that’ll ever be available for “free.”

Thanks for listening and reading. I always wanted the comic to have a soundtrack and thanks to the magic of streaming enriching labels while fucking over artists, here it is! If any of this is new to you and enriches your life, I urge you to buy something from the artists whose work was hijacked here by me, for my marketing purposes, without their explicit permission.

Issue 5 Playlist Notes

Welcome back! This issue’s playlist should be called songs about sadness, fucking up, clarity or blame. All tracks are added to the Overarching Gunning For Hits Playlist after the previous issue’s.

So please start this issue’s playlist with:

Fountains Of Wayne / Bright Future In Sales

Aside from being a near-perfect pop song, this captures the pure bullshit of work repetition / angst when you work for someone else. Like Cook. Fountains were so much more than their hits; the first few albums are amazing.

Tsar / Everybody’s Fault But Mine

Another song of beautiful rage and denial by my favorite band of the 21st Century.

Silver Sun / Cheerleading

Silver Sun; how did that never happen? Stupendous pop songs. Martin would put a bullet in someone for them.

Joan Jett / Backlash

One of those great Joan Jett shoulda-been hits. Pretty sure I saw the only live performance of this with Westerburg in Minneapolis. It was sublime. I love them both.

Hole / Celebrity Skin

Courtney is probably who Diane was at the beginning of this story. Diane has changed, Courtney still seems like she’s Courtney. I had a nice chat with her on the steps of the Standard Hotel on Sunset once. She’s cool.

Carpenters / Hurting Each Other

Martin likes all kinds of pop music. Even stuff that wouldn’t be considered cool. The Carpenters have rarely been considered cool, and I'm not sure they gave a fuck. Karen’s voice is one of the most beautiful, clear sounds in all of pop, Richard should be recognized with Brain Wilson as an arranger and they did lots of undeniable songs.

Big Drill Car / About Us

Seems like the other side of the Carpenters tune. Ouch. BDC includes guys from the Doughboys and All Systems Go, who are also worthy of your attention.

Elvis Costello / Boy With A Problem

Startlingly real. One of those moments before Costello lost it where he was pushing into new territory and it all clicked.

Jayhawks / Save It For A Rainy Day

For when you’ve burned out your schtick. The Jayhawks are nice guys, great songwriters and deserve your attention.

Manic Street Preachers / Slash N Burn

There’s an energy of self-destruction here that suits this issue. Despite attempts to romanticize it, here’s nothing cool or noble about burning out.

Sugar / The Act We Act

Relationships are complicated. From the majestic, near-flawless Copper Blue.

Cheap Trick / Busted

Like when your friends tell you you’ve fucked up - there’s only one thing to do; hear them. There’s not nearly enough Cheap Trick on this playlist.

Alejandro Escovedo / Sister Lost Soul

This speaks to me of all the lost people and the accompanying sadness. Sometimes people die, sometimes they’re still here but they’ve just gotten lost - it’s nearly impossible to save someone from themselves.

Richard Marx / Don’t Mean Nothing

Richard Marx is another artist who’s not considered cool, but he is (check out his twitter) and he wrote some classic songs. Here’s a true story of record company hubris involving Richard; he was pretty much Capitol Records best-selling act, but the newly-installed President of the label was a big alternative rock guy and felt Marx was an embarrassment. So when Richard showed up at the Tower to take a scheduled meeting, Mr President ghosted him, instead focusing on the remodel of his office bathroom (an unnecessary undertaking that cost an insane amount of money). That fallout wasn’t good for anyone.

Johnny Nash / I Can See Clearly Now

Speaking of clear, beautiful voices… Are you not moved? Bonus points for being on the Grosse Point Blank soundtrack

AC/DC / Highway To Hell

See you next issue!