Paul Schiernecker

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  • Music Jar – week 34

    Like my forefathers before me, I am spending each week listening to a musical artist that I had previously ignored, and writing up a little blog about it.
    This week was the turn of Illinois export, Fall Out Boy.

    What I Knew Before
    It’s hard to have grown up in the noughties without having an idea about FOB (as they are unaffectionally referred to). With their overly complex song titles, habit of spinning around in circles like dogs chasing their tails and that photo of bassist Pete Wentz getting his dick out in a mirror selfie, it’s hard not to remember them. The problem was that they weren’t cool enough for me at the time. The kind of people who were listening to FOB were most likely into other “emo” bands that I had no time for. I found them crass and whiney and overly American. That said, Thnks fr th Mmrs will always be a banger

    What I Know Now
    Like the week I spent listening to MCR (My Chemical Romance), I have learnt that I am occasionally wrong. I shut myself off to a lot because I didn’t have a dyed black, GHD’d fringe in 2005. While starting out Take This To Your Grave was a tough way to break myself in, by the time I had listened to From Under The Cork Tree and Infinity On High, I had realised that I was wrong. Fall Out Boy were and are big news because they write fucking great songs.
    There’s a lot to be said for albums two and three, but the run of Fall Out Boy continues, and I, for one, am here for it.

    Best songs:
    Sugar, We’re Goin Down, Thnks fr th Mmrs, Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner, Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes

    Best album:
    Under The Cork Tree

    Spotify my favourite songs from this project. 

  • Music Jar – week 33

    Each week, I dig into the back catalog of a band or artist that I should know an awful lot more about. This week was the turn of LA rock band, The Distillers.

    What I Knew Before
    I had heard the big songs. Who can forget the video for City Of Angels, but that’s a far cry from knowing about the three albums from Brody Dalle and her band.
    I was also aware of elements of her personal life, and her position as a muse to both Tim Armstrong (of Rancid) and Josh Homme (of Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures).  Understandably, I had a crush on Dalle, who, with wild eyeliner, a lip piercing and tattoos, was exactly what a teenage Paul Schiernecker was into.

    What I Know Now
    A 33-year-old Paul Schiernecker is still very much into Brody Dalle and very much into The Distillers. For a young woman to front a band that she is writing or co-writing the vast majority of material for was and unfortunately still is an unusual thing. There’s something very cool that Dalle was doing, and from my social media stalking, is still doing. After The Distillers split, she formed Spinnerette and released an album alongside former Distillers guitarist, Tony Bevilacqua before releasing a solo album in 2014. My thanks to Si Deaves for turning me onto Spinnerette.
    There is a ruthless punk attitude to their music, even in the radio-friendlier takes on Coral Fang, that is truly missing from a lot of other bands and music. It’s clear why they made the impact that they did and how Dalle continues to ride high on that. Her vocals and her writing are something else.
    I can’t help but divulge the story my good friend Marc shared about the Walmart-friendly album cover of Coral Fang that was thrown into the mix when they refused to take the naked crucifixion cover (Google it).

    Favourite songs:
    City Of Angels is still the best, Ask The Angels, Drain The Blood and Beat Your Heart Out

    Favourite album:
    It has to be Sing Sing Death House.

    Spotify my favourite songs from this project. 

  • Music Jar – week 32

    Each week, I listen to an artist, someone I might have heard of but never took the opportunity to “get into”. This week was the turn of Detroit’s own, Melissa Viviane Jefferson, better known as Lizzo.

    What I Knew Before
    Lizzo is probably the artist on my list that I felt I was the closest to missing out on. I’d heard a number of her songs and knew that she was a woman with a powerful vocal range and a voice for topics. I had glimpsed her in the brilliant, Hustlers. I was also familiar with the line, “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that bitch”. I’m sure we will all agree, highly relatable content there.

    What I Know Now
    Lizzo’s 2019 album, Cuz I Love You, is one of the most important albums to be delivered into the world in the last decade. Her songs have a dynamic range that is unlike anything else happening in modern music. She is an absolute force and I am thankful I’ve taken the time to educate myself on her.
    Lizzo released two more-hiphop focused albums earlier in her career, which were met with some critical acclaim but it was the arrival of the single Juice, and then her third album that brought her mainstream success.
    She is outspoken on body issues particularly for women in the public eye as well as being a supporter of the LGBTQ+ movement.
    She has played flute since she was a child. Her flute is named Sasha Flute.
    I could go on. She’s really something special.

    Favourite songs:
    It goes without saying that the songs of Lizzo’s that I was familiar with are the ones you would expect. They’ve gone viral through TikTok and they’re screamed in your face if you dare step into any club playing them. Feel free to correct me but I really like Good As Hell, Tempo, Juice and Truth Hurts. Cuz I Love You is a very strong opening track. When I first listened to the album, I felt my knees buckle at the absolute splendor of that track; it’s at once a 50’s bop and the best Bond theme you’ve never heard.

    Favourite album: It will come as no surprise that I am 100% that bitch. It’s got to be Cuz I Love You.

    Spotify my favourite songs from this project. 

  • Music Jar – week 31

    Each week, I pick a band or artist from a pickle jar and listen to them as much as possible. This week was the turn of London four-piece, The Big Moon.

    What I Knew Before
    I knew nothing of the band before this week. They were a recommendation from my friend Sarah when I told her I didn’t have enough female bands in my wheelhouse.

    What I Know Now
    The Big Moon have two studio albums, Love In The 4th Dimension and Walking Like You Do. They formed in 2014 and if it wasn’t for my inability to know anything about new bands (post 2012) then they would definitely have been a band I followed with a lot more interest.
    I’ve been into indie since my teens. For a long time, I knew everything that was hot, cool and young. Then I was no longer any of those things and I slowly lost my grip on the NME mantle. It could be argued that NME has done the same since. I’d like to think I’m linked to their decline.
    That aside, The Big Moon are cool as shit and you should listen to them.

    Favourite songs:
    ADHD, Your Light, Cupid, Sucker.

    Favourite album:
    Walking Like We Do.

    Spotify my favourite songs from this project. 

  • Music Jar – week 30

    Inspired by A Beautiful Mess, I started my own Music Jar of 52 artists I did not know enough about. Each week, I pick an artist at random from a pickle jar and get to grips with what they are offering.
    This week was the turn of Texan dream-pop band, Cigarettes After Sex. The band formed in 2008 and are known for their ethereal and sad songs, two words which you should know are right up my sadboi street.

    What I Knew Before
    I knew I would like the band. I could tell from the kind of friends who recommended them initially and then followed up on my Instagram post announcing that they were my artist of the week. Aside from that, I knew little of their music, maybe the occasional track had made it onto a soundtrack I adored, but I didn’t know much beyond that. The name seemed very provocative, one of those wonderful monikers that told you everything you needed to know about a band before you had even dipped into their discography.

    What I Know Now
    The band stake Francoise Hardy and Miles Davis as having a big influence on their music and it is easy to see why. There is something very distant and sexy about their songs, the kind of music you would want playing at the break of dawn as a party dies down and your lips ache from kissing.
    To me, they fit into the same space as The XX, who I am also a big fan of. The songs feel like they have entire stories behind them, worlds even. They create a scape through which one can live vicariously.

    Favourite song: 
    Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby, Apocalypse, K.

    Favourite album: 
    Cry.

    Spotify my favourite songs from this project.

  • Music Jar – week 29

    Each week, I listen to a new band or artist, based on recommendations from those I trusted enough to throw names in at the start of the year. This week was the turn of alternative rock group, Wolf Alice.

    What I Knew Before
    I knew some of Wolf Alice’s songs, had probably heard their first album, but they certainly signify a point where I stopped knowing about the cool new music and listened to everything I knew from 2004 – 2010 ad nauseam. There was an episode of the excellent Song Exploder where they broke down Don’t Delete The Kisses. Regardless of my interest in the band and that song, it takes everything in my being not to call it Kisses On The Bottom, which is the unfortunate title of Paul McCartney’s fifteenth studio album.

    What I Know Now
    Wolf Alice are from a city I used to know, called London. They are a four-piece band fronted by Ellie Rowsell (who I obviously have a crush on) and who remain one of the most exciting British rock bands of recent years. Their second album, Visions Of A Life, won the Mercury Prize in 2018. They described their music as “the lovechild of folk and grunge” and if there was ever a soundbite that was going to appeal to me then it was that.
    I have missed out by not being into Wolf Alice when live music was a thing that we could actively participate in. I hope they and it return to us soon.

    Favourite songs:
    Don’t Delete The Kisses, Silk, Fluffy and Teenage Headache Dreams.

    Favourite album:
    This is a real Sophie’s Choice, but it has to be My Love Is Cool.

  • Music Jar – week 28

    Each week, I listen to a different artist, pulled at random from a pickle jar I keep on my drinks caddy. This was was the turn of scribble-faced rapper, Post Malone.

    What I Knew Before
    I thought that Post Malone was short for Post Office Malone. I was familiar with his two biggest hits; Sunflower and Circles. I had seen pictures of him. I guess you would call him striking-looking. That was about it.

    What I Know Now
    Post Malone, or Austin Richard Post as his dad calls him when he’s in trouble, was born in Syracuse, New York. His music is a heady mix of hip hop beats combined with country (linked to his time in Texas) and R&B. He seems to be a real fan of music, citing Bob Dylan as a huge influence and DJing at an emo night in LA. He’s certainly the produce of his tastes and it’s great to hear something that sounds so refreshing and different alongside being an area of music that I wouldn’t immediately think had much to offer me.

    Favourite songs: 
    Circles, Sunflower and Wow.

    Favourite album:
    Stoney.

  • Music Jar – week 27

    Each week, I listen to an artist I’ve never really got into. This week has only been slightly impaired by listening to the Hamilton soundtrack on repeat but my artist of choice was Mexico City’s very best, Mexrrissey.

    What I Knew Before
    Weirdly, I saw Mexrrissey a few years ago when they blessed Camden with their presence and performed at the Electric Ballroom. They combine the music of The Smiths with Latin beats and rhythms. The excellent part of this is that you can listen to The Smiths without having to think about the terrible person that Morrissey has become.

    What I Know Now
    Pretty much as above, but I’ve learnt that they only have one album; No Manchester, released in 2016.

    Favourite songs:
    El Primero del Gang, International Playgirl, Entré Más Me Ignoras, Más Cerca Estaré

    Favourite album:
    No Manchester

  • Music Jar – week 26

    Each week, I listen to a different musical artist, having taken the name from my elusive pickle jar (not a euphemism). This week was the turn of the woman who can do anything, Anne Erin Clark or as you may know her, St Vincent.

    What I Knew Before: 
    I knew St Vincent from her excellent first couple of albums as well as her performance with Nirvana in 2014 where she did an exceptional version of Lithium. I was also aware of her dating history, because she has fantastic taste. More than anything, she’s an exceptional guitarist, who tends to be overlooked, just because she’s a woman. I’ll add a video of her being a guitar god.

    What I Know Now:
    St Vincent has realised albums since 2014, which is probably the last time I had any kind of musical awareness. One of those was with David Byrne, who is obviously an absolute hero. Imagine the music they made together. I don’t need to, because I’ve listened to it a lot this week.
    Annie was also in Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens’ touring band.

    Favourite songs:
    Now, Now, Los Ageless, Fast Slow Disco, Weekend In The Dust.

    Favourite album: 
    Love This Giant.

  • Music Jar – week 25

    Inspired by A Beautiful Mess, I started my own Music Jar. I asked friends for band recommendations and am working through them over the course of 2020. This week was the turn of Norwegian truth-sayer, St. Thomas, the performing name of Thomas Hansen.

    What I Knew Before
    Absolutely zip. I was sat on my lunch break at work, putting my list together, when my friend Tom made the suggestion. He’s a gentleman with an eclectic taste in music, so I figured it was worth a throw.

    What I Know Now
    I am richer for the experience of having heard St. Thomas. I was initially won over by his whimsical lyrics and piercing Neil Young-esque vocals.
    On my second day of listening, I mentioned it to Tom and he recommended I also watch the documentary, Burn The Place You Hide. This helped me understand a lot more about where the music was coming from.
    Thomas Hansen formed St. Thomas after listening to Elliott Smith and quitting his job as a postman. He had a unique and beautiful way of looking at the world and truthfully using the content of his own life in his own music. Throughout his life, he struggled with depression and social anxiety and this led to issues with drink and drugs as he attempted to self medicate.
    Hansen was unapologetically himself, insisting that the first take of each song be used on a given album, and refusing to perform if the conditions were not perfect.
    He was no angel, prone to bouts of self deprecation or micro-aggressions, but there was nothing in his actions which would justify the sad end that he met.

    Favourite songs:     Be Cool Be Nice, The Cornerman, The Cool Song, Along Long Time, Born Again.

    Favourite Album: I don’t want to pick. Mysterious Walks, Hey Harmony and I’m Coming Home all get my vote.

Paul Schiernecker

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