Mar
28
2006
Musical Influences
Here are the musical artists, producers, singers, etc. that have influenced me:
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The Beatles – I remember when I was a young kid loving to play the 45 my parents had of ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ hundereds of times over and over again. How can you not like the Beatles?
Elton John – One of my mom’s favorites. Elton John brings back memories of cleaning the house because my mom would blast his albums while we were cleaning house.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Another house cleaning influence.
Styx – For my 12th birthday, my parents bought me my first portable music player. It was a brick of grey plastic and metal with a pair of headphones. One of the first tapes I got with this was ‘Mr. Roboto’ by Styx. I used to play this tape over and over again for hours, and just read the lyrics along with it.
The Oak Ridge Boys – I can’t believe I’m admitting this one, but in Jr. High, I had a short-lived but intense interest in country, centered mostly around the Oak Ridge Boys song ‘Elvira’. My parents even have a picture of me wearing a western shirt, jean jacket and a big ol’ cowboy hat. Who knows…one day I may sample the ‘Ah oom bop oom bop a mou mou’ from Elvira for a song. Heh
Run DMC – I was a freshman in high school and I had met my friend Nicky D. He introduced me to rap, and not long after the Run DMC cover of Aerosmith’s ‘Walk this Way’ dropped. I got the album ‘Raising Hell’ and fell in love.
MC Hammer – Yeah, I know. I include him, because, MC Hammer was the first concert I ever went to. Apollo and I saw MC Hammer live twice. Once during his ‘Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt Em’ tour, and then again to see ‘2 Legit to Quit’.
Depeche Mode – This one was my brother’s influence. My brother was a “New Waver” in high school, and he got me into groups like Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys, etc.
De La Soul – More rap for ya. Growing up, I was really influenced by rap. I loved the way De La flowed and spent hours trying to figure out what a Posdeneus was.
Snap! – Yep, this techno/rap group was a big influence. The pioneers of the male rapper, female singer format that was copied by, as an example, C + C Music Factory.
Matthew Sweet – I first heard his song ‘Girlfriend’ while watching videos on MTV. That song will now forever remind me of my college days and my girlfriend in college (which is what may be called bittersweet).
Me Phi Me – He mixed Rap with playing an accoustic guitar. This also brings up bittersweet memories for me, because that same girlfriend and I listened to this together.
The Smart E’s – In the 90’s I was getting into Techno. My RA used to blast the Smart E’s song ‘Sesame’s Treat’ during loud hours in our dorm. Yes, this song actually uses the Sesame Street theme.
The Prodigy – I remember my frist introduction to the Prodigy. I was working at my college radio station and was doing a techno format show. I mentioned that people could call in requests but, since this was a Friday 3 am to 6 am show, I didn’t expect any. However, I got a call and the guy wanted to hear ‘Wind it Up’ and made a point to specify that I NOT play ‘Charly’. So, I found the CD single for Wind it Up, and found a remix that I played.
Bass Tribe – Bass Tribe is one of those ‘bass’ CDs that the kids use to pump their subwoofers when their crusing. However, it is suprisingly good Jungle.
2 Bad Mice – 2 Bad Mice’s album Kaotic Chemistry is a mix of house and early jungle. Great stuff.
Roni Size – Ah yes, the Reprazent kru. The vocal remix of ‘Brown Paper Bag’ is great, and the video for it was really interesting.
Squarepusher – Another funky video…’Come on My Selector’ was my first experience with the ‘pusher. His music is really interesting, because I never like it upon first listen. I always see Squarepusher as an investment in the future, because eventually I get to the point where I like it. I think I waited 2 months after purchasing Budakan Mindphone before I ever listened to it.
George Clinton (Parlament Funkadelic) – “I cried 2 tears in a bucket, fuck it, let’s take it to the stage.”
Stevie Wonder – Ah, yes. The immortal Stevie. On of my favorite musician/singers ever. His music is just so good and positive.
Prince – How could I forget the Purple One. I think the only person who is MORE of a Prince fan than I am is my mom.
More to come…
By Shayne Reinhardt, April 5, 2009 @ 12:12 am
You can’t forget Nazereth Hair of the dog. Driving around, holding speakers out the window while passing people waqlking or other. Maybe I just remember that cause it was a blast or that was one of my music influences
By Jay Def, April 5, 2009 @ 12:31 am
Dude, that’s right. That was a blast. Remember when we were going through Gayway Jctn. and that guy shouted at us to turn down the music.
By Shayne Reinhardt, June 13, 2009 @ 3:14 am
Ya that was to much, It was like a scene off king of the hill or something. Damn kids, turn that music down! Hey don’t forget the sound track to Lost Boys, that one song where they lead singer hung on that one note for ever. I think I still have that tape, might have to dig it out and find a way to playh it.