🎧 Exit the Haggis, Enter the Feels: Celtic Rock, Slacker Nostalgia & Songs That Don’t Suck This Week
A Bagpipe-Driven Farewell & New Music Gems from Briston Moroney, Monolith, Give Me Motion & Spin Doctors
✨ Standout Moment:
Craig Downey (Enter the Haggis) stunned the crowd by seamlessly switching between bagpipes, penny whistle, trumpet, guitar, and vocals — a truly jaw-dropping multi-instrumental performance.
🥃 Celtic Rock & Slacker Radio: A Love Story
Mark Bradbourne kicks off this week’s episode of Songs That Don’t Suck with a concert review that’s part eulogy, part celebration. His long-standing relationship with Celtic rockers Enter the Haggis began circa 2006, thanks to the underappreciated streaming platform Slacker Radio. Back when music discovery required finesse and slider control (literally), Mark was deep into bands like Great Big Sea, The Paperboys, and Carbon Leaf. Then came “One Last Drink” — a track so cherished, it’s in his posthumous playlist requests. 🍀
Fast forward to now: the band’s “Exit the Haggis” 30th anniversary tour stopped just 20 minutes from Mark’s home. What followed was a whirlwind of nostalgia, masterful musicianship, and setlist surprises — including a Celtic instrumental, Lanecaster Gate, and a mashup of their classic with Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al.”
🎶 This Week’s Playlist: Songs That Definitely Don’t Suck
1. Briston Moroney – “Real Good Swimmer”
🌊 Flashbacks to Beck’s Loser and King Missile’s Detachable Penis? Yep. This fuzzy, raw indie banger oozes 90s college bar energy with feedback-laced guitars and nostalgic lyricism.
“Floating on a gummy worm, taken by the breeze…”
— Mark’s lyrical highlight
🎧 Vibe Factor: 90s college jukebox meets Gen Z irony
📌 SEO Keywords: Briston Moroney new single, Real Good Swimmer review, indie alternative music 2025
2. Monolith – “Oligarchs”
🥁 Former Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini is back and flexing his prog muscles in this politically charged rock assault. Complex time signatures, intense syncopation, and thunderous grooves fuel this sonic protest.
“Especially considering all the bullshit that’s going on today…” — Mark’s mood-check
🎧 Vibe Factor: Rush meets Rage with a 2025 edge
📌 SEO Keywords: Monolith band Mike Mangini, progressive rock 2025, political rock songs
3. Give Me Motion – “Waiting”
🎸 Weezer vibes? Absolutely. Infectious melodies, impeccable production, and a snare tone that made Mark downright envious.
“If the drummer hears this — please tell me your secret for recording your snare drum.” — Drum nerd problems
🎧 Vibe Factor: Indie optimism with crunchy guitar candy
📌 SEO Keywords: Give Me Motion Waiting, indie rock 2025, Weezer-style alternative
4. Spin Doctors – “Rock and Roll Heaven”
🎙️ Wait… is this The Black Crowes? Nope, it’s Spin Doctors flipping the script. Gone is the funky pop-rock; in comes a bluesy, soul-laden tribute to the great beyond.
“Kind of makes me want to dig into their back catalog again.” — Retro feels engaged
🎧 Vibe Factor: Blues rock redemption arc
📌 SEO Keywords: Spin Doctors Rock and Roll Heaven, blues rock comeback, 90s bands new music
🎤 Support, Subscribe, Spread the Word
Mark wraps it all up with a reminder to support these artists and plug into the Songs That Don’t Suck community:
- 🖥️ Website: songsdontsuck.net
- 🎧 Playlist links for all major platforms
- 👕 Merch and monthly newsletter
And of course: Rate, review, and tell your friends — word of mouth is still king 👑.
💡 Bonus Bradbourne Tip:
Next time you go to a concert where you don’t know all the lyrics? Lean into the awe. You might just discover your next favorite song.
