🎙️ Songs That Don’t Suck: Nostalgia, Twat Waffles, and the Art of Musical Resurrection

Welcome back to Songs That Don’t Suck, your weekly dose of curated tunes and unfiltered opinions with your host, Mark Bradbourne. This week is equal parts personal storytelling, cultural deep-diving, and musical exploration. From concert rants to philosophical reflections on nostalgia, this one covers some serious ground.

🎤 Crash Test Dummies Live: A Bucket List Show Meets a Boomer-Side Chat

Mark kicks off with a concert review of a band that may only ring bells if you’re a ’90s kid or a musical oddity collector: Crash Test Dummies.
Yes, that band—of “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” fame.

Despite a third-full venue (Kent Stage, 650 seats, only 250 sold), the performance was stellar. Brad Roberts’ iconic baritone was in full force, Ellen Reid’s harmonies sparkled, and the stripped-down encore version of “Heart of Stone” from Oooh La La! was a showstopper.

💢 But it wasn’t all roses—Mark unleashes righteous fury at a loud-talking boomer behind him:

“I hope your pillow is warm on both sides… and the toilet paper rips every time you wipe.”
— Mark, wielding the wrath of concert etiquette

🔁 How Old Songs Make New Waves: 5 Ways Music Resurfaces

Mark dives into why old songs find new life. Whether it’s Kate Bush climbing the charts thanks to Stranger Things, or holiday tunes re-ascending every December, here’s how music revives:

1. Re-Releases – Anniversary editions, vinyl reissues (hello, Prince’s 1999)
2. TV & Movies – Think “Running Up That Hill” or “Bohemian Rhapsody”
3. TikTok & Memes – “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, anyone?
4. Artist Deaths – Bowie, DMX, George Michael saw streaming spikes posthumously
5. Seasonal Cycles – Mariah Carey defrosts annually 🎄

Mark questions whether today’s music will enjoy the same nostalgia cycle in decades to come—given streaming’s disposability versus the physical media of yesteryear.

🎶 This Week’s Tracks That Absolutely Don’t Suck

Despite starting with a nostalgic mood, Mark finds four modern tracks that shine in their own right.

1. The South – “Lebanese Tea”

🎧 Lo-Fi | Middle Eastern Influence | Instrumental Groove
Jermaine Butler (aka The South), bassist and backup singer for Barnes Courtney, delivers a lo-fi-meets-Middle-Eastern vibe that’s perfect for headphone chilling. If you like mellow vibes and sharp bass, this one’s your tea. 🫖

2. Roe Kapara – “Hate Myself”

🎸 Melancholy Indie Rock | Lyrical Honesty | ’70s Tinge
Echoing the emotional rawness of ’90s grunge but filtered through a Gen Z lens, this is introspective songwriting done right. Mark calls it a mirror for the modern listener, and we agree.

🪞 “Any time you can write a song that acts as a mirror, you’re onto something.”

3. Kiko Loureiro – “Out of Nothing”

🔥 Instrumental Metal | Shredding Royalty | Symphonic Power
Fans of Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, or John Petrucci—this one’s for you. Kiko doesn’t just shred; he composes, elevating the full band instead of using them as backing wallpaper.

🎸 Not just guitar porn. This is a masterclass in progressive arrangement.

4. Davis Ill – “I’m Shining Through”

🎤 Retro Rock | Beatlesque Vibes | Soulful Grooves
Another Barnes Courtney bandmate, Davis Ill channels ’70s textures, rich analog vibes, and thick fuzz bass in this feel-good gem. You’ll bob your head. You’ll want vinyl. You’ll stay for the whole EP (Half Wild, 2021).

📝 Mark’s Advice: Go Old, Go Deep, Go Live

Rediscover the music you forgot you loved. Buy the album. See the show. Just don’t be that guy talking behind Mark during a concert.

“My ecosystem is small—it’s just me. But sometimes, that’s all it takes to bring music back into orbit.”

📸 …and I quote…

❝ I hope the toilet paper rips every time you wipe your ass. ❞
— Mark Bradbourne, speaking for all concertgoers everywhere who choose ti do everything but pay attention to the show. 💩