Brent Bergholm, guitarist for The Battery Electric and The Hsu-Nami, just couldn't let all these lists from Alex Rosen, Amy Dickman, Corrina, Corrina, etc. fly by without chiming in as well. We're lucky he did because Brent's got a taste in music that spans genres, and it really plays well into my whole "These lists are recommendations of stuff you may not otherwise have heard" theme.
Brent had kind of an up and down year in 2014, but I think things ended on a big up note for him. He toured with his bands, and The Battery Electric finished recording their next LP over at Little Eden Studios with Pete Steinkopf. Brent also won "Top Guitarist" at the 2014 Asbury Music Awards.
Late in the year, though, Brent and The Battery Electric became victims of theft when all of Brent's gear and all of the band's merch were stolen following a gig in Brooklyn. It was a stealth move; so, thankfully, nobody was hurt. Still a blow, though.
Then Brent's friends and fans rallied around him, lending equipment and helping to raise funds to get him playing again. By the time this is all over, thanks to the generosity of our local music community, Brent will probably have an even better rig with which to blow out everyone's eardrums.
Check out the 10 songs, in just under the wire, that pushed all the right buttons for Brent Bergholm in 2014.
My Top Ten Songs of 2014
by Brent Övar Bergholm
Most of the songs on this list haven't come out in 2014. That's not ot because I have anything against new music. It's mostly because I am out of touch and discover tunes when they hit me the right way. I also spend most of my time playing with some of my favorite local bands. They, rather than top 40, tend to take over my eardrums. Anyways, here is a list of songs that have hit me the most in 2014. They're either old, new, or from bands I see a lot.
1. Valient Thorr, "Torn Apart" (2014)
These guys are my heroes. They are the Ramones mixed with southern rock and Motörhead. True southern gentlemen that have a sound all their own. Battery Electric actually played the house where Valient Thorr filmed their music video. Our experience wasn't much different than theirs. Enjoy.
2. Mastodon, "Motherload"
These guys are the modern day kings of prog rock and metal. Every riff and song they write is amazing. Also, there's a tinge of country in everything they do. Love these guys, especially Brent Hinds. He is my favorite guitar player out there these days. These dudes are from Atlanta, a city known for their wild ass strip clubs. I think it's cool they got some local flavor in there.
3. King Khan and the Shrines, "Born to Die" (2014)
Loved this guy the second I heard The King Khan and BBQ Show and saw him with the Shrines. He is the Indian James Brown from Canada who gets the crowd moving. He is also legit out of his mind. I talked to him for 20 minutes when they played the Lanes a few years ago, and it was the weirdest conversation I ever had. Truly brilliant and psychedelic as fuck. If this doesn't get you dancing then you might as well be dead.
4. Off! "Red White and Black" (2014)
I love Black Flag, and Keith Morris was my favorite Black Flag singer. So anything with him up front is great. But this might just trump BF and Circle Jerks. Takes the spirit; updates it; and kicks you in the mouth. Plus their music videos are funny as hell with great celebrity cameos. Shows just how many people this guy influenced. Good Juice had by all.
5. Mark Ronson, "Uptown Funk Ft. Bruno Mars" (2014)
I love funk. Especially seventies funk that inspired the hip hop era (namely G-Funk) that came after it. Zap and Roger, Parliament Funkadelic, The Ohio Players, Rick James, and especially Gap Band. This song is a true tribute to all those bands and mimics them perfectly. Bruno Mars is also the best pop talent out there today. The second I heard that classic Gap Band (Snare Kick, Snare Kick, Snare Kick, Snare Kick) fill I was sold. If you guys have no idea what I am talking about, him me up. I will assist you in the ways of your FunkUCation.
6. Hot Blood, "Class Warfare" (2014)
I have known Alex since he was 16. I know his love of punk rock. Shit Runs DEEP. I remember when I first heard Hot Blood play this song at Red Bank Rehearsal. I knew they had a classic on their hands (sans blood). Perfect punk rock tune complete with crowd participation break down. Thumbs up guys. Y'all rule.
7. The Vansaders, "In Relvery" (2014)
Doug Zambon is one of the best songwriters I've ever met. We hang out all the time and get into lots of trouble. He might come across as rough around the edges when you meet him. But when you hear him sing, he turns into a different person. A sensitive spirit with a heart of gold and a knack for writing catchy choruses. This is the song that stands out to me the most on Stuck in New York City. Might not be everybody's favorite, or Doug's for that matter, but it's mine.
8. Beach House, "Lazuli"
Not sure how I heard this song. I think it might have been from that Vice documentary about that cat "Lil BUB". Ya know, the one who looks like a bag of bones without a jaw and is cute as a button. Yeah, that one. Anyways, I like to listen to this song before I go to sleep. It has a very longing and lonely mood to it. Helped me through some tough times this year. Great tune to help get over a break up.
9. Corrina Corrina, "Denim Jacket"
I've known these dudes (namely Matt and Deaglan) since they were around 12 years old. I taught Matt guitar for about 10 years, so I've got a good idea of what kind of taste in music he has. I even remember when Matt first jumped behind the kit to play "Whipping Post" with Deaglan during a summer camp I was running. I got roots with these kids, so it's cool to see what good songwriters these guys have become. I have always been a fan of their band and it's rad that they are out there hitting the pavement. They write great music and it's great to see them grow. Why did I pick this song? Scroll through my facebook feed. I dig denim. #NuffSaid. Can't wait for their next one!
10. Elvis Presley, "American Trilogy" (Aloha from Hawaii 1973)
No list of mine can be complete without the King. He was on the top of his game and revolutionized the game by having a satellite feed of his concert in Hawaii. He had the best live band, "TCB," ever made. TCB stands for Taking Care of Business and that's what they did every night. The Memphis Mafia were backstage getting him fresh towels, drugs, ladies, and roughing up the riff raff. Long live the King, baby. The King of Rock N Roll! Have Mercy....
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