Over the years, L.A.’s Sky Parade has enlisted the help of some serious talent, even though it seems a bit unnecessary, especially considering it’s fronted by Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Tommy Dietrick. This time around, the quartet’s third album, Intoxicated (Custom Made), features guest appearances from Zia McCabe (Dandy Warhols), Jeff Schroeder (Smashing Pumpkins) and Dizzy Reed (Guns N’ Roses). Plus, Dietrick and drummer Joel Patterson worked alongside the Doors’ Robby Krieger on side project Treehouse. We’re really not surprised by certain selections Dietrick put on this mix tape he made for MAGNET.
“I Should Be Coming Up” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/IShouldBeComingUp.mp3
Chaperthouse “Pearl”
This is one of the greatest shoegaze tracks ever written or recorded from this era. The first time I heard this song, it stayed with me as a kind of anthem that has never grown old. When a song still grabs you 20 years on—as if it were the first time you heard the song—then it is truly a work of art, timeless and beautiful. Video
Primal Scream “Rocks”
I’ve always been a sucker for songs that make you drop your inhibitions and give you the belief that you can make it with the foxy girl at the bar. I know there are more esoteric tracks that I could pick by Primal Scream, but sometimes obvious is exactly what is needed. Though it was slammed for being too commercial by music critics when it came out, I never felt that was the case. We can pretend I picked “I’m Losing More Than I’ll Ever Have.” Video
Love And Rockets “Ball Of Confusion”
Still relevant today and still one of the best bands I can think of. I had the opportunity to meet David J last year at the festival I curate called Clean Air Clear Stars in Joshua Tree, Calif.. He came onstage with the Dandy Warhols and played “No New Tale To Tell” with them—yet another great song by Love And Rockets. I’ve always liked the mix of understated vocals mixed with powerful sentiment and contrasting vocal cries. Video
The Dandy Warhols “Mohammed”
I love when a song that has relatively few words can pull you right into its meaning because the mood is so well set by the music. When we were working on Intoxicated in 2009, I knew that Courtney was the just the right person to ask for advice in the studio. His insight as a producer is well-refined, and he is committed to finding the song within the song. There is something spontaneous in the manner that he writes songs that I completely relate to. Video
Spiritualized “Shine A Light”
Although the entirety of Lazer Guided Melodies is one of the best albums I can think of, “Shine A Light” is so delicate and powerful all at once that it is my favorite track on this record. Lush and visual, the sounds and production create a virtual palace that once you have visited it, you want to live there in permanence. It’s a beautiful somber song that is akin to later Spiritualized songs like “Let It Flow” and “Lord Can You Hear Me.” Video
Pink Floyd “Interstellar Overdrive”
At six years old, I started listening to Pink Floyd. My father took me to see them when I was 10. I almost have to laugh now when I think of how impressionable this was on me. If my father were alive today, he would be pretty fucking proud that I have made a modest career out of music thanks to hearing songs from Piper At The Gates of Dawn, Animals, Dark Side Of The Moon, The Wall and A Momentary Lapse Of Reason. Video
The Kinks “Death Of A Clown”
A haunting singalong that tears at the heart on any given night. I have spent many nights with the most wonderful people I have met all around the world singing this tune. The Kinks are an iconic group that later lead me to buy a red Guild Starfire III guitar, just like the one Dave Davies uses. Video
Electric Light Orchestra “Mr. Blue Sky”
This is another great anthemic song that you simply can not resist singing along to. I have tried hard with Sky Parade not to rely solely on a great psychedelic shoegaze sound, but rather to use that sound as a means to create anthems people can sing along to and relate to. Video
The Doors “Roadhouse Blues”
Last year, Joel and I were fortunate enough to be asked by Robby Krieger, legendary guitarist of the Doors, to play in a special side project titled Treehouse, which featured a mix of new and original songs by Robby. Last year, we played live at the Clean Air Clear Stars Festival in Joshua Tree and opened with the timeless and classic song “Roadhouse Blues.” I don’t believe I will ever top that experience moving forward as an artist. Truly amazing. Video
