Playlist from the Aug. 6, 2006, episode of the syndicated Little Steven's Underground Garage show, which airs in Chicago Mondays at 10 p.m. on WXRT Radio.
Read on for a sampling the world's best taste in new and old garage rock, that of Little Steven. He may run Bada Bing, but he's king of the garage.
Title: Dance With Me
Artist: The Lords of the New Church
From: Is Nothing Sacred? (IRS, 1984)
Comment: Nothing is sacred in the B-movie world of Little Steven.
Title: Psychotic Reaction
Artist: Count Five
From: Psychotic Reaction (Double Shot, 1966)
Comment: One of the greatest fuzz guitar riffs ever.
Title: Pull Shapes
Artist: The Pipettes
From: We Are The Pipettes (Memphis Industries, 2006)
Comment: Not from Memphis, but Britain, a girl group worshipping at Phil Spector's altar.
Title: What's The Frequency, Kenneth?
Artist: REM
From: Monster (Warner Bros., 1994)
Comment: Garage rock? Really? Jangly ain't garage-y in my book.
Title: Bend Me, Shape Me
Artist: American Breed
From: Bend Me, Shape Me (SINGLE) (Acta, 1967)
Comment: Any way you want me.
Title: Dream The Night Away
Artist: Cheap Trick
From: Rockford (Cheap Trick Unlimited, 2006)
Comment: It's about time they acknowledge the greater Northeastern Illinois area that spawned them.
Title: Brown Sugar
Artist: Little Richard
From: King Of Rock'N'Roll (Reprise, 1971)
Comment: The Stones hit played with a lush all-girl chorus and James Brown-style horns.
Title: Ramblin' Gamblin' Man
Artist: Bob Seger System
From: Ramblin' Gamblin' Man (SINGLE) (Capitol, 1969)
Comment: Gotta hand it to Bob. He rocked when he was a three-man system.
Title: Bang Bang, You're Dead
Artist: Dirty Pretty Things
From: Waterloo To Anywhere (Vertigo, 2006)
Comment: It's that one guy from the Libertines, no, the sober one. He's definitely better off with this band.
Title: Drag City
Artist: Jan and Dean
From: Drag City (Liberty, 1963)
Comment: Who was surfier? Jan or Dean?
Title: A.C.D.C.
Artist: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
From: Sinner (Blackheart, 2006)
Comment: She still does '80s pop hair metal better than anyone actually did in the '80s.
Title: Walking the Dog
Artist: The Rolling Stones
From: England's Newest Hitmakers - The Rolling Stones (London, 1964)
Comment: Now England's biggest tax dodgers.
Title: Run For Your Life
Artist: Nancy Sinatra
From: Boots (Reprise, 1966)
Comment: Ups to Nancy for picking a great, underappreciated Beatles tune to cover, but that swingin' horn section shows she was always more Vegas than rock.
Title: In My Own Time
Artist: The Bee Gees
From: Bee Gees 1st (Polydor, 1967)
Comment: In the beginning there was Brian Wilson and his Aussie clone, Barry Gibb. Ever since Jimmy Fallon did him on SNL, all I can think of is him brow-beating his talk show guests.
Title: Soldier Of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)
Artist: Arthur Alexander
From: You Better Move On (Dot, 1962)
Comment: Who but Little Steven would play the originals of this obscure guy who so influenced John Lennon?
Title: Pinkerton's Assorted Colours
Artist: The Anderson Council
From: Fall Parade (Groove Disques, 2006)
Comment: Driving power pop from New Jersey (Little Steven hometown shout-out?) Maybe Meadow Soprano listens to them.
Title: And Your Bird Can Sing
Artist: The Beatles
From: Revolver (Parlophone, 1966)
Comment: My prize possessions are indeed weighing me down. How did John know?
Title: Your Love, Now
Artist: Th' Losin Streaks
From: Sounds Of Violence (Slovenly, 2004)
Comment: California band plays like they mean it.
Title: La La Land
Artist: The Go-Go's
From: God Bless The Go-Go's (Beyond Music, 2001)
Comment: The Go-Go's made the '80s a bit more bearable. Thanks, girls.
Title: Little Games
Artist: The Yardbirds
From: Little Games (Columbia, 1967)
Comment: Wow. Pure pop Yardbirds. Who knew they had a little Barry Gibb in 'em? Acrimony over this record is what led to the Yardbirds' break-up and, eventually, to Led Zeppelin.
Title: Loudmouth
Artist: The Ramones
From: Ramones (Sire, 1976)
Comment: Well you're a loudmouth, baby. You better shut it up. Hey, it was the 70s.
Title: Country Girl
Artist: Primal Scream
From: Riot City Blues (Columbia, 2006)
Comment: Primal Scream rocks once again - no more synthesizers. This is "Let It Bleed"-era Stones.
Title: Rock & Roll Time
Artist: Roger McGuinn
From: Cardiff Rose (Columbia, 1976)
Comments: 12-string anyone? How many of those do they have in the garage?
Title: Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Heart?
Artist: Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans
From: Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Heart? (Philles, 1963)
Comments: If we knew, we wouldn't need rock 'n' roll.
Title: King Of The Freaks
Artist: The Maggots
From: Monkey Time (Screaming Apple, 2006)
Comments: These guys should be in mono. They rock like the '65 Kinks.
Title: It's My Life
Artist: The Animals
From: Best of the Animals (Abkco, 1987)
Comments: I'm gonna ride this serpent.
Title: New Year
Artist: The Living Things
From: Ahead Of The Lions (Jive/Zomba, 2005)
Comment: St. Louis' Berlin family. T. Rex sighting under the arch!