For our 5/45s feature, we ask musicians to walk us through some of their favorite singles. Whether they be influential, impossible to find, or just a prized possession, we love discovering the 2-3 minute tunes that inspire some of our favorite music.
In this week’s feature we talk to L.A.’s S.O.H. about some songs that have influenced them and their sound. On top of dropping one of the year’s most highly anticipated LP’s Cost To Live, the band recently returned from ripping it up across Japan in support of the album. Check it out!
Andy (Bass)
Pohjasakka – Maailma Täynnä Vihaa EP
The track I’m choosing is “Sortoa Ja Vihaa” by POHJASAKKA. I remember listening to this track on repeat all throughout high school, it was when I first started getting into Finnish and other international bands. This bass line has been stuck in my head for almost twenty years! The whole Maailma Täynnä Vihaa EP amazing to me.
Bombanfall – Åsiktsfrihet EP
My second pick is “Mot en strålande framtid” by BOMBANFALL off the Åsiktsfrihet EP. This is another childhood favorite that opened another world of sound to me. I was so stuck on this EP as a kid and still am to this day, if I had to pin point how this influenced me it would be on how fucking tough their sound is but still manages to have so many hooks. It’s a perfect balance and it doesn’t sacrifice one element for the other.
Kristine – (Vox)
Mizz Nobody – Smittad b/w Ganja
MIZZ NOBODY’s song “Smittad” influenced me growing up because her vocal range on this song fluctuates from singing to primitive screaming with breakdowns of powerpop to punk which I’ve always loved. Found this gem from a 78′-82′ comp, rare/gritty all from 70’s Sweden era. Pretty sick too that it’s self released.
Daniel – Guitar
Buzzcocks – Harmony In My Head b/w Something’s Gone Wrong Again
The single I ended up choosing was BUZZCOCKS’ 1979 single, Harmony in My Head. I first got into the them when I was about 13 years old. Through file sharing programs, friends, and burnt CDs, the BUZZCOCKS came along my way and changed my definition of what it meant to be a punk band. Before discovering their sound, I had only imagined punk could be defined in one way: fast, abrasive and consisting mostly of simple power chords. While they certainly were not the only ones, this was the first time I had heard a punk band experiment with slower tempos, melodic chords, and vocal harmonies. While it was a new sound to my ears, it was instantly familiar. I recognized the band and their songs had grit and spirit of punk but was also doing something different. A pirated version of their compilation album Singles Going Steady was my introduction to the band and “Harmony in My Head” is still my favorite track to this day. I still to this day keep this inspiration in mind when it comes to writing music.
Ruben – Drums
Cheetah Chrome Motherfuckers – Four Hundred Fascists EP
The single I’m picking is from CHEETAH CHROME MOTHERFUCKERS 1981 release Four Hundred Fascists. The song “Akool” completely blew me away when I first heard it as a teenager. Completely chaotic and snotty like punk should be.
Check out S.O.H.’s new LP Cost To Live, out now on Boston’s No Norms Records and L.A.’s Shitkicker Records.
