The Murder City Devils “Empty Bottles Broken Hearts” 1998. Sub Pop Records. Heavy and furious garage punk, Empty Bottles Broken Hearts is Murder City Devils’ second album and it’s soooooo good, checking all my boxes: thrashing, danceable, dark, groovy and a little psychedelic. My top picks are “Dancin’ Shoes” (good for dancing!), “18 Wheels” (cool 60′s psych organ), “Hey Sailor” (high speed punk), “Johnny Thunders” (“go, go, go Johnny Thunders!”) and “Every Shitty Thing” (dirgey slow and great for blasting if you’re in a shit mood).

I’ve written about seeing Murder City Devils at O’Cayz Corral in Madison, WI back in ‘99 (and still consider it one of the best shows I’ve ever seen) and will quote myself here: It was probably about 98 degrees that night and inside O’Cayz it had to have been topping 120 degrees. The Murder City Devils played with the Black Halos, I don’t remember who opened for who. I do remember sweat pouring, a sea of people in the small club (likely over-capacity) and fighting for a place to stand. I cannot put into words the massive energy of the show or the blistering sound and heat.”