I Wanted My Own Bitchin Camero
It’s the mid 1980s. Bands like REO Speedwagon, Foreigner and Wham! ruled the charts. But there’s an underground movement bubbling up — punk rock.
Listening to my Sony Walkman late at night, the local college station would spin strange songs and bizarre artists. Sometimes, the songs were so awful my ears hurt. Other times, the music seemed plain boring and vanilla. But some magical nights, the DJ was speaking directly to me.
One evening while laying in my bed, staring out at the darkness, two sarcastic whiney voices popped through the headphones. A walking bass played in the background while these kids just shot the breeze, making fun of Motley Crue and talking about nothing of importance. What kind of song was this?
Then suddenly, the tone of the song changed. Fast guitar. Banging drums. Staccato voice. The Dead Milkmen’s Bitchin Camero took over. Welcome to punk rock.
Check out Bitchin’ Camero. The song takes a crazy turn around minute #2. Although Bitchin Camero was The Dead Milkmen’s breakout song, their most popular tune by far is Punk Rock Girl.
The Dead Milkmen introduced me to the idea that music could be irreverent, sarcastic, silly and funny for the sake of just being fun. Songs didn’t have to be about love. They didn’t have to have a deeper meaning. Bands could inspire and move an audience with their acerbic whit and raw musicality.
I love music because it can be so…whatever you want or need at any time….diverse, inspiring, heartfelt, fun, exciting!
Baby Boy shows his love to music already by pointing and waving his arms and smiling whenever he hears even the slightest inkling of music – no matter what it is! 🙂
Awww, so cute! I loved it when my boys were just discovering music. Now I love rocking out with them!
It’s so fun (and funny) to watch him each time he hears music! I love it though….maybe he’ll even walk in my (previous) footsteps and play something one day 🙂
The first cassette tape I ever bought in junior high was The Dead Milkmen’s “Beelzebubba”.I still love these guys!
That’s awesome!!!!
I remember thinking that I was sooooooo cool in junior high because I listened to the Dead Milkmen.
Anyone who listens to The Dead Milkmen are cool in my book 😀
Love the Crue and a huge fan of the Dead Milkmen.
“Dead Lizard in My Backyard” came when I was in 10th grade and I loved it. I have seen them a couple of times. They rule. I am hoping that they come around here again soon.