By Brandon Greaves (CIVL DJ) – Email
Print Edition: March 5, 2014
 
CIVL hotshot and Pacific Trash Vortex host Brandon Greaves isn’t letting midterm stress get to him in the slightest. For those of you who are, here are five songs about dealing with a bad time.Â
The Ergs! — “Jazz is Like the New Coke”
Jealousy and heartbreak is familiar territory for the pop punk set. Sensitive frontman Mikey Erg’s lyrics capture how hard it is to accept defeat. Hey, winning all the time doesn’t teach you anything. This one is for loser romantics.
Titus Andronicus — “No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future”
This is a rock anthem for not believing in yourself. The line “You will always be a loser” is chanted through the second half, capped with “And that’s okay.” Like The Ergs!, Titus Andronicus hail from New Jersey. Apparently the place breeds a specific mindset.
The Ramones — “The KKK Took My Baby Away”
Joey Ramone allegedly used the KKK as a metaphor for the notoriously right-wing Johnny Ramone, after Johnny stole his girlfriend. He could have made himself out to be a victim even without resorting to Godwin-level analogies, but the lyrics work. Shonen Knife’s version is flawless, by the way.
Sebadoh — “Punching Myself in the Face Repeatedly, Publicly”
This is an insufferably honest song about crushing hard on someone. Feeling goofy and nervous, walking around excited with a smile on your face for no reason … The whole thing sounds doomed, even before you know it’s about bassist Jason Loewenstein’s infatuation with a lesbian.
Destroyer — “Canadian Lover / Falcon’s Escape”
This track starts as encouragement for the downtrodden romantic and concludes as a directive to get your act together and stop acting so confused. There’s only so much of your self-pity that others can take.
