Brad Hicks' Blog

As some of you may know (maybe one or two of you), I do a regular appearance on Wednesday mornings with Kramp & Adler on FM102.1.

This morning I unveiled the B Hickey Awards for 2008 (named for a ficticious rapper who some misguided crazies believe was actually me).

Here are my selections and youtube links to satisfy your never-ending curiosity:

BEST SONG:   Death Cab for Cutie--  I Will Possess Your Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrcKjN3KQYs

BEST NEW BAND:   Ludo  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9XlRVqL7cQ

BEST BAND NOT PLAYED ON FM102.1 (BUT SHOULD BE):  Flatfoot 56

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91RYVkNd9tI

BEST ALBUM:   Coldplay--  Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE

When I was at the gym today, ipod in my ears, all of a sudden -- and much to my surprise -- Bananarama's Venus started playing.  I don't even own the song so I'm not sure how it got there-- and it's not a very good workout song.   I had my ipod in for software servicing recently, so I'm guessing they somehow dumped a few songs onto my workout playlist.  I'm mystified.

I am, however, responsible for Michael Jackson't Beat It being on my ipod, and whenever the shufle lands on this song I hope no one can hear it.  I'd be embarassed.  There are a couple other embarassing songs on my ipod as well.  

LeBron James was recently outed for having Mandy on his ipod.  I don't have any Barry Manilow on mine.  That would be REALLY embarassing. 

  Which brings me to the point of this blog--  It seems everyone has a few "secret songs" hidden away on their playlist that  they hope no one else will hear.   Fess up-- what are yours?

Now, here are a couple good workout songs to amp you up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8_fuoypsik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv3xM3v4-rI

Jayk was playing at Mikey's Saturday night.  If you missed him, you missed something special.   He was also on Fox6 WakeUp a few months ago. 

I say keep an eye on Jayk.  Good things coming.   Give him a listen  http://www.myspace.com/thatjaykwhosings

As a few of you may know, I do a regular bit with Kramp & Adler on FM102 including a CD review.

I rate them on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 beer bongs being the best), and I gave my first 5 today!!!

They're a Fox Valley band called The Wildbirds.  Their debut album Golden Daze is getting a lot of props--  Fox used a song called 421 when Favre threw #421, and ESPN used another song from the album during some baseball highlights.

The music isn't cluttered with all sorts of production techniques-- it's just straight up rock that sounds like it was recorded live to tape.   Some people say it reminds them of CCR, and I felt a few of the songs, especially It's Alright Now, have a Beatles sound to them.

If you want to see something incredible, watch this!!! (click here)

Many (including yours truly) consider Carl Palmer  --  the drummer/percussionist for Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Asia -- the best rock drummer ever.  Whether you agree with that or not, no one can argue his talents are out of this world.

Just watch this amazing snare drum solo-- it's like nothing you've ever seen before.  It's long-- 6 minutes -- and if you watch you have to stick with it to see the ending.  The ending will totally blow you away.  I promise.