Spiders and Vinegaroons

opinears:

Lunch (Half) Hour - Screaming Trees - Live in Essen, Germany, 11/15/1996

One of my all-time favorite bands, a few months after the only time I ever got a chance to see them. And, why yes, that eager youngster supporting the band on second guitar is a 23 year-old Josh Homme.

I’m happy Lanegan has maintained his level of visibility in the decade-plus since the Trees split, unfathomably so, he’s had a hand in at least a dozen albums that have spent time in my heavy rotation. However, I can’t help but wonder how large a role it plays in the fact that we have not seen a Screaming Trees reunion. The reason the band eventually broke up is labels were wary of taking on a mainstream grunge also-ran (and to be clear, that’s an after-ran in the eyes of the cartel in the late 90’s. With their heavier psychedelic overtones, the Trees never fit tidily under the “grunge” banner.)

Maybe someday, we’ll see them again, but in the meantime enjoy this incredibly potent 5-piece with Lanegan and Homme, Barrett Martin driving behind the kit, and the brothers Connor, with Van still executing his signature roly-poly rock somersaults. There’s far worse ways to spend your half hour. - MO

Track List

Winter song
Caught between
Witness
All I know
Gospel Plow
Dime western
Nearly lost you