photo by headylife

I thought I’d honor another anniversary on the site today. This one is especially timely, as it played a key role in the creation of this site.  Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the Disco Biscuits pivotal show at the Trocadero in Philly. Although 4/9/99 is a great show in its entirety, there’s a particular song segment that requires the most attention on this site: “Above the Waves > Basis for a Day.”

4.9.99 “Above the Waves > Basis for a Day” (workout edit)

I can’t exactly remember when I first heard this song segment — probably sometime in 2000-2001 — but it played a huge role in my interest in this band that unfolded in the years to follow. It also marked a key point where I started listening to Disco Biscuits live recordings during my workouts. The pure energy and exhilaration of their concerts can be employed perfectly as a fist-pumping soundtrack for a great cardio or weightlifting workout.

Even after so many years, this song segment still gets me totally fired up. The outro of “Above the Waves” is dark and meandering, providing plenty of energy and enough musical exploration to keep you enthralled.  But it’s the last couple minutes — as “Above the Waves” fully morphs into the ending of “Basis for a Day,” — that really make this thing tick. It has single-handedly possessed me to drop into an all-out sprint on several occasions.

As the band delves into the happy, major chord jamming of “Basis,” they proceed to boost the energy level in gradual steps. As they build up the momentum towards the high notes that mark the peak of “Basis,” guitarist Jon Gutwillig drops an all-out guitar assault, shredding out the song’s ending as if possessed by some guitar demon that won’t let him end it until everyone in the Trocadero is dripping in sweat.

As with other song segments, I’ve spliced these two songs together and edited them down to the meat of the improv for workout efficiency. Hopefully, these tracks inspire other folks to hit that peak sprint on their next run.

For the entire 4/9/99 show or the unedited tracks, head over to the Live Music Archive.

Also, don’t miss Rich Steele Chrfis Killian’s interesting concoction from this same recording. He spliced together the beginning section of “Basis for a Day” (which was transitioned to another song) with the ending jam posted above to form what he calls a “Bionic Basis.” As it turns out, the “Bionic Basis” is also great for workouts:  get it here

Editor’s Note: I originally created the Hippie Workout Mix back when  I was writing for Live Music Blog. It was a tongue-in-cheek take on great tunes that were spliced together to help get you movin’.  I was really inspired by the great reaction I got from posting these mixes. In fact, these were really what inspired the creation of this website, so I thought I’d post all the original podcasts from Live Music Blog as is. Hope you enjoy.

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A while back, I put together a little workout mix of some high-energy improv by the Disco Biscuits and added a tongue-in-cheek name just to have some fun. Although we knew it was a decent mix, Justin and I have been surprised at the warm reception we’ve gotten from it.

As a result, we’re back with another version of the “Hippie Workout Mix.” Per your recommendations we’ve lengthened this version substantially. Beyond that, we definitely stuck with the original theme: splicing together moments of high-energy improv to get you off your butt and really moving.

For future mixes, we’ll definitely be featuring other bands, but I just had too many solid picks leftover from the first mix to pass up doing a second version with music by the Disco Biscuits.

Enjoy and don’t forget to stretch!

Hippie Workout Mix, Volume 2 – “Bisco Triumpho”

• Live Music Blog Podcast #061 [mp3] (93.3 MB)
• Subscribe via RSS or Subscribe with iTunes

Size: 93.3 MB | Total running time: 1:07:59

Tracklist:
12/29/02 – “Gangsta” Jam
3/9/02 – “Hardcore” jam
7/26/02 – Nughuffer
3/8/02 – Triumph > Helicopters
9/5/01 – Helicopters
4/30/99 – Morph Düsseldorf*
10/5/02 – Astronaut*
4/17/99 – Basis for a Day*

*Remastered by Rich Steele

All tracks available for download and streaming via the Live Music Archive

Disco Biscuits Archives | Podcast Archives

Editor’s Note: I originally created the Hippie Workout Mix back when  I was writing for Live Music Blog. It was a tongue-in-cheek take on great tunes that were spliced together to help get you movin’.  I was really inspired by the great reaction I got from posting these mixes. In fact, these were really what inspired the creation of this website, so I thought I’d post all the original podcasts from Live Music Blog as is. Hope you enjoy.

~~~

As we’re getting closer to the Spring season, I am trying to focus on getting back in better shape for soccer season. As a result, I’ve been piecing together some tracks from the archives, specifically creating mixes geared towards my workouts.

I know I’m not the only one who listens to a lot of live music for exercising purposes. I bet lots of you have those choice tracks that include just the right amount of live concert energy to push you a bit further, lift a little more weight, or go that much faster. That raw energy of the concert experience can really do wonders for a workout.

With that in mind, I bring you the first in a podcast series known as Hippie Workout Mix. I’ve subtitled Volume 1 “Triumphant Bisco,” as I’ve spliced together a bunch of seriously energizing tracks by the Disco Biscuits.

Although the name is tongue-in-cheek, the musical motivation from these cuts is definitely no joke. Enjoy…

Hippie Workout Mix, Volume 1 – “Triumphant Bisco”

• Live Music Blog Podcast #059 [mp3] (45.3 MB)
• Subscribe via RSS or Subscribe with iTunes

*Tracklist:
7/24/03 – Jam >
10/29/99 – Mulberry’s > Helicopters
12/7/01 – Helicopters
12/29/01 – Shelby Rose > Crickets
3/8/02 – Morph Dusseldorf > Run Like Hell

Size: 45.3 MB | Total running time: 32:59

*all tracks available for download and streaming via the Live Music Archive

Disco Biscuits Archives | Podcast Archives

The Disco Biscuits – Helicopters 10.21.00

Once the heavy bass kicks in, there’s no turning back.