You’re Still a Friend of Mine

So around 1998 I got a copy of the new hot CD-based music magazine Launch. It was an odd look into the future of the Internet, as, in retrospect, it functioned almost exactly like a Flash-oriented website in the mid-2000s. There were a few simple games, music interviews with audio clips, &c &c. What I remember most, however, was a clip from a music video for "Drop Dead Gorgeous" by Republica. You may have heard the band's much more popular sing "Ready to Go." I had not heard of the band aat that point, but I instantly fell for them. The lead singer was space-agey in her metallic dress and red-streaked Louise Brooks coif. The guitar licks nice and smooth and there were plenty of electronics in there for contrast. The lyrics were in-your-face self destructive Of course, I didn't actually grasp any of this at 13. All I knew was that I loved the hell out of this song even though I'd only listened to 30 seconds. Over and over. This was the first band I discovered with complete independence, without the guiding hand of someone more knowledgeable or, ahem, cooler. This was the first band that I could truly call my own.

Image co. Last.fm

Of course, this all took place before the MP3 and filesharing revolution. Hell, the computer I was using the play this magazine-of-the-future ground to a halt a year later when I tried to play the first MP3 I had ever downloaded - Nirvana's cover of "Lake of Fire". Well, not to a halt, precisely, but doom metal wasn't exactly popular yet and that is exactly what was came out of my speakers. Fortunately, I eventually received Republica's self-titled album for my next birthday. I wore it out. By the end of the month, 14-year-old me knew every word on that entire CD. I'm sure if I got my hands on it now, I'd be able to sing along to an embarrassing degree. And here is the video which started it all: