I was listening to the Strombo show tonight and I caught a few seconds of "Thunder Kiss '65" by White Zombie. That's all it took. I was back at 410 Sherbourne Street in the big room moshing as if nobody was watching.
For a period in the early-to-mid-90s, Monday nights meant Strange Paradise at The Phoenix. PJ Fresh Phil was there, Andy Frost was the voice and it always opened with The Beatles' "A Day In The Life." Then, it was one alternative rocker after another into the wee hours of the night. My buddies and I had mosh anthems we'd wait for before creating a pit. The trick was enjoying the pit without getting tossed by one of the trigger happy bouncers.
As I think about these Monday nights at the Phoenix, I itch to hear those moshing anthems again. Here are ten tracks that were guaranteed to feed the pit, back in the day.
Body Count - Body Count's in the House
White Zombie - Thunder Kiss '65
Nirvana - Rape Me
Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name
The Offspring - Bad Habit
Green Day - Longview
Cypress Hill - Insane in the Brain
Stone Temple Pilots - Plush
Public Enemy & Anthrax - Bring the Noise
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Honourary mentions: Beastie Boys' Sobotage, Pearl Jam's Alive or Evenflow, Offspring's Self Esteem, Ministry's New World Order, Whale's Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe, Soundgarden's Jesus Christ Post, Nirvana's Lithium, and everything else on Rage Against the Machine.
