Virtuoso guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme stepped out on his own for the 1997 solo debut Schizophonic to explore a more diverse sonic landscape. Blending alt-rock, power pop, and electronic influences, the album showcases Bettencourt’s strong sense of melody and knack for songwriting. Tracks like “Gravity” and “Swollen Princess” highlight his ability to fuse inventive guitar riffs with catchy hooks, with production that leans toward the dense, experimental textures of late-’90s rock. Having flown under the radar, Schizophonic stands as an underrated and inventive record that captures an artist unafraid to reinvent himself, a fascinating glimpse of what happens when a guitar hero eschews showmanship for songwriting.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Gravity 14:23 - What You Want 19:28 - Karmalaa 25:43 - Swollen Princess 36:31 - Fine By Me 47:28 - Fallen Angels Outro - Severed   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Appalachian folk, Gothic country, and fire-and-brimstone intensity are not sounds you heard often on alternative albums in the 1990s. Sixteen Horsepower, led by David Eugene Edwards’ trembling voice and Old Testament fervor, sings like a sermon delivered from the traveling pulpit of redemption and ruin on their 1996 debut Sackcloth 'N Ashes. Songs churn with banjo, accordion, and tremolo guitar, evoking both frontier hardship and Calvinistic spiritual warfare. The production is stark yet cinematic, allowing every haunted whisper and stomped rhythm to resonate. While fans of Nick Cave, The Handsome Family, The Gun Club, etc. will find commonality, those unfamiliar may take a bit to warm up.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Black Soul Choir 21:14 - Prison Shoe Romp 23:37 - Horse Head 34:09 - Red Neck Reel Outro - Strong Man   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Pervert by Charm Farm swaggered into the mid-’90s with industrial-tinged alternative rock that fused sleazy hooks with gritty guitar licks. Mechanical grooves create a sound that feels both nightclub-ready and deeply personal. Tracks like “Superstar” and “Sick” capture the era’s obsession with fame and self-destruction while wrapped in infectious, neon-lit melodies. Completely overlooked upon release, Pervert offers sleek and subversive rock at a time the mainstream sought a more radio friendly (i.e. marketable) sound. Songs In This Episode Intro - I'm A Man 13:52 - Sick 18:44 - Superstar 26:07 - Pain 31:14 - Pervert Outro - Desire   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Author Serena Fragassi joins us to discuss her new book, "Pearl Jam Live! 35 Years Of Legendary Music And Revolutionary Shows." Filled with band history, archival photography, interviews, and more, the book covers Pearl Jam's evolution, influence, fan culture and community, behind-the-scenes stories, and much, much more.    Songs In This Episode Intro - State of Love and Trust* 31:49 - Evenflow* Outro - Black* (*Live from the Dissident singles)   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Eve’s Plum captured the multi-genre energy of the early 90s on their 1993 debut Envy. Fronted by Colleen Fitzpatrick (later known as pop star Vitamin C) the band blended fuzzed-out guitars and hook-heavy melodies that sat comfortably between the noisy shoegaze of Swervedriver and the sweet hooks of Letters to Cleo. Tracks like “Blue” and “I Want It All” showcase their sharp, dynamic songwriting wrapped in punchy production. While Envy didn’t break through commercially, it hinted at the band’s knack for balancing angst and charm, that maybe a little editing could have improved. Songs In This Episode Intro - Once Twice 20:02 - I Want It All 23:47 - Blue 37:21 - Die Like Someone Outro - Lovely You   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Twenty years since their debut, Maxïmo Park’s A Certain Trigger announces itself with angular guitars, driving rhythms, and Paul Smith’s earnest, impassioned vocals that give the songs both urgency and heart. Tracks like “Apply Some Pressure” and “Graffiti” capture the restless energy of youth, the album skillfully marries wiry indie-rock grit with pop immediacy. The band carved out their own voice amid a crowded scene that included the likes of The Futureheads, Bloc Party, The Kaiser Chiefs, and more post-Britpop bands with tight arrangements and inspired studio choices with a variety of keyboard sounds.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Apply Some Pressure 14:03 - Signal And Sign 28:46 - I Want You To Stay 35:45 - Postcard of a Painting Outro - Graffiti   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Adrian Belew’s 1990 album Young Lions blends his signature experimental guitar work with pop-friendly rock songwriting. Though it features David Bowie on two excellent tracks, “Pretty Pink Rose” and closer "Gunman," it does not take away from Belew's opportunities behind the mic, finding a balance between the croon of Roy Orbison and quirk of David Byrne. He balances quirky, textured arrangements with strong melodies, making the album both adventurous and approachable. Lyrically, it touches on themes of modern anxieties and cultural shifts, filtered through Belew’s surreal perspective on UFOs,  government helicopters, and more, without being preachy or on the nose.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Young Lions 22:17 - Pretty Pink Rose 29:30 - Looking For A UFO 38:44 - Heartbeat Outro - Gunman   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

The 1992 album Five Deadly Sins by Australian hard rockers Candy Harlots was the last gasp of glam-influenced sleaze rock before grunge reshaped the musical landscape. Packed with swaggering riffs and arena-ready vocals, the record channels the spirit of Guns N’ Roses, Kix, and Bang Tango while with a raw edge. Songs like “Sister’s Crazy” and “Danger” showcase the band’s knack for solid hooks. Despite strong material, the album’s impact was limited by shifting industry tastes and lineup turmoil within the band.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Backstreet Boys 21:19 - Danger 23:15 - The Wildest Way 32:44 - What Are We Fightin' For 38:32 - The Lady Shakes 41:35 - Cheat On Me Outro - Sister's Crazy   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

In 1991, Drivin N Cryin took a bold step towards the mainstream with their album Fly Me Courageous. While the title track became an anthemic staple of early ’90s rock radio thanks to Gulf War pilots, the album failed to connect beyond the band's regional fanbase. To help us dig into this record, we're joined by James Barber, former manager to the band, to dig into what works, what left us scratching our heads, and much much more.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Fly Me Courageous 25:51 - Rush Hour 34:44 - Let's Go Dancing 41:24 - Chain Reaction Outro - Look What You've Done To Your Brother   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Jagged, urgent, experimental - the 1998 album Sand On Seven by Not From There is an inventive debut that effectively blends post-punk, slowcore, and noise rock. The Australian trio incorporate German-language vocals on several tracks, giving the album an otherworldly edge to pair with angular guitars, throbbing basslines, and restless rhythms giving 90s indie rock a uniquely disorienting twist. Songs move between abrasive noise and moody atmosphere, reflecting both tension and restraint. Though it didn’t reach massive commercial heights, Sand On Seven became a cult favorite in alternative circles and won the ARIA Award for Best Alternative Release in 1999.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Sich Öffnen 10:57 - Hurricane Charlie 14:57 - Neurons 16:57 - Juanita's Cocktail Party 19:52 - The Orb of Discomfort 26:18 - Abgedroschen Outro - What Is Better Now   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

From the same Champaign-Urbana, IL music scene as Hum, Poster Children, National Skyline, and others, Love Cup is a name you might not be familiar with. Their lone 90s release, ..Grefus Gronks and Sheet, is a snapshot of mid-’90s alternative rock, tinged with grunge and post-hardcore, as well as shoegaze and space rock. Tracks like "Even When I Sleep" and "Nothing in Particular" showcase the band's knack for crafting big, straightforward yet infectious riffs, while the eight-minute closer "Green Machine / Scientifically Yours" allows for more sprawling, immersive exploration. Though not as complex instrumentally or melodically as some of their peers, the album begs to be cranked at high volume.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Entirely Made of Wood 12:54 - Billfershort 15:46 - Heroine 26:50 - Nothing in Particular 32:34 - Even When I Sleep Outro - Green Machine / Scientifically Yours   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Sky Cries Mary’s 1993 album A Return to the Inner Experience is a sprawling, psychedelic journey unlike almost anything else out of Seattle in the 90s. Formed in the late 1980s, Sky Cries Mary blends elements of trance, space rock, ambient textures, and spoken word, and this album marked their first major label release, giving them wider exposure. Across 17 tracks, the record flows like a hallucinatory dream, shifting between hypnotic rhythms, swirling guitar effects, and ethereal male-female vocal interplay from Roderick Wolgamott and Anisa Romero.  At once atmospheric and tribal, the record reflects the early ’90s fascination with both electronic textures and post-psychedelic exploration, balancing cosmic ambition and underground sensibility.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Lay Down Your Head 17:53 - 2000 Light Years From Home 22:03 - Gone 25:39 - Walla Walla 34:17 - Broken Down Outro - Moving Like Water   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Mogwai’s 1999 album Come On Die Young trades some of the explosive catharsis of their debut for a slower, more deliberate exploration of mood and texture. Opening with Iggy Pop’s laconic musings on punk ethos, the record unfolds in hushed tones, with fragile guitar lines and patient rhythms evoking a late-night, half-lit world. Songs like “Cody” favor aching melancholy over the band’s trademark crescendos, making the few bursts of volume feel seismic. The production by Dave Fridmann is spacious and shadowy - it broods like an atmospheric statement that rewards deep, uninterrupted listening.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Helps Both Ways 12:31 - Chocky 20:26 - Cody 25:20 - Christmas Steps 39:22 - Oh! How the Dogs Stack Up Outro - Kappa   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

In a Priest Driven Ambulance marks a pivotal moment for The Flaming Lips with the addition of Jonathan Donahue as a member of the band (and later Mercury Rev), along with Dave Fridmann behind the board for the first time. The blend of lo-fi psychedelic rock retains the melodic chaos while exploring new experimental territory. Wayne Coyne finds his voice, and tracks like “Shine on Sweet Jesus” showcase his spiritual fixation, filtered through fuzz pedals and existential yearning. It’s an ambitious, unpolished gem that foreshadows the band’s later sonic evolutions.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Sweet Jesus (Jesus Song No. 1) 23:20 - Raining Babies 32:42 - Take Meta Mars 37:30 - Five Stop Mother Superior Rain Outro - Unconsciously Screaming   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

The 1993 debut album No Biting by Los Angeles-based band Greta blends post-grunge aggression with quirky, off-kilter alternative rock. Led by Paul Plagens’ distinctive vocals and lyrics, the album features tracks like “Revolver” and “School On Fire” showcase a mix of heaviness and melody. The willingness to veer into funk, noise, and pseudo-progressive territory adds a level of chaotic charm to the record that fans of Faith No More or Jane's Addiction might enjoy.   Songs In This Episode Intro - School on Fire 14:28 - Is It What You Wanted 20:33 - Revolver 23:08 - Love Is Dead 30:44 - Insomnia Outro - Sleepyhead   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Legendary guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson's 1999 album Mock Tudor explores the dark corners of suburban England with sharp wit and rich storytelling. Produced by Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf, the album steers away from Thompson's signature folk-rock sound towards a leaner, more contemporary approach. While still rooted in traditional genres with touches of rockabilly and reggae, the album feels urgent and modern, capturing a sense of unease beneath its melodic surface.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Sibella 9:42 - Hard On Me 11:44 - Bathsheba Smiles 22:24 - Dry My Tears and Move On 33:39 - Cooksferry Queen Outro - Sights And Sounds of London Town   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

For our latest Diamond Episode, we're checking out Jewel’s 1995 debut Pieces of You. A blend of minimalist folk ballads with polished pop, Pieces of You is a showcase for Jewel's rich and varied soprano voice. Hits like “Who Will Save Your Soul” and “You Were Meant for Me" are the rarity featuring multi-tracked instrumentation. Much of the record was recorded live at a San Diego coffeehouse, which gives an intimate feel to its confessional lyrics, but also lacks the dynamic and filled-out sound of the singles.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Who Will Save Your Soul 32:20 - Foolish Games 38:32 - Near You Always 42:37 - I'm Sensitive Outro - You Were Meant For Me   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Released in 1995, the waning years of grunge and riding the big wave of the alternative rock explosion, That’s What Love Songs Often Do by Fig Dish was a punchy major label debut from Chicago quartet Fig Dish. Lyrically, Fig Dish steers away from overwrought introspection in favor of sly, observational jabs at love and life, delivered with rasp and grit. Raw yet clear production allows the interplay between all the instruments shine, with just enough hooks and attitude to keep you interested.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Weak and Mean 25:17 - Bury Me 29:29 - Seeds 35:29 - Going Gone Outro - Chew Toy   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

For Him and the Girls, the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman, is an eclectic blend of glam rock, cabaret, and indie pop. Recorded largely in his home studio, the album revels in his uniquely quirky and theatrical style. Songs like “Tarantulove” and “Safe and Sound” feature lush arrangements, dramatic tempo shifts, and playful yet poignant lyrics that shift between earnest and odd. Lo-fi production adds raw intimacy, complementing the unconventional approach.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Bullets 17:05 - Maniacs 20:37 - Don't Be Crushed 23:07 - No Sissies 27:33 - Tarantulove 39:34 - Baby This Night Outro - Bullets   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

One Simple Word, the fourth studio album by The Connells, showcases the band’s melodic southern jangle pop sound with a more polished and introspective tone. While not a commercial blockbuster, the album scored with critics and college radio listeners thanks to catchy but not overly sugary melodies that sound like attempts at a mainstream radio hit. Lush guitar interplay and heartfelt lyrics highlight their knack for emotionally resonant songwriting without leaning into melancholy.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Stone Cold Yesterday 20:27 - Speak To Me 25:04 - Get A Gun 31:32 - Too Gone 36.21 - What Do You Want? Outro - Take A Bow   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.