Friesen Point’s “Songs I Miss From Artists Who’ve Disappeared” #1: “In The Meantime”

I was watching VH1’s “I Love The New Millennium” earlier today, and I was very shocked.  Instant nostalgia had outdone itself.  They were talking wistfully about things that happened less than five years ago.  I wondered how they could get away with that, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there must be tons of money in it.  As soon as I had that realization, I knew that I had to try to wet my beak in this nostalgia money, but how?

I could write about Taco Bell limited edition menu items from the past that I miss, but my heart probably wouldn’t be in it.  I could write about times from my past when I should have been arrested but wasn’t, but I’m unclear on what the statute of limitations is on certain crimes.

I decided that the best course of action would be to write about songs I really enjoyed in the past, but haven’t heard in a long time.  Additionally, these songs will be from bands that haven’t been heard from in a long time, except by their serious fans.

Today, I submit to you Spacehog’s “In the Meantime.”  I loved this song.  That bassline was infectious, and the “ooooh’s” were so fun to sing along with.  When I learned to play bass, this was the second bassline I learned (the first: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ “Another Drinking Song”).

I was 12 when this song came out, so my memories aren’t crystal clear, but I seem to recall something about Spacehog being a gay band, and watching this video for the first time in over ten years lens a little credence to that fuzzy memory.  This video is a little gay, but who cares?  That bassline is sick.

I hope that Spacehog is doing well today, but I fear for the worst.  I fear that the bassist is blowing donkeys down in Chihuahua for cerveza.  I fear that the drummer is listening to this song on repeat, cutting himself with a red hot dagger.  I fear that the lead singer has been captured by the much feared Hotumbo tribe of southwest Kenya, having wandered into their territory during a heroin-fueled “spirit quest.”  Oh, lord, I hope they’re doing better than that.

I miss you, Spacehog.  Write another hit.