Let’s start this countdown with something from the new millennium, and let’s dedicate it to my nephew Chris, aka the Phurk, aka Paging Dr. Faggot, on this day, his 30th birthday. When Drive by Incubus was popular on the radio in 2001, Chris was a thirteen year old prodigy drummer with very interesting taste in music. Being raised by Baby Boomers will do that; he was bred with the likes of Steely Dan and Billy Joel and the Beatles, among other classics from way before his time. Admittedly when this song was first popular, I couldn’t stand it. It sounded basic and insistent. But my nephew with the eclectic ear really liked this band so I gave it my interest, and now that it’s retro, I have to say I love the damn song. Aside from the obvious connection to my nephew, I do like the pared down simplicity in the lead singer’s voice and the sweetness of the guitars. I can even appreciate the record-scratch sound. And the song has a pretty good message about overcoming fear, which has gripped many of us too many times to count in our lives.
From the historical writing archive. Original date: October 29, 2018. Recovered from local source material; editorial review is still in progress.
