Photo: BadflowerFan, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our top 10 Badflower song looks at a relatively a new band to the rock scene who consist of singer and guitarist Josh Katz, guitarist Joey Marrow, bassist Alex Espiritut and drummer Anthony Sonetti. They have so far released two albums in 2019 and 2021. The earliest roots go back to 2008 when Katz and Marrow who were both students at music school formed the Cartunes. They recruited other members who left and they named renamed themselves as Badflower after which they recruited the other members. After a gig opening up for the band Kongos they were signed by independent label Hundred Handed.
They released their debut single “Soap” on this label. After this they gained a momentum and started playing across the world. After Hundred Handed began making deals with Republic Records to make an album, the band became impatient with the wait and set about writing and recording it in their own garage. When Republic finally got back in touch, they revealed that they had a near complete version of the album which they played to them and they loved. They accepted it as the finished product and released “Animal” as the first single from the EP Temper in 2016. It was met with a favourable reception. “Animal” received much radio airplay and got to number twenty-eight on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart.
They continued to play live over the next couple of years and their full length debut OK I’m Sick was released in 2019. Their second album This Is How The World Ends was released in 2021. Badflower are a band who should currently be on any self-respecting rock fan’s current radar. Their music has a unique sound and Josh Kantz has proven to be a brilliant lyric writer who draws a lot from his experiences in life. Despite being new to the scene, they have already built up a dedicated and loyal fanbase and worldwide success is no doubt just around the corner. Although they may only have two albums here at Classic Rock we are confident enough in this band to compile a top ten list of their best songs. Read on to find out what they are.
# 10 – Ghost
Kicking off our top ten Badflower songs list is this track taken from their debut album Ok I’m Sick released in 2019. The album got to 140 on the Billboard 200. This was the lead single to be released from the record. The song has a deep lyrical concept which comes from front Josh Katz’s history of suffering from anxiety and depression.
# 9 – Promise Me
This song is also taken from Ok I’m Sick and is very emotional song. It has very sad lyrics and the chorus is rather reminiscent of My Chemical Romance. It is about nostalgia and feeling reluctant to leave the past behind. The music video produced for it gets this point across and the song is best listened to while watching it.
# 8 – The Jester
This song is the longest song on Ok I’m Sick at over four minutes long, with all of the other songs being generally quite short. It has a good guitar riff and see’s the band going in a heavier direction than the more soft rock kind of thing that they normally do. It is another song that comes from a personal point of view from Josh Kantz, being about bullying that he suffered as a child.
# 7 – Family
This song is the first on this list to be taken from the band’s second album This Is How The World Ends released in 2021. This is by far one of the best tracks on the album. Although it is rather mainstream in its sound, this does mean that Badflower have become watered down by any means. Josh Kantz is proving to be one of the most emotive songwriters currently, as this song also deals with past hardships this time involving family as the title would suggest.
# 6 – Ana X
This next song from the first album is a different sounding song from the band in the sense that is much more dark sounding and heavier than a lot of their material. However, it still has a strong lyrical theme that goes back to the subject of Josh Kantz’s anxiety and the drugs that he has taken over the years to try and cope with it.
# 5 – Tethered
Up next we have another song from the second album is one of the record’s most atmospheric tracks. The lyrical concept of this song looks at society and how we follow rules all the time while at the same time we have lost compassion for each other. It is another track that proves that Badflower are a band who makes good music and also make their listeners think.
# 4 – Heroin
Next we have an absolutely fantastic track from the first album that is another number that is brilliant both lyrically and musically. Despite what the title might suggest, the song is actually about being in an unwanted relationship and uses heroin as a metaphor for it. Musically, the song is a great piece of alternative rock that has something of a nineties feel to it.
# 3 – 30
With this song Badflower prove that angst can go beyond that of our teenage years. The song is clearly about reaching the age of thirty and still not knowing your place in the world. However, rather than being a whiney song that makes Badflower sound like overgrown emo kids, the song has a mature approach to the subject matter that gives a sense of hope in a confused mental state.
# 2 – Die
Just off the top spot Badflower get political with this track that is a scathing attack on the Trump administration. It expresses frustration about when elections take place and there are certainly a fair few harsh words aimed at the former president. With this mind, it has a much angrier feel than a lot of the band’s material.
# 1 – Animal
At the top of our list we have the band’s first hit single. This song has a swagger to it that is reminiscent of bands such as Royal Blood. It is another track with an inspirational lyrical concept- about standing up for what you believe in. The song really shows how Badflower have progressed as a band, from being young upstarts to a fully fledged rock band who are destined for great things. Hopefully with this list anyone who is unfamiliar with this band will immediately go and check them out- I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
Top 10 Badflower Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
