Dig Me Out: 90s & 00s Rock

Our fifteenth season is in the books. Check out our picks for most surprising discoveries, the top review albums, and more from 2025. Stay tuned as towards the end we cover some changes to the DMO schedule and more choices for album picking patrons starting in 2026.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney Outro - Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

In our fourth installment of Surviving the 90s, we’re revisiting Heart - the band that not only churned out hits across multiple decades, but played a key role in the burgeoning Seattle music scene of the 80s and 90s. Known for a string of massive hits like "Barracuda," "Crazy On You," "Magic Man,"  and more in the 70s, the chart-topping band suffered a downturn in the early 80s only to return with two successful albums, 1985's self-titled record and the 1987 follow-up Bad Animals, both of which achieved multi-Platinum status. But as the musical landscape shifted in the 90s, the band released their 1990 album Brigade to a shifting musical landscape, and doubled-down with the out-of-step Desire Walks In in 1993. Though new hits failed to materialize, they continued to remain relevant thanks to their strong ties to the Seattle scene and the undeniable talent of Ann and Nancy Wilson. We revisit their biggest hits, their activity in the 90s, and try to determine: did Heart thrive, adapt, or fade during the decade?   Songs In This Episode Intro - Barracuda 21:49 - Heartless 41:31 - Wild Child 51:16 - Will You Be There (In The Morning) Outro - Magic Man   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Fantômas’ self-titled 1999 debut establishes the concept from note one: an exercise in extreme, avant-garde expression, and as a listener it’s easy to understand what the band is attempting. The barrage of short, fragmented pieces and sudden stylistic shifts signal a deliberate rejection of traditional song structure. Mike Patton’s vocalizations function more as sound effects than performances, reinforcing the record’s abstract intent. While the musicianship, particularly Dave Lombardo’s precision drumming and the band’s tight execution, is impossible to deny, the experience can feel more clinical than engaging. The experimental nature creates distance, making it difficult to emotionally connect despite appreciating the idea behind it. In the end, Fantômas succeeds intellectually, but the album’s confrontational approach may leave some listeners admiring the concept more than the music itself.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Book 1: Page 1 12:12 - Book 1: Page 4 16:42 - Book 1: Page 17 21:12 - Book 1: Page 7 Outro - Book 1: Page 30   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Star, the 1993 debut album by Belly, blends dreamy alt-rock textures with Tanya Donnelly’s airy, emotionally charged vocals and songwriting. Shimmering guitars and off-kilter hooks give the album a distinctive, almost fairy-tale quality that set it apart from its grunge-era peers, drawing as much from UK dream and jangle pop as American alternative. Singles like “Feed the Tree” and “Gepetto” highlight Donnelly’s knack for bright melodies wrapped around enigmatic lyrics. Throughout the album, the band balances buoyant energy with darker undercurrents, creating a sound that feels both inviting and haunting, though it does a bit long at fifteen tracks and over fifty minutes.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Feed The Tree 15:36 - White Belly 20:06 - Gepetto 21:58 - Angel Outro - Dusted   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Eve 6’s 1998 self-titled debut delivered a punchy slice of late-’90s alternative rock loaded with catchy hooks and teenage urgency. The band utilizes pop-punk energy without the whine, creating a sound that’s both radio-friendly and tightly performed, showcasing their knack for clever, rapid-fire lyrics and instantly memorable choruses. The album balances angst and humor, giving it a charm that sets it apart from many of its era peers, and more twists and turns than one might expected based on the lead single "Inside Out."   Songs In This Episode Intro - Inside Out 19:51 - Jesus Nitelite 23:44 - Leech 39:26 - Showerhead Outro - Small Town Trap   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Another Thanksgiving is upon us, and our yearly post-Covid tradition continues as we gather patrons together and give thanks for the new music that gave us happiness and good vibes in 2025. There's a wide array of bands and artists, new and old, that helped make 2025 another great year for music!   Songs In This Episode Intro - Critical Thinking by Manic Street Preachers Outro - Disintegrate by Suede   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Human Clay by Creed is a polished, radio-ready slab of late-’90s hard rock that helped define (fairly or unfairly) the aesthetic now cheekily labeled “butt rock.” The album leans heavily on soaring, overly-earnest choruses and Mark Tremonti’s muscular guitar work, which give tracks like “Higher” and “With Arms Wide Open” a memorable arena-rock punch. Scott Stapp’s vocals, full of dramatic baritone gravitas, remain divisive but central to the band’s signature sound. The record can feel repetitive in its reliance on inspirational platitudes, its glossy production, and melodic hooks without much depth. Ultimately, Human Clay stands as both a commercial triumph and a touchstone for the era’s post-grunge mainstream, embracing the very qualities that later sparked the backlash “butt rock” label.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Higher 28:42 - Beautiful 33:40 - Are You Ready 37:57 - Never Die 53:57 - What If Outro - With Arms Wide Open   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

In 2002 Speedstar released their debut, Bruises You Can Touch, and unless you were in Australia, you probably never heard it. The Australian band's first album is a quietly affecting collection of melancholic indie pop that trades in mood and atmosphere over flash. Restrained production gives the band’s delicate melodies and wistful vocals room to breathe, creating an intimate and emotionally resonant experience. The album blends acoustic warmth and subtle distorted textures that recalls early Coldplay, Keane, Starsailor, and other 2000s post-Britpop bands, and stands as an overlooked gem of early-2000s indie.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Song For You 9:24 - Crazy Happy 16:39 - This Everyday Life (Into Your Arms) 22:59 - Piano Song (Sometimes) 26:09 - Wishing Your Life Away 29:12 - It's Ok To Be Sad When It Rains Outro - Revolution   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

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.