My Sunday Song – “Do Her Wrong” by AtomSmash

For My Sunday Song #468, we are talking “Do Her Wrong” by the band AtomSmash. The song is off their 2010 album, ‘Love Is In The Missile’ which was the label debut on Jive Records. “Do Her Wrong” was the lone single from the album and after only 4 months and 25,000 units sold of the album, Jive Records dropped them. Wow! Is the song and the album that bad? No, not in the least. Is it that good, No, not in the least. But is it fun! Hell to the yes!! The song did hit #30 on the Mainstream Rock Chart and actually #1 on Sirius XM’s channel Octane

The song was written by Serg Gabriel Sanchez and is basically about a guy that is no way looking for love. He’s out there sowing his wild oats and simply wanting sex and only sex. He says the woman can be the one, this perfect angel who makes love like a hooker (he says it worse than that), but she will never be able to tame him. He will always find a way to do her wrong…so why bother trying. Not a real deep song, but that is not why I like it.

The reason is the music and how it makes you feel. Sometimes you need a mindless song that has the right beat, the right hooks and all you want to do is crank it up and rock out. That is THIS SONG!! The lyrics are teenage humor fodder, but the music is hard rock at its most catchiness. The band is Serg on vocals, Alex “Z” Zilinski on guitar, Luke “Cowboy” Rice on guitar, Mark “Taco” Annino on drums and Arnold Nese on bass. The drum beat is explosive, the guitar riffs and bass are heavy and the song simply soars. Vocals by Serg are awesome as he has this slight grit, a great sounding Rock voice. He sings the song like he means it and that is what sells me on the song. He believes these corny lyrics and that is half the fun.

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My Sunday Song – “Defying Gravity” by The Veer Union

For My Sunday Song #457, we are talking “Defying Gravity” and no, this is not the Wicked song of the same name. This one is by the band The Veer Union and is off their 2016 album ‘Decade’ which celebrates the band’s 10 years of existence. The song was the first and maybe only single and was released on December 11, 2015 while the album was not released until January 29, 2016. For this album, the band wrote five new songs and pulled five songs from around 10 years back that were never used. But we are here to talk “Defying Gravity”.

The song was written by Crispin Earl and is about his battle with depression. The song details how the singer has been impacted by depression. How it weighs him down and he has no energy to do what needs to be done to fight it. He is looking for the strength as he knows he has to lift himself up to beat this horrible disease. If you have suffered from depression, you know how the weight of it holds you back. For him, defying the gravity that is holding him down is what it will take to fight his way out of it. It is such a hard battle fighting the demon inside. It is a daily struggle, a constant struggle. It can be fought and you don’t have to do it alone. There is help out there, but asking is the hardest part.

Musically, it is heavy like the subject matter. If you haven’t heard The Veer Union before, think a cross between Breaking Benjamin and Sevendust. Those are probably two good bands to compare them too. The guitar riffs are brutal by Dan Sittler, the drums are destructive from Tyler Reimer and I love how it goes from really heavy in the chorus while being melodic to a softer tone during the verses. Crispin Earl handles the clean vocals and you can hear the pain and emotion in his vocals. He is singing from his heart. I’m not one that usually likes unclean vocals, but bass player, Amal Wijayanayake, does a great job with the screaming vocal parts not to mention his bass playing along with rhythm guitarist Ryan Ramsdell keep the song moving forward. The unclean vocals aren’t overdone and only serve as an added texture to the song. I think it adds to the overall darkness of the heavy subject.

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My Sunday Song – “Bounce” by Emphatic

For My Sunday Song #456, we are talking “Bounce” by the Nebraska band Emphatic. The song is on their big label debut, ‘Damage’, which was released on July 12, 2011 and went to #23 on the US Hard Rock Charts. The first single was “Bounce” which went to #23 on the US Mainstream Rock Chart. I don’t remember when I first heard it, but when I did, I was hooked. It was one of those songs I would put on repeat as it had so much energy.

The song was written by lead guitarist, Justin McCain and the song itself is pretty basic rock & roll stuff. It is all about S.E.X. It is about two people that are extremely passionate about each other and they are longing to get together to do…well…to do the deed. He wants to slap her back tattoo, give her a kiss and give her a ride…whatever that might mean (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Bounce, of course, is the word he chose to use to describe the deed and it completely and utterly works. Who doesn’t love a good “bounce” with the woman (or person) they love?

Musically, the song does truly “bounce”. I heavy, high octane track with blistering guitars from Justin, pounding drums by Josh Freese and some heavy bass work by Paul Bushnell. Vocals were handled by Patrick Wilson and he has that rock & roll grit that fits a song like this. The chorus is one major hook with the repetitive “Bounce, Bounce” and sucks you in. Such great pop-sensibilities with this song as well. Very radio friendly. A song that is as musically fun as those lyrics. A good time was had by all with this one.

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My Sunday Song – “Trenches” by Pop Evil

For My Sunday Song #455, we are talking Pop Evil and their first #1 song, “Trenches”. The song is off their third album, the 2013 release ‘Onyx’. An album that went to #3 on the Rock Charts thanks to this one and three other #1 songs. The band consists of Leigh Kakaty, Nick Fuelling, Dave Grahs, Matt DiRito and Josh Marunde.

The song was written by Leigh Kakaty with the help of Dave Bassett who is a big time songwriter. The song is about battling your demons and digging yourself out of the holes you’ve made or have been put in front of you. In this case, they are called “Trenches”. The song is about their never-ending grind they face in the music business but can be used to fit anyone’s life battles. The hard truth of not focusing on the things you can’t control and fight for the ones you can. I think it takes everyone a long time to learn how to do that, I know it did for me. The song is great mantra to live by.

The song kicks off with a killer, dirty and nasty guitar riff. This is modern rock that is hard and heavy and a punch to the face. The drums are fierce, the bass is thumping and Leigh attacks those vocals with a ferocious veracity. He wants you to feel the words he sings and you definitely do. There is a mean ass guitar solo which is something we still need in our metal and hard rock. The song will get you pumped up and ready to fight your way out of the trenches in life you face.

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My Sunday Song – “Do You Wanna Taste It” by Wig Wam

For My Sunday Song #454, we are talking the Season 1 theme song to Peacemaker…”Do You Wanna Taste It” by the Norwegian band Wig Wam. Imagine my surprise when I started watching Peacemaker on HBO and the theme song was this 2010 Wig Wam classic. I remember when this song came out and how much it grabbed hold of me and help solidify my fandom for Wig Wam. The song was the first single and was released on March 9, 2010. The album was ‘Non Stop Rock ‘n Roll and it was glam rock at its best.

The song was written by lead singer Age Sten Nilsen and Trond Holter and the song is basically about dreams of making it big. It is about leaving your dull, miserable life behind and going out and seek fame where you can live the best life with all its excesses. However, you have to remember what goes up, must come down. And living life to excess has its downfalls. It asks the questions, do you really want to taste that life because as quick as the fame comes, it will leave as fast and leave you a shell of your former self. Sometimes, a short cut to fame isn’t all it is cracked up to be.

Musically, the song is pure glam. Great guitar riffs, pounding drums and an energy that is contagious. It will suck you in and have you singing this song long after it is over. The chorus is one giant hook, gang vocals, catchy as hell and takes me back to the late 80’s when Glam was King!! How big could these guys have been if this album and song came out 20-25 year earlier. Now when I hear this song I can’t help but picture the entire Peacemaker cast dancing to this song in the opening title sequence. Crazy!!

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Does it take you back to the 80’s? If you like it, you need to check out more from Wig Wam as they won’t disappoint!! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great and Happy Sunday!

And for fun…here is the Peacemaker opening sequence…

“Do Ya Wanna Taste It”

Do ya really wanna, do ya really wanna taste it?

Get it on, get it on top, make a move extreme
Make a pose, it’s a shortcut to your dreams
A float straight to the stars on that flying thing

Getting high, getting brave, getting snow blind
Game set to go! Pick a tune, chick harpoon in a world beyond
Get a beat, got a heat on a phony string
Tear your world apart, once the magic starts

Do ya really wanna, do ya really wanna taste it?
What’s going up must come down
Do ya really wanna, do ya really wanna taste it?
Baby, I’m losing ground

Blind to what you’ll soon become
The mirror lies, the whole world’s wrong but you
Dancing with your blinkers on
Throw your dog the invisible bone

Say I do, say I will, and put your jet in gear
Anything to get you out of here
Gotta go hit that ride to the setting sun

Pack it up, get ahead, I gotta leave this mess behind
Gotta cruise from the blues, got a life to find
What you need, there’s to read on the dotted line
Kill your self-control, welcome to the show

Do ya really wanna, do ya really wanna taste it?
What’s going up must come down
Do ya really wanna, do ya really wanna taste it?
Baby, I’m losing ground

Blind to what you’ll soon become
The mirror lies, the whole world’s wrong but you
Dancing with your blinkers on
Throw your dog the invisible bone

Poison to your mind
Devil in disguise

Do ya really wanna, do ya really wanna taste it?
What’s going up must come down
Do ya really wanna, do ya really wanna taste it?
Baby, I’m losing ground

Blind to what you’ll soon become
The mirror lies, the whole world’s wrong but you
Dancing with your blinkers on
Throw your dog the invisible bone

Do ya really wanna, do ya really wanna taste it?
What’s going up must come down
Do ya really wanna, do ya really wanna taste it?
Baby, I’m losing ground

Blind to what you’ll soon become
The mirror lies, the whole world’s wrong but you
Dancing with your blinkers on
Throw your dog the invisible bone

Writer(s): Age Sten Nilsen, Trond Holter

My Sunday Song – “Last American Summer” by Will Hoge

For My Sunday Song #453, we are talking “Last American Summer” off the new album from Will Hoge, ‘Sweet Misery’ which came out on August 22, 2025. The song was written by Cleto Cordero of the band Flatland Cavalry with the help of Will Hoge. Flatland Cavalry actually released this song back in 2023, however, their version was straight up country. This one is not. This has Will Hoge’s slant all over it.

Cleto Cordero came up with the song during Covid while sitting in what called his “quarantine garden”. It was Summer and he started thinking back to all those fun Summers when he was young and innocent where everyone was together having a good time, fireworks, good food and everything you think of when you think of Summer. Covid stopped all of that and he thought we might never have another one of those type of Summers again. Thankfully that wasn’t true. He got with his pal Will Hoge and they took the song and turned it into a little love song to Summer.

The song talks about all those things they did during Summer seeing the butterflies, the melted popsicles, the drugs, the cigarettes and the fireworks. You know, good wholesome stuff. Late nights, good long talks and being with the girl you love. Well, time goes by and life changes. You lose your innocence and life gets in the way and those great Summer good times are gone. You had your last American Summer and didn’t know it was going to be your last.

Musically, it starts off as this slow moving, sad, nostalgic sounding song. An acoustic guitar, some keyboards and Will Hoge singing this lyrics with such heartbreak. As the song moves on, the drums kick in and the tempo picks up ever so slightly. The song keeps building until about 2:30 minutes in and the drums pound and everything explodes including a killer rock and roll electric guitar solo. The full band is in hammering away and rocking out until the very end.

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My Sunday Song – “On And On” by Saigon Kick

For My Sunday Song #452, we are talking “On and On” by the very underrated band Saigon Kick. The song is off their third album, ‘Water’, which came out on September 28, 1993. This was an album I didn’t discover until a few years back when I interviewed Jason Bieler on The Lebrain Train with Mike Ladano. I remember “Love is on the Way” off ‘The Lizard’, but I didn’t explore them more back then and boy did I miss out. This song was not a single on the original issue, but when they reissued the album in 2023 the did release it a promotional singer.

“On and On” was written by Jason Bieler and it is a simple song. All it is saying is live in the moment as that feeling can’t be beat. Give your full heart and go for it because everything could be gone tomorrow. The song is specifically talking about a girl that he loves, but it can be applied to anything…an adventure you want to take, a walk on the beach or taking that trip you’ve always wanted to take. Don’t let everything be gone and you regret the what ifs!

Musically, you have Jason on vocals and this is actually the first album he handled the vocals as former lead singer Matt Kramer had left the band. Jason’s vocals are simply stellar. I love his delivery and his energy. On bass, you have Chris McLernon and let me tell you. His work is the coolest thing on the song. He is the driving force as he delivers some killer bass lines. A little funk, a little reggae mixed together with Jason’s simple riffs are pure joy. Phil Varones drumming also knocks it out of the park. The song is so simple, yet so catchy, so joyful and straight up fun. You can’t help but be in a good mood after hearing it.

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My Sunday Song – “Beautiful Disaster” by Jon McLaughlin

For My Sunday Song #451, we are going to talk about the pop ballad “Beautiful Disaster” by Jon McLaughlin. The song is off his 2007 album ‘Indiana’. The single was released in April of that year and was the first single on the album. It hit #28 on the Adult Top 40 chart and helped push the album to #81 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Jon wrote the song with the help of Jamie Houston and they penned a song that is extremely heartbreaking and yet beautiful at the same time.

“Beautiful Disaster” is about a woman who is so broken inside. She is beyond lonely as it seems she has been left many times before and is now extremely insecure. She doesn’t feel worthy and feels ugly on the inside and out. Everything in the world is telling her she’s not enough…the magazines, the guys who left her and if this was in the present time, the social networks would as well. No one has ever told her that she is perfect the way she is and it is okay to be who you really are not to pretend to be someone she’s not.

She hooks up with guys and does what they want just to feel something. She bends to their will as she is so desperate for a connection. But what she is really looking for is that someone that will take her home and love her for who she is. She simply wants to be Needed. The line…”She never stays the same for long / Assuming that she’ll get it wrong / Perfect only in her imperfection” summarizes how she feels that she has to act a certain way to be loved. It is all terribly sad.

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My Sunday Song – “Ordinary” by Train

For My Sunday Song #450, we are talking the song “Ordinary” by the band Train. The song is from the Spiderman 2 Soundtrack as well as a bonus studio track on the Train album ‘Alive At Last’. The song was the fourth single off the Spiderman 2 soundtrack and was released August 17, 2004. I believe the song charted at #12 on the Adult Top 40 Chart (not the actual Top 40 Chart). It was written by Pat Monahan from Train and composer Bart Hendrickson.

The song was written for Spiderman 2 and the theme of it fits Spiderman perfectly. He goes out of his way to try and save everyone, but he always get left behind as people move on. It is a really darker theme to it. He does it all for a woman. People think he is trying to save the world but he is simply trying to save the girl. At the same time, he needs her to save him as he is in so deep and he is just a kid. He doesn’t recognize who he is anymore. I love the line “And this web that I’m tied up / Is taking me right up these walls”. He is afraid it is too much. It is the darker side of Peter Parker. And it is awesome.

The song is pretty heavy…for a Train song. The darker themes come out in the music as it has a seriousness too it you aren’t used to with them. The drums are powerful, the guitar is ripping. There is orchestration that gives it a grander feel and the piano is simply haunting. Pat really delivers the lyrics in such a beautiful way. He really feels the lyrics and he conveys the darkness behind Spiderman’s eyes. This is a completely different side of Train and when I heard this song along with another bonus studio track called “New Sensation”, I thought we might get a new direction for the band…but that didn’t happen.

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My Sunday Song – “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne

For My Sunday Song #449, we re going to look at the super fun song “Stacy’s Mom” by the band Fountains of Wayne. The single was released on May 19, 2003 and is off their album ‘Welcome Interstate Managers’. The song was probably the biggest mainstream hit for the band where it went to #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and it received massive airplay on MTV as Stacy’s Mom was played by Supermodel Rachel Hunter and who didn’t enjoy watching that.

The song was written by bassist Adam Schlesinger and vocalist Chris Collingwood. The song was inspired by a childhood friend of Adam’s who thought his grandmother was really hot. Take that and add a little Mrs. Robinson and you have the song. “Stacy’s Mom” is about a teenage boy who was dating Stacy and loved to spend time at Stacy’s house out by the pool in hopes Stacy’s mom was around. He fantasized that her mom was into him and now that he is older and not the boy he used to be, he could be the man around the house for Stacy’s mom since her dad was no longer in the picture. It is a typical boy fantasy transformed in to a brilliantly executed song.

The song is pure Power Pop and New Wave. So much so in fact the opening riffs is almost identical to The Cars’ classic “Just What I Needed”. I mean…I.D.E.N.T.I.C.A.L. They actually played the opening riff and it was not a sample despite what Ric Ocasek might have thought. The song is a blast. It is so catchy and you instantly get swept in the excitement. It is full of joy and I love the handclaps towards the end. It is one of those bright and sunny songs that feels like Summer and will put a smile on your face.

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