Song: What’s My Age Again?

Album: Enema of the State

Label: MCA

Sounds Like: All-American Rejects, early Fall Out Boy

Blink 182’s song “What’s My Age Again?” is simply a song for an escape back to childhood and cheerfulness.

The opening lyric, “I took her out / it was a Friday night / I wore cologne / to get the feeling right,” pulls the listener into the song and makes you want to hear the rest of the story. Along with the humorous lyrics, the song’s catchy guitar riff and upbeat tempo will help keep a smile on your face.

“What’s My Age Again?” is the top single off of 1999’s Enema of the State, which also features the hits “All the Small Things” and “Adam’s Song.” The song also featured one of Blink 182’s, and the ’90s, most memorable music videos.

If you’re having a bad day, turning up “What’s My Age Again?” and making a prank call could be the perfect pick-me-up.

Ronnie James Dio photo courtesy of www.ronniejamesdio.com

An entire generation of heavy metal-heads has come from the music of Ronnie James Dio. He has also inspired and encouraged countless musicians from all genres.

Sadly, the heavy metal icon died May 16. He was 67.

Dio had suffered from stomach cancer for over six months, and died peacefully at his home. The loss is felt not only by his family and friends, but by music fans worldwide.

Dio had been in several bands, spanning four decades. He most notably took Ozzy Osbourne’s spot as front-man in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Black Sabbath in the ’80s. However, his biggest success came from his self-titled band Dio.

Dio songs “Holy Diver” and “Rainbow in the Dark,” exemplified Dio’s powerful vocals and melodic range, bringing the band, and its singer, international fame.

Most recently, Dio rejoined some of his former band mates to form the heavy metal/hard rock group Heaven and Hell. The band earned critical fame with its self titled album. Heaven and Hell consisted of the 1980-82 lineup of Black Sabbath.

Dio started a revolution with his music, and as a person.  He popularized the hand motion of putting up the pinky and index fingers, meant to show horns.

Per Dio’s official website, a public memorial service will be held May 30 in Los Angeles, Calif. Friends and fans around the country are encouraged by his Heaven and Hell band mates to come and pay their respects to Dio before he is laid to rest.

Dio’s name and his music are legendary and will never be forgotten. Fans around the world: put your horns up one more time to salute one of the greatest names in heavy metal history.

Song: Jesus Stole My Girlfriend

Album: We Don’t Belong Here

Label: Ecstatic Peace

Sounds Like: Nirvana, Toadies, Local H

Up-and-coming band Violent Soho’s 2009 release, “Jesus Stole My Girlfriend,” is full of pure, uncut energy. Guitarist James Tidswell’s hard, heavy guitar riffs and vocalist Luke Boerdam’s scratchy tone fit the song perfectly. “Jesus Stole My Girlfriend” is the type of song that makes you want to jump in the mosh pit.

Though “Jesus Stole My Girlfriend” is an up-tempo song, it is one of the softer songs from the band’s latest release, We Don’t Belong Here. Songs such as “Bombs Over Broadway” feature a more powerful sound, which echoes throughout the album.

The Queensland, Australia natives formed Violent Soho in 2004 while the four members were still in high school. The group began covering songs by bands such as Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Foo Fighters – bands whose influences can easily be heard in Violent Soho’s music.

In any case, “Jesus Stole My Girlfriend” is a perfect song for those who have just been dumped by their significant other.