Tony Hawk's Favorite Records
Next up in the Favorite Records series is the one and only: legendary pro skateboarder, entrepreneur, owner of Birdhouse, and an absolute cultural icon whose influence spans generations, Tony Hawk! I was excited to see his picks, especially because his skate videos and video game soundtracks have had such an influence on so many of us.
For this series, artists list 10-15 of their favorite albums (and/or singles) with the rules being at least one must contain a synth or drum machine of some kind. Tony's picks were spot on we think you'll agree! Without further ado...
Photos by Max Flick for Synth History. Select photos by Ambar Navarro.
Note from Tony: These are some of my favorite albums that feature synths and/or drum machines. I cannot overstate the amount of anxiety I had in trying to choose this list. It’s like asking a parent who their favorite kid is; they are all amazing for different reasons.
The Normal - TVOD / Warm Leatherette
This was Ground Zero into my love for electronic / synth / new wave music. Two songs: short, sweet, ridiculous and infectious.
Kraftwerk - Techno Pop
A perfect techno album, no notes. I was equally impressed with all the computer graphics they used when this came out. My wife took me to see Kraftwerk play this album live a few years ago and it was an out of body experience.
Visage - Visage
The only electronic / new wave / post punk album that my dad also enjoyed. But this album was my gateway to Ultravox and for that I am eternally thankful. Midge Ure is a pioneer.
The Cars - Shake It Up
The first time I ever bought music for myself was this album, Sgt Pepper’s and Missing Persons. The Cars defined new wave at the time, and I still get chills hearing the drum machine “claps” at the beginning of "Since You’re Gone". Also my first concert: The Cars, March 10th, 1982 at San Diego Sports Arena.
Devo - Freedom of Choice
I first heard this album in its entirety while skating alone at Oasis Skatepark (San Diego) in 1980. The park would close less than a year later due to lack of attendance. But in that moment it felt like I owned the place and “Gates Of Steel” was my anthem. Thirty years later Devo played that song from the deck of my halfpipe during Boom Boom Huckjam at the San Diego Sports Arena, which inspired me to do a 900 for the first time on that tour. It still feels like a dream.
Depeche Mode - Black Celebration
The "gothest” DM album as far as I’m concerned. Twisted melodies about misery, death, lust and disdain for the royals in a synthesizer landscape.
Killing Joke - Night Time
Killing Joke is a genre unto themselves. And I couldn’t get enough of this sound when it came out. “I’m living in the eighties!"
Time Zone - World Destruction
One of the first cross-genre (hip-hop and punk) collaborations with a message that resonates more deeply today than ever before. This song will never get old.
Tubeway Army - Replicas
In full transparency: I heard Gary Numan’s “Cars” on the radio (KROQ) before ever knowing about Tubeway Army. But then I got enlightened. This album was too far ahead of its time to be appreciated by a larger audience. But now we hold it in reverence.
The Damned - Phantasmagoria
As a hardcore Damned fan, I followed them through all of their whims and experimentations. And then they drop this goth watershed. YES.
NIN - The Fragile
I remember going to Bleecker Bob’s in 1989 and asking for Pretty Hate Machine, having heard about it from a friend. The clerk said, “It’s over there, in the industrial section.” It was the first time I heard someone put a label to the genre I loved. But The Fragile represents Trent’s coming of age. I listened to it repeatedly the year it was released, which was the same year our first videogame was released. Coincidence? I think not.
Radiohead - OK Computer
I can’t do this album justice considering how many “top ten” lists it has invaded. It’s hard to listen to just one song though; you must start at "Airbag" and ride the wave of dystopia until it crashes into "The Tourist".
Cold Cave - Cherish the Light Years
Besides being biased to my dear friends Wes & Amy, this album is a celebration of synthesizers and dark wave sensibilities. Wes keeps getting better as a songwriter, and they keep getting better as a live band, but I keep coming back to this album as a landmark.
The Sisterhood - Gift
A side project from Sisters Of Mercy that is disjointed and contagious. All songs hovering around 8 minutes long but worth the journey.
The Cure - Disintegration
Kyle Broflovski said, “Disintegration is the best album everrr” and he’s not wrong. My wife and I connect deeply with this album; we both heard it in our formative years and never let it go from our psyches. "Plainsong" was our wedding march. I still get teary eyed when I hear the wind chimes.
Synth History Exclusive.
Photos by Max Flick.
DEVO photos by Ambar Navarro.
Conducted by Danz.
As part of Issue Six.
