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Alice in Chains. Upon arrival to his sophomore year at UWM, prior to the Seattle music scene explosion, next-dorm-neighbors, Mike (Strutter) Rosenmeier and Steve Sanders introduced Oates to the gloom-rock of Alice in Chains. Favorite songs; Man in the Box, Bleed the Freak, Sunshine, Love Hate Love, Sea of Sorrow, The Real Thing, Brother, Rain When I Die, Rooster, Dirt, Hate to Feel, Angry Chair & Would.
Neil Diamond. The Diamond goes back to when Oates was just a kid and riding in his parents' Chevy Nova SS in the mid '70's. A flavor resurrected with good-looking Grad-School colleagues, Tiffani Sorber, Chris Szczesny & Chelsea Wade and attendance at Milwaukee's Lightning & Thunder Neil Diamond review, the Diamond remains Solid-Gold. Favorite songs; Holy Holly, Cherry Cherry, Kentucky Woman, Craklin' Rosie, Girl You'll Be a Woman Soon, Solitary Man, I Am I Said, Love on the Rocks & America.
The Doors. In ninth grade, Oates uncovered The Best of the Doors in his parents' dusty 8-Track collection - he's been a fan of The Doors ever since. After reading the Jim Morrison biography, No One Here Gets Out Alive, Oates was prompted with other high school students, Erik Hopfer, Jay Auger & Dan Hawke to form the Living Morrison Society (LMS) - A group who believed Jim Morrison was still alive. LMS created goals that centered around; spreading Jim Morrison awareness, petty vandalism & bothering teachers. Favorite songs; Break on Through, Soul Kitchen, Take it as it Comes, The End, Waiting for the Sun, When the Music's Over & Not to Touch the Earth.
Duran Duran. Yes, Oates discovered Duran Duran through MTV. A seventh grader, not yet sold on this band with their hits Rio & Save a Prayer, it was the video for Union of the Snake that connected Oates with Duran Duran. Favorite songs; Careless Memories, Night Boat, New Religion, New Moon on Monday, Union of the Snake, The Seventh Stranger, The Wild Boys & Big Thing.
Faith No More. Freshman year at UWM, along with friends, Eric (Adidas) Wenger & Rich (Buck) Kenney, Oates was introduced to Faith No More by way of the song, Epic. Although Epic got him into the music, he feels Faith No More is a far, far greater band than this "signature song", radio and music television has listeners believing. Favorite songs; The Real Thing, A Small Victory, Jizzlobber, The Gentle Art of Making Enemies, Star A.D., Take This Bottle, Just a Man, Stripsearch, Last Cup of Sorrow & Ashes to Ashes.
INXS. Another MTV sale, Oates got into INXS with their album Listen Like Thieves. In contrast to most INXS fans, Oates prefers their later work to that of their earlier. Favorite songs; What You Need, Kiss the Dirt, Need You Tonight, Bitter Tears, Hear That Sound, Not Enough Time, Show Me (Cherry Baby), & She is Rising.
Monster Magnet. On May 2, 1992, with friend Todd Dunsirn, Oates witnessed Monster Magnet as they opened a show for Soundgarden at the Riviera Theater in Chicago. The '70s inspired, Space-Metal of Monster Magnet has been with him ever since. Favorite songs; Medicine, Nod Scene, Spine of God, Snake Dance, Ozium, Elephant Bell, Stadium, Dopes to Infinity, Blow 'Em Off, Third Alternative, King of Mars, Bummer, Tractor, Atomic Clock, All Shook Out & Cry.
Soundgarden. Late 1989, a friend of Oates's younger brother Brian, stated that there was a band called Soundgarden that he [Oates] would probably like. The statement was meant as an insult of sorts, however Oates looked into it and discovered his all-time favorite band. Countless concerts, albums, boot-legs, hair styles, stickers, singles, t-shirts, posters, magazines, CD, vinyl and autographs later, this band is still king of the mountain. Oates also wishes to point out the side projects, solo albums and off-shoots; Temple of the Dog, Chris Cornell's Euphoria Morning & Audioslave. Favorite songs; Hunted Down, Nothing to Say, Entering, Flower, Beyond the Wheel, Toy Box, Hands All Over, Gun, I Awake, Loud Love, HIV Baby, Slaves & Bulldozers, Jesus Christ Pose, Searching With My Good Eye Closed, Cold Bitch, Into the Void (Sealth), Birth Ritual, Head Down, Fresh Tendrils, 4th of July, Like Suicide, Zero Chance, Dusty & Tighter & Tighter.
Van Halen. In 1982/1983 Paul Van Sleet (the son of Oates's painting instructor), turned Oates onto the music of Van Halen. It is important to point out that Oates's interest in Van Halen is grounded solely in their work spanning their first album through their 1984 album (aka the David Lee Roth years). To this day, Oates maintains, "Look up 'Rock Star' in the dictionary and you should find a picture of David Lee Roth." Favorite songs; Runnin' with the Devil, You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Atomic Punk, D.O.A., And the Cradle Will Rock…, Fools, Take Your Whiskey Home, Dirty Movies, Sinner's Swing, Unchained, Panama & Hot for Teacher.
The Velvet Underground. Of course the Velvet Underground is included in Oates's all time favorite band list! Combine Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warhol & The Factory with just plain great music and you've got a staple in Oates's listening pleasure. Favorite songs; Venus in Furs, Run Run Run, All Tomorrow's Parties, Heroin, Stephanie Says, Lisa Says, Sweet Jane, Rock & Roll, Satellite of Love & Ocean.
The Verve. During the 1994 Lollapalooza Tour stop in Milwaukee, Oates first experienced The Verve as they played the second stage following local band The Frogs. Favorite songs; The Sun, The Sea, Blue, Butterfly, A New Decade, This is Music, History, A Northern Soul, Stormy Clouds, The Rolling People, Space and Time, Lucky Man, Velvet Morning & Come On.
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