Dig Me Out: 90s & 00s Rock

The 1996 debut album Spiders by Liverpool’s Space is an eclectic mix of trip-hop, Madchester, Britpop, and more, including the 60s lounge of single “Female of the Species.” But eclecticism can slip into inconsistency, and attempts at various genres results in uneven levels of quality. Songs In This Episode Intro - Female of the Species 15:51 - Dark Clouds 20:30 - Me And You Vs The World 28:50 - Major Pager 30:43 - Money Outro - Neighborhood Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Refused famously titled their landmark 1998 post-hardcore album The Shape of Punk to Come, a nod to the trailblazing Ornette Coleman avant garde/free jazz album The Shape of Jazz to Come released in 1959. The short-lived band Swedish band Purusam released their second and final album Daybreak Chronicles in 1997 on the Refused-connected Desperate Fight Records, though it could have been titled The Shape of Metal to Come. More than just a post-hardcore outfit, the band dabbled in Iron Maiden-style twin guitar attacks and galloping rhythms before shifting into progressive-ish mode with cello drenched interludes while balancing screaming male vocals and ethereal female vocals. Songs In This Episode Intro - Opening Theme/The Way of the Hero 15:47 - Leave and Forget 22:38 - Atma 35:23 - Starlit Outro - Hourglass 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.