RIP Mark Lanegan
February 23, 2022 8:44 AM Subscribe
"One of his generation's most soulful singers". Mark Lanegan, lead singer of Screaming Trees and floating member of Queens of the Stone Age passed away yesterday at his home in Killarney, Ireland, age 57. As well as Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age, Lanegan released 11 solo albums, worked with Greg Dulli as The Gutter Twins, released three albums with Isobel Cambell, and was lead vocalist and co-writer on the Soulsavers album "It's Not How Far You Fall, It's the Way You Land".
Hit the City [feat. PJ Harvey]
I'll Take Care of You
Come Undone [with Isobel Campbell]
Curse of the I-5 Corridor [backing up Neko Case]
All i Know [with Screaming Trees]
Absolutely singular voice. Pain, weariness, soul, beauty, decay, all at once. RIP.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:50 AM on February 23, 2022 [12 favorites]
I'll Take Care of You
Come Undone [with Isobel Campbell]
Curse of the I-5 Corridor [backing up Neko Case]
All i Know [with Screaming Trees]
Absolutely singular voice. Pain, weariness, soul, beauty, decay, all at once. RIP.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:50 AM on February 23, 2022 [12 favorites]
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posted by Joey Michaels at 8:53 AM on February 23, 2022
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:53 AM on February 23, 2022
I saw MTV's Alternative Nation Tour in 1993 and it was the damnedest show because the lineup was fucking upside down, compared to fan reaction. Screaming Trees opened and were stellar. People arriving late were frozen in place on the way to their seats. Just fucking amazing. That one Conner brother doing his somersaults while playing, Lanegan bellowing to the back row like a thousand years of pain flowed through him. Then Soul Asylum played next and were... fine? They were fine. We all liked them well enough. Then the putative headliners Spin Doctors came on, right after their moment had popped like a bubble with that shittier follow-up to their shitty debut album and at least half the crowd left by like the third song. They really weren't doing anyone any favors with that lineup order.
Dust by Screaming Trees is the unheralded masterpiece of the grunge era. It mystifies me that wasn't a huge hit.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:56 AM on February 23, 2022 [17 favorites]
Dust by Screaming Trees is the unheralded masterpiece of the grunge era. It mystifies me that wasn't a huge hit.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:56 AM on February 23, 2022 [17 favorites]
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I enjoyed reading his outrageous recent memoir. I will say he comes off as the biggest possible opposite of what I imagined as a high schooler who loved "Nearly Lost You" and imagined back then that he was a gently soft-spoken college rock kind of figure.
posted by johngoren at 9:33 AM on February 23, 2022
I enjoyed reading his outrageous recent memoir. I will say he comes off as the biggest possible opposite of what I imagined as a high schooler who loved "Nearly Lost You" and imagined back then that he was a gently soft-spoken college rock kind of figure.
posted by johngoren at 9:33 AM on February 23, 2022
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posted by Silvery Fish at 9:37 AM on February 23, 2022
posted by Silvery Fish at 9:37 AM on February 23, 2022
More Lanegan, because I can't not:
Badi-Da
Where Did You Sleep Last Night? Nirvana's Unplugged version was based on this arrangement.
Nocturne
I'm Above [with Mad Season]
Looking for the Rain [guesting with UNKLE]
Ode to Sad Disco
River Rise
Sworn & Broken [with Screaming Trees]
The Lonely Night [Moby, feat. Mark Lanegan & Kris Kristofferson
Julie Paradise [with Screaming Trees] Note: Lanegan blows the fucking doors off on this one.
Revelator [with Screaming Trees] From the Trees' unfinished final album, later released incomplete.
You Only Live Twice
Transfiguration [with Screaming Trees]
I could go on. But anyway, he's terrific. Was terrific. Damn.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:49 AM on February 23, 2022 [7 favorites]
Badi-Da
Where Did You Sleep Last Night? Nirvana's Unplugged version was based on this arrangement.
Nocturne
I'm Above [with Mad Season]
Looking for the Rain [guesting with UNKLE]
Ode to Sad Disco
River Rise
Sworn & Broken [with Screaming Trees]
The Lonely Night [Moby, feat. Mark Lanegan & Kris Kristofferson
Julie Paradise [with Screaming Trees] Note: Lanegan blows the fucking doors off on this one.
Revelator [with Screaming Trees] From the Trees' unfinished final album, later released incomplete.
You Only Live Twice
Transfiguration [with Screaming Trees]
I could go on. But anyway, he's terrific. Was terrific. Damn.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:49 AM on February 23, 2022 [7 favorites]
Luke O'Neil's post about Lanegan is the best thing I've read all month.
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posted by General Malaise at 10:01 AM on February 23, 2022 [6 favorites]
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posted by General Malaise at 10:01 AM on February 23, 2022 [6 favorites]
Soulsavers - You Will Miss Me When I Burn
Screaming Trees remains some of the only grunge I listen to on a regular basis.
posted by Candleman at 10:03 AM on February 23, 2022
Screaming Trees remains some of the only grunge I listen to on a regular basis.
posted by Candleman at 10:03 AM on February 23, 2022
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posted by SystematicAbuse at 10:03 AM on February 23, 2022
posted by SystematicAbuse at 10:03 AM on February 23, 2022
Bonnie Brae by The Twilight Singers (Lanegan's friend Greg Dulli from Afghan Whigs' band) is often said to be about Lanegan relapsing and it scaring Dulli into wondering if he might do the same.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:13 AM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:13 AM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
The Winding Sheet is one of my favourite albums from that whole era; I still listen to it from time to time. He sure left behind an impressive body of work, thank you to the folks here for posting all the links, and thank you Mark Lanegan for what you put out into the world.
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posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 10:28 AM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 10:28 AM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Painfully sad news: his music has meant a great deal to me.
Some favourites of mine not already mentioned: Last One in the World; Creeping Coastline of Lights; One Way Street; Bombed; Some Misunderstanding (with Soulsavers); Beehive...
posted by misteraitch at 11:06 AM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
Some favourites of mine not already mentioned: Last One in the World; Creeping Coastline of Lights; One Way Street; Bombed; Some Misunderstanding (with Soulsavers); Beehive...
posted by misteraitch at 11:06 AM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
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posted by lumpenprole at 11:12 AM on February 23, 2022
posted by lumpenprole at 11:12 AM on February 23, 2022
Oh man. This is sad. I used to spend a lot of time in a diner where a bunch of the bands that would become famous often hung out, and I remember seeing him around before the Trees had gained much notoriety. Saw him a few times after they got famous just bumming around town, and he was remarkably the same guy.
I think I need to listen to "Gray Goes Black" a few dozen times today to match my mood. What a talent.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 11:15 AM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
I think I need to listen to "Gray Goes Black" a few dozen times today to match my mood. What a talent.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 11:15 AM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
...also - a cover of Joy Division's Disorder from last year.
posted by misteraitch at 11:29 AM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by misteraitch at 11:29 AM on February 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
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I loved the way he and Josh Homme would harmonize on his QotSA guest spots. In the Fade and Hanging Tree come to mind.
I had missed a few years of his output, but really loved The Gravedigger's Song when it came out. Almost industrial in its heaviness.
I lost a cousin to addiction, but remembered I had listened briefly to Lanegan's Bubblegum LP and immediately thought "Brian would love this" and sent to him. Clicked on this track last night and it felt like a musical "return to sender" from Brian.
posted by SoundInhabitant at 11:30 AM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
I loved the way he and Josh Homme would harmonize on his QotSA guest spots. In the Fade and Hanging Tree come to mind.
I had missed a few years of his output, but really loved The Gravedigger's Song when it came out. Almost industrial in its heaviness.
I lost a cousin to addiction, but remembered I had listened briefly to Lanegan's Bubblegum LP and immediately thought "Brian would love this" and sent to him. Clicked on this track last night and it felt like a musical "return to sender" from Brian.
posted by SoundInhabitant at 11:30 AM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by From Bklyn at 11:39 AM on February 23, 2022
posted by From Bklyn at 11:39 AM on February 23, 2022
. Loved his music.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 12:14 PM on February 23, 2022
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 12:14 PM on February 23, 2022
Saw them at a few shows before they were famous, including at our State Fair. People I know know them.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 12:16 PM on February 23, 2022
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 12:16 PM on February 23, 2022
Don't forget to check out The Gutter Twins and Twilight Singers side projects, both with Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli. Some fantastic work as well.
posted by thoughtful_jester at 12:34 PM on February 23, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by thoughtful_jester at 12:34 PM on February 23, 2022 [4 favorites]
I saw him live and his acoustic performance of Hanging Tree is a Top 5 live music experiences of my life.
Hearing him crop up in various collaborations was always a delight but my surprise and joy was almost immeasurable when he showed up on a Tinariwen track. To those unfamiliar, Tinariwen is a Tuareg rock band from the Sahara Desert and they are as excellent as that sounds, truly giving American "desert rock" bands a run for their money.
Also not mentioned yet so have to give a shout out to Wedding Dress as a personal favourite.
A hell of a talent and a massive loss.
posted by slimepuppy at 12:34 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Hearing him crop up in various collaborations was always a delight but my surprise and joy was almost immeasurable when he showed up on a Tinariwen track. To those unfamiliar, Tinariwen is a Tuareg rock band from the Sahara Desert and they are as excellent as that sounds, truly giving American "desert rock" bands a run for their money.
Also not mentioned yet so have to give a shout out to Wedding Dress as a personal favourite.
A hell of a talent and a massive loss.
posted by slimepuppy at 12:34 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Very sorry to hear of his passing. One of the greats.
Strange Religion on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Mark Lanegan and Maggie Björklund covering Nutshell by Alice In Chains
posted by bstreep at 12:43 PM on February 23, 2022
Strange Religion on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Mark Lanegan and Maggie Björklund covering Nutshell by Alice In Chains
posted by bstreep at 12:43 PM on February 23, 2022
RIP
posted by Liquidwolf at 1:11 PM on February 23, 2022
posted by Liquidwolf at 1:11 PM on February 23, 2022
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posted by WalkingAround at 1:19 PM on February 23, 2022
posted by WalkingAround at 1:19 PM on February 23, 2022
Mark Maron has re-posted his WTF interview with Mark Lanegan from 2017.
CAUTION: Within the first three minutes, Maron says to Lanegan, "Well, you're still alive!" and I almost lost it.
posted by MrJM at 1:39 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
CAUTION: Within the first three minutes, Maron says to Lanegan, "Well, you're still alive!" and I almost lost it.
posted by MrJM at 1:39 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
I never dug very far into his work, but I truly believe Nearly Lost You was the song that most clearly captures the grunge sound, and the sound of an era, a moment that was a formative thing for me.
Years back, I was playing at trying to learn the bass, and like most things I’ve done, it was sort of half assed, with no where the dedication it needed. I did a lot of “why can’t I do that” until a friend pointed out that the person doing “that” had been working at it for years, constantly, and maybe I should complain less and do more. I did put more effort into it, and ended up playing in a shitty cover band for a little bit. Once a month type stuff, and only a couple songs when their good bass player switched to guitar and vocals.
The songs were simple, sort of repetitive 12 bar blues, and I did my best, but I was always more terrified of fucking up than anything else. After a couple months, we were talking about adding some new songs, and I suggested Nearly Lost You, which the band was pretty excited about. It was easily more difficult than anything else I’d played, but damn, I enjoyed playing it. I worked at it. I got comfortable playing it. When we played it live, I was having fun, enjoying what I was doing. I could even relax from my normal rigid stance, eyes locked to the fret board. I could even sing along to it, which I’d never been able to do with any other song. Hell, I even managed the bass solo without fucking up.
Lanegan, while I wasn’t familiar with much of his later work, or his struggles with covid last year, and his voice, that song, I don’t think I’d have ever experienced that singular joy I reached, if only just for a short time. Finding out about his passing was a moment that made me stop. I’m grateful for the way he touched my life, and saddened at how much quieter the world got yesterday.
posted by Ghidorah at 1:49 PM on February 23, 2022 [8 favorites]
Years back, I was playing at trying to learn the bass, and like most things I’ve done, it was sort of half assed, with no where the dedication it needed. I did a lot of “why can’t I do that” until a friend pointed out that the person doing “that” had been working at it for years, constantly, and maybe I should complain less and do more. I did put more effort into it, and ended up playing in a shitty cover band for a little bit. Once a month type stuff, and only a couple songs when their good bass player switched to guitar and vocals.
The songs were simple, sort of repetitive 12 bar blues, and I did my best, but I was always more terrified of fucking up than anything else. After a couple months, we were talking about adding some new songs, and I suggested Nearly Lost You, which the band was pretty excited about. It was easily more difficult than anything else I’d played, but damn, I enjoyed playing it. I worked at it. I got comfortable playing it. When we played it live, I was having fun, enjoying what I was doing. I could even relax from my normal rigid stance, eyes locked to the fret board. I could even sing along to it, which I’d never been able to do with any other song. Hell, I even managed the bass solo without fucking up.
Lanegan, while I wasn’t familiar with much of his later work, or his struggles with covid last year, and his voice, that song, I don’t think I’d have ever experienced that singular joy I reached, if only just for a short time. Finding out about his passing was a moment that made me stop. I’m grateful for the way he touched my life, and saddened at how much quieter the world got yesterday.
posted by Ghidorah at 1:49 PM on February 23, 2022 [8 favorites]
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For the younger crowd, he did a wonderful song called Sneakers on the album Dog Train by children's book author and national treasure Sandra Boynton.
posted by judgement day at 2:40 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
For the younger crowd, he did a wonderful song called Sneakers on the album Dog Train by children's book author and national treasure Sandra Boynton.
posted by judgement day at 2:40 PM on February 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by fourpotatoes at 3:32 PM on February 23, 2022
posted by fourpotatoes at 3:32 PM on February 23, 2022
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posted by miles per flower at 4:11 PM on February 23, 2022
posted by miles per flower at 4:11 PM on February 23, 2022
...goddamn. What a loss. Beyond the stellar body of solo work* and the Screaming Trees albums (no one's linked Witness yet, but that's one of the songs sung by Lanegan that gets stuck in my head most), and the moonlighting with Queens of the Stone Age, there were so many small one-offs and collaborations. Two relatively recent (and distinct) ones that came to mind are the previously mentioned track on Tinariwen's album Elwan and a track called The Mirror on the Hey Colossus album Dances/Curses.
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*including a Christmas album I've recommended here before.
posted by ASF Tod und Schwerkraft at 10:42 PM on February 23, 2022
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*including a Christmas album I've recommended here before.
posted by ASF Tod und Schwerkraft at 10:42 PM on February 23, 2022
I had just got Sing Backwards and Weep out of the library on Monday and finished it all in one night because it was so unputdownable. He's a great writer: wry, matter-of-fact, calmly furious in places. So my head was already full of Mark Lanegan when I heard the news. Damn, damn, damn.
He drank all the booze, took all the drugs, fought all the meatheads, and fucked anyone who asked him, and he made some amazing records. I saw him with Greg Dulli on the Gutter Twins, and he looked ... tentative? on the stage. Maybe because he was clean, maybe not.
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posted by Orkney Vole at 1:21 AM on February 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
He drank all the booze, took all the drugs, fought all the meatheads, and fucked anyone who asked him, and he made some amazing records. I saw him with Greg Dulli on the Gutter Twins, and he looked ... tentative? on the stage. Maybe because he was clean, maybe not.
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posted by Orkney Vole at 1:21 AM on February 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
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posted by Token Meme at 11:00 AM on February 24, 2022
posted by Token Meme at 11:00 AM on February 24, 2022
The memoir was a great read. Love his stuff with Screaming Trees, QoTSA, Gutter Twins, Twilight Singers, solo, collabs et al. What I found most amusing was his dislike of the Screaming Trees material and the discord within the band (primarily between everyone else & Lee Conner; obvs Van was his long suffering brother so no easy escape there). The anecdotes & friendships with various late 80's & 90's luminaries was great (Kurt, Layne etc etc). Also I suspect a fascinating insight into the nature of addiction.
posted by phigmov at 9:44 PM on February 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by phigmov at 9:44 PM on February 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
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