Before Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer, Maynard James Keenan gave us a glimpse of his early artistry with Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty on public access TV in 1987. This rare footage captures the raw creativity and charisma of a soon-to-be icon in an unfiltered setting.
During this time, he wrote an early version of “Sober”, later Tool’s first successful single, and he would be well on his way.
What a time to be alive! The 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985 brought us legendary wins from Prince (Purple Rain), Tina Turner (What’s Love Got to Do with It), and Cyndi Lauper (She’s So Unusual). Watching it now, complete with commercials, is like stepping into a time machine filled with epic music and vintage ad jingles we can’t forget.
What a throwback! The Hot Topic Store Managers Meeting in 2006 was a glorious time capsule of band tees, studded belts, and MySpace anthems. A gathering of pop culture curators who shaped every mall goth and emo kid’s wardrobe, if you ever shopped at Hot Topic, you owe them your teenage rebellion.
In 1968, The Peppermint Trolley Company released I’ve Got to Be Going, a standout track that epitomized their sunshine pop sound. Best known for their single “Baby You Come Rollin’ ‘Cross My Mind” and arranging The Brady Bunch theme song, the band’s music left a lasting impression despite their brief time on the charts. Their evolution into the rock/soul group Bones highlights their enduring creativity and influence in ’60s pop culture.
Dive behind the scenes of Pink Floyd’s Live at Pompeii with rarely seen backstage footage, intimate interviews, and Adrian Maben’s elusive Director’s Cut. This glimpse into the making of the 1972 concert film reveals the band’s meticulous artistry as they transformed the ancient amphitheater into a timeless sonic masterpiece.
Released in 1990 as the lead single for The Immaculate Collection, Madonna’s provocative “Justify My Love” broke musical and cultural boundaries. While the song famously features Madonna’s sultry spoken word, rare vocals by Lenny Kravitz add an intriguing layer to the track’s hypnotic, experimental sound. Co-written by Kravitz and Ingrid Chavez, this iconic collaboration remains a bold statement on empowerment and sexual freedom.
In 1972, Pink Floyd delivered an otherworldly performance of A Saucerful of Secrets that showcased their mastery of live experimentation. This iconic live rendition remains a defining moment in the band’s evolution and a testament to their avant-garde brilliance.
In 1996, Jamiroquai became the face of Sony’s Japanese Minidisc campaign, blending cutting-edge music with groundbreaking audio technology. The partnership highlighted the Minidisc’s sleek design and futuristic appeal, perfectly complementing the band’s innovative style. This collaboration cemented Minidisc’s place as a cultural icon of the ’90s, capturing the spirit of a tech-savvy generation.
Cypress Hill brought nostalgia and legendary vibes to their Tiny Desk performance, with Sen Dog cradling his iconic ’90s bucket hat and B Real jokingly asking if the greenroom was truly “green.” The first Latino hip-hop group to achieve platinum status, Cypress Hill crafted a groundbreaking sound—dark, psychedelic, and ahead of its time in addressing mental health and advocating for weed legalization. Joining the core duo were DJ Muggs, Eric Bobo, DJ Lord, and Beastie Boys’ Money Mark, along with a horn section for a stripped-down yet funky set. B Real shared stories of their three-decade journey, paired with classics like “Insane in the Brain” and “How I Could Just Kill a Man.”
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Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.
Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com
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