Media Monarchy plays Tom Jones, Antibalas, The Band and more on #PumpUpThaVolume for December 11, 2025. ♬
Tom Jones – “With These Hands” (Inst. // Vinyl)
‘Edward Scissorhands’
Waxwork/Geffen/Universal Music Special Markets – Jan. 2021
*Tom Jones – “With These Hands” (Inst. // Vinyl) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwR7mnpe2Y4 // https://www.discogs.com/release/16751526-Danny-Elfman-Edward-Scissorhands // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/With_These_Hands_(song) // “With These Hands” is a song written by Benny Davis and Abner Silver. Tom Jones released a version which reached number 3 on the adult contemporary chart, number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 27 on the U.S. pop chart in 1965. Tom Jones’s version was featured in the 1990 film, ‘Edward Scissorhands’. Bought mail order from Waxwork Records. Autographed and personalized by Anthony Michael Hall to me and Casbot! She met him while working a/v for a comic con in Santa Fe. He hadn’t seen this pressing before and took the time to very thoughtfully choose which marker would pop best on the cover art – he was right!*
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Brian Metolius – “Dinner Party Cha Cha Cha” (Inst.)
‘The Dinner Plan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’
Metolius Records – November 26, 2025
*Brian Metolius – “Dinner Party Cha Cha Cha” (Inst.) https://open.spotify.com/track/5uNS5RCmYzsuCsfmFdnqBm // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31843054/ // From ‘The Dinner Plan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack),’ available now via Metolius Records.*
Simon Franglen – “Brothers”
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’
20th Century Studios – December 5, 2025
*Simon Franglen – “Brothers” https://soundcloud.com/simon-franglen/brothers-from-avatar-fire-and // https://open.spotify.com/album/0GBCGznIeDr8yH18RRnfY2 // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1757678/ // From ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack),’ available now via 20th Century Studios.*
Johannes Ringen – “Monster Mash” (Inst.)
‘Troll 2 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)’
Netflix Music – November 28, 2025
*Johannes Ringen – “Monster Mash” (Inst.) https://soundcloud.com/johannesringen-sc/monster-mash // https://open.spotify.com/album/78qQvwO2Jdln1plLYTyPaB // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29232158/ // From ‘Troll 2 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)’, available now via Netflix Music.*
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Westbound Train – “A Lonely Heart Is An Open Door”
‘Sing The Ghost Away’
Org Music – November 7, 2025
*Westbound Train – “A Lonely Heart Is An Open Door” https://orgmusiclabel.bandcamp.com/track/a-lonely-heart-is-an-open-door // https://lnk.to/singtheghostaway // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westbound_Train // From ‘Sing The Ghost Away,’ the just-released album by Boston ska/soul band, Westbound Train. Available now via Org Music.*
The Slackers – “The Whole World Was In On It”
‘Money Is King’
Pirates Press Records – November 7, 2025
*The Slackers – “The Whole World Was In On It” https://theslackers.bandcamp.com/track/the-whole-world-was-in-on-it // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Slackers // From ‘Money Is King,’ the just-released album by longtime (1991) NYC ska band, The Slackers. Available now via Pirates Press Records.*
Antibalas – “Escape” (Inst.)
‘Hourglass’
Daptone Records – October 24, 2025
*Antibalas – “Escape” (Inst.) https://antibalas.bandcamp.com/track/escape // https://antibalas.com // From ‘Hourglass,’ the just-released album by Brooklyn afrobeat outfit, Antibalas. Available now via Daptone Records.*
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Jo Tongo – “People Need Peace”
‘Those Flowers’
The Outer Edge – November 28, 2025
*Jo Tongo – “People Need Peace” https://theouteredge.bandcamp.com/track/people-need-peace // https://linktr.ee/theouteredgeofficial // https://www.discogs.com/release/4646948-The-Explosive-Jo-Tongo-Those-Flowers // From the just-released reissue of ‘Those Flowers,’ the 1982 album by Cameroon-native, ‘The Explosive’ Jo Tongo. Available now via German label, The Outer Edge.*
Vera Violet – “Joy Angel”
Digital Single
Vera Violet – 2025
*Vera Violet – “Joy Angel” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70qDFaE1CRs // https://www.veraviolent.com/ // Here’s a new song for the Christmas season by #MediaMonarchy members, David and Paula O’Sullivan – aka Vera Violet. The song is dedicated to Paula’s brother Francie, who died suddenly in November. Thanks to David and Paula for sending us the track!*
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The Band – “Forbidden Fruit” // “Ophelia”
‘Northern Lights-Southern Cross’
Capitol Records / UMe – November 21, 2025
*The Band – “Forbidden Fruit” // “Ophelia” https://open.spotify.com/track/2rn6IXWMsgqRUcKD7s5fsu // https://open.spotify.com/track/2fx1hkMHTVdDim274rwoPa // https://shop.udiscovermusic.com/collections/vinylphyle/products/the-band-northern-lights-southern-cross-vinylphyle-lp // https://www.discogs.com/release/35697397-The-Band-Northern-Lights-Southern-Cross // Here’s pair of classics from the just-released audiophile reissue of ‘Northern Lights-Southern Cross,’ the 1975 album by The Band. The album is an all-analog gem, mastered and cut from the original studio master by Jo Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound Nashville.*