Puppyhead’s Self-Titled Debut: A 1993 Rock Gem You Probably Missed (But Shouldn’t Have)
Let’s cut to the chase—Puppyhead by Puppyhead is one of those albums that sneaks up on you like a stray dog with big eyes and even bigger dreams. Released in 1993, this scrappy little rock record from the US doesn’t scream “mainstream hit,” but damn if it doesn’t howl loud enough for its own cult following. Released under the mysterious-sounding “Not On Label” (which sounds like something an indie band would joke about over cheap beer), Puppyhead has all the raw charm and unpolished grit of a garage rehearsal gone gloriously right.
Now, let’s talk tracks. First up: “You Gotta Go.” This tune grabs you by the collar and shakes you awake, kinda like your mom yelling at you to clean your room—but way cooler. The guitar riffs are punchy without being pretentious, and there’s just enough swagger in the vocals to make you wanna grab a broomstick and pretend it’s a mic. It’s catchy as hell, too. I mean, who doesn’t need a song telling them to get their act together? If this track doesn’t motivate you to at least organize your socks, nothing will.
Then there’s “Old Lady.” Oh man, where do I start? This one sticks out because it feels like someone bottled up all the weirdness of small-town life and poured it into three minutes of pure chaos. There’s a grungy vibe here that makes you think of flannel shirts and bad haircuts, but in the best possible way. The lyrics are quirky yet oddly relatable, like when they sing about mundane stuff we’ve all secretly obsessed over. Plus, the chorus hits hard enough to make you forget whatever existential crisis you were having five seconds ago.
The other tracks—like “Be Good” and “F.M.P…”—are solid, though not quite as memorable. They’re like the backup dancers at a concert: dependable, maybe even impressive, but ultimately overshadowed by the main stars hogging the spotlight.
What’s wild about Puppyhead is how unapologetically itself it is. Sure, it’s rough around the edges, but isn’t that what rock ‘n’ roll is supposed to be? No shiny production tricks or celebrity features here—just straight-up passion and a whole lot of attitude. Listening to it now feels like finding an old mixtape in your junk drawer. It’s nostalgic, sure, but also kinda thrilling because you can tell these guys weren’t trying to impress anyone except themselves.
So yeah, Puppyhead might not have changed the world, but they definitely left a paw print on anyone lucky enough to stumble across this album. And honestly? That might be better than fame anyway. Who needs a Grammy when you can write songs that still sound fresh almost thirty years later? Now go listen to it—but don’t blame me if “You Gotta Go” gets stuck in your head for days. Your ears have been warned.
(Also, fun fact: typing "Puppyhead" repeatedly makes me wonder if my keyboard has rabies.)
