Cassandra’s obsession with music continues into her college years.   How can it not?  If she can’t find her CD player, she’s going to have a panic attack.  Here are 15 bands mentioned in Mr. Right is a Myth, book two in The Rock Star’s Wife series.

Filter

I use what little time I have before class wisely by dropping my bookbag to the ground and stopping to listen to a cover band play Filter’s “Hey Man Nice Shot” in the quad.  I sing along, pretending I’m at a real concert. – Chapter 4

Filter formed in Cleveland in 1993.  The band is perhaps best known for its single “Hey Man Nice Shot” off its debut album Short Bus.  Despite being a catchy song, the tune covers a serious topic – Pennsylvania state treasurer R. Budd Dwyer, who committed suicide during a press conference in 1987.

The band went on hiatus from 2003 to 2007.  It has released seven albums.  An eight album, They’ve Got Us Right Where They Want Us, At Each Other’s Throats, is expected in spring 2023.

Richard Michael Patrick, the band’s vocalist and only permanent member, is the brother of actor Robert Patrick.

Nine Inch Nails

The song ends and I gaze into Jesse’s beautiful blue eyes. His clothing brushes against mine, as Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” begins, and our lips touch.  – Chapter 5

Nine Inch Nails formed in Cleveland in 1988.  Vocalist Trent Reznor is the band’s only permanent member.

“Closer” is a single off the 1994 album The Downward Spiral.  A song about obsession, it is often misinterpreted as being about lust.  The confusion comes from the lyrics in the chorus that state, “I wanna fuck you like an animal / I wanna feel you from the inside.”

The band has released 10 albums and six EPs.

Seven Mary Three

“In three years, I’m moving to Chicago, and all will be right with the world,” I say and turn Seven Mary Three’s “Cumbersome” on on my CD player to make it difficult for her to respond. – Chapter 8

Seven Mary Three formed in Virginia in 1992.  The band’s name comes from the call sign for Officer Jon Baker on the 1970s and ‘80s TV show CHiPs.

Its signature song, “Cumbersome,” was released in 1996 off the album American Standard.  The song is about disinterest in a romantic partner.

The band broke up in 2012.  It released seven albums.

Candlebox

Cranking up Candlebox’s “You” on the car radio, I drive down the alley and glance at Thea Ilena and Theos Khristos’ garage, two doors down from my parents’, and I’m overcome with dread.  I really have no patience today for my parents’ lecturing.  – Chapter 8

Candlebox formed in Seattle in 1990.  The band released three albums in the 1990s.  The single “You” is off the band’s self-titled debut album.  According to the band, the song is about saying goodbye to drug dependency.

The band took a hiatus from 2000 to 2006, having disbanded over dissatisfaction with its record label.  It has released seven albums.

Jimmy Eat World

Maybe its Jimmy Eat World’s new album or that pair of sexy sandals I pointed out to him when he met me the other day after work, but judging from the size of the package he pulls out from under his bed, it’s a book.  – Chapter 15

Jimmy Eat World formed in 1993 in Arizona.  The album referenced in Mr. Right is a Myth is Clarity, released in February 1999.  It produced two singles, “Lucky Denver Mint” and “Blister.”  The album was a commercial failure.  The band’s next album, Bleed American, was certified gold by RIAA.

The band still records and tours.  It has released 10 albums.

Marcy Playground

Marcy Playground’s “Sex and Candy” plays on the sound system.  I hope I don’t smell like sex.  I take a couple of sniffs, unable to tell, then sing along. – Chapter 22

Marcy’s Playground formed in Minneapolis in 1994.  The name is derived from the grade school, Marcy Open, that frontman John Wozniak attended.  The band has released four albums, but none achieved success after the self-titled debut album in 1997.

A one-hit wonder, the band is known for its single “Sex and Candy.”  Wozniak has said he doesn’t know what the song is about.  The title, however, comes from real life.  The roommate of Wozniak’s college girlfriend walked in on him and his girlfriend having sex and commented that the room smelled like sex and candy.

Limp Bizkit

“In the words of Limp Bizkit,” I say and quote several lines from “Nookie” before grinding my hips. – Chapter 30

Limp Bizkit formed in Florida in 1994.  It is a rock-rap or nu metal group that achieved mainstream success with its second album, Significant Other.  “Nookie” is a single off the album.  The song is about frontman Fred Durst’s ex-girlfriend who cheated on him.

The band went on hiatus from 2006 to 2009.  It has released six albums.

Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains’ Live album.  My heart skips a beat from excitement.  Finally, a guy who listens and doesn’t assume.  – Chapter 35

Alice in Chains formed in Seattle in 1987.  It is a grunge band with metal elements that sold more than 40 million records worldwide. The band has released six albums and three EPs.  Its Live album was released in late 2000 and features songs recorded live at various venues.

The band broke up after the death of frontman Layne Staley in 2002.  It reformed in 2006 with William Duvall on vocals.

Metallica

“In the words of Metallica,” I say and quote a couple lines from “Fuel.” – Chapter 36

Cassandra’s favorite band, it is mentioned four times in Mr. Right is a Myth.  Metallica also appeared in Sexual Awakening.  Click here to read about Metallica.

Green Day

Green Day’s “Good Riddance” starts playing midtrack.  Tears stream down my face.  I had the time of my life. – Chapter 37

Green Day also appeared in Sexual Awakening.  Click here to read about Green Day.

Dave Matthews Band

Phil and Jennifer danced to Dave Matthews Band’s “Crash Into Me.”  ‒ Chapter 38

Dave Matthews Band formed in Virginia in 1991.   The band achieved success with its second album, Crash, which has been certified seven times platinum.  “Crash into Me” is a 1996 single off the album.  The song, about a peeping tom, is played often at weddings.

The band has released nine albums.  A 10^th, Walk Around the Moon, drops in May 2023.

Santana featuring Rob Thomas

The music starts.  Santana featuring Rob Thomas.  Oh, thank God.  “Smooth” means I don’t need to touch the asshole!  ‒ Chapter 38

Carlos Santana is a guitarist who began recording in the mid-1960s.  His band, Santana, has released 26 albums since 1969.

“Smooth” is a single off the 1999 album, Supernatural.  It features Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas as vocalist and songwriter.  The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 where it stayed for 12 weeks.  It stayed on the hot 100 for 58 weeks, and was Santana’s first chart-topping song.

Oasis

The DJ plays Oasis’ “Wonderwall.”  After the first stanza, he says, “Couples who have been together for less than a year, please take a seat.”  ‒ Chapter 38

Oasis formed in Manchester, England, in 1991.  Its most popular album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, released in 1995.  “Wonderwall,” one of the band’s most popular songs, is off the album.  According to Oasis, it is about an imaginary friend.

By the end of the decade, the band’s popularity was in decline. It broke up in 2009, its reputation tarnished by in-fighting between brothers Liam (vocals) and Noel (guitarist) Gallagher.

The band has sold more than 70 million records worldwide and released seven albums.

Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch

She gives the DJ the signal and he starts the music.  Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch’s “Good Vibrations.”  Interesting choice for a tradition where women literally wrestle for a bunch of dying flowers. – Chapter 38

Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch formed in 1991.  The group released its debut album, Music for the People, that year.  The single “Good Vibrations” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 20 weeks.

The group released two albums, breaking up in 1993.  The group’s second album, You Gotta Believe, was not a commercial success.

Marky Mark is the hip-hop alias of actor Mark Wahlberg.

Linkin Park

I wrap my arms around Corey and sway to Linkin Park’s “In The End,” trying my best not to cry and get makeup on his shirt.  – Chapter 38

Linkin Park formed in California in 1996.  The band features two singers and blends metal and hip hop.  Its debut album, Hybrid Theory, was released in 2000 and was certified diamond by the RIAA.  “In the End” is a single off the album.  It also is Linkin Park’s highest-charting single.

The band has been on hiatus since rock frontman Chester Bennington died in 2017.  It released seven albums.

Sugar Ray

I pull my hand away and make my way back to Corey, Sugar Ray’s “Every Morning” playing on the DJ’s sound system.  ‒ Chapter 38

Sugar Ray formed in California in 1986, eventually morphing into a pop rock band by the late 1990s.  The band’s third album, 14:59, released in 1999 and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple-platinum by the RIAA. The single “Every Morning” reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band is still recording and has released seven albums.

Plus Two Bands Mentioned in Christmas Surprise

As an added bonus, here are two bands mentioned in Christmas Surprise, a holiday book featuring characters from The Rock Star’s Wife series.

Iron Maiden

I pop a disk into my CD player, and a second later the first track of Iron Maiden’s The Number of the Beast masks my parents’ voices. – Chapter 1

Iron Maiden formed in East London in 1975.  The Number of the Beast was released in 1982.  It was the band’s first album with frontman Bruce Dickinson.  The first track on the album is “Invaders.”  The album had two singles: “Run to the Hills,” about the colonization of the United States, and “The Number of the Beast.”

The band has released 17 albums.

Duncan Sheik   

Suddenly, Duncan Sheik’s “Barely Breathing” enters my mind.  – Chapter 9

Duncan Sheik is a solo artist from New Jersey who began performing in the early 1990s.

His self-titled album, released in 1996, was certified gold. There were three singles: “Barely Breathing,” “She Runs Away” and “Reasons for Living.”  “Barely Breathing” peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 55 weeks.

Sheik has released nine albums.  Only the first two were commercial successes.

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Which of the bands mentioned in Mr. Right is a Myth is your favorite?  Leave a comment below.  Comments close after 90 days. For more information on the licenses mentioned on this page, visit https://creativecommons.org/about/cclicenses/.

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Here’s the 4-1-1

This blog is a companion piece to The Rock Star’s Wife, a series about sex, family, and rock & roll.  The series has elements of chick lit, romance and erotica and is best compared to The Vagina Monologues for its frank talk of sex and its consequences.  The series follows Cassandra from her teenage years into her 40s as she navigates relationships (both romantic and platonic) — all with music playing a prominent roll.

Book two, Mr. Right is a Myth, debutes August 2023:  Co-ed Cassandra Economos has a plan.  Earn her degree then move into a Chicago penthouse.  If she can meet a guy who accepts her, high sex drive and all, that’s an added bonus.  But how many frogs must she kiss before she meets a prince?

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