It has been a while since we last left off with the countdown but today I have for you a great but perhaps forgotten rock song, “Touch, Peel and Stand” by Days Of The New. “Touch, Peel and Stand” is the band’s biggest hit to date, reaching #6 on the Modern Rock Charts and #1 on the Mainstream Rock Charts for a stay of a remarkable 16 weeks. Only 5 other songs in the chart’s history have managed to stay at #1 for a longer period of time. It was the first single released off of their first album which is self-titled. The album went on to go platinum with the help of “Shelf In The Room” and “The Down Town”, both of which were almost as successful as “Touch, Peel and Stand”.
Days Of The New were really quite a unique band for the time period. I have always felt like they came the closest at bringing a true “grunge” vibe to their songs in a time where most bands were forming the “post-grunge” genre. In my opinion, they have a sound that is a cross between Bush and Alice and Chains. They are known for a “acoustic rock” feel to their songs, and when combined with front man, “Travis Meeks”, voice, you got a sound that no doubt reminded you of the great grunge music that came before them. They went on to release two more self-titled albums but were never able to retain the success of their first album.
This music video is a little intense to say the least. It features the band performing the song like so many other music videos and features a Days Of The New staple, a shirtless Travis Meeks. I’ve seen some of their other music videos and that seems to be a theme. Although there seems to by a storyline to the video, it doesn’t have much substance. It’s a little dark and a features a kid who trashes his apartment then cuts off his hair and shaves his head. While the video isn’t much, the song is great. Check it out!
Interested in other songs from the countdown? Check out the other Top Songs of the 1990s here.
I was feeling the countdown all the up until this song. Here are my problems with Days Of The New, they reminded me of a boy band who wanted to get a hard image and jumped on the music bandwagon of the 90’s.
That dude hates wearing a shirt…which…is weird and Justin Timberlake/L L Cool Jish at best. Their only problem was that the move didn’t get them sustained album sales like LL and Justin.
I will give them this, their music did happen to find some listeners…I wonder where they are now?
Days of the New is far from a “boy band”. They aren’t really a band at all, but the creative ventures of frontman, Travis Meeks. That “dude” was a mere 16 when that song came out…so, not wearing a shirt, well, good for him. Pretty impressive album from a kid who was 15 or so when he was writing those songs. Read his story; it is a true inspiration to others passionate about artistic expression. Travis’s passion in life is his music, and he is doing great! He is currently touring, writing and about to record the fourth album, Purple. If you haven’t seen Days of the New since Touch Peel and Stand, then check out some recent videos on YouTube. The live shows are amazing. The upcoming Purple album will feature the same heavy acoustic sound, but will also have multiple instruments.