San Francisco

1. My Bloody Valentine "Paint A Rainbow"

While Loveless has become the definitive MBV record of legend, I still prefer their early, poppier efforts. "Paint A Rainbow" is an almost perfect pop tune bathed in gorgeous, consonant guitar scree.

2. The Nightblooms "Never Dream At All"

This would be original version from the Fierce 7". A sweet folk song bathed in insane, atonal racket. Definitely one of those records that make you say "wtf?" After a Black Tambourine show [Schulman co-founded that seminal band --Ed.], an audience member said we sounded like this record -- probably the nicest thing anyone's ever said about my music.

3. Dinosaur Jr. "Freak Scene"

Blast First advertised this single as a classic pop tune worthy of Creation Records, and I would not argue. Great melody, great riff and oh man that solo. Brilliant.

4. 14 Iced Bears - "Inside"

When I think about indie-pop, this to me is what it sounds like. Catchy, shambolic, and owing as much to punk as '60s pop. And what about that totally dissonant guitar howling through it? Wow.

5. The Jesus & Mary Chain "You Trip Me Up"

I'd have to say that it's those first four Mary Chain singles that really made me want to pick up a guitar and make music. It's hard for me to pick a favorite, but this one's fragile beauty always amazes me.

6. Hüsker Dü "I Apologize"

Back in high school I was pretty into hardcore, and Hüsker Dü were one of my favorites. Zen Arcade and New Day Rising still blow my mind, and this raging slice of hyperactive pop sounds as good to me now as it did, gulp, more than 20 years ago.

7. The Golden Dawn "My Secret World"

Sarah Records in noise-pop shock! The Golden Dawn didn't release many records, but all of them are solid gold. A naggingly catchy riff, boom-bap stand-up drums, and classic feedback lock-groove at the end. What more do you want?

8. The Wedding Present "Once More"

Could they play their guitars any faster? Racing, clanging guitars pushed to the edge of feedback and chaos, wedded to one of their best early tunes. Magic.

9. The Shop Assistants "All Day Long"

This single really hipped me to the fact that was a little scene of UK bands in thrall to girl groups, '60s pop, the Ramones, and post-punk ideals. That scene would come to be known as C86 and would eventually attract a rather unfair reputation for tweeness, but this is nothing less than crunchy, elemental pop perfection.

10. Lilys "February Fourteenth"

Well, I had to sneak in something on Slumberland, didn't I? When the band delivered the tapes for this single I seriously could not believe how amazing it was. Sure, there's some MBV flavor there, but it's also just a fantastic single in its own right. Loud, driving, anthemic shoegaze-y pop like they just don't make anymore.

Crystal Stilts, Cause Co-Motion, Zach Hill (of Hella), Brilliant Colors @ Bottom of the Hill on Tuesday, November 4; doors 8:30 p.m., tickets $8 adv/$10 door, 18+.