Top 30 Videos Of 2012: Nos. 15-11

Still from video No.11 by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Here’s the fourth part of our Top 30 Videos Of 2012. Featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers, Candlelight Red, Diehard Dolls, Graveyard, Lynyrd Skynyrd…

Note: The Top 30 was compiled by Geoff Barton, who comments: “When the Classic Rock website was relaunched this past May, we made a conscious effort to crank up the music content and regularly post the best new rock videos around. This end-of-year list is comprised of clips that made the greatest impression on me, personally, during 2012. Some are big-budget affairs; others may have been filmed on a shoestring. Some feature major bands; others focus on relatively unknown artists. But all, in their own ways, are vicarious visual treats. It goes without saying that the music is damn fine in each of ‘em too. Be sure to visit the Classic Rock website tomorrow (December 30) for part five of our Top 30 rundown!”

15. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Brendan’s Death Song
One of the highlights of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ most recent album I’m With You is the meaningful ballad Brendan’s Death Song. This mightily memorable video pays touching tribute to the guy who gave the Chilis an important early break. Brendan’s Death Song was written for the Chilis’ late friend Brendan Mullen (founder of 70s Hollywood punk club the Masque). In 1983, Anthony Kiedis and Flea took a demo tape to a popular LA club, Club Lingerie. There they had their first encounter with Mullen, who was the booker for the club at the time. They played Mullen their tape while they danced around to the song – and Mullen was so impressed, he offered them a spot opening for Bad Brains. Mullen stayed good friends with the RHCPs until his death in 2009.

14. Candlelight Red – She’s Got The Look
Alright, we admit it: Roxette are one of our guilty pleasures. So we make no apologies for giving the firm thumbs-up to this video of Pennsylvania band Candlelight Red covering the Swedish’s duo’s 1989 hit The Look. In keeping with the horror theme of the footage, the clip was shot in Stanley Kubrick’s family warehouse by indie video aficionado Alex de Campi.

13. Diehard Dolls – Finish What You Started
Australian rockers the Diehard Dolls describe their music as “fair dinkum rock’n’roll”. They also feature one of the most maniacal frontmen we’ve seen in a long time – name of Lukey, big and burly of frame, and sporting an unlikely set of dreadlocks. This video might’ve been filmed for the cost of a half-empty bag of prawn cocktail flavour crisps, but we love it for Lukey’s larger-than-life performance alone.

12. Graveyard – Goliath
Are those strange masked creatures in grey all-in-one pyjama jumpsuits supposed to be (and we quote) “the wolves at your door dressed like sheep”? Discuss.

11. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Last Of A Dyin’ Breed
The clip for Last Of A Dyin’ Breed features a familiar cast of burly good ole boys on board even burlier motorcycles. The twist in the tale sees said good ole boys take time out from their busy biking exploits to very kindly erect a pole-dancing club for the local community. All in a day’s work…

Coming tomorrow: Nos. 10-6 featuring Jeff The Brotherhood, Down, The Datsuns, Toadies and The Last Vegas!