5 Bangers You Forgot From Triple J's Hottest 100 Of 2002

ABC's Hottest Weekend is finally occurring next week, with triple j's Hottest 200-101 of 2022 - the tracks that missed it - playing on Friday, 27 January, the Hottest 100 on Saturday, and Sunday, go back in time for Double J’s Hottest 100 of 2002.

So, for anyone who's a) unhappy with the list of songs on this year's Hottest 100, b) doesn't listen to triple j anymore but enjoys lists, or c) misses the good old days, next Sunday's countdown is definitely for you.

Relive the songs that soundtracked the year Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win an Oscar, Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man made his screen debut; sequels to the franchises Harry Potter, The Lord Of The Rings, and Attack Of The Clones were all in cinemas, Kelly Rowland attempted to text Nelly via Microsoft Excel, American Idol premiered, and The Osbournes had their own reality show.

We won't reveal the order of the songs you'll hear next Sunday; the list is easy enough to find if you like being spoilered. 

Here are five bangers you might have forgotten about from triple j's Hottest 100 of 2002:

Spiderbait - Arse Huggin' Pants

From Spiderbait's fifth album, The Flight Of Wally Funk, Arse Huggin' Pants is a synth-led tune with Janet English's vocals sweet and closer to Kylie Minogue than the alternative rock the band is known for. The album was named after Wally Funk, the first woman to be an air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board in the US, as well as the first woman to be a flight instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and the oldest woman to travel to space (82 years old in 2021). So, with that inspiration in mind, it makes sense that Arse Huggin' Pants sounds like it's from space.

Frenzal Rhomb - Bucket Bong

Bucket Bong is the kind of song you expect from beloved punks Frenzal Rhomb. Featuring lyrics like "I didn't give a shit she got my first name wrong / She only wants me for my bucket bong," the fun single from the band's sixth album, Sans Souci, inspires chuckles and singalongs. The album peaked at #42 in Australia; not great and not terrible, but triple j listeners thought it was exciting enough to feature on the Hottest 100. For that, we're thankful.

Machine Gun Fellatio - Pussytown

Let's head back to 2002 when frontman Pinky told Rave Magazine: "We wanted to put out Pussytown, but we went fuck it, let’s put out Rollercoaster and see what happens. Rollercoaster went nuts, so radio stations are saying ‘we like you guys now’, so I’m thinking let's put out Pussytown and really fuck with their heads. Triple J are playing it heaps. We just want to see what commercial radio will do with a song called Pussytown. Frankly,” he laughs, “it could be a really stupid move.” The stupid move was actually kind of brilliant?

System Of A Down - Aerials

One of the best songs from one of the defining records of nu-metal, Aerials isn't your typical 'radio song'. "We’re getting a lot of compliments for Toxicity, but when we wrote this record I felt like I was still learning how to make our music," guitarist Daron Malakian commented to Rave Magazine. "The fact people give it praise just makes me feel like I’m not done yet. I’m still a student, and I don’t feel like we deserve that much praise just yet." Oh, but System Of A Down undoubtedly deserve the praise for Toxicity and Aerials. That opening riff is just perfection, and the song somehow gets even better from there.

Something For Kate - Say Something

Something For Kate are one of Australia's finest bands. Say Something, from their spectacular 2001 album, Echolalia, sees the band at their best: Paul Dempsey's effortless rasp and wordy verses, bassist Stephanie Ashworth and drummer Clint Hyndman making every second exciting and beautiful melody throughout. How can you not love it?

Go here to listen to triple j's Hottest 100 of 2002 on Double J next Sunday.