This will probably be the last blog entry for March... gotta love the ever-changing work schedule! I'm going to delve into some into some different topics today as well as other cool tidbits. We're going to bounce all over the map here, so hang on! You'll also notice that I'm old school... or just old... I still use the term "album"...
First, the future;
- You may or may not know this already, (and ditto with the entries below) but Sarah McLachlan will release, The Laws Of Illusion, her first new studio album in 7 years via Arista Records on June 15th.
- Canadian based punk band D.O.A. has finished their 13th album, Talk - Action = 0, which will be released on May 1st. The album title is a slogan of the bands faithful. Meanwhile, D.O.A. has reissued their classic 1985 album, Let's Wreck The Party, on CD. Many of their other titles have been re-released on CD in recent years. These guys were right up their with the band Fear when it came to album titles. Such titles include Disco Sucks and Greatest Shits.
- Even though this entry does contain some serious alternative music artists, it was also too good a tidbit to pass up!! Slash will release his self-titled solo debut album on Apr. 6th. The release includes guest appearances by Ian Astbury, Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl, Lemmy Kilmeister, Iggy Pop and Ozzy Osbourne. If you don't know all these artists... look 'em up!!
- U2 is accepting pre-orders of their triple-vinyl remix album, Artificial Horizon, from now until May 14th their website. Leave it to U2 to break the mold...
Moving onto the present;
- Eddy Grant has called out the Gorillaz over their hit single "Stylo" and it's similarity to his 1981 song "Time Warp." Grant told AddictMusic, "This is pure piracy, it is an obvious infringement of my song. Anyone who knows 'Time Warp' will know this is 'Time Warp' with people singing and rapping over it [along] with funny little noises. 'Time Warp' is a very popular song and has been a staple of the DJ scene for many years and I feel total disrespect from Gorillaz and their management company."
Grant would go on to say, "I would like the outcome to be that the band admits that they have lifted my song, that I have a full credit for the song and an apology from the band." At this time, he doesn't appear to be seeking any monetary damages. "Time Warp" was the B-side to his "Can't Get Enough" single. What did Fred Flintstone used to say, "... ho boy!"
- I just found this out; thanks to a station fan named Donna. This one is definitely for the "Wow, did you change" department! Martha Davis of The Motels has released her new children's CD, Red Frog Presents 16 Songs For Parents & Children, via iTunes.
And now glancing into the past;
- In honor of The Ramones 1st official gig that they played on March 30th, 1974, we'll look back at two interesting statements;
The 1st one by Chris Stein, guitarist for many years with Blondie... when he saw one of the Ramones fliers on a pole in the Bowery section of Queens, "I thought the group was of a Hispanic nature; because of the band name."
The 2nd was by Dee Dee Ramone himself. He was quoted once "I hated the look of the band... you know, the ripped jeans, t-shirts & leather jackets... HATED it. I always thought I looked like a slob".
Lastly, I was finally able upload a bunch of tunes by Patti Smith to the station. Some of her material is hard to find in an mp3 format. Anyways, in honor of that feat, I'll leave you today with a quote from 1992 by the Queen of Punk herself. Talk about an understatement...
"I always imagined I would write a book, if only a small one, that would carry one away... that I would shine. That I'd be that good. I'd dwell barehanded on a summit turning a wheel that would turn the Earth and undetected, amongst the clouds, I would have some influence; to be of some avail."
Not bad words to live by and thoughts to live for either...
'Til next time,
Peace out,
Dave
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Cool Beans, Patti Smith, The Misfits, Hemorroid Cream Commercials... Is This Appropriate For a Sunday?
You know, I'm really groovin' on this four day weekend thing. I've had a chance to add more tracks to the station... everything from alternative standards like Patti Smith to lesser known bands like Jets From Brazil. Judging from emails & feedback, I feel the stations' got a good pulse & mix going here. If there's a song you feel is "missing"... don't worry, it's coming. The uploading & digitizing process can sometimes be a little... cumbersome.
Let's tap into a little history first. We're goin' way back for the first three;
- 1970; Beans is a long way down the road from the Talking Heads. Chris Frantz has been getting a little bored with the bands music. He's been playing with them for over a year in an all-cover band called Beans. He leaves the group & tells his friends he's off to the Rhode Island School of Design... where he'll meet other students like David Bryne & Tina Weymouth.
- 1971; Patti Smith has her first poetry reading at St. Marks Place. She's been in New York for six years and has been making a living (barely) as a writer for magazines such as Creem, Rock Scene & Rolling Stone. One of the poems selected for that evening was entitled "Oath", which begins, "Jesus died for somebodies sins, but not mine." Years later & throughout her career, she would use that sentence as her opening for her groundbreaking single "Gloria", which would also appear on her first album, Horses.
- 1971; David Bowie arrived in the States for his first American tour, in support of his album The Man Who Sold the World. But because he didn't possess a valid work permit, he couldn't play, although he got some publicity anyhow by wearing dresses during public appearances in California and Texas.
- 1982; The Misfits first album Walk Among Us was released. With such tracks as "Nike A Go-Go", "I Turned Into A Martian" and others that the band says is "calculated to chill the blood", it makes for a very interesting listen. By this time, alternative music & especially punk has literally splintered into hundreds of pieces. Between hardcore & underground, new wave, the revitalization of heavy metal, DIY record labels popping up everywhere, and a new cable television channel called MTV, the music industry doesn't know which end is up.
- 2004; Johnny Cash's family shot down a proposal by songwriter Merle Kilgore to license the song "Ring of Fire", recorded by Cash in 1963, for hemorrhoid cream commercials. I'm not kidding! Today, it seems there are a number of commercials that feature popular tunes. It almost seems common-place. However, my stomach still churns at the thought of this concept...
Now... for those of you paying attention, you may be asking, "What the heck does Johnny Cash have to do with alternative and/or punk music?" I'm glad you asked! Believe it or not, Johnny Cash was very influential to many artists over the years, including ones in the rock genre. Iggy Pop, for starters, names him as one of his biggest influences. Not just for his music & song writing ability, but also for his attitude. People didn't call him "the man in black" for nothing.
I received some nice comments & kudos regarding yesterday's blog on why I do what I do. On that same wave length, I'll leave you today with one final thought & quote. It was originally written by George Melly that appeared in a publication back in 1970 called Revolt Into Style... and I quote, "Each successive pop explosion has come roaring out of the clubs in which it was born like an angry young bull. Watching from the other side of the gate, the current establishment has proclaimed it as dangerous, subversive, a menace to youth and demanded that something be done about it..."
Peace out,
Dave
Let's tap into a little history first. We're goin' way back for the first three;
- 1970; Beans is a long way down the road from the Talking Heads. Chris Frantz has been getting a little bored with the bands music. He's been playing with them for over a year in an all-cover band called Beans. He leaves the group & tells his friends he's off to the Rhode Island School of Design... where he'll meet other students like David Bryne & Tina Weymouth.
- 1971; Patti Smith has her first poetry reading at St. Marks Place. She's been in New York for six years and has been making a living (barely) as a writer for magazines such as Creem, Rock Scene & Rolling Stone. One of the poems selected for that evening was entitled "Oath", which begins, "Jesus died for somebodies sins, but not mine." Years later & throughout her career, she would use that sentence as her opening for her groundbreaking single "Gloria", which would also appear on her first album, Horses.
- 1971; David Bowie arrived in the States for his first American tour, in support of his album The Man Who Sold the World. But because he didn't possess a valid work permit, he couldn't play, although he got some publicity anyhow by wearing dresses during public appearances in California and Texas.
- 1982; The Misfits first album Walk Among Us was released. With such tracks as "Nike A Go-Go", "I Turned Into A Martian" and others that the band says is "calculated to chill the blood", it makes for a very interesting listen. By this time, alternative music & especially punk has literally splintered into hundreds of pieces. Between hardcore & underground, new wave, the revitalization of heavy metal, DIY record labels popping up everywhere, and a new cable television channel called MTV, the music industry doesn't know which end is up.
- 2004; Johnny Cash's family shot down a proposal by songwriter Merle Kilgore to license the song "Ring of Fire", recorded by Cash in 1963, for hemorrhoid cream commercials. I'm not kidding! Today, it seems there are a number of commercials that feature popular tunes. It almost seems common-place. However, my stomach still churns at the thought of this concept...
Now... for those of you paying attention, you may be asking, "What the heck does Johnny Cash have to do with alternative and/or punk music?" I'm glad you asked! Believe it or not, Johnny Cash was very influential to many artists over the years, including ones in the rock genre. Iggy Pop, for starters, names him as one of his biggest influences. Not just for his music & song writing ability, but also for his attitude. People didn't call him "the man in black" for nothing.
I received some nice comments & kudos regarding yesterday's blog on why I do what I do. On that same wave length, I'll leave you today with one final thought & quote. It was originally written by George Melly that appeared in a publication back in 1970 called Revolt Into Style... and I quote, "Each successive pop explosion has come roaring out of the clubs in which it was born like an angry young bull. Watching from the other side of the gate, the current establishment has proclaimed it as dangerous, subversive, a menace to youth and demanded that something be done about it..."
Peace out,
Dave
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Why I Do What I Do... or "Aren't You A Bit Old For This?"
Over the past 2 weeks, I've received a few emails regarding the radio station, mostly asking (and sometimes questioning) the songs I feature. Others have been requests for bands that have yet to be added to the format. However, I received one yesterday asking if I had a picture of the station and asked a question that's been around for ages; "Why do you do what you do?"
I sent a reply along with a picture. I received another email from the same person a short while later with some interesting comments. One was they thought the station was "smaller than they imagined"as well as the infamous "Aren't you a little old to be liking and playing this genre of music?"... which, in a way, kinda surprised me.
I guess it's time for a short bio. The first question, "why I do what I do" is the easy one. I've always loved music. Even that last sentence may be a bit of an understatement. I consider music akin to breathing. I listen to music (all types of genres by the way) seven days a week, sometimes up to 18 hours a day. There's always music on in the house, at work, and in the car. My mother once told me that when I was little... and I mean really little... I used to crawl to the beat of the music. I guess one could say, music flows through my veins.
I've been involved in radio, in one form or another, since high school. I did it professionally for years. Many people still say, including friends who are still in the game, "you have a great voice and personality... why don't you do it for a living (again)." The reason is, although I love music, I can't stand much of the corporatism that exists today in radio. I feel it has literally destroyed the industry. One corporation may own dozens, if not more, radio stations. Many commercial stations, in my opinion, have become homogenized. Individuality is gone and many even sound the same. Currently, in Maine where I reside, there is one - count 'em, one - "independent" (or locally owned) commercial radio station that is not owned by a corporation. It is an AOR rock station owned by the writer Stephen King. Yes... THAT Stephen King. In that environment, actual talent - not rudeness - and music still rule.
That's one reason why I really like Internet radio. It's the freedom. No rules (ok... very few), no BS, I can feature music I really get into, there's no censorship, I have a chance to share my passion, and develop relationships with listeners and fans. With those relationships, the station is not only mine, but theirs as well. Can you say that about a commercial radio station?
In fact, this venture reminds a lot about the original premise behind punk & alternative music. Anyone can do this. No pre-set rules - just go out & do it...
As far as "being too old"... well, sorry to disappoint anyone. Yeah, I'm almost 50, but so what. Who cares! I've been listening to rock music, in earnest, for over 35 years. While I appreciate many genres (hey, you can borrow my Frank Sinatra compilation...it's next after the Seether & Sex Pistols CD's... I can see it from here), it's what I listen to & enjoy most. I've always tried to keep an open mind and ear to the ever-changing music scene. I've embraced the music with open arms. In my mind, if one cannot embrace change, especially positive change, then one is not content to grow. While I can dig "classic rock", I think I've heard "Stairway To Heaven" and "Freebird" enough times to last me the rest of my natural life. However, that does not mean we forget the past... far from it. That is, in fact, one motto I have here at 360 Degrees of Alternative... "You cannot appreciate the present until you can appreciate the past." That's why I mix 40 years worth of alternative music.
At this point, I'd like to send kudos and thanks to some "influential" people who have had a profound effect on my "influences" in regards to music.
- Scott Piehler, music aficionado & very good friend since high school.
- Ron Truesdale, the first "punk" I ever met. Introduced me to the Ramones, Sex Pistols, etc.
- Randy Richardson, 8th grade teacher, former DJ, got me started in the 1st place.
- The staff at my college radio station, as well as WBCN, WBRU, & WCYY.
- My two daughters... yeah, you can learn a lot from your kids...
Lastly, here's a shot of the "radio station". It's not pretty, but it's functional. And yeah... it's small!
I need a bigger desk. And shelves... the weight of all the CD's are bending them.
Peace out,
Dave
I sent a reply along with a picture. I received another email from the same person a short while later with some interesting comments. One was they thought the station was "smaller than they imagined"as well as the infamous "Aren't you a little old to be liking and playing this genre of music?"... which, in a way, kinda surprised me.
I guess it's time for a short bio. The first question, "why I do what I do" is the easy one. I've always loved music. Even that last sentence may be a bit of an understatement. I consider music akin to breathing. I listen to music (all types of genres by the way) seven days a week, sometimes up to 18 hours a day. There's always music on in the house, at work, and in the car. My mother once told me that when I was little... and I mean really little... I used to crawl to the beat of the music. I guess one could say, music flows through my veins.
I've been involved in radio, in one form or another, since high school. I did it professionally for years. Many people still say, including friends who are still in the game, "you have a great voice and personality... why don't you do it for a living (again)." The reason is, although I love music, I can't stand much of the corporatism that exists today in radio. I feel it has literally destroyed the industry. One corporation may own dozens, if not more, radio stations. Many commercial stations, in my opinion, have become homogenized. Individuality is gone and many even sound the same. Currently, in Maine where I reside, there is one - count 'em, one - "independent" (or locally owned) commercial radio station that is not owned by a corporation. It is an AOR rock station owned by the writer Stephen King. Yes... THAT Stephen King. In that environment, actual talent - not rudeness - and music still rule.
That's one reason why I really like Internet radio. It's the freedom. No rules (ok... very few), no BS, I can feature music I really get into, there's no censorship, I have a chance to share my passion, and develop relationships with listeners and fans. With those relationships, the station is not only mine, but theirs as well. Can you say that about a commercial radio station?
In fact, this venture reminds a lot about the original premise behind punk & alternative music. Anyone can do this. No pre-set rules - just go out & do it...
As far as "being too old"... well, sorry to disappoint anyone. Yeah, I'm almost 50, but so what. Who cares! I've been listening to rock music, in earnest, for over 35 years. While I appreciate many genres (hey, you can borrow my Frank Sinatra compilation...it's next after the Seether & Sex Pistols CD's... I can see it from here), it's what I listen to & enjoy most. I've always tried to keep an open mind and ear to the ever-changing music scene. I've embraced the music with open arms. In my mind, if one cannot embrace change, especially positive change, then one is not content to grow. While I can dig "classic rock", I think I've heard "Stairway To Heaven" and "Freebird" enough times to last me the rest of my natural life. However, that does not mean we forget the past... far from it. That is, in fact, one motto I have here at 360 Degrees of Alternative... "You cannot appreciate the present until you can appreciate the past." That's why I mix 40 years worth of alternative music.
At this point, I'd like to send kudos and thanks to some "influential" people who have had a profound effect on my "influences" in regards to music.
- Scott Piehler, music aficionado & very good friend since high school.
- Ron Truesdale, the first "punk" I ever met. Introduced me to the Ramones, Sex Pistols, etc.
- Randy Richardson, 8th grade teacher, former DJ, got me started in the 1st place.
- The staff at my college radio station, as well as WBCN, WBRU, & WCYY.
- My two daughters... yeah, you can learn a lot from your kids...
Lastly, here's a shot of the "radio station". It's not pretty, but it's functional. And yeah... it's small!I need a bigger desk. And shelves... the weight of all the CD's are bending them.
Peace out,
Dave
Friday, March 26, 2010
How To Start A Band, How To Be Cluless, The Clash Make a Movie, and More!
Man, what a long week... too bad I need a regular job to pay things like... bills! Anyways, I finally have a day off & can update the blog with some hopefully tasty tidbits & other artifacts.
I recently found an old (oops... better be careful how I use the term "old") issue of Melody Maker magazine from 1974 at a flea market. If my memory serves me correctly, it was a magazine that was published in England that was started way back in the 20's and somehow survived until around the year 2000.
Anyways, contained in that issue was an interview with Karen Carpenter (which I almost blew past on my first thumb-through), but found some interesting comments she made about the "new rock music" that was emerging at that time. She may have been popular at that time in the pop music genre, but she was clueless about rock music. Some of her comments included; "Music covers so many different areas. It's fine David Bowie is something different & original. I think "Space Oddity" is a good song, but I wouldn't go out and buy any of his albums. But as for Lou Reed, The New York Dolls, and other "new music" acts, they're all just a bunch of amateurs... awful... horrible singing, can't play instruments and screaming at the top of their lungs."
While on the subject of magazines & with the recent film about The Runaways in the press, here's a copy of a magazine I would love to find. Also around the same time back in 1974, Kim Fowley and Who Put The Bomp magazine are sponsoring a contest to put together "the female Beatles, Stones, Who, Shangri-Las of the 70's!" The magazine features a full page ad highlighting the contest. The search is on... the ultimate goal? The band will become The Runaways.
Fast forward three years; The Police borrow 150 pounds in 1977 and rent Pathway Studios in Islington (over in England) to record their 1st single... before they've ever played a single gig. Some say the band is "putting the cart before the horse". History shows it didn't matter... much like the attitude of punk and alternative music.
Hit the fast forward button again for another three years. We find ourselves in 1980 and the Clash have made a movie! Yes, the Clash! The film is called "Rude Boy" and was filmed between 1977 and 1979 and attempts to show the "real world" backstage with the Clash. The film tanks, no doubt because of it's 'X' rating (rated that way because of a sex scene & the use of the "f" word 96 times!) However, the movie does contain some fantastic live recordings and is the most compelling punk film to date and perhaps since then.
Punk and alternative rock bands & performers have always struggled with corporations as well as other aspects that comes with the industry and the Black Crows are no exception. This week back in 1991, they are kicked off a tour with ZZ Top , for repeatedly criticizing Miller Beer who was sponsoring the tour. The Black Crows immediately start their own tour. Ironically, 14 years later, they headlined a Miller sponsored event at Indianapolis Speedway.
Lastly, in 2008, a poll of 11,000 people in Britain named the 1994 album Definitely Maybe by Oasis as the greatest album ever made by a British artist. The group's 1995 album (What's the Story) Morning Glory was ranked second; OK Computer by Radiohead came third. In fourth place: the Beatles' Revolver. Seriously, I didn't make that up either.
Birthdays the station is celebrating this week;
- 1968, Sarah McLachlan. Her high-school yearbook predicted that she was destined to become a rock star, and when four of her albums hit the American Top 10 between 1997 and 2006 (Surfacing, Mirror Ball, Afterglow, and Wintersong), the prediction turned out to be correct.
- 1970, future Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante was born in Queens, New York. Frusciante lived out every rock fan's dream when he was invited to join the band in 1988 after being a longtime fan.
Hope you also enjoy the Beastie Boys video clip which cam out this week 22 years ago.
That's it for now,
Peace out,
Dave
I recently found an old (oops... better be careful how I use the term "old") issue of Melody Maker magazine from 1974 at a flea market. If my memory serves me correctly, it was a magazine that was published in England that was started way back in the 20's and somehow survived until around the year 2000.
Anyways, contained in that issue was an interview with Karen Carpenter (which I almost blew past on my first thumb-through), but found some interesting comments she made about the "new rock music" that was emerging at that time. She may have been popular at that time in the pop music genre, but she was clueless about rock music. Some of her comments included; "Music covers so many different areas. It's fine David Bowie is something different & original. I think "Space Oddity" is a good song, but I wouldn't go out and buy any of his albums. But as for Lou Reed, The New York Dolls, and other "new music" acts, they're all just a bunch of amateurs... awful... horrible singing, can't play instruments and screaming at the top of their lungs."
While on the subject of magazines & with the recent film about The Runaways in the press, here's a copy of a magazine I would love to find. Also around the same time back in 1974, Kim Fowley and Who Put The Bomp magazine are sponsoring a contest to put together "the female Beatles, Stones, Who, Shangri-Las of the 70's!" The magazine features a full page ad highlighting the contest. The search is on... the ultimate goal? The band will become The Runaways.
Fast forward three years; The Police borrow 150 pounds in 1977 and rent Pathway Studios in Islington (over in England) to record their 1st single... before they've ever played a single gig. Some say the band is "putting the cart before the horse". History shows it didn't matter... much like the attitude of punk and alternative music.
Hit the fast forward button again for another three years. We find ourselves in 1980 and the Clash have made a movie! Yes, the Clash! The film is called "Rude Boy" and was filmed between 1977 and 1979 and attempts to show the "real world" backstage with the Clash. The film tanks, no doubt because of it's 'X' rating (rated that way because of a sex scene & the use of the "f" word 96 times!) However, the movie does contain some fantastic live recordings and is the most compelling punk film to date and perhaps since then.
Punk and alternative rock bands & performers have always struggled with corporations as well as other aspects that comes with the industry and the Black Crows are no exception. This week back in 1991, they are kicked off a tour with ZZ Top , for repeatedly criticizing Miller Beer who was sponsoring the tour. The Black Crows immediately start their own tour. Ironically, 14 years later, they headlined a Miller sponsored event at Indianapolis Speedway.
Lastly, in 2008, a poll of 11,000 people in Britain named the 1994 album Definitely Maybe by Oasis as the greatest album ever made by a British artist. The group's 1995 album (What's the Story) Morning Glory was ranked second; OK Computer by Radiohead came third. In fourth place: the Beatles' Revolver. Seriously, I didn't make that up either.
Birthdays the station is celebrating this week;
- 1968, Sarah McLachlan. Her high-school yearbook predicted that she was destined to become a rock star, and when four of her albums hit the American Top 10 between 1997 and 2006 (Surfacing, Mirror Ball, Afterglow, and Wintersong), the prediction turned out to be correct.
- 1970, future Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante was born in Queens, New York. Frusciante lived out every rock fan's dream when he was invited to join the band in 1988 after being a longtime fan.
Hope you also enjoy the Beastie Boys video clip which cam out this week 22 years ago.
That's it for now,
Peace out,
Dave
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Airborne Toxic Event, Other Cool tidbits & How You Know You've Been "Dumped" From Your Record Label
It's been a busy week for the station. I'm psyched that I finally had some time yesterday to blog more, answer emails, tweak the station, etc. It's been a lot of fun! The only bummer this week has been the website. Flash based website building can be such a PITA. It looks like it will be at least another 2 weeks before the site is fully functional, up & running. Hang in there - it's coming!
I received an email from a regular listener of the station & she was wondering if I could pass along some cool and/or unusual tidbits about some of the bands we feature on 360 Degrees of Alternative. I replied, "Sure... why not!". Then it hit me... this may be easier said than done. Well, here goes... I'll give it my best shot!
Today, I picked The Airborne Toxic Event, based out of England. The band was formed in 2006 by Mikel Jollett. Jollett met drummer Daren Taylor that summer and the two became immediate friends. They worked on material together for a few months, then Jollett asked classically-trained violinist Anna Bulbrook and bassist Noah Harmon to join the band.
What's interesting here is that Bulbrook has a background in orchestral and chamber music, and taught herself to play viola and keyboard. Not to be outdone, Harmon holds a jazz degree in upright bass performance from the California Institute of the Arts and has taught in East Los Angeles as part of the school’s Community Arts Partnership. How's that for a band resume?
I also wanted to get "caught up" on some birthdays of note for the month of March. These are all belated, so my apologies... Uh, yeah... the card must have gotten lost in the mail!
- Lou Reed & John Cale, both of the Velvet Underground & solo artists,
- Re Styles of The Tubes,
- Ricky Wilson formerly of the B-52's (RIP),
- Adam Clayton of U2,
- Frank Rodriguez of ? and the Mysterians (THE garage band of all time!)
Fans & listeners seem to be grooving on the history tidbits, so I'll add a few today;
- 1975; a 13 year old drummer makes his public debut in the Post Office Worker's Union Band. They're appearing in that years St. Patrick's Day parade. His pants & drummers' hat are too big, but the older musicians think the lad has real promise. His name is Larry Mullen Jr., who will soon be playing with other teenagers in Dublin Ireland in a group that will be known as U2.
- 1977; Lou Reed joins the "list" of musicians banned because of the punk rock image just before his concerts at the London Palladium. Reed holds a press conference stating he was off to Sweden where temperatures were below zero at that time, but the country is nowhere near as cold as England and the asshole who banned him.
- 1977; Stiff Records based out of London releases its first two records this week. One of them being from Nick Lowe, the other a compilation entitled, "A Bunch of Stiffs". This unique record label, which comprised of 3 small office rooms, it's founders Dave Robinson and Andrew Jakeman, and a secretary, also has quite a sense of humor. On the compilation it states, "Undertakers of the industry, if they're dead - we'll sign 'em."
1978; Patti Smith releases her long awaited 3rd album entitled, "Easter". It comes after a long recovery from a neck injury. Patti sees this album as her "resurrection" back into the music industry. The album charts in the top 20 both in the US as well as England, partly due to the song "Because the Night" which she co-wrote with Bruce Springsteen.
1981; The Cramps release "Psychedelic Jungle" on IRS records. The album is a collection of original material as well as very obscure covers, including Ronnie Cook's song, "Goo Goo Muck", which turns out to one of the bands biggest hits.
Finally, has someone ever told you to never read the obituaries because you may find yourself listed there? Well, reading music industry magazines can be just as... interesting. Just ask Tom Verlaine, most noted as one of the guitarists of Television, when he read this small blurb in the May 1st 1980 issue of Rolling Stone...
I received an email from a regular listener of the station & she was wondering if I could pass along some cool and/or unusual tidbits about some of the bands we feature on 360 Degrees of Alternative. I replied, "Sure... why not!". Then it hit me... this may be easier said than done. Well, here goes... I'll give it my best shot!
Today, I picked The Airborne Toxic Event, based out of England. The band was formed in 2006 by Mikel Jollett. Jollett met drummer Daren Taylor that summer and the two became immediate friends. They worked on material together for a few months, then Jollett asked classically-trained violinist Anna Bulbrook and bassist Noah Harmon to join the band.
What's interesting here is that Bulbrook has a background in orchestral and chamber music, and taught herself to play viola and keyboard. Not to be outdone, Harmon holds a jazz degree in upright bass performance from the California Institute of the Arts and has taught in East Los Angeles as part of the school’s Community Arts Partnership. How's that for a band resume?
I also wanted to get "caught up" on some birthdays of note for the month of March. These are all belated, so my apologies... Uh, yeah... the card must have gotten lost in the mail!
- Lou Reed & John Cale, both of the Velvet Underground & solo artists,
- Re Styles of The Tubes,
- Ricky Wilson formerly of the B-52's (RIP),
- Adam Clayton of U2,
- Frank Rodriguez of ? and the Mysterians (THE garage band of all time!)
Fans & listeners seem to be grooving on the history tidbits, so I'll add a few today;
- 1975; a 13 year old drummer makes his public debut in the Post Office Worker's Union Band. They're appearing in that years St. Patrick's Day parade. His pants & drummers' hat are too big, but the older musicians think the lad has real promise. His name is Larry Mullen Jr., who will soon be playing with other teenagers in Dublin Ireland in a group that will be known as U2.
- 1977; Lou Reed joins the "list" of musicians banned because of the punk rock image just before his concerts at the London Palladium. Reed holds a press conference stating he was off to Sweden where temperatures were below zero at that time, but the country is nowhere near as cold as England and the asshole who banned him.
- 1977; Stiff Records based out of London releases its first two records this week. One of them being from Nick Lowe, the other a compilation entitled, "A Bunch of Stiffs". This unique record label, which comprised of 3 small office rooms, it's founders Dave Robinson and Andrew Jakeman, and a secretary, also has quite a sense of humor. On the compilation it states, "Undertakers of the industry, if they're dead - we'll sign 'em."
1978; Patti Smith releases her long awaited 3rd album entitled, "Easter". It comes after a long recovery from a neck injury. Patti sees this album as her "resurrection" back into the music industry. The album charts in the top 20 both in the US as well as England, partly due to the song "Because the Night" which she co-wrote with Bruce Springsteen.
1981; The Cramps release "Psychedelic Jungle" on IRS records. The album is a collection of original material as well as very obscure covers, including Ronnie Cook's song, "Goo Goo Muck", which turns out to one of the bands biggest hits.
Finally, has someone ever told you to never read the obituaries because you may find yourself listed there? Well, reading music industry magazines can be just as... interesting. Just ask Tom Verlaine, most noted as one of the guitarists of Television, when he read this small blurb in the May 1st 1980 issue of Rolling Stone...
Thursday, March 18, 2010
I Like The Songs Your Station Plays, But Why Is The Who & Other Bands Here??
Another good question!
I've received an email or two regarding the songs featured on the radio station, 360 Degrees of Alternative. People are saying, "OK, I get the concept... the full gamut of alternative... from garage rock to modern day stuff. But The Who? C'mon, that's classic rock".
In my humble opinion, "classic rock" is just some term made up by some marketing person God knows how long ago to attract radio listeners. It's just like the term "oldies"... which when I was growing up meant songs strictly from the 50's. Now, "oldies" has songs that goes all the way up to the late 70's...
However, you have to look at music history. Back in the mid 70's, when punk rock exploded, especially in England, many bands did not have much original material. The concept was that "anyone can play... just go out and do it". So, many punk and alternative bands performed covers that were originally done by groups that influenced them in some way. The Sex Pistols, for example, routinely performed covers originally done The Who, The Litter, Iggy Pop and even Alice Cooper. Bands took cues from not only the music, but also the attitude & stage antics of these performers. In my opinion, Pete Townsend & Iggy Pop were far more dangerous than say Jim Morrison... not to pick on Jim.
What I mean by that is, is people thought Jim Morrison was "dangerous" because he waved his penis around on stage in Miami one time. But when you look at The Who & Iggy on stage, you thought, "Wow, these guys might actually take the whole audience or the whole damn place with them!"
Alright... fair enough, you say. But why is Queen in there... with a song from a 1976 album no less! Again, let's look at history.
In England especially, there was quite a "gap" between punk / alternative bands and "big time rock bands"... like Queen for example. The lead singer of Eddie & the Hot Rods became disgusted once after reading an article in which Queen's lead singer, Freddie Mercury, stated at a recent Queen concert, "May all of you have champagne for breakfast".
This in turn, resulted in Eddie making some strong statements in a publication dedicated to punk / alternative / underground music called "Sniffing Glue". Of course, these statements got back to Freddie & Queen as a whole.
Queen, as a last minute "add" to their upcoming release "News of the World", composed "Sheer Heart Attack" which is played on this station. Queen's record label, Elektra, didn't even want to put the song on the album. It was meant to be a slam on punk bands in general, but ended up being a cult hit. The song is literally a mix of interesting lyrics, but more importantly, simplistic music that borders on white noise... which is what Queen thought punk rock was.
It's interesting to note, that as "Shear Heart Attack" progresses, the music (whether intentional or mixed & produced that way) gets louder with each verse and especially towards the end. Freddie is almost drowned out by the music. Also, dig the rhythm guitar just before the solo (if you could call it that)... one chord... same notes. Gotta love it!!
That's it for now. Keep listening... more tracks will be added over the weekend... and I mean a LOT more tracks!
Peace out,
Dave
I've received an email or two regarding the songs featured on the radio station, 360 Degrees of Alternative. People are saying, "OK, I get the concept... the full gamut of alternative... from garage rock to modern day stuff. But The Who? C'mon, that's classic rock".
In my humble opinion, "classic rock" is just some term made up by some marketing person God knows how long ago to attract radio listeners. It's just like the term "oldies"... which when I was growing up meant songs strictly from the 50's. Now, "oldies" has songs that goes all the way up to the late 70's...
However, you have to look at music history. Back in the mid 70's, when punk rock exploded, especially in England, many bands did not have much original material. The concept was that "anyone can play... just go out and do it". So, many punk and alternative bands performed covers that were originally done by groups that influenced them in some way. The Sex Pistols, for example, routinely performed covers originally done The Who, The Litter, Iggy Pop and even Alice Cooper. Bands took cues from not only the music, but also the attitude & stage antics of these performers. In my opinion, Pete Townsend & Iggy Pop were far more dangerous than say Jim Morrison... not to pick on Jim.
What I mean by that is, is people thought Jim Morrison was "dangerous" because he waved his penis around on stage in Miami one time. But when you look at The Who & Iggy on stage, you thought, "Wow, these guys might actually take the whole audience or the whole damn place with them!"
Alright... fair enough, you say. But why is Queen in there... with a song from a 1976 album no less! Again, let's look at history.
In England especially, there was quite a "gap" between punk / alternative bands and "big time rock bands"... like Queen for example. The lead singer of Eddie & the Hot Rods became disgusted once after reading an article in which Queen's lead singer, Freddie Mercury, stated at a recent Queen concert, "May all of you have champagne for breakfast".
This in turn, resulted in Eddie making some strong statements in a publication dedicated to punk / alternative / underground music called "Sniffing Glue". Of course, these statements got back to Freddie & Queen as a whole.
Queen, as a last minute "add" to their upcoming release "News of the World", composed "Sheer Heart Attack" which is played on this station. Queen's record label, Elektra, didn't even want to put the song on the album. It was meant to be a slam on punk bands in general, but ended up being a cult hit. The song is literally a mix of interesting lyrics, but more importantly, simplistic music that borders on white noise... which is what Queen thought punk rock was.
It's interesting to note, that as "Shear Heart Attack" progresses, the music (whether intentional or mixed & produced that way) gets louder with each verse and especially towards the end. Freddie is almost drowned out by the music. Also, dig the rhythm guitar just before the solo (if you could call it that)... one chord... same notes. Gotta love it!!
That's it for now. Keep listening... more tracks will be added over the weekend... and I mean a LOT more tracks!
Peace out,
Dave
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
This Month In Alternative / Punk Rock Part 2
First off, before we get to the main part, is I'd like to say "Thanks" to all those who are fans of the Facebook page, fans of the radio station, 360 Degrees of Alternative, and to those who have sent along positive as well as constructive comments, in addition to music I will be adding shortly. I wish I could blog and do more things with the station more frequently, but I have a full time job... and you know how that goes. But, we've only been up here a week, and we're making incredible progress and have enjoyed decent success!
1982; Ministry have their 1st single "Cold Life" out on Situation 2 records in England. Cary Baker, a freelance writer from Chicago, gets the OK as the first to mention Ministry as "... a band to keep an eye on" in the new issue of the radio trade magazine D.I.Y.
1981; The Buzzcocks go boom! The rumors were running rampant for weeks about whether or not the band was really breaking up... it turned out to be true. Pete Shelly, who would go on to have a successful solo career, told the press, "I've done a lot in 5 years, but I think I've had my run of it."
1978; Elvis Costello releases his 2nd album "This Years Model" & Generation X release their debut album... ironically both on St. Patrick's Day. While Costello has another hit LP on his hands (#4 in the UK, #30 in America), Generation X fans are pissed that there are two different releases - one for the UK, a different one for America. Both albums contain tracks that are unique and only available to that release... plus the unique albums are only available in their respected countries... not as imports!
1973; The New York Dolls get signed to Mercury. The labels A&R man Paul Nelson "takes a chance on the band" after seeing them 80 (that's not a misprint) times! Nelson is going to get Todd Rundgren to produce their debut album. Supposedly, there's a mixture of excitement as well as puzzled looks around Mercury Records regarding the Dolls. Some think this is the most exciting band in years... others think they're the worst band they've heard in years.
1982; Ministry have their 1st single "Cold Life" out on Situation 2 records in England. Cary Baker, a freelance writer from Chicago, gets the OK as the first to mention Ministry as "... a band to keep an eye on" in the new issue of the radio trade magazine D.I.Y.
1981; The Buzzcocks go boom! The rumors were running rampant for weeks about whether or not the band was really breaking up... it turned out to be true. Pete Shelly, who would go on to have a successful solo career, told the press, "I've done a lot in 5 years, but I think I've had my run of it."
1978; Elvis Costello releases his 2nd album "This Years Model" & Generation X release their debut album... ironically both on St. Patrick's Day. While Costello has another hit LP on his hands (#4 in the UK, #30 in America), Generation X fans are pissed that there are two different releases - one for the UK, a different one for America. Both albums contain tracks that are unique and only available to that release... plus the unique albums are only available in their respected countries... not as imports!
1973; The New York Dolls get signed to Mercury. The labels A&R man Paul Nelson "takes a chance on the band" after seeing them 80 (that's not a misprint) times! Nelson is going to get Todd Rundgren to produce their debut album. Supposedly, there's a mixture of excitement as well as puzzled looks around Mercury Records regarding the Dolls. Some think this is the most exciting band in years... others think they're the worst band they've heard in years.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
This Month In Alternative / Punk Rock History
1972; The New York Dolls are formed from the ashes of Actress, joined by their new lead singer David JoHansen. They play their 1st gig together at a party in front of a number of welfare pensioners. They play a load of covers from bands like MC5, early Who and early Rolling Stones. Rock will never be the same...
1974: The Ramones are a trio from the Forrest Hills area of NYC. The line-up is Johnny on guitar, Dee Dee on bass, and Joey on drums. They make their stage debut at the Performance Studio on E. 23rd Street. The show is front of about 30 friends & "curious" people who saw their fliers.
1977; Two bands finally land record contracts. The 1st is the Talking Heads, that "quirky" band that plays at CBGB's and has been turning heads. The 2nd is the Sex Pistols. They get signed to A&M records to mixed reviews in the press. Artist backlash, not public, from within the label will force executives to drop the Sex Pistols in less than 6 weeks after the band manages to release one, count 'em, one 45 single.
1979: Gary Numan & Tubeway Army release their 1st single, called "Down In The Park". Although Gary Numan reached international success some years later with the single "Cars", his early singles are very dark based on sci-fi stories that Gary wrote.
Friday, March 12, 2010
What exactly is 360 Degrees of Alternative?
Glad you asked! "Alternative" music is generally thought of as a type or genre of music that became quite popular in the 90's. It is also associated with "grunge" or "modern" rock. However, alternative rock is more than that. It is a form of music that has been around, in one form or another, for over 40 years. Each decade has had it's share of "alternative" rock groups and/or musicians. It's just over the years, we seem to brand that period of music as something else... like garage rock, or punk rock, or new wave or grunge or EMO.
Alternative music is just that... an alternative. It's an alternative to mainstream rock, or classic rock, etc. It's also music that one does not hear on the radio as other types of genre's, which is unfortunate.
I have nothing against "other" types of rock music... in fact, my music library on both my computers have a wide variety of music. However, as I steam towards the half-century mark, I still find "alternative" rock as my favorite type of music. It's something I listened to in high school and shared with my kids who are now grown.
Now, if you've been checking out my on-line radio station, 360 Degrees of Alternative, on Live365.com, you'll notice that the songs & format are indeed that... 360 degrees or the full circle or gamut of alternative music from the 60's to today. From Garage Rock to Grunge, from English Punk to EMO... the station plays it all.
I'll be posting new comments, announcements, rants, raves, whatever... from time to time when I can. I do have a full time job in addition to maintaining the radio station, so I may only be posting stuff once a week. If you have any quetions or comments, by all means feel free to contact me.
The stations email address is alternative_360@yahoo.com.
Peace out,
Dave
Alternative music is just that... an alternative. It's an alternative to mainstream rock, or classic rock, etc. It's also music that one does not hear on the radio as other types of genre's, which is unfortunate.
I have nothing against "other" types of rock music... in fact, my music library on both my computers have a wide variety of music. However, as I steam towards the half-century mark, I still find "alternative" rock as my favorite type of music. It's something I listened to in high school and shared with my kids who are now grown.
Now, if you've been checking out my on-line radio station, 360 Degrees of Alternative, on Live365.com, you'll notice that the songs & format are indeed that... 360 degrees or the full circle or gamut of alternative music from the 60's to today. From Garage Rock to Grunge, from English Punk to EMO... the station plays it all.
I'll be posting new comments, announcements, rants, raves, whatever... from time to time when I can. I do have a full time job in addition to maintaining the radio station, so I may only be posting stuff once a week. If you have any quetions or comments, by all means feel free to contact me.
The stations email address is alternative_360@yahoo.com.
Peace out,
Dave
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