Radio Show Update

About a month ago, I emailed the Program Director at my radio station and expressed some frustration with the progress of my show. I told her that I had been doing the show for a year and a half, and that I still could not tell if anyone was really listening. Now I'm not exactly sure how to gauge these things. I don't take requests, so I rarely announce the phone number. I can't base it on calls. I don't mention the show's website because (technically) I am not supposed to do a site unless it is approved by the station. So, I can't base it on traffic to that site. I have never once seen a ratings book, but the PD says those are largely meaningless for a non-commercial station. So how do I know if anyone is listening?

We had a three hour meeting last night to discuss ways to give the show more exposure. Unfortunately, moving the show to a weeknight was off the table. It had to be on the weekend. Considering what is already on the weekend schedule, none of the available times were any better than what I have now (Sunday night at 11 pm). So moving the show was not going to happen. However, the PD came up with a decent idea, and I am pretty excited about it.

I do a segment on the show called the "History Lesson," and it is basically a segment on an older artist that fits in well with the theme of the show. I have done segments on The Replacements, R.E.M., New York Dolls, Superchunk, and Galaxie 500 to name a few. The PD wants me to do a daily "history lesson" segment to run at 12:30 in the afternoon. It would come right in the middle of the popular "nooner" segment, which is an all request hour. I would get up to 15 minutes to play 1-3 songs by the artist, and tell a little spiel about them. Following the lesson, a promo spot for my weekly show would be aired. I think it could be a good way to bring in new listeners to my regular show which offers an expanded "History Lesson" surrounded by new, likeminded music. We are tentatively setting September 1 as the launch date for this new segment.

I have already begun compiling a list of bands to use, and in just an hour of trying, have over 100 names. She also told me to "have fun with it" and that I can use pretty much anyone -- as long as there is some sort of way to tie it to bands I play on the show (i.e. influenced by, former members of, etc.). So I could do a segment on T. Rex, for example, by pointing out their influence on David Bowie, who then influenced artist X, who then inspired artist Y, who formed a band with members of band Z. You know what I'm saying? It opens up a lot of possibilites.

I also brought up the idea of streaming the show, and it seems that it may be in the works. Great news for my non-Omaha readers!

Tag: radio

Big Black Will Play First Show in 19 Years!

(Pitchforkmedia) Better start lifting weights now, because Big Black are back! Well, for a little while, at least.

Steve Albini's legendary noise-punk band will appear on stage for the first time in almost two decades this September at Touch and Go's 25th Anniversary Celebration. According to the label, it's "just a couple songs, but who cares how many they play?" Yes, exactly. (I really hope they do "Kerosene" and "Jordan, Minnesota", personally.)

Oh yeah, Arcwelder were also added to the celebration's lineup. But that's slightly less exciting.

As previously reported, Albini's other band, Shellac, is also playing the party, as are (deep breath) Girls Against Boys, Killdozer, Man...or Astroman?, Negative Approach, !!!, Quasi, the New Year, Shipping News, Three Mile Pilot, Uzeda, Pegboy, the Ex, Seam, Supersystem, Calexico, CocoRosie, Enon, Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Pinback, the Black Heart Procession, Scratch Acid, and the Didjits.

Man, if I wasn't already married to the Pitchfork Music Festival, I'd call this the best lineup of the year! And there's still one more band to be added. (Rapeman?)

The festivities take place September 8-10 at the Hideout in Chicago, with proceeds going to local charities Tuesday's Child, Literacy Works, and the Thomas Drummond Elementary School.
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One word: awesome.

Tag: Big Black

Sleater-Kinney Breaks Up

(via The Portland Mercury)This is true. Direct from SubPop, “After eleven years as a band, Sleater-Kinney have decided to go on indefinite hiatus.

The upcoming summer shows will be our last. As of now, there are no plans for future tours or recordings. We feel lucky to have had the support of many wonderful people over the years. We want to thank everyone who has worked with us, written kind words about us, performed with us, and inspired us.

But mostly we want to extend our gratitude to our amazing fans. You have been a part of our story from the beginning. We could not have made our music without your enthusiasm, passion, and loyalty. It is you who have made the entire journey worthwhile.”

Sleater-Kinney’s final dates
Jul 29 Mellwood Arts Center, Louisville,KY
Jul 31 Starlight Ballroom, Philadelphia,PA
Aug 01 930 Club, Washington,DC
Aug 02 Webster Hall, New York City,NY
Aug 04 Lollapalooza (Grant Park), Chicago,IL


Tag: Sleater-Kinney

Pixies Scrap All New Material

(Gigwise)Rumours have been rife since the band reformed in 2004 that they were readying a comeback long player but Frank Black seems to have put that on the backburner now.

He told Billboard that he had been writing new songs for the last six months "in an attempt to convince one of the Pixies to make a Pixies record again. I can't say who she is." Erm, we wonder?

However, he added that in the end none of the tracks quite worked even though he "liked how a few of (the songs) came out."

He continued: "I tried to find my Pixies muse and write a so-called Pixies number," he says, "but they just weren't any good. They sounded a little contrived or something.”

“That's the problem with trying to repeat something you did a long time ago; if you go 'Okay, I'm gonna try to recreate something, tap into some mood I used years ago,' even if it's the same songwriter, it's kind of fakey."

"What can I say? Sometimes I wish I could just spit out some Pixies-esque songs, but it doesn't really work that way," he continues. "You write the songs and they come out the way they come out. They might sound like the Pixies, but these days mostly ... not."
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Well, Frank Black can't find his Pixies muse, but that sure doesn't keep him from creating new music. He has just released a two-CD set called Fast Man Raider Man, and will be doing an acoustic tour this Summer. He will be in Omaha August 26 at Sokol Underground.

Tag: Pixies

Song of the Day: Boy Least Likely To "Fur Soft as Fur"

Almost all of the CDs sent to me for my radio show, by bands I've never heard of, suck. The most recent CD not to suck, by a band I had never heard of, is from The Boy Least Likely To. This British duo plays a quirky, almost Of Montreal-esqe indie pop; but they also throw in instruments like banjos, which adds a country element to the sound. I got flooded with calls the two times I played this song on my show.

the boy least likely to - fur soft as fur.mp3

To buy the band's CD, try here. To hear some more songs, try their MySpace page. Now try getting this song out of your head.


Tag: Boy Least Likely To

Just Got Back From Bright Eyes -- I'm Soaked

Here is a crappy photo I took with my cell phone of Memorial Park at the just-ended Bright Eyes show. The weather was great through openers Neva Dinova and Gruff Rhys, but it started getting a little freaky right as Bright Eyes was about to go on. I was standing backstage when one of the promoters told me that he had just left an emergency meeting with the Mayor. They got some information that said a huge storm would be hitting in about 20 minutes. I ran out to the crowd to inform my friends of the situation. A couple of people -- the pussies -- decided to leave. The rest of us toughed it out.

The rain hit just as Bright Eyes walked on stage, and it came down pretty hard for about 40 minutes. I was thoroughly soaked, but it was worth it. This version of Bright Eyes featured Maria Taylor on drums which was cool -- I didn't even know she played drums. The set was pretty diverse and included a couple of new songs. Despite the rain, the show was a success and a lot of fun. Now I need to go and get dry....

Tag: Bright Eyes

Looks Like I Jumped the Gun a Bit

Oops. About two weeks ago I wrote in a posting about Omaha band Ladyfinger that they were changing their band name to Ladyfinger Ltd. The band was forced to change because another band owned the name and refused to let it go. According to Lazy-i.com, the name was changed to Ladyfinger(ne). Lazy-i got the info from Saddle Creek Records, while I got it from the rumour mill. Guess I learned a lesson. Sort of.


Tag: Ladyfinger

Joan Jett vs. The Replacements (not really)

I was never the biggest Joan Jett & the Blackhearts fan back in the 80s. I liked her stuff, but never really went out of my way to keep up with what she was doing. I seem to remember some video of hers from the mid 90s where Paul Westerberg was singing with her. Might have been a Westerberg song come to think of it. Doesn't really matter. Every couple of years Jett would put out a new record, and I'd usually hear a song or two.

Well, it's 2006 and 25 years after her debut, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts have released a new CD. The disc, Sinner, is the best thing she's done since her early 80s heyday. I've been playing the single "A.C.D.C." (an ode to bisexuality?) on my radio show for the last few weeks, but the best thing on the disc is Jett's cover of The Replacements' "Androgynous." For the music collection impaired, I will post both versions.

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - Androgynous.mp3 (2006)

The Replacements - Androgynous.mp3 (1984)

Tag: Joan Jett

New Replacements CD Out Now

The first-ever career spanning greatest hits CD from The Replacements, Don't You Know Who I Think I Was is finally out in record stores. I just picked it up this morning. There are 18 songs from the band's various CDs, and two new songs recorded last Winter. This is the first new Replacements material since 1991. If you call yourself a rock n roll fan, you must own this CD.

Tag: Replacements

Sonic Youth Private Show

FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE

SONIC YOUTH TO PERFORM PRIVATE SHOW FOR FANS IN LOS ANGELES JULY 8TH

Santa Monica, California, June 8 , 2006 – New York’s most influential avant-garde rock band Sonic Youth will be playing a private show for their fans July 8th in Los Angeles at a secret location to be disclosed only to lucky laminate holders. Tickets are not for sale, the only way fans can secure tickets is to purchase Sonic Youth’s new cd Rather Ripped on release date at participating Los Angeles retailers (see list of retailers at www.sonicyouth.com). Once the cd is purchased the consumer will receive a laminate with RSVP instructions for the show. This event is presented by Filter Magazine to celebrate their 5th Anniversary and the release of Rather Ripped. Tickets are available on a first come first serve basis so get to your local store early. Rather Ripped will be released on Geffen Records June 13th.

Sonic Youth will spend the summer out on the road in support of Rather Ripped. Kicking of their club headlining tour will be a show at the legendary New York City club CBGBs on June 13th. Sonic Youth spent much of the 80s performing at CBGBs and last played there in 1992. 25 years later the band returns to the site where it all began. Sonic Youth will continue their summer tour with various headlining dates, a stop at the Bonnaroo Arts & Music festival in Tennessee, west coast dates with Pearl Jam, Lollapalooza in Chicago, dates with the Flaming Lips and two shows at McClaren Park Pool with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Joining the band on the road will be their touring bass player, Mark Ibold from Pavement.

Rather Ripped was recorded in the waning hours of 2005 into the dawn sunshine of 2006 at the venerable sear Sound studios in New York City. Partially mixed there and at Hoboken, NJ’s Water Music by John Agnello it exhibits Sonic Youth in positive vibration mode. Twelve songs of forward motion and harmonic /melodic surprise. Rather Ripped also see the band return to their nucleus formation of Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley.

Earlier this year saw the reissue of three of the most daring, innovative and compelling soundvisions in modern music--Sonic Youth’s landmark 1982 debut album, its legendary twisted pop opus under the pseudonym Ciccone Youth and band member Thurston Moore’s sole solo album. All remastered. Sonic Youth, The Whitey Album and Moore’s Psychic Hearts were reissued by Geffen/UMe March 14, 2006.

Tag: Sonic Youth

No One Is As Hard as Slayer

Just listened to the new Slayer single, "Cult" (released 6.6.06) on Napster. Jeeesus! That song was brutal. The song is an extremely harsh indictment of religion, in general, and Christianity, in particular. The kind of stuff that could cause riots in some countries. Luckily, no cartoons were involved. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album.

Tag: Slayer

It Was 30 Years Ago Today...

While David Lee Roth seems to have recovered from getting fired from NYC radio, and contributed to a new album of Van Halen songs done bluegrass style-- Strumming With the Devil -- let us not forget why Van Halen was so great back in the day.

A friend emailed me this link to a live recording of Van Halen from 1976 doing ZZ Top's "La Grange." It's pretty rockin'!

Van Halen - La Grange (live).mp3

Tag: Van Halen

Paul Westerberg Interview

Quick note: Paul Westerberg is interviewed in the new issue of Newsweek magazine. He talks about the new "best of" CD from The Replacements and his future plans. The interview is online here.

Tag: Westerberg

Meat Puppets Reunite

Just read at Pitchforkmedia that Arizona rockers Meat Puppets are reuniting to make their first new album together since 1995. Brothers Curt and Cris Kirkwood, along with drummer Derrick Bostrom, made music together for the legendary SST (Black Flag, Husker Du) label in the 80s before signing to a major label and having a few hits in the 90s. Cris became a heroin addict and was fired from the band. Meat Puppets made one album without him. For the reunion, Bostrom will not participate. Instead, former Primus drummer Tim Alexander will join the band.

Tag: Meat Puppets

Today Is the Day - 6.6.06

Today is the day we have all been waiting for: The National Day of Slayer!! The organizers of the holiday have set this as the agenda for the day:

* Listen to Slayer at full blast in your car.
* Listen to Slayer at full blast in your home.
* Listen to Slayer at full blast at your place of employment.
* Listen to Slayer at full blast in any public place you prefer.

DO NOT use headphones! The objective of this day is for everyone within earshot to understand that it is the National Day of Slayer. National holidays in America aren't just about celebrating; they're about forcing it upon non-participants.

For those who do not have any Slayer in their music collection (shame on you), I have provided a little something so you, too, can participate.

Slayer - Behind the Crooked Cross.mp3

This song comes from the band's South of Heaven album. It seemed appropriate. Now go celebrate!

Tag: Slayer

Song of the Day: Rollins Band "Liar"

I wanted to post this song for a couple of reasons. One: I've really been loving Henry Rollins' new show on IFC; Two: I just found out that Rollins Band and X will be playing in Omaha on August 6; Three: It played on my iTunes at random and it rocked so fucking hard I couldn't believe it.

Rollins Band - Liar.mp3

I will be out of town when the X/Rollins show comes through town which is extremely disappointing. But don't cry for me. I'll be on a cruise to Alaska, so I think I'll cope with the loss just fine.

Tag: Henry Rollins

Omaha Band Ladyfinger Gets a Name Change

Omaha noise rockers Ladyfinger -- a recent Saddle Creek signing -- have been forced to change their name under threat of legal action. I guess the name had been used about 10 years or so ago by another band. The original Ladyfinger refused to give up the name, so Omaha's Ladyfinger will change. Early indicators say Ladyfinger Ltd will be the new name, but I like Ladyfinger Jr. a little better. This will not delay the release of the band's debut CD. It is still scheduled for a September 26th release date.

Tag: Ladyfinger

Tilly Is Just Not Dark Enough for The Dark Stuff

I'll be staying in tonight rather than going to see Tilly and the Wall at Sokol Underground. I find Tilly to be pretty much Omaha's most boring band. Let me re-state that. Omaha's most boring band - that has a national following. The group is celebrating the release of their second CD, Bottoms of Barrels, on Team Love Records.

Team Love is Conor Oberst's (Bright Eyes) label, and the band is on it due to their friendship with His Brightness. I have a ton of respect for Conor Oberst, and I like his music a great deal. But his taste in other bands is pretty questionable.

Don't take my word for it. The entire album can be downloaded for free at the Team Love website. That is part of the agreement Conor makes with bands on his label. They must allow the album to be downloaded for free. Sure, it's a questionable business decision. But, hey, if you're releasing music no one would want to buy anyway, I guess it's a pretty solid concept.

Apparently I'm in the minority here in Omaha, as tonight's show is sold out.

Tag: Tilly and the Wall