Laura Veirs + Hotbird 7 Monday, December 12th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Irene Trudel's show
"Carbon Glacier", named after a beautiful, dirty black and white glacier on
the northern slopes of Mount Rainier, was Seattle's Laura Veirs'
debut disc, and self-described as a "road record." Laura says, "All
the songs are about transportation, motion," and all the images that
crept into her psyche as she toured all over these United States and
beyond. She's taking a few moments out from her travels to stop by
WFMU at the top of the show to perform songs from it as well as her new one, "Year of Meteors."
Raised from the ashes of unknown NYC trio John Henry and claiming a failed
barbeque chicken restaurant and a doomed satellite as twin muses,
Hotbird 7 has been establishing its orbit since December 2002. The
Brooklyn based band was originally launched as a duo with Adam Gold
and Philip Winn juggling a station wagon full of instruments. The
group has now expanded to four members with Tom Gavin sharing
vocals, guitars, keyboards, and bass, and Jeff Devine staying put on
drums and laptop. They aim to make a big beautiful noise: fast and
slow, high and low, quiet, loud, twangy, spacey, and proud. Hotbird
7's self-released EP is available only at shows and a full length is
scheduled for Spring 2006, and they drop by WFMU's studios for a
live set.
Michael Chapman Monday, December 12th, 2005, Midnight - 3am
on
Hatch's show
British folk singer Michael Chapman recorded a string of celebrated
records for the Harvest, Deram, and Decca labels beginning at the end of
the 1960s. In 1970, renowned BBC disc jockey John Peel named Chapman's
Fully Qualified Survivor as his favorite album of the year. Fresh from his
first New York shows in over three decades, Michael will perform a solo
acoustic set, discuss his long musical career, and share anecdotes about
his friendships and collaborations with John Fahey, Bridget St. John,
legendary Memphis producer Don Nix, Elton John, Maddy Prior and Rick Kemp
of Steeleye Span, Bert Jansch, John Martyn, Mick Ronson from the Spiders From Mars, and others.
The Neshama Alma Band Sunday, December 11th, 2005, 9pm - Midnight
on
Stochastic Hit Parade with Bethany Ryker
The Neshama Alma Band, the recent project of Bay Area improvisor/composer Ernesto Diaz-Infante and Marjorie Sturm, give a debut performance of new material exclusively on WFMU. Additionally, Ernesto discusses and plays some excerpts from "Voices in the Wilderness:Dissenting Soundscapes and Songs of GW's America", a double CD compilation he released on his Pax label that captures all-out sonic opposition to with the current administration.
Tralala Saturday, December 10th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
The Cherry Blossom Clinic with Terre T
From Brooklyn New York come Tralala! Comprised of three fellas who play catchy, simple pop and four fab femmes who sing and harmonize, Tralala call to mind a classic girl group sound without being overtly retro! They will be playing
songs from their sweet and poignant self-titled album on Audika, as well
as special Christmas songs from their new EP: "Fa La La La La with TRALALA"
Jukebox Zeros Thursday, December 8th, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Pat Duncan's show
In their two and a half years together, Philadelphia's Jukebox Zeros have gotten rave reviews from the likes of John "Speedo" Reis (Rocket From The Crypt), and have shared the stage
with the likes of the Cramps, Fleshtones, Dickies, Little Killers,
Real Kids, and Tommy Stinson to name a few. The new album "Four On The Floor" has just been released by Steel Cage Records.
The Reavers Wednesday, December 7th, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Coffee Break For Heroes & Villains with Noah
A supergroup consisting of Vordul Mega (Cannibal OX), Akir (Immortal
Technique's touring partner), Keith Masters, Hasan Salaam, Dom Pachino
(Killarmy), Karniege (Def Jux), Kong & Spiega (Monsta Island Czars),
Goldenchild, Billy Woods and Priviledge.
Eleven MC's who bring a dizzying array of styles to the table on their
concept album, TERROR FIRMA.
Drop your radio guard, get involved and get into it!
Hank IV Tuesday, December 6th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Brian Turner's show
Unleashed upon the public in the summer of 2005, The Hank Four is a San Francisco
five-piece rock combo trafficking in a mix of dual-guitar
histrionics, panic-skiffle drum beats, primitive craw-stick melodics, and
straw-boss vocal gymnastics. Includes former members of Icky Boyfriends, The
Roofies, Resineators, and The Leather Uppers. Likely to appeal to fans of
Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments, Flipper, and Country Teasers.
Bridget St. John & Rockdove Monday, December 5th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Irene Trudel's show
Imagine hearing Nico's dark, smokey voice beautifully in tune and you'll touch the melodic tip of what's so gorgeous about british folkie Bridget St. John. Originally
Bridget recorded for John Peel's short-lived Dandelion label, which
promptly gave her the well-deserved label of "chanteuse." Critical
acclaim did not equal commercial success, and St. John seemed to
vanish, only to re-emerge in the NYC area with some live
performances. Bridget plays later in the week at Tonic on a bill
with the equally melodic Josephine Foster and guitarist Jon Rose,
and she drops by WFMU for a rare live performance.
Then,
Brooklyn-based Rockdove, an ensemble which hasn't been in existence
long, but their debut performance silenced a rowdy local bar crowd
with the quiet power of their music. The folks in Rockdove describe
themselves this way: "Close your eyes, and take in the otherworldy
sounds of Rockdove. You'll hear Patsy, and Loretta, and the Band,
and Aretha and Tom Petty and Nick Drake too. But mostly you'll hear music sung with the soul of a gospel choir, because darlin', they
BELIEVE in this music..." Former Goats-in-Trees mates Alice
Bierhorst and John Mettem are joined by Sandy Bell and Laura
Cromwell as Rockdove comes out to WFMU to play.
Townes Van Zandt Documentarian Margaret Brown Monday, December 5th, 2005, Midnight - 3am
on
Hatch's show
Margaret Brown visits the studio to discuss her feature length documentary
film about the late Townes Van Zandt, one of America's greatest
singer-songwriters. Be Here To Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt
premiers December 2nd at the Angelika Film Center in New York City and
will open shortly thereafter at selected theaters across the United States.
Author Ken Emerson Sunday, December 4th, 2005, 7pm - 9pm
on
Bob Brainen's show
Bob Brainen welcomes Ken Emerson, author of the brand-new book, "Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill
Building Era," and previously of "Doo-Dah!: Stephen Foster and the
Rise of American Popular Culture."
We'll be discussing the seven songwriting teams Emerson
chronicles: Lieber and Stoller, Pomus and Shuman, Bacharach and
David, Sedaka and Greenfield, Goffin and King, Mann and Weill, and Barry and Greenwich.
We'll also cover an assortment of other characters and publishing
and record companies that helped the music from 1619 and 1650
Broadway flourish in the late 1950s and early 1960s. We'll be playing lots of music by these writers whose collective efforts helped create a soundtrack for several generations.
Lady Sovereign and DJ Frampster Saturday, December 3rd, 2005, 8pm - 10pm
on
Plug and Play with OCDJ
Lady Sovereign's concentrated punk rhymes over grimey sublow based beats hit so hard even Jay-Z has a hard time staying on his feet. Tonight she'll be popping in the WFMU studios for a hot minute to drop some live tunes and chat about what she's been up to. Also in
the mix will be DJ Frampster with a hot fire mix of the UK's latest eski et al white labels you'll never hear again. Not to be missed!
Love Story in Blood Red Saturday, December 3rd, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
The Cherry Blossom Clinic with Terre T
Love Story In Blood Red features ex-Means frontman Jason Frederick and they play amazingly dark yet melodic, pretty yet edgy, folkish rock. Calling to mind Jonathan Richman (pre-I'm A Little Dinosaur) or 'Village Green'/'Arthur'-era Kinks, Love In Blood Red is a perfect almagam of twisted pop and pretty yet disturbing folk. Their full length album is one of Terre's Faves for 2005!!!
David Leopold Wednesday, November 30th, 2005, Noon - 3pm
on
Irwin's show
Irwin welcomes historian David Leopold, author of a new book entitled "Irving Berlin's Show Business." It is arguably the most ambitious literary
look at the legendary songwriter's career and achievements, containing a
wealth of previously unpublished material. Berlin wrote for film, Broadway,
and the pop charts; he composed ragtime, ballads, novelties, jazz, "God
Bless America," "Puttin' on the Ritz," and "White Christmas." Leopold will
air recordings of Berlin's earliest work, while discussing a man whose songs
are so popular that they're as ubiquitous as water, and just as essential.
Endless Boogie Tuesday, November 29th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Brian Turner's show
Get down and greeezy with NYC's kings of choogle, together since 1997 but
just getting around to releasing studio stuff this year. Their live shows
have been sporadic for the fact that they only play gigs when
specifically asked to, though recently they've frequently whipped local
audiences into a frenzy with their heavy jams supporting assorted Dungen shows.
Live, guitarists Paul Major and Jesper Eklow trade off invocations of Tony
McPhee, Peter Green, Zoot Horn Rollo, Lobby Lloyd, and Ron Asheton, and if
you don't know who some of those guys are, don't worry too much about it.
Endless Boogie are here to deliver rock salvation.
Miminokoto Monday, November 28th, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Janitor From Mars with R. Lim
The triumphant return of this Tokyo trio finds them in rare form, having
added a pre-war blues flavor to their slow-burning psychedelic
pyrotechnics. Miminokoto are one of the most distinctive bands to have
emerged from the Japanese underground in the past decade and you won't
want to miss this corker of a live session.
Also, the late Stanley Kubrick holds forth with 4 minutes and 52 seconds of discussion on "Paths of Glory" and more. Wow!
Be Your Own Pet Saturday, November 26th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
The Cherry Blossom Clinic with Terre T
This female-fronted postpunky-garage quartet from
Nashville stops by the WFMU studios for a blistering live set that will call
to mind Huggy Bear, Bikini Kill, early Sleater-Kinney, and even early Patti
Smith. And they're still in high school! Their EP Damn Damn Leash was out
earlier this year on XL in England, and their new EP Extra Extra is out now
on the Infinity Cat label.
Blockhead Wednesday, November 23rd, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Coffee Break For Heroes & Villains with Noah
Blockhead may be best know for his production on Aesop Rocks critically
acclaimed albums, "Float", "Labor Days" and "Daylight." He's also a member
of the Party Fun Action Committee on Definitive Jux.
With his second full length (Downtown Science) on Ninja Tune, and various
other productions in the works, tune in as he drops in!
Up-Tight Monday, November 21st, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Janitor From Mars with R. Lim
Up-Tight are a heavy psychedelic power trio from Japan who are often
compared to the legendary Les Rallizes Denudes due to a similar fixation
with the Velvet Underground's most free-form moments. Although relatively
new to overseas ears, they've been playing together for more than ten
years, building a loyal fanbase on the strength of their explosive live
shows. If you're a fan of guitar feedback mayhem, make sure to tune into
this special live session, recorded during their first US tour.
TWO BANDS: When I Was Dead & Pseudo Heros Thursday, November 17th, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Pat Duncan's show
When I was Dead is a high energy NJ Punk Rock 'n Roll band featuring Dan Canzonieri of Electric Frankenstein.
Containing members of Down By Law and Pink Lincolns, the Pseudo Heroes have been compared to Husker Du, Dag Nasty, and Poison Idea.
Sometimes powerpop, and sometimes thrashy hardcore, the band is influenced
by the hardcore/post-punk bands of the mid to late 80's. They are currently on tour,
playing in NYC the same night as their appearance on Pat's show... as well
as playing in NJ at Asbury Lanes on the 20th of November.
West Oakland Funk/Soul/R&B retrospective with guest DJ Buck Wednesday, November 16th, 2005, 2am - 6am
on
Put the Needle On the Record with Billy Jam
In the 1950's and 60's, West Oakland boasted more than 20 rhythm and blues clubs such as Slim Jenkins and Esther's Orbit Lounge -- which pumped out gritty live music every night of the week and fueled a whole cottage industry of black owned mom-and-pop record stores, plus countless East Bay record labels to support the thriving local doo-wop, RnB, soul, and emerging funk music scenes. But the music died - or rather was killed in the
name of "urban development". The Cypress Freeway and the new overhead BART train (bay area transit system) were built right down the middle of what was once the main strip of the West Oakland clubland, effectively grinding things to a tragic halt. 60-year old Oakland music fan Buck was there back then and will share memories and vinyl from this rich era beginning at 3 AM. All recorded live at the laundromat!
African Sounds with Andy Moor of the Ex Tuesday, November 15th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Brian Turner's show
Besides playing guitar in Dutch avant-rock band the Ex, Andy Moor, like his
fellow bandmates, is a rabid musicologist of hidden sounds from around the world,
and together they have brought to the spotlight amazing artists like Tsehaytu Beraki
and Konono No. 1 (the latter of which makes an American debut November 16th at
Joe's Pub
and the 17th at SOB's). Brian invited Andy some time ago to produce a program at
home that highlights his favorite recordings, and today we will air his guided
tour through Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other African locales.
We'll also be checking out some of the Ex's most recent NYC performance
from their 2004 Knitting Factory show, which will be part of a forthcoming DVD
documentary on the band directed by Jem Cohen. And of course we'll be
playing some Konono No.1 music to celebrate their upcoming shows.
You Ishihara and Friends Monday, November 14th, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Janitor From Mars with R. Lim
As the leader of the legendary White Heaven, singer-songwriter You Ishihara built an international cult following with his melancholic take on the West Coast psychedelic sound in the footsteps of Quicksilver Messenger Service. Although his new band The Stars sports a more punk edge, he returns to his early roots in this hushed, intimate performance, recorded at WFMU on the eve of the release of his new Stars album, "A Perfect Place to Hideaway".
TWO BANDS: Art Brut + The Demands Saturday, November 12th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
The Cherry Blossom Clinic with Terre T
Art Brut are British rockers who play smart-dumb, repetitive two-chord punk that is actually perfectly catchy pop!
Last year their anthemic tribute to every talentless wonder who was proud to
pick up a guitar, "Formed A Band," was the single of the year for NME,
Pitchfork, and John Peel!
The Demands' stripped down sound blends old soul, greasy R&B, power pop, and punk rock. Combined with lead singer Jahna's
sultry growling and steamy lyrics, their music has been called "sex-themed punk-soul" and 'a teenaged Etta James or Carla Thomas sitting in with their neighborhood garage group for an afternoon.'
Sick of Talk Thursday, November 10th, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Pat Duncan's show
Fast and furious old style hardcore, this band pays homage to INFEST. These high school juniors have a debut 7" coming out on Chainsaw Safety Records.
Yura Yura Teikoku Monday, November 7th, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Janitor From Mars with R. Lim
Although Yura Yura Teikoku have achieved mainstream popularity in Tokyo as one of its most dynamic rock bands, they have yet to make waves outside of their home country. This is all about to change on the heels of two rapturously received shows in New York to celebrate the distribution of their back catalog via New York's Mesh Key Records. Tune in to find out
what makes their blend of psychedelic pop and early New York art-punk so appealing in this session, recorded exclusively for The Janitor From Mars radio program.
Jozef van Wissem & Sean Smith Monday, November 7th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Irene Trudel's show
On Jozef van
Wissem's latest disc, "Objects in Mirror are closer than
they appear," he continues his fascination with musical
palindromes. Jozef's also incorporated a fair amount of taped
airfield recordings and electronics into his latest project. The
Netherlands-based master-lutist is dropping by WFMU to perform on a
trip to the New York area. Also on the show, rescheduled from last
week, the mysterious and amazing fingerstyle guitarist, Sean Smith, whose
compositions make more than a passing nod to greats like John Fahey
and Robbie Basho. By way of introduction, "Sean Smith was born on a
grey day in Pacific Grove, California in 1981 and has yet to emerge
from the fog. He currently lives all alone in a rambling Victorian
house on the coast of California overlooking the Pacific ocean. The
high ceilings and hardwood floors of this century old house make for
great opportunities in recording his solo guitar explorations, but
the dining room in which he sleeps is so cold at night it's like
wearing ice ear muffs." Sean's surroundings make for great musical
inspirations, and you can hear the result when he plays live.
Disnihil Thursday, November 3rd, 2005, 11pm - 2am
on
Pat Duncan's show
New York Hardcore band, featuring former members of Black Army Jacket, unleashing a vicious Swedish styled crust kinda like Anti-Cimex or Wolfpack!
Magik Markers Tuesday, November 1st, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Brian Turner's show
With broad strokes of No Wave and classic hardcore sensibilities, the Magik Markers have often been saddled with comparsions to Teenage Jesus and especially Red Transistor, though in their five year wake of trashed drumkits and broken guitars they've done equal amounts of introspective sound explorations as well. Live, Pete Nolan (drums), Leah Quimby (guitar) and Elisa Ambroglio (guitar, vocal) totally spraypaint the walls; if you are missing the adrenaline-to-the-heart shock of live Harry Pussy, Minor Threat and primo Black Flag (Elisa is way more Keith Morris than Lydia Lunch), or worship the meltdown guitar rumbling and off-balance wooziness of the Dead C circa "Harsh 70's Reality" this may very well be your new fave action trio. Video clips on the playlist page to follow!
Michael Evans and Kenta Nagai Sunday, October 30th, 2005, Midnight - 3am
on
Inflatable Squirrel Carcass with Rich Hazelton
The Inflatable Squirrel Carcass welcomes its first guests as Michael
Evans (percussion, analog electronics, theremin) and Kenta Nagai
(guitar, shamisen) take over for three hours. They will perform live,
present recordings from other performances, DJ, and interview. Unlike the last attempt to have a guest on the Inflatable Squirrel Carcass, if these guys forget their instruments they'll still be entertaining.
Nautical Almanac Tuesday, October 25th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Brian Turner's show
The spazzed-out inner recesses of the minds of Baltimore's Twig, Carly, and Max come alive today via an arsenal of junkyard electronics. Squeals, drones, clanging, bashed percussion, oven-mitt guitar playing, blips, blaps, confusion 100% guaranteed.
The Subway Surfers Tuesday, October 25th, 2005, Noon - 3pm
on
Three Chord Monte with Joe Belock
It's a runaway garage-punk train from Jersey City as the Subway Surfers
storm WFMU to derail any preconceived notions as to what you thought music
was! Next stop: Mayhem!
Botanica Monday, October 24th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Irene Trudel's show
Led by erstwhile Firewater co-conspirator and international piano man Paul Wallfisch, Botanica is a
band named for those mysterious stores stocking spells, potions, and
artifacts of ritual. This Brooklyn-based band makes punk rock chamber music
for the 21st century. Botanica describes their third album, "Botanica vs.
the Truth Fish," as a vivid collection of sexy, swampy, political mayhem,
and they'll be bringing that mayhem to the WFMU studio today.
Jack Rose and Imaginational Anthem Special Monday, October 24th, 2005, 6am - 9am
on
John Allen's show
Imaginational Anthem is a guitar music collection documenting some of the most forward thinking fuitarists from the last 35 years. Named after a Max Och's composition, included on this CD, Imaginational Anthem celebrates the evolution of an approach developed and refined by masters such as John Fahey
and Sandy Bull and carried on by modern volks including Glenn Jones and Jack Rose. Tune in online to John Allen's Monday morning's web only show from 6-9 am EDT for a set of music by Jack Rose, followed by an interview with the producer of Imaginational Anthem as we celebrate all those "riding Fahey's Ass to the bank".
The Nightingales Saturday, October 22nd, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
The Cherry Blossom Clinic with Terre T
In the early 1980's the UK's Nightingales were a relatively unknown cult band, but they were the critic's favorites in the post-punk music scene. John Peel championed them and said of their relative obscurity: "their performances will serve to confirm their excellence -- and other, infinitely better known bands stand revealed as charlatans". The Nightingales recently re-formed and played some dates in the US. These underground legends stop by the Cherry Blossom Clinic and honor us with an amazing session of intricate, complex rock! Check out the their recently reissued album from 1986, 'In the Good Old Country Way,' on Caroline True records, as well as some new 7" releases on Big Print.
Guest DJs Andee and Allan from Aquarius Records Tuesday, October 18th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Brian Turner's show
Tune in as Brian turns over 2 hours of the show to Andee Connors and
Allan Horrocks from Aquarius Records, who've trekked out from San
Francisco towing a sack of sub-sub-subterranean sounds that are sure to blow
minds. These guys have given Brian longtime advice on some of the weirdest
metal treasures in his collection, and they're promising some real
jawdroppers today from across the musical spectrum that you will surely
hear nowhere else. Andee also has some yet-to-be-released goodies on his own fine
tUMULt label, including utterly twisted recordings
of a bleak-souled 7th grade kid from Korea making fuzzed-out black metal trash at
home to rival even Burzum! Don't miss!
Thee Fine Lines Tuesday, October 18th, 2005, Noon - 3pm
on
Three Chord Monte with Joe Belock
This power trio is not only the best Headcoats tribute band to come out of Springfield, Missouri, they're the best in the country! The band returns to WFMU for a second time, touring in support of a new EP on Licorice Tree Records. Three chords or less, two minutes or less,
Thee Fine Lines are one fine band!
Jose Gonzalez Monday, October 17th, 2005, 3pm - 6pm
on
Irene Trudel's show
The names Bert Jansch, Nick Drake, and Joao Gilberto have been rising to people's lips when describing
the music of Jose Gonzalez. This Swedish-born singer-songwriter leans
toward the melancholic but adds a classical Latin sound to his guitar
playing. Jose is a rising star in the Scandanavian music community, and is
about to tour the UK on the Twisted Folk Tour. He drops by to pluck out some of his darkly beautiful tunes on a
classical guitar for WFMU.
Daniel Menche Sunday, October 16th, 2005, 6am - 9am
on
Airborn Event with Dan Bodah
WFMU will be graced with a second visit from
Portland, Oregon noise artist Daniel Menche [MEN-CHEE]. Menche's work has always stood apart from schlocky death-obsessed
post-industrial noise artists because he's got a sense of humor and
follows his curiosity to explore sound textures culled from places ranging
from his own body to drums, electronics, and environmental sounds. Listen
in as he pulls it all together into a foot-stomping, death-defying sonic
experience.
All times listed are Jersey City time, EDT.
Questions? E-mail Brian or call (201) 521-1416
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