What’s This Called?: 4 April 2015: Bob Bucko Jr., LIVE!
Hear the fantastical droneamericana psych guitar and pedal explorations of Iowa’s second proudest export after corn ethanol Bob Bucko Jr!
Your host Ricardo Wang and cohost/soundboard cosmonaut Austin Rich are thrilled to hang with Bob who put in an amazing set last night at Mothership Music.
Set Your Listening Device to the Heart of your mind then ease your seat back and tune in baby.
What’s This Called?: 14 March 2015: Soriah, LIVE!
(Note: This is a heavily trunkated version of the broadcast, which has been lost, unfortunately. This recording contains both performances by Soriah, with a small story told by him that was not included as part of the original broadcast. The playlist that follows is from the lost broadcast.)
Playlist:
“Daglarym” by Uger-Khan from Songs of the Masters
“And Slowly Fell My Ocean Drone” by Sevens Collective
LIVE SORIAH
Chad Organica in A Minor
Soriah Live
Nathan Youngblood & Soriah – Recuerdos De Luna
Lustmord w/ Soriah – Grigori
Closet Radio with Estocar, Live! (Retrocast)
(Featuring a set of fantastic rock & roll by local kids, Estocar!)
You wanted it, and now you’ve got it. Miss Rikki Lee and I produced another blast of rock and roll know-how in the form of bringing you the furious furor of Estocar! Miss Rikki always has her eye on what’s what, and the pairing of her perspective on music with the fantastic feistiness of this band was a match made in radio. Fortunately, I was tapped to help bring these sounds to the airways, and what happens is two hours of Closet Radio goodness, brought to you by kpsu.org.
Estocar’s new record – Faux Fiction – is the kind of album you play when you want to ignore the fact that fall and winter are here, and instead pretend you’re on a road trip to meet friends and have adventures. They put fury and fun side by side, and pack it into little song forms that are perfect for any afternoon. As you stream this show, you will want to turn it up as you listen along. The link above offers an opportunity to buy the album on bandcamp, but this show offers a good example of what you’ll hear in that album. Either way you win.
I wanna thank Miss Rikki for inviting me to do sound for this show, and the guys in Estocar for being really cool, and super friendly. It’s shows like this that remind me of how cool people actually can be. I had a lot of fun, and can’t wait to do it again.
Until next time.
01.) Just Like Honey * The Jesus And Mary Chain * Psychocandy
02.) Emergency Room * The The The Thunder
03.) Live Performance * Estocar * 10 November 2012
04.) I Will Dare * The Replacements
05.) Interview * Estocar * 10 November 2012
06.) Leave Me Alone * Chappaquiddick Sky
07.) Warm Leatherette * The Normal
08.) Years Later * Cactus World News
09.) American Beat * Fleshtones
10.) Baby Ran * 54-40
11.) Attempt To Steal * Night Mechanic
12.) I Am A Fly * Wire
13.) Corner Soul * The Clash
14.) You Must Be A Witch * Lollipop Shoppe
15.) Henry Rollins Don’t Dance * Allo Darlin’
16.) Protect Your Daughters * Sawyer Family
17.) Downtown At Dawn * Richard Hell & The Voidoids
18.) Constant Waiting * Johnny Dowd
19.) Cost of Living * Downliners Sect
20.) I’ve Been Through It Before * The Plagues
21.) Saturday Night * Suede
The Daily NewsBlas 19 November 2014: La Fin Absolute Du Monde, LIVE VIDEO!
Blasphuphmus Radio is proud to present:
La Fin Absolute Du Monde, performing LIVE at East End on 24 July 2013. Miss Rikki was on hand to film and record the entire performance.
Somewhere between cabaret, post-punk, industrial and loud rock, La Fin Absolute Du Monde was a surprise treat for me the evening in question, and a band I’ve checked in on a few times since I first saw them. Their albums are incredible, and they are a good old-fashioned band in that they tour constantly, they depend on making music to make a living, and they live ON TOUR. Check them out when they come around again. They’re great.
Enjoy.
Mother Box 57
The Daily NewsBlas 18 November 2014: Ilima Considine & The Sexbots, LIVE VIDEO!
Blasphuphmus Radio is proud to present:
Ilima Considine & The Sexbots, performing LIVE on “What’s This Called?” on 13 September 2014.
I have worked with Ilima a number of times over the years, and her music and evolved in that time to what you can see and hear in these performances. If you want to hear the original broadcast, and the interview, then this is the place for you: 13 September 2014 on What’s This Called?
Enjoy.
Mother Box 56
The Daily NewsBlas 17 November 2014: Fischkopf Sinfoniker, LIVE VIDEO!
Blasphuphmus Radio is proud to present:
Fischkopf Sinfoniker, performing LIVE on “What’s This Called?” on 27 September 2014.
I was lucky enough to run the sound for this event. This video contains both performances, in their entirety, and run about 33 Minutes, total. These videos have not been seen before.
In honor of this release, here a five minute audio-sample of Fischkopf Sinfoniker’s complete performance, which you can find here: 27 September 2014 on What’s This Called?
Enjoy.
Mother Box 55
The Daily NewsBlas 12 November 2014: Live From The Teen Challenge Thrift Store in Salem, OR.
An anonymous child offers a free, improvised performance to the patrons of The Teen Challenge Thrift Store on the morning of 8 November 2014. Here are the results.
Mother Box 52
NewsBlas 8 October 2014: Elisa Faires & Divine Cirlces, LIVE! (Directed by Ryan A. Ray)
Elisa Faires & Divine Circles, LIVE on “What’s This Called?” (The Original Broadcast)
Ryan A. Ray’s Channel on The Inter-Web-A-Tron
The “What’s This Called?” Ultra-Blog!
You can still find DJ Victrola on the radio now and then.
Elisa Faires’ Albums Available for you to Enjoy.
Ditto for the work of Divine Circles.
(Psssst. I was the second camera operator for Ryan, and also mixed the audio. But really, the bulk of the work by was by Ryan. Check out his work. You won’t regret it.)
Mother Box 027
Fischkopf Sinfoniker electro experiments in your synapses from Bellingham WA!
| Track 7 | Impulsive Machinations | Conformity Contortion |
| LIVE | Fischkopf Sinfoniker | on What’ This Called? |
| A Wall of Blood | Wobly | Drinking the Goat’s Blood |
| Interview | Fischkopf Sinfoniker | on What’ This Called? |
| LIVE | Fischkopf Sinfoniker | on What’ This Called? |
Ilima Considine & the Sexbots Live!
Ilima and her gold jumpsuit have landed in the sub-basement again. I was tapped to run sound for the show, and shot video as well.
Enjoy!
| Organica Juxtaposition | Jed Skenandore | video |
| Live | Ilima Considine & the Sexbots | on What’s This Called? |
| Interview Shenanagins | Ilima Considine & the Sexbots | on What’s This Called? |
| Live | Ilima Considine & the Sexbots | on What’s This Called? |
| Mu | Sun Ra | Atlantis |
Divine Circles & Elisa Faires, LIVE!
DJ Victrola covers for What’s This Called?, and hosts two touring artists: Divine Circles and Elisa Faires. I was tapped to run sound and cameras, and Ryan A. Ray also shot film, and directed video of them. It was a pretty memorable day.
Enjoy!
| Songs of the Oregon Trees Part III | Elisa Faires | |
| Amaryllis (partial track) | Elisa Faires | |
| Improv Pieces | Elisa Faires & Divine Circles | Live In-Studio 8-16-2014 |
| Interview | Elisa Faires & Divine Cirlces | Live In-Studio 8-16-2014 |
| Ingenue (Mulhern composition) | Divine Circles | Live In-Studio 8-16-2014 |
| Amaryllis 3 (Faires composition) | Elisa Faires | Live In-Studio 8-16-2014 |
| 26 Minutes | Divine Circles |
VideoZine#4: “Why Are We Here?”
(Our first compilation, with material by artists and directors from a number of under-represented places.)
Our program is always evolving and changing, and one vision that I have always had for these VideoZines is that I could begin to incorporate the work of other directors. There are a number of people who are in the same realm as I, making videos and trying to exhibit their seed of creativity. Why not create a platform for some of these videos and artists?
This collection raids the BlasphuphmusRadio archives, where I present video that has never been seen in this form before. I have a variety of video treats that have been suffering for a variety of reason, namely due to poor audio and bad editing. Presented here for the first time are live performances by bands that appeared on Blasphuphmus Radio & Is This Music? These performances were booked by Johnathan Boober, and feature incredible performances by Nasalrod, SLOTHS, Valkyrie Rodeo & RABBITS. Rounding out this collection are two videos shot during practice performances by The Nervous & Moth Hunter. The Nervous performance is of particular note, as they have become quite a powerhouse live outfit, and this recording was captured before they had even played live for anyone by their partners.
In addition to these live videos (all featuring newly remastered audio, and re-edited for this presentation), we also feature work by a number of directors, including Nil Admirari (eponymous, Library of Congress, Esmar Road), Matt O. (Half Eye, Iarvles, Dry Cleaners), Colin Hicks (Vomit Violence), Ryan A. Ray (” ‘Ho,’ The Humanity”), Paco Jones & Eric Hausmann. Each of these directors have a unique and distinct voice that is compelling and beautiful, and it is no wonder that with all of them, film is only part of the passion. These videos represent some cool work that you will not see anywhere else.
In addition to that, it is with this episode that we declare that this is an office show. The VideoZine will continue this year, and hopefully continue to return for subsequent seasons. Our plan is to produce at least Six episodes this year, but it is possible that we might hit the Eight or even Ten mark, depending on how productive the next month is. We do not make any money off this program, but we do enjoy making it, and hopefully you enjoy what we do, too.
This episode has all the bells and whistles: a remastered soundtrack, individual videos you can link to for each segment of the show, and the typical 60 minute presentation that we’ve come to know and love. I’ve done my best to create a little audio narrative, and to have some fun, so hopefully you do, too.
Enjoy!
VideoZine#4
“Why Are We Here?”
Produced, Directed & Edited by Austin Rich.
“Why Are We Here?”
Introduction:
01.) “A Stitch In Spacetime” by Nil Admirari
02.) “Hello, I’m Drunk” by Austin Rich (with backing music provided by the “Crusin’ 1955” LP)
Part I: “Let’s Talk About Social Etiquette”
03.) “Fascist Rumble” by Half Eye
04.) “It’s Everywhere, Yr Going To Die” by Tyrants
05.) “Two Songs” by Vomit Violence
06.) “Homebrew” by The Thrash-key Kids
07.) “Alex The Spider” by Iarvles
08.) “You Look Good In Glasses” by The Nervous
09.) “Be Polite” by Nasalrod
10.) “Postcards of Darby Crash” by SLOTHS
11.) “Duck, The Pigs“ by RABBITS
12.) ” ‘Ho,’ The Humanity” by Ryan A. Ray
Part II: “Where, Again?”
13.) “Lawrence of Arabia” by Valkyrie Rodeo
14.) “Steilacoom” by Dry Cleaners
15.) “Manchurian Avalanche” by Library of Congress
16.) “No Contact” by Moth Hunter
17.) “Project 13” by Paco Jones
18.) “What You Seek Is Seeking You” by Space Gambus Experiment with Eric Hausmann
19.) “Anchorage” by Esmar Road
VideoZine#2: What’s This Called? w/ Ricardo Wang
(After much agonizing and perfecting, VideoZine #2 is available for your viewing – and listening – pleasure, featuring performances by ALTO!, Soriah & Jonathan Howitt, Tres Gone, Forrest Friends, Doug Theriault, Cornelius F. Van Stafrin III, Crank Sturgeon & PCRV, Death Pact Jazz Ensemble, Sky Chance & Paco Jones!)
When I initially sat down to being work on VideoZine #2, I only had the vaguest idea as to what it would ultimately look like, and even stranger, hadn’t yet filmed a few of the gems that are included in this video. That’s the kind of project this has become, and as VideoZine #3 begins to lurch into production, I’m excited to see where that project will wind up.
In the end, I decided to select some of the best video projects from the various artists that have appeared on What’s This Called? As someone who has been hands-on for most of the live music that has appeared on his program, in 2011 I began filming artists that came in. Very quickly I began to amass some excellent footage, much of which has appeared in various raw forms on the previous incarnation of our Channel. By editing down the best moments from all this footage, I was able to offer 60 minutes of solid performances, with a few other treats thrown in here and there.
I’m really proud of the videos in this collection, and to this day, they represent some of the best moments that I’ve ever been able to commit to video. Each performance is available as a separate video that you can link to, and the audio is best heard as loud as possible. Not only am I very excited about these videos as they are, but these set the tone for the kinds of projects that will come coming your way soon.
Enjoy!
VideoZine#2
Live on What’s This Called?. Hosted by Ricardo Wang.
Camera Operators: Austin Rich, Miss Rikki, Paco Jones & Lennon.
Sound Recording & Mastering by Austin Rich.
Produced, Directed & Edited by Austin Rich.
In making this film, and lot of material had to be cut to get everything down to sixty minutes. That being said, below are links to uncut performances by all three bands. These links will be available until the remaining content is used elsewhere. In the meantime: Enjoy!
What’s This Called? w/ Ricardo Wang
Part I: Drone
01.) ALTO! * Excerpt I * 14 September 2013
02.) Soriah & Jonathan Howitt * Performance No 2 * 18 January 2014
03.) Tres Gone * Excerpt * 16 March 2013
04.) Forrest Friends * Excerpt * 23 March 2013
Part II: Noise
05.) Doug Theriault * Excerpt * 24 February 2014
06.) Cornelius F. Van Stafrin III * Excerpts * 5 November 2011
07.) Crank Sturgeon & PCRV * Excerpts * 16 April 2011
08.) Death Pact Jazz Ensemble * Excerpt * 13 April 2013
Part III: Beauty
09.) Sky Chance * Excerpt * 8 December 2012
10.) Paco Jones * Madmen And Spiders * 6 July 2013
11.) ALTO! * Excerpt II * 14 September 2013
Closet Friday: Bastidas! LIVE! (Live Friday 099)
(Featuring an in-studio performance by Bastidas!)
As someone who hosted Live Friday for quite some time, and has occasionally sat in on the show in the years since, it was nice to have my 99th Appearance on this program be with the band Bastidas! Their new EP “Time Portal” is a very tangy slice of psyche-pop, mixed with a high-energy performance that is very much my style.
This episode couldn’t exist without the diligence of Tunacan Jones of the Firm Handshake Network, who did most of the legwork for the entire broadcast. He convinced Miss Rikki of Closet Radio to host the program, wrangled me into running the sound, and even contacted PSU-TV in an effort to broadcast the entire performance, which you can see at the link below. (The sound is cut out for the first 6o seconds, and there’s a commercial you have to sit through, first. Patience.) There will be more video of this performance eventually, but for now, enjoy this broadcast and relive the magic of their PDX adventure.
It was an extreme pleasure to meet Bastidas!, and I’ve already got their EP on heavy rotation at The Southernmost Outpost, my new home down south. If you missed the show, then I urge you to check out this podcast, as they really are a lot of fun. I took a million photos, most of which were turned into animated .gifs. You can find them at the link below.
Enjoy!
Closet Friday: Bastidas!, LIVE!
AwayYoung Docteurs
Wyld ParrotsWounded Lion
A Severe Bout of Career InsecurityThe Associates
Nothing Happened TodayBoomtown Rats
In-Studio PerformanceBastidas!KPSU Live
Mutual Radio Theater (Retrocast #2)
As I took the week off again to enjoy some birthday relaxation, I spent some time thinking about a few moments that were real highlights from some of the work I’ve done this year, and these edits came to mind. As I was dialing in the whole “Radio Almanac” format of the show, I was frantically trying different things out in an effort to see what kind of things I could and couldn’t do. The results are a few experiments that I’m very proud of.
Parts I & III come to you from two shows I did in the winter, from my 2013 end of the year / 2014 Snow Day podcasts, where I was showing off some of the recent vinyl acquisitions that have come into The Archive. The centerpiece of Part I contains edits from The Firesign Theater LP “Everything You Know Is Wrong,” which is a really excellent example of the kind of weirdness that they deliver. I mixed it in with a few other things from all the 45s and LPs I’ve come into. Lots of cool stuff, and I’m still pretty proud of the complete shows, linked below.
Part II includes various selections form artists that have performed live on What’s This Called? Recently I undertook the task of Mastering the complete WTC Live Archive, which includes 77 different live performances by artists that appeared on that program. It was a massive job, the results of which is an impressive collection of experimental artists of all shapes and sizes. This seemed like a good opportunity to show off some of the more amazing performances from that archive, with the second Boyband performance from 13 November 2011 as the backbone of this mix that I put together. You can find the entire broadcasts that contain these performances on the What’s This Called?… UltraBlog!, which also contains every existing episode of this program going back to 2003. What better way to get aquainted with the kind of music his show puts on, and another example of my handiwork, and I enginered and mastered all of these records, too.
Part I: Everything You Know Is Wrong (A Vinyl Solution) 31 December 2013
01.) Our Prayer * The Beach Boys * Smile
02.) ‘This Is Leonard Nimoy’ * Mutual Radio Theater * Programs For The Week of 12 May 1980
03.) (Excerpts From) Everything You Know Is Wrong (Side A) * Firesign Theater * Everything You Know Is Wrong
04.) The Great Impostor * The Piltdown Men * (45)
05.) Crazy… Crazy… * Perez Prado And His Orchestra * (45)
06.) Raunchy * Ernie Freeman * (45)
07.) Sweet * Red Satyrs * No Hold Back… All Attack!!!: Twin Cities Hardcore Punk Rock & Roll
08.) No Trespassing * The Ventures * (45)
09.) Road Hog * Johnny Zorro * (45)
10.) Dance To The Music * Sly & The Family Stone * (45)
Part II: Boyband vs. “What’s This Called?”
11.) [Excerpt] * Cornelius F. Von Stafrin III * 5 November 2011
12.) Performance 2 * Boyband * 13 November 2010
13.) [Excerpt] * Metal * 3 February 2007
14.) [Excerpt] * Million Brazilians * 6 June 2009
15.) [Excerpt] * Offset Needle Radius * 5 February 2011
Part III: Heroes & Villains (A Vinyl Solution) 20 January 2014
16.) Peter Gunn * Henry Mancini * (45)
17.) Heroes & Villains * The Beach Boys * Smile
18.) Secret Agent Man * Johnny Rivers * (45)
19.) Goodnight Mrs. Flintstone * The Piltdown Men (45)
20.) Coesville * Johnny Zorro * (45)
21.) Twist Twist Señora * Gary “US” Bonds (45)
22.) Puddin’ * Ernie Freeman * (45)
Closet Radio w/ Gobstopper, LIVE!
In certain circles, Jawbreaker is the equivalent of The Rolling Stones or The Who: a revered band that taught some people how to love, make friends, host parties, have a good time, get sad, and ultimately, find your place in the world around you. What was surprising to me wasn’t that there is a Jawbreaker cover band – wonderfully named Gobstopper, I should add – but that there aren’t more bands like this.
As part of the final Pledge Drive 2014 broadcast, Gobstopper dropped by the KPSU studios to give Closet Radio Listeners a magnificent taste of what it is like to have grown up on a band like this. These guys were high energy, friendly, excited to be playing, and really embody a DIY aesthetic that is as much fun as it is impressive. Using coconuts and duct tape, we were able to get them on the air in a fashion that matched this aesthetic, and created a two-hour broadcast that is not to be missed.
Playlist:
? and The Mysterians – “Do You Feel It?”
The Black Lips – “Boys In The Wood”
Unwound – “Below The Salt”
Gobstopper Live Set:
Chemistry
Oyster
MillionJet Black
Bad Scene, Everyone’s Fault
Box Car
Accident Prone
Ashtray
Sluttering
Bivouac
The Birthday Party – “Scatterbrain”
The New Christs – “Coming Apart”
*
The Gun Club – “Carry Home”
The Easybeats – “Friday On My Mind”
The Drags – “Mindbender”
OMD – “Enola Gay”
Four Dimensional Nightmare, LIVE! (Pledge Drive 2014)
(With our first ever live in-studio performance on AMLOR, we bring in our good buddy Four Dimensional Nightmare for a mind-melting performance.)
For our third and final Pledge Drive episode for 2014, we bring in our good friend Tom. In his alter ego as Four Dimensional Nightmare, he has been bringing his particular blend of guitar / drone / noise / sci-fi music for a number of years, and it is always a treat to see him in action. Miss Rikki & I have quite a bit of footage from this performance, as well as some photos, and we’re hoping to bring you all of this A/V as it is available.
Four Dimensional Nightmare. Live. Let your mind wander.
Enjoy!
Four Dimensional Nightmare, LIVE!
Part I: Introduction
01.) Excerpt * Four Dimensional Nightmare * Live on “What’s This Called?” 2 March 2013
Part II: Four Dimensional Nightmare, LIVE!
02.) 16 April 2014
The Guitar Shop w/ Dark Matter Transfer, LIVE
I got tapped to do the engineering and video for Dark Matter Transfer, when they appeared on DJ Victrola’s show.
Guitar Shop Jeff Beck (opening theme) Guitar ShopThe Best Ten Minutes of Your Life
Rock Candy Funk Party We Want Groove Elevate
The Winery Dogs I’m No AngelThe Winery Dogs I’m No Angel
Gregg Allman Unstoppable Momentum
Joe Satriani Unstoppable Momentum Three Sheets To The Wind
The Ballad Of John Henry Joe Bonamassa
Jelly Bean Rootwork Tevis Hodge Jr. Blues & Rags Ground Kontrol (live)
Dark Matter Transfer Live in-studio
I Am I (live) Dark Matter Transfer Live in-studio
Cherry Trail (live) Dark Matter Transfer Live in-studio
The Envelope of Night (live) Dark Matter Transfer Live in-studio
Night of the Golden (live) Dark Matter Transfer Live in-studio
Goodbye Porkpie Hat Jeff Beck (closing theme)
Borrowed Time, Borrowed Eyes (w/ Pup, LIVE!)
(Miss Rikki and I – both spent from an exhausting and stupid day – return to a few old segments, digress ever-so-slightly, and premiere our theme music by Paco Jones himself! <Shhhhh! There’s also a live performance by Toronto’s Pup during our super-secret bonus at the end!>)
It seems as if we are all on Borrowed Time these days, as we each slowly devolve in this strange and terrifying post-apocalyptic time set almost 10 years into the future. However, we’re doing our best to come, and while Wednesday’s usually suck, they now only suck until 6 PM, which works out pretty well for Miss Rikki & I. Fortunately, you benefit from this circumstance, with another new episode of A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
In this one, we address the subject of Bad Clients again, play another round of “We Have No Idea What This Sounds Like,” shamelessly plug Booberamapalloozafest, and talk up our impending Pledge Drive Listener Support Thresholds. Add to all of this some great music, and you have one hell of a show.
(Shhhhhhh! During our super-secret bonus DJ set, the band Pup from Toronto was in the KPSU studio, pre-recording a performance to be played at another time. However, I decided to mix an excerpt from this live performance into the Bonus Set, just for you. These guys were really good, super tight, and a lot of fun, and worked perfectly to counteract the bad mood I was already experiencing. Thanks Pup!)
Enjoy!
Borrowed Time, Borrowed Eyes
Part I: Everything’s Exploding
01.) Everything’s Exploding * The Flaming Lips * Oh My Gawd!!!… The Flaming Lips
02.) Borrowed Time, Borrowed Eyes * SubRosa * No Help For The Mighty Ones
03.) Invisibugs (Live) * RABBITS * Is This Music? Broadcast
04.) Whiskey Sex Shack * The Mekons * Me
Part II: Wednesday’s Suck Until 6 PM
05.) The Rondelles * Fiction Romance Fast Machines
06.) Wonder Dark * Dog Bite * Tranquilizers
Part III: Relax And Enjoy The Experience
07.) The Ghastly Ones * A-Haunting We Will Go-Go
Bonus DJ Set (w/ Pup, LIVE!)
<Secret Hidden Playlist>
08.) Planet of The Wolves * Guitar Wolf * Planet of The Wolves
09.) I Can’t Control Myself * The Troggs * Archeology (1967-1977)
10.) Live In-Studio Performance [Excerpt] * Pup
11.) Hey! Mashed Potato, Hey! * The 5.6.7.8’s * Pin Heel Stomp
12.) When It Blows Its Stacks * Captain Beefheart * The Spotlight Kid
13.) Up In Her Room * The Seeds * A Web of Sound
14.) Sun Ra Backwards
</Secret Hidden Playlist>
Nasalrod, LIVE! w/ Hogwash
(Featuring a DJ set by Hogwash, and a Live Performance by Nasalrod!)
Hogwash has done it again by booking one of the most unusual (and amazing) local bands to come and kick-off their tour on my very own show. Nasalrod is the brainchild of Chairman, ex-Drats!!! and a general PDX fixture in the music scene for years. This particular group consists of a variety of local musicians too, including none other that Spit Stix, who used to drum in Fear! How cool is that?
The first two hours consist of a DJ set by Hogwash, but half-way into hour three, Nasalrod get set up and start performing, and that goes into the following hour (with an interview near the end). This was a fantastic show, and I am so lucky to have Hogwash on my team. These guys were super fun to work with, and I can’t wait to see them again.
Is This Music? w/ RABBITS, Live!
(Featuring a live set and interview by Hogwash and Austin Rich.)
Boy, did I get lucky this week. Hogwash of Is This Music? was lucky enough to have Portland’s own RABBITS come in for a live performance, to help plug their new record, Lower Forms, which comes out on Tuesday on Relapse Records. The upshot was that I got to run the sound for it.
I love this band, and it was really cool to meet them, and help engineer the show. These guys are pros, all the way, and their songs totally show it. I took some pictures and a video of one song, so I’ll try to get those posted soon. In the meantime, you’ve got this awesome performance that I’m really proud of. If you like quality metal (and I know you do), then this is the program for you.
Closet Radio Episode 108: Monogamy Party, LIVE!
(Featuring a guest appearance on Miss Rikki‘s Closet Radio, with co-hosts The Professor & Tunacan Jones, for a bunch of musical mayhem with Monogamy Party!)
First, the bad news: while we had arranged for an entire live set by the powerhouse that is Monogamy Party, a series of behind-the-scenes problems and tech issues led to a slim 7 minute live performance by this incredible band at the top of hour number two. However, a blown fuse on the guitar players amp make this two-song performance all that you can hear in today’s show. For this, we feel bad.
However, this is, of course, Closet Radio, and even the loss of their full performance does not mean that this show is anything less than amazing. With Tunacan Jones, a brief appearance by The Professor, and, of course, myself, Miss Rikki DJed an incredible show that offers cuts from their record, great songs that complement their style and, of course, an interview with the bad boys of monogamy.
As usual, it is always great to hang out on Closet Radio, and I had a lot of fun recording and filming these guys. Hopefully you got to check them out at Dante’s last night, and if not, now you know what you need to save your milk-money for next time they come through. These guys are incredible, and this is worth your time.
Enjoy!
Closet Radio
01.) Inside The Line * Warsaw
02.) The Dawning of This Night Divine* Ninety Pound Wuss
03.) It’s Everywhere, Yr Going To Die * Tyrants
04.) Livereaters * Chesty Malone & The Slice ‘Em Ups
05.) Rock & Roll Damnation * Dr. Know
06.) We Must Bleed* The Germs
07.) Feel The Beat * Crime
08.) Last Rockers * Vice Squad
09.) Pleasure Avalanche * The Birthday Party
10.) I Feel Voxish * The Fall
11.) Occam’s Razor * Run With The Hunted
12.) Dead Sex * STNNG
13.) Gra * Eye For An Eye
14.) Do You Mind My Dream * Liliput
15.) Live In-Studio Performance * Monogamy Party * KPSU
16.) Crimes * Monogamy Party * False Dancers
17.) Ordinary Things * Monogamy Party * False Dancers
18.) Ashamed * Monogamy Party * False Dancers
19.) Wasted Time * Monogamy Party * False Dancers
20.) Walls * Monogamy Party * False Dancers
21.) Show and Tell * Monogamy Party * False Dancers
22.) Blood Monogamy Party * False Dancers
23.) Terrible Mistake * Monogamy Party * False Dancers
24.) Cold Machine * Monogamy Party * False Dancers
25.) Suck * Cake Like
26.) Skin of My Teeth * The Sherlocks
What’s This Called? 9/14 Benefit Highlights
(Featuring remixes by Ricardo Wang & Austin Rich of live performances captured on 14 September 2013 at Slim’s in Historic St. John’s!)
What’s This Called? – if anything – is a place where experimental music and persist in all of its various permutations, and why should the presentation of live recordings be any different? What began as an attempt to replay some of the best music from the KPSU Benefit Show from 14 September turned into an entirely unique presentation, where Ricardo Wang and myself spent the hour remixing these recordings live on the air.
We couldn’t fit the almost two-hours of live performances into a single hour of radio, so these ‘edited highlights’ are even more manipulated using the CDJs at KPSU. The music of ALTO!, Fiasco, Jacob Anderson & Jennifer Robin, and Jeremy C. Long are all present in this episode, but heavily manipulated by both Ricardo and myself. It makes sense; once a live experience is captured in some useful form, the presentation of that material does not have to mimic the real time experience. Not only does this create something new to enjoy, but it presents the material in a truly experimental form. We both had a lot of fun with this show, and we hope you enjoy it too.
And, if you would like to hear the performances un-manipulated, they this YouTube playlist is perfect for you. All of the performances from that evening are present, in two-camera forms, and includes much that did not make it into the show, including a live set by The Dead Air Fresheners, a band with which I perform! These videos are some of the first two-camera edits I’ve ever done, and while I’m not going to say these are great visual representations, they are pretty decent for what they are. The full, stereo recordings of the performances are included with these videos, and give you a chance to hear things as they were that night.
Also included in this show is a 30 minutes “pre-game show” by Ricardo Wang, playing a few tracks of his choosing.
This show was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it, too.
Playlist:
01.) Introduction * Jennifer Robin & Jacob Anderson
02.) Piece 1 * ALTO!
03.) Piece 1 * Fiasco
04.) “The In” * Jennifer Robin & Jacob Anderson
05.) “Charlie Sheen Party” * Jennifer Robin & Jacob Anderson
06.) Entire Performance * Jeremy C. Long
Dia De Los Muertos 2013 Part III: Blanco & Audios Amigos, LIVE!
(Featuring live performances by Blanco & Audios Amigos on 2 November 2013 at Slim’s In Historic St. John’s. )
Little did I know that when I asked Jonathon Boober to help me with a little A/V work for a show on November 1st that I would also be getting stellar video from a show on Day 2 of Dia De Los Muertos. This show at Slim’s in Historic St. John’s continued the vibe of holiday awesomeness with performances in a rock ‘n’ roll vein, and kicking things off are the spectacular sounds of Blanco!
Blanco’s spaghetti western vibe and Day of The Dead imagery is the perfect complement to Audios Amigos, who are a country-fied, instrumental tribute to all things amazing. This is a great way to bring to a close all things Dia De Los Muertos, and I was very pleased with Jonathon Boober for capturing these fantastic performances.
That’s all we have time for this week, but stay tuned, as we have all sorts of new stuff coming your way this winter. In the meantime:
Enjoy!
Dia De Los Muertos 2013 Part II: Valkyrie Rodeo, The Hand That Bleeds & Al-X, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance by Valkyrie Rodeo, The Hand That Bleeds & Al-X on 1 November 2013 at The World Famous Kenton Club. )
What began as a chance to catch Metanoia live evolved into a fantastic opportunity to develop a three-part radio show, all due to the amazing efforts of Jonathan Boober. Jonathan has become a fantastic personality through all the work he’s done over the years, and having him make contributions to our show is always a pleasure. And with this show, we get three fantastic performances by local artists, as part of a two-day Dia De Los Muertos 2013 presentation.
Kicking things off is a fantastic set by Valkyrie Rodeo, doing a set of Dead Moon songs. Jonathan has brought them onto my show before, and they’ve always delivered the goods. Getting a chance to hear their interpretations of these Portland legends is a great way to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos, and they set the stage for things to come.
I’ve been hearing about The Hand That Bleeds for some time now, and yet I haven’t had a chance to hear their stuff before. Let’s leave it to Boober to make sure that I get to catch them in a very stripped down fashion. There’s something about this video that manages to capture the late-night, drunk-a-thon that shows like this embody, and I very much regret leaving early this night. Fortunately, we have these recordings to show us what it was like.
Lastly, let’s close this episode with a synthed-out blast by Al-X, who brought his electronic patter to the denizens of The World Famous Kenton Club. I had no idea who Al-X was before Boober delivered this video, and listening now, I really want to check out this guy more. This sounds pretty incredible, and I think he is a good way to bring a show like this to a close.
Stay tuned, because Part III contains both bands from the 2 November 2013 show at Slim’s, with Blanco and Audios Amigos! Stay tuned.
And: Enjoy!
Dia De Los Muertos 2013 Part I: Metanoia, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance by Metanoia on 1 November 2013 at The World Famous Kenton Club. )
After a full month of Halloween Spook-taculars, sometimes it is hard to come back to the radio wellspring and find something left to bring to the listeners. However, we decided to push past that, and instead bring you a three-hour Day of The Dead celebration, the likes of which you’ve never heard (nor seen) before! Prepare yourself for Part I of Dia De Los Muertos 2013 with none other than Metanoia, Live!
Celebrating both the holiday and their new release, Metanoia, the performance is incomplete in a merely audio form. Their set included dancers performing rites and rituals in the audience, a massive amount of fog and incense throughout the club, and some of the heaviest holiday drones you’ve ever heard. The video below barely does it justice, but you can get a sense of what it was like through this sample below. Make sure to turn it up almost as loud as your stereo can go for this one. (Works best on a Sunday morning.)
Metanoia kicked things off for what wound up being a four-band bill that really set the mood for the Day of The Dead. I wanna thank J.D. of Metanoia for helping make this recording possible, and Jonathan Boober (of Please Remain Seated) for being amazing.
Stay tuned for Part II, which contains performances by Valkyrie Rodeo, The Hands That Bleed, Al-X, and Part III, filmed the following day at Slim’s, with Blanco & Audios Amigos!
Enjoy!
The Thrash-key Kids, LIVE from Arugula Acres! (17 August 2013)
(Featuring a live recording from The Thrash-key Kids home and practice space, with an interview interspersed between the songs.)
On the 17th of August I was invited to spend the afternoon with The Thrash-key Kids. I was totally smitten with their music when I saw them at Duckett’s in April, and wrote about it extensively in the ‘zine I just recently put out. They completely embody punk rock in nearly every aspect of their lives and music, and I wanted to get a good, close-up experience of their band.
What I got was an amazing afternoon full of loud music, lots of beer, and great conversations about makes three friends form a band and make and wonderful racket like this. Fortunately for you, this is your chance to relive that afternoon.
Their music is loud, vulgar, hilarious, chronic-infused, drunk, and spectacular, and you will instantly either love them the way I do, or want to have nothing to do with this kind of noise. And that’s fine. But these guys are my cup of tea, and I get into the details as to why during the interview. I also get to present an unflinching, warts-and-all presentation of what life is like for these gents. They are not presenting anything that isn’t there in the songs they write. They are direct. They are honest. They are critical. They are ridiculous. And they are drunk, all at once. This is the real deal, and I was really happy to be allowed in to see what they are all about.
This show contains their entire live set from that day, and interviews intermixed between the songs. Yes, there is video of this performance. No, I haven’t yet finished editing it. Hopefully we can have this available soon. In the meantime, you should check out their Bandcamp Page: Free Abortions is now available for a $2.00 download, and The Past Is Beautiful is also avaiable, also for $2.00. You can also bug them in person for physical CDs that they hand-make, which I quite enjoy and make excellent additions to any record collection.
Join me for The Thrash-key Kids, Live from Arugula Acres! This one is pretty magical.
Setlist:
Part I:
01.) Homebrew
02.) Ryan Doss Has A Camera Watch
03.) One Of My Friends Is A Chicken Fucker (Your Girlfriend Sucks Bro)
04.) Shitty Beer Is Like Shitty Pizza: It’s Fuckin’ Awesome
Part II:05.) Juan’s Dad Got Drunk And Pissed In The Fridge
06.) Weed: It’s Just Like Jesus But Better Because It’s Real
07.) Running Water
08.) Fired
Part III:
09:) I Did Drugs Once And They Were White
10.) Seth Putman is Dead And That’s Real Gay
11.) Girls Don’t Poop
12.) Go To Church Because Christianity Is Stupid And So Are You
13.) Boyfriend
14.) Ass & Titties (DJ Assault Cover)
15.) Every Time A Cop Gets Shot A Unicorn Gets It’s Horn
16.) Get Some Real Sock
Part IV:
17.) William Pierce Is Dead, Ha Ha! We Want To Piss On His Grave.
18.) People Didn’t Live With Dinosaurs And They Can’t Live Inside Of Whales
First Contact Part III: Four Dimensional Nightmare & The Black Noise Orchestra! (Recorded 27 July 2013)
(Featuring live performances by Four Dimensional Nightmare & The Black Noise Orchestra, recorded at Slim’s in historic St. John’s!)
Living in the Historic St. John’s neighborhood offers a number of great pleasures and opportunities to see music, art, and oddballs who all call this place their home. Because of this, local venues really support St. John’s, in all of its wonderful and oddball forms. Slim’s is no exception, and on 27 July 2013 they let us put on an Experimental Podcast Party, featuring four acts and a DJ set that was true to this spirit. Part I featured performances by Ryan Ray & The Accumulation and Admiran, and Part II contained a killer DJ set by Ricardo Wang. But the fun does not stop there.
In Part III, we kick things off with Four Dimensional Nightmare, a group from Federal Way, Washington that uses Sci-Fi soundscapes and electronic oddities to present audio textures that cover ground from experimental electronic music and remixed oddities, and all points in between. Four Dimensional Nightmare are good friends of everyone who played this evening, and is a real supporter of shows like this. We were really excited that he was willing to come down for this performance, and we think that you’ll be excited to hear what he concocted for this show. This recording contains the entire performance from 27 July 2013.
And, lastly, we bring you The Black Noise Orchestra, in their first live performance in this new incarnation, and their first public performance, ever. In 2006, BNO began as an improvisational radio act, featuring a revolving door cast of characters, with the only through-line being myself. Now, in this new form, we are presenting audio theater narratives with improvised background soundscapes fill of samples and other noise. For this performance, we presented an adaptation of X-Minus One’s incredible story First Contact, re-mixed and re-edited for the audience at Slim’s. This was the first performance that I’ve done of this nature, and hopefully not the last, and now you can hear the full story here, no, and loud.
We would be remiss if we did not mention the audience, who not only showed up in full force for this show, but were very engaging and kept urging us all on. And: they were full of a number of friends, eager to see what we’d concocted for this evening’s entertainment. For that: thank you. While we don’t need to remind you, without out, there would be no show.
Thanks again for such an excellent night! I really enjoyed this show, and I can’t wait to put on more events like this. Enjoy!
First Contact Part II: Ricardo Wang! (Recorded 27 July 2013)
(Featuring live DJ set by KPSU’s Ricardo Wang, recorded at Slim’s in historic St. John’s!)
Our show at Slim’s on 27 July 2013 (our so-called Experimental Podcast Party) was a tremendous amount of fun, and I’ve been really jonesing to get these recordings out to you guys. And, today, you are in luck, because we can now present the entire show in three parts. Part I is available, and includes incredible performances by Ryan Ray & The Accumulation and the Battlesnakes Collective member Admiran. For Part II we’ve decided to bring you the entire half-time DJ set by our incredible friend, Ricardo Wang.
Having an incredible history as a DJ going back to the ’80’s, Ricardo Wang is currently hosting his weekly program What’s This Called? on KPSU.org, where he brings listeners experimental, post-punk, drone, noise and other amazing musical experiences, including an incredible amount of live music. Ricardo has been a huge supporter and friend of Blasphuphmus Radio for years, and his particular sensibility has definitely influenced my own.
For this DJ set, Ricardo is bridging the gap between the kinds of music you would hear on his show, and the kind of music that will get your booty shaking. Ricardo’s taste – much like my own – runs a wide spectrum, and we’ve both discussed how you can remain firmly in the experimental genre, but can deliver some killer dance tunes. This set accentuates this kind of music, and Ricardo really did get people out on the dance floor at Slim’s. I’m really excited to present his set from this night, and I hope you guys dig what he’s delivering.
We would be remiss if we did not mention the audience, who not only showed up in full force for this show, but were very engaging and kept urging us all on. And: they were full of a number of friends, eager to see what we’d concocted for this evening’s entertainment. For that: thank you. While we don’t need to remind you, without out, there would be no show.
Part III of this show includes live performances by Four Dimensional Nightmare and The Black Noise Orchestra! Stay tuned!
First Contact Part I: Ryan Ray And The Accumulation & Admiran! (Recorded 27 July 2013)
(Featuring live performances by Ryan Ray And The Accumulation & Admiran, recorded at Slim’s in historic St. John’s!)
We’ve had an incredibly busy summer, working with a number of artists, venues and performers, all to record and bring you a wide range of media. However, this has delayed the production of new shows to download and listen to, as editing and producing these take no small amount of time. The good news is: we’re starting to make it through the stacks of recordings, and today you can hear some of the excellent results, starting with Part I of our three part broadcast from our Experimental Podcast Party we threw on 27 July 2013. This show was a lot of fun, and Slim’s was a real sport, allowing us to take over the bar for a night, and bring you some amazing music. If you’re not already a regular there, you might want to start, as there are some great shows being put on, and the staff are great.
In this part of the show, we kick things off with a performance by Ryan Ray & The Accumulation, a rarely seen artist who brings post-modern poetry, electronic music, saxophone, and his own particular brand of tunage to present an experimental performance that should not be missed. Ryan Ray is most well know for his band The Blue Faces, but his current work is just as psychedelic and impressive, and demands your attention. This recording contains the entire performance from 27 July of this year.
Next, we bring you none other than the incredible Admiran, from the local music collective Battlesnakes! Admiran has a number of digital releases available for your listening pleasure, and you should most definitely check out his website, and download to your heart’s content. But if you would like to find out what Admiran does live, then this performance is what you need to be jamming on your car stereo. Admiran adds deconstructed dance grooves, guitar noise wonder, and electronic bleeps and bloops to present an audio assault that makes you feel very excellent. This recording contains the entire performance from 27 July of this year.
We would be remiss if we did not mention the audience, who not only showed up in full force for this show, but were very engaging and kept urging us all on. And: they were full of a number of friends, eager to see what we’d concocted for this evening’s entertainment. For that: thank you. While we don’t need to remind you, without out, there would be no show.
Parts II & III of this show include a full DJ set by Ricardo Wang, and live performances by Four Dimensional Nightmare and The Black Noise Orchestra! Stay tuned!
Towers & DEAD, Live!
(Featuring live performances by Towers & DEAD, live on KPSU.org, hosted by Miss Rikki Lee of Closet Radio.)
On the 24th of August, I joined Miss Rikki Lee of Closet Radio to put on an incredible metal double-feature in the KPSU studios. Towers & DEAD, on tour supporting the release of DEAD’s new album, Idiots, decided to come on in to put on live performances for discerning radio listeners. The good news: you get to enjoy these performances, too, here, NOW!
To kick things off, Towers stepped up to lay down a nice, sludgy base for this epic radio event. Mining a decidedly psychedelic vein of stoner metal, Towers lay down loud piles of thick riffs and pounding percussion. These guys were a pleasure to watch play, and I can’t wait until the video is ready. In the meantime, enjoy this recording.
Then, stay tuned for a live set my Australia’s DEAD, on tour and ready to bring the rock. It’s hard to know what’s more impressive about the duo, but the way they lock into each other and bring incredible performances is probably the most important in their case. These guys are ready to bring the noise, and they do it quite excellently. This will give you a taste of the kind of rock they are so eager to bring.
For this show, we are in the KPSU studios, and Miss Rikki is hosting, and doing a fine job of it, too. After these guys packed up, we continued to bring you an incredible episode of Closet Radio, which should be available to download soon. In the meantime, you can enjoy this excellent metal show. These guys are all excellent, and you owe it to yourself to reap the awesomness they sew.
Enjoy!
The 6th Annual NoFest in Historic St. John’s is August 10th, and BlasphuphmusRadio.com is exited to announce that they will be recording live, in front of an audience for this event. Be a part of the show! Witness as we put on our broadcast with discerning listeners in the audience! See a rare, audio-only spectacle from the comfort of your favorite neighborhood block party.
For this presentation, BlasphuphmusRadio.com will be scored live by none other than The Black Noise Orchestra. Providing live improvised soundscapes, The Black Noise Orchestra will accompany an audio theater presentation of Journey Into Space: Operation Luna Part 1. This is a rare opportunity to see radio performed live in front of an audience, among the other incredible guests a part of the 6th Annual NoFest.
THIS JUST IN! Blasphuphmus Radio – namely, Austin Rich – will be performing live with The Dead Air Fresheners at NoFest! The Dead Air Fresheners completed in 2013 their trilogy of operatives with spoken word artists begun in 2001 with poet Chuck Swaim and continued some ten years later with experimental fiction author Jennifer Robin. The final installments of this trilogy were a handful of performances with zine writer and underground radio personality Austin Rich. I am very excited to be a part of their show, and this will be a stellar performance that you will not want to miss.
To get a sense of the kinds of work we do together, check out this video made by Ryan A Ray a the Ethiopian restaurant and lounge Habesha. This video featurs the masked chance determinists laying an electro-acoustic and electronic soundtrack to Mr. Rich’s surrealist sermon of the gospel from the Church of Blasphuphmus.
Additionally: The Blasphuphmus Radio Street Team will be on the scene for No Fest! Our team of faithful recording cardinals will be out recording bands, interviews, and street recordings of No Fest as it is happening. This is a call to any artist or musician who would like to be included in our podcast during this weekend. Just contact blasphuphmus@gmail.com and express your interest. We are very interested in getting you on the show.
August 10th, 2013: The 6th Annual No Fest & BlasphuphmusRadio.com. A match made in NoPo. With a rare, public appearance by The Black Noise Orchestra.
We Now Live In The Future… on BlasphuphmusRadio.com.
What’s This Called? w/ Paco Jones, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance by our good friend Paco Jones, as he performs his new EP, A Second Chance Again.)
A good friend to both Ricardo Wang and myself, Paco Jones has played on both of our shows a number of times, and it a performer like no other. Following with his heart, he produced music that is singularly his. While the sounds range from singer-songwriter inclinations, and ranges through the furthest reaches of experimental, to add these descriptors to him feels a bit like cheating. Paco Jones is Paco Jones, and to hear him is to know what he’s all about.
With that in mind, this show displays his talents in a number of beautiful ways. First, we get a few samplings from his recorded work. Then, Paco performs the entirety of his new release, A Second Chance Again, in addition to a song he wrote about recording this EP with Steve Fisk. Then, Ricardo and Paco sit down to discuss music and art to close out the show. If you’re looking for an entrance into this unique artist’s work, this is the show for you.
It’s always fun to work with Ricardo, and I’m very pleased with how this show turned out. Special thanks should also be given to Tunacan Jones, who not only lent a hand with the show, but filmed the black and white video clip that you see above. Tunacan: you rock.
Thanks for listening!
Playlist:
01.) Film Score #1 * Paco Jones * CDR
02.) Live * Paco Jones on What’s This Called?
03.) Film Score #2 * Paco Jones * CDR
04.) Interview * Paco Jones on What’s This Called?
05.) Nothing Time * Paco Jones * Lost in the Supermarket
06.) Interview * Paco Jones on What’s This Called?
07.) Y * Paco Jones * CDR
The Book of Karen (And Other Pleasant Sounds)
(Featuring live performances by Death Pact Jazz Ensemble, The Holy Filament, Overdose The Katatonic, Abusive Consumer & The Dead Air Fresheners w/ me, Austin Rich!)
A few months ago Blasphuphmus Radio was given the unique opportunity to participate in an incredible show at Habesha Lounge, featuring a number of incredible artists who had also made an appearance on What’s This Called? earlier that same day. It was a pretty incredible day of music, and I was more than happy to participate in running sound, and hanging out with some cool dudes.
However, this show was unique, in that I actually performed as part of the headlining act. That’s right, I got to perform with The Dead Air Fresheners, the first time I’d done any kind of experimental music since the mid ’90’s. It was incredibly nerve wracking, and I was lucky that the small hangover I had was all that I earned that particular evening.
The performances in this show were incredible, and I’m really happy with the way they came out. I was still trying to dial in how I would record artists live, and while I have some bugs to work out, this is a fantastic representation of what I can (and will be) doing with this show in the future. If you aren’t already fans of these guys, I recommend tracking down some other stuff by all of them. They are all very good at melting your mind in the best of ways.
For the performance with The Dead Air Fresheners, I interpreted a story titled “The Book of Karen,” from The Bible of Blasphuphmus, a re-interpretation of a story written by kiisu d’salyss, THE Pope of The Church of Blasphuphmus. It’s an old story, and quite near and dear to the members of the church. I was told after the performance that I did the story proud, and hopefully you enjoy the work we did here as well.
While this podcast is edited together to give you a full presentation of what this show was like, you can also enjoy each of the individual performances as their own individual downloads on our Bandcamp Page. These downloads are free, but you can always make a donation to help support the cause.
Otherwise, I’ll let this one speak for itself. Enjoy!
Closet Radio with Sweat Lodge & No Bone, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance by Sweat Lodge & No Bone, on tour and ripping up the Northwest.)
This was an insane day. Starting at 12 Noon, I went through an eight hour marathon of radio, which included special coverage for What’s This Called?, no less than three live performances (one of which was the incredible Gaytheist), a three-way DJ Throwdown with Jonathon Boober and Miss Rikki, and then three hours of rock a la The Night Shift and Closet Radio. It was a whole lost of rock and roll for one day, and I was really excited to be a part of the show. Now, finally, after all this time, you can now hear the results.
Working with Miss Rikki is always a pleasure, and when she wants to book a band to play her show, you know that you are in for a treat. For this particular performance, we had two bands on tour from San Francisco: Sweat Lodge, who were touring on their most recent demo tape, and No Bone, who had to strip down their set to a slim five minutes to make it “radio friendly.” Needless to say, the studio was full of ne’er do wells and rock and rollers, all focused on having a good time. Fortunately, I was able to catch most of it on film.
This show contains all the usual bells and whistles: live music, DJing, interviews, and the assistance of Tunacan Jones, a new friend who is a great addition to the world of Closet Radio. This program is one of the best blasting forth from the speakers of young folks all over the world, and I’m always really happy to engineer shows like this.
Enjoy!
Gaytheist, LIVE!
(Featuring a Live Performance by local boys Gaytheist, hosted by Jonathon Boober, engineered by myself, including a short interview near the end, as they promote their new record Hold Me… But Not So Tight, out now on Good To Die Records.)
Holy Crap! Gaytheist! And I got to record them! If you don’t already know them, then the metal fan inside of you is frowning furiously, sad that you would deprive him of such excellent music. I’ve been a fan of these guys since my friend, The Judge, took me to see them at Rontoms. They so completely blew me away, that I actually went and saw them again – later that same day! – at The People’s Sandwich Shop. While there are a number of reference points that are completely up my ally, their sound is unique, their style is impeccable, and their songs are miniature metal narratives, complete in the form, and brilliant in their execution.
I’ve been grooving on their new record, Hold Me… But Not So Tight, which comes out on Tuesday, but you can hear them play live selections from it, and a number of their other excellent tunes, in this performance, hosted by Jonathon Boober. As we attempt to recreate the magic we had during our infamous RABBITS show from way-back-when, we also get a chance to hang out with some stand-up gents. If you like what you hear, then you should check out their series of album release shows, starting with a performance of 22 May 2013 at The White Owl Social Club. Boober did a fantastic job of holding down the show, and I was really excited to be able to run sound for these guys. A video of their performance is also forthcoming.
Stay tuned, as this was just a fraction of the radio we did yesterday. Enjoy!
Gaytheist, LIVE!
01.) Live Performance Part I * Gaytheist * 18 May 2013
02.) Rebellious Jukebox * The Fall * Live At The Witch Trials
03.) Live Performance Part II * Gaytheist * 18 May 2013
04.) Requiem * Killing Joke * Requiem
05.) Interview * Gaytheist, Jonathon Boober & Austin Rich * 18 May 2013
06.) Secret Island * The Swell Maps * Jane From Occupied Europe
15th Anniversary Blas-Travaganza Part XII: Austin Rich w/ The Dead Air Fresheners present “The End”!
Closing out the Blas-Travaganza, the final selection by the Dead Air Fresheners with myself on vocals, “The End.” This was a fantastic way to close out two days of merriment, insanity, and excellent music, and as the show drew to an end, this was the only way I could imagine wrapping things up.
I have to say, putting together this show was a really transformative event. I’ve put on shows in the past, have DJed on the air and in front of crowds, and even have a birthday show for my 30th that was pretty wild, but this really blew all of that out of the water. Over two days every kind of emotion and thought went through me, and having my friends and favorite bands there for me was a feeling that really awoke in me a sense of accomplishment. I am not a perfect person, and there will always be rough edges and flaws in the things I do and become involved with. However, those flaws make me love this stuff even more, and as I’ve become more comfortable in my skin, I can only imagine the things I’ll be able to accomplish in the next 15th years.
Special thanks to my incredible girlfriend, who is supportive and understanding, in a way that few people in this world are. She makes all of this possible, as much as I do.
See ya next time, and:
Enjoy!
15th Anniversary Blas-Travaganza Part X: Moth Hunter!
Continuing to bring you the fantastic recordings made as part of our Blas-Travaganza, next up we have the incredible sounds of Moth Hunter. No stranger to our show, Moth Hunter has been building and recording with his home-made oddities for some time, but rarely performs in front of an audience, instead reclining in his home studio. After some negotiations, he was more than happy to make one of these appearances as part of our show, and he managed to blow the top off of Slim’s with his mind-melting electronic psychedelia.
Our recent radio collaborations have been really impressive, and he’s been able to stretch out and deliver some of his most incredible work as part of our show. He also contributed the final track to our digital compilation, Lost In The Supermarket, where he delivers a fantastic solo composition that is pretty intense. It is alway a pleasure to work with him, and I can only hope that this performance is as impressive to you as it is to me.
Enjoy!
Like an overlooked Greek Play, the second act our our Dead Air trilogy – “The Middle” – is the half-way point in Day 2 of the Blas-Travaganza. Things get confusing, the mood shifts, this becomes that, and everything changes, briefly, as we interlude into the final act of our program.
Working with The Dead Air Fresheners is odd, in that you are never really sure who you are working with, and therefore aren’t always able to plan around them. Working on these pieces has also been challenging for me, as I have had to meet them on their turf, territory which I haven’t traveled in quite some time. However, I feel like we managed to get into a groove, and I’m quite fond of the performances we gave this night.
Enjoy!
15th Anniversary Blas-Travaganza Part VIII: Snatch Wagon!
One of my favorite parts of hosting a radio program is introducing people to new music and new bands… and specifically, featuring bands that are brand-spankin’ new. Snatch Wagon isn’t quite new-new – they’ve played one song out here and there, under a different name – but this incarnation of their down-and-dirty music is fairly new-ish, and it was real honor to be able to bring them to you as part of the Blas-Travaganza.
Their performance was very multi-media, with a narrator, slides illustrating the story, and songs (and covers) performed to help introduce you to the lifestyle of the Eastern-Portland denizen known as the “Crank Skank.” As nasty as they wanna be, these girls deliver the trailer park rock opera like you’ve never heard it before, and you can catch it all (minus the visuals) in this stellar download.
Probably one of the high-points of my life was been meeting their drummer, who introduced me to so many incredible artists that there isn’t a day that passes where I’m not listening to somethings she turned me onto. It only seems appropriate to have her be a part of the Blas-Travaganza, and I hope you enjoy this recording as much as I do.
15th Anniversary Blas-Travaganza Part VII: Alpha Protist!
It’s always fun when I get to work with any of the Battlesnakes, and they have been big supporters of our show since 2009. I’ve had the pleasure of living with half of this band, and chatting about records with both of them, and any chance you get to enjoy an Alpha Protist song, you know you are doing something right. That is why I was extremely excited to have them offer to cover for Josh Jones, when he had to cancel his performance for the Blas-Travaganza. It was sad not to get them on the bill initially, and excellent news when I found out we could make it work anyway.
For a two-piece writing fairly mid-tempo music, they managed to fill Slim’s with a triumphant cacophony that really made me happy. Reference points may be useless when trying to describe them, but let it be said that they are passionate, dedicated, and earnest artists creating a racket that is extremely pleasing to the ears. While there isn’t an Alpha Protist track on the comp, a few of the Battlesnakes do turn up on Lost In The Supermarket, and I recommend you checking out their work on our Bandcamp site.
In the meantime, you can also enjoy this live performance… for now! They were gentlemen and scholars, and it was fantastic to have them as part of the Blas-Travaganza.
Setlist:
Lines
Lousse
The Old Wives
Darkened Car (Little Wings cover)
You Only Know How to Stop
Karmon Hadron
Frown Town
Sic Eros
Pioneering Dark
The Book I Write
Paint Over the Locks
Day 2 of our incredible Blas-Travaganza found us back in Historic St. John’s, and the excellent watering hole Slim’s, for a stellar line-up of weird and wonderful acts that were as wide ranging as they were rocking. Kicking off the show, I managed to work with none other than The Dead Air Fresheners, and presented a short piece we’ve been working on known as “The Beginning.”
Getting to work with The Dead Air Fresheners has been one of the highlights of recent memory. I used to perform as a solo experimental artist under the name A.C.R.O.N.Y.M., and while I have been running sound and getting to know these guys over the last several years, performing with them has been a real treat. I’ve been lucky enough to work out these pieces with them over the last month, and our “debut” at Habesha Lounge on the 13th was fantastic. (Which will also be available soon from this very site.) They were also kind enough to donate a track to our comp, Lost In The Supermarket, which you can easily hear (and download) from our Bandcamp site, and I couldn’t be happier with the way this introduction to the show turned out.
This post will be available for the time being, but will eventually go away, so get it now! This performance is part of three pieces I did with The Dead Air Fresheners throughout the night, each of which adding to the overall awesomeness of this show. Enjoy!
15th Anniversary Blas-Travaganza Part V: Guyve!
Closing out Day 1 of our incredible Blas-Travaganza: the immortal Guyve! Now a three piece, and celebrating their 20th anniversary as a working band, Guyve have been friends of the show for a while, and every time I see them they have new chops that just blow my mind. Guyve create textures and atmospheres of metal and psychedelia that continue to mystify and blow minds. Guyve are not to be messed with, and when they agreed to play this show, I knew Day 1 would be fantastic.
These guys have always been cool guys, and the number of examples I have of their incredible awesomeness would fill a blog post of it’s own. They were also kind enough to contribute a fantastic song for our just-released comp, Lost In The Supermarket, available now on our Bandcamp site. Their last album – their first ever vinyl release – is a fantastic representation of their show, and as a three piece, they not only have an even fuller sound, but they are even cool with more nice band members. Really, I couldn’t have been happier to have them on the bill, and my only regret is that there were so many people who did not get to see them.
Fortunately, you can enjoy this podcast for the time being. Thanks again to all the people at East End, and all the people who attended the show, and got to see this awesome show. Day 2 downloads should be available soon, but in the meantime: enjoy!
15th Anniversary Blas-Travaganza Part IV: Thrust!
As we get into the back-end of the show, Thrust takes the stage to deliver their peculiar brand of psychedelic indie-rock. A fairly new outfit, their tight performances of largely instrumental music makes a good pairing with the headliners after them. While I only know the drummer (who used to play in Cathead), their guitar player manages to cut through the tangle of guitar lines to melodies and riffs that will open up your mind, and beg you to listen.
It was incredibly considerate of them to come up from Eugene for this performance, and I really owe them a debt of gratitude for rounding out the bill. Keep an eye peeled for them as you make a tour through the Willamette valley, and until then, you can download this performance and check them out.
15th Anniversary Blas-Travaganza Part III: Cathead!
This show did not start out as an opportunity for Cathead to reform. Let’s make that abundantly clear up front. This was never the intention, nor the desire from the start. However, as several of us began to realize that we would be in the same room together, it wasn’t long before WANC Records contacted us about a “Contractual Obligation Performance” required at the 20 year mark of our first forming. We hemmed and hawed, and really tried to resist, but in the end it was apparent: Cathead would take the stage again.
Cathead was never about being fantastic performers, or even about having songs or music, per se. Our avant-punk stylings were more about a sort of abstract performance art, a sort of loaf-core-taken-to-the-next-level band, where all of our most terrible, awful, and despicable ideas were funneled into one band. We had a rule in Cathead: when you say, “I have a really bad idea,” no other band member can refuse the suggestion, and pretty soon it wasn’t hard to get behind a one-off reunion.
This hadn’t been the first time the idea came up. In 2006, the idea of a reunion came up, and we even went so far as to write two new songs, which both appear in this performance, in addition to a sort of “tour” through Cathead’s catalog, focusing on the songs we wrote with Syd Louse. (Die-hard Cathead fans will remember that there was a later incarnation, minus Syd. However, we could not locate Scratchy The Raving Derelict for this performance, and thus decided to drop our later-period songs.) In typical Cathead fashion, we practiced once before this show.
I would like to thank Duckfuzz – yet again – for completely failing to open for us.
In a way, the show was exactly like old Cathead shows, with the added exceptions that we were drinking, something we would have never added to our chemical compositions back in the day, and we actually sounded a little better than we ever did back then. This is probably going to be the final statement of this particular brand of expression, only because some of us may not make it to the 50 Year reunion outlined in our awful contract with WANC.
Included are a few shots from the audience.
Thanks again for letting me put a quarter in the ride, and enjoying one last march across the stage.
15th Anniversary Blas-Travaganza Part II: /root_DIR!
Part II of our fantastic Blas-Travaganza includes the gride-core stylings of /root_DIR!
I’ve known Semi-Colin for quite some time, both from his days in Cathead with me, but also from his various other strange and incredible musical projects. His Catatonic Studios has become a bit of a mainstay of the Eugene, OR music scene, and when he’s not recording High School punks in exchange for beer, he’s creating crazy music that is not only fun to listen to, but pushes the boundaries of both muisic and Grind.
/root_DIR were also kind enough to supply a track to our digital compilation, Lost In The Supermarket. I know we’re plugging it a lot right now, but that’s because we’re really proud of the results, and think it includes some amazing work by some of our best musical friends. There are a few tracks on this disc recorded at Catatonic, and we are very happy to have this kind of partnership with such awesome dudes.
And: their set totally destroyed. Check it out.
15th Anniversary Blas-Travaganza Part I: The Nervous!
The Blas-Travaganza was a complete success, and while I have some specific ideas of how I would like to present all the amazing material that we documented over the two days, I just can’t wait to bring you the music that we were excited for on those days. So, first up, here is the complete performance by Portland’s very own, The Nervous!
I love booking shows with my friends bands, not only because I like their music (honestly – there are a lot of friends I didn’t ask to play this event), but also because they are really easy to work with, and a lot of fun! I’ve known these guys for ages, and both Chris and Jesse have been a part of this show dating back to the ’90’s incarnation. As The Nervous, they are no strangers to the show, either, allowing me to interview them prior to any kind of live, public performances, and their Groundhog Day debut show is still in the archive, and will surface at some point in the future. (You can watch the video over here, if you just can’t wait.)
While you’re enjoying some music and whatnot, why not check out our digital compilation, released at this show, and featuring a track by The Nervous? Lost In The Supermarket is a collection of songs recorded by friends of the program, and is available now to stream, and for a small donation, to download as well. Attendees managed to receive free download codes, packaged with a blank CD to use any way they see fit. You can get this per-assembled version from me, or download the entire collection from the link above. The Nervous were really kind enough to donate a track, and I was very happy to include them.
I was really happy to have them kick-off the Blas-Travaganza. Not only are they a lot of fun, but they set a good mood and tone for the weekend, and I was really happy to include them on the bill. As more and more A/V is uncovered and available, I’ll be posting more and more stuff to connect with these recordings. Additionally, these will only be available in their unedited format for a limited time, as I have some sneaky plans for both the video and audio.
But in the meantime, enjoy this fantastic nerd-rock treat. Please: send you photos, videos, and anything else you captured of these guys. All of it will be used in some form or another!
What’s This Called? w/ Holy Filament, Overdose The Katatonic & Death Pact Jazz Ensemble, LIVE!
(Featuring the usual What’s This Called? chicanery, plus live performances by Holy Filament, Overdose The Katatonic & the noise super-group, Death Pact Jazz Ensemble, in preparation for their show tonight at Habesha Lounge.)
Join Ricardo Wang and I as we squeeze an excellent DJ set – and three live performances – into a show that almost wasn’t, on kpsu.org. This week’s show couldn’t have happened without the stellar assistance of DJ Dirty Mollie of the Whitechappel Circus, for helping out with both the gear, and contacting staff members to help out in a pinch. This show was truly a group effort, and you will get to hear it all in this nearly two-hour set of fantastic radio.
Ricardo’s pre-game show, featuring all of Sun Ra’s Atlantis, was enough to put anyone in the mood, but not only was he able to fit in a fantastic DJ set, but live performances by two noise masters, and their super-group, Death Pact Jazz Ensemble. All three are performing tonight at Habesha Lounge for a noise show that features Abusive Consumer, and the legendary Dead Air Fresheners, featuring me, Austin Rich, delivering an actual Blasphuphmus sermon as part of the show. Both Holy Filament and Overdose The Katatonic have releases on Den Of Dead Trees Recordings, a label that specializes in experimental and avant-guard recording projects. Their split – Absolute Insult – is a tribute to their kind of forward-thinking soundscapes that alter as well as focus the mind.
If you like what you hear, come to the show! This promises to be a lot of fun. Personally, I’ve already had a great day working with these guys once today. Playing a show with them is going to be pretty fantastic.
See ya there.
Playlist:
01.) Cold Dust * Cabbage Patch Kill Dolls * CDR
02.) Track 3 * Daniel Menche * Flaming Tongues
03.) Welcome to the New Killer Bees * Behead The Prophet No Lord Shall Live * I Am That Great And Fiery Force
04.) II Porno Star * Shellac * At Action Park
05.) You’re Out of the Computer * Bingo Gazingo & My Robot Friend * Songs in the Key of Z Vol. 2
06.) Holy Filament LIVE on What’s This Called?
07.) Heart of the Heartland * Mark Kennis * Songs in the Key of Z Vol. 2
08.) Overdose the Katatonic LIVE on What’s This Called?
09.) Urban Wolves Are Watching * Select Sex * Demo
10.) Demolished * Unwound * The Future of What?
11.) Attack On Love * Yo La Tengo * Electr-O-Purra
12.) Death Pact Jazz Ensemble LIVE on What’s This Called?
What’s This Called? with Forrest Friends, Live!
(Featuring the woodland drone of Forrest Friends, Live!.)
Woah. When I sit down to do radio lately, one would think that I’m merely teaming up with Ricardo Wang to bring you yet another incredible band on What’s This Called? What can I say? We make a good team, and as co-host, it has been pretty nice to get to meet all of these incredible artists lately, and bring their sound to you as best we can. This week, of course, was no exception, as we were fortunately enough to host the outdoor audio of Forrest Friends, a pair of noisy furries with a set of strange and wonderful sounds guaranteed to mesmerize you.
Clear you mind. Imagine you are camping, and the sun is low in the sky. You decide to grab your flask, and go for a walk, sticking to the trail at first, but eventually finding the urge to wander off toward the sun. As you get further into the trees, you hear a sound, and as you follow it, you begin to make out the sounds of several species of small furry animals, gathered in a clearing, grooving to the sounds of drones, percussion, woodwinds, and other magnificent sounds. You inch your way closer… not too close, as you’re not quite sure what to expect. But as the evening slowly descends, you realize that these sounds are exactly what you want to be – need to be – hearing.
That is the sound of Forrest Friends.
Enjoy!
Playlist:
01.) The Village of Terrifying Fright * Windmill Music
02.) Threnody For Sharon Tate * Freddie Hubbard
03.) Performance I * Forrest Friends * 23 March 2013 What’s This Called?
04.) Camelot Haze * Eric Hausmann * Invisible Films
05.) Interview * Forrest Friends
06.) Marine * Francis Dhomont * A Storm Of Drones
07.) Performance II * Forrest Friends * 23 March 2013 What’s This Called?
08.) untitled (Track 9) * Daniel Menche * Eye On The Steel
What’s This Called? with Tres Gone, Live!
(Containing the soothing sounds of Tres Gone performing live.)
Saturdays were made for radio, and whenever Eric Hausmann is in the house, it can only mean that you must be listening to What’s This Called? Ricardo Wang and I work to bring you a soothing performance by Tres Gone: Mike Mahaffay, Scott Steele and Eric, bringing you improvisational mastery in a way to kick off your weekend.
Following a half-hour pre-game show featuring hand-picked selections by the host himself, I mixed a great back and forth by these improvisational masters. While many young artists love to just make some noise, when you have performers of this caliber, the art of listening seems to be front and center in this show. This is one of those great shows where you can actually feel the energy in the room in the performance as its recorded, and you can take a look at the pictures and video I shot at the link below. I love working with musicians of this nature, and I can only hope that you can tell.
Thanks again, everyone for letting be a part of this show. Take care!
Playlist:
01.) Slip Inside This House * 13th Floor Elevators * Easter Everywhere
02.) Threnody For Sharon Tate * Freddie Hubbard
03.) Mohawk * Chelsea Light Moving * Chelsea Light Moving
04.) Check It All Out * Black Heat * No Time To Burn
05.) Levitation * 13th Floor Elevators
06.) Sorcery [Live] * Charles Lloyd
07.) Reflections On a Symphony [Excerpt] * Mike Mahaffay * Interprets Charles Ives’ “Universe Symphony”
08.) Underground * Eric Hausmann * Invisible Films
09.) Live Performance * Tres Gone * What’s This Called? 16 March 2013
10.) Moving Malaise * Eric Hausmann * Invisible Films
What’s This Called? with Four Dimensional Nightmare, Live!
(Featuring a mind-searing performance by Four Dimensional Nightmare!)
My last few appearances on What’s This Called? has been in concert with Cosmic Jim, and while I love any chance I get to listen to music he recommends, it was really great to return to the studio with Ricardo Wang himself. And for this show, I was given a really great treat, as I was able to run sound for a live performance by Four Dimensional Nightmare! Any chance I get to run sound for anyone is an excellent treat, but this artist not only delivered a full on electronic / guitar assault, but managed to cause us all to hallucinate just from the power of the music.
As an experiment for this performance, I shot a video of the entire performance, which you can find below. This is in line with a new project that Blasphuphmus Radio is working on, which will be announce soon. In the meantime, enjoy this video – filmed on location in the KPSU Studios on The Portland State University campus.
In addition to all of this, I added Ricardo Wang’s 10 minutes “pre-game show,” featuring a Jimi Hendrix live remix, and other psyche-rock gems. This show is the complete package.
Enjoy!
Playlist:
01.) Up From The Skies * The Jimi Hendrix Experience
02.) Smashed / Blocked * John’s Children
03.) Dr. Doom * 13th Floor Elevators
04.) Icicles * Four Dimensional Nightmare * Icicles
05.) LIVE * Four Dimensional Nightmare * What’s This Called? Radio
06.) Time Dilations in a Holographic Universe * Four Dimensional Nightmare * Icicles
07.) Interview * Four Dimensional Nightmare * What’s This Called? Radio
08.) Burned Out Gods * Four Dimensional Nightmare * Icicles
What’s This Called? with Sky Chance, Live!
(Featuring a Live Performance by Sky Chance, who moved to Portland to play this gig!)
Join Ricardo Wang – with yours truly running sound – for a mind-melting performance by the (now local) psychedelic noise artist, Sky Chance! This performance blew away audiences live on What’s This Called? (brought to you by kpsu.org), and is now available for stream or download from this very site! Relive the joy, the horror, and the oddity that was, is, and will be the immortal Sky Chance.
Hailing from Austin Texas, Sky Chance brings his particular form of poetic drone and noise makes its way across the country in a rather unusual way: after some time in a down of his choosing, he will book some shows elsewhere, and move to that location to try his hand there. As a one-man band, this kind of lifestyle is not only possible, but returns to him the style of traveling bard that evokes as much Woody Guthrie as it does lute-toting artists on the Renaissance. Yet, Sky Chance is very much rooted in the “now,” bringing gadgets and computers together to create soundscapes that are not only unique, but offer a perfect counterpoint to his lyrics, equally composed and improvised as the moment calls for it. Sky Chance is an artists of a unique brand, and catching him live is something I cannot recommend enough.
Near the end of the show, Ricardo and Sky Chance chat about music and art, and below you will find a link to a photoset of images and videos I shot during the show. This one was a real joy, and I had a great time mixing the sound. Hopefully, you enjoy it as much as I do, too.
Enjoy!
Playlist:
01.) Letter to Metro (Zombi Remix) * Mogwai * A Wrenched Virile Lore
02.) Tornado Warning * Hammock * Departure Songs
03.) Nose Art * Flying Lotus * Cosmogramma
04.) LIVE * Sky CHance * on What’s This Called?
05.) Emerald Fanged Dancer * Expo 70 * Black Ohms
06.) Tyken’s Rift * Steve Morse * Light Echoes
07.) The Wolf * Swans * The Seer
Closet Radio with Estocar, Live!
(Featuring a set of fantastic rock & roll by local kids, Estocar!)
You wanted it, and now you’ve got it. Miss Rikki Lee and I produced another blast of rock and roll know-how in the form of bringing you the furious furor of Estocar! Miss Rikki always has her eye on what’s what, and the pairing of her perspective on music with the fantastic feistiness of this band was a match made in radio. Fortunately, I was tapped to help bring these sounds to the airways, and what happens is two hours of Closet Radio goodness, brought to you by kpsu.org.
Estocar’s new record – Faux Fiction – is the kind of album you play when you want to ignore the fact that fall and winter are here, and instead pretend you’re on a road trip to meet friends and have adventures. They put fury and fun side by side, and pack it into little song forms that are perfect for any afternoon. As you stream this show, you will want to turn it up as you listen along. The link above offers an opportunity to buy the album on bandcamp, but this show offers a good example of what you’ll hear in that album. Either way you win.
I wanna thank Miss Rikki for inviting me to do sound for this show, and the guys in Estocar for being really cool, and super friendly. It’s shows like this that remind me of how cool people actually can be. I had a lot of fun, and can’t wait to do it again.
Until next time.
01.) Just Like Honey * The Jesus And Mary Chain * Psychocandy
02.) Emergency Room * The The The Thunder
03.) Live Performance * Estocar * 10 November 2012
04.) I Will Dare * The Replacements
05.) Interview * Estocar * 10 November 2012
06.) Leave Me Alone * Chappaquiddick Sky
07.) Warm Leatherette * The Normal
08.) Years Later * Cactus World News
09.) American Beat * Fleshtones
10.) Baby Ran * 54-40
11.) Attempt To Steal * Night Mechanic
12.) I Am A Fly * Wire
13.) Corner Soul * The Clash
14.) You Must Be A Witch * Lollipop Shoppe
15.) Henry Rollins Don’t Dance * Allo Darlin’
16.) Protect Your Daughters * Sawyer Family
17.) Downtown At Dawn * Richard Hell & The Voidoids
18.) Constant Waiting * Johnny Dowd
19.) Cost of Living * Downliners Sect
20.) I’ve Been Through It Before * The Plagues
21.) Saturday Night * Suede
What’s This Called? with Crank Sturgeon, Styrofoam Sanchez & Overdose The Katatonic, Live!
(Featuring a triple-header, experimental jam with legendary noise artists Crank Sturgeon, Styrofoam Sanchez, and Overdose The Katatonic, each doing solo sets, and then jamming together!)
It’s always a lot of fun when any one of these artists manage to make their way onto the What’s This Called? airwaves, and usually Ricardo Wang is kind enough to throw me a bone, and bring me in when it’s time to run sound. Each of these artists have not only managed to perform in the kpsu.org studios, but bring with them a reputation that not only precedes them, but demands that listeners drop everything and listen with rapt attention for the duration of their sets. Furthermore, when you factor in the rabid What’s This Called? listening audience, and its a guarantee that any number of people worldwide are bumping any artist that appears on this show.
However, today’s show was a special treat. Not only did we get three full sets of noisy goodness, but one included a three-way jam that was not only mesmerizing, but managed to bring the fuckin’ house down for anyone who managed to hear the event. First, we had a full set by the legendary Crank Sturgeon, an artist that I’ve had the pleasure to see a number of times now, but who always manages to captivate and confound even the most hardened of listeners. Next, we had a truncated set by Styrofoam Sanchez, a trio of incredible noise sculptures who pulled out all the stops with a Halloween-themed set that was not only mind melting, but almost terrifying. We topped the show off with a two-for-one deal, beginning with a mini-set by the wall-of-sound stylings of Overdose The Katatonic, who’s weird and wonderful ear candy set the stage for an improvised jam with all three groups, blending into a fantastic cacophony that you can only hear on What’s This Called?
I was extremely pleased to be a part of this fantastic sampling of audio insanity, and it is one more reason why I’m thrilled to be a member of the What’s This Called? team. But really, to experience, just follow the link above. Your ears will thank you.
More audio madness is coming your way all throughout the month of October, so stay tuned!
MyFacester+ Photoset (Includes three short videos, too!)
What’s This Called? 13 October 2012
01.) Breeze Full of Spirits * David and Jad Fair * Halloween Songs
02.) Nibby Grimes * Miss Massive Snowflake * Tandan
03.) Live * Crank Sturgeon * on What’s This Called?
04.) Remix by Muddmakr – My Brother’s Guns & Knives * Remora * Tandaan
05.) Live * Styrofoam Sanchez * on What’s This Called?
06.) Zombie King * David and Jad Fair * Halloween Songs
07.) Coda Cacciatori * Party Killer * Tandaan
08.) Live * Overdose the Katatonic w/ Crank Sturgeon & Styrofoam Sanchez * on What’s This Called?
Closet Radio Episode 050: Told You Before – Not Now Not Ever, Live!
(Featuring a live performance by local upstarts, Not Now, Not Ever, live on Closet Radio! )
9-29-12
Brand spankin’ new band from the hairy depths of Portland, Not Now, Not Ever, joined Closet Radio live in the KPSU studios for an instrumental whiplash of dark-post-prog-with-a-steaming-side-of-strings experience that you’ll thank me for later!
This fierce foursome is immensely talented at bringing epic tales of adventure to any ear brave enough to slip into their web of cinematic audio bliss. But that’s not all, because the interview portions of this episode are equally entertaining as we discuss gaming, sci-fi movies, Portland music, and how this beast of a band came to life. If you’ve gone to the dark side of the moon and were able to come back, then this is definitely and episode you won’t want to miss!
Our good pal and righteous dude, Austin Rich of Blasphuphmus Radio was also on hand to plug things in, turn knobs, push buttons, provide commentary, ask the important man questions, and of course, proving once again to be the best co-host and sound guy a Rikki could ask for! I haven’t even mentioned that he also took photos (including the one below), video, and wrote an awfully nice two-cents worth over at his portion of the web-o-tron! Be sure to check out his show as well if you haven’t already to have a spot of tea, a good listen, say hi and thanks!
Austin’s Notes:
It’s not just that Miss Rikki Lee always has her finger on the pulse of what is great and wonderful in this world. If you tune in to Closet Radio with any frequency, then you know that she is on a mission to present all that is beautiful and fun in this world, both new and old. And this logic extends to both music new and old. It’s not enough that when she books touring acts that she picks some of the finest bands that she’s come to know and love over the years, but when she picks local artists, she manages to find them before just about everyone else. Case in point: Not Now, Not Ever, a Portland band who performed for an audience for the first time the other day on her program, and I was lucky enough to engineer the sound.
Mining the cinematic, progressive rock sound that has been labeled everything from “instru-metal” to “post-rock,” Not Now, Not Ever incorporates orchestral elements into their compositions while writing their songs using improvisation in equal parts, to create beautiful soundscapes that transport you to another realm without a single trace of lyrics. What shocked me was that that they did this as if they has been playing in front of crowds since the late ’90’s, and their competence clearly undermines the fact that they’ve only been at it for two years. And they’re so young! Not only is it easy to appreciate their skill as artists, but when they do start playing around town, you can still see them during their relative infancy.
In the meantime, I recommend enjoying this two hour blast of live music goodness. Not only do I run the sound, but Miss Rikki and I tag team the interview, getting at the heart of what makes this band tick. And as if that were not enough, Miss Rikki selects some stellar songs for the DJ portions of the show, rounding out this fantastic hour of Closet Radio. It’s everything you’ve always wanted, all in one concentrated blast of radio goodness.
Enjoy!
MyFacester+ Photoset (includes a video clip of their performance)
Told You Before
“Project X” – Mothers of Invention
LIVE SET pt.1
“Husker Don’t” – Not Now, Not Ever
“Psychonaut” – Not Now, Not Ever
“Draconian Crackdown” – Rasputina
“Black Widow” – Not Now, Not Ever
Interview pt. 1
“Tick Tock Blues” – Manual Sex Drive
“Ambulances” – Ladytron
“Rude (Slight Return” – Dirty Three
LIVE SET pt. 2
“June 5th” -Not Now, Not Ever
“Trip To The E.R.” – Not Now, Not Ever
“Crumble” – Calexico
“Mad World” – Tears For Fears
Interview pt. 2
LIVE SET pt. 3
“Improv Jam” – Not Now, Not Ever
What’s This Called? w/ Overdose The Katatonic, LIVE!
(Featuring a live set by the soothing sounds of Overdose The Katatonic.)
No stranger to What’s This Called?, Overdose The Katatonic is a solo noise project that hits the spot if you like harsh drones, sudden changes of pace, or are just interested in a little something new. This 11 minute live set, mixed with a number of selections by none other than Ricardo Wang, your experimental host with the noisiest most. Today’s show would make an excellent jam, so download it and burn a disc that you can bump in your car as you head out to the river, or stuff it into your i-object of choice for the perfect jogging soundtrack.
As usual, I run the sound during the performance, which was not only super intense, but quite excellent to watch. Both Ricardo and I snapped shots, and there’s a few minutes of video, too. So for the complete multi-media experience, this is your one-stop shopping.
It sounds like he’s be back this way in October, so you may get another chance to hear this kind of thing again, but in the meantime: here’s a link to his 18 June 2011 performance on What’s This Called? Even in small doses, this is guaranteed to knock your socks off.
Enjoy!
Playlist:
01.) All Data Lost * Chrome * Alien Soundtracks
02.) I’m Insane * Sonic Youth * Bad Moon Rising
03.) Track Two * Four Dimensional Nightmare * Icicles
04.) Colour Field v500 (Wire Tapper edit) * Icarus * Wire Tapper 29
05.) Live 7/10 * ODTK Trio * CDR
06.) LIVE * Overdose the Katatonic * on What’s This Called?
07.) Scrambled Brains * Overdose the Katatonic * CDR
08.) Ill Valley Prodigies * Liars * WIXIW
09.) Freak Puke * Melvins Lite * Freak Puke
10.) Maniacal Tripidation * Guggenheim Doppelganger * ladyz in noyz 3
Closet Radio Episode 043: Take It To The Limit – The Limit Club Live! (Retrocast)
(Featuring a live performance by, and interview with The Limit Club, with a dose of hooliganism and wackiness, too.)
Originally aired August 11, 2012
If you’re not already listening to Closet Radio regularly, then you are probably some sort of Spy working a deep cover operation where you are pretending to be extremely out of touch with anything remotely cool. (In which case: you are still pretty cool by default, since you’re running covert ops.) But for those of you who are in so deep at this point that you can’t risk blowing your cover, I’ll explain: Closet Radio is the radio equivalent of eating four bowls of Sugar Frosted Bombs before skating to the park so you and your friends can get into some serious fuckin’ around. Always searching for the middle ground between “fun” and “mind=blown,” Miss Rikki likes to take listeners on a very serious journey into “Fuck Yeah,” and I’m a fool not to join her on these wild adventures. Especially when there’s a band like The Limit Club playing live.
Join Miss Rikki and I for a live performance, and extended interviews with, The Limit Club. I run sound while Miss Rikki DJs for the first 45 minutes, then the band rocks out with a 30 minutes set. Top that off with a sort of improvised conversation similar the Manual Sex Drive Potcast, and you’ve got nearly two-hours of Limit Club madness, and just in time for the It’s-Too-Hot-I’ll-Just-Listen-To-Podcasts heatwave that’s been hitting the Portland area. As usual, I want to thank KPSU and Miss Rikki for letting run the sound and participate in this show. As she took over my old time-slot, it’s a very comfortable place to be, and I had a tremendous amount of fun, even if the monitors were not working.
I’m sure this is not just a coincidence that I did these two shows with her recently, so stay tuned for more shows like this as the months continue. I always enjoy working with Miss Rikki, and it’s always nice to be a part of the show. In the meantime: stream some live rock and roll, why don’cha?
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Facebook Photos on Closet Radio Page
Closet Radio Episode 43: Take It To The Limit
01.) The Limit Club * The Damned
02.) I’m The Wolf * Howlin’ Wolf
03.) Whatever Happens, I Love You * Morrissey
04.) herjazz * Huggy Bear
05.) China Girl * Iggy Pop
06.) The Tunnel * The Blue Cats
07.) Children of The Lord * Slim Cessna’s Auto Club
08.) Make A Circuit With Me * The Polecats
09 Club Country * The Associates
10.) Live Performance! * The Limit Club
11.) Interview * The Limit Club
12.) Viento * Caifanes
13.) Paradise * Manual Sex Drive
Episode 177: “No Contact” w/ Moth Hunter, LIVE!
(Featuring the X Minus 1 broadcast “No Contact” from 24 April 1955, mixed with a live performance by local Moth Hunter recorded on 22 May 2012.)
I know I’ve been teasing something “special” for the last several weeks, and I can now say that it is here: the next installment of our ongoing Blasphuphmus Radio Theater Presents!, with live scoring by Moth Hunter.
YES!
This is something that I’ve always wanted to bring to this show: live, narrative radio. It’s happened a couple of times, in very striped down ways, but never like this. Moth Hunter performed a nearly sixty minute set in may, as the score for an edited version of the X Minus 1 classic, “No Contact.” (In fact, this was the first story X Minus 1 broadcast when they first went on the air on 24 April 1955.) As I have also teased, this will not be an isolated incident. I’ve been working with some other artists too, and this could become a regular feature in the very near future.
As an experiment this time, we’re doing something we’ve never done before: we’re offering the entire live performance, unadorned, as a download via our Bandcamp Page:
22 May 2012 Live Performance * Moth Hunter * Blasphuphmus Radio
We wanted to try something new, and this seemed like a natural extension of this show. Getting to hear them both allows you to enjoy the performance as a stand-alone piece, and then appreciate it more as it is incorporated into the narrative of this show. It’s something that the Inter-Web-A-Tron was intended for in the first place, and I think it’s a very sensible move on our part.
Additionally, I would like to direct you to the photoset below. I always like to snap a few shots when I host bands, and this time was no exception.
We hope you enjoy today’s presentation. We put a lot of work into it, and we are really proud.
See you in seven.
No Contact
Introduction: The Far Horizons Of The Unknown
01.) 22 May 2012 Live Performance * Moth Hunter
02.) No Contact Excerpts * X Minus 1 * 24 April 1955 Broadcast * NBC Radio
Part I: “Countdown To Blastoff”
03.) 22 May 2012 Live Performance * Moth Hunter
04.) No Contact Excerpts * X Minus 1 * 24 April 1955 Broadcast * NBC Radio
Part II: “Four Weeks From Earth”
05.) 22 May 2012 Live Performance * Moth Hunter
06.) No Contact Excerpts * X Minus 1 * 24 April 1955 Broadcast * NBC Radio
Part III: “I Have To Find Out What Happened”
07.) 22 May 2012 Live Performance * Moth Hunter
08.) No Contact Excerpts * X Minus 1 * 24 April 1955 Broadcast * NBC Radio
Part IV: “Stormcloud To Earth!”
09.) 22 May 2012 Live Performance * Moth Hunter
10.) No Contact Excerpts * X Minus 1 * 24 April 1955 Broadcast * NBC Radio
Closet Radio Episode 033: Save That Crap For The Radio – JJCnV In-Studio!
(Featuring a live performance by, and interview with JJCnV, some appropriate music, and other ridiculous shenanigans. 5-26-12)
When Miss Rikki Lee asked me to run sound for her show, I knew I would say yes before hearing anything further. I love meeting bands, especially touring ones, and running sound has been one of the most fun and fulfilling parts of being involved in radio. So the fact that it was with such a cool band like JJCnV only made the entire situation that much cooler. It’s sort of like being asked, “So, do you want to have fun for a few hours?” The answer can’t be anything but, “Uhm, duh?”
On tour to support a recent, self-released album, entitled Brainiac Handsome (and available on 12″ vinyl, or digitally), these guys are the kind of rock band with which you want to spend every Saturday. Funny, crass, rockin’, and loads of fun, they pack entertainment into every iota of their being. What comes across for most listeners is exactly how much fun they’re having. Within minutes of meeting them for the first time, we were all joking and crackin’ wise as if we’d been good friends for years, the kind of relationship that few sound engineers ever have with a band, let alone a touring one you met less than a quarter hour ago. I had a great time hanging out with them, and that’s mostly because they rocked the fuck out, too.
JJCnV perform three short live sets, help Miss Rikki Lee pick out the DJ portions, and chat us both up for the better part of two hours. I felt extremely honored not only to help run the sound, but perform the interview! Rikki insisted that I join her in the booth, and I hope I conducted myself like a true gentleman as I invaded her very own program. While I know that this is not the last time we’ll be working together like this, I have to say we started off with a bang.
JJCnV are on tour for another week or so, with shows in San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno and San Pedro before returning home. They have a number of websites, through which you can keep track of their various exploits, which include their personal website, a bandcamp page (where you can check out their back catalog), a MyFaceSter+ page (so you can keep up with them while you’re at work), and a variety of pages here and there, available exclusively through the search engine of your choice. (Your usual Inter-Web-A-Tron rates and fees still apply.) I should point out that if you pick up a copy of the LP, it comes with a download card, too, giving you no excuse to start up that record collection you’ve always wanted to ask your friends to help you move whenever you get kicked out. It is very much worth the purchase.
I could wax poetic until the frogs come home, but I think it’s probably best that you just check them out by streaming or downloading this show, and then watching them live when you get a chance. Special thanks, again, to Miss Rikki Lee, for not only booking these guys, but asking me to run sound. As always, a real treat.
Here are the shots I took as a special added bonus!
Episode 166: Moth Hunter, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance by local circuit-bend experimental pscychedlic, Moth Hunter!)
Join us for a very special live performance by local circuit-bent, experimental noise artist Moth Hunter! This performance was recorded in his home studio on 08 May 2012, at roughly 8 PM that evening, and was quite possibly one of the best performances I’ve heard using these kinds of home-brewed items. I was also able to shoot some great footage as well, giving you a truly multi-media experience just short of being there with us. Couple that with an appearance by DJ Really Sloppy, and a few other odds and ends, and you’ve got this week’s program.
Moth Hunter is one half of Knuckle Children, a fantastic noise duo that has been creating sound experiments since at least 2007. Both have appeared on this show before, and Moth Hunter DJed a Halloween show, too (those shows are available here). We’ve been trying to set up this show for a while now, and after a couple of false starts in the last couple of weeks, we’ve managed to sort out the technical and scheduling details that had enabled us to bring you live music.
I have to say, I’m really excited to have live music back on the show. While Historic St. John’s has offered a number of great opportunities for the direction this show has been heading, I’ve been very sad that it is difficult to include live music in our studio. However, with the addition of new equipment and the changing landscape of digital recording, this is no longer a challenge. This really opens up new possibilities for our program, and we’re already lining up other possible ways to exploit this technology.
At this point, I’ll let the music speak for itself. Thanks for listening.
See you in seven.
Picasa Photoset (Includes three short video clips)
Moth Hunter, LIVE!
Introduction: Wherein I Introduce What’s To Come
01.) Track 01 * Knuckle Children * He Section
Segment One: The ADD Minute And A… w/ DJ Really Sloppy
DJ Really Sloppy doesn’t understand what Experimental Music is, and suggests that genres are silly.
02.) Track 03 * Knuckle Children * 9-11
03.) Rawhide * The Blues Brothers
Segment Two: Moth Hunter, LIVE!
04.) Recorded 08 May 2012 In The Moth Hunter Studio.
Outroduction: Wherein I Outroduce What You’ve Just Heard
What’s This Called? w/ Cornelius F. Van Stafrin III, Live!
(Featuring a live performance by noise veteran Cornelius F. Van Stafrin III!)
In another fortunate twist of fate, Ricardo Wang asked me to run sound for a live performance by Cornelius F. Van Stafrin III. Cornelius is not stranger to KPSU, having played on both What’s This Called? and Live Friday in the past. His particular brand of heavy drone is music to my ears, and I was happy to help set up his gear this time around. There are a couple of videos I show in the Picasa photoset, one partially filmed by Lennon, too. This one is not to be missed. Enjoy!
What’s This Called? w/ Asian Women On The Telephone, Live!
(Featuring a live performance by Russian dadaists, Asian Women On The Telephone.)
Flickr Photoset (Closet Photography)
Join us for an on-air exclusive with this mysterious and amazing band from Russia, on tour and stopping in at KPSU for a brief engagement. Asian Women On The Telephone have made quite a name for themselves since they first started in 2007, and it is worth your time to track down their recordings. I was very lucky to get to run sound for them when they came to KPSU, and I want to thank Ricardo Wang for inviting me to assist. They were fun, considerate, and came bearing gifts. It was a great show, and you can hear it all on this recording.
Enjoy!
Episode 130: Anastatica, Live! w/ Johnathon Boober!
(Featuring a live performance by Psyche Doom / Melodic Black Metal Oly hopefuls, Anastatica!)
Listeners of this show will find a short delay near the beginning, as we are allowing a very special What’s This Called? episode spill over into our show. But, don’t think that means there’s only filler during this hour. Stay tuned, as Johnathon Boober and myself bring you a live performance by Olympia’s Anastatica, a Psychedelic Doom / Melodic Black Metal band, currently on tour, and will be playing in Portland on September 13th at the Red & Black Cafe. They will also be playing Eureka California, Bellingham & Seattle too, so this would be a great way to check them out before the shows.
They were a very fun band to host. Initially, we ran into trouble, as they did not have their kick drum pedal when they arrived. But within 45 minutes, (after a furious round of calling and texting), and friend and fan showed up with a pedal, and their rock-faces on. It was a pretty excellent moment for radio, and it saved the show. Well played.
While we’re plugging things, check out their latest release – Ephemera – recorded and mixed in analog, and is a great representation of what you can expect from the band. You can get digital downloads of these tracks by following the above Bandcamp link, or by finding them on tour, and picking up their CD or cassette of the album. It is well worth your effort.
Johnathon, naturally, helped with the DJing and engineering for this show, and as usual, I owe him a debt of thanks. He always makes these things possible, and I appreciate it in a big way.
Next week: tune in for a special extended DJ set with Paco Jones! This is gonna be great.
See ya in seven! Rock!
Program Playlist:
# Title * Artist * Album * Label
01.) Twist The Sky * The Tri-Cornered Tent Show * Alien Trackways * Edgetone Records
02.) Missed Court Dates * The North Sea * Bloodlines * Type Records
03.) Rise * The Nether Dawn * Well Song * Porter Records
04.) Live, In-Studio! * Anastatica * 10 September 2011 Performance * Blasphuphmus Radio
05.) ii-Yo * Nymph * Nymph * Social Registry Records
06.) Rue * Anastatica * Ephemera * Self-Released
07.) Last Eclipse * Anastatica * Ephemera * Self-Released
08.) Polylog * Frank Bretschneider * EXP * Raster-Noton Records
09.) Node * Frank Bretschneider * EXP * Raster-Noton Records
10.) Orion * Frank Bretschneider * EXP * Raster-Noton Records
11.) Perseid * Grex * Live At Home * Self-Released
12.) El Todopoderoso * Héctor Lavoe * Salsa Explosion * Fania Records
13.) Much Obliged fer Diggin’ Taters with You * Pilesar * Radio Friendly * Public Eyesore Records
14.) Who Do You Sue? * The Billy Nayer Show * BNS Presents: The Billy Nayer Show * BNS Productions
What’s This Called w/ Callow, Live!
(Featuring a live performance by touring artists, Callow.)
Join Ricardo Wang for a live performance by Callow, on tour and stopping in at KPSU for a live performance and interview. I’ll be running sound, and it should be a lot of fun. Here’s Ricardo Wang’s press release:
“Today on What’s This Called? from Noon to 1 PM Pacific time we present a live in-studio appearance from Bay Area spacey ethereal dream-pop duo Callow http://callow.bandcamp.com/. Never mind the blistering sun outside, pull the blinds, light a candle and drift off with us.”
What’s This Called? w/ Overdose the Katatonic, Live!
(Featuring a live performance by Washington state noise artist, Overdose The Katatonic.)
I ran sound for this live event.
Nasalrod, LIVE! w/ Hogwash
(Featuring a DJ set by Hogwash, and a Live Performance by Nasalrod!)
Hogwash has done it again by booking one of the most unusual (and amazing) local bands to come and kick-off their tour on my very own show. Nasalrod is the brainchild of Chairman, ex-Drats!!! and a general PDX fixture in the music scene for years. This particular group consists of a variety of local musicians too, including none other that Spit Stix, who used to drum in Fear! How cool is that?
The first two hours consist of a DJ set by Hogwash, but half-way into hour three, Nasalrod get set up and start performing, and that goes into the following hour (with an interview near the end). This was a fantastic show, and I am so lucky to have Hogwash on my team. These guys were super fun to work with, and I can’t wait to see them again.
What’s This Called? w/ Paintings For Animals, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance by local drone artists, Paintings For Animals.)
I ran sound for this live performance.
Episode 120: SLOTHS, Live! w/ Hogwash
(Featuring a Live performance by local Metal accolades, SLOTHS!)
While to many, Sloths are merely the newest local metal band, sludging it out with the likes of Yob and Wizard Rifle. However, KPSU allumni will recognize their drummer as none other than the host of Snack Time, a long lost show from yesteryear that contained the youngest KPSU DJ to know knowledge (Nate was just 12 when he started). Now, he’s all grows up, and plays in a killer and vicious band that is crawling out of your stereo, into your ear canals, and giving you the music you cannot live without.
Again, this episode is a Hogwash special, and while I’m running the sound, he is providing an excellent DJ set to keep the mood flowing. This show was tons of fun, and I really hope you get a chance to enjoy the beautiful sounds these kids created. Very, very worth it.
Rock!
Picasa Photoset (by Austin Rich & Closet Photography)
Scarlette’s Circus w/ Wendy & The Lost Boys, LIVE!
Episode 116: Valkyrie Rodeo, LIVE! w/ Hogwash
(Featuring a special Pledge Drive performance by local noise metaloids, Valkyrie Rodeo!)
Hogwash had been talking about these guys for quite some time, so it was a real treat to get them on the radio for Pledge Drive. Creating their own special blend of metal weirdness, these guys are beyond description. My recommendation is to just listen.
Scarlett’s Circus w/ Basketball Jones, LIVE!
What’s This Called? w/ Crank Sturgeon & Pop Culture Rape Victim, LIVE!
Crank Sturgeon and Pop Culture Rape Victim when they played on What’s This Called? There are two videos included above, and actually sound pretty good for what they are.
Enjoy!
Episode 110: Levator, LIVE! w/ Hogwash
(Featuring a live performance by shoegaze sensationalists, Levator!)
Episode 109: Saything & The Burning of Rome, LIVE! w/ Hogwash
(Featuring live performances by touring bands Saything & The Burning of Rome.)
# Track * Artist * Album * Label
01.) High Life * Dynamite Club * It’s Deeper Than Most People Actually Think
02.) Body and Brains * Coachwhips * Peanut Butter and Jelly Live at The Ming Lounge
03.) Plate In My Head * Drats!!! * Suicide Candy
04.) Beaver O’Lindy * Sparks
05.) Walk the night * Skatt Brothers
06.) LIVE IN STUDIO * Saything
07.) Mob Job * John Zorn * Spy vs. Spy: The Music of Ornette Coleman
08.) Ready Steady Go * Generation X
09.) No More Heroes * The Stranglers
10.) We Got the Neutron Bomb * The Weirdos
11.) St Vitus Dance * Bauhaus * In the Flat Field
12.) Suck My Left One * Bikini Kill * 7″
13.) What Do I Get? * The Buzzcocks
14.) LIVE IN STUDIO * The Burning of Rome
15.) The Coup * 23 Skidoo
Is This Music? w/ RABBITS, Live!
(Featuring a live set and interview by Hogwash and Austin Rich.)
Boy, did I get lucky this week. Hogwash of Is This Music? was lucky enough to have Portland’s own RABBITS come in for a live performance, to help plug their new record, Lower Forms, which comes out on Tuesday on Relapse Records. The upshot was that I got to run the sound for it.
I love this band, and it was really cool to meet them, and help engineer the show. These guys are pros, all the way, and their songs totally show it. I took some pictures and a video of one song, so I’ll try to get those posted soon. In the meantime, you’ve got this awesome performance that I’m really proud of. If you like quality metal (and I know you do), then this is the program for you.
What’s This Called? w/ Mangled Bohemians, LIVE!
Episode 106: Summer Twins & Naive Thieves LIVE, w/ Cosmic Jim!
(Featuring live performances by Summer Twins & Naive Theives, hosted by Cosmic Jim!)
Blasphuphmus Radio & Psychedelic Renaissance are proud to present two live performances, now available in the KPSU archive. Just another gift to our listeners, from our bandwidth to yours. Check out a live performance by Summer Twins, hosted by the Legendary Cosmic Jim! Bringing you Pop, Rock & and little bit of Surf, Summer Twins are the cure for the wintertime blues. You can’t help but smile when they’re on the stereo.
Then, keep on listening for a live set by their tour mates, Naive Thieves. Taking their cues from The Velvet Underground, Freak Folk, and a host of other great rock and roll, Naive Thieves are excellent performers that have a lot of energy, and really great harmonies. Well worth your investment.
Special thanks to Cosmic Jim for hosting the show. I’ve been a huge fan of his radio work for quite some time, and it was a real pleasure to see him in action.
Enjoy!
# Track * Artist * Album * Label
01.) LIVE! * Summer Twins * 05 February 2011 * KPSU Radio
02.) Interview * Summer Twins * 05 February 2011 * KPSU Radio
03.) LIVE! * Naive Thieves * 05 February 2011 * KPSU Radio
04.) Interview * Naive Thieves * 05 February 2011 * KPSU Radio
What’s This Called? w/ Offset Needle Radius, Live!
Enjoy!
Episode 103: Live Live Live! w/ Hogwash, Paco Jones, Spokane Belmont & Gender Roles!
(A three-hour presentation, hosted by Hogwash of Is This Music?, featuring live performances by Paco Jones, Spokane Belmont and Gender Roles!)
Not content to deliver our usual weekly blast of radio with some cleverly selected songs and concise talk breaks, this week Blasphuphmus Radio brings you something a little bit crazy, merely because we can. Prepare yourselves for a three-hour block of Live Music. Ob-soive!:
This one slowly developed into the show it became. First, Gender Roles contacted me about a live in-studio, and very soon Spokane Belmont got added to the bill. But when
Ricardo Wang came down ill this week, and he asked me to host Paco Jones as well, I called in the big guns and asked Hogwash to host the show for me while I ran sound. Hogwash is a radio genius, and his show is one of the best things on the dial these days (he also works over at KBOO, engineering twice a month on Mondays). Between his know-how, and my sound-tech skillz, this proved to be a fantastic three-hour block of radio that you can’t deny.
Who knows what the future holds? Tune in, and find out.
See ya in seven.
What’s This Called? w/ Daniel Menche, LIVE!
Anti-Apathy w/ Heal, LIVE!
What’s This Called? w/ Big City Orchestra, LIVE!
Enjoy!
Episode 086: Moth Hunter & Knuckle Children, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performances by local audio experimentalists, Moth Hunter & Knuckle Children.)
Much of the usual fare on Blasphuphmus Radio runs fairly left of center, as I like to think that a weekly dose of my show is the right kind of subversion to keep the world on its toes. However, once in a while I like to pull out the big guns, and do a full-on noise assault. Enter Moth Hunter and Knuckle Children, experimental noise artists with a penchant for home-brewed electronics, to the KPSU studios, for a two-hour sonic attack that can only be described as wonderfully insane.
While I’ve known the primary mover and shaker of Moth Hunter for quite some time now, it wasn’t until about two months ago that I realized he made his own Circuit Bent gear for his live performances. As a fan of Circuit Bending (and all things noisy), I followed him into his lab where I found a fantastic assortment of crazy shit: weird bent keyboards, strange metal boxes with all sorts of switches and knobs, and an infinite well of ideas. I knew immediately we had to set up a radio appearance, and by the next week, we’d scheduled a radio gig.
As the show is two hours, he contacted his buddy, who with, together, are Knuckle Children. This particular pair made beautiful noise together a while back, but recent events have pushed Knuckle Children to the back burner. This, then, was a sort of radio reunion, bringing back together their particular blend of aural manipulation. I found the turn of events particularly amusing to me: while my radio co-hort Ricardo Wang usually has bands like this on his show quite often, during the week he is absent I put on my most What’s This Called?-sounding-show in months. I love it when a plan comes together.
To better suit the kind of performance these guys are used to, we made a couple of decisions about how we wanted to set up this gig: Moth Hunter wanted to start, and have Knuckle Children come in half-way through, uninterrupted. And in a way, bands like this lend themselves quite well to a long-form set. So we planned to incorporate my Legal ID for the 2 PM hour into the show; if listen at the beginning of hour two, you’ll hear Knuckle Children begin their set by mangling my own voice as I handle my top of the hour announcements. But the bulk of this two-hour show is a nearly hour and forty minute blast of pure electronic mayhem. Be warned.
I had a lot of fun with this show, and there’s already talk of some return appearances. (As live appearances, and to lend a hand DJing.) I’m pretty excited to see what the future will hold. Even after 12 years, I’m still excited to see where this show will end up.
See ya in seven.
Moth Hunter & Knuckle Children
# Track * Artist * Album * Label
01.) Cheezus Remix [Excerpt] * Moth Hunter * MySpace.com * Self-Released
02.) Kill Your Face [Excerpt] * Moth Hunter * MySpace.com * Self-Released
03.) Live Performance * Moth Hunter * 25 September 2010 * Blasphuphmus Radio
04.) Live Performance * Knuckle Children * 25 September 2010 * Blasphuphmus Radio
05.) Jade Planet Rain [Excerpt] * Knuckle Children * MySpace.com * Self-Released
Episode 085: Wizard Rifle, LIVE! w/ Hogwash
(Featuring a live performance by an amazing local band, Wizard Rifle!)
A while back Hogwash called me and asked if I wanted to see Wizard Rifle at Duckett’s. By their second song, I turned to him and insisted that we get them on KPSU as soon as possible. The continued to kick out the jams, and while I don’t remember anything about the other bands that night, they managed to rock the airwaves for almost an hour, threw down a hilarious interview, and helped Hogwash DJ for the rest of the show. I was looking forward to this one for quite some time, and they really stepped up to the plate. For the evidence, you need to listen to this show.
If you haven’t seen Wizard Rifle live, it’s really hard to define what kind of music they play. Metal? Rock? Noise? Confused Modern Fantasy? Fuck if I know. They’re one of those bands that will constantly get pigeon-holed as being a two-piece band, which sucks because they are so much more. Their musical prowess is only matched by their sense of humor and their energy. If they didn’t talk it up enough during the show, they’re kicking off the first night of the Fall Into Darkness on October 7th at Berbati’s Pan. Hopefully that’s not the only reason you go to the festival (ahem, Rabbits, Red Fang, Witch Mountain, ahem), but regardless, they’re awesome.
For this show, I ran the sound, and Hogwash ran the board. He, more or less, runs KPSU on Sundays, and has been in radio for quite some time. His show, Is This Music?, is a great way to wake up on a Sunday morning. I was really stoked to do a show with him, and I’m hoping to do more radio with him now that we’ve worked out this dynamic. He and I picked out some of the music for the DJ sets, but he basically ran the show for this one. We have pretty similar tastes, so it worked out great.
See ya in seven.
Wizard Rifle
# Track * Artist * Album * Label
01.) Glitter * No Age * Everything In Between
02.) That’s When I Reach For My Revolver * Mission Of Burma * The Definitive Collection
03.) Man Of Steel * Jay Reatard * Watch Me Fall * Matador Records
04.) Heathen Child * Grinderman * Grindman 2
05.) Live In-Studio Performance * Wizard Rifle
What’s This Called? w/ Frontal Lobe Development, LIVE!
I ran sound for this show.
signal-to-noise ratio w/ Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat, LIVE!
Episode 059: The Eklectik, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance by local teen rockers, The Eklectik.)
Playlist & Footnotes.
What happens when a group of teenage kids hook up with a friend of a college radio DJ that likes to host live music?
It’s always fun to have a live band in the studio, but when they’re this young and energetic, you start to feel a little younger yourself. Which is always nice.
Stay tuned…
signal-to-noise ratio w/ Enemies of Carlotta, LIVE!
Not one to turn down a favor for Ranger Mike, I was more than happy to render my sound services for an up-and-coming math-metal group comprised of a number of KPSU alum.
Both Sean and Johnny have made a number of appearances on KPSU in a variety of incarnations and permutations, so it was really excellent to see them in their latest form. Hopefully you’ll be seeing these guys around town more often, but for the time being you can enjoy them via this incredible on-air performance. Honest: you need to hear this one. It’s pretty much one of the best bands I’ve gotten to record.
I’ll be appearing on the last two episodes of signal-to-noise ratio in two different capacities, and the episode on the 31st is a two-hour show (extending into All 7″). Ranger Mike will be leaving KPSU to pursue a wife and a job, and we hate to see him go. But life goes on, and we’ll have to enjoy the precious little time we have left with him. Honestly, all of radio will be suffering with his absence. I will do my best to work double-time in an effort to fill the void he will leave behind, but there really isn’t anything like the real thing. Good luck, where ever you end up.
See ya soon.
signal-to-noise ratio w/ The Ax, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance, DJ set, and interview with local rock duo, The Ax!)
Always looking to lend a hand for my good friends at signal-to-noise ratio, I stopped by KPSU last night to run sound for an excellent local band that were kind enough to grace The Station with their presence. Ob-soive.
I always enjoy working with Ranger Mike, but this band was more than worth the usual bribes and favors that he offers when I come in to run sound. I highly recommend checking out their record, Our Queen of Dirt, and look for a split 7″ they put out with a French group whose name escapes me. These guys not only rocked quite a bit, but were some of the nicest folks I ever met.
Episode 057: Lulina (from Brazil), LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance by Lulina, on tour all the way from Brazil.)
Playlist & Footnotes
Ricardo Wang has connections to this band going back to his old radio show when he was based out of Olympia. This group was recently nominated as one of the top 20 bands out of Brazil by Rolling Stone magazine, and through a series of circumstances, found themselves wanting an on-air gig at KPSU. I was extremely excited to not only run sound for them, but meet a touring band from Brazil. They were incredibly friendly, very organized, and rocked quite a bit. I should point out that Ricardo and I tag-teamed this show, and I couldn’t have done it without him.
I also managed to snap a few images of them, which you can find here:
Sorry this one got posted late. Things have been kinda crazy lately. Hopefully we’ll be back up and running smoothly with our show this Saturday.
See ya then.
Episode 056: The Dead Air Fresheners w/ Jennifer Robin, LIVE!
(Featuring a reading of Jennifer Robin‘s “Under the Mountain of Miniature Blue Monkeys” with accompanying music by The Dead Air Fresheners.)
This was a great show, and offered me a great chance to run sound for them.
Episode 055: Cold Metal Radio
(Featuring a DJ Set of music selected by our special guests, Cold Metal, then two live sets of music by, you guessed it, the same.)
Live? Local? Two hours of audio? But of course. We here at Blasphuphmus Radio love all three, and that’s why we were particularly excited to kick off a new year of In-Studio performances with none other than a double-dose of a live and local trio.
Show’s like this are few and far between, and for genuine fans, a wonderful treat. Fire up the .mp3 player of your choice, and rock.
Stay tuned, because in two weeks you can expect a live performance by none other than the Dead Air Fresheners. In the meantime: who knows?
See ya in seven.
Episode 052: It’s Alive Part IV: 2009 In Review
(Featuring live performances by artists that appeared on Blasphuphmus Radio in 2009.)
While I am out of town, and cannot do a live show this week, I was able to piece together a retrospective podcast-only show that I think does a great job at looking at 2009.
Special thanks to my sister and brother, for letting me record this in their apartment while I’m visiting. Couldn’t have done it without you.
Stay tuned for at least one-more podcast-only show. We’ll be back to business as usual on January 2nd. See ya then.
What’s This Called? w/ Howlin’ Houndog, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance and interview with Howlin’ Houndog himself.)
At 12 Noon, I ran sound for Ricardo Wang.
How’s It Named? w/ The Passengers, LIVE!
(Featuring DJing, musical selections, hosted by Ricardo Wang, and then a live performance by The Passengers, and an interview hosted by myself.)
I ran sound for What’s This Called?, which ended up being a two-hour episode of How’s It Named? Special thanks to Hao, our web-director, for accommodating us during all the craziness, and to Chad Clark, our tech-director who tag-teamed the live sound for The Passengers. Can I get a Hell yeah?
Night of the Living Tongue on What’s This Called?, LIVE!
While I did not run live sound for this appearance by Night of the Living Tongue, I did perform as part of the show, playing the ukulele my mom gave me, and later, playing a Dead Air Fresheners CD case for percussion. Night of the Living Tongue was a show that used to appear on KBOO, that took an improvised form while it was on the air, hosted and run by Jennifer Robin, a current collaborator of the aforementioned Dead Air Fresheners. This one is full of spoken word and noise, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
However, I am saying: you should listen to it.
signal-to-noise ratio w/ Silversafe, LIVE!
What’s This Called? w/ New Red Sun, LIVE!
(Featuring a live performance by, you guessed it, New Red Sun.)
This week, Ricardo Wang and I switched time slots so he could bring you a live performance by local experimental rockers, New Red Sun! (I keep thinking of Superman Comics when I hear that name.) Of course, I ran the sound for it, and have to say, this performance is a must-listen!
Episode 038: Mangled Bohemians, Live!
(Featuring a DJ set by Mangled Bohemians during the first hour, and a live performance during the second!)
Another two-hour adventure today on the radio, this time with local experimental / ambient / drone artists, Mangled Bohemians!
Mangled Bohemians might win the award for one of the nicest bands I’ve ever met, though there are several groups vying for that position currently, so we’ll just say that you won’t be annoyed by any rock star pretension, or uncomfortable behavior from so-called “noise” artists. These guys love music, love making music, and love playing it for you. What more could you ask for?
Tune in next week for a special look back at an obscure character for Blasphuphmus Radio history, Mr. Holden Craft himself. Don’t know who he is? Well, tune in next week, and find out!
See ya in seven.
signal-to-noise ration w/ Slackhabit, LIVE!
Episode 033: The Woolen Men, Live!
(Featuring a live performance, interview, and many selections from the PDX Pop Now! 2009 Compilation.)
Playlist & Footnotes
Next, we move on to another Live Performance by The Woolen Men, this time on my own show. This show is spread out over two hours to accommodate the band during sound check. The first 25 minutes of the first hour include PDX Pop Selections. Additionally, only the first 16 minutes of the second hour have Woolen Men antics.
Whew. I’m beat. Good thing radio like this only happens once a week.
See ya in seven.
What’s This Called? w/ Knot Pine Box, LIVE!
First, we feature a live performance by Knot Pine Box on What’s This Called?, featuring some of the most incredible guitar improvisation I’ve seen in quite some time.
Episode 026: Horde of Two, Live!
(Featuring a live performance by Vancouver, Canada performers Horde of Two.)
Playlist & Footnotes.
There are some days that actually contain a larger rock quotient than others. Today was one of those days. Whew! Where to begin? It’s always such a pleasure to see awesome live music performed by awesome people. Hell yeah.
Episode 025: Honey Vizer, Live!
(Featuring a live performance and interview with Honey Vizer.)
As promised, this week Honey Vizer stormed the KPSU studios and took over for an entire hour. Relive the magic through the miracle of modern technology! Behold!
If ever there was a Blasphuphmus Radio podcast you needed to download featuring a Lizard Girl performing human-style country and folk music, this is the one. Seriously.
See you in seven.
Episode 024: Ghost Town Jenny, LIVE!
(Featuring a solo acoustic performance by Kimberly Kylland, singer / songwriter of Ghost Town Jenny.)
See ya in seven.
What’s This Called? w/ Million Brazilians, LIVE!
(With a live performance by Local / Chicago group, Million Brazilians.)
I also ran live sound for Ricardo Wang during the 12 Noon hour.
How’s It Named? w/ Santiago Latorre, LIVE!
(Special Guest Host: Austin Rich)
First, at noon, I guest hosted What’s This Called? today, which is always a treat. But in this case, it was extra-special, because we had a live guest, all the way from Barcelona, Spain: Santiago Latorre! While I wish I could take credit for booking this one, I did run sound, host the show, and conduct a short interview at the end. This was a lot of fun, and definitely not to be missed.
Episode 019: Battlesnakes Now!
(Featuring live performances – and a DJ set – by Alpha Protist & Nil Admirari, plus a slew of music from the Battlesnakes catalog.)
KPSU Playlist
Looking for some new local music? Then look no further, because today’s special two-hour broadcast features two artists from the local Battlesnakes Collective!
I’d be careful if I were you. These snakes are dangerous.
What’s This Called? w/ Abusive Delay, LIVE!
I ran sound today for Abusive Delay during What’s This Called? It’s always fun to do sound for Ricardo’s bands, as they are generally off the beaten path, and not your typical musician anyway. If you want some weird, electronic, sometimes ambient, somethings aggressive noise, music, then this is the show for you.
Episode 015: Mortal Engines, Live!
Playlist and Footnotes
A couple of scheduling-problems later, we finally managed to get Mortal Engines on the air again, with new material, and an interview! I love doing live radio, and the main reason is when I can get bands on the air.
Mortal Engines is the perfect Sci-Fi Soundtrack Music, half down-tempo electro and half exploring the nebulae of deep space, so if that’s up your alley, then down load this baby now!
What’s This Called? w/ Death Worth Living, LIVE!
Running sound for Ricardo Wang’s show is always a blast. Death Worth Living is a sort of jazzy and droney, and was actually a lot of fun to do sound for.
Enjoy!
What’s This Called? w/ Howlin’ Houndog, LIVE!
And while you’re at it: I ran sound today for What’s This Called?, because today Howlin’ Houndog and His Infamous Loosers played! It was a pretty damn cool show, so if you like Beefheartian-Roots Rock, then you should also download this show.
signal-to-noise ratio w/ Bikini Girls With Machine Guns, LIVE!
Things have been pretty hectic in radioland lately, so I feel pretty bad about not plugging Wednesday’s live, on-air event before it actually happened. But, fear not! The Inter-Web-A-Tron offers the wonders of the past in the present… or the future! And in this case, it’s good that we can unite all three, because I was able to run sound for the only Cramps tribute band in Portland, Bikini Girls With Machine Guns!
With the recent passing of Lux Interior, there have been a number of radio tributes (including one on my own show, still archived here at the end of the hour), but with a live performance by an actual tribute band, you more or less can’t go wrong. Especially with the choice of musicians filling out the band: half of the sorely-missed Eat Your Heart Out combined with all of the still-amazing Hairspray Blues. Of course, hosting it on Ranger Mike’s signal-to-noise ratio was an excellent choice, and of course, having the wonderful Miss Meghan return to radio as Mike’s co-host was just the icing on the cake. (Meghan hosted the very-much-missed Songs The Lord Taught Us show before she decided to travel the world for a few years.) All in all, it was the COOLEST hour of radio that’s been broadcast in quite some time, and you would be remiss in your duties as an American not to listen.
signal-to-noise ratio w/ The Vibrarians, LIVE!
Last night, on Ranger Mike’s signal-to-noise ratio, The Vibrarians stopped by for a live set, and I was lucky enough to run sound and catch their awesome live set. Rumor has it that they’re playing at Rotture (with Hornet Leg, Wallpaper, & Lake), so if you like what you hear, you should totally check ’em out.
(Photo to the right by Ricardo Wang, on May 3rd, 2008, as they appeared on What’s This Called?)
How’s It Named? w/ Derek Johnson, Live!
For those of you who missed Derek Johnson’s great live performance on KPSU the other day, fear not! The wonder of modern technology has enabled us to capture sound recordings in a digital form, for your consumption. This brand new technology will no doubt revolutionize your life soon enough, but today it has allowed for this marvel to bring the past into the present at any future time of your choosing.
Thanks again to KPSU for letting me host, this, Ricardo Wang for being hard up and needing to make real money that day, and of course, Derek Johnson for rushing into the studio at the last second and still pulling off a great performance.
Oliver Squash, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 159)
Oliver Squash, on a rare West Coast appearance, performs on my program.
What’s This Called? w/ Argumentix, LIVE!
The Blank Tapes, LIVE! (KPSU Phase I Episode 158)
While the show is lost, this recording is from the board, and gives you a sample of what The Blank Tapes are all about. Enjoy!
The Sugarlumps, Crack City Rockers and ?! (KPSU Phase I Episode 153)
Two bands, and an interview with the legendary ? (of ? and The Mysterians), all in preparation for the Nuggets tribute show!
Armadillo Speedbump, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 152)
A live performance on our program.
The Action Zone, Live (Pledge Drive) (KPSU Phase I Episode 150)
Performing Live for Pledge Drive… The Action Zone!
What’s This Called? w/ Mortal Engines, LIVE!
Ricardo hosted the group Mortal Engines on What’s This Called?, and I got tapped to run live sound. Well, little did I know that three of these recordings would wind up on one of their albums: Sugar Skull. It was really cool to get credited again for some live sound work I’ve done, and the album is well worth checking out. Hopefully there won’t be nearly as much of a gap between this and the next radio appearance I make. This was just too much fun to put off this long again.
What’s This Called? w/ Crank Sturgeon & Pop Culture Rape Victim, LIVE!
Monster Sized Monsters, LIVE! (Live Friday 093)
Something Something Something w/ Music Population Orchestra, LIVE!
Guyve, LIVE! (Live Friday 081)
Guyve performed a variant of their instru-metal madness on Live Friday.
The Black Noise Orchestra, LIVE! (KPSU Phase I Episode 134)
BNO made their mighty third return to The Church of Blasphuphmus (Not Jesus) Show on December of 06. Hosted by Austin, and conducted by Jonathan B. Savoie (as Radicchio Venn).
Pure Country Gold, LIVE! (Live Friday 080)
Pure Country Gold, Guest Hosted by Devin.
Swallows, Rhenn, & Captain Sassypants (KPSU Phase I Episode 131)
Swallows were kind enough to come and play on my show.
moss garden variety hour w/ The Buttery Lords, LIVE!
I was tapped to run sound for The Buttery Lords when they played on moss garden variety hour with Ranger Mike.
Hurah Hurah, LIVE (Live Friday 078)
Hurah Hurah, Guest hosted by Arya Imig
Playlist:
01.) Dixylanerce * Hooliganship * Adventure
02.) Donald Trumpet * Hooliganship * Adventure
Live Performance
03.) Where I Stay * Revisions * Revisions
04.) Maggie’s Farm * Solomon Burke * Cry To Me
Wendy Atkinson, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 130)
Playlist
01.) Medival * Wendy Atkinson * Trim
02.) Somehow Dissolves * Wendy Atkinson * Trim
03.) California * Wendy Atkinson * Trim
04.) LIVE PERFORMANCE * Wendy Atkinson * 11/29/06
05.) The Waterfront * Wendy Atkinson * Pink Noise
Here Comes A Big Black Cloud, LIVE! (Live Friday 077)
Here Comes A Big Black Cloud, Guest Hosted by Arya Imig
Playlist:
01.) Notion * Hurah Hurah * Love IP
(Band Performance)
02.) Purple Winos In The Rain * John Callahan * Purple Winos In The Rain
03.) Ignite, Ignite, Goodnight * Holy Ghost Revival * Bleeding Light
04.) Werewolves Of London * Mangolia Electric Co. * Hard To Love A Man
moss garden variety hour w/ Curious Hands, LIVE!
I was tapped to run sound for Curious Hands when they played on moss garden variety hour with Ranger Mike.
Kathrine Heilesen & Thomas Hoaganson, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 128)
These two were happy to perform live for our listeners.
Fishtank Ensemble, LIVE! (Live Friday 076)
Fishtank Ensemble dropped by to play a set on Live Friday.
Static Films, LIVE! (Live Friday 075)
The music that Static Films plays could loosely be considered to reside in a kind of ‘indie’ scene, but that is not an adequate description of their genre, as they share more with John Coltrane than Conor Oberst. This is where the surprise arrives though – one expects a pop concert, a series of clichés, and instead is given a much more shocking sound-image. If music has been overtaken with a sense of non-communication, idle chatter, or redundant posturing, then the music of Static Films can provide a very good (and very modern) form of communication. By it’s very simplicity it frees perception to shock, and creates a kind of naked lunch of sound. But don’t take our word for it, tune in to Live Friday to hear for yourself.
Neckties Make Me Nervous, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 127)
These guys were kind enough to grace our studios.
Ginggang, LIVE! (Live Friday 074)
Guest hosted by Sascha. Formed several years ago by Nissa Diamant, Portland’s Ginggang is a mix of metal, glam, and hard rock fused with Eastern European, Old English and American traditional styles. After much searching Nissa found Annamari Navratil to play violin, and Jason “The Barber” Repas to play drums, rounding out the line-up and giving Ginggang their current form. Like a folk band that has mutated through prolonged exposure to electricity, Ginggang features violin, guitar and concertina with a heavy rhythm section. Think Tom Waits meets Black Sabbath at a Gypsy camp, led by intense, soulful lyrics. The band lurches and grinds through metal riffs and sultry old world melodies, with dueling guitar and violin highwire solos, and slinking concertina vamps with thick, heavy basslines backing it up. But the only real way to experience Ginggang today is to listen here, now, on Live Friday.
Prize Country, LIVE! (Live Friday 073)
Consisting of ex-members of Glance Failed, Clarity Process, Shamelady and Union of the Snake, Prize Country borrows nothing from it’s past. Moving onward, these four gentlemen have decided to take music back to its basic and most inspirational form – ROCK AND ROLL. Big guitars and drums mixed with thick storming bass licks blaze through understandable compositions. Forget the math-rock, forget the jazz-improv-metal-fusion mixture, forget the emo-screamo, bleed-your-heart, cry-on-your-shoulder sentimentality. Rock is back. Prize Country blends influences from mid 90’s era stalwarts a la Failure and/or Barkmarket, with a serrated punk undercurrent of earlier era Dischord, like Fugazi. But make no mistake – this is point blank rock and roll, and you can here it here on Live Friday.
What’s This Called? w/ Green Milk From The Planet Orange, LIVE!
I was tapped to run sound for Green Milk From The Planet Orange when they played on What’s This Called? with Ricardo Wang.
Dance Card, LIVE! (Live Friday 072)
The three-piece incarnation of Dance Card came to Live Friday to grace our studio with their full-band sound.
The Gilligan Fetixsh Band, LIVE! (Live Friday 071)
The Gilligan Fetixsh Band is a modern rock / punk / psychobilly band that started in 1989 as a one man band, and has now grown to include Melissa Baker on drums & Adam Miller (The Snippet Birds, St Hubbins) on bass. Gilligan Fetixsh himself is on guitar, with his uniquely and deliciously grungy sound and sloppy “Flock Of Seagulls” guitar solos, with vocals and lyrics about the usual Portland elements: aliens, past lives and old ghosts. To find out more, why not tune in to Live Friday?
The New Bloods, LIVE! (Live Friday 070)
The New Bloods are an all-girl art-punk trio, enamored with and influenced by a wide array of musical sounds and styles. Using violin, bass, guitar & drums, all three use their distinctive voices to produce a natural sound that makes you feel like you’ve shed your clothes are are enjoyably covering yourself in mud and leaves. Their music makes you want to dance, sing, and explore your dream life time and again. Fortunately you can have this experience by tuning in to hear them on Live Friday.
Playlist:
01.) You Can Touch * The A-Lines * You Can Touch
02.) Tax Dollar * Erase Errata * Nightlife
03.) The Breeze * Quix*O*Tic * Mortal Mirror
04.) Silver Snake Lump Of Pearls * Taigaa! * Taigaa!
05.) Buck Town Corner * The Jay Tees * Feel Like Jumping: The 06.) Best of Studio One Women
07.) Kung Fu on the Internet * Lung Leg * Made To Minx
08.) Capricornations * Mika Miko * C.Y.S.L.A.B.F.
What’s This Called? w/ M.E. & Me (Derek M. Johnson), LIVE!
I was tapped to run sound for M.E. & Me when he played on What’s This Called? with Ricardo Wang.
Va Va Voom, LIVE! (Live Friday 069)
When you’re walking down the street and you hear a sound that makes you stop and do a double take, you know you’re listening to VaVa Voom. This sexy sextet of PDX rock stars blend rock and pop to create a wonderful sound that’s been turning plenty of heads at clubs and house shows, telling stories of sex, drugs, booze, and the end of civilization as we know it. Their songwriting is top notch, and their stage show makes you want to shake it ’til they let you join the band. Until then, you’ll have to catch them here, tonight, on Live Friday.
The Black Noise Orchestra, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 120)
Special two-hour show! With Songs The Lord Taught Us out for the week, we took this opportunity to stage yet another performance by none other than The Black Noise Orchestra! For their third live performance, we were conducted by none other than Andy Z, long time KPSU DJ and co-host of the moss garden variety hour. We were joined by The Scrouch (host at Dekum Manor, and a member of the local group VaVa Voom), Ranger Mike (also of the moss garden variety hour) & Jasun Wurster, KPSU’s hard-working soundman. The show starts with a couple tracks from the new Acid Mothers Temple album, then kicks in to a full hour and 20 minutes of solid black noise. This one’s a keeper, so check out both hours… if you dare! 8 P.M. – 10 P.M
Playlist
01.) The Tale of the Solar Sail ~ Dark Stars In The Dazzling Sky * Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. * Have You Seen the Other Side of the Sky?
02.) Asimo’s Naked Breakfast: Rice and Shrine [Excerpt Part I] * Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. * Have You Seen the Other Side of the Sky?
03.) Performance * The Black Noise Orchestra * Live In-Studio Performance
04.) Asimo’s Naked Breakfast: Rice and Shrine [Excerpt Part II] * Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. * Have You Seen the Other Side of the Sky?
What’s This Called? w/ LA Lungs, LIVE!
I was tapped to run sound for LA Lungs when they played on What’s This Called? with Ricardo Wang.
The Brass Tacks, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 119)
Always looking for new live music, I turn to the local scene yet again and find PDX’s The Brass Tacks, a young psychobilly band still in search of a drummer, but ready to really show the down what’s what. We bring them in to play a few songs, chat about how they got together, and then to play some songs that fit their particular aesthetic and musical taste. This show is all about them, while I sit back and let the chaos do it’s thing. They don’t yet have a recording out, so this is your chance to download this show and have your very own. Enjoy! 9 P.M. – 10 P.M.
Playlist
01.) I Can’t Believe It * Big Sandy & His Fly Right Boys * (MySpace Profile)
02.) Live In-Studio Performance * The Brass Tacks * 09/13/06
03.) Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood * The Animals * Animal Tracks
04.) We’ve Come So Far (To Be Here Today) * Radio Birdman * Zeno Beach
05.) All Kindsa Girls * The Read Kids * Grown Up Wrong
06.) My Old Man’s A Fatso * Angry Samoans * The Unboxed Set
07.) Complication * The Monks * Nuggets Boxed Set Disc 4
08.) Thin The Herd * Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers * Pandelerium
09.) Roll Me Through The Fire * Johnny Punchclock * (demos)
10.) Spend A Night In The Box * The Reverend Horton Heat * Spend A Night In The Box
Mustaphamond, LIVE! (Live Friday 068)
Mustaphamond are one of those bands that defy classification or comparison, and with good reason: their stage show actually lives up to their reputation. So often in the music world, bands fall short of the “amazing” or “phenomenal” hyperbole attributed to them. With Mustaphamond, everything is 100% true. This band rocks as well as emotes, tears through blazing riffs and stops on a dime to introduce a new time signature, all the while giving you a stage show that is worth muscling your way through the crowd to see. But don’t take my word for it, as you never should. Just tune in to Live Friday this week and find out for yourself.
Reverse Dotty And The Candy Cane Shivs, LIVE! (Live Friday 067)
Portland sheet rock band Reverse Dotty And The Candy Cane Shivs started out with one simple mission: to make new dance music instead of listening to dance music that was already made. The band consists of five people but is occasionally referred to as a sextet, which they claim is because the kind of music they have been making so far is that kind of innuendo are ladled juicily over the quivering tremolo sound of stimulating heavy metal guitars, in rounds, through a Marshall half-stack. Their hope is that this approach will encourage or otherwise facilitate sexual intercourse between two or more parties who are listening to the music. Pretty lofty goals, but for those daring enough to pair off in their bedrooms, why not make Live Friday your sexy soundtrack?
What’s This Called? w/ Zoe Keating, LIVE!
I was tapped to run sound for Zoe Keating when she played on What’s This Called? with Ricardo Wang.
Johnny Punchclock, LIVE! (Live Friday 066)
Punk roustabouts Johnny Punchclock scream hillbilly anthems like banshees in a whiskey fog, detonating any ideas about how much (or little) raw aggression you thought the string band idiom could possibly churn out. Really, that’s all you need to know to want to tune in this week. Won’t you?
Ashtray, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 115)
My friends Ashtray from down south were in town for a few days, so in addition to letting them stay in my living room and buy me a shitload of Bourbon, I also brought them in to play a set of music on the radio. Hilarity and hi-jinx proceeding, which included them playing a lot of stuff on their own, and giving me the low-down regarding thier tour. These guys are a high-energy punk band who managed to get not one but two shows in PDX before heading up north, both of which are going to be great shows. If you want to get and idea, just listen to this show. 9 P.M. – 10 P.M.
Playlist
01.) ?? * ??
02.) Love Comes In Spurts * Richard Hell And The Voidoids * Blank Generation
03.) ?? * ??
04.) ?? * ??
05.) Tussin * Ashtray * Live In-Studio Performance
06.) Punk Rock Candy Mountain * Ashtray * Live In-Studio Performance
07.) Gonna Be Sick * Ashtray * Live In-Studio Performance
08.) Untitled * Ashtray * Live In-Studio Performance
09.) Sucks To Be You * Ashtray * Live In-Studio Performance
10.) Joe Morato Bomb * Ashtray * Live In-Studio Performance
11.) The Drinking Song * Ashtray * Live In-Studio Performance
12.) Summertime * Ashtray * White Sugar Is The Devil
13.) ?? * NoMeansNo * All Roads Lead to Ausfahrt
14.) I’m Trouble * Sado-Nation * The History Of Portland Punk, Vol. I
15.) Duckmandu * Moon Over Marin * Fresh Duck For Rotting Accordianists
What’s This Called? w/ George & Caplin, LIVE!
I was tapped to run sound for George & Caplin when they played on What’s This Called? with Ricardo Wang.
Neutered Prunes & The Black Noise Orchestra (KPSU Phase I Episode 112)
kiisu d’salyss was once a member of the band Cathead with yours truly, is the brain child behind the oddball entity Neutered Prunes, and additionally plays guitar in the well loved local group Empty Room.
He is also, in addition to being a local musician, THE POPE of The Church of Blasphuphmus, the faith we’re both intensely immersed in.
This evening, kiisu and I go through all sorts of shenanigans, including playing some tunes we enjoy, listening to a rare performance by Neutered Prunes, and then performing two improvised songs of our own under the guise of The Black Noise Orchestra. This is the first time we’ve performed publicly in almost 10 years, so this is one for the history books.
Enjoy!
(At this period, the show was on from 9 P.M. – 10 P.M.)
Playlist
01.) La Cucaracha (Long Version) * Eastside Connection * La Cucaracha 12″
02.) By The Mark * Danava * Invaders
03.) Hank * Neutered Prunes * Performed Live
04.) (piece 1) * The Black Noise Orchestra * Performed Live
05.) (piece 2) * The Black Noise Orchestra * Performed Live On
06.) Buffalo Gas Works * The Hataway Family Plot * MySpace
If If, Was Was…, LIVE! (Live Friday 065)
Backed by Vinh Nguyen on percussion (using several pieces of garbage, metal pipes, buckets, bamboo sticks, a giant wooden box), Megan Lockwood on Violin, and Rachael Wilson on a toy Xylophone and “Noise Machine,” If If, Was Was… (Chris Hoganson) writes a mixture of loud “Rock” songs, Crooning love ballads, and songs about dying. This, the newest incarnation of the band, will be going into the studio for the next few weeks to re-record the previously solo, “Another Word for Thesaurus,” which is currently out in another form and rockin’ the kids all over No. Po. The songs are strong enough to stand on their own with just Guitar and Vocals, but the wall of junky yet beautiful sound behind them makes them stand something much more impressive. They are a combination of heartfelt sentiment and bizarrely executed technical ability, and they are something that is worth listening to. While you can still locate the CD around town, the best way to hear them is to tune into Live Friday, this week, and check ’em out.
Steven Savoie, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 111)
As a member (and father) of The Mayonnaise vs. Venn, Steven has played down at KPSU a number of times, and as a career musician, he’s had his share of performances around the US. After a series of near-misses over the last month, we finally get together for a performance of original and covers, primarily performed on the piano. This is an intimate and beautiful performance by an excellent (and funny) musician, and we round the hour our with two great acoustic performances as well. This is one for a quiet and introspective evening, or if you want to laugh at us trying to be funny between the songs. 9 P.M. – 10 P.M.
Starry Starry Starry, LIVE! (Live Friday 064)
Starry Starry Starry are a three person multi-instrumental pop group that play delicate music with guitars, piano, violin, mandolin, glockenspiel, percussion, voice and more. Although they consider themselves genre-less their sound ranges from country to Japanese punk rock. Probably the best way to get to know them is to attend a house party with their band carefully rockin’ out in the basement. The second best way is to tune in to Live Friday and give them a listen.
Angel City Outcasts, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 109)
Usually when your sound man tries to book a band for you, it’s normal to be skeptical. But Jasun went all out by recommending The Angel City Outcasts, and punk / rock / metal explosion of beer drinking, show-attending, good-time music. Their two albums out now are fantastic, and having toured with some big bands makes these guys some seasoned professionals. We brought ’em down for a live set and an interview, proving that there’s a little Angel City Outcast in us all. 5 P.M. – 6 P.M. (Last Tuesday Afternoon Show… Ever!)
The Prids, LIVE! (Live Friday 063)
The Prids‘ new album, “Until the World Is Beautiful” is a follow-up to the band’s 2003 debut, which successfully nails down the heart-bursting experience of a live Prids show. The album builds on the themes David and Mistina have found the most intriguing in music: drunk on sadness, letting go, keeping hope alive, and letting things fall apart. Their sound has been compared to obscure and mainstream groups alike, but their new album hits you so squarely in the chest that it begs you to put them in a category all their own. For best results, why not tune in tonight to hear a live set here on KPSU. Hosted by Ranger Mike.
Sundays Are Stupid w/ The Black Noise Orchestra, LIVE!
Guest Appearances on The Crusty Nipple Hair Hour / Sunday’s Are Stupid Shows! KPSU is throwing down the gauntlet with a new experiment in radio: a two hour Noise Jam featuring local KPSU DJs. Tim Nicodemus is conducting this “orchestra” of sorts, which will include Aaron Reyna, DJ Russ B, Dan Parscale, Ranger Mike and Zach. Instruments will include 2 (two) drumsets, two acoustic guitars, two basses, one keyboard, one synth processor, a recorder (the woodwind type), a saw, and our voices. It should prove to be a great time. Both Dan & DJ Russ B have been kind enough to offer up their shows for this experiment, and if all goes well this could become a regular KPSU event.
Make sure to tune in. This should be ridiculously fun, if not for you, then for us. Enjoy.
The show was a complete success in my opinion. We got a request to play some Queen, and a German Record label called during the performance to ask if they could sign us. Tim & Aaron had a drum off, and Ranger Mike & I had a period of dueling basses. We did a 1 Second long song, a few 30 Second long jams, and few longer ones. All it all, it was great. Please check it out; we had a lot of fun making it, the least you could do is listen to it.
The Crack City Rockers, LIVE! (Live Friday 061)
Here’s The Crack City Rockers, straight from the horses mouth:
“Crack City Rockers bleed in regimented bursts of compulsion and articulation. At times, we’re the 13th Floor Elevators fronted by Allen Ginsberg. We smell like modernist punks and look like hip 40somethings attempting to hold the 21st century at bay. Speed argues with poetics and the present seduces the future. We’re immediate, literate, and refuse to admit that rock and roll is something stupid – though we know in our hearts it probably is. So what? Name a preferable alternative and you can have it. We’ll still be making records long after your band has split and you’re an investments analyst, web consultant, or HVAC repairman. The first record, Joyce Hotel, Paisely Pop, 2001, is an artefact: all NYC 77 rush and Dylan/Reed spewage. The second, an EP, New Myths, Paisley Pop, 2004, refines everything. Songs take on more hooks and spikes, words are edited to maximum minimalism. Rock Critics: see “literate punk” ie. Richard Hell and the Voidoids, the Only Ones, the Serpent Power.”
Tune in, if you dare.
Blue Skies For Black Hearts, LIVE! (Live Friday 060)
After the break up of his riotous garage band Big Jim, lead singer/songwriter and self-taught producer Pat Kearns left the roaring guitars, bloody fingers and drug hazed nights behind and holed up in his own Studio 13 to record what would become the critically lauded debut album This Black Heart is Gonna Break, a work lush with warm, layered guitars and keyboards and peppered with delicate yet brooding pop melodies. He then set about putting together Blue Skies For Black Hearts to interpret the new sound. While the band came together quickly, there was a period of instability that to a while to level out. Now, with a line-up that’s ready to rock and a new album under their belt (Love Is Not Enough) the band is ready to prove to everyone that it isn’t just buzz that’s carrying the band. To see for yourself, why not check them out here on Live Friday?
The Purrs, LIVE! (Live Friday 059)
Let me set the stage for you: you’ve grown up on late ’70’s and early ’80’s indie rock, you’re proficient with your instruments, and you’ve got a good group of friends you like to hang out with. What do you do? Well, if you live in the Seattle area, you start a band called The Purrs, mixing pop rock and those fun atmospheric textures that stoners love so much into a sound that is not only pleasing to the ear, but who’s album “The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of” rewards after repeated listens. The Purrs are not only fun to listen to, but also watch, as they tend to avoid the usual indie-rock trappings and instead just go for what makes them comfortable. This proves that, while many have claimed its on its way out, indie rock is still holding strong.
Jesse Ransom, LIVE! (KPSU Phase I Episode 103)
Jesse Ransom is one of those rare people that you feel lucky to meet in your lifetime: a talented, funny, and genuine person who happens to write beautiful songs that are sometimes as poignant as their are hilarious. His band Mondale (named after the Jello Biafra’s “Names For Bands” spoken word piece) was one of my faves: a great mix of Punk, Surf and songs about girls. In the years since Jesse has kept his guitar muscles firmly flexed, which has culminated in me finally calling him and telling him to show up to play music on the air, on this most hallowed of holidays, 666. In the ensuing hour, Ransom busts out three originals, three covers, a lot of anecdotal humor about music in general, and a small taste of some of his big influences. This is a show I’ve been waiting to do for some time now, and it makes me happy to see it finally come to fruition. Please listen, won’t you?
Jesse Ransom
01.) Raven Is A Spy * Mondale * Square Roots Radicals * Self-Released
02.) New School Gearhead * Jesse Ransom * Performed Live 6/6/06
03.) Attraction / Distraction * Jesse Ransom * Performed Live 6/6/06
04.) Salome (Old 97’s Cover) * Jesse Ransom * Performed Live 6/6/06
05.) Proto Unit V-3 * Mondale * Square Roots Radicals * Self-Released
06.) Dear God (XTC Cover) * Jesse Ransom * Performed Live 6/6/06
07.) I Wanna Be A Catholic * Jesse Ransom * Performed Live 6/6/06
08.) God Isn’t Real (Robbie Fulks Cover) * Jesse Ransom * Performed Live 6/6/06
09.) Jean-Claude Van Damme * Mondale * Square Roots Radicals
10.) Flat Earth Society * Bad Religion * Against The Grain
11.) Galactic Pioneers * Phenomanauts * Rockets And Robots
12.) Chimaera * Bad Religion * Generator
13.) Telepathetic * Mondale * Square Roots Radicals * Self-Released
Miraflores, LIVE! (Live Friday 058)
Miraflores is one of the few bands that is in the KPSU two-time club, and listening to their new ablum “Nobody Knows” will instantly help you understand why we’ve asked them back. Their understanding of pop, rock, roots music and lyrical wordplay has made them a fun act that continues to get better with every passing year. This particular show caught them with their pants down: they had to load in for a big gig at the Doug Fir early that evening, and it was imperative we recorded their live set quickly in order for them to load in. This set and interview was recorded earlier today, put the drive and power of their performance is on par with anything else they’ve ever done. An excellent was to kick off your friday night.
William Holley, LIVE! (Live Friday 057)
Drawing influences from the usual host of singer / songwriters that people the world of indie rock, William Holley combines focused musical structures and personal story telling to create beautiful textures that will appeal not just to the sensitive guy in the back of the coffee shop reading Kafka, but to the boisterous girls in the front jumping up and down with Pabst tallboys in their hands. While comparisons to others in the same line of work could be made, it detracts from the earnest vocal stylings and the simple fact that he’s putting himself out in an effort to connect with the world around him, and that alone makes his songwriting not only heartfelt, but very, very enjoyable. Today, William will be joined by Harpist Emily Grau Silver, marking the first ever Harp on KPSU.
Dr. Frank Portman, LIVE! (KPSU Phase I Episode 101)
Frank Portman is known for many things, but most recently his transformation into author with the publication of his first book – King Dork – has elevated him beyond the normal punk rock trappings of his band The Mr. T Experience, and placed him in a whole new category of Rock Star. Fans and critics alike have come to praise the book, which paints an honest and sometimes painful view of the life of a teen, while simultaneously helping people interested in both the written word and music discover new aspects of the same person.
Join KPSU this Wednesday, May 24th at 5 PM (covering for The Guitar Shop this week) as we spend some time with Dr. Frank, for an interview an acoustic performance of some of his songs. This is a special Pledge Drive performance, and something that we’re very happy to be putting on for you. Thanks again to everyone who made this happen. See ya then.
Update: Dr. Frank came through in spades, and the performance was great! He read two excerpts from his book, did a lot of bantering about himself and what he does, and even performed three songs. (One of which was written by the main character of his novel!) So freakin’ cool!
This episode aired from 5 P.M. – 6 P.M.
Cassia Gammil, LIVE! (KPSU Phase I Episode 100)
This week for Pledge Drive I set up a wonderful performance by none other than Cassia Gammil. Cassia is a fantastic musician recently relocated from New Orleans in the wake of the Hurricane. She currently performs in two bands (as a drummer in Cherry Wolf and as a bass player in an as-yet-debuted band). For her solo work, Cassia’s organ and vocal work is second to none, and her songs are beautiful and tragic in a way that will thrill you and make you want more. In this show, We feature a full performance of her original music, plus two songs by her previous New Orleans bands (Tragic Girls End Up Like This & Cielo de Cinnamon). This is a strong Pledge Drive performance by a second-to-none artist, and we’re lucky to have her on KPSU.
Playlist:
01.) Snake * Cassia Gammil * Performed Live On 05/23/06
02.) Circle * Cassia Gammil * Performed Live On 05/23/06
03.) Who You Think You Are * Cassia Gammil * Performed Live On 05/23/06
04.) The Death Of Me * Tragic Girls End Up Like This * MySpace Profile
05.) It Always Gets Better * Cielo de Cinnamon * MySpace Profile
06.) Dig And Climb * Cassia Gammil * Performed Live On 05/23/06
07.) I Still Feel Like Dancing * Cassia Gammil * Performed Live On 05/23/06
08.) We’re Feeling Very Very * Cassia Gammil * Performed Live On 05/23/06
09.) Find Me Out * Cassia Gammil * Performed Live On 05/23/06
The KPSU Pledge Band (Pledge Drive) (KPSU Phase I Episode 099)
At this time, our program was on from 5 P.M. – 6 P.M.
Being the first week of our Pledge Drive, I decided to call in some friends of mine for the Second Annual KPSU Pledge Band Extravaganza! That’s right, a quick pick-up band was formed from various people I know, and they offered to play cover songs live on the air, all of which are requested by live callers. Last year I only managed to get two people to show up, and this year, in doubling the number of people, I also managed to increae the money raised by ten-fold. As usual, hilarity ensued (it’s just hard to have more that four musicians in a room together without them getting a little excited), and we even managed to attrack a bit of a crowd, too, which really added to the atmosphere. This was, by far, the most hectic and unusual episode of my show to date… and in many ways, the most fun, too. Thanks to all the callers and pledgers! We all thank you for making us produce such wonderful and fun shows!
Blue Bossa Nova Lounge w/ Jazz Duo, Live!
I was tapped to run sound for a Jazz Duo that played on Blue Bossa Nova back in the day. This was one of the only “jazz” groups I’ve ever recorded.
Duckmandu, LIVE! (Live Friday 055)
Duckmandu is quite possibly one of the few punk-rock accordian players to sprout up since Polkacide in the ’80’s. But to say that also demeans the value of what he does, and who he is. As a founding member and arranger of the Punk Rock Orchestra (an orchestral group that does arrangements of punk songs), a member of the Romanian folk ensemble Fishtank Ensemble, and a modern composer in and of his own right, Aaron Seeman (Duckmandu’s alter ego) is anything but a campy Laurence Welk type, or a stereotypical punk artist either. That’s why listening to his album, Fresh Duck For Rotting Accordianists, is so amazing: a note-for-note rendition of the entire first Dead Kennedys album, even with Jello’s trademark warble. While it might seem like a gimmick, one listen draws you into the complex songs the Kennedys wrote, and how easily Duckmandu can churn them out.
Levator, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 097)
As I am prone to do from time to time, this week I had a special in-studio performance by Levator. Strickly speaking, Levator IS Sky Lynn (on guitar, vocals & effects), who, in the past, has been joined by various other friends and collaborators. This time she was joined by Rando Skrasek on drums, who provided an excellent back-beat for her carefully constructed and beautifully layered songs. Comparisons to Galaxie 500 or Mazzy Star are possible, but Sky manages to reach sonic textures that skirt the edge of Sonic Youth proportions, and has other, more sparse moments that conjur a singer-songwriter motif. But to really get a feel for what I’m talking about, you just gotta tune in.
01.) Live Performance Part I * Levator * Performed Live
02.) Interview w/ Austin Rich * Levator * Performed Live
03.) Blank * Levator * Jackson Hwy. Barnes Drive
04.) Live Performance Part II * Levator * Performed Live
05.) Perfect World * Levator * Jackson Hwy. Barnes Drive
06.) Another Day * Levator * Jackson Hwy. Barnes Drive
Dead Air Fresheners, LIVE! (Live Friday 054)
Formed around 1996, The Dead Air Fresheners are shrouded in mystery, doing strange multi-media presentations hidden in a variety of masks. Moog and tape samples mix sometimes, but not always, with drums, ambient vocals, distorted feedback, electric guitar, computers and digital toys, and even digeridoo. They have played around the northwest and toured Pittsburgh behind poet Chuck Swaim, and have put in sets at Olympia’s Experimental Music Festival for eight years straight. In addition to one album, “I Try To Show My Love,” on Plastic Duck Records in 1999, they have produced three self-released albums between 2001-2003, and provided soundtracks to Chuck Swaims poetry, too. The current direction of the group is once again an instrumental one, allowing for a handful of very special shows per year. Fortunately one of them will be right here, on KPSU’s Live Friday
Talkdemonic, LIVE! (Live Friday 053)
Local stars in the PDX music scene, Talkdemonic is Kevin O’Connor (drums, synths, pianos, programming, bass, accordion, banjo, guitar, rhodes, wurlitzer, etc.) and Lisa Molinaro (viola and synths). What began in 2002 as a recording project soon evolved into a full album, recorded over a year in basements, bedrooms, and at a real studio. A flurry of touring and playing out following, and another album surfaced last year. Their songs are beautifully crafted electro pop, combining the organic and synthetic, old and new, in ways that have really generated a big fan base, and not just in PDX. But the only way to really get a feel for what they do is to tune in, this Friday. Special Guest Host: Patrick!
Cark played live on Live Friday. Again.
What’s This Called? w/ Obe’ Skupla, LIVE!
I was the sound engineer for this performance on What’s This Called? w/ Ricardo Wang.
The Mayonnaise Vs. Venn, LIVE! (Live Friday 051)
“Eating Solid Foods Since 1981.” Born on a napkin at the Alibi Family Restaurant and Tiki Lounge, The Mayonnaise has run rampant through the streets, stealing ears from our heads and dollars from our wallets with little or no repercussions. But now, Radicchio and Arugula Venn have taken it upon themselves to wage unending battle against the omnipresent Mayonnaise to protect the rest of us from being emulsified into mediocrity. With love, support and musical contributions from the rest of Venn family, they labor day and night so that you may rest assured that the world is, and always will be, a safe and harmonious place to listen. And now, you can do so, here on Live Friday.
Speechless Brothers, LIVE! (Live Friday 050)
Originating from the rainy city of Portland, Oregon, Speechless Brothers are anything but dreary, cloudy-headed music. Ranging from delicate to epic, this duo, Jacob Anderson and Aaron Reyna, formerly Yuma Nora, infuse the “playing like your momma just died” of Parliament with a back beat ranging from the simplicity of the Silver Apples to the intensity of Coltrane. (For some free .mp3s, follow this link.)
Themes are the name of the game for this two, picturing ideas from hospital visits to just plain bad weeks, then performing them musically. Simply put, listening to these two is like watching a German expressionist film. Imagine what watching them perform can do. Until then, catch them here on Live Friday.
Ex-Boyfriends, LIVE! (Live Friday 049)
A combination of pop & rock, with an upbeat aesthetic and a willingness to let it all hang out, it’s no wonder The Bay Area’s Ex-Boyfriends were named “Band Of The Day” on Spin.com. It has been said of them athat they are, “a right-proper hip-shaker, catchier than a case of mono and hookier than the Jolly Roger.” Influences range from dance-pop to Weezer. These Absolutely Kosher recording artists finish out their Spring tour at the Towne Lounge tonight, but first catch them here on Live Friday.
The-Front, LIVE! (Phase I, Episode 091)
My sound guy Jasun had been talking up a band that was touring through PDX from, of all places, Casper, WY. I was sceptical, but gave him the benefit of the doubt when he asked if they could play on my show. When he gave me a CDR of some of their stuff, I knew he was onto something. The-Front are unappologetically punk rock, blending elements of The Gits, Crimpshrine, Blatz, and a hundred other sources to write fun, original, and political songs. Coming from a town that actually drills for oil when it’s profietable, and from a town isolated in the middle of america, it’s no wonder they have a lot to say with their songs. 5 P.M. – 6 P.M.
Straightedge Buddhist Strippers, LIVE! (Live Friday 048)
The Straightedge Buddist Strippers is a bit of a misnomer, as they are none of those things. But they are a rock band that combines garage, punk, grunge, and any number of other styles and genres to fit into a tight group that is starting to make a name for themselves. Their debut EP is out (and available on their MySpace page), and they are soon returning to the studio for another set of songs. Do you remember the sound of mid ’90’s? Well, it’s back, in the form of the Straightedge Buddist Strippers. Guest Host Reverend Kate.
What’s This Called? w/ Eric & Ian Ostrowski, LIVE!
This was one of the very first live gigs I did as an official sound engineer, having just finished the training not too long before hand.
Tractor Operator, LIVE! (Live Friday 046)
Tractor Operator is the music of Eric Jensen, who has put out two CD’s with homemade packaging. He has tourned the northwest, selling them all, and cultivating his own following and indie-rock style. Perhaps an even better descriptions comes from their website: “Love, love lost, love rediscovered, a dry mouth and a hacking cough, the sound of tires slipping on ice and the thoughts that we think when spinning through a ditch at 55 miles per hour, like the moon hanging low in the early morning sky when the darkness is a blanket and the engine is a cradle. Like pulling over just as soon as you wake up and wondering how long you were out.” But for the real low-down, you’ll need to tune in.
The Wires, LIVE! (Live Friday 045)
“The Wires are a shining example of the potential for garage rock to shake off its trappings and sound urgent and unusual rather than maintain the status quo of heavy distortion, lo-fi recording and flaming dice tattoos on every band member. Although the new Portland trio’s recordings worship at the altar of original mono retro-rockers Dead Moon, the Wires’ simple and sublime style actually seems more reminiscent of the honest romanticism of Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers.” DAVE CLIFFFORD (Willamette Week). Guest Host: Arya Imig
Black Market Babies, LIVE! (Live Friday 044)
Black Market Babies, hailing from Portland, Oregon are a high energy four piece hard-rock outfit with punk sensibilities. Guitarist Bootsy Mayhem’s classic style of rock n’roll playing blends perfectly with the urgent pounding of the rhythm section, which consists of Special K manning the bass and Meatbag behind the kit. Add to the mix Tobias Jongeward, perhaps the most charismatic and unpredictable frontman to take the stage on any given night, and the unit is complete. Special Guest Host: Reverend Kate!
Power of County, LIVE! (Live Friday 043)
Beyond irony and pretense lay a realm of music few modern fans are familiar with, and it’s with a sincere sense of purpose that Power of County set forth their Outlaw Country Bluegrass sound. Drawing influences from a number of traditional and modern artists, POC have been slowing drawing a crowd with songs that come from the heart and speak to the sounds that we all grew up with. With a new album due out on Valentine’s Day, and a slew of shows for the February and March corridor, Power Of County just might be the soundtrack to the impending PDX spring season. In the meantime, you can catch them here on Live Friday.
Childhood Friends & Enchanted Forrest, LIVE! (Live Friday 042)
This week on Live Friday, treat yourself to a double-dose of live music with this two-for-one deal, curtesy of KPSU. First, we’ll start the set off with Enchanted Forest, a local two-piece that brings electro-pop to the goth-rock crowd, with a touch of emo and indie, sprinkled to taste. But that’s not all! After the break we’ll return with Childhood Friends, containing the same members, but performing different songs! This incarnation is a little more dour, combining acoustic instrumentation and experimental textures to create an ambience that the goth-rock crowd can appreciate none-the-less. Somewhere in all of that we’ll try to fit in an interview, too. It’s Live Friday the way it was meant to be, so tune in, won’t you?
Gordon Taylor, LIVE! (Live Friday 041)
Gordon Taylor are four protein-derived life-forms that play songs about science, history and medical oddities. Having only been around a short period of time, they’ve already formed quite a name for themselves with the few blow-out performances they’ve allowed us to witness. An upstanding bunch of young striplings, they wax melodic and rock geodesic. Formed out of the smoldering chunks of Rise Over Run (formerly Lina Alba) and assisted by Johnny-Cat on drums, Gordon Taylor are on their way to taking Portland by storm that will leave you soaked and satisfied as you trudge through our streets. If they were a body part, it’d be the pancreas. A chord? F-sharp. A Max Stop? Ruby Junction… Playing on KPSU? Right now…
Avery Bell, LIVE! (Phase I Episode Episode 082)
No strangers to KPSU, Avery Bell has survived being transplanted from Eugene to Portland and a personnel change to release a self-titled album that hits the spot, and make a small name for themselves around town, too. Going back into the studio for another round of recording, the band offered to join the two-time club and do another performance for me today. An interview ensued. This also marked the first show that my new engineer, Jasun, kicked out the jams in a big way. A new era of the Church is underway, I can feel it… 5 P.M. – 6 P.M.
The Pink Snowflakes, LIVE! (Live Friday 040)
The Pink Snowflakes mine Psyche and Pop to create beautiful rock songs rooted in the indie-rock of the late ’80’s and early ’90’s. But, more importantly, the Snowflakes are about creating a sound, a feeling, and a style that is an algamation of their influences and interests. Listening to the Snowflakes is like listening to a carefully told story, or watching a lovingly filmed home movie. It might appear to be lo-fi, but the final product is more fun and interesting than anything they could have done on a big budget. No strangers to KPSU, this is their second on-air performance. Hopefully, it won’t be their last.
The Draft, LIVE! (Live Friday 039)
For Immediate Release: The Draft Bio! (As Told By Them)Look no further than a biography and you will find the beginning of a series of distractions. We will travel so far as to forget where we are. We imagine that we are where we are not. Our dark city is a kingdom of music. We advertise doubt as disciples of insecurity. We are for sale. We are art thugs with electric weapons, squirming in a gang of noise. We will pretend that we are magic until we become magic. Even a lie can come true when you deliver a believer. Our performance is a reflection of the social meltdown and technological advancement growing in the midst of obsession with convenience and entertainment. We are the music zoo and a spectacle of industry. Our hypocritical nature struggles for senselessness. Your reaction is dictated by your previous behavior and environment. Your accumulated knowledge and pattern of thought will react in a familiar manner to these words. You will try to make some prediction of what we will sound like based on your memories of previous musical events and of these descriptions. We exercise our influences and plagiarize our experiences because without this formality we may never meet. This a confession of guilt and a declaration of participation. There is a fortune in things you can’t touch and undiscovered reasons to feel no better. These words are proof of our existence. Let them be a reference of mutual sentiments.
Ferocious Eagle, LIVE! (Live Friday 038)
Ferocious Eagle started two hundred years ago and have just started playing shows within the last fifty years. Their set is really crazy and fast just like a huricane. Eric Jensen plays the drums and such, Jon Andersen plays his guitar since 1996, and Greg Dalbey holds the band back from “really progressing.” Nonetheless, their set is not to be missed for fans of their math metal prowess and their eliptical lyrical content.
To round out the hour, we let the members of the band pick out a handful of tunes by their friends, influences, and side projects. Here’s what they picked:
01.) We Are: Special Forces (Calling All Monsters) *
02.) Handful Of Pennies Standing In The Cold (Yeltsin) *
03.) Aces (Dragging An Ox Through Water) *
04.) Bands [Don’t Want Me To Dance] (The Foxx) *
05.) Hot Night (The Maybe Happening) *
06.) Incredible (Tractor Operator)
Robert Deeble, LIVE! (Live Friday 037)
No stranger to KPSU, Robert Deeble came in and recorded a live set of music on December 17th, which we’ll be bringing to you today for your pre-Christmas entertainment. “This Bar Has No One Left,” his last album, is an emotional, last call at 2am, a slow burning rock record. Deeble delivers six rhythmic observations of a life gone mad, beautiful and harsh in their portrayals of characters attempting to find solace from a shipwreck filled with sadness, loneliness and addiction. If you needed any evidence that Christmas is the loniliest time of the year, then all you need to do is listen to Deeble’s music to get in the right mindset. Tune in, won’t you? (Note: Due to some sort of editing / recording mixup, this broadcast is a little surreal to listen to. Before you download it, you’ve been warned.)
If If, Was Was… Live! (Phase I Episode 078)
“Special Two-Week Christmas Gift To Portland”
Featured Artist: If If, Was Was…
As part two of my Christmas Gift to the city of Portland, If If, Was Was… joins me at KPSU for some lo-fi rock music the likes of which you’ve never heard before. Slowly making a name for himself around PDX by playing at Billy Rays dive, he has an ear for songcraft that is unique unto itself, while being careful to pay tribute to everything the he, himself, was weened on. But unlike a lot of singer-songwriters on the market these days, he has a sense of humor that gives him an edge; the CD he’s released of home-recorded tracks is entitled, “Another Word For Thesaurus,” and that alone makes it – and his music – quite entertaining. Joining us for this performance are his brother Thomas on drums, and their friend Megan on Violin. Tune in for some fun. (This show aired from 5 P.M. – 6 P.M.)
Dance Card, LIVE! (Live Friday 036)
Dance Card is a local three piece consisting of Quentin (drums & vocals), Sean (bass) and their most recent addition, Tristan (guitar). Dance Card grew out of the ashes of a Medford, OR, where both Sean & Quentin played in Medlander. From their they formed Dance Card, which remained a two piece for many years as they auditioned various singers and guitar players, none of which worked out until they met Tristan here in Portland. Influences range from Nomeansno, Murder City Devils, and a good dose of the Ramones, but to lock them into such a narrow window would be an injustice. But to really get a feel for their sound, you’ll just have to tune in.
Gordon Taylor, Live! (Phase I Episode 077)
“Special Two-Week Christmas Gift To Portland”
As part of my Christmas Gift to the city of Portland, I’ve lined up two weeks of music on my show guaranteed to knock your socks off. This week, I have the up-and-coming rock outfit, Gordon Taylor, risen out of the ashes of Rise Over Run and The Mayonaise vs. Venn Demonstrational. With beautiful lyrics and a slight wink-and-nod to some of the emo greats of the past, they have fantastic songs that will draw you in and make you want to dance. (This show aired from 5 P.M. – 6 P.M.)
The Very Foundation, LIVE! (Live Friday 035)
Get ready to be rocked to your very foundation with Portland’s The Very Foundation. The group released the album Small Reserves in November, and they have been receiving rave reviews from both local and national press outlets.
Thee Headliners, LIVE! (Live Friday 033)
Star-crossed and bar-sauced, Thee Headliners are equal parts Rock ‘n’ Roll, Old Fashioned Country, and Beer-Soaked Cow-Punk. With Portland icon (and cab driver extraordinaire) Holly Morgan on drums and Jeremy Terry on Guitar, this two piece creates songs of sorrow and loneliness back to back with a love of music that few people are willing to be earnest about. Their debut CD, being released on 11/19 at Sabala’s, was crafted with an attention to detail that is rare in a band of this nature. But to really get what this band is doing, you’ll have to tune in and hear them live.
Book Of Maps, LIVE! (Live Friday 032)
Formed in 1981 AD, Book Of Maps would amass not only body weight, but hair, permanent teeth and a vast understanding of the English language that far surpassed any other band after their time. After suffering a huge economic setback that none might recover from, Book of Maps irrevocably set the stage for vast prog dynamics as well as new recipes for rock. Wading through the Willamette in pursuit of waging guerilla warfare on the Multnomah music scene, a coup was staged in the form of undeniable sonic penetration that knew no limits. A band with such majesty formed from the single-celled goo that is North Portland. Doth we have been deceived by our ears, my friends, for Book of Maps has prophesized this all along. Tune in and rejoice!
The Grannies, LIVE! (Live Friday 031)
Started in 1999 in San Francisco, CA The Grannies have been donning their skirts and axes ever since in an effort to bring rock back into the old folks home. They put out their first record on their own start-up indie label, DEAD TEENAGER in December 2000. The resulting album got rave reviews, and managed to confuse / piss off more than a handful of critics and soundmen across the country. Their most recent album, entitled ERECTED LADY MAN, was recorded by Jack Endino, has been released on their new label, WONDERTAKER. So far no one in the band has died.
The Eyelids, LIVE! (Live Friday 030)
Relatively new to the Portland music scene, The Eyelids have nonetheless managed to make a splash already with their poppy songcraft and extremely quick development: in the short time they have been together, they’ve already managed to get a steady line-up, produce a fantastic four-song demo (available at the above link), and put on some enjoyable live shows, too. While you’ll be pretending to ignore each other with the best at their shows soon enough, you can casually listen to them in the comfort of your own home here first.
Straitjacket, LIVE! (Live Friday 029)
First formed in 1998, Brian & Jeff first used the name Straitjacket a year later, and have since been holding down the the Spirit-of-’77-Punk-Rock fort here in the Portland area. Now, with several 7”s under their belt, and a full-length album (entitled “Modern Thieves”), it’s clear that they are going to continue to keep punk alive using any means necessary. Fortunately for you, that means fantastic performances of energetic songs.
Mustaphamond, LIVE! (Live Friday 028)
Fast paced emotionally charged rock from local foursome Mustaphamond. They generate a decent loud sound with the quiet / loud game played extremely well. The vocals are the usual hoarse screams found with the usual emo fare, but fortunately they’re often buried well in the mix of guitars. Check ’em out. Co-Hosted by Aaron The Sound Tech
Ghost Motor, LIVE! (Live Friday 027)
Ghost Motor is a local Portland duo that bills themselves as a mix of Industrial, Punk & Psychedellic rock music, and upon listening it’s hard to argue with them. Influences run from Sisters of Mercy, Ministry (nearly all eras of the band), and a touch of Legendary Pink Dots via Skinny Puppy. Live guitar & bass give you something to watch and groove on live, but the programming and sequencing is up there with the best, and creates an aural ambience that sounds like it should have come out in the late ’80’s. Fortunately for us, they choose to bring it to us in the here and now.
Careen, LIVE! (Live Friday 026)
Careen comes from Portland, Oregon. They played music and sports and were child stage actors; destiny led them here. Careen is a Pop/Rock band. Taste the candy, choke, and revel. Mixing bits and pieces of Rock ‘n’ Rool, New Wave, old school Brit-pop, and Americana, Careen have been making a name for themselves with regular airplay and regular shows, and given that they’ve been booked with bands like Modest Mouse & The Shins, it’s no wonder there’s a bit of a buzz surrounding these guys. When asked what kind of music they play, their response is, “think of the last band you heard that had confidence, then take off the laziness and add songs you actually cared about after you broke up with the bass player.” I think that sums them up nicely.
Shamelady, LIVE! (Live Friday 025)
Portland’s Shamelady are a convoluted, rumbling wall of sound laced with a few bong hits of introspection that delivers a devastating yet thoughtful sound. The post hardcore noise is certainly well timed considering the growth and popularity of bands like Mastodon and Isis, but Shamelady won’t be plying their trade on MTV any time soon as they have a caustic, visceral sound that keeps them purely underground. The tumbling, squealing, angular riffs are gritty and opulently heavy, with just enough puffs of hazy ambiance to give them a nasty nicotine aftertaste.
!go-yo!, LIVE! (Live Friday 023)
Little is known about the mysterious artist known as !go-yo!. When I submitted a request for some promotional material, the following mysteriously showed up in my box. The music is just as interesting. You be the judge…
NOISE OF THE 5TH RINGThe Ni To Ichi Way of strategy is recorded in this the Book of the Void.
What is called the spirit of the void is where there is nothing. It is not included in man’s knowledge. Of course the void is nothingness. By knowing things that exist, you can know that which does not exist. That is the void.
People in this world look at things mistakenly, and think that what they do not understand must be the void. This is not the true void. It is bewilderment.
In the Way of strategy, also, those who study as warriors think that whatever they cannot understand in their craft is the void. This is not the true void.
To attain the Way of strategy as a warrior you must study fully other martial arts and not deviate even a little from the Way of the warrior. With your spirit settled, accumulate practice day by day, and hour by hour. Polish the twofold spirit heart and mind, and sharpen the twofold gaze perception and sight. When your spirit is not in the least clouded, when the clouds of bewilderment clear away, there is the true void.
Until you realise the true Way, whether in Buddhism or in common sense, you may think that things are correct and in order. However, if we look at things objectively, from the viewpoint of laws of the world, we see various doctrines departing from the true Way. Know well this spirit, and with forthrightness as the foundation and the true spirit as the Way. Enact strategy broadly, correctly and openly.
Then you will come to think of things in a wide sense and, taking the void as the Way, you will see the Way as void.
In the void is virtue, and no evil. Wisdom has existence, principle has existence, the Way has existence, spirit is nothingness.
Twelfth day of the fifth month, second year of Shoho (1645)
Miyamoto Musashi
The Undoing Of David Wright, LIVE! (KPSU Phase I Episode 060)
Please join me for a special “Church of Blasphuphmus” broadcast as we host The Undoing of David Wright for the first half hour, who play a unique blend of synth and math rock whose latest release, We Dig With Fingers Crossed, is a rock opera in the best possible way, discussing grave robbing and murder that occurred in the late 1800s. For the second half hour, the band will pick out songs by some of their favorite bands and comrades. It should prove to be a great show for those who were waiting for me to play something non-garage-y. 5 P.M. – 6 P.M.
Playlist:
01.) I Require Chocolate * Kill Me Tomorrow
02.) New Walk * Liquid Liquid
03.) Ghosts of Collin Creek * Early Lines
04.) Design To Kill * James Chance
05.) Hyper Lenny * Zom Zoms
06.) Vampire Victim * Old Time Relijun
07.) Modern Lee Miller * The Strange Boys
08.) Personal Jesus * Depeche Mode
09.) Romancer * Attractive And Popular
[general studies], LIVE! (Live Friday 022)
Blending IDM influences with pop, [general studies] is the new wave of electropop. Originally a project to study the architecture of modern beats, it evolved into exploration of performance electronica. The group quickly began to elaborate its sound with addition of live guitars and bass thanks to their new member Lizzy, and her years of experience. This also lead to several live shows, and the upcoming release of General Studies self-titled EP.
The Bugs of Lightning, LIVE! (Live Friday 021)
The Bugs Of Lightning have performed under more names than any other group in Portland. While this does not diminish their ability, it does make it hard to track them down when you want to catch them. Fortunately, when you do see them, their sense of humor is always in tune, and their songs are perfectly crafted, with no room for filler or the usual clutter featured in a lot of generic rock. With a ear for the live sound bands inevitably have to provide, The Bugs of Lightning create unique pop through the tried and true belief that practice, eventually, makes perfect. “Girl Bass Player Now Included!”
Robert Deeble AND Radiccio & Tet Soi Venn, LIVE! (Live Friday 020)
Robert Deeble / Radicchio & Tet Soy (Of The Mayonaise Vs. Venn Demonstrational)
Robert Deeble’s music has been described as “Wistful folk-pop, sparsely arranged, gracefully performed, and achingly beautiful to behold.” Robert’s fourth record, “This Bar Has No One Left” was recorded Spring ’05 at the famed Type Foundry studios in Portland, Oregon with Adam Sezler (Norfolk and Western).
Also, to fill out the hour we’ll be presenting a repeat broadcast of some of our favorite songs performed by Radicchio & Tet Soy of The Mayonaise Vs. Venn Demonstrational, who played on KPSU as part of our Pledge Drive ’05 in May. While the set was mostly covers (as this was a call-in show where listeners requested their favorite songs for them to play), you’ll also hear a couple Demonstrational originals guaranteed to please.
Rise Over Run, LIVE! (Live Friday 019)
Formed in the fall of 2004, the group currently calling itself Rise Over Run began as a three piece noise concept intent on destroying the traditional rock trio lineup. All three musicians trade off instruments, changing the sound dramatically depending upon which incarnation the members choose. Tentatively, they plan on booking their first shows in late summer or fall of 2005. In the meantime, you can check them out on Live Friday before you can hear them anywhere else.
Empty Room, LIVE! (Live Friday 018)
Empty Room is a unique blend of post-punk and new wave with an up-to-date sensibility. With only had a small number of live performances to show off their skills, the few they’ve done have been testaments to their ability and skill as performers. Their first EP, “Silence,” has upheld the promise of these performances: a solid and sophisticated release, pleasing yet challenging all at once.
The Soviettes, LIVE! (KPSU Phase I Episode 055)
5 P.M. – 6 P.M.
Playlist:
For this show, I did a special hour long tribute to The Soviettes! On June 27th, they were kind enough to let me interview them, as well as record their live set. It took me until yesterday to edit the recordings and get them all squared away, but here they are!
01.) Interview Part 1 * The Soviettes
02.) The Land Of Clear Blue Radio * The Soviettes * LP
03.) Multiply And Divide (Live) * The Soviettes
04.) Hanging Up The Phone (Live) * The Soviettes
05.) Interview Part 2 * The Soviettes
06.) (Do) The Stagger (Live) * The Soviettes
07.) What Did I Do?! (Live) * The Soviettes
08.) Interview Part 3 * The Soviettes
09.) Thinking Of You (Live) * The Soviettes
10.) Cuff Wars (Live) * The Soviettes
11.) Whoa * The Soviettes * LP III
12.) Pass The Flashlight * The Soviettes * LP II
13.) Bottom’s Up, Bottomed Out * The Soviettes * LP
14.) Interview Part 4 * The Soviettes
15.) Ten (Live) * The Soviettes
16.) Interview Part 6 * The Soviettes
17.) Portland (Live) * The Soviettes
18.) How Do You Like That (Live) * The Soviettes
19.) Interview Part 5 * The Soviettes
20.) Interview Part 7 * The Soviettes
21.) #1 Is Number Two (Live) * The Soviettes
22.) Tailwind (Live) * The Soviettes
23.) Rollergirls * The Soviettes * LP III
24.) Paranoia Cha Cha Cha! (Live) * The Soviettes
25.) ?? (Live) * The Soviettes
26.) Interview Part 8 * The Soviettes
27.) Together * The Soviettes * LP III
Cark is not a fish, nor are they broad-shouldered lasses from the south of France. United in the belief that the rock world can be a bit stuffy at times, Cark, like to keep the audience on their toes. A hyperactive songwriting process, that covers topics as diverse as picnics, & roboticly enhanced hobos taking over the planet, Cark fuels performances that invite the audience out of their seats to join Cark in their merrymaking. No cow is too sacred for the seppuku two.
Candy From Strangers, LIVE! (Live Friday 016)
You know you want it! Candy From Strangers started in 1999, and since then, this girl-fronted band from San Francisco rocks hard and thrills club and festival audiences alike. Currently they have three discs out, all self-released EPs that have refined their sound and has really taught them their craft. Their new disc – Cat Butt Tattoo – is the culmination of that effort. With a heavy pop, glam and punk rock influence, Candy From Strangers creates infectious, edgy tunes, using a sound that can best be described as, “Sleater-Kinney making out with Led Zeppelin in a dark corner of a dive bar.” I guess there’s only one way to find out if they live up to that description…
Krandroid The Friendly Robot, LIVE! (Live Friday 015)
Krandroid The Friendly Robot is the result of the unholy mating of a man and machine, both left in the damp neighborhoods of Portland to ferment, grow, and mutate. Krandroid plays danceable totalitarian techno metal and remixed video game classics. The “Man” portion of Krandroid has been playing music since the age of 12. He is a Native of L.A., but has been fully transplanted to the fertile soil of Portland. In his spare time, Krandroid enjoys bringing harmony to the Galaxy via the soothing and efficiency-inspiring sounds of his music.
The Juanita Family & Friends, LIVE! (Live Friday 012)
Emerging at a time when country musicians are more apt to be selling trucks and endorsing the GOP, the Family comes to us with songs that hearken to the days of hard-living musicians who produced heartbreaking music. Plaintive tales of love, lies, and loss that tip a hat to older, traditional country music like Hank Sr., Willie and Loretta. Put together by Lana Rebel from Last of the Juanitas, the lineup includes Johnny (from the same group) on drums and Ben Wildenhaus of Federation X on the piano and lap slide, long time friends James Curley on mandolin, and Dylan Reilly on stand up bass.
The Pink Snowflakes, LIVE! (Live Friday 011)
What started as an idea, went onto a tape machine. The Pink Snowflakes have been recording, purchasing equipment, taking drugs, and expanding their human and equipment components for quite some time now, and have reached critical mass recently with a EP and a slew of live shows in and around Portland. Their influences range from the obvious (Flaming Lips) to early rock pioneers (Hawkwind and Hendrix). You should try them out at least once or twice. The optimist in you will be happy you did. This was the first episode of Live Friday after I took over as the new host.
Radicchio & Tet Soi Venn (Pledge Drive) (KPSU Phase I Episode 045)
Tonight I was joined again by the members of The Mayonaise vs. Venn Demonstrational, who put together a special effort to make it through two hours of Pledge Drive madness and cover songs. Don’t forget to listen, will ya?
The Mayonnaise vs. Venn Demonstrational (Pledge Drive) (KPSU Phase I Episode 044)
This weeks show brings you a very special in-studio, live performance. Please join us by tuning in or stoping by the station to see The Mayonaise vs. Venn Demonstrational bring you their very own brand local music. See ya then.
Dance Card, LIVE! (KPSU Phase I Episode 042)
Please join me this week for a special, in-studio performance by Portland’s own Dance Card, a two piece with a Murder City Devils attitude and a NOMEANSNO sensibility. Check it out, you’ll thank yourself. 5 P.M. – 6 P.M.
The Lightning Bugs, LIVE! (Live Friday 010)
As guest host for Live Friday, I brought in local indie-rockers, The Lightning Bugs. This group eventually became the legendary Bugs of Lightning.
Miraflores, LIVE! (Live Friday 009)
As guest host for Live Friday, I brought in local indie-rockers miraflores.
Avery Bell, LIVE! (Live Friday 008)
As guest host for Live Friday, I brought in local indie-rockers Avery Bell.
John Rambo, LIVE! (Live Friday 007)
While I guest host for Live Friday, I brought in the incredible John Rambo for a live performance.
Courage, LIVE! (Live Friday 006)
I guest hosted Live Friday, and brought in the neo-butt-rawk masters, Courage.
The Tijuana Homers, LIVE! (KPSU Phase I Episode 024)
At this time, we were on the air from 4 P.M. – 6 P.M.
Playlist:
01.) Sweet Georgia Brown * Django Reinhardt
02.) Government Center * Jonathan Center
03.) Spy * 1/2 Japanese
04.) Walking The Cow * Daniel Johnston
05.) Ideal Woman * William Shatner
06.) Linda Wants To Be Alone * Gary Wilson
07.) Flying Around The Sun At Remarkable Speed * Giant Sand
08.) Golden Surf * David Thomas & Two Pales Boys
09.) You Really Got Me * Dr. Mix & The Remix
10.) Nicotine Bomb * Mission Of Burma
11.) Pauly’s Days in Cinema * The Enablers
12.) Zebra * Man Man
13.) Let’s Get Drunk & Watch T.V. * Juanita Family And Friends
14.) Firehole * Courage
15.) Liver-Colored Dew * Trevor Dunn’s Trio-Convulsant
16.) Fugitive From The Chain Gang * The Tijuana Homers, LIVE!
17.) It’s Raining T.V. Sets * The Tijuana Homers, LIVE!
18.) See You In Teenessee * The Tijuana Homers, LIVE!
19,) I Was Bowling Through The End Of The World * The Tijuana Homers, LIVE!
20.) Can’t Seem To Make You Mine * The Flying Saucers
21.) Zombies In The Graveyard * The Flying Saucers
22.) Chairman Mao & Me * The Flying Saucers
23.) Don’t Buy Me Clothes (Or I’ll Stab You In The Face) * The Flying Saucers
24.) Space Chimp Ballad * The Tijuana Homers, LIVE!
25.) Artie The Strongest Man In The World * The Tijuana Homers, LIVE!
26.) House On The Hill * The Tijuana Homers, LIVE!
27.) King Of The Road * The Tijuana Homers, LIVE!
28.) Prism Song * The Ex
29.) Dog Tree * The Ex
30.) Roadrunner * The Modern Lovers
31.) Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White * The Shandelles
32.) Surf Rider * The Lively Ones
Devotchka, LIVE! (Phase I Episode 021)
4 P.M. – 6 P.M.
Playlist:
01.) Our Prayer * Brian Wilson
02.) Gee * Brian Wilson
03.) All Her Favorite Fruit [Live] * Camper Van Beethoven
04.) Abset Mind * Mission Of Burma
05.) Window Shop For Love * Wipers
06.) The Porpoise Song * …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead
07.) My Life Is Starting Over Again * Teenage Fanclub w/ Jad Fair
08.) No Fun [single version] * Doctor Mix & The Remix
09.) C. * Deerhoof
10.) Phthisis * Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
11.) Meditation Is Boring * King Missile III
12.) Circus * Tom Waits
13.) Cherry * Ratatat
14.) White Rice, Brown Heart * Man Man
15.) A Not So Pretty Sight In Steinbeck Country * The Enablers
16.) Rosemary’s Baby * 1/2 Japanese
17.) Unmade Bed * Sonic Youth
18.) Devotchka In-Studio Performance!
Camper Van Beethoven, LIVE! (Live Friday 004)
Yes, that’s right. THE Camper Van Beethoven. THE original line-up. At KPSU. We just got the call this afternoon. It’s pretty sweet. I’ll be hosting, and there will be an interview, too. Who knows what else? It’ll only be available via the web, but we’ll be able to re-broadcast it through the magic of technology. Yay! Tune in, check it out. It’s gonna rock.
Empty Room, LIVE! (Live Friday 003)
As the guest host for Live Friday, I brought in local new wave rockers, Empty Room.
The Human Genome Project (Live Friday 002)
As the guest host for Live Friday, I brought in local synth-pop locals, The Human Genome Project.
Groundscore & Fran Gray, LIVE! (Live Friday 001)
At the last minute, I was recruited to be the Guest Host For Live Friday, in spite of the fact that I’d never done so before. Already booked for the show were Groundscore & Fran Gray. There is no recording of this show, but this was my first time on this particular show. This opened up a whole can of worms, which led to me hosting the show for a few years.
Mid-Valley Mutations 