WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

We complete our trilogy – started in October with In Search of The Ghost Hunters of The Mid-Valley, continued last week with In Search of The Christmas Ghosts of The Mid-Valley, and completed here, now, with two more hours – and a full holiday ghosts tale – mixed in for your enjoyment. Since the dates lined up, I present a 45 Minute edit of a radio show I mixed live nine years ago, on the same date, distilling the show down to its raw essence. Since I got my timing off, I close with a live MicroGranny jam, that brings us to the end of the year, and beyond.

Be Seeing you!

Enjoy!

Holi-Day & Date New Year’s Fun! (Week 5)

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat (The Digital Salon)

We forego our regular shows this time of year, and for this program, offer you a variety of holiday tidbits, all originally aired on this same date, but many decades before.

First, we offer you the comedic stylings of Duffy’s Tavern, as the cast try and work out what they should do about some missing Christmas cards. (Dorothy Shaye guest stars to sing a song and flirt with the lead.) They we’re off to Hawaii for an episode of Hawaii Calls, as the perform traditional Hawaiian songs, and a few New Year’s tunes as well. Bill Stern gives up a New Year’s Sports roundup, with Jack Benny along for the ride. and finally we hear a New Year’s centric episode of Quiet, Please, to properly horrify you before bed.

It’s two hours of vintage holiday broadcasts, ready for you this holiday season.

Enjoy!

In Search of The Christmas Ghosts of The Mid-Valley! (Ghosts II)

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

It’s another journey deep into the lore and experiences of those who have seen or are haunted by apparitions, this time with a slight holiday component to the show. After debuting two new tracks by The Giant Worm – which were recorded days ago, and submitted to this show by the band – we pick up where we left off back in October, where we were In Search of The Ghost Hunters of The Mid-Valley. Now, we add a BBC broadcast of holiday ghost stories into the mix, along with music, a call from WebHamster Henry himself, and, plenty of Mini-Mutations. It’s a cut-up take on the Christmas Ghost Story, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Enjoy!

Holi-Day & Date Christmas Fun! (Week 4)

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat (The Digital Salon)

We forego our regular shows during the holidays, and for this program, we offer you a variety of holiday fare, all originally aired on this same date, but many decades before. This week our theme is: Jack Benny?

First, it’s an episode of CBS Town Hall Tonight, a variety show with music and comedy, hosted by Fred Allen, and featuring Jack Benny. After some brief Revelations, we offer a Christmas 1946 transcription disc from the Grandpas’s iPod blog (essentially a 1946 “Christmas mix tape”). We close the show with an installment of Jack Benny’s program, The Jell-O Show, where they get into their usual holiday shenanigans.

It’s two hours of vintage holiday broadcasts, ready for you this holiday season.

Enjoy!

Holi-Day & Date Christmas Fun! (Week 3)

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat (The Digital Salon)

We forego our regular shows during the holidays, and for this program, we offer you a variety of holiday fare, all originally aired on this same date, but many decades before.

This week, we air an episode of The Good News of 1939, a variety show with music and comedy, and a performance by Lionel Barrymore, recreating some key moments for A Christmas Carol. Voice of The Army brings us a unique (and somewhat unusual) broadcast, Christmas Harps, with harp-renditions of Christmas classics. Finally, we bring you a story from the anthology program, NBC Radio City Playhouse, with a story that is using a very familiar title.

It’s two hours of vintage holiday broadcasts, ready for you this holiday season.

Enjoy!

Holi-Day & Date Christmas Fun! (Week 2)

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

Continuing our Holiday Anniversary trend, we bring you two more episodes of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, and a short holiday installment of The Gift of The Magi, which apparently makes everyone else in the world cry, but makes me laugh.

Enjoy!

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

I had to miss my regular Tuesday show this week, so I picked up a shift to cover for Don-O, and offering three house of Thanksgiving Leftovers: all albums and records that I’ve been meaning to get to this year, but hadn’t appeared on the show yet. It’s a MOSTLY all vinyl show, but I really just play whatever I want, and enjoy it the whole time. Now you can, too.

Be Seeing You!

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

Our Holiday Season this year is filled with anniversary retrocasts: shows that originally appeared on the same date, but many decades previous. We start this year off with two installments of CBS Radio Mystery Theater, and a short holiday installment of The Victory Front.

Enjoy!

UBradio Salon 933 – SquircUBe Chronicles: WinterDrone V… 30 Nov 2025 on DFM.nu

Aurora Josephson visits the UB Kitchens for an in-person drone session, and univac and myself call in to offer scripts, japes, and drones to help flesh this show out.

This story is part of, “The SquircUBe Chronicles,” series of episodes on UB Radio Salon, written by univac and Austin Rich.

Enjoy!

Smoke Two Joints In The Morning: 420, Too (A Danksgiving Special!)

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

Since many of us are stuck visiting with family that we don’t particularly want to see this time of year, we decide to take a radio “walk” out behind the garage, and huff down a couple j’s, soaking in another massive dose of stoned audio adventures, combined with some Thanksgiving Recipes by Martha Stewart, herself. All part of our annual Thanksgiving Shenangans, that works well fresh from the oven, or parsed out over the next couple weeks.

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater Thanksgiving Special 2025

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

Presenting in its entirety, The Elgin Watch 7th Annual Thanksgiving Show, which features music, comedy, and other solemn radio moments from the 25 of November, 1948.

Rough Playlist:
Ken Carpenter * Announcer Spot 1
Don Ameche * Host Spot 1
Mario Lanza * Cosi, Cosa!
Don Ameche * Host Spot 2
Don Ameche & Gary Moore * (Joke-Em-Ups)
Don Ameche, Gary Moore & Jimmy Durante * Ink A Dink A Doo
Don Ameche * Host Spot 3
Ken Carpenter * Elgin Watch Ad
Don Ameche * Host Spot 4
The Mills Brothers * Confess
Don Ameche * Host Spot 5
Don Ameche, Vera Vague & André Previn * (Joke-Em-Ups)
André Previn * Lover
Don Ameche * Host Spot 6
Bob Hopkins * Impersonations
Ken Carpenter * Announcer Spot 2
Don Ameche * Host Spot 7
Don Ameche & Jack Benny * (The Cheap Market)
Ken Carpenter & Don Ameche * Segue…
Mabel Flapsaddle / Sara Berner & Frank Nelson * Elgin Watch Ad
Don Ameche * Host Spot 8
Frances Langford * Just One Of Those Things
Don Ameche, Vera Vague, Frances Langford & Maro Lanza * (Still More Joke-Em-Ups)
Mario Lanza * (Sings Another Song)
Ken Carpenter & The Elgin Performers * Elgin Watch Ad
Ken Carpenter * Announcer Spot 3
Don Ameche * Host Spot 9
Dean Martin * Ramblin’ Rose
Don Ameche, Vera Vague, Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis * (Continued Joke-Em-Ups)
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis * That Certain Party
Don Ameche, Ken Carpenter & Willy Lump Lump (Red Skeleton) * (Joke-Em-Ups Again)
Frances Langford * Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man
The Bickersons * The Honeymoon Is Over
Don Ameche & Bob Hopkins * More Impersonations
Ken Carpenter * Announcer Spot 4
Don Ameche * Host Spot 10
The Mills Brothers * Paper Dolls
Ken Carpenter * Announcer Spot 5
Don Ameche * Host Spot 11
Red Skelton / The Mean Widdle Kid, Jr. * Thanksgiving Scene
Don Ameche * Host Spot 12
André Previn * (Song)
Don Ameche * Host Spot 13
Mario Lanza * (Another Song)
Don Ameche * Host Spot 14
Ken Carpenter * Announcer Spot 6

Enjoy!

UB & Friends • New Year’s Day 2025 LIVESTREAM ft. BCO’s “Puppet Movie” + video artists

Live YouTube Chat

Enjoy!

“Born With Stars At Their Feet, But Their Souls Are Lost At Sea…” (Dreams & Stars: A Sci-Fi Holiday Radio Yarn)

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

Enjoy!

Punk For X-Mas, Week 2

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

Enjoy!

Punk For X-Mas, Week 1

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat

Enjoy!

Stereogram #6: …The clouds will never part for us again (w/ Arvo Zylo)

As we wind down the year, it’s time for an extended vinyl solution, and a live performance by Mini-Mutations. In a way, both are sort of an extension. of the other. Hopefully it’s the perfect way to ease into the new year.

Playlist & Live WFMU Chat.

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater: Holiday Film Fest!: “Bachelor Mother” & “The Whistler”

Enjoy!

A WFMU NEW YEAR’S EVE, ONE NIGHT STAND EXTRAVAGANZA!! (Hosted by Bob Barth!)

Sheena’s Jungle Room presented six hours of New Year’s Eve radio, and I contributed a tiny bit to the PST Time Zone celebration. This was a lot of fun, and Bob’s already talking about doing it again next year.

Playlist & Live WFMU Chat.

Enjoy!

It’s The Mini-Mutations End of The Year Celebration!

As we wind down the year, it’s time for an extended vinyl solution, and a live performance by Mini-Mutations. In a way, both are sort of an extension. of the other. Hopefully it’s the perfect way to ease into the new year.

Playlist & Live WFMU Chat.

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater: The 3rd Annual Elgin Watch Christmas Day Show From 1944!

Enjoy!

20 Minutes Into The Future: That Dr. Demento Sensibility (“Merry Christmas Santa Claus,” Chrysalis Records, 1986)

Once your star is ascending, it’s only a matter of time before someone realizes that the next logical step is to have your work the holiday angle, with a Special and a Holiday Single that will be on TVs and in stores… just in time for you and your loved ones to spend this special time of year with your new favorite celebrity. And this is how Max Headroom’s 7″ Single — “Merry Christmas Santa Claus” b/w “Gimme Shades” — came to underwhelm all of us in 1986.

Heather is really hung up on the lyrics, and can’t seem to think of anything else.

Austin wants to set the record straight, and thank Blank Johnny in the UK for sending a copy of the single to The Lava Lamp Lounge!

(This show was originally a part of our Podcast, 20 Minutes Into The Future.)

Giving Everything For X-Mas (by univac & Austin)

Austin’s Annual Holiday Program For Mid-Valley Mutations takes an unusual turn, as he desperately tries out something new, in an effort to make his show the best in the tri-county area. It’s a Holiday Horror Story, written by univac and Austin! Guest voices! Music! And a story about the places where dreams and technology intersect in the worst possible way.

Playlist & Live WFMU Chat.

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater: Holiday Film Fest!: “Remember The Night” & “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar”

Enjoy!

It’s A Very Cerebus Christmas!

Here are all six episodes of the short-lived “Cerebus” radio show, as it was originally heard on Shockwave Radio Theater, on KPAI, in the 80’s.

Playlist & Live WFMU Chat.

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater: Holiday Film Fest!: “Little Women” & “Bold Venture”

Enjoy!

20 Minutes Into The Future: “What Gives Our Lives Meaning?” (Warner Bros., “Blade Runner,” 1982)

Probably one of the more legendary and divisive opinions on our show: one of us did NOT like Blade Runner, and one of us is rather fond of it for it’s impact and influence on cinema, culture, and specifically, Max Headroom. Wanna hear us get into it, with a tid-bit recorded with Steve Roberts, who offers his thoughts on all of it?

Heather is reminded of the way certain men like to behave.

Austin argues about Class Consciousness. Again.

(This was originally released as an episode of 20 Minutes Into The Future.)

Dimestore Radio Theater: Holiday Film Fest!: “The Wizard of Oz” & “Rocky Fortune”

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

It’s all the things we meant to get to this year… but never managed to get on the show. So: here it is! Help yourself to seconds… or thirds!

Playlist & Live WFMU Chat.

Enjoy!

20 Minutes Into The Future: Our Thanksgiving Special!

Austin had gone out of his way to make a fantastic dinner for his 20 Minutes Into The Future family. They would like to have nothing to do with it, in any way, shape, or form.

Heather’s Holiday Playlist is, once again, here to help us deal with unwanted family this time of year.

Austin spent too much time on something no one wants to enjoy. Again.

“Title” * “Album” * “Artist”

Bread * Your Favorite Music * Clem Snide
Breakfast Man * My Report Card * Todd Shuster
Sugar Sugar Sugar * Tender Prey * Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Like Eating Glass * Silent Alarm * Bloc Party
Know Your Chicken * Viva! La Woman * Cibo Matto
Angel Food * I’m Around * Nod
Sugar * R&B Transmogrification * Quasi
Chicken * A Date With Elvis * The Cramps
Two All-Beef Patties (Live) * Fan Club: From The Rare To The Unreleased * Jellyfish
Everybody Eats When They Come to My House * Everybody Eats When They Come to My House * Cab Calloway and his Orchestra
Chicken and Ice Cream * Podcast 41 * They Might Be Giants
Come On-A My House * Superstars Of The Fifties * Rosemary Clooney
Dinner Bell * Apollo 18 * They Might Be Giants
Toast * Pretending I’m Not Home * Heywood Banks
Big Rock Candy Mountain * God Don’t Make No Junk * The Halo Benders
Fishcakes * Mask * Bauhaus

(This show was originally a part of the podcast, 20 Minutes Into The Future.)

PUNKSGIVING Special: Once Upon A Time – Punk On Culture (A Grumpy Punk History Lesson)

Just in time for you to step out onto the porch and have a cigarette in radio form, it’s a chance to get away from your family during the holiday, and instead, listen to a bunch of loud rock and roll, all thanks to our PUNKSGIVING Special, continuing to filter through the massive, 100 volume “Once Upon A Time” compilation series of chronological punk singles.

Playlist & Live WFMU Chat.

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater: Our Thanksgiving Special!

Enjoy!

Getting Through

Enjoy !

Dimestore Radio Theater: Holiday Film Fest!: “After Thin Man” & “The Adventures of Philip Marlowe”

Enjoy!

How Much Is That JUICE MACHINE In The Window? (w/ JUICE MACHINE, LIVE!) (283)

Enjoy !

Dimestore Radio Theater: Holiday Film Fest!: “Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs” & “The Damon Runyon Theater”

Enjoy!

The 2022 Radio Holiday Celebration! (282)

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater: Holiday Film Fest!: “Miracle On 3th Street!” & “The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe”

Enjoy!

‘Tis The Season To Be Merry (281)

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater: Holiday Film Fest!: “It’s A Wonderful Life!” & “The Saint”

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater: Holiday Film Fest!: “Meet Me In St. Louis!” & “Rogue’s Gallery”

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Leftovers! (2022)

Enjoy!

Dimestore Radio Theater: Our Thanksgiving Special!

Enjoy!

The Cave of Night (#231) (840)

Are we feeling isolated, stuck in places we’d rather not be… or, at least, we want everyone to believe that? Both a metaphor and something very real, we’ve all entered the Cave of Night, and the music around us is starting to reflect our state of mind.

It’s a New Year’s Eve story (sort of), about having to spend this time alone, wanting to get away, and reflecting on strange occurrences around us. We close with a Cookie Recipe and some Richard Brautigan, of course.

Enjoy!

Live Playlist & Comments

Issue #54: The Kit-Bag by Algernon Blackwood

Performed & Assembled by Austin Rich. Merry Christmas!

Issue #54, produced in December of 2021.

Musical Selections (usually in excerpt):

Silent Night * Elizabeth Spencer & Anthony Harrison (1912)

The 2021 Holiday Special! (#230) (839)

Sit back with something in your Egg Nog, and enjoy this collection of holiday tunes, selected by Josh of Major Hex and Xeres of Xeron!

Enjoy!

Live Playlist & Comments

UBRadio Salon #727 – DFM netcast 19 December 2021 – On the third Sunday, the fourth Sunday droned… w/ univac + Austin Rich

Enjoy!

Somewhere In-Between: A Radio Zine: Gathering Up The Bits (Pilot Segments)

Written & Performed by Austin Rich.

Produced in December of 2020, featuring older things, like, “New Reading Resolution” and “DIY Planner,” by Austin Rich.

Musical Selections (usually in excerpt):

Musical Interlude * Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet * Savvy Show Stoppers * Glass Records (1988)

Customized * Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet * Savvy Show Stoppers * Glass Records (1988)

Somewhere In-Between: A Radio ‘Zine:

Written by Richard Brautigan. Performed by Austin Rich.

Issue #26, produced in December of 2020, featuring a large collection of described visual treats, “What Are You Going To Do With 390 Photographs of Christmas Trees?” by Richard Brautigan, read by Austin Rich.

Musical Selections (usually in excerpt):

New Year * The Breeders * Last Splash * 4AD/Electra (1993)

New Year’s Eve In A Haunted House * Raymond Scott * Reckless Nights & Turkish Twilights * Columbia Legacy Records (1999)

New Year’s Resolution * Donovan * Open Road * Epic Records (1970)

New Year’s Nightmare (#217)

An old-fashioned New Year’s Holiday Program from me, in that it’s the way I used to do them, 10 years ago. Join us for a Supernatural, Time Traveling New Year’s story, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of drinking too much.

Enjoy!

New Year’s Nightmare

Featuring cut ups of “New Year’s Nightmare,” an episode of The Mysterious Traveler from 5 January 1947, and the KMART Christmas Tape.

Part I:

01.) Drink! * They Might Be Giants * Mink Car
02.) Look Around You * The Resistance * The Resistance
03.) Jagged Time Lapse * John’s Children * A Midsummer Night’s Scene

Part II:

04.) Another Name * The Miss * The Ride
05.) You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory * Ronnie Spector * Jackson’s Jukebox
06.) I Want To Tell You * The Rockers * Teenline Vol. 1
07.) Something I’ve Got To Tell You * Glenda Collins * It’s Hard To Believe It: The Amazing World of Joe Meek
08.) Over Now * The Tools * Teenline Vol. 2

Part III:

09.) Love’s Gone Bad * Chris Clark * Girl Group Sounds Lost & Found: One Kiss Can Lead To Another
10.) I Wanna Be Free * The Rings * Once Upon A Time Vol. 04: UK April to July 1977
11.) Aba Daba Honeymoon * Debbie Reynolds & Carleton Carpenter * 50’s Love Songs
12.) Murderer’s Night * Sun City Girls * 330,003 Crossdressers From Beyond The Rig Veda Can’t Be Wrong

Part IV:

13.) Headache * Frank Black * Teenager of The Year
14.) I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You * Klaus Nomi * Eclipsed: The Best of Klaus Nomi
15.) New Year’s Eve * Tom Waits * Bad As Me

Part V:

16.) Visible Alex * Moth Hunter * Visible Alex
17.) Subterranean Waterway Barge Conveyance * Hal McGee * Battery Operated

Somewhere In-Between: A Radio ‘Zine:

Performed by Austin Rich.

Issue #24, produced in December of 2020, featuring a murderous holiday treat, “The Ghost’s Summons,” by Ada Buisson, read by Austin Rich.

Musical Selections (usually in excerpt):

(Isn’t It A Shame That) Christmas Comes But Once A Year * Jimmy Durante * Christmas Is For Children * Lion Records (1958)

Auld Lang Syne * Eban Schletter * Cosmic Christmas * Oglio Records (2009)

Dancing Dan’s Christmas (#216)

An old-fashioned Holiday Program from me, in that it’s the way I used to do them, 10 years ago.

Enjoy!

Dancing Dan’s Christmas

Featuring cut ups of “Dancing Dan’s Christmas,” and episode of The Damon Runyon Theater from 13 March 1949, and the KMART Christmas Tape.

Part I:

01.) American Story * Cult Heroes * Killed By Death Vol. 12
02.) (I Should Better Be Lookin’ For) Dangerman * The Mummies * Death By Unga Bunga!!
03.) Searchin’ * The Coasters * The Coasters

Part II:

04.) A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn’t So) * The Flaming Lips * Ego Tripping At The Gates of Hell EP
05.) One Christmas At A Time * Jonathan Coulton & John Roderick * One Christmas At A Time
06.) Mr. Santa Claus * Nathaniel Mayer * Village of Love
07.) Santa’s Beard * They Might Be Giants * Lincoln

Part III:

08.) Follow Blind * The Wipers * Follow Blind
09.) Christmas In The Congo * Marquees * Jeezus Fuck, It’s Christmas!
10.) Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto * James Brown * Jeezus Fuck, It’s Christmas!

Part IV:

11.) (It’s Gonna Be A) Punk Rock Christmas * The Ravers * Once Upon A Time Vol. 13: California & Pacific Northwest 1977
12.) It Came Upon A Midnight Clear * Eban Schletter * Eban Schletter’s Cosmic Christmas
13.) Christmas Blues * Washboard Pete * Jeezus Fuck, It’s Christmas!
14.) Christmas In Jail * The Youngsters * Black Christmas
15.) Yulesville * Edward ‘Kookie’ Byrnes * Jeezus Fuck, It’s Christmas!
16.) C’mon Santa! * Mach Bell & His Elves * Xmas Snertz: Have A Very Gulcher Christmas!

Part V:

17.) I Am A Human Recording * Hal McGee * Battery Operated

Somewhere In-Between: A Radio ‘Zine: Issue #24: Holiday Music & Robert Frost

Performed by Austin Rich.

Issue #24, produced in December of 2020, featuring a currently topical poem (in a number of ways), “Christmas Trees,” by Robert Frost, read by Austin Rich.

Musical Selections (usually in excerpt):

The 12 Days of Christmas * Bob & Doug McKenzie * The Great White North * Anthem Records (1981)

Let’s Have A Patrick Swayze Christmas * Crow, Tom Servo * Joel * Mystery Science Theater 3000 * Best Brains (1991)

The Bathing Suit That Grandma Wore * Paul Williams, Jerry Nelson & Marilyn Sokol * Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas * CBC Television (1977)

Snow! * Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney & Vera-Ellen * White Christmas * Paramount Pictures (1954)

Letter From Cynthia (#215)

A Holiday Horror experiment, with Mini-Mutations.

Enjoy!

Letter From Cynthia

01.) Letter From Cynthia * Mini-Mutataions * 16 December 20200

02.) The Veiled People * The Adventures of Rocky Jordan * 11 December 1949

Somewhere In-Between: A Radio ‘Zine: Issue #23: Holiday Music & The Cremation of Sam McGee

Performed by Austin Rich.

Issue #23, produced in December of 2020, featuring a very cold poem indeed, “The Cremation of Sam McGee,” read by Austin Rich in 1998.

Musical Selections (usually in excerpt):

Sleigh Ride * The Ventures * …Christmas Album * Dolton Records (1965)

Where Would You Be Without Me? * Bing Crosby, Twiggy & Ron Moody * Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas * CBS Television (1977)

Christmas Shopping In The Future With Jerry Browning (#214)

This is sort of a grab-bag program, in many ways. There’s some live Mini-Mutations, what I’m calling Futuristic Christmas Carols, as I pontificate on the holiday season.

Then, there’s a quartet of Holiday Episodes from Calling All Detectives, with Jerry Browning.

Then we close with another installment of Hal McGee’s Holiday Audio Assemblage from last year, “Battery Operated,” with the second track from that disc.

Enjoy!

Christmas Shopping In The Future With Jerry Browning

Part I: 

01.) Santa Claus Is Murdered * Calling All Detectives * 7 December 1948

Part II: 

02.) Too Many Santas * Calling All Detectives * 24 December 1948

Part III: 

03.) A Case While Shopping * Calling All Detectives * 31 December 1948

Part IV: 

04.) A Christmas Ornament Is A Valuable Clue * Calling All Detectives * 5 January 1949

Part V: battery operated

05.) a dream from which I just awoke * Hal McGee * battery operated * Self-Released (2020)

Part VI: 

06.) High Pressure * The Adventures of Rocky Jordan * 27 November 1949

Somewhere In-Between: A Radio ‘Zine: Issue #22: Smee: A Holiday Ghost Story

Performed by Austin Rich.

Issue #22, produced in November of 2020, featured this story that was lost and then found, “Smee,” written by AM Barrage in 1927, and read by Austin Rich

Somewhere In-Between: A Radio Zine Issue #21: Some Thanksgiving Leftovers

Written & Performed by Austin Rich.

Issue #21, produced in November of 2020, featuring fatting stories like, “New Traditions,” &, “#NaNoWriMo” 

Musical Selections (usually in excerpt):

Everybody Eats When They Come To My House * Cab Calloway * Frantic In The Atlantic * Prism Leisure Corporation (1987)

Paperback Writer * The B-52s * Paperback Writer * Astralwerks (2020)

Keeping Things Small For The Holidays: 3″ of Pure Pleasure (#212)

Since big things are frowned upon this Thanksgiving, we are relying on a much smaller form of entertainment to keep in step with the need this year. All 3″ discs are on the menu.

Enjoy!

Keeping Things Small For The Holidays: 3″ of Pure Pleasure

Part I: Blood of the Land

01.) Blood of the Land * Daniel Menche * Blood of the Land * ferns_rhizome (2010)

Part II: Childhood And Sudden Memories

02.) 1031 * endometrium cuntplow * endometrium cuntplow / dogprodz split * Love Torture Records (2009)
03.) Childhood And Sudden Memories * Boar * endometrium cuntplow / boar split * Love Torture Records (2009)
04.) unsustainable growth * Chefkirk + Carl Kruger * designer consciousness * bicephalic records (2018)
05.) 34275 * dogprodz * endometrium cuntplow / dogprodz split * Love Torture Records (2009)

Part III: Object Lesssening

06.) Human vs. Mechanical Turtle Part IV * DJ EmbryonicPetitSac * Sac + Tinklepotty * Sweat Band Records (2012)
07.) Impact Melt Pools * Styrofoam Sanchez * Crank Sturgeon / Styrofoam Sanchez Split * Lewcid Joosebox Recordings
08.) [untitled] * JUICE MACHINE * [peach dot sticker] * Self-Released
09.) Object Lessening * Crank Sturgeon * Crank Sturgeon / Styrofoam Sanchez Split * Lewcid Joosebox Recordings
10.) Mantra No.55 [Excerpt] * Durastatic * Mantra No.55 * Self-Released

Part IV: Dimestore Radio Theater

11.) The Strange Death of Van Dorn * The Adventures of Rocky Jordan * 13 November 1949

Somewhere In-Between: A Radio Zine: Issue #20: Autumnal Celebrations

Written & Performed by Austin Rich.

Issue #20, produced in November of 2020, featuring tasty audio treats, a la, “Learning To Love The Fall,” “On Thanksgiving Day,” &, “Other November Holidays.” 

Musical Selections (usually in excerpt):

Look Around, Look Around * Kay Lande & Wade Denning * Fun In Fall * Golden Records (1969)

Fight Music Cue * CBS Paramount * Star Trek: Music From The Original Television Soundtracks * CBS Paramount International Television (1993)

Twilight In Turkey * Raymond Scott * Reckless Nights & Turkish Twilights * Columbia Records (1992)

Thanksgiving Day * Kay Lande & Wade Denning * Fun In Fall * Golden Records (1969)

Food Food Food * Harry Nillson * Popeye: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack * The Boardwalk Entertainment (1980)

The Guitar Shop (4 January  2020)

My appearance on The Guitar Shop on Freeform Portland with DJ Victrola.

Enjoy!

• Jeff Beck “Guitar Shop (with Terry Bozzio & Tony Hymas)” [Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop With Terry Bozzio And Tony Hymas (with Terry Bozzio & Tony Hymas)]
• Travis Larson Band “Winter Still” [Rate Of Change]
• X “The New World” [More Fun in the New World]
• Sue Foley “Ain’t Gonna Worry No More” [Big City Blues]
• The Olsen Twins Ghost Light Ensemble “Session 4” [Live From the Lava Lamp Lounge]
• Esperanza Spalding “City Of Roses” [Radio Music Society]
• Daniel Johnston “My Life Is Starting Over Again” [The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered]
• Dixie Dregs “Go For Baroque” [Unsung Heroes]
• Ken Nordine “As of Now” [Transparent Mask]
• Mayonnaise vs Venn “Gravings In The Rocks” [Demo]
• The Breeders “New Year” [Last Splash]
• Magic Elf “Better Days Ahead” [Heavy Meddle]
• Dick Orkin “Emperor’s New Clothes” [The Story Lady]
• Rust Ionics “Moving” [Moving/Pictures]
• Tinsley Ellis “Get It!” [Get It!]
• Tony Burrello “There’s A New Sound” [The Sound Of Worms – And Fish, And Rats!]
• Dick Orkin “Chicken Man Episode 1” [Chicken Man Chronicles]
• The Cramps “New Kind Of Kick” [Off The Bone]
• Pat Metheny “New Year” [Unity Band]
• Donovan “New Year’s Resolution” [Open Road]
• Tommy Emmanuel “Don’t Hold Me back” [The Very Best Of…]
• Stanley Clarke “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” [If This Bass Could Only Talk]

A Sadgasm New Year’s / New Tears Special! [2019 Edition] (#179)

The only tradition we really have on this show is very simple: we invite the gentlemen of Sadgasm over to offer relationship advice. It’s a fun tradition that has led to some excellent outcomes, and with that in mind, we offer a down-home version of that same idea, Live from the Lava Lamp Lounge.

We offer an advance peek at two tracks from the upcoming Ramen 2.0 (out in February), and we talk about what the band has been up to. Then, we answer questions, and do our best to avoid turning the show into a Star Wars podcast.

Enjoy!

A Sadgasm New Year’s / New Tears Special!

Featuring two songs from Ramen 2.0, not yet available to fans!

My appearance on the ubRadio salon with Big City Orchestra.

This was a live broadcast on dfm.nu.

For this broadcast, I was reading from two pieces of literature:

“Bruges-:la-morte: A Romance” by Georges Rodenbach (the “Critical Introduction.”

and

“My Acid Trip with Groucho Marx” by Paul Krassner

Enjoy!

Dimestore (Christmas Eve) Radio Theater (#178)

Everyone needs a day off, right?

So this year, here’s a pair of Christmas-themed, Old Time Radio Programs.

First, it’s: “Casey, Crime Photographer,” with, The Santa Claus of Bums Boulevard. (Original airdate: Christmas Day, 1947.)

Then, it’s: “The Weird Circle,” with Markheim. (Original airdate: 21 May 1945.)  

Enjoy!

What? It’s already the 10th? Holy crap! I’m so far behind on my shopping, and there’s still decorating to do. I don’t think the travel plans are final yet, either. Damn. Do we have the Holiday Playlist ready? Ahhhhhhh! How are we gonna finish everything in time?

Fortunately, we have a couple hours at our disposal to focus on getting ready, and today’s show is all about preparing for the holidays: getting the house ready, preparing that meal, making wreathes, and all the other things that we need to get ready for an excellent holiday season. There’s a few live mash-up mixes, a long traditional DJ set, and all sorts of Holiday Goodies that I can’t wait for you to hear!

Our next MVM is on Christmas Eve, and I’m not quite sure what we’re doing yet. I may read some holiday ghost stories… who knows?

Regardless, I’m quite proud of this one I hope you like it, too.

Enjoy!

‘Tis The Season To Be Merry

(Contains Excerpts from a variety of Martha Stewart Holiday Specials.)

HOUR 1:

Part I: Lunch

01. ) Sweat * Airport * Sweat/Pleasure * Motor Records (2013)
02.) Mars * Holst * The Planets, Op. 32 * London Records (1997)
03. ) 01 – 02 Mash-Up * Austin Rich * 10 December 2019 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2019)
04.) Lunch (Live at The ProjektHaus, Pittsburgh, PA, 31 May 1997) * Operation Re-Information * Variable Dump * M-Pire Recordings (1998)

Part II: Elemental Changes

05.) Elemental Changes * fivepaw * fivepaw * FPNP Tapes (2016)
06.) Bad Trails * BATTLES * Mirrored * WARP Records (2007)
07.) Shuds Jeded * Dark Fjord * Calendrical Rot / Tiny Alien 6 Split Tape * Self-Released (2019)

Part III: The Celestial Din

08.) Side A Excerpts (Structures In Stasis / Fluidity / Subtle Sleep / Escape) * Hobo Cubes * Apex Ideals * Debacles Records (2013)
09.) The Celestial Din * Garek Jon Druss * The Celestial Din * Debacles Records (2013)
10.) Fractured Light * Hypnogogue * Adrift * Self-Released (2018)
11.) 08 – 10 Mash-Up * Austin Rich * 10 December 2019 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2019)

HOUR 2:

Part IV: Beautiful Feeling

12.) “wreathe” (Side A) * Formaldehydra * “wreathe” * Gorbie Lathe Cuts (2019)
13.) People * Bren’t Lewiis Ensemble * Refreshing Hemorrhage * Butte County Free Music Society (2011)
14.) Gonzo * Instagon * Gonzo 7” * Love Earth Music (2013)
15.) Santa & The Satellite Part 1 * The Original Flying Saucers * Watergrate Superfly Meets Shaft Convention ’72 * IX Chains Records (1973)
16.) No Place in Space * The Scanners * The Scanners * Self-Released (2018)
17.) Action Woman * The Litter * Pebbles Volume One * BFD Records (1979)
18.) Beautiful Feeling * Rich Kids On LSD * The Best of… * Mystic Records (1989)
19.) Hostage * BadXMouth * PCC Grindviolence: The Early Years / BXM Self-Titled * Gorbie Lathe Cuts (2019)

Part V: The Party

20.) I Luv U… Nicorns * godheadSilo * The Scientific Supercake L.P. * Kill Rock Stars Records (1994)
21.) Phoenix * Green Milk From The Planet Orange * Third * Inferior Records (2019)
22.) The Party * John S. Hall & Kramer * “Real Men” * Shimmy Disc Records (1991)

Part VI: Hark! Satanic Santas Sing!

23.) Hark! Satanic Santas Sing! * Babushka, Little Fyodor & The Inactivists * Babushka’s Naughty XXXmas! * Self-Released (2005)
24.) “wreathe” (Side B) * Formaldehydra * “wreathe” * Gorbie Lathe Cuts (2019)
25.) Santa & The Satellite Part 2 * The Original Flying Saucers * Watergrate Superfly Meets Shaft Convention ’72 * IX Chains Records (1973)

It’s the week of Thanksgiving, and of course, I’m busy and hell, trying to get everything ready for the next few months. There’s tons going on, and we always feel like we’re behind. Are we ready for all of this? I hope so.

To that end: I break in the new home-studio, and play a bunch of new ./ old stuff that has been on my mind. There’s a drone mash-up, a noise mash-up, and an old-fashioned DJ set, plus all sorts of Mini-Mutations, too. It’s a fun show, and I hope you enjoy it too.

Don’t let the family get to you too much. Enjoy this podcast for a spell, and get your mind off the holiday season.

Enjoy!

Preparing For The Holidays

(Tonight’s program features samples from the films, “How To Be Well Groomed,” from 1949 and, “Control Your Emotions,” from 1950.)

HOUR 1:

Part I: Run, Turkey, Run!

01. ) Stand Up Lazarus * Bruce Haack * Farad: The Electric Voice * Stone’s Throw (2010)
02.) Side A * LA Lungs * Rrest * Debacle Recors (2014)
03.) Last Instar * Brown * Leipodtera * Anarchy Moon Records (2010)
04.) Ectoplasm * Sir Richard Bishop * Gravitron Polarity Generator * Social Music Record And Tape Club of Portland, OR (2010)
05.) Who Is Tyler Durden? * The Dust Brothers * Fight Club: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack * Restless Records (1994)
06.) Five Turkeys * Kay Lande & Wade Denning * Fun In The Fall * Golden Records (1969)

Part II: Normal Man

07.) Hallo Gallo * Neu! * Neu! * Grönland Records (1972)
08.) Recorded Syntax * June of 44 * Anahata * Quarterstick Records (1999)
09.) Relics * False Figure * False Figure EP * Last Hour / Near Dark Records (2018)
10.) Atmosphere * Puppies * Mechanical Beat b/w Atmosphere 7″ * Stiff Records (1981)
11.) Normal Man * Men’s Recovery Project * Normal Man EP * Gravity Records (1995)
12.) Paranoimia * The Art of Noise w/ Max Headroom * Paranoimia b/w Why Me? 7″ * Chrysalis Records (1986)

HOUR 2:

Part III: Food

13.) Buffalo Hump * Guyve * Delaying The Inevitable * Guyve Records (2012)
14.) The Dust Blows Forward ‘n The Dust Blows Back… * Walls of Genius * Crazed To The Core * Walls of Genius (1984)
15.) Standing Above The Copulated * Blood of Chhinnamastika * Unholy Visions of The Divine * The Pet Goat (2019)
16.) As The Legions March Along The Wide Easy Path I Try For and Yearn For The Light * Parousia * Parousia * Parousia (2019)
17.) Mic That She On The Fla * Petit Sac * Petit Sac / Wastelands Split * Sweat Band / Rah-Rah Records (2015)
18.) Food * Nicole Panter * The Story Lady * Kill Rock Stars (1996)
19.) Hatchling (Leg Birth In Bright Yellow And Green) * Endometrium Cuntplow * With Feathers Made From Flesh, She Floated Away Gently * Blistered Mind (2019)

Part IV: Ramblin’ 

20.) Ramblin’ * Ornette Coleman * The Best of Ornette Coleman * Atlantic Records (1970)
21.) The Calamityville Horror * The Ether Creeps * The Ether Creeps / Petit Sac Split Tape * Sweat Band Records (2018)
22.) Thanksgiving Song * Kay Lande & Wade Denning * Fun In The Fall * Golden Records (1969)

On February 8th, 2019, the world was in the grip of the Polar Vortex. But in Salem Oregon, we were in the grip on “Winter Weather Fever,” a condition that only exists when everyone assumes that we will have frozen streets and layers on snow, only to become incredibly disappointed.

With all signs pointing to YES, we decided to reschedule our lives guests (clownfisher and Ark Noelle), and instead offer a Winter Storm Watch 2019, where I could broadcast from the comfort of the Lava Lamp Lounge, monitor the weather, and see if all the hubbub was actually anything to sneeze at.

In the end, we all know the answer: it just rained. But, in a turn of events that I was somewhat thankful for, it did get incredibly cold and slippery, with roads at freezing conditions, so I felt justified in not making the journey to the station, and was very happy I didn’t ask a band to travel in weather like that, either.

There will always be other shows to do, and this gave me a chance to dream (for a while, anyway) that we would get getting massive snowdrifts, piles of white falling from the sky, and an army of snowmen as I look down the street to see how my neighbors were doing. None of that came to pass, but during this show, maybe you can hear some of my excitement, as I stroll through some recently acquired synth records from the past.

Enjoy!

Winter Storm Watch 2019 (TBD)

HOUR 1:

01.) Synth LPs

HOUR 2:

16.) Synth Jam (Live) * Mini-Mutations * 8 February 2019 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2019)
17.) More Synth LPs

A Sadgasm New Year’s / New Tears Special! [2018 Edition] (#129)

It’s funny how traditions get started. I caught Sadgasm at an Open Mic they showed up at, and they had instantly catchy hooks that not only betrayed the normal fare on this program, but immediately spoke to me. (Their tunes just got stuck in my head.) So we circled a few dates on the calendar, bounced a few ideas around, and 2017’s “New Year’s / New Tears Special” was born.

Well, a year has come and gone, and now were are here at the end of another year, trying and difficult as it has been, with even more questions about our relationships and romantic entanglements, the exact kind of problems that Sadgasm feature in their songs. Sort of like the ones in their new EP – I Don’t Like To Cry – which you can enjoy on Bandcamp or on this program, where we play tracks and they play LIVE! It’s pretty exciting.

On top of all of that, the majority of this show is dedicated to your calls. We do our best to get to the heart of the matter, and make genuine suggestions to help you in your romantic woes. And that is the majority of the show; the entire first hour, and the last 40 minutes or so, are dedicated to helping you in the relationship department, and we hope that it shows. Special thanks to Kylie Burbank, who kept the band hydrated and helped behind the scenes so we could pull off a show with a number of engineering challenges. You are incredible.

This is our last show of the year, and what a year it has been. I don’t have much else to say that I haven’t been for the last year, so I’ll end by saying: thank you. Doing this show means everything to me, and I can’t believe how lucky I am that I get to do it every week.

Enjoy.

Spinitron Playlist

A Sadgasm New Year’s / New Tears Special! (2018 Edition) (TBD)

HOUR 1

Part I: “Try To Cure Insomnia.” 

The Software Are Fighting Again / Introduction & Setup / Where’s Austin?

Caller #1: Anonymous 1. “What are some good techniques to date the members of Sadgasm?”

Caller #2: Austin Antrican. “A lonely kind of sad.”

01.)  Surf Rock America * Sadgasm * I Don’t Like To Cry * Self-Released (2018)

Part II: “I Take ’em Crabbing.”

Caller #3: Donald. “Update: Less than a month later, Donald found himself a Honey. What should we do for our 1 Year Anniversary?” KBVR

Caller #4: Anonymous 2. “What if your partner hasn’t ‘taken you crabbing’ after a year and a half?”

Caller #5: Anonymous 3. “What if my cat likes my partner more than me?”

Part III: The Mullet is The Bullet… To Love

Caller #6: Alec. “I cut my hair into a mullet. How can I utilize that to enhance my love life?”

Caller #7: Anonymous 4. “My husband and my roommate’s partner spend a lot of time together. (They host a podcast together, etc.) How do I take all of this in?”

Caller #8: Anonymous 5. “I feel strong emotions toward someone. How do I spark up a conversation?”

HOUR 2

Part IV: LIVE

02.) Eating Ash * Sadgasm * I Don’t Like To Cry * Self-Released (2018)
03.) It’s Better With Johnny Around (Live) * Sadgasm * 28 December 2018 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2018)
03.) Interview Snippet 1 * Austin & Sadgasm * 28 December 2018 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2018)

• Topics Include: Home recorded, a more mature release, mono recording & one mic recording techniques.

04.) XX PainWarrior XX (Live) * Sadgasm * 28 December 2018 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2018)

05.) Interview Snippet 2 * Austin & Sadgasm * 28 December 2018 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2018)

• Topics Include: Physical spaces in songs, the Sadgasm fun energy, making each other laugh.

Part V: Friend with a Capital F

Caller #9: Maddi. “I’m stuck in a love triangle. One is attractive and mean. One likes me and is nice but is a human red flag. What should I do?”

Caller #10: Anonymous 6. “My love life has run dry. Should I join ChristianMingle.com?”

Caller #11: Hubert. “I asked my partner, ‘Who had the ‘Greatest Hands’ (would win in a fight): Einstein or Da Vinci?’ and we didn’t agree. Now they haven’t responded to my messages in a few days. What should I do?”

Part VI: “I’m Gonna Tell You Something Right Now”

Caller #12: Anonymous 7. “After a year and a half of a relationship, I haven’t said ‘I love you.’ I feel comfortable with this, but my partner wants to take it to the next level. What should I do?”

Upcoming Sadgasm Shows: Jan 5th At The Speakeasy. Jan 23rd at Nearly Normal’s. Feb. 8th at The Space.

In The Studio: Austin. “I’ve blown through all my good date ideas after many years of marriage. Any suggestions for new date ideas?”

Epilogue…

But what about the software…?

Join Mid-Valley Mutations as we Channel Surf during our Christmas break. It’s like watching an old Dead Martin holiday special, but you’ve had a bit to drink, so you start channel surfing to see what else is on. I know we did.

Enjoy!

Christmas TV Special! 

HOUR 1:

Part I: Santa’s Workshop

01.) Christmas In The Playhouse * Pee-Wee Herman * Pee-Wee’s Playhouse * CBS Television (1988)
02.) Santa’s Workshop * Wilfred Jackson * Silly Symphonies * Walt Disney Productions (1932)
03.) Snow! * Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney & Vera-Ellen * White Christmas * Paramount Pictures (1954)
04.) Christmas In The Congo * The Marquees * Jeezus Fuck, It’s Christmas!!! * Kogar The Swinging Ape (2017)
05.) We’re A Couple of Misfits * Billie Mae Richards & Paul Soles * Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer * NBC Television (1964)
06.) Let’s Have A Patrick Swayze Christmas * Crow, Tom Servo * Joel * Mystery Science Theater 3000 * Best Brains (1991)

Part II: Cool Yule

07.) The Bathing Suit That Grandma Wore * Paul Williams, Jerry Nelson & Marilyn Sokol * Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas * CBC Television (1977)
08.) The 12 Days of Christmas * Bob & Doug McKenzie * The Great White North * Anthem Records (1981)
09.) Cool Yule * Louis Armstrong * Jeezus Fuck, It’s Christmas!!! * Kogar The Swinging Ape (2017)
10.) (Isn’t It A Shame That) Christmas Comes But Once A Year * Jimmy Durante * Christmas Is For Children * Lion Records (1958)
11.) Christmas Comes But Once A Year * Dave Fleischer * Color Classics * Fleischer Studios (1936)

Part III: Scrooge

12.) Where Would You Be Without Me? * Bing Crosby, Ron Moody & Twiggy * Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas * CBS Television (1977)
13.) I Hate People * Albert Finney * Scrooge * National General Pictures (1970)

HOUR 2:

Part IV: Santa Done Got Hip

14.) Tom Peterson’s Christmas Sale 2 * Tom Peterson * Tom Peterson’s Commercials * Tom Peterson’s (1988)
15.) The Night Before Christmas * Wilfred Jackson * Silly Symphonies * Walt Disney Productions (1933)
16.) The Hot Choc-late Soldiers * Walt Disney * Hollywood Party * MGM (1934)
17.) A Surfer’s Christmas List * The Surfaris * Jeezus Fuck, It’s Christmas!!! * Kogar The Swinging Ape (2017)
18.) Santa Done Got Hip * The Marquees * Jeezus Fuck, It’s Christmas!!! * Kogar The Swinging Ape (2017)

Part V: The Nightmare

19.) Tom Peterson’s Christmas Sale 1 * Tom Peterson * Tom Peterson’s Commercials * Tom Peterson’s (1987)
20.) Christmas Night In Harlem * Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra * Jeezus Fuck, It’s Christmas!!! * Kogar The Swinging Ape (2017)
21.) Little Drummer Boy * Grace Jones * Pee-Wee’s Playhouse * CBS Television (1988)
22.) Riverbottom Nightmare Band * The Nightmare (Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz & Paul Williams) * Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas * CBC Television (1977)
23.) The Gremlin Rag * Jerry Goldsmith * Gremlins * Warner Bros. (1984)
24.) Silent Night * Lustmord * A Mutated Christmas * Illegal Art (2001)

Part VI: What Are You Going To Do With 390 Photographs of Christmas Trees?

25.) Tom Peterson’s Christmas Sale 3 * Tom Peterson * Tom Peterson’s Commercials * Tom Peterson’s (1988)
26.) “What Are You Going To Do With 390 Photographs of Christmas Trees?” by Richard Brautigan * Austin Rich * Seasons Greetings * WTBC Radio (2018)
27.) Good Night, But Not Goodbye * Bea Arthur * The Star Wars Holiday Special * CBS Television (1978)

How Much Is That Juice Machine In The Window? (#127)

No home is complete without a full complement of modern appliances that will aid you as you navigate the holiday season. It is likely you’ll have to prepare a number of last-minute meals for 17 guests, or be required to suddenly prepare six dozen batches of cookies for a “required” office party.

That is why we are offering you a new Juice Machine, and just in time for the holiday season. This Juice Machine comes with everything you see here, and includes three different settings: “LIVE,” “INTERVIEW,” and the newest setting, only available on this program: “MUTATED.” One of these settings comes complete with A/V one-way interface, and with an item like this, each lovingly sculpted glitch is as much a part of the appliance as it is THE appliance itself.

You will not want to fill your future mind with thoughts of the holiday season where you turned down this incredibly rare (and essential) kitchen item, and even worse, with new realizations with each successive year that you can only find it on eBay at very costly prices. That is why we are offering this LIVE Juice Machine performance… for free.

“FREE?!” you scream at your device, and yes, the answer is, “Yes.” FREE. But I think you must act now. This Juice Machine is something that only helps you when you have it in your home today, and that is why this incredible deal will, probably, as far as you know, go away… SOON, unless you take advantage of this incredible offer within the hour! (Or the next one… just make it SOON.)

So, to recap: you get the full two-hour show. You get the LIVE Juice Machine Performance. You get an interview with both Roger and Heather, PLUS selections from various recordings that are chopped and screwed in a fashion you cannot find anywhere else! And then, a collaborative Juice Machine product featuring a Mini-Mutations EXCLUSIVE to this free purchase.

It’s the way we like to celebrate the holiday season on the Mid-Valley Mutations Home Shopping Network.

Enjoy!

How Much Is That Juice Machine In The Window?  (Playlist TBD)

HOUR 1:

Part I: Soundcheck

01.) Introduction (Live) * Mini-Mutations * 14 December 2018 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2018)
02.) Recorded in Jan 2018 * Juice Machine * Some Things * Self-Released (2018)
03.) 1 * Hoodie Battle * FU * Hoodie Battle (2018)

Part II: Live Performance

04.) Live * Juice Machine * 14 December 2018 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2018)
05.) 3 * Chefkirk * Big Disk * Self-Released (2018)

Part III: Interview

06.) Juice Machine Interview 1 * Mini-Mutations * 14 December 2018 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2018)

• Topics Include: Gear Talk, finding sounds, started in 2012, relocated from the East Coast, Heather joins the noise scene, the creative freedom of Noise music, 17 years as Chefkirk, started in metal bands in Virginia, the scene in Florida, Squelch TV, (their Squelch TV Performance), Rat Bastard & Andrew Chadwick, the secret origin of Chefkirk.

HOUR 2:

Part IV: CQ CQ

07.) Mutation (Part I & II) * Aume * GQ CQ * Mobilization Records (2018)

Part V: JAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMM

07.) Mutation (Part I & II) * Aume * GQ CQ * Mobilization Records (2018)

Part VI: Interview 2

08.) Juice Machine Interview 2 * Mini-Mutations * 14 December 2018 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2018)

• Topics Include: No Shows right now, free 3-inch, Because It’s Invisible, DIY packaging & releases as art objects, merch as unique gifts for the audiences, Funagain Games, venue problems, Old Nick’s, ControlValve.net Old School Netlabel, started seven years ago and the wealth of amazing music online.

09.) Sleigh Ride * The Ventures * The Ventures’ Christmas Album * Dolton Records (1970)

Chefkirk

Juice Machine

controlvalve.net

Analog Love Letter (11 December 2018)

Here is Mini-Mutations appearing on “Analog Love Letter,” a program on KDVS. This program includes an interview, some musical selections, as well as a live, holiday performance to close out the show.

Playlist:

KDVS Playlist

Enjoy!

Two holiday stories, with Vincent Price and a visitor from Outer Space. Plus: Two Hours of Great Music, and a live holiday jam by Mini-Mutations.

Enjoy!

Season’s Greetings

HOUR 1: Nineteen Santa Clauses

Part I: Third Eye

01.) Transmission (Parts 1 – 3) * Aume * CQ CQ * Mobilization Records (2018)
02.) Third Eye, Inc. * Nathan Derr * Music From The Film ‘Acide Noire’ * Nathan Derr (2017)
03.) Space Crawl * Brad Anderson * Krackwerk * Brad Anderson (2018)

Part II: Along the Breakwater

04.) Shimmer * Peter Thomas * Switched-On Eugene * Numero Group Records (2018)
05.) Along the Breakwater * Leonard, Skrowaczewski, Zappa * Visions * Metamorphosis Music (2003)
06.) The Best of The Mesozoic * Birdsongs of the Mesozoic * Sonic Geology * Rykodisc (1984)
07.) Excarnation / Chopsticks Fail * Bren’t Lewiis Ensemble * Dreamhouse Prison of The Pastel Mafia * Butte County Free Music Society (2018)

Part III: Escape of The Madman 

08.) Escape of The Madman * Walls Of Genius * Electronic Cottage Compilation 004 * Electronic Cottage (2018)
09.) Luxurious Foam * Eavil * Les Fleurs Du Mal * No Part of It (2018)
10.) 2 * Juice Machine * Because It’s Invisible * Falt (2018)

HOUR 2: Dog Star

Part IV: Seasons Greetings

11.) Dog Star * Mini-Mutations * 7 December 2018 *  Mid-Valley Mutations (2018)

With the eating feast behind us, we are well and truly into the holiday season. You’re probably sick of turkey and celebrating. You want something else.

Maybe some live music and recipes?

Enjoy.

(Live) Thanksgiving Leftovers (#125)

This broadcast contains samples from various videos made by The Art Assignment, an “art & cooking” show from PBS Digital Studios. Specifically, I used the episodes, “Salvador Dali,” “Frida Kahlo,” “Futurist Meat Sculpture” and “Do Not Try to Eat This.”

HOUR 1

Part I: MMMMMM

01.) Live * Don Haugen * Live * 21 October 2018
02.) Live * nOiZepHyZiX * Live * 19 October 2018

Part II: MMMMMM

03.) Live [Excerpt] * Mark Hosler * Live * 20 October 2018

Part III: GOOOOOOD

04.) Live [Excerpt] * Blevim Blectum * Live * 30 October 2018
05.) Live * Blood Rhythms * Live * 30 October 2018

HOUR 2

Part IV: FOOOOOOOD

06.) Live Mash-Up * Mini-Mutations * Live * Mid-Valley Mutations

This show was supposed to be dedicated to a live CHEFKIRK performance, just in time for the holiday. But car problems prevented this from being so.

Instead, I performed a last minute “radio broadcast” from The Lava Lamp Lounge. You can see and hear the results of this here.

Lots of great music, a couple hours of live music, and you get to see how the sausage is made.

Enjoy.

The CHEFKIRK Thanksgiving Special

Pre-Game Show

01.) Enviornments Set-Up * Mini-Mutations * Live * 16 November 2018 (0:45:53)

Part I: Ouija Board

02.) Introduction * Mini-Mutations * Live * 16 November 2018  (0:12:31)
03.) Ouija Board * Bren’t Lewiis Ensemble * Taxidermy Frogs Copulating * Butte County Free Music Society (0:07:51)
04.) ILB’AL * John M. Bennett * Electronic Cottage Compilation 004 * ElectronicCottage.org (0:01:38)
05.) The Ride * Talvé * Switched-On Eugene * The Numero Group (0:03:14)
06.) Ehecatl * Brad Anderson * Krackwerk * Self-Released (0:04:17)

Part II: No Such Thing As A Party

07.) Segue * Mini-Mutations * Live * 16 November 2018 (0:05:09)
08.) Live * CHEFKIRK * Live At The Eugene Noisefest * 18 August 2018  (0:14:35)
09.) Segue * Mini-Mutations * Live * 16 November 2018 (0:01:52)
10.) Analytic on the Unit Disc * Jocko Homomorphism * A Notational Distinction + Soundcloud Goodies * Self-Released (0:03:02)
11.) No Such Thing As A Party * Ryan A. Ray & The Blue Faces * Ryan A. Ray & The Blue Faces * Self-Released (0:04:12)
12.) It’s A Drab * Thollem / Clouser / Chase * Dub Narcotic Session Vol. II * Personal Archives (0:12:46)

Part III: Live DIVA

13.) Segue * Mini-Mutations * Live * 16 November 2018 (0:05:18)
14.) Live * CHEFKIRK * Live At The DIVA * 29 September 2010  (0:07:35)

Part IV: Jammmmmmmmmmmmmmm

15.) Improvised Jam * Mini-Mutations * Live * 16 November 2018 (0:23:10)
16.) Enviornments Tear-Down * Mini-Mutations * Live * 16 November 2018 (0:32:01)

A Sadgasm New Year’s / New Tears Special! (#83)

Closing off what has become an incredible year is my in-studio session with the sad boys of Sadgasm, a local Salem combo that has only been together a few months, and has already established themselves as the Sad Sac for the 21st Century.

In this show, we celebrate the new year, open the loveline, and take calls from people who are having actual relationship woes, and need advice. We also get to hear some of the songs on their upcoming record, Ramen, which is coming out soon, and in general, have an excellent time. You can find more information out about Sadgasm by visiting their websites: Instagram & Bandcamp, or by pestering them on their social media accounts: Gravy Brink, Andy Alvarez, Austin Antrican and Jon Garcia.

Special thanks is in order, to Kylie Burbank and Emma Douglas, who helped behind the scenes for this show, and are stand up folks in their own right.

Thanks for the incredible year. While it blew everywhere else, 2017 was great for Mid-Valley Mutations, and I thank all of you for being a part of it, and keeping this show going. You all are amazing.

Enjoy.

Spinitron Playlist

A Sadgasm New Year’s / New Tears Special!

HOUR 1

Part I: Backyardagins

01.) Austin FM Theme * Paco Jones * Austin FM Theme * Self-Released (2016)
02.) Barnyard Fun * Sadgasm * Ramen * Unreleased (2018)

Part II: Couples Massage

Caller #1: Donald. “How do you find someone to smooch on New Year’s Eve? How can I ask to get a couples massage?”

Caller #2: Prince. “What’s a nice, chill activity to do on a date instead of something insane?”

Caller #3: Anonymous. “What do you do when your partner calls you buddy after being intimate?”

Part III: “It makes me feel less alone.”

03.) Cum On (Live) * Sadgasm * 29 December 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
04.) Interview Part 1 * Sadgasm * 29 December 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• Forming in May, Adieu Caribou, Cape Disappointment, songwriting, Escape Disgrace, working on a new record, recording it yourself, friends having fun.

Part IV: “So many things I wanna say to you.”

05.) Makin’ Love in Three Four (Live) * Sadgasm * 29 December 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
06.) Interview Part 2 * Sadgasm * 29 December 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• Record collecting, Ranch Records, Engelberg’s. 

Caller #4: Roger. “What is your advice for sad people?”

Caller #5: Desmond. “What is a good first sex toy?”

HOUR 2

Part V: Hats Off

07.) Trim Photo To Fit * Sadgasm * Ramen * Unreleased (2018)
08.) 2 AM (Live) * Sadgasm * 29 December 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
09.) Puke (Live) * Sadgasm * 29 December 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

Caller #6: William. “Can you help me find a hat that will help me find the person for me? If you could drink any beer, what would it be?”

Part VI: “A flexible schedule.”

10.) Interview Part 3 * Sadgasm * 29 December 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• Recording at home, Postrich Bear.

Caller #7: Jordan. “What do you do when you don’t want a relationship but you get lonely?”

Caller #8: Mr. Smith. “What do you do when your partner has a lot of quirks? What if they don’t like broccoli?”

Caller #9: Anna. “What do you do when you find out that your boyfriend is married?”

Part VII: “It’s not the words but the heart I lack.”

11.) Eating Ash (Live) * Sadgasm * 29 December 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

Caller #10: Anonymous 2. “What do you do about ghosting? What about a person in a bad relationship who doesn’t call you back?”

Caller #11: Mr. Smith. “She does not like brussel sprouts, or any green vegetables.”

The Kelly Taylor Show (#82)

In my continuing effort to fully flesh out the local Salem Music Scene (and document some of these stories that are very quickly receding from memory), we offer this timely, holiday treat: The Kelly Taylor Show.

Kelly has played in almost 16 bands in his life, and is currently singing and playing in Years For Months, and decidedly rock and roll kind of combo. But there’s another side to his music, and a side that you will not get to enjoy on this program. Electronic might not be the right word to describe it, and already that should telegraph to you what kind of music Klaxun happens to be. I should mention here that there is a lot of Klaxun music in this show, and much of it is not credited. (It’s in the background.) But all of it is easy enough to find, and is well worth the effort.

This is our “Christmas” broadcast this year, part of my cooky idea to speak with a number of folks that I find interesting, something you might see on an old Variety Show, or hear on some other holiday broadcast. While we don’t exactly get very “holiday” centric on the other two shows (or even this one, for that matter), I offer smatterings of holiday fare, and we hope that with will yule-tide you over until you can get some real Christmas Music.

As has been the tradition on this show, we close things out with a broadcast from exactly 57 years ago, tonight! It’s Dimestore Radio Theater, with a Nero Wolfe story that is perfect for this time of year.

Thanks again, from all of us here at Mid-Valley Mutations.  Happy Holidays.

Enjoy!

Spinitron Playlist

The Kelly Taylor Show (#82)

HOUR 1

Part I: The Door

01.) Austin FM Theme * Paco Jones * Austin FM Theme * Self-Released (2016)
02.) The Christmas Song (Chestnuts) * Corporal Blossom * A Mutated Christmas * Illeagal Art (2001)

Part II: “It’s never left the hard drive.”

03.) Interview Part 1 * Kelly Taylor * 7 November 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
04.) Jupiter * Klaxun * Close Without Saving * Apple Music (2014)

• Recording with new technology, Haywire Studios, recording with old technology, taking advantage of the digital world, technology & control freaks, the development of arrangements (solo vs. full band).

Part III: “How many different haikus are there?”

05.) Interview Part 2 * Kelly Taylor * 7 November 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
06.) Ripplets * Klaxun * Inside The Box * Apple Music (2014)
s07.) Hypertension * Klaxun * Hypertension * Soundcloud.com (2014)
08.) For * Klaxun * For * Soundcloud.com (2016)

• Starting on a new song, finding the door, Some Chords by deadmau5, frustrations with EDM, dumb genre nonsense, the formula for predictable music, “cozies,” the freedom of boundaries, finding a voice within rules, the phone as a compositional tool, broken and expensive gear vs. what’s at hand, Caustic.

Part IV: “I’m sort of like Dr. Frankenstein with creative works.”

09.) Interview Part 3 * Kelly Taylor * 7 November 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
10.) Demolution [Excerpt] * Klaxun * Demolution * Soundcloud.com (2016)
11.) AMBI3NT * Klaxun * AMBI3NT * Soundcloud.com (2017)

• Not performance music, drummer stories, Years For Months, Mick of Northwest Notes, Stan & Andy of Easterly, resurrecting old songs, Come Back Maggie, writing a lot of songs, growing up in rural Oregon and discovering the guitar.

HOUR 2

Part V: “Get Into It.”

12.) White * Plunderphonic * Plunderphonic * Mystery Tape Laboratory (1989)

Part VI: “As a kid I wanted to be David Bowie.”

13.) Interview Part 4 * Kelly Taylor * 7 November 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• downloadedshow.blogspot.com, Appetite For Destruction, Kill ’em All.

Part VII: Duck Duck Goose

14.) Egg Thief * Twink * Miniatures Volume 2 * Twink Tones (2014)
15.) Numb (Live) * Years For Months * Numb (Live) * Soundcloud.com (2017)
16.) Duck Duck Goose * Jupiter Skydive * Getting More Stupider * Bandcamp.com (2013)

Part VIII: “Drowning In Music.”

17.) Interview Part 5 * Kelly Taylor * 7 November 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• The song “Numb,” ways music can be re-interpreted, Hank III, We Are Street, looking for something new.

Part IX: Dimestore Radio Theater

12.) The Slaughtered Santas * The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe * 22 December 1950 * NBC (1950)

A Lob Instagon NoiseFest Christmas! (#80)

When Lob Instagon begins to tell stories, listening becomes essential. A poet, an artist, a musician and an instigator, Lob has worn so many hats that it is sometimes difficult to remember the mystical origins of what he does. In this show, we do our best to uncover those origins and pay tribute to the man himself, his career, his connection to the NorCal NoiseFest, and just exactly how big his ear actually his.

I had an incredible time at NorCal NoiseFest this year, and my idea was to, initially, try and capture my favorite acts in a rambling, mutated form, but the chance to talk to Lob about his new album (Black Cactus) the evolution of Instagon (in all of it’s various forms), was just too excellent, and very soon this show morphed into being all about him.

And with good reason. To fully do Lob justice probably can’t be done is just one program, so we did our best to recreate a mini NoiseFest of our own in-studio. MKUltramegaphone gave Lob a radio tribute fitting of the man himself by jamming along with his music and his words, in a very holiday-centric style.

As mentioned during the program, Eden Mononym was scheduled to appear, but a combination of car and phone troubles threw a wrench into this plan. As of the end of the show, we were not sure what had happened, but I am happy to report that he is safe, and made it home okay in spite of below-freezing temperatures. Sorry we couldn’t have him on the program this week, but we are very glad that we can try and schedule something again for the future.

Regardless, here’s two hours of Lob, holiday style, all from Mid-Valley Mutations.

Enjoy.

Spinitron Playlist

A NorCal NoiseFest Christmas! w/ Lob Instagon (#80)

HOUR 1

Part I: The spirit of the season.

01.) Austin FM Theme * Paco Jones * Austin FM Theme * Self-Released (2016)
02.) Interview Part 1 * Lob Instagon * 30 October 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

Part II: “Recorded music is three generations in of people who think it’s free.”

03.) Interview Part 2 * Lob Instagon * 30 October 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• Black Cactus, reclaiming physical media, the changing music industry, music as a forum of thought, playing collaboratively, the evolution of Instagon, starting out noise and becoming a jazz-jam hybrid, playing with Greg Ginn.

[horridus joins in at 19:30.]

Part III: “You’re missing what’s going on right now.”

04.) Interview Part 3 * Lob Instagon * 30 October 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• An evolving line-up, creating a live happening, how venues respond to noise, Luna’s Cafe & Juice Bar, noise as the new punk rock, the supportive NorCal NoiseFest scene, starting to organize the event in 2005, “it’s more like a convention,” the early NoiseFests in the mid-90’s, the tape trading scene of the ‘80’s feeding the ‘90’s noise scene, the Japanese noise scene, Masonna & Merzbow, Nurse With Wound, the school of punk rock, the Green Day wave (the post-Stiff Little Fingers wave), the Epitaph Sound, the vastness of noise as a genre.

Part IV: “…and he came at us again, with a samurai sword!”

05.) Interview Part 4 * Lob Instagon * 30 October 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• The variety of acts and sounds, unique audio happenings, situationist & dada, NoiseFests past, the samurai sword story, The EMRL, the importance of stage managing, Rubber-O-Cement, Monte Cazaza, Floyd & The Conceptual Music Union, Sidewalk Brujeria, Big City Orchestra, Radio TroUBle/dfm, Salty Sea Shanties.

HOUR 2

Part V: The Temple of Psychic Youth.

06.) Interview Part 5 * Lob Instagon * 30 October 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• Lob’s poetry & poetry readings, how Instagon got started, the metal band version of the group, The Temple of Psychic Youth, Instagon’s four initial faces, running out of places to play, the various phases of the group, discovering bass, becoming a band leader, Lost High Desert Tortoise, avoiding band drama.

Part VI: “I have a big ear.”

07.) Interview Part 6 * Lob Instagon * 30 October 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

• Lob’s varied tastes, his record store years (1985 to 2002), being 15 in 1980 in LA, zine and cassette culture, connections through trading physical media, The Angry Snowmans, So This Is Christmas…?, Vertonen w/ Monte Cazazza, Sidewalk Brujaria, Burnt Dot, Kevin Corcoran/Jen Boyd & Burnt Dot, Trepan Vent, Davy Bui & his son, Cut Shudders, Jolthrower.

Part VII: So This Is Christmas?

08.) So This Is Christmas? * Instagon & MKUltramegaphone * 8 December 2017 * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

Part VIII: The Rock & Roll Day of Reconing

]]> https://midvalleymutations.com/2017/12/08/a-lob-instagon-noisefest-christmas-80/feed/ 3 1942 blasphuphmus austinrich@gmail.com (Austin Rich)noA Lob Instagon NoiseFest Christmas! (#80) When Lob Instagon begins to tell stories, listening becomes essential. A poet, an artist, a musician and an instigator, Lob has worn so many hats that it is sometimes difficult to remember the mystical origins of what he does. In this show, we do our best to uncover those … Continue reading A Lob Instagon NoiseFest Christmas! (#80)Austin RichA Lob Instagon NoiseFest Christmas! (#80) When Lob Instagon begins to tell stories, listening becomes essential. A poet, an artist, a musician and an instigator, Lob has worn so many hats that it is sometimes difficult to remember the mystical origins of what he does. In this show, we do our best to uncover those … Continue reading A Lob Instagon NoiseFest Christmas! (#80)Thanksgiving,Christmas,New,Year,s https://midvalleymutations.com/2017/01/06/outside-time-new-cliches-too-w-devilsclub-uneasy-chairs-dead-air-fresheners-live-33/ https://midvalleymutations.com/2017/01/06/outside-time-new-cliches-too-w-devilsclub-uneasy-chairs-dead-air-fresheners-live-33/#respond Sat, 07 Jan 2017 05:00:42 +0000 http://midvalleymutations.com/?p=866 Continue reading Outside Time! (New Clichés, Too w/ devilsclub, Uneasy Chairs & Dead Air Fresheners, LIVE!) (#33)]]> Outside Time! (New Clichés, Too w/ devilsclub, Uneasy Chairs & Dead Air Fresheners, LIVE!) (#33)

There’s no better way to start the new year off than with some live music, and for this show, we offer you that in droves… spread out over two hours!  horridus of devilsclub curates a set of music by his favorite artists, who submitted tracks (and in some cases, recorded tracks) specifically for this broadcast!

But that’s not all!  Not only do we get down and jam out on four different live performances, but The Dead Air Fresheners unveil a new demo of a song that will be performed at Ricardo Wang’s 50th Birthday, a show you do not want to miss, AND Uneasy Chairs calls in to play live and talk about what he’s been up to.  (In fact, we discuss his recent outdoor performance, which you can hear on his Bandcamp Page.)  This is a stellar set of artists, all working toward delivering New Music as part of the first show of the New Year.  We also have New Sponsors!  It’s the complete package, and we couldn’t be more proud.

devilsclub was not only the first live band I had on this version of the program, but has been a huge supporter of Mid-Valley Mutations since the very beginning, so it feels right to start 2017 off with him in the studio.  The centerpiece of three of our performances tonight comes from a ’60’s sci-fi program, Theater Five, and is a continuation of the work we did on our previous collaboration.  This one is called, “Outside Time,” and I like the story as it seems to reflect some of the ideas and thoughts I’ve been having lately.  I love the sounds we have been getting when we work together, and we’ve been talking about other projects and ideas for the future.  Consider this the beginning of something to come, and I will leave it at that.

The backbone of the show, however, is the curated playlist of music by some of horridus’ favorite artists, as we had done way back when in episode 10.  These are people who get little to no radio exposure as part of their usual creative lives, and yet are taking chances and making art that is both compelling and fascinating, and representative of music that has almost no home in the world of radio.  horridus and I could do shows like this every week, for years on end, and still never scratch the surface.  Hopefully we can use this opportunity to feature and highlight some of the hidden corners of the musical landscape that are often overlooked.  There are links and more information below.  Please, take some time to seek out this stuff.  You will not be sorry.

And, with that, let’s go!

Enjoy.

Spinitron Playlist

Outside Time! (New Clichés, Too)

HOUR 1

Part I: Sonic Evening

01.) Austin FM Theme * Paco Jones * Austin FM Theme * Self-Released (2016)
02.) Outside Time * Theater Five * 1 September 1964 Broadcast * ABC Radio (1964)
03.) Sonic Evening * Chaotic Morphs & Ann-Helen Schølberg * Live At Izakaya, Oslo (Kristiansund), Norway * Self-Released (2016) * Artist’s Note: “Live recording from my record / cassette Q; from the release party December 11th 2016. RADIO EDIT.”
04.) zzyzx * devilsclub * zzyzx * Soundcloud.com (2016)
05.) Help! My phantom limb is missing * Boson Spin * Help! My phantom limb is missing * Soundcloud.com (2016) * Artist’s Note: “Stan Magendanz (aka Boson Spin, Brisbane, Australia) has been creating ambient, dark ambient & experimental electronic music since 2005.  After decades of obsessing over the music of electronic artists such as Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Brian Eno, Robert Rich & James Johnson (to name but a few), he decided to give this ‘music making thing’ a go.  Much to his wife’s annoyance, Stan now spends a lot of his after work & weekend relaxation time creating music & posting it to his Soundcloud page.”
06.) D2345678901234567890123 * Carla ɟra Helles7ed * D2345678901234567890123 * Soundcloud.com (2016) * Artist’s Note: “looking for ideas of politics and its consequences” .. “one or the other, good or bad still the same, trying new ways” .. “transmissions” .. “just feeling, and tooling to make sense, bone structure” .. “a thing that falls mutates along the way” Denmark

Part II: Gone To The Birds 

07.) (Bird(s)ongs) * devilsclub w/ Austin Rich * Live Performance * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
08.) Sarawak * Leigh Stevens * Sarawak * Self-Released (1991) * Artist’s Note: “¼”  audio tape, Schoeps M-S microphone – jungle ambience.”  
09.) Olanzapine Moss Ethereal Temple * Humanfobia * Olanzapine Moss Ethereal Temple * Soundcloud.com (2016) * Artist’s Note: Rancagua, Chile

Part III: Dead Air Fresheners Demo

10.) Painting The Zebra House (Demo) * Dead Air Fresheners *Painting The Zebra House (Demo) * Performed via Phone for Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
11.) Fog and Steam * XRMX * Fog and Steam * disquiet0254 (2016) * Artist’s Note: “All the sounds in ‘Fog and Steam’ are derived from two short recordings; a railroad engine steam whistle, and a fog horn… manipulated by a lot of cutting, splicing, pitch-shifting, and other effects.”
12.) A Man Who Smokes * Austin Rich * A Man Who Smokes * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
13.) 6 January 2017 Weather Report (Live!) * devilsclub & The Weather Computer * Live Performance * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
14.) New Green Cans! * Austin Rich * New Green Cans! * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

Part IV: Uneasy Chairs / devilsclub, LIVE!

15.) Live Performance * Uneasy Chairs w/ devilsclub * Live Performance * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
16.) Interview * Uneasy Chairs * Interview * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
17.) Tectonic Subduction * Rumblin Cynth Rampo * Tectonic Subduction * Soundcloud.com (2017) * Artist’s Note: “Track created for play on Salem Oregon’s Radio KMUZ Mid Valley Mutation show which will be broadcast Friday 6th Jan 2017 at 10pm Pacific Daylight Time or around 0400 GMT.  Track created using Eurorack synth, recordings of bubbles and the mine winding engine at the Big Pit museum in Blaenafon museum.wales/bigpit/.” Wales.

HOUR 2

Part IV: Time To Go Into Space

18.) Clown Interrogation * Dan Johnson * Clown Interrogation * Soundcloud.com (2016) * Artist’s Note: Derby
19.) Outside Time (Part 1) * devilsclub w/ Austin Rich * Live Performance * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
20.) Spiral Down * STRIGOI * Spiral Down * Soundcloud.com (2016) * Artist’s Note: “STRIGOI is a experimental music/drone artist, based in Vienna/ Austria.  Strigoi´s music may sound very aggressive sometimes, but all pieces are expressions of pure love.  We are living in tough times, and STRIGOI is the reaction of a peaceful mind. Worldwide stupidity must end. No more wars, no more earning money on war, no more exploitation of humans, animals and nature. No more stupid ideologies. That what it´s all about.  SPIRAL DOWN was recorded in the wake of the Orlando shooting. The music speaks for itself. Madness must stop. NOW.”
21.) Mrs. Evans * Austin Rich * Mrs. Evans * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
22.) Let’s Go! * Austin Rich * Let’s Go! * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
23.) Late Night Music * Slinky Cee * Late Night Music * Soundcloud.com (2016) * Artist’s Note: “I have been djing electronic and esoteric since the early nighties on and off but only started playing with first analog mono synths then modular synths in the last few years but I am hooked. This track “late night music” was recorded straight from my mixing desk after I found a patch I was happy with. It’s based around two AJH minimod vco’s which are having there base frequency modulated by an NLC sloth (a chaotic cv generator) then fed into a Doepfer ring modulator.”  Melbourne, Australia

Part V: Live Weather

24.) 6 January 2017 Weather Report Two (Live!) * devilsclub & The Weather Computer * Live Performance * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
25.) Outside Time (Part 2) * devilsclub w/ Austin Rich * Live Performance * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
26.) Burn Your Family Down and Start Over * Zachary Zena Giberson * Light Blooms Upon the Infected Monument * Soundcloud.com (2017) * Artist’s Note: Austin, Texas.
27.) Camino a casa * Mareaboba * Camino a casa * Soundcloud.com (2016) * Artist’s Note: ” ‘Camino a casa’ is a song by Mareaboba released Dec 2016. A mixture of psychedelic latin modular frequencies, a story of the road we take home, everyday, and somehow seems to be the same, but actually, is different each time we come back. The track was recorded live in Northwest Mexico and is part of a series of songs recorded on the same session.”
28.) Perfectly Square * Austin Rich * Perfectly Square * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)
29.) Babylon the Great has Fallen * David M. Paganin * Babylon the Great has Fallen * Soundcloud.com (2016) * Artist’s Note: “David lives in Melbourne, Australia. He strives for emotive and genuinely innovative experimental sounds. It is important to him to seek his own sound, which respects and mutates his influences without being overwhelmed by their genius. Besides making music, his major interests are physics research, literature, psychology and gardening. This track reflects his long-time fascination with both the ancient city of Babylon, and with ancient languages.  The spoken text is a conflation of Revelation 17:5 and 18:2, attempted in the original spoken Greek of two millennia past. It translates as: ‘Babylon the great // It has fallen // Babylon the great, the mother of the prostitutes and the abominations of the earth.’ ”

Part VI: Outro & Outside Time Finale

30.) Outside Time (Part 3) * devilsclub w/ Austin Rich * Live Performance * Mid-Valley Mutations (2017)

A New Year’s Vinyl Solution (#32)

It’s been a while since my last All Vinyl show.   Part of the notion of Mid-Valley Mutations was this aesthetic of the cut-and-paste, and it is VERY hard to do that on a record, if you want the record to survive.  And, admittedly, there is a slightly bigger time commitment with LPs and whatnot.  I’m often in front of a computer, so it is easy to prepare material throughout the week.  But I’m not always in front of my record player, even though I would very much like to be.

There is also the condition of space and time.  I don’t have access to a studio where I can have three turntables running all at once, except in the studios at KMUZ.  There is a certain amount of “live” energy to a show like this that is not present elsewhere.  I’ve been attracted to records for my entire life, because the entire element of the listening experience, from pulling the album from the shelf to tucking it back afterward, has a charm to it that is unparalleled in other listening experiences.  While I have used them all, and each have their virtue, I have more records than anything else, and because of that, my biases easily show.

It is a bummer, then, that these All Vinyl shows are not more frequent.  But, that makes them all the more special.  I try to take my time, play things that are just as mutated as the rest of the program, and still give it a flavor of something that I usually deliver as part of the weekly show.  In that area, I believe I delivered.  While I’m always shocked at how few records get played during shows like this, I am thankful to have such a wealth of material to draw from.  Every time I enter a record show I think about the possibilities of playing my purchases on the radio, and to that end, my collection has only gotten better.  Hopefully, the proof is in the pudding.

For those of you who follow the MyFacester+ and the Blog, you may have noticed that this is not the show that was advertised.  While I was in the middle of producing the New Year’s Program, I was also in the process of moving my home and my studio to a new location.  On Christmas Day, our home was broken into at some point in the evening, and in the process, my studio and my wife’s home office were ran-sacked.  They took our computers, my mixer, banjo and guitar (among other things), our bicycles, our lawnmower, a pile of unmoved records, and a whole bunch of other meaningless items, both personal and sentimental.  We returned the day after Christmas, having spent the day with family, to find our house trashed and anything of value gone.  It was a horrifying experience, not to mention that we had to then clean the place after they overturned our carefully packed boxes.

Suffice it to say, that New Year’s show was never finished, and may never be, depending on the state of our hard drives that they (thankfully) left behind.  In the meantime, while I hate to plug something like this in this way, if you are thinking, “this is awful, and I’d like to help,” then I ask that you do either one of the following:

Donate to the YouCaring Page that Julie Eaton (music editor at The Salem Weekly) set up, where you can help us get some money so we can replace some of what was stolen.

or

Send a care package to Mid-Valley Mutations, if money is not in your means.  To be honest, some of my favorite records were stolen, and while the bulk was moved before the break-in, there are many that I keep re-noticing are gone.  And, considering the financial loss, it will be a while before I am able to buy new records.  If you can, maybe send a little music my way?  I could use the smile, and it will find a way onto the show, certainly. (Check the contact page if you want to send something in.)

Even in light of this, I’m trying to remain optimistic and look to the future.  We have some great shows coming up, and 2017 can only get better.  Mid-Valley Mutations has had a very good year, and we hope that we can continue that into the next.  Transitions are hard, change is scary, and moving on is very hard.  I’m hoping that with a little radio diversion, we can all find a way to think about what’s to come without panicking.

Thanks to everyone who supports the show, and listens from home.  It is for you I do this, and from you that I draw hope.  You are wonderful, you are beautiful, and without you, there would be no show.

Here’s to 2017, and beyond.

Enjoy.

Spinitron Playlist

A New Year’s Vinyl Solution

Part I: Our Globe

01.) Austin FM Theme * Paco Jones * Austin FM Theme * Self-Released (2016)
02.) The Story of Mr. World * Lowell Thomas Jr. * The Story of Mr. World: The World’s Only Talking Globe Volume 1 * Replogle Globes, Inc. (1962)
03.) Coarse Land * Blood Rhythms * Assembly * No Part Of It (2015)
04.) Untitled I * L.A. Lungs * Rrest * Debacle Records (2014)

Part II: The Astronaut

05.) The Often Re-Entry Forming An Exit Strategy * Expo ’70 * Expo ’70 / Plankton Wat Split 12” * Debacle Records (2013)
06.) Weissensee * Neu! * Neu! * Billingsgate Records (1972)
07.) Glide * Fennesz * Black Sea * Touch Records (2008)
08.) I Remember Us Naked (blues version) * Post-Materialists * I Remember Us Naked (blues version) * Naked Ragin’ Records (2011)

Part III: The Story of Mr. World

09.) Despite The Water Supply Part 1 * Jim O’Rourke * Despite The Water Supply * Touch (2008)
10.) Texas Cedarwood (beauty hype suite 1) * Zac Nelson * Charbroile * Debacle Records (2012)
11.) Moonchild including The Dream and The Illusion * King Crimson * In The Court of The Crimson King * Atlantic Records (1969)
12.) Moving * Rust Ionics * Moving/Pictures * Colour Sound Recordings / Outer Limits / Quodlibet Recordings (2006)
13.) Side Effects Of Being Tired * Unwound * Challenge For A Civilized Society * Kill Rock Stars (1998)
14.) Jan. 1st * Tit Wrench * Temporarily Committed For Life * Vinyl Communications (1992)

Weird Christmas w/ The Whistler & The Mysterious Traveler! (#31) 

While radio was not the first medium to explore the stranger side of things, it was the first place where people at home could all bond together, simultaneously, over a strange piece of culture, where previously you could only hear this stuff gathered around a campfire, late at night.  Radio brought everything into our homes – drama, news, sports, and fantasy – and as we turned the dial, we stumbled across things that have managed to spook us in ways we didn’t think were possible.  That is, until the radio age.

While it is easy to overlook the cultural impact of this, it bears repeating that radio gave to us a chance to engage in culture along with the rest of the world, live.  While time-shifting is just the reality of the modern age, it was simply never possible for nearly 100 years.  Live experiences – like tuning into a radio program – was a singular experience that connected your community (and your country) in a way that no other medium was able to do previously.  These shared experiences changes the way we experienced the rest of the world, and each other.  Suddenly, there was something to talk about that we all heard last night.  While the obvious boon was to offer nearly instantaneous forms of communication, it wasn’t long before some clever gents realized that the evocative nature of sound at night meant that radio was uniquely suited for something spooky, and a whole world of sounds to make you shiver began to fill the airwaves.

One of my favorite resources for these odder Old Time Radio selections is Strange Tales, part of the Relic Radio collective.  Not only do they offer incredible curated means through which you can listen to almost any genre of radio from the past, but Strange Tales specifically is a fantastic slice of these late night, often supernatural but always very weird audio offerings.  Every episode is worth your time and effort, and as the host continues to mine the weird and wild side of radio history, I’m constantly impressed with strange gems that are well worth your time.

Even still, radio didn’t invent the “scary story set at Christmas” genre.  The Krampus filled that niche almost from the beginning, and radio merely applied the rules of good audio theater to that same idea, and created the perfect way to deliver some scares to the listeners at hand.  I was very excited to find that two of my favorite “weird” programs each had great Holiday Stories that fit exactly this description, but are the perfect ways to cap off the season, and bring you a little something that will fill your heart with something other than Holiday Cheer.

We start off this episode with a story from The Whistler, a crime anthology program that focuses on the stranger parts of the criminal underworld.  The host, only known as The Whistler, was played for almost 7 years by William Foreman, who occasionally worked as a radio announcer, and played the character in the short-lived 1954 TV version of the character.  The Whistler was an omniscient narrator, who would goad the characters as the stories developed, and seemed to enjoy the misfortune of others.  Irony and grim endings were a staple of this program, and seemed to set the stage for the EC Comics style horror hosts of the ’50s.  There were eight Whistler films in the noir vein, seven of which starred Richard Dix as different characters, and half of which were William Castle films.  Each episode of The Whistler creates a wonderfully creepy atmosphere, and is kick-started by the footsteps and whistling that was copied to comic effect in The Saint.  But here, the sounds are not only appropriately creepy, but set the tone for the rest of the broadcast.  This is absolutely some of the best radio ever recorded, and we’re happy to have it on the program this week.

Running for almost nine years and acting as an anthology program that was on the air at the same time as The Whistler, or second program is from The Mysterious Traveler.  Hosted by Maurice Tarplin, a veteran radio voice over actor, who was heard on The Strange Dr. Weird, Boston Blackie, Valiant Lady, The Shadow, Theater Five, The March of Time, Gangbusters, The Guiding Light, Myrt and Marge  and Tom Corbett, Space Cadet.  But he was limited to the narrator in The Mysterious Traveler, a character that shares a train ride with you, and can’t help but tell you strange stories he’s overheard.  Both magazine and comic book versions of this character popped up, but neither managed to become hits, and languished on newsstands until they were canceled, a shame considering people like John Dickson Carr, Dorothy L. Sayers, Brett Halliday, Ray Bradbury, Craig Rice, and Lawrence Blochman, all wrote for the publication, an impressive roster with hindsight.  While certainly an eerie program with many of the horror / suspense tropes of the day, there are regrettably few episodes of the program available, with only 70 of the 370 broadcasts existing in the modern era.  Still, what does exist is a great sampling of a kind of storytelling that is rapidly disappearing, down the tracks of life.

I love exploring Old Time Radio, and it has been fun to sift through all of these holiday classics during this part of the year.  Stay tuned, as we have a New Year’s program that we’re piecing together, and 2017 has a number of great programs already in the works.  This is a great time to become a fan of our show, and all you have to do is listen.  Seems like a pretty good deal, to me.

Enjoy!

Weird Christmas w/ The Whistler & The Mysterious Traveler!

Part I: The Whistler!

01.) Austin FM Theme * Paco Jones * Austin FM Theme * Self-Released (2016)
02.) See How Pretty, See How Smart [Excerpt] * Melvins * The Maggot * Ipecac Records (1999)
03.) Letter From Cynthia * The Whistler * 25 December 1949 Broadcast * CBS Radio (1949)

Part II: The Mysterious Traveler!

04.) Christmas Story * The Mysterious Traveler * 25 December 1951 Broadcast *  The Mutual Network (1951)

The Shadow Christmas Special! (#30)

There is one radio character, from the earliest days of broadcasting, who’s reach not only spanned decades as an on-going concern, but has continued to retain a hold on the minds of both kids and adults alike.  The Shadow, born out of radio and pulp fiction’s inter-dependence on each other in the earliest days, began as a narrator of Detective Story Hour, a host that introduced crime stories and directed listeners to the Street and Smith’s companion magazines that were available on the racks, where most of these stories came from.  For nearly seven years this was the format of the show, but both the radio audience and readers of the magazine agreed that this mysterious “Shadow” was much more interesting than the characters in the other stories.  The writer’s had no issue with changing things up, as continuity wasn’t an issue back then, and so very quickly they took the character in a different direction.

A couple of things happened in 1937.  Mutual Broadcasting took over distributing The Shadow, and Street and Smith began developing the character of The Shadow, introducing a supporting cast and hopping onto the “costumed adventurer” bandwagon that was popular in those days.  It also helped that the lead – a playboy by the name of Lamont Cranston – was being voice by the godfather of radio broadcasting, a maverick who defied while establishing convention and craft, Mr. Orson Welles.  While his tenure on The Shadow was only two years, it was enough to solidify the tone and direction of the program from there on out, and Margo Stevenson helped make the character of Margo Lane what it became later, even when veteran actress Agnes Moorehead played her during the later years.

The Shadow worked best in a radio environment, because his key power was to cloud men’s minds, making him hard to see unless The Shadow comes out of the dark, so to speak.  Live organ accompaniment was the standard for years on this program, cut for syndication, and while there was certainly foley effects happening too, they largely relied on character voices and good stories to keep the theater of the mind at work.  For an all-audio environment, this kind of story is perfect, and sustained over 20 years of shows and broadcasts.

While Orson was certainly the most famous person to play the character on the radio, he was certainly not the only one, nor the one who played The Shadow the longest.  Bret Morrison, known for his work on The Adventures of Superman, Suspense and X-Minus One, played the character for 10 years, and William Johnstone played the character for five years, between his Lux Radio Theater appearances, and his work on Escape.  In today’s program, we feature a story each portrayed by these veteran radio actors.  Paired with Bret Morrison is the incomparable Grace Matthews, portraying Margo Lane, where the highly distinguished Agnes Moorehead played her opposite of William.

Where the detective fiction we brought you last year certainly segues into the kind of story that you will hear on The Shadow, he is certainly more attuned to the adventure / heroic fiction trope, with a much darker angle.  This might have been one of the first things in media to scare large groups of people all at once, instead of the way books only acted on individuals.  However the character was perceived at the time, he has come to embody all that is dark and foreboding in radio broadcasting, and is a great addition to our strange holiday season.

Enjoy!

The Shadow Christmas Special!

Part I: Who Knows What Evil Lurks In The Hearts Of Men?

01.) Austin FM Theme * Paco Jones * Austin FM Theme * Self-Released (2016)
02.) See How Pretty, See How Smart [Excerpt] * Melvins * The Maggot * Ipecac Records (1999)
03.) The Stockings Were Hung * The Shadow * 24 December 1939 Broadcast * The Mutual Network (1939)

Part II: The Shadow Knows!

04.) The Gift of Murder * The Shadow * 21 December 1947 Broadcast * The Mutual Network (1947)

Snow Day

(On this snow day here in Salem, I’m reminded of this classic podcast from 9 February 2014. Enjoy!)

While I was snowed in, I decided to retreat into the Lava Lamp Lounge to indulge in some Snow Day musical treats.  This is a selection of my favorite audio that captures the mood I was going for, and I think this makes for a pretty good hour of reflective radio goodness.  Arranged in three parts.  Special thanks for our Waiter, David Berry, who offers us a great little closing treat he recorded yesterday as part of a dare.  It sounds great, David.  Well done.

Enjoy!

Snow Day.

Part I: Lost Snow

01.) Lost Snow [Excerpt] * Mono * Walking Cloud And Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered And The Sun Shined
02.) Cold * April Stevens * April Stevens The Weather Girl
03.) Snow Girl * The Billy Nayer Show * BNS
04.) Coldward And Stormward * Bishop of Battle * Prequel Plus
05.) The Fog Is Overflowing The Sewers. The Snow Is Clear Up To My Ass… Ankles. * Kermit Shafer * Pardon My Blooper
06.) Snowflakes and Stars [Excerpts] * Kaye Ballard & Arthur Siegel * Peanuts
07.) Precipice Of Ice * godheadSilo * Elephantitus Of The Night
08.) Cold Machine * Monogamy Party * False Dancers
09.) So Cold * Rocket From The Tombs * The Day The Earth Met The Rocket From The Tombs

Part II: At The First Fall of Snow

08.) Slow Ice, Old Moon * Brian Eno * Small Craft On A Milk Sea
09.) Snowflakes and Stars [Excerpts] * Kaye Ballard & Arthur Siegel * Peanuts
10.) Cold 2 * April Stevens * April Stevens The Weather Girl
11.) Steal Softly Through Snow * Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band * Grow Fins
12.) Crushed Ice * MX-80 * Hard Attack
13.) Freezing Cold * Mad Conflux * Get Back Discharged Arrow
14.) I’ve Got The Ice In Me * Enemy Mine * Enemymine EP
15.) “Hurry Up And Kill Me… I’m Cold.” * Mike Patton * Adult Themes For Voice
16.) Soft As Snow (But Warm Inside) * My Bloody Valentine * Isn’t Anything
17.) At The First Fall of Snow * Hank Williams

Part III: Ice Age

18.) Ice Castles * Ween * White Pepper
19.) Snow * April Stevens * April Stevens The Weather Girl.
20.) The Time Of The Big Snow [Excerpts] * Quiet Please * 2 January 1949 Broadcast
21.) Ice Age * Joy Division * Still
22.) Cold Day * The Flaming Lips * The Day They Shot A Hole In The Jesus Egg
23.) Fake Snow * Alpha Protist * Protiss (bee sides, rarities, & unfinished manifestoes)
24.) Ice * Sailboats * Adrift
25.) Snowstorm * Galaxie 500 * On Fire

26.) Breaking The Ice * Rice * Fuck You, This Is Rice
27.) Turf Gnarly * David Berry * http://soundcloud.com/david-h-berry

Detectives For Christmas w/ Vincent Price & Frank Sinatra! (#29)

As 2016 rolls to a close, any reasonable assessment of the last 12 months has left all of us a little worse for wear.  As I try to re-focus my efforts for 2017, Mid-Valley Mutations is taking a few weeks off for the holidays, to recuperate and prepare for what will be a much better year, no matter how you slice it.

But we don’t want to leave you hanging, as you have come to expect weekly entertainment, and weekly entertainment you shall receive.  So we’re still bringing you some good old fashioned holiday programming, just in time for the Christmas Season.  We are featuring two Old Time Radio Classics, stories that involve detectives solving Yule Tide mysteries that play themselves out over two half-hour blocks.  But that’s not all!  We found shows where the leads are played by two stalwart performers of the Golden Age of Radio: Vincent Price and Frank Sinatra!

First, Vincent brings you a tale of The Saint, a character that he portrayed on the radio from 1947 until the end of the radio run in 1951.  Vincent is a fantastic actor, and his style and sophistication come through in his portrayal of The Saint, who is as concerned with being a gentleman as much as he is concerned with solving the case.  It is worth it to hear Vincent perform the character of Simon Templar, an actual saint in world where crime may strike at any moment.  The Saint is often – as he is in this story – accompanied by a cab driver named Louie, expertly played by Lawrence Dobkin, no stranger to Detective Radio Programs.  (He played Archie in the radio adaptations of the Nero Wolf stories, and guest starred in The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, Jeff Regan and Yours Truly Johnny Dollar.)  This story is sort of typical of what you would find of The Saint.  A little action, a little comedy, and plenty of chances for Vincent and Lawrence to spar, verbally.  The recipie continues to work, even 60 years later, and it is a great addition to our Holiday Programming.

Second, Frank Sinatra plays a lesser known character from the world of noir fiction: Rocky Fortune.  This makes perfect sense, as Sinatra was experiencing extreme popularity in post-war America, and he was the kind f personality that radio usually enjoyed.  To top it off, it seemed to have the right juice behind the show, as the creator was none other that Dimension X series creator George Lefferts.  There was also a certain amount of fourth wall breaking that happened on the show; Rocky references Dimension X, in one episode, sings lines from the Sinatra catalog, and would throw in references to From Here To Eternity as often as possible.  Perhaps that was the nail in the coffin for the program, or perhaps it was Sinatra, who was never the greatest actor, in spite of his incredible voice.  The show only lasted 25 episodes, and strangely, the final broadcast was less than a week after he won the Academy Award for acting, solidifying his career in film, making his radio career merely a footnote.  Still, this holiday installment of his program is not only a great way to close this particular episode, but is a perfectly holiday tale, best told on the radio.

It’s just one of the many ways we like to celebrate the holidays, on Mid-Valley Mutations, and we hope you enjoy listening to Old Time Radio the way we do.  And, stay tuned!  There’s all sorts of podcast-only treats, and further Old Time Radio goodies that will hit the airwaves in the coming weeks.  Get into the Yule Tide Spirit, with plenty of radio for your ears.

Enjoy!

Spinitron Playlist

Detectives For Christmas w/ Vincent Price & Frank Sinatra!

Part I: The Saint!

01.) Austin FM Theme * Paco Jones * Austin FM Theme * Self-Released (2016)
02.) See How Pretty, See How Smart [Excerpt] * Melvins * The Maggot * Ipecac Records (1999)
03.) Nineteen Santa Clauses * The Saint * 24 December 1947 Broadcast * NBC Radio (1947)

Part II: Rocky Fortune!

04.) The Plot To Murder Santa Claus * Rocky Fortune * 22 December 1953 Broadcast * NBC Radio (1953)

A Very Brautigan Thanksgiving (#27)

(Retrocast on 23 November 2017.)

This year has been incredible, and in the half-year that I’ve been on the air at KMUZ, I’ve already had some stand-out shows that make me very happy.  Live guests, interviews,  great audio essays, and plenty of new music that really paints a vivid picture of what’s going on, what has gone on, and what lies ahead.  I like to consider my show a little bit of this, and little bit of that, and a whole lot of enthusiasm, and I’ve been lucky to have all three on the program, and not even after a full year.  Not many shows can say that.

However, with the end of the year setting in, I needed a bit of a break.  This is sort of a clean-up show, where I am finally playing some stuff that I’ve been meaning to get to all year.  (Sort of the “leftovers,” if you will.)  It has been a bit of a tradition, on previous incarnations of the program, that I do a “leftovers” show just after the holiday.  While this isn’t exactly like that show, it has some of that vibe to it.

The centerpiece of this broadcast are a few of my favorite Richard Brautigan recordings.  I’ve been a huge fan of his for years now, and I’ve been trying to find a good way to incorporate these into the show, at some point.  This seemed like the best time and place, and It was certainly a lot of fun to listen to these again.

More importantly this show is a bit of a rocker.  I felt like I was getting back to basics with this one, and it had some of the vibe of the first show I did, back when I started at KMUZ, so there was a nice sort of “full circle” quality to this one.  I will admit, there are quite a few “older” songs in this episode.  But all of this stuff feels relevant to me, and hopefully, to you, too.

Enjoy!

Spinitron Playlist

A Very Brautigan Thanksgiving

Part I: Into The Upside Down

01.) Austin FM Theme * Paco Jones * Austin FM Theme * Self-Released (2016)
02.) Mope * Blood Rhythms * Heuristics * No Part Of It Records (2016)
03.) Mist Cog * OwL-Dent * Brat House Hospice * Bandcamp.com (2015)
04.) A Confederate General From Big Sir * Richard Brautigan * Listening To Richard Brautigan * Harvest Records (1970)
05.) [Track 11] * 200 Yang * 200 Yang * Self-Released (1992)
06.) Upside Down * Bruce Haack * Listen Compute Rock Home: The Best of Dimension 5 Records * Emperor Norton (1999)
07.) Lights Out * MX-80 * “So Clear” b/w “Lights Out” * Family Vineyard (2002)
08.) Ralph Spoilsport’s Going Out of Body Sale / The News Drought Continues * Firesign Theater * Give Me Immortality or Give Me Death * Rhino Records (1998)

Part II: Digging Through The Crates

09.) Mirrored Mold * Christmas Decorations * Communal Rust * Community Library (2007)
10.) The Gun And The Bible * Negativland * Free * Seeland Records (1993)
11.) Barbara The Arsonist * Neutered Prunes * I Was A Two-Headed Baby * Self-Released (2002)
12.) Waiting For The Day * The White Shark * Duck, Duck, Chimp (Rarities 1987 – 2001) * “fishanthropy” (2002)
13.) Diplomat Smile * Porest * Modern Journal of Popular Savagery * Nashazphone (2016)
14.) Franklin Street * Sir Richard Bishop * All Strung Out * Self-Released (2005)

Part III: In Watermelon Sugar

15.) All Bad Ends All * The Books * Thought For Food * Tomlab Records (2002)
16.) In Watermelon Sugar * Richard Brautigan * Listening To Richard Brautigan * Harvest Records (1970)
17.) 49er Stomp * 9th Life * 9th Life * Self-Released (1998)
18.) Kamyki * Ewa Braun * Sea Sea * Antena Krzyku (1998)
19.) Dark Lights The Dark * Bishop Of Battle * Prequel Plus * Know Wave Records * (1997)
20.) Short Stories about California [Excerpt] * Richard Brautigan * Listening To Richard Brautigan * Harvest Records (1970)

The Old Acquaintance with Philip Marlowe!

I’d known Phil since pretty early in his career, and we had long ago made it a habit to hunker down each time the year turned over to talk about our work throughout the year.  But it wasn’t until he actually showed up this year that I thought I would see him, and even worse, it wasn’t until he began to tell me about the New Year’s Wedding that went wrong that I really began to feel bad.

I have to admit, The Adventures of Philip Marlowe is probably my favorite Old Time Radio program.  I’m a fan of the character in nearly any medium, but my love of noir and pulp detective novels doesn’t really have any bearing on my love of the show.  There is something about the way Gerald Mohr delivers the lines, and gives emphasis to the reflective moments when Phil is putting together a case.  I could listen to these shows endlessly and find something in them to admire.  This show represents Old Time Radio at its finest, and while I love the other shows that are out there too, this one really speaks to me.

The character of Marlowe might, in many ways, be the archetype for noir figure we most often associate with detectives from the pulp era.  He embodies almost all of the tropes, has a slew of authorized (and unauthorized) works published about him, has been portrayed by Humphrey Bogart, and is endlessly iterated by every Mickey Spillane knock-off that has come in the years since.  While Sam Spade meets some of the criteria for being the most well known archetype, Marlowe only beats him out in that Dashiell Hammett didn’t published that many Spade stories.

The best qualities of Philip Marlowe are the ones that we all look for in a good protagonist: he’s tough, he’s clever, he’s good with the ladies, he drinks like a fish and smokes like a chimney, and he’d usually not doing too well, and distrusted by the cops.  But all of these mechanics – that might seem typical now – were codified by this character, and the things we think are trite were actually new when this guy was on the scene.

So, sit back with some bourbon, and enjoy this vintage tale of a New Year’s Eve that will keep you glued to your seat.

And, thanks for sticking with us this year.  We got back on our feet, and have come in swinging, and I’m excited about what 2016 will have to offer.  Certainly, more shows, and that is always something we can get behind.

Enjoy!

*

The Old Acquaintance with Phillip Marlowe!

Side A: Confidence To Kill

01.) New Year’s Even In A Haunted House * Raymond Scott * Reckless Nights and Turkish Twilights
02.) Coming To See You * Krypton Tunes * Killed By Death Vol. 24
03.) Absent Friends * Fred Frith * Cheap At Half The Price
04.) Out Of Jail * They Might Be Giants * John Henry
05.) Corpse Pose * Unwound * “Corpse Pose” b/w “Everything Is Weird”
06.) Confidence To Kill * Mink Deville * Once Upon A Time Vol. 11: New York & New Jersey ’78

Side B: Can’t Stop Now

07.) Can’t Stop Now * The Reducers * Messthetics Vol. 1
08.) Rage * Ellen Cherry Charles * The Cherry Orchard
09.) Let’s Go Away * The Wipers * Is This Real?
10.) Hit The Wall * The Agenda! * Start The Panic!
11.) Good Night * The Beatles * The Beatles
12.) Night Beat * The Phantoms * Lux And Ivy’s Favorites Vol. 8

A Christmas Carol with Richard Diamond!

It had been a long day, and Detective Dexter Roland had found himself in strange places, listening to strange stories during the strangest time of the year.  So, how in the hell did he find himself on a Sound Stage, with the singing detective himself, Richard Diamond, and his cast of oddballs, Walt & Otis of the local police precent?  He’s not entirely sure, but he’s arrived at just the right time to catch their rendition of the Dicken’s classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

Richard Diamond was not on the air long, in either his radio or television incarnation, and yet during the seven total years he was a detective for all three of the big networks (he ran, at various times, on ABC, NBC & CBS), and was portrayed by at least three different actors, though Dick Powell was most well known for playing the sleuth.  While the character was “The Singing Detective” on the radio (belting out a tune at the end of each show), by the second season of the TV show, Richard found himself playing a more Noir-like character, and fit in better with the Sam Spade / Phillip Marlowe style detective.  While this particular show – where they re-enact a play – is not at all the usual form for this program, it fits perfectly into our Holiday Theme, and gives Dexter someone else he can pal around with.

The radio broadcasts were certainly a “lighter” kind of detective than you found elsewhere, and this could have added to the reasons why he didn’t last as long on the air.  But even still, Richard Diamond produced 77 TV episodes, and over 160 radio broadcasts, something impressive by modern standards.  And, as this is a Holiday broadcast, it only makes sense to have a “lighter” program close to Christmas.

These detective shows are a lot of fun to put together, and I always enjoy bringing out Dexter when it’s appropriate.  There’s only one more in this series, where he meets with Phillip Marlowe for a New Year’s Eve story that you won’t want to miss.  Until then:

Enjoy!

*

A Christmas Carol with Richard Diamond!

Side A: At Our Fireplace

01.) Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz. 57 * György Sándor / Béla Bartók * Complete Solo Piano Music
02.) At Our Fireplace * Deek Watson & The Brown Dots * Black Christmas
03.) Worksong * Grails * Red Light
04.) Nonsense * Telepathys * Sui Ken – Japanese Punk and Hardcore
05.) So Long * Tiger High * Catacombs After Party

Side B: Merry Christmas

06.) Hard Times * Danny & The Other Guys * Garage Punk Unknowns – Part 1
07.) Merry Christmas * Blake Xolton * Homework #5
08.) It’s A Secret * Regular Guys * Teenline Vol. 1
09.) God Only Knows * The Beach Boys * Pet Sounds
10.) Romanian Christmas Carols, Sz. 57 * György Sándor / Béla Bartók * Complete Solo Piano Music

A Christmas Bonus with The Whistler!

You’re taking a walk home and you stumble across a group of drunk holiday well-wishers leaving The Blue Note late into the night.  You tighten up your coat to quicken up your pace to beat the cold.  You automatically assume that you should avoid them at all costs, that they look like trouble, that if you let yourself become in any way associated with these obvious miscreants it could mean disaster for you, and for the rest of the night.  Why, just the other day you heard a story about someone who was on the run from the law, because of a Christmas Bonus he received?

Join us, as Detective Dexter Roland – intoxicated with both spirits and those of the season – is off to listen to scary stories told by none other than the legendary Whistler, the very same from radio and film.  Along the way we bring you holiday fun and music by a host of artists I’m always itching to listen to, and in the end we have a jolly good time, as we let Dexter guide us this holiday season.

The centerpiece of this show is an episode of The Whistler from 1944, where the very well-know theme kicks our show into high-gear.  (Performed by Dorothy Roberts and Wilbur Hatch‘s orchestra, who wrote the piece for the show.)  It should be noted that Dorothy Roberts, was really only paid to do the whistling once, and it probably wasn’t for very much.  But the show was a hit, and ran for 13 years.  Her tune was heard hundreds of times, in hundreds of households, and her name was largely forgotten for years.

It’s funny how so many programs of this era all began with the sounds of someone walking and whistling, which has since become shorthand in radio (and later, film and TV) for “night.”  It worked particularly well on radio, as the sterile environment of the radio station meant that you wouldn’t be hearing the sounds of everyday life – of cars, birds, people talking and chattering.  Sitting alone, with a radio, and hearing echoey footsteps, and then… well, it is a singular experience, and it sets the tone for what The Whistler was going to bring you.

J. Donald Wilson set the tone for the program, who was a writer and producer for CBS in the early ’40s.  He was a hired gun, and the idea of a crime show seemed like an easy win.  Crime radio programs were huge in those days, and Wilson rationalized that if you bill the show as an “anthology,” you can save time by not having a recurring cast.  Wilson relied on a lot of tried and true storytelling ideas, and decided to connect the episodes by having one recurring character, a narrator, who was rarely a part of the action, but was more like an announcer.

As the stories that were getting churned out got darker and darker, Wilson made The Whistler’s character darker, until he was an almost sinister character.  Borrowing heavily from Inner Sanctum, Wilson crafted an eerie crime show with an almost – but not quite – supernatural component.  In a tried and true horror motif, he was fond of trick endings where a new bit of information in the last moments of the program can often reverse the entire effect of the show, but he deployed this tactic only when necessary, and only when the effect would really work because of the story.

In 1944, Wilson had to leave the show, and George Allen took over as producer.  This wasn’t even strange for this program, as the voice of The Whistler changed from time to time too, the most consist of them being Bill Forman.  Bob Anderson was the regular announcer for the show, and with a core group at hand, Allen realized that it was important to stay the course.  They had a good thing going with the initial success of the program, and Allen decided he wanted to keep this going by sticking with what worked.  To that end, The Whistler formula became very easy to identify, very easy to produce, and was a hit with audiences.

William Castle – yes, that William Castle – soon bought the rights to do a series of Whistler pictures, and in the waning years of the programs success on the radio, The Whistler was on television in 1954.  But as anthology shows started to fall out of vogue, and dramatic radio was loosing the edge it had in light of the popularity of Rock and Roll, ratings for The Whistler declined, and the show quietly disappeared, like a whistling stranger in the night, walking further and further away.

There is certainly an old-fashioned-ness to the way these stories develop.  Having a narrator like this really evokes a kind of radio that had fallen out of fashion, even in the ’40s, and was then a throw-back to adventure-serial type radio programs, that where heavy on the use of a narrator to catch everyone up from day to day.  But the hallmark of The Whistler that was innovative was the way the character was chilling.  Inner Sanctum used a host that told horror-jokes, and had a bubbly co-host that reminded him to do the ad-reads.  But The Whistler was very, very serious, and could string someone along with a description of an inner monologue that was terrifying.  While these might sound a little corny, if you were a kid in 1944, you would have LOVED The Whistler.

Stay tuned, as Detective Dexter Roland has fallen in with yet another group of after after party celebrators, when he takes in a late-late show by Detective Richard Diamond, the singing detective.

Enjoy!

*

A Christmas Bonus with The Whistler!

Side A: By Hook Or By Crook

01.) The Happy Whistler * Raymond Scott * Soothing Sounds For Baby Vol. 2: 6 to 12 Months.
02.) In The Midnight Hour * Gary Wilson * Forgotten Lovers
03.) By Hook Or By Crook * Thee Headcoats * Headcoatitude
04.) Government Money * Bonemen of Barumba * Homework #9
05.) What I Must Do * Devo * Oh No! It’s Devo!
06.) Money Money Money * 9th Life * 9th Life Tape
07.) (I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle * Hank Williams * 40 Greatest Hits

Side B: Dark Thoughts

08.) The Greatest Gift * Scratch Acid * The Greatest Gift
09.) Change Of Plan * Steve Treatment * Messthetics Vol. 3
10.) Safe * Ellen Cherry Charles * The Cherry Orchard
11.) Dark Thoughts * New Dawn * Love, Peace & Poetry: American Psychedelic Music
12.) Whistle Down The Wind * Tom Waits * Bone Machine
13.) Whistle * Voltage * Nice Watch Mix Tape

Christmas Shopping with The Crime Photographer!

After listening to Johnny Dollar’s story in our previous installment, the only thing that made any sense to Detective Dexter Roland was to drop into The Blue Note tavern, where he could take in a few drinks and a few tunes before the end of the night.  Little did he know that he was going to run into Flashgun Casey and his partner, Ann Williams.  Before he could even get his bearings, Dexter is roped into hearing them recount their holiday shopping trip that went quite a ways off the rails.

Crime Photographer (and later, Casey, Crime Photographer) was a franchise that was born out of the Black Mask crime fiction scene in the ’30s, created by George Harmon Coxe, who was keen to expand Casey into as many mediums as possible.  Magazines, novels, and film were all avenues that Casey found himself taking pictures in, and his run on radio lasted almost 12 years with a number of different actors and formats on CBS.  The gimmick of the show – that they would drop into The Blue Note tavern, where Casey and Ann would listen to The Archie Bleyer Orchestra, and later the The Teddy Wilson Trio.  In this episode, the music in the bar is provided by Herman Chittison, to great effect.

While Casey is not as well known as his Johnny Dollar or Phillip Marlowe (or other detectives of the era), during his time on the air Crime Photographer was incredibly popular, and was as well recognized in his day as the other stars of his era.  It’s always a pleasure to drop in on Flashgun Casey, and he seems to have sent me off on drunken adventure that could lead me in just about any direction.

But that’s a story for another day.  Until then,

Enjoy!

*

Christmas Shopping with The Crime Photographer!

Side A: How We Remember Them To Be

01.) Brendon’s Camera * Brendon Small * Home Movies Soundtrack
02.) Drink, Drank Drunk * RABBITS * Keep Our Heads
03.) Out Of Our Tree * The Wailers * The Fabulous Wailers
04.) Photograph [Live] * The Human Genome Project * “Live Friday on KPSU” 17 September 2004.
05.) How We Remember Them To Be * The Cherry Orchard * Ellen Cherry Charles
06.) Takin’ A Ride * The Replacements * Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash!

Side B: Decomposing Trees

07.) Talking To You * The Savage Resurrection * The Savage Resurrection.
08.) The ‘We’re All Friends’ Club * Enemy Mine * EP
09.) In A Car * The Meat Puppets * In A Car EP
10.) The Power Of Independent Trucking * Big Black * Songs About Fucking
11.) Decomposing Trees * Galaxie 500 * On Fire
12.) Faded Photograph * The Legendary Pink Dots * Plutonium Blonde

The Department Store Swindle!

Detective Dexter Roland had a pretty eventful November, and was ready to settle down for a quiet December where he could worry about money for a chance.  But no sooner had he dismissed his secretary and was about to do some heavy drthinking, when his old friend Johnny Dollar called up, to discuss a holiday case that he can’t stop thinking about.  All December, Dexter Roland will be presenting holiday capers the likes of which you’ve never heard before, and he’d doing it all as part of our annual X-Mas Memories Broadcasts.

To kick things off, we are offering, “How I Played Santa Claus And Almost Got Left Holding The Bag,” a Johnny Dollar story from Christmas Eve, 1949.  Johnny Dollar had a long and fascinating radio career, and in almost 12 years aired over 800 shows that are still being enjoyed to this day.  Not quite a famous as Sam Spade, Phillip Marlowe or Dexter Roland, Johnny Dollar seemed to outlast them all by delivering a combination of the best detective characters on radio, and dominated the ’50’s as detectives popped up on every station.  When the mid-’60’s rolled around – and Television had very truly dominated radio – Johnny Dollar faded away.

But him memory lives on, with this story about how difficult department stores can be.  And until next week:

Enjoy!

*

The Department Store Swindle!

Side A: Camera Shy 

01.) Johnny B. Goode * The Remains * A Session With The Remains
02.) Train * Mission of Burma * vs.
03.) Camera Shy * Parts & Labor * Mapmaker
04.) I’ll Cry * The Reigning Sound * Too Much Guitar
05.) Shoplifting * The Slits * Cut
06.) Pictures * Thought Police * Messthetics Vol. 3
07.) There Ain’t No Santa Clause On The Evenin’ Stage * Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band * The Spotlight Kid

Side B: True Detective 

08.) Close The Door * The Readymen * Restless
09.) Last Chance * The Wipers * The Herd
10.) White * Ken Nordine * Colors
11.) True Detective * Accidents * A Reference Of Female-Fronted Punk Rock: 1977-89
12.) Mr. Santa Claus * Nathaniel Mayer* Village Of Love

Thanksgiving Special 2015!

Join us for our annual Thanksgiving celebration, where we dig up some leftovers we’ve been meaning to get to.  This year, we’re celebrating with Jimmy Durante and Abbot & Costello, as they deliver vintage comedy that you can binge on when you’re tired of dealing with your family.

The selections come from the archive.org collection, “100 OTR Thanksgiving Holiday Shows,” which features an amazing collection of old radio programs of every variety, from the late ’30’s to the mid ’70’s.  Many of the Thanksgiving episodes in those days were guest-star packed “dinners” that were filled with jokes, music, and skits.  In both of the episodes provided today, there are musical interludes and are incredibly funny.

This episode also debuts our new theme song by Paco Jones and family!  Paco has been doing our theme songs for a number of years now, and in each iteration of the program he has given us a style and flavor of music that has really improved the flow of the show.  He is a pretty incredibly filmmaker as well as artist, and you should support his work.

Lastly: we have done these kind of Leftovers shows in the past, and with that in mind, here is a link to all of our Thanksgiving shows.  We’ve had some fun shows in the past, and you should enjoy them, too.

That’s gonna do it for us this week.  See ya soon!

Enjoy!

*

Thanksgiving Special 2015!

Side A: 

01.) The Jimmy Durante Show * CBS * 26 November 1947
02.) Turkey Hop * The Robins

Side B: 

03.) The Abbot & Costello Show * NBC * 25 November 1942
04.) Serenade For A Jive Turkey * Nite Liters

The State Of The Podcast Address
(Featuring the shape of things to come, and enough of the same old same old to keep you coming back for more.)

2013 has been a transitional year for our program, and as Blasphuphmus Radio has been expanding and changing during this time, we take this hour to reflect on the changes, draw attention to some new projects that we are involved in, and reveal a big change in the program that will signify the future of this entity, and program.

I have been kicking around the new format of this show for a while, and this year has been full of searching and discovering what the podcast format of this program will, ultimately, be.  There have been more live broadcasts, video offerings, and a host of other differences this year, and while I’ve tried to return to the old gimmicks, some of them haven’t translated into the modern age.  A lot of this has to do with the revelation in the back third of this episode.  Still, I can’t say that the old formats are gone.  Just being delayed and retooled, so to speak.

The “radio almanac” form of the show will make every effort to use the one-hour mark as a flag indicating that I need to wind things up.  The first 20 minutes of every show will be music and audio, edited to my liking.  The last two segments – 20 minutes each – will be dedicated to talk segments.  Hopefully these segments will not only bring this show new things and changes as 2014 unfolds, but will offer us a chance to re-evaluate what radio means to us.

Here’s a few notes about todays broadcast:

All of the music in today’s episode comes from music that I obtained very recently during a trip to Salem, Oregon for the holidays.  Part I is all vinyl selections.  While The Vince Guaraldi trio is a record too, the Gershwin & Japanese flute music are from CDs.  (Full disclosure.)

In Part II and Part III of the show, we give an overview of some of the projects that I have been working on in 2013.  First up, we have the What’s This Called? UltraBlog!  This is an archive of all the existing broadcasts by Ricardo Wang for his program, What’s This Called?  I spent a lot of time this year organizing, editing, remastering, and uploading the shows from the last 8 years of WTC broadcasts, and they are now available for public consumption.  There’s a wealth of material here that we are very excited to offer, and you really should access the link above.  (You can also find us on Facebook now, too.)

I’ve also been working on the A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Inc.’s 20th Anniversary Releases, where I’ve been remastering and offering digital versions of Austin Rich’s old publications from the last 20 years.  There are a number of cool publications available that haven’t been available since their original releases, in some cases dating back to the early 90’s.  Check out the site and you can find all our publications.

Lastly, we really want you to investigate the neat things being offered on YouTube Channel.  We’ve been uploading and editing a number of great videos that you can watch on this very channel.  We’ve got live videos by Monogamy Party, ALTO!, Gaythiest, Jennifer Robin & Jacob Anderson, The Dead Air Fresheners, DEAD, Towers, and a whole slew of other artists.  All of this is available for viewing right now, to access the link above and enjoy.

Hopefully this is the beginning of something new that we’ll all be able to enjoy in 2014.  In the meantime, there’s plenty to enjoy in the hear and now.  Hopefully, you’re on the same page.

Keep up the good work.  Happy 2014!

The State Of The Podcast Address

Part I: Everything You Know Is Wrong (A Vinyl Solution)

01.) Our Prayer * The Beach Boys * Smile
s02.) ‘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 Imposter * 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: What’s This Called?  Really?

11.) Rhapsody In Blue * Royal Promenade Orchestra, Nigel Simpson (Piano / Conductor) * Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue
12.) Excerpt * Crank Sturgeon & Pop Culture Rape Victim * 7 April 2007 ‘What’s This Called?’ Performance

Part III: The Past Comes Back

13.) Jokyoku “Tsuki” Ranjo * The Art Of The Japanese Bamboo Flute
14.) Take No Odori * The Art Of The Japanese Bamboo Flute
15.) Mr. Magazine Man * Hazel * Drinking From Puddles: A Radio History
16.) Kurui * The Art Of The Japanese Bamboo Flute
17.) Inaka-Bue * The Art Of The Japanese Bamboo Flute
18.) O Tannenbaum * The Vince Guaraldi Trio * A Charlie Brown Christmas
19.) What Child Is This? * The Vince Guaraldi Trio * A Charlie Brown Christmas
20.) My Little Drum * The Vince Guaraldi Trio * A Charlie Brown Christmas

Happy New Year! (w/ Empire Rocket Machine, Steak Knife! & Foster Pussy Cat, LIVE!)
(In our very first-ever VideoZine, we bring you an hour of highlights from a basement show hosted on 31 December 2014 featuring Empire Rocket Machine, Steak Knife! & Foster Pussy Cat!)

In an effort to offer a new twist on something we all know and love, I bring you the first in a series of VideoZine podcasts, multi-media experiences presented in the lowest-of-tech forms.  For our first endeavor, we bring you highlights from a New Year’s Eve Party at Casa De Bang Bang, where they put on a drunken mess of a basement show that was lovingly captured – warts and all – by the Blasphuphmus Radio production team.  

Now, you can view this sixty minute film, and relive this incredible evening here and now.  We are also presenting it in a number of formats.  For those of you who prefer our audio podcasts, we are offering the soundtrack to this film in that format.  We also have a YouTube Version available on our Channel therein, and a free iTunes Version available, too.  I wanted to offer this film in a number of ways, and there will even be a limited DVD Edition available, too.  My hope is that if there is a way you prefer these kinds of shows, I would like to be able to deliver it to you.   

To make this film, I essentially had to give myself a crash course in making movies, in my spare time, in addition to bringing you all the regular stuff we’ve been delivering.  But now that I am sitting on quite a bit of video, it made sense to find a way to get this stuff out.  There will be more films like this in the future, and my goal is to keep them at 60 minutes.  (This one clocks in at 60:05.)

And now, enjoy the show.

*

Happy New Year!: A Blasphuphmus Radio Production
Live At Casa De Bang Bang.  Hosted by Cheryl.  31 December 2013

Live performances by Empire Rocket Machine, Steak Knife! & Foster Pussy Cat.

Camera Operators: Melanie DeBellis, Isoceles Diego, Barbara Plummer & Austin Rich.

Live Sound Recording by The Bands & Austin Rich.

Produced & 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!

Part I: Empire Rocket Machine (First 20 Minutes.)

Part II: Steak Knife! (Second 20 Minutes)

Part III: Foster Pussy Cat (The Rest)

Saving New Year’s Eve
(Featuring listener mail, how you can contact us, and out plans for the future, all while becoming a mini- Eugene Celebration -cast.)

As 2013 kick-starts our lives in this new, post-apocalyptic world that we now live in, it is important to know that you have accomplished something to help make the world a better place.  In this mini-cast, I review some e-mail I got from a listener, and how I was able to save a holiday near and dear to their heart.  It was very sweet, and in response I played a bunch of a band they requested – Adickdid – and talk about my plans this year.  It’s a little bit of everything today, and that’s just the way we like it.

Many shows are currently in production, and the new year will see a variety of new (and old) subjects revisited as we discover what, exactly, our program will be like moving forward.  We are enjoying the discovery ourselves, and how that you do, too.

In the meantime: here’s some vintage riot girl awesomeness, in response to the need for more Adickdid in our Eugene Celebration series of shows.  Episode III of that series in on the way.  This is just a small taste.

Enjoy!

We Saved New Year’s Eve

01.) Mail Box * Adickdid * Dismantle * G Records
02.) Falling * Adickdid * Slaughter on 13th Street * Self-Released.
03.) Ask Nicely * Adickdid * Dismantle * G Records
04.) Stare Right Past You * Adickdid * Dismantle * G Records

Getting Nervous
(Featuring an interview with new local band, The Nervous, which includes the world premier of their music on this very podcast!)

I have known Chris and Jesse from The Nervous for years, and the band they’d started in the ’90’s back in Eugene – Mondale – was a rare treat for the few who got to rock out to them.  Now, in this far-flung, post-apocalyptic year of 2013, we encounter their newest musical endeavor, a trio (rounded out by their drummer, Splinters), which is offering some of the greatest Nerd Rock anthems guaranteed to start promptly at every performance.

In preparation for their impending live gigs, I was invited down to the compound where The Nervous hone their craft, and managed to sit down with the guys afterward in their comfortable “Living Room” to chat about pursuing music as a hobby, and what its like to be in really terrible bands with assholes.  Interspersed throughout the interview are songs that inspire them, two never-before heard songs from their current set, and an old Mondale tune (or two) to round things out.

Long-time listeners may remember a live performance by Jesse Ransom (featured in The Nervous) in 2006.  This episode is also available to stream or download at this time, accompanied by a playlist and photos.  Jesse Ransom 06 June 2006.  It’s an oldie, but a goodie, and it gives you an acoustic taste of what he brings to the party.

Special thanks to Chris, Jesse and Spinters, not only for being stand up guys and great musicians, but for trusting me to record them in their natural habitat.  You guys are fantastic, and I can’t wait for more people to hear you.

Enjoy!

MyFacester+ Photoset (with video footage of the band rehearsing on 30 December 2012).

Getting Nervous

01.) Get Out Of Our Way, We’re A-Comin’ Through * Mondale * Square Roots Radicals * Self-Released
02.) Interview w/ The Nervous Part I * 30 December 2012
03.) Musical Interlude * Shadowy Men on A Shadowy Planet * Savvy Show Stoppers * Cargo Records
04.) High Impact Smart Girls * Mondale * Square Roots Radicals * Self-Released
05.) Interview w/ The Nervous Part II * 30 December 2012
06.) Gates Of Steel * Devo * Freedom Of Choice * Warner Bros.
07.) Sex Mad * Nomeansno * Sex Mad * Alternative Tentacles Records
08.) Interview w/ The Nervous Part III * 30 December 2012
09.) Theme From EEVIAC * Man… Or Astro-Man? * EEVIAC: Operational Index and Reference Guide, Including Other Modern Computational Devices * Touch & Go Records
10.) Entry Level Position * The Nervous * Unreleased Practice Recording
11.) Interview w/ The Nervous Part IV * 30 December 2012
12.) Little Girls * Oingo Boingo * Only A Lad * A&M Records
13.) You Look Good In Glasses * The Nervous * Unreleased Practice Recording
14.) Interview w/ The Nervous Part V * 30 December 2012
15.) 21st Century Digital Boy * Bad Religion * Stranger Than Fiction * Atlantic Records

Happy New Year!

Bring on 2013!

Enjoy!

New Year’s Resolution
(Featuring a special New Year’s Message, and a welcome to 2013.)

From all of us, here at Blasphuphmus Radio, we want to wish you the happiest New Year, full of possibility and new endeavors.  Remember: without you, there is no show.

Be seeing you.  In 2013.

Enjoy!

*

New Year’s Resolution

01.) New Year’s Resolution * Donovan * Open Road * Epic Records
02.) “On Christmas, say Merry Christmas.  On New Year’s, say Happy New Year’s.” * Kermit Shafer * Pardon My Blooper * Kapp Records

Nailed It.
(Featuring a review of the The Holiday Episode of Bullseye With Jesse Thorn.)

I was introduced to The Sound of Young America a few years ago, and immediately became obsessed with what Jesse Thorn was able to create out of a college radio show.  Somehow, I related.  This was another case of being quite late to the game; whenever I would tell people about his show, people would say, “Yeah, I know.  Have you heard Bullseye?”

So, I started listening, and have become quite a fan of the entire MaximumFun.com network of shows.  And while I would never presume that I need to introduce you to his program, with the holidays, I think it is possible to completely miss their fantastic Holiday Episode that was produced this year.

Consider this my loving tribute to a perfect episode of a podcast.

Enjoy!

Nailed It.

01.) Huddle Formation * The Go! Team * Thunder, Lightning, Strike * Memphis Industries.
02.) The Week Between * Jonathan Coulton & John Roderick * One Christmas At A Time * Self-Released

Number 9.  Number 9.
(Featuring a new declaration of purpose / series of excuses, and a review of the new Buffy The Vampire Slayer Comic up through Season 9.)

In the last couple months the inertia of this program has slowed down tremendously.  This was completely accidental; The Lava Lamp Lounge in Historic St. John’s is a nexus for weirdness magnets of a wide variety, and I am now finding myself working harder than ever, occasionally having to fight crime, assist stranded aliens, discovering new unexplored lands with other groups of weirdos, and in general, working more than I ever have before.  No new shows have been happening with any kind of regularity.

But fear not!  We are trying something new.  Our program has reinvented itself several times over the years, and the time has come to take on a new form.  Our means of broadcast is quite unique now, and we have the potential to experiment with form and style in ways we haven’t before.  It is with this in mind that I am trying something new, and experimenting with different kinds of shows, in new shapes and sizes.  Stay tuned to see how this all is put together as we move on.  In the meantime…

I review the new Buffy The Vampire Slayer comics.  A good friend of mine works at Dark Horse, and she was able to gift me a large number of comics from Season 8 and 9 of the new Buffy Comics.  I just finished catching up to “current” issues with this series, and do a spoiler-less free-form discussion about being a Buffy fan, and how these new comics read to me.

Let us know what you think, and if you like the smaller / differntly sized chunks of shows.  I have a variety of thoughts about how this will all get pieced together in the long run, but until then, enjoy these “showlets.”

Enjoy!

Number 9.  Number 9.

Part I: “Mea Culpa” or “Something Latin That Sounds Important Or Something”

01.) Nile Hilton Burning * Sun City Girls * The Fresh Kill Of A Cape Hunting Dog * Eclipse Records

Part II: “Season 9.  Season 9.”

02.) Buffy TV Theme Song * Nerf Herder * Buffy The Vampire Slayer The Album * TVT Records
03.) The Rat * The Ventures * Ghoulardi Music * Kogar The Swingin’ Ape
04.) RFD Rangoon * Forbidden Five * Lux & Ivy’s Favorites Volume One * Kogar The Swingin’ Ape
05.) Enchanted Farm * Forbidden Five * Lux & Ivy’s Favorites Volume One * Kogar The Swingin’ Ape
06.) Congo * Bo Diddley * Bo Knows Instro * Kogar The Swingin’ Ape
07.) Buzzsaw Twist * The Gee-Cees * Lux & Ivy’s Favorites Volume Three * Kogar The Swingin’ Ape

A New Year’s Eve Celebration!

Broadcasting on a holiday is always a bit of a strange affair.  Most everyone else is enjoying themselves, while you’re actually working.  There is a certain kind of loneliness that sets in under those kinds of circumstances.  While is why for New Year’s Eve, I decided to throw a party.

Aided by a few recordings that offer insight into this unusual holiday, I mix up a batch of songs about looking forward, onward, and into the future that is rapidly approaching.  The cool thing about this show is that you could play it just before Midnight.  If you start it about five minutes after 10 PM, it should time out just right.

Either way, I had a lot of fun assembling this one, and I hope you enjoy listening to it.  This is our last broadcast in 2011.  On to new and different things in 2012.

See you in a year and seven.

*

A New Year’s Eve Celebration!

01.) New Year’s Countdown * HeWhoIsiam * Times Square, 2008 * Youtube.com
02.) Forward Into The Past * Tit Wrench * Temporarily Committed For Life EP
03.) The New Pomp and Circumstance * Lamborghini * Major Vampire * Battlesnakes.com
04.) Push To The Front * The-Front * Riot Agents * Self-Released
05.) Forward To Death * Dead Kennedys * Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables * Alternative Tentacles
06.) Look Ahead * Senseless Apocalypse * Japanese Assault (2003)
07.) Look Ahead * Gloom * Fuck The System (1991)
08.) Whilst You’re Ahead * Unwound * Demo Tape * Self-Released
09.) New Direction * The Black Lips * Arabia Mountain

10.) Origin of New Years Is Pagan 1 * Megan * Hot Facts Girls * Youtube.com
11.) Time For Livin’ * The Beastie Boys * Check Your Head
12.) What Are You Doing New Years Eve? * Unknown * Black Christmas
13.) Theme From Two Steps Onward (Demo) * R.E.M. * And I Feel Fine: The Best Of The I.R.S. Years 1982-1987 * I.R.S. Records
14.) Frontier * Denizens * Messthetics Vol. 8 * Hyped To Death Records
15.) Kings Of The Wild Frontier * Adam And The Ants * Kings Of The Wild Frontier

16.) Origin of New Years Is Pagan 2 * Megan * Hot Facts Girls * Youtube.com
17.) Full Stop Ahead * Johnny & The Velvetones * History Of Northwest Rock (Vol. 1)
18.) Klingon Advance * The Vulcan Freedom Fighters * Stardate Unknown
19.) Go Ahead * Wire * Chairs Missing
20.) Frontwards * Pavement * Slanted & Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe
21.) New Flava * 69 A Go-Go * “New Flava” b/w “Fag Hag” * With An X Records
22.) Retired Woman Starts New Career In Monkey Fashions * Jad Fair & Yo La Tengo * Strange But True
23.) New Interns Watusi * Earl Hagan and the Interns * The Purple Knif Show
24.) High Pitch Polytone * The Conet Project * The Conet Project

25.) Origin of New Years Is Pagan 2 * Megan * Hot Facts Girls * Youtube.com
26.) New Prospect * A special group of the Sacred Harp Singers * Southern Journey, Vol. 9: Harp Of a Thousand Strings
27.) It’s a Beautiful World * Devo * E-Z Listening Disc
28.) The Curious Advance * Antediluvian Rocking Horse * Music For The Odd Occasion
29.) 2012 And Countless * Hella * There’s No 666 In Outer Space
30.) Zooing Forward * Oliver Squash * 30 Piece * Self-Released
31.) In the Year 2,000!!! * Lucia Pamela * Into Outer Space with Lucia Pamela * Arf! Arf! Records

32.) Truth About New Years Day 1 * MorningSun29 * Janus, Dionysus, Cronos-Grim Reaper, Pagan Gods * Youtube.com
33.) New Way * Men’s Recovery Project * Resist The New Way
34.) Onward * Sun Ra And His Solar Arkestra * Sun Ra Visits Planet Earth / Interstellar Low Ways
35.) New Wilderness * Static Films * A New Soul’s Bene / Diction * Self-Released
36.) On and On * Dead Moon * Dead Ahead * Tombstone Records
37.) New Race * Radio Birdman * The Essential Radio Birdman (1974-1978)

38.) Truth About New Years Day 2 * MorningSun29 * Janus, Dionysus, Cronos-Grim Reaper, Pagan Gods * Youtube.com
39.) One Step Ahead * Jandek * Living In A Moon So Blue * Corwood Industries
40.) Forever Again * The Prids * Until The World Is Beautiful
41.) New Dawn Fades * Joy Division * Unknown Pleasures * Factory Records
42.) Yet Onward We Marched * Joy Wants Eternity * You Who Pretend To Sleep
43.) New Year’s Countdown * HeWhoIsiam * Times Square, 2008 * Youtube.com
44.) New Year’s Eve * Tom Waits * Bad As Me
45.) The Dust Blows Forward ‘n The Dust Blows Back * Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band * Trout Mask Replica

Back For Christmas

Detective Dexter Roland, Private Investigator, was about to head home to Max’s Bar, for a few Christmas Eve cocktails to celebrate the holiday properly.  Little did he know that Peter Lorre was going to drop by, to deliver a tale that is perfect for the holiday season.  From the Old Time Radio radio archives, we bring you Back For Christmas, a tale well calculated to keep you in… Supense!

This podcast-only show features a perfect marriage: moody, holiday-ish music with a creepy tale with a last minute turn that is perfect for this kind of medium.  Bartók has always had a bit of a spooky feel to him anyway, and his renditions of Roumanian Christmas Carols seemed all to appropriate to complement Peter Lorre’s European-is accent.  While I can’t exactly claim that Moonbell fits exactly right, I feel as if the “White Light” being sung about could be seen as a metaphor for what the main character may be thinking at that point in the story.    And Dexter Roland tying it all together?  Well, let’s just say it had been a while, and our guest Peter Lorre inspired his return.

Not much else to say about this one.  If all goes well, there should be  a good New Year’s show coming up this weekend.  And stay tuned for big things in January.  2012 will be interesting.

See you in seven.

*

Back For Christmas
# Title * Artist * Album * Further Info
01.) Back For Christmas * Suspense Cast * 23 December 1943 * CBS Radio
02.) Roumanian Christmas carols Sz. 57 * Béla Bartók (Performed by György Sàndor) * Complete Solo Piano Music
03.) Winter Snow * Booker T & The MGs * The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959 – 1968 * Stax Records
04.) White Light * Moonbell * Figurine EP * Self-Released
05.) Listen, The Snow Is Falling * Galaxie 500 * This Is Our Music * Rough Trade

The Origins Of Christmas
(Featuring a brief history on this troubling holiday, and some songs that attempt to cover an array of feelings associated with this time of year. Originally broadcast on 17 December 2011 on KPSU.)

Probably the biggest frustration I suffer from this time of year is one of Holiday Burnout: I just get sick of deluge of Christmas Songs, fake consideration for our fellow man, and the pain-in-the-ass errands that you have to run during a time of year when it is constantly cold and dark 20 hours a day.  The plastic sheen of wonder and good tidings cover layers and layers of deception and misdirection that appears to go unnoticed by the majority of the public.  And who could blame them?  If I could put out of my mind all the things that frustrate me about this time of year, and medicate myself to the point where I have visions of Sugar Plums too, then I might stupidly smile and obliviously wish everyone a happy something or other, that may actually conflict with their religious beliefs, too.

So, I decided to tackle the problem head-on with a radio program that uncovers the origins of this holiday, with an attempt to give my own perspective a much needed positive boost.  It wasn’t easy; while I am not a Scrooge or a Grinch, I would say that I don’t find it easy to be as merry or happy as most people want me to be.  I could feel one way or the other about Christmas, and while I enjoy the time off and the chance to spend time with friends or family, years of retail job exposure, combined with a fairly virulent case of atheism, has provided me with endless examples of how awful people are to each other, and how easily they try to hide or mask it.  It unsettles me to the point of being down on the holidays.  Fortunately, I’m not the only one.

The connective tissue of this show comes from a History Channel documentary, The History of Christmas.  I have to admit, I’ve lost a bit of faith in The History Channel over the years, and their work now is shoddy (at best).  But this one is old enough that it has things like research in it, and the narrator sticks to just relating that research, and doesn’t cut to bone-heads who don’t have any expertise, or rely on weird creepy music followed by a narrator asking a question.  (“But who WAS Santa, really?”)  Plus, I use about 4 minutes of it, total.

The rest of the show features holiday songs that fit in a little more closely with my view of this time of year, and of the world in general.  Of note are two great compilations that I drew heavily from, and have been wanting to use for a while, but never had the chance.  The first is from an Andy Cirzan compilation from 2009, called The Cassette Years: Part 2.  Andy is a Christmas Music collector, who has been putting together wacked-out comps on tape (and now, CD and radio via Sound Opinions), of the weirdest holiday music you’ve ever heard.  His comps are a real treat, and they make even the most annoying holiday tunes seem listenable.  The other is called Black Christmas, which I obtained a few years back, and can’t for the life of me remember where I got it.  If anyone has any information about it, I would be most appreciative.  It contains a number of great holiday songs that are a little more realistic than the average fare.  The show is divided into three sections: Punk Songs, Rock Songs, and the Hanukkah / What Does It All Mean? wrap-up.  I am extremely happy with the way this show out, and I think it sounds great.  I hope you enjoy it too.  (Spoiler Alert: The show does end on a bit of an “up” note, if you’re worried about slogging through the horrors of religious subjugation, and songs about the bad things that happen this time of year.)

That’s it for this week.  Stay tuned for a Podcast-only Christmas Eve special next week.  Be good to each other, and happy holidays.

See you in seven.

*

The Origins Of Christmas

01.) Carol Of The Bells * George Winston * December
02.) Holiday Sedation * Unknown * The Cassette Years: Part 2
03.) The History Of Christmas Part 01 * The History Channel
04.) The First Noel * Chet Baker * The Cassette Years: Part 2
05.) The History Of Christmas Part 02 * The History Channel
06.) Fuck Christmas * Fear * The Record
07.) Pulling The Christmas Pig By The Wrong Pair Of Ears * The Locust * Plague Soundscapes
08.) Steal Softly Thru Snow * Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band * Trout Mask Replica
09.) C’mon Santa! * Mach Bell & His Elves * Xmas Snertz: Have A Very Gulcher Christmas!
10.) The History Of Christmas Part 03 * The History Channel
11.) Snow Girl * The Billy Nayer Show * BNS Presents

12.) Jingle Bells * Vel Mares * Black Christmas
13.) A St. Nick Dangerous Christmas Eve * The Firesign Theater * All Things Firesign
14.) (It’s Gonna Be A) Punk Rock Christmas * The Ravers * Once Upon A Time Vol. 13: California & Pacific Northwest ’77
15.) Don’t Believe In Christmas * The Sonics * Black Christmas
16.) The History Of Christmas Part 04 * The History Channel
17.) There’s Trouble Brewing * Jack Scott * Black Christmas
18.) Christmas Blues * Washboard Pete * Black Christmas
19.) Mars Wants Santa! * Santa Claus Conquers The Martians * The Cassette Years: Part 2
20.) Christmas At The Byaou * Vin Bruce’s Cajuns * The Cassette Years: Part 2
21.) The History Of Christmas Part 05 * The History Channel
22.) Christmas in Jail * The Youngsters * Black Christmas

23.) Snow * April Stevens
24.) We Three Kings Of Orient Are * X-Ray Tango * Xmas Snertz: Have A Very Gulcher Christmas!
25.) The History Of Christmas Part 06 * The History Channel
26.) Happy Hanukkah * Mr. Paul F. Tompkins * The Pod F. Tompkast Extrasode
27.) What We Do On Christmas * Atom And His Package
28.) Most Wonderful Time Of The Year * Pete Jolly Trio * The Cassette Years: Part 2
29.) Lucretius, Man Of Modern Mystery * Robert Krulwich * Hmmm…. Krulwich on Science Podcast
30.) Snowy Morning Blues * James P. Johnson * Father Of The Stride Piano
31.) Snowfall * Henry Mancini * Greatest Hits
32.) When the Mountains Part 2 * The Cast * Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
33.) Sleepy Santa Interlude * The Cassette Years: Part 2
34.) Snowstorm * Galaxie 500 * On Fire

A Seasonal Show (22259)
(Featuring another simulcast from DJ JustanotherDJ and our Southern California affiliate for Blasphuphmus Radio.)

With the holidays in full swing, I knew that holiday shopping and whatnot would prevent me from being able to assemble a two hour show this week.  Fortunately, DJ JustanotherDJ (at our Southern California affiliate) is regularly able to get my back in situations like this, and it was easy enough to program the quantum number generator to switch the feed to him for the first hour of the show.  With that in mind, we present one of the more unusual interpretations of holiday broadcasting, as DJ JustanotherDJ dives into A Seasonal Show.

A Seasonal Show (22259)

*

SHOW NOTES 12/17/2011

Hey, folks.  DJ JustAnotherDJ here.

THE NIGHTS ARE GETTING LONGER!  No, I’m not trying to depress anyone – beyond any S.A.D. they may already be going through on their own.  That’s just my first correction.  During the show, I said the days were getting longer this time of year, when, of course, we all know it’s the nights.  I guess since I’m a night person, I just kind of turned things around there.  I did a lot of that this week.

My other correction is that “Splinter” is actually about the Snow Queen, not the Ice Queen.  Guess that fairy tale isn’t all that famous after all, if I can’t even remember what she’s the queen of – no, that would just be my problem.  It’s famous enough.  The version of the song heard here is a “bonus” track, which isn’t as easy to throw onto a CD as it is on vinyl – it’s actually contained in the track for the final song of the album, “White Linen”, after about 15 minutes of silence.  Stupid CDs.  Though, for my money, better than “the Cloud.”  Hey, lets all line up to buy things we can’t actually possess!  Yeah, that’ll end well.

For the “bells” section of the show, all those songs are from 2010.  In fact, a couple of the bands had their debut that year, and they all were formed generally around that time.  Interesting how there were decades of music with no bands that had the word “bells” in their names, then, all of a sudden there’s, like, four.  Life is an odd place.

So, yeah, maybe I can’t get seasonal music right, but I hope I played some songs that you liked.  And, I also hope you all have a happy whatever-you-do for this time of year!

# SONG * ARTIST * ALBUM * LABEL * WEB

01.) Infinity Guitars * Sleigh Bells * Treats * Mom + Pop/N.E.E.T.
02.) Make A Deal With The City * Hurricane Bells * Down Comes The Rain * Invisible Brigades (self-release)
03.) Babelonia * School of Seven Bells * Disconnect from Desire * Ghostly International / Vagrant Records
04.) Your Head Is On Fire * Broken Bells * Broken Bells Columbia
05.) Winter * Tori Amos * Winter – Maxi Single * Atlantic
06.) The Pool * Tori Amos * Winter – Maxi Single * Atlantic
07.) Take to the Sky * Tori Amos * Winter – Maxi Single * Atlantic
08.) Sweet Dreams * Tori Amos * Winter – Maxi Single * Atlantic
09.) Inside Out * Tori Amos * Winter – Maxi Single * Atlantic
10.) Under Ice * Kate Bush * Hounds Of Love * EMI
11.) Splinter (alternate version) * 17 Reasons Why * The Dark Years * 17 Reasons Why
12.) Winter On Ice * The Spinanes * Strand * Sub Pop
13.) Icepond * Sunset Valley * Icepond * Barsuk
14.) Every Iceberg Is Afire * Sky Cries Mary * This Timeless Turning * World Domination Recordings / Capitol Records

Space Out II

Continuing to get further and further into the outer reaches of space as the holiday season rapidly approaches, here are even more selections from the Mutant Sounds archives, covering the vast expanses of Space Rock that was so near and dear to the world’s hearts in that long-lost decade known as the 1970’s.  Times were simpler then: musicians were taking powerful drugs, mastering guitar / synthesizer / flute performances, and attempting to make sense of the universe the only way they knew how: filling sides of LPs with unusual compositions.  Now you can enjoy them from the comfort of your own home.

We open our show with a “Journey Into A Dream,” which is what most of the Space Rockers of the ’70’s were attempting to do.  But it is also a metaphor for this very show, in that as we continue through the years ourselves, we come closer and closer to making our own dreams come true.  Radio has been a dream of mine since childhood, and being able to make it happen, for nearly 14 years now, has been a real Journey that seems to find more and more destinations as time continues it forward momentum.  As 2012 approaches, we will be entering new and uncharted territory (yet again), and I’m very excited about what the future holds.  Moreso than usual.

Attentive listeners will notice that there is one track that is, unfortunately, not from the period in question: “Utterly Simple” by Extra.  After last weeks show hit the digital airwaves, I was contacted by Fruits De Mer Records, who deal exclusively in vinyl-only compilations that feature covers of songs from the period in question.  I have to plead ignorance with regards to this label, being a yankee and all, but once I knew they existed, I knew I had to play this track. The original song is by Traffic, who were active in the ’60’s and ’70’s recording exactly this kind of music.  It only made sense to try and bring things full-circle, and illustrate that this music continues to influence and inform the music of today.  Outside of their records, you can’t find this music anywhere else.  I recommend checking out their site, and perhaps ordering a record or two if you are so inclined.

Again, this show was not archived, but this recreation gives you a chance to hear the show as it was broadcast on Saturday.

That’s all for this week.  Stayed tuned, as our Spacy Holiday Madness continues.  And, keep your ears peeled for some news regarding our show in the coming weeks.  Things are about to change.

See you in seven.

*

Space Out II

# Title * Artist * Album * Further Info
01.) Journey Into A Dream * F.G. Experimental Laboratory * Journey Into A Dream * Switzerland, 1975

02.) Socrates Drank The Conium * Socrates Drank The Conium * Zontanoi Sto Kyttapo * Greece, 1971
03.) Fantomen * Midsommar * Belsebub Ar Los * Sweden, 1971

04.) Syphlonic Diplovits * Chou Pahrot * Live * Scotland, 1979
05.) Ajatuksia * Apollo * Apollo * Finland, 1970
06.) Wenn die Nacht am tiefsten… * Ton Steine Scherben * Wenn Die Nacht Am Tiefsten… * Germany, 1975

07.) Wieczna Pielgrzymka * Ossian * Ossian (aka Ksiega Deszczu) * Poland, 1975
08.) E Per Te * Claudio Rocchi * Essenza * Italy, 1973

09.) The Ancient Consciousness Of Evil Spirit * George Hirota * Sahasurara * Japan, 1976
10.) Pythagorian child No. 2: Arrival In Time * Bib Set * It Wasn’t Meant To Happen… * Sweden, 1969
11.) Searching For The World * Sleepy John * Sleepy John * USA, 1970
12.) Utterly Simple * Extra * Fruits de Mer Volume 21: Keep Off The Grass * UK, 2011 (Original: UK, 1967)
13.) To Xehasmeno Pigadi * Exadaktylos * Zontanoi Sto Kyttapo * Greece, 1971
14.) Epilogi * Nimbus * Obus * Finland, 1974

KPSU Playlist

Space Out
(Featuring an international selection of Space Rock from the ’70’s.)

While many look forward to the holiday season with fondness toward the music they will hear, I often find myself frustrated with the content of such songs.  It is fortunate that I came into a huge stash of authentic ’70’s Space Rock Records recently (thanks, Mutant Sounds), and have decided to kick off my holiday season with a tour of this curious genre from a variety of countries around the world.

You want to talk obscure?  I’m never heard of any of the bands I played today until I dug them out to play them for this show.  While I’ve always been fascinated by Hawkwind, King Crimson, and a variety of other artists who have trod the more unusual musical pathways in this particular decade, the sheer depth and wealth of artists who were on that same wavelength is staggering when you begin digging.  As I’ve been enjoying the holiday season, and moving into a new home, I thought it only fitting to let myself explore these artists for the first time with you.

This show is full of long, strange, “flute-y,” and otherwise exploratory experiments in just where you can take this particular genre.  My suggestion is to just go with the flow, and Space Out.

See you in seven.

(Note: Sadly, this show did not get archived as it was originally broadcast.  The version that is available for download is a special podcast recreation, made two days after the original was aired live.  These things happen.  Sorry.)

*

Space Out

01.) Countdown * The Muffins * Secret Signals 1 * (1974 – 1978 USA)
02.) Diggar Ditt Hal-1 * Blodarna * Blodarna * (1979 Sweden)
03.) Ambiance * Popera Cosmic * Les Esclaves * (1969 France)

04.) The Hook * Jukka Tolonen * The Hook * (1974 Finland)
05.) Monster Comes To The City * Logproof * A Random Sampler * Random Radar Records (1977 UK)
06.) Caspita * Totem * Corrupcion * (1973 Uruguay)

07.) A Mutant Underglass * Illegal Aliens * A Random Sampler * Random Radar Records (1977 UK)
08.) Alien Activity From The 45th Parallel * Cellutron & The Invisible * Reflecting On The First Watch, We Uncover Treasure Buried For The Blind * (1978 USA)

09.) Fire Dance * Lagger Blues Machine * Tanit Live * (1970 Belgium)
10.) Automaty * Klan * Mrowisko * (1970 Poland)
11.) Total Space * The Rolf Kuhn Group * Total Space * (1975 Germany)

12.) Skladanka * Modry Efekt & Radim Hladik * Modry Efekt & Radim Hladik * (1974 Czechoslovakia)
13.) Voo Cego * Marcos Valle * Vento Sul * (1972 Brazil)
14.) Weg Vom Fenster * Metzlutzkas Erben * Wiener Blutrausch * (1979 Austria)
15.) Noises of The Evening * Doctors Of Madness * Figments of Emancipation * Polydor Records (1976 UK)
16.) Master of The Universe * Hawkwind * In Search of Space * (1971 UK)
17.) El Final * Síntesis * Síntesis * (1976 Argentina)

KPSU Playlist

Even More Thanksgiving Leftovers
(Originally 24 November 2011)

It has become a bit of a tradition to put on a Thanksgiving show in the last few years, and while I didn’t want to break tradition, I knew I was going to be out of town for this year’s show. Given that I have recently become much more savvy about podcasting, and more to the point now have it in my own total control, this seemed like a good opportunity to be able to record and post a show and not miss a single minute of my holiday vacation. The result is this episode, which I am quite proud out.

I have to admit, which the theme isn’t very new, this one took some searching. Special thanks go out to DJ JustanotherDJ, who not only suggested the “Thank You” idea, but threw a couple of songs my way, too. I would also like to thank the Firesign Theater, for having a comedy routine for every occasion, all the listeners (it is Thanksgiving, after all), and Marla Pemberton, my partner is all things, and who was patient with me while I threw together this show. She is number one on my list of things to be thankful for this year, and she deserves no end of thanks.

But, more than anything, this is an entertainment-oriented show. No big ideas, no grand effects, and no fancy editing. Just songs about food, being thankful, and a little bit of funny to lighten things as we go. What more do you want on this particular grazing holiday?

We should be back to doing live shows again next week. I love each and every one of you. Thanks!

See ya in seven.

*

Even More Thanksgiving Leftovers

# Title * Artist * Album * Label

01.) Soul Food * American Four * Lost Treasures!: Rarities From the Vaults of Del-Fi * Del-Fi Records
02.) I Thank You * Sam & Dave * The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968 * Stax Records

03.) Thank You * The Remains * The Remains * Epic Records
04.) Thanksgiving, Or Pass The Indian Please! [Excerpt I] * The Firesign Theater * All Things Firesign * Artemis Records
05.) Soul Food * Johnny Rogers * Detroit Soul From The Vaults Volume Two * Goldmine Records
06.) Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again) * Sly & The Family Stone * The Essential Sly & The Family Stone * Epic / Legacy Records

07.) Happy Thanksgiving * The Residents * Demons Dance Alone * Ralph Records
08.) Thank You Boss / Black Feldman #6 * MX-80 * Always Leave ‘Em Wanting Less * Atavistic Records

09.) Meat Balls * Ken Nordine * Ken Nordine Does Robert Shure’s ‘Wink’ * Asphodel Records
10.) 5-Piece Chicken Dinner * The Beastie Boys * Paul’s Boutique * Capitol Records
11.) Undigested Food * Men’s Recovery Project * Immense Ovary Reject EP * Walkabout Records
12.) Great Food Is Cooked By Psychos * Patton Oswalt * Werewolves and Lollipops * Sub Pop Records
13.) I Like Food * The Descendents * Somery * SST Records
14.) I’m So Thankful * The Reigning Sound * Live At Maxwell’s * Telstar Records

15.) Thanksgiving, Or Pass The Indian Please! [Excerpt II] * The Firesign Theater * All Things Firesign * Artemis Records
16.) Thank You [Live] * The Flaming Lips * Finally, The Punk Rockers Are Taking Acid * Restless Records

17.) Lonesome Electric Turkey * Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention * Fillmore East – June 1971 * Bizzare / Reprise Records
18.) Thanks To You * Devo * Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology * Warner Bros. Records
19.) Thank You For The Music * Cornelius * Fantasma * Matador Records
20.) Let’s Talk Turkey * Ima Robot * Ima Robot * Virgin Records
21.) Thanksgiving, Or Pass The Indian Please! [Excerpt III] * The Firesign Theater * All Things Firesign * Artemis Records

22.) Sour Biscuits * Wes Dakus * Forbidden City Dog Food * Vip Vop Records
23.) Turkeyneck Stretch * Grady O’Niel and the Bellatones * The Purple Knif Show * Muster Records
24.) Thank You And Goodnight [Excerpt] * Cathead * Live At The Monkeyhouse 15 April 1995 * Self-Released

Some Changes For The New Year
(Where I play a whole slew of songs about newness, beginnings, and change.)

Well, we’ve had all manner of crazy shit go down in the last few months, and this show has not be as well documented, performed, posted, or heard because of that. But the wait is over, as we are back in business, and ready for action with five hours of downloads, including a special New Year’s Day broadcast, some live electro-glitch, and actual profanity. Yeah, you know you want it.

I should point out that I haven’t had a chance to write a proper footnoted playlist in many moons, which is why this is a big deal.

See ya in Seven.

What’s This Called? w/ Doug Theriault, LIVE!

Episode 100: The People Who Died
(Featuring a selection of songs by artists who have passed away in the last couple of year.)

KPSU Playlist

Enjoy.

Thanksgiving Leftovers w/ DJ Swill! (Remastered) 
(Featuring a tag-team DJ set with leftover music that we haven’t had a chance to get to recently.  Originally broadcast 29 November 2010.)

DJ Swill has made a few appearances on our show in the last few years, and when he is on the show, it is most often a Grumpy Punk show.  This particular show is of interest in that this one has never been available to our podcast listeners.  It did go out live, but the recording that was captured was horribly distorted, and was missing a number of songs.  This Remastered Version is an attempt to bring this show back for a different audience.  Better recordings of the music has been found, the voice overs have been cleaned up a little, and everything is present and sequenced the way it should be.  It took a lot of hard work to get this show back from the grave, and hopefully it is worth the effort.

In it, DJ Swill and I made an effort to expand our usual Grumpy Punk aesthetic, and feature areas of our collections that are weirder and further left of center.  Swill got on my case about always pushing Punk Music when we get together, and insisted that he wasn’t a one trick pony when it came to his interests.  As the opening King Crimson song should suggest, we’re exploring other territory with this one.  Hopefully you will enjoy where we go.

*

Thanksgiving Leftovers w/ DJ Swill

# Track * Artist * Album * Label
01.) Sheltering Sky * King Crimson * Discipline * EG Records
02.) Someone’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight * The Rezillos * Can’t Stand the Rezillos * Warner Bros. / Sire Records
03.) Penguin In Bondage * The Mothers of Invention * Roxy And Elswhere Live * Discreet Records
04.) 2 Forms Of Anger * Brian Eno * Small Craft On A Milk Sea * Opal Records
05.) Crab Louie * Sandabs * Frolic Diner: 18 Wild Instros fer Eatin’ & Strippin’ To! * Romulan Records
06.) I Only Said * My Bloody Valentine * Loveless * Sire Records
07.) Sherlock Holmes * The Sparks * Angst In My Pants * Atlantic Records
08.) Porcelain * The Pretenters * Extended Play * Sire Records
09.) Price of Paradise * Meat Puppets * Our Band Could Be Your Life * Little Brother Records
10.) Hot Cross Buns * Paul Gayton * Frolic Diner: 18 Wild Instros fer Eatin’ & Strippin’ To! * Romulan Records
11.) Instant Karma * Tater Totz * Sgt. Shonen’s Exploding Plastic Eastman Band Request * Gasatanka Records
12.) Sounds of Laughter * T.S.O.L. * Rat Music For Rat People Vol. 1
13.) Hybrid Moments * The Misfits * Legacy Of Brutality * Caroline Records
14.) Institutionalized * Suicidal Tendencies * Suicidal Tendencies
15.) Target * Fugazi * Red Medicine * Disocrd Records
16.) Lucky Acid * Unwound * Want Comp Uno * Wantage USA Records
17.) Tacos * Royaltones * Frolic Diner: 18 Wild Instros fer Eatin’ & Strippin’ To! * Romulan Records
18.) Dog Food * Wes Dakus * Frolic Diner: 18 Wild Instros fer Eatin’ & Strippin’ to! * Romulan Records
19.) Waiting For Butterflies * Corgo Cult * Strange Men Bearing Gifts * Touch & Go Records
20.) ha ha ha * Flipper
21.) Cholo Charlie * Fantômas
22.) You Always Hurt The One You Love * Spike Jones & His City Slickers
23.) Mah-Na-Mah-Na * Piero Umiliani
24.) Have Love Will Travel * The Nomads * The Rebel Kind * Interesting Records
25.) Chop Suey Rock * The Instrumentals * Frolic Diner: 18 Wild Instros fer Eatin’ & Strippin’ to! * Romulan Records
26.) Green Light, Red Light * Plain Wrap * Original Music For A Generic World * Enigma Records
27.) Johnny’s Got A Problem * D.I. * Flipside Fanzine Vol. 2 * Gasatanka Records
28.) Die By The Sword * Slayer * River’s Edge Soundtrack * Enigma Records
29.) The Imposter * Elvis Costello & The Attractions * Concerts For The People of Kampuchea * Atlantic Records
30.) Secret Agent Man * The Plugz * Repo Man (Soundtrack)
31.) Bricklayer * Hüsker Dü * Land Speed Record * New Alliance Records
32.) Tired of Doing Things * Hüsker Dü * Land Speed Record * New Alliance Records
33.) Mohawk Town * The Vandals
34.) Garlic Bread * Gary and Larry
35.) Spot Barnett * Sweetmeats
36.) Swan Lake * Public Image Ltd. * Second Edition
37.) Praying Hands * Clawhammer * Q: Are We Not Men? Dork * Sympathy For The Record Industry
38.) Candle * Sonic Youth * Daydream Nation
39.) Touched * My Bloody Valentine * Loveless * Sire Records
40.) I’ll Be Your Mirror * Rainy Day * Rainy Day * Rough Trade Records

Vinyl Solution Part II
(Featuring all recordings played from 12″ LPs.)

New Year. New Decade. Old Music.

Yep, same old Blasphuphmus Radio.

This one is pretty great, and a good way to ring in newness.

See ya in seven.

A Grumpy Punk Christmas w/ DJ Swill
(Originally broadcast on 10 December 2009 on KPSU.)

Join DJ Swill and I for an hour-long, Grumpy Punk exploration of Christmas Music for people who don’t like Christmas Music.  We tag team through a number of X-Mas oddities, and talk about our interests as music fans, in this very special Grumpy Punk broadcast.

Aside from Halloween, there are very few holidays that we here at Blasphuphmus Radio celebrate.  However, it is difficult to ignore the holiday season when the rest of the world is taken in its grip for the majority of the winter months.  Sooner or later, the influence of these holidays reaches even us.  Fortunately, DJ Swill and I are on the same page, and we decide to celebrate Christmas the Grumpy Way.

Below you will find a short video, shot by Wendy, of us in action, so you can get a visual of what this is all about.  Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: Christmas Music For People Who Don’t Like Christmas Music.  Enjoy!

*

Ghosts Of Christmas Past
(Featuring selections from previous broadcasts on 12/23/98, 12/14/04, 12/13/06, and 12/20/06.)

In the 13 years we’ve been on the air, try as we might, a handful of holiday programs have made it into our archives that offer holiday themes and content to our fair listeners.  Given that the holiday season is upon us, is seemed only fitting to go through the vaults and dig out these rare gems.

For today’s show, I decided to delve into the archives again and pull out some selections from my favorite Holiday shows of the past. I’m not a big Christmas person (for the most part), and when I do get into Seasonal Music, it’s generally not what you would hear in the Mall. So consider this a snapshot of what I like to bump this time of year.

If nothing else, you should really listen to my rendition of The Cremation Of Sam McGee from 2006, near the end of the show.

Next week: tune in for the return of The Grumpy Punk, with a special co-host, who will be helping me pick the tunes for that hour. Should be pretty epic.

See ya in seven.

*

KPSU Playlist & Footnotes.

Thanksgiving Leftovers
(Featuring songs about Turkey, Potatoes, Hiccups, and Food, Food, Food.  Originally broadcast on 28 November 2009. Retrocast on 23 November 2016 as Mutation #26.1)

Join me as I explore an hour of music that I hadn’t gotten a chance to get to this year.  Just after Thanksgiving there are always a number of leftovers lying around; things that you can’t finish in spite of your best efforts.  This show covers that ground just as I was starting to think I would have to throw some stuff out.

Food is most definately on the menu for this one, and for that I would like to thank Isoceles Diego, who not only clued me into a number of the songs played during this show, but has been an inspiration to me for a number of years.  He is the only person to have appeared on every incarnation of this show, as a Guest, DJ, and performer.  While he was not in the studio with me during this one, much of the music was selected by, on inspired by, him.

All this food is making me sleepy. But one more slice of pie can’t hurt, right?

See ya in seven.

*

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Part I:
01.) Twilight In Turkey * Raymond Scott * Reckless Nights And Turkish Twilight’s
02.) Food Food Food * Harry Nilsson * Popeye Original Soundtrack
03.) Everybody Eats When They Come To My House * Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
04.) Wild Bill Hiccup * Spike Jones
05.) Turkey Hop * The Robins

Part II:
06.) Wild Turkeys
07.) The Origin Of Turkeys [Part I] * Robert Krulwich * NPR News
08.) Serenade For A Jive Turkey * The Nightlighters
09.) Lonesome Electric Turkey * Frank Zappa & The Mother’s Of Invention
10.) A Turkey Named Brotherhood * KARP * “A Turkey Named Brotherhood” b/w “I’d Rather Be Clogging” * Punk In My Vitamins Records
11.) The Turkey Doctor * The Fantomas Melvins Big Band * Millennium Monsterwork
12.) Buzzard Pie (Dig This Boogie) * Rudy Green Orchestra
13.) The Best Thanksgiving Ever / Bitchin’ Camero [Live] * The Dead Milkmen * If I Had A Gun EP * Hollywood Records

Part III:
14.) The Cafeteria
15.) The Origin Of Turkeys [Part II] * Rubert Krulwich * NPR News
16.) Sweet Potato Gravy * Maurice Simon And The Pie Men
17.) Turkey In The Straw * Billy Golden * Edison Record #4011
18.) Candied Yams * The West Siders
19.) My Sweet Potato * Booker T. & The MG’s
20.) All That Meat And No Potatoes * Fats Waller
21.) Mashed Potatoes (Do The) * James Brown

Out With The New, In With The Old.

This is a 60 Minute audio essay about the Holiday Season, with music, sound effects, voice-overs, and a few commercials. For those of you who have never heard the kind of shows I do, this is an excellent introduction to my radio style, and a wonderful hour of holiday sounds for those New Year’s parties around the corner.  (Token mentions of X-Mas were, sadly, unavoidable.)  Consider this my holiday gift to the city of Portland, and anyone else I forgot to get a gift for.  Sorry.

“Out With The New, In With The Old.” This week, Austin Rich covers for Hogwash to bring you “Be That Song?” Today’s show featured an audio essay regarding the Holiday Season, and makes a great introduction to the kind of show I’ll start doing on January Sixth, 2009, when Blasphuphmus Radio premieres on KPSU. Tune in at 3 PM, won’t you?

Seth Frost, LIVE!

(Phase I Episode 135)

A live performance by the legendary Seth Frost.

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.

Christmas Music For People Who Don’t Like Christmas Music Part II

(KPSU Phase I Episode 133)

While Blasphuphmus Radio has never been the kind of show to flip format when the holidays arise, every year or so I get the urge to deliver back to the listeners my idea of holiday offerings.  Christmas is a time of year when we are overwhelmed with holiday offerings, and rather than go down that same old road, I usually try to cook up something that is a little more than your average Jingle Bell Rock.

This particular show comes from our “Phase I” archive, consisting of shows that were aired during the early years of KPSU broadcasting.  While I never went much for themes in those days, this show hints at things to come, and set the tone for all future holiday broadcasts.  While this wasn’t exactly new to me, it gave me a chance to lay the foundation of things to come.

This episode is part two of two.

*

Christmas Music For People Who Don’t Like Christmas Music Part II

01.) Wir Christenleut * Johann Sebastian Bach * A Nonesuch Christmas
02.) Troll Wedding * Fishtank Ensemble * Super Raoul
03.) Gloria In Excelsis Deo * Pond * It’s Finally Christmas!
04.) Utan Utan * Selda * Selda
05.) Santa Claus Is Back In Town * Poison Idea * It’s Finally Christmas!
06.) Low Down * Tom Waits * Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards
07.) The Grinch * The Whirlees * It’s Finally Christmas!
08.) White Christmas * Corporal Blossom * A Mutated Christmas
09.) Machine Gun * Rich & Famous * Messthetics #101
10.) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town * Corporal Blossom * A Mutated Christmas
11.) Over The Edge * Dead Moon * Echoes Of The Past
12.) The Odds Against Christmas * C3-P0 & R2-D2 * Christmas In The Stars
13.) The Cremation Of Sam McGee * Austin Rich * Read Live On The Air
14.) Woovy Groovy * Los Buenos * Sensacional Soul
15.) Seasoned Greetings * The Residents * Meet The Residents

KPSU Playlist

Christmas Music For People Who Don’t Like Christmas Music Part I

(KPSU Phase I Episode 132)

While Blasphuphmus Radio has never been the kind of show to flip format when the holidays arise, every year or so I get the urge to deliver back to the listeners my idea of holiday offerings.  Christmas is a time of year when we are overwhelmed with holiday offerings, and rather than go down that same old road, I usually try to cook up something that is a little more than your average Jingle Bell Rock.

This particular show comes from our “Phase I” archive, consisting of shows that were aired during the early years of KPSU broadcasting.  While I never went much for themes in those days, this show hints at things to come, and set the tone for all future holiday broadcasts.  While this wasn’t exactly new to me, it gave me a chance to lay the foundation of things to come.

This episode is part one of two.

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

KPSU Playlist

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!

(KPSU 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.)

Gordon Taylor, Live!

(KPSU 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 Start of A New Year

(KPSU Phase I Episode 028)

At this time our program was on from 4 P.M. – 6 P.M.

*

The Start Of A New Year:

01.) Zoom And Bored [Excerpt] * Carl Stalling
02.) The New World * X
03.) Planet Claire * The B-52’s
04.) Loudmouth * Ramones
05.) Me Big Mouth * KARP
06.) Train * Uncle Tupelo
07.) Sonic Ripoff * KPANTS
08.) Holiday * Weezer
09.) What Goes On * The Velvet Underground
10.) Teenage Superstars * The Vaselines
11.) Only The Lonely [Know How I Feel] * Roy Orbison
12.) Downtown * Alex Chilton
13.) Can This Be * The Wipers
14.) Tighten Up * Archie Bell & The Drells
15.) Esta Bien Mamacita * El Vez
16.) Temptation * Tom Waits
17.) Satan Waitin’ * Carl Stalling
18.) Christina * The Oblivians
19.) Sleeping Bag * Beck
20.) Johnny Too Bad * The Slickers
21.) Kingdom Of Love * The Soft Boys
22.) Moon Over Marin * Dead Kennedys
23.) Funnel Of Love * Wanda Jackson
24.) Psychotic Reaction * The Cramps
25.) Wild Man * The Headcoatees
26.) Great Balls Of Fire * Jerry Lee Lewis
27.) Drum City Pt. 1 * Gary “Spider” Webb
28.) ?? * Billy Childish / Dan Melchoir
29.) Hong Kong Blues * Hoagy Carmichael
30.) The Young Psychotics * Tav Falco’s Panter Burns
31.) Bastards Of Young * The Replacements
32.) Daughter Of The Jungle * Flat Duo Jets
33.) Junco Partner * The Clash
34.) Bad Girl * New York Dolls
35.) Sleepwalk * Santo & Johnny

The Hits That Keep On Missin’