jneomarvin.com News
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 3:43 PM PDT
Here's where I blog now:
Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 11:04 AM PST
A letter to Nancy
Call it a concerned citizen performing his civic duty, or a Quixotic dreamer shouting headlong into a December gale, but I recently mailed the following to my representative in Congress, who also happens to be the Speaker of the House:
Dear Madame Speaker,
As one of your local constituents, I urge you to take action against an out of control executive branch with no respect for the laws of our nation or for the rights of the American people.
The polite approach has failed the Democratic party time and time again. The elections of 2006 were a mandate from the citizens of the US and a declaration that a majority of us now recognize there is a Constitutional crisis at hand and that we demand something be done about it.
It is time that our only sensible option be implemented. We ask that the House begin impeachment proceedings against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney immediately. We can't wait until Inauguration Day to end this administration's insane, irresponsible, destructive policies. america needs your leadership in this matter.
Yes, Democrats will be slammed and slandered by the opposition and the mainstream press for this. But by now it should be clear that they will do that anyway. This cannot be a consideration when there is so much at stake. I am joining my fellow citizens in requesting that you use your power wisely by impeaching the President and Vice-President for crimes against the US and the world. The situation demands nothing less.
Respectfully yours,
XXXXXXXXXXX
Dear Madame Speaker,
As one of your local constituents, I urge you to take action against an out of control executive branch with no respect for the laws of our nation or for the rights of the American people.
The polite approach has failed the Democratic party time and time again. The elections of 2006 were a mandate from the citizens of the US and a declaration that a majority of us now recognize there is a Constitutional crisis at hand and that we demand something be done about it.
It is time that our only sensible option be implemented. We ask that the House begin impeachment proceedings against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney immediately. We can't wait until Inauguration Day to end this administration's insane, irresponsible, destructive policies. america needs your leadership in this matter.
Yes, Democrats will be slammed and slandered by the opposition and the mainstream press for this. But by now it should be clear that they will do that anyway. This cannot be a consideration when there is so much at stake. I am joining my fellow citizens in requesting that you use your power wisely by impeaching the President and Vice-President for crimes against the US and the world. The situation demands nothing less.
Respectfully yours,
XXXXXXXXXXX
Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 7:02 PM PDT
Ear Candle Radio's Top 20: July 2007
We're not dead yet! Thanks for tuning in. And thanks for the votes for X-tal! Nice surprise.
I wonder who is weirder: us, for putting this of all possible Clash songs on our playlist, or you all for voting it up to number 2! We aim to shock, delight and go against all conventional wisdom here at Ear Candle Radio. Also: a hat tip to Danny Scherr for his first Top 20 showing. It was good to see you at the party.
1. X-tal - Windbags - Who Owns Our Dreams
2. The Clash - Mensforth Hill - Sandinista!
3. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Feel So Good (Previously Unreleased) - Tepid Peppermint Wonderland: A Retrospective
4. Jefferson Airplane - The House At Pooneil Corners - Crown of Creation
5. The Mekons - This Funeral Is For The Wrong Corpse (Full Version) - I Have Been To Heaven And Back: Hen's Teeth... Vol.
6. The Beastie Boys - Something's Got To Give - The Sounds Of Science
7. Tarika - Sonegaly (Senegalese) - Son Egal
8. ESG - Ufo - A South Bronx Story
9. Danny Scherr - Too Far Down - Richmond Special
10. Bert Jansch - Angie (Live) 1964 - Bert Jansch
11. The Avengers - I Want In - Died for Your Sins
12. New York Dolls - Looking For A Kiss - New York Dolls
13. Mudhoney - On The Move - Under a Billion Suns
14. David Bowie - Always Crashing In The Same Car - Low
15. Bright Eyes - Clairaudients (Kill Or Be Killed) - Cassadaga
16. Val Esway - Birthday - Pretend To Believe
17. Rod & the MSR Singers - Beat Of The Traps - The American Song-poem Anthology: Do You Know The Difference Between Big Wood And Brush
18. Junior Kimbrough & The Soul Blues Boys - Crawling King Snake - Mojo Stooges Jukebox
19. Heartless Bastards - All This Time - All This Time
20. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Moon, Turn The Tides...Gently, Gently - Electric Ladyland
I wonder who is weirder: us, for putting this of all possible Clash songs on our playlist, or you all for voting it up to number 2! We aim to shock, delight and go against all conventional wisdom here at Ear Candle Radio. Also: a hat tip to Danny Scherr for his first Top 20 showing. It was good to see you at the party.
1. X-tal - Windbags - Who Owns Our Dreams
2. The Clash - Mensforth Hill - Sandinista!
3. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Feel So Good (Previously Unreleased) - Tepid Peppermint Wonderland: A Retrospective
4. Jefferson Airplane - The House At Pooneil Corners - Crown of Creation
5. The Mekons - This Funeral Is For The Wrong Corpse (Full Version) - I Have Been To Heaven And Back: Hen's Teeth... Vol.
6. The Beastie Boys - Something's Got To Give - The Sounds Of Science
7. Tarika - Sonegaly (Senegalese) - Son Egal
8. ESG - Ufo - A South Bronx Story
9. Danny Scherr - Too Far Down - Richmond Special
10. Bert Jansch - Angie (Live) 1964 - Bert Jansch
11. The Avengers - I Want In - Died for Your Sins
12. New York Dolls - Looking For A Kiss - New York Dolls
13. Mudhoney - On The Move - Under a Billion Suns
14. David Bowie - Always Crashing In The Same Car - Low
15. Bright Eyes - Clairaudients (Kill Or Be Killed) - Cassadaga
16. Val Esway - Birthday - Pretend To Believe
17. Rod & the MSR Singers - Beat Of The Traps - The American Song-poem Anthology: Do You Know The Difference Between Big Wood And Brush
18. Junior Kimbrough & The Soul Blues Boys - Crawling King Snake - Mojo Stooges Jukebox
19. Heartless Bastards - All This Time - All This Time
20. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Moon, Turn The Tides...Gently, Gently - Electric Ladyland
Saturday, June 16th, 2007 3:17 PM PDT
Crucifix (excerpt from the first draft of a book-in-progress)
Crucifix were a group of young kids from the East Bay who had put out a couple of EPs on their own and appeared on the first Maximum Rock & Roll compilation. I
Friday, June 1st, 2007 7:38 AM PDT
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20, MAY 2007
1. Essential Logic - Aerosol Burns - Fanfare In The Garden
2. Petra Haden - I Can See for Miles - Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out
3. Barbara Manning and the Go-Luckys! - Marcus Leid - Transatlantic Trips
4. WIRE - Map Ref. 41 Degrees North, 93 Degrees West - 154
5. Delta 5 - Try - Singles & Sessions 1979-81
6. Project Soul - Ebony - Bay Area Funk 2
7. Peter B & Friends - Kirtan Got Soul - Peter B's Birthday Party
8. Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity - This Wheel's On Fire - Mojo: Dylan Covered
9. Dicks - No Fuckin' War - Dicks: 1980-1986
10. Bikini Kill - Carnival - The CD Version of the First Two Records
11. The Dry Spells - The Village - The Dry Spells
12. The Dandy Warhols - Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth - Come Down
13. John Lennon - Serve Yourself - Wonsaponatime
14. Rob K - Those Things - The End Of The Earth
15. Eux Autres - Ecoutez Bien - Hell Is Eux Autres
16. X-tal - Mark Time - Who Owns Our Dreams
17. The Beatles - Dizzy Miss Lizzy - Help!
18. Ill Ease - Sick Groove - Circle Line Tours
19. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - South Carolina (Barnwell) [Live] - From South Africa To South Carolina
20. Bert Jansch - Angie (Live) 1964 - Bert Jansch
2. Petra Haden - I Can See for Miles - Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out
3. Barbara Manning and the Go-Luckys! - Marcus Leid - Transatlantic Trips
4. WIRE - Map Ref. 41 Degrees North, 93 Degrees West - 154
5. Delta 5 - Try - Singles & Sessions 1979-81
6. Project Soul - Ebony - Bay Area Funk 2
7. Peter B & Friends - Kirtan Got Soul - Peter B's Birthday Party
8. Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity - This Wheel's On Fire - Mojo: Dylan Covered
9. Dicks - No Fuckin' War - Dicks: 1980-1986
10. Bikini Kill - Carnival - The CD Version of the First Two Records
11. The Dry Spells - The Village - The Dry Spells
12. The Dandy Warhols - Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth - Come Down
13. John Lennon - Serve Yourself - Wonsaponatime
14. Rob K - Those Things - The End Of The Earth
15. Eux Autres - Ecoutez Bien - Hell Is Eux Autres
16. X-tal - Mark Time - Who Owns Our Dreams
17. The Beatles - Dizzy Miss Lizzy - Help!
18. Ill Ease - Sick Groove - Circle Line Tours
19. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - South Carolina (Barnwell) [Live] - From South Africa To South Carolina
20. Bert Jansch - Angie (Live) 1964 - Bert Jansch
Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 12:07 AM PDT
OK, I usually ignore this joker, but really now...
From the ever-delightful Christopher Stigliano's Christmas list:
"If you can't find any of that, a tape of J. Neo Marvin being strangled by one of a variety of faithful BLOG TO COMM readers using a string from his guitar should suffice."
I can't go out my own door anymore now without being accosted by overweight Republican record collectors lunging feebly at me with rusty Ernie Ball Slinkies. Luckily, the San Francisco hills invariably render them out of breath by the time they get to my neighborhood, so I'm not too worried right now. My wife, on the other hand, is ready to turn him in to the FBI as a terrorist. I won't stand in her way.
"If you can't find any of that, a tape of J. Neo Marvin being strangled by one of a variety of faithful BLOG TO COMM readers using a string from his guitar should suffice."
I can't go out my own door anymore now without being accosted by overweight Republican record collectors lunging feebly at me with rusty Ernie Ball Slinkies. Luckily, the San Francisco hills invariably render them out of breath by the time they get to my neighborhood, so I'm not too worried right now. My wife, on the other hand, is ready to turn him in to the FBI as a terrorist. I won't stand in her way.
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 11:37 PM PDT
Ear Candle Radio Top 20, April 2007 + an important notice!
We're still here, but for how much longer?
You may or may not have heard the news, but the Copyright Royalty Board recently set new royalty rates for internet radio that not only far exceed those for other forms of broadcasting, but are also retroactive through the beginning of 2006, and will be measured PER LISTENER. Sounds like a great windfall for the artist, right? Wrong. This decision threatens the very existence of online radio stations like ours, who play music that mainstream radio will never touch and even college radio may not notice. Thus far, our host, live365.com, has not passed on any rate increases to personal stations like ours, but I'm not counting on this to remain the case unless something changes. (And you should know that if our monthly fee rises above the nearly $60 a month we pay right now, we may have to consider packing it in. We will be directly affected by what goes down in the coming months.)
There is a response rising in the form of a new bill in Congress, the Internet Radio Equality Act, which would set royalty rates for online stations at a level comparable to the rest of the airwaves. Supporters of small broadcasters like ourselves need to educate themselves on what they can do. Check below for some detailed info on all these issues by people more informed and articulate than I am:
http://www.live365.com/choice/
Running this station for the last few years has been a labor of love and a joy for Davis and myself. We have nearly 500 regular listeners now and treating them to our own mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar has been an incredible experience. We have made friends with artists all over the world (a brief tip of the hat to Elevation, Shine Cherries, the Window Shoppers, Stephen Simon, Halcyon High, Sparta Philharmonic, 17 Pygmies, Del Rey and the Sun Kings, and too many more to mention...thank you for sharing your music with us) and we've had the opportunity to share exclusive unreleased music of our own with you all too. We are both artists and broadcasters, and we refuse to accept this divisive strategy by the RIAA that only serves to line their own pockets and keep the unheard music from being heard. So if you've been digging what we do, now is a good time to call your representatives in Congress and support stations like ours.
End of lecture. Time to give you this month's charts, which are topped quite appropriately by "Another Genius Idea From Our Government" from the marvelous new album by Erase Errata. This time out, our top 20 is chock full of great female artists, including double doses of both Terese Taylor and Ut! Thank you all for your ever-fascinating and ever-perceptive votes. We are still putting the finishing touches on our all-new playlist for spring, which includes several of these numbers and much more. Keep listening, and keep internet radio alive. Thank you.
http://www.live365.com/stations/jneomarvin
1. Erase Errata - Another Genius Idea From Our Government - Nightlife
2. Elias & His Zig-Zag Jive Flutes - Tom Hark (1955) - John Peel And Sheila: The Pig's Big 78s: A Beginner's Guide
3. Sleater-Kinney - Words and Guitar - Dig Me Out
4. Rob K - Those Things - The End Of The Earth
5. The Experimental Bunnies - Grief - Music From The Integrity Tone Scale
6. The Temptations - Masterpiece - Psychedelic Soul
7. Terese Taylor - Dog Jackson - Good Luck Investigationship
8. Terese Taylor - Call In Sick - Good Luck Investigationship
9. Val Esway - Whiskey Trail - Pretend To Believe
10. Ut - HomeBled - In Gut's House
11. The Celibate Rifles - Bill Bonney Regrets - The Turgid Miasma Of Existence
12. Barbara Manning and the Go-Luckys! - Marcus Leid - Transatlantic Trips
13. The Pogues - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda - Rum Sodomy & the Lash
14. Sharon Cheslow & Coterie Exchange - Fatigue Creep & Dynamic Fracture - Lullabye From The Sky
15. S.H.E. - Outta Reach - Mojo Music Guide Vol. 1 - Instant Garage
16. Twistyfix - Wake The Hammer - Twistyfix
17. The Velvet Underground - European Son (Mono Version) - Velvet Underground & Nico
18. Rhythm & Noise - Filament In Strata - Chasm's Accord
19. Y Pants - That's the Way Boys Are - Y Pants
20. Ut - Evangelist - In Gut's House
You may or may not have heard the news, but the Copyright Royalty Board recently set new royalty rates for internet radio that not only far exceed those for other forms of broadcasting, but are also retroactive through the beginning of 2006, and will be measured PER LISTENER. Sounds like a great windfall for the artist, right? Wrong. This decision threatens the very existence of online radio stations like ours, who play music that mainstream radio will never touch and even college radio may not notice. Thus far, our host, live365.com, has not passed on any rate increases to personal stations like ours, but I'm not counting on this to remain the case unless something changes. (And you should know that if our monthly fee rises above the nearly $60 a month we pay right now, we may have to consider packing it in. We will be directly affected by what goes down in the coming months.)
There is a response rising in the form of a new bill in Congress, the Internet Radio Equality Act, which would set royalty rates for online stations at a level comparable to the rest of the airwaves. Supporters of small broadcasters like ourselves need to educate themselves on what they can do. Check below for some detailed info on all these issues by people more informed and articulate than I am:
http://www.live365.com/choice/
Running this station for the last few years has been a labor of love and a joy for Davis and myself. We have nearly 500 regular listeners now and treating them to our own mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar has been an incredible experience. We have made friends with artists all over the world (a brief tip of the hat to Elevation, Shine Cherries, the Window Shoppers, Stephen Simon, Halcyon High, Sparta Philharmonic, 17 Pygmies, Del Rey and the Sun Kings, and too many more to mention...thank you for sharing your music with us) and we've had the opportunity to share exclusive unreleased music of our own with you all too. We are both artists and broadcasters, and we refuse to accept this divisive strategy by the RIAA that only serves to line their own pockets and keep the unheard music from being heard. So if you've been digging what we do, now is a good time to call your representatives in Congress and support stations like ours.
End of lecture. Time to give you this month's charts, which are topped quite appropriately by "Another Genius Idea From Our Government" from the marvelous new album by Erase Errata. This time out, our top 20 is chock full of great female artists, including double doses of both Terese Taylor and Ut! Thank you all for your ever-fascinating and ever-perceptive votes. We are still putting the finishing touches on our all-new playlist for spring, which includes several of these numbers and much more. Keep listening, and keep internet radio alive. Thank you.
http://www.live365.com/stations/jneomarvin
1. Erase Errata - Another Genius Idea From Our Government - Nightlife
2. Elias & His Zig-Zag Jive Flutes - Tom Hark (1955) - John Peel And Sheila: The Pig's Big 78s: A Beginner's Guide
3. Sleater-Kinney - Words and Guitar - Dig Me Out
4. Rob K - Those Things - The End Of The Earth
5. The Experimental Bunnies - Grief - Music From The Integrity Tone Scale
6. The Temptations - Masterpiece - Psychedelic Soul
7. Terese Taylor - Dog Jackson - Good Luck Investigationship
8. Terese Taylor - Call In Sick - Good Luck Investigationship
9. Val Esway - Whiskey Trail - Pretend To Believe
10. Ut - HomeBled - In Gut's House
11. The Celibate Rifles - Bill Bonney Regrets - The Turgid Miasma Of Existence
12. Barbara Manning and the Go-Luckys! - Marcus Leid - Transatlantic Trips
13. The Pogues - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda - Rum Sodomy & the Lash
14. Sharon Cheslow & Coterie Exchange - Fatigue Creep & Dynamic Fracture - Lullabye From The Sky
15. S.H.E. - Outta Reach - Mojo Music Guide Vol. 1 - Instant Garage
16. Twistyfix - Wake The Hammer - Twistyfix
17. The Velvet Underground - European Son (Mono Version) - Velvet Underground & Nico
18. Rhythm & Noise - Filament In Strata - Chasm's Accord
19. Y Pants - That's the Way Boys Are - Y Pants
20. Ut - Evangelist - In Gut's House
Sunday, April 1st, 2007 1:21 PM PDT
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20: MARCH 2007
1. The Subtonix - Trophy - 7" single
2. MC5 - Looking At You - The Big Bang: The Best of the MC5
3. Kevin Ayers & the Whole World - May I? - Shooting at the Moon
4. De La Soul - Eye Know - 3 Feet High And Rising
5. The Missing Links - You're Driving Me Insane - Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts From The British Empire And Beyond, Vol. 3
6. Love - Gather Round - Out Here
7. It Thing - The Ode - The OTBJBDTAE
8. The Mountain Goats - The Anglo-Saxons - Ghana
9. Wire - Map Ref. 41 Degrees North, 93 Degrees West - 154
10. Vashti Bunyan - Rose Hip November - Just Another Diamond Day
11. Mudhoney - Where Is The Future - Under A Billion Suns
12. Tom Verlaine - Saucer Crash - Warm and Cool
13. The Window Shoppers - So What Do You Think? - Clear Your Dirt
14. The Fall - Boxoctosis - The Real New Fall LP (American Version)
15. Fairport Convention - Percy's Song - Unhalfbricking
16. Chris Knox - What Do We Do With Love? - Beat
17. Memphis Jug Band - Memphis Shakedown - Harry Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music, Vol. 4 (Disc 1)
18. Leonard Cohen - Who By Fire - The Essential Leonard Cohen
19. The Celibate Rifles - Bill Bonney Regrets - The Turgid Miasma Of Existence
20. Sleater-Kinney - Good Things - Call the Doctor
2. MC5 - Looking At You - The Big Bang: The Best of the MC5
3. Kevin Ayers & the Whole World - May I? - Shooting at the Moon
4. De La Soul - Eye Know - 3 Feet High And Rising
5. The Missing Links - You're Driving Me Insane - Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts From The British Empire And Beyond, Vol. 3
6. Love - Gather Round - Out Here
7. It Thing - The Ode - The OTBJBDTAE
8. The Mountain Goats - The Anglo-Saxons - Ghana
9. Wire - Map Ref. 41 Degrees North, 93 Degrees West - 154
10. Vashti Bunyan - Rose Hip November - Just Another Diamond Day
11. Mudhoney - Where Is The Future - Under A Billion Suns
12. Tom Verlaine - Saucer Crash - Warm and Cool
13. The Window Shoppers - So What Do You Think? - Clear Your Dirt
14. The Fall - Boxoctosis - The Real New Fall LP (American Version)
15. Fairport Convention - Percy's Song - Unhalfbricking
16. Chris Knox - What Do We Do With Love? - Beat
17. Memphis Jug Band - Memphis Shakedown - Harry Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music, Vol. 4 (Disc 1)
18. Leonard Cohen - Who By Fire - The Essential Leonard Cohen
19. The Celibate Rifles - Bill Bonney Regrets - The Turgid Miasma Of Existence
20. Sleater-Kinney - Good Things - Call the Doctor
Sunday, March 18th, 2007 3:30 PM PDT
The Neil in me
Which Neil Young Personality Are You?
You've pretty much done it all. You've inspired generations, jammed with just about everyone and have released more music than maybe you should have. That's not to say that you have nothing left to offer. You are free to do whatever the hell you want, and that feels pretty damn good, doesn't it?
Take this quiz!
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Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 7:16 PM PST
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20: FEBRUARY 2007
A very interesting chart this month. Both splinter bands of our local heroes the Cat Heads are represented, with the Ex Cat Heads topping the charts with Sam Babbitt's spooky rendition of Frank Kogan's "Waterfall" and It Thing's mood piece "Off The Other End I Was" at number 11.
Former Content Providers guitarist (and ex-housemate of Davis and Neo) Glenn Stevens' charming "Lady V" popped in out of nowhere to sit at number 2, while our own "Ex-Supernova" is at #10. Thanks for the thumbs up, listeners.
I'm glad to see many of our electronic pen pals on here like Elevation, Twistyfix, Shine Cherries, and Sparta Philharmonic, as well as Mezmetic, a CD we actually bought on Haight St, one day from its creator because he seemed like such a cool guy. His music is cool as well, sample-dub trip-hop grooves that stay in your memory. Check out all of these people's myspace pages and hear some great stuff that's too under the radar for even the popular indie magazines to cover. YET.
It's also good to see ex-locals the Brian Jonestown Massacre showing up here. I can't resist a band that swaggers this dreamily. And no, I have not seen the movie Dig; I'm not so sure I want to find reasons to dislike people who make music this great. As it is, Anton Newcombe has some of the best bulletins on myspace, keeping the kids informed and angry about our current sorry state of affairs. I wonder if the next BJM release will have lyrics that reflect Newcombe's current righteous political anger. As it is, noisy garage rock protest is well-represented by a different track from that ubiquitous Neil Young album (the title song this time) and Mudhoney's brilliant "Where Is The Future".
Whew. Keep tuning in and giving us your feedback. We'll be putting together our all-new spring '07 playlist soon.
1. The (Ex) Cat Heads - Waterfall - Our Frisco
2. Glenn Stevens - Lady V - 2002 Demo
3. Elevation - Busstop - Neotext
4. Twistyfix - Wake The Hammer - MP3 single
5. The Go-Betweens - Caroline And I - Bright Yellow Bright Orange
6. Grifters - Last Man Alive - Ain't My Lookout
7. Yo La Tengo - Tighten Up - Yo La Tengo Is Murdering The Classics!
8. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Number 1 Hit Jam - Tepid Peppermint Wonderland: A Retrospective
9. Petra Haden - I Can See for Miles - Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out
10. J Neo Marvin & the Content Providers - Ex-Supernova - What Is Truth?
11. It Thing - Off The Other End I Was - The OTBJBDTJE
12. Antietam - Chronicle of a Gift Horse - Victory Park
13. The Gris Gris - Year zero - For the Season
14. Shine Cherries - Atmosphere - Shine Cherries
15. Neil Young - Living With War - Living With War
16. Flipper - Sacrifice - The Flipper Follies, Austin 1982
17. The Sparta Philharmonic - Paper-Mache Mountains - Paper-Mache Mountains
18. Mudhoney - Where Is The Future - Under A Billion Suns
19. Mezmetic - Bilar De La Noche - A Handful Of Sand (... And A Strange Distant Wave)
20. Liliput/ Kleenex - DC-10 - Liliput/ Kleenex
Former Content Providers guitarist (and ex-housemate of Davis and Neo) Glenn Stevens' charming "Lady V" popped in out of nowhere to sit at number 2, while our own "Ex-Supernova" is at #10. Thanks for the thumbs up, listeners.
I'm glad to see many of our electronic pen pals on here like Elevation, Twistyfix, Shine Cherries, and Sparta Philharmonic, as well as Mezmetic, a CD we actually bought on Haight St, one day from its creator because he seemed like such a cool guy. His music is cool as well, sample-dub trip-hop grooves that stay in your memory. Check out all of these people's myspace pages and hear some great stuff that's too under the radar for even the popular indie magazines to cover. YET.
It's also good to see ex-locals the Brian Jonestown Massacre showing up here. I can't resist a band that swaggers this dreamily. And no, I have not seen the movie Dig; I'm not so sure I want to find reasons to dislike people who make music this great. As it is, Anton Newcombe has some of the best bulletins on myspace, keeping the kids informed and angry about our current sorry state of affairs. I wonder if the next BJM release will have lyrics that reflect Newcombe's current righteous political anger. As it is, noisy garage rock protest is well-represented by a different track from that ubiquitous Neil Young album (the title song this time) and Mudhoney's brilliant "Where Is The Future".
Whew. Keep tuning in and giving us your feedback. We'll be putting together our all-new spring '07 playlist soon.
1. The (Ex) Cat Heads - Waterfall - Our Frisco
2. Glenn Stevens - Lady V - 2002 Demo
3. Elevation - Busstop - Neotext
4. Twistyfix - Wake The Hammer - MP3 single
5. The Go-Betweens - Caroline And I - Bright Yellow Bright Orange
6. Grifters - Last Man Alive - Ain't My Lookout
7. Yo La Tengo - Tighten Up - Yo La Tengo Is Murdering The Classics!
8. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Number 1 Hit Jam - Tepid Peppermint Wonderland: A Retrospective
9. Petra Haden - I Can See for Miles - Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out
10. J Neo Marvin & the Content Providers - Ex-Supernova - What Is Truth?
11. It Thing - Off The Other End I Was - The OTBJBDTJE
12. Antietam - Chronicle of a Gift Horse - Victory Park
13. The Gris Gris - Year zero - For the Season
14. Shine Cherries - Atmosphere - Shine Cherries
15. Neil Young - Living With War - Living With War
16. Flipper - Sacrifice - The Flipper Follies, Austin 1982
17. The Sparta Philharmonic - Paper-Mache Mountains - Paper-Mache Mountains
18. Mudhoney - Where Is The Future - Under A Billion Suns
19. Mezmetic - Bilar De La Noche - A Handful Of Sand (... And A Strange Distant Wave)
20. Liliput/ Kleenex - DC-10 - Liliput/ Kleenex
Thursday, February 1st, 2007 7:03 PM PST
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20, JANUARY 2007
A double dose of Cannanes this month! And many other nice things besides. Keep your votes coming, Gentle Listeners.
1. Chris Knox - What Do We Do With Love? - Beat
2. Paul Revere & the Raiders - Melody For An Unknown Girl - Paul Revere & The Raiders - Greatest Hits
3. The Human Expression - Optical Sound - Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era
4. The Cannanes & Steward - Hey Leopard - Communicating at an Unknown Rate
5. Sly & The Family Stone - Babies Makin' Babies - The Essential Sly & The Family Stone
6. Rhythm & Noise - Bilge - Chasm's Accord
7. Young Marble Giants - Wurlitzer Jukebox - Colossal Youth
8. Penetration - Silent Community - Moving Targets
9. Marine Girls - Dishonesty - Lazy Ways/Beach Party
10. Kevin Ayers - Oleh Oleh Bandu Bandong - Joy Of A Toy
11. Eric's Trip - Secret For Julie - Love Tara
12. The Stooges - Down On The Street - Fun House
13. The Replacements - Seen Your Video - Let It Be
14. K. McCarty - Golly Gee - Dead Dog's Eyeball: Songs of Daniel Johnston
15. Elias & His Zig-Zag Jive Flutes - Tom Hark (1955) - John Peel And Sheila: The Pig's Big 78s: A Beginner's Guide
16. The Cannanes - Japanese Train Station - Living the Dream
17. The Rolling Stones - Shake Your Hips - Exile On Main Street
18. Leonard Cohen - The Guests - The Essential Leonard Cohen
19. Kraftwerk - Showroom Dummies - Trans-Europe Express
20. James Brown - I Got The Feelin' - Star Time
1. Chris Knox - What Do We Do With Love? - Beat
2. Paul Revere & the Raiders - Melody For An Unknown Girl - Paul Revere & The Raiders - Greatest Hits
3. The Human Expression - Optical Sound - Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era
4. The Cannanes & Steward - Hey Leopard - Communicating at an Unknown Rate
5. Sly & The Family Stone - Babies Makin' Babies - The Essential Sly & The Family Stone
6. Rhythm & Noise - Bilge - Chasm's Accord
7. Young Marble Giants - Wurlitzer Jukebox - Colossal Youth
8. Penetration - Silent Community - Moving Targets
9. Marine Girls - Dishonesty - Lazy Ways/Beach Party
10. Kevin Ayers - Oleh Oleh Bandu Bandong - Joy Of A Toy
11. Eric's Trip - Secret For Julie - Love Tara
12. The Stooges - Down On The Street - Fun House
13. The Replacements - Seen Your Video - Let It Be
14. K. McCarty - Golly Gee - Dead Dog's Eyeball: Songs of Daniel Johnston
15. Elias & His Zig-Zag Jive Flutes - Tom Hark (1955) - John Peel And Sheila: The Pig's Big 78s: A Beginner's Guide
16. The Cannanes - Japanese Train Station - Living the Dream
17. The Rolling Stones - Shake Your Hips - Exile On Main Street
18. Leonard Cohen - The Guests - The Essential Leonard Cohen
19. Kraftwerk - Showroom Dummies - Trans-Europe Express
20. James Brown - I Got The Feelin' - Star Time
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007 11:19 PM PST
What to do with a broken heart
My good friend Celine Keller (who some of you may know for her artwork on the first two Content Providers albums, Slowly I Turned and What Is Truth?, has made a new animated movie. As always her art is haunting, funny and vulnerable. The new movie, "Sonderzeichen", addresses infatuation and loneliness from the point of view of a lovesick lesbian in Buenos Aires. The title, according to the ever-unreliable Babelfish, translates from German to English as "Special Character".
Watch Sonderzeichen here. And if your heart is broken, you may get some ideas on how to bring it back to life.
Check out Celine and her partner Paula's video blog here. You can watch some more of Celine's work as well as some really trippy commercials they have edited.
It's always great to see old friends doing well.
Watch Sonderzeichen here. And if your heart is broken, you may get some ideas on how to bring it back to life.
Check out Celine and her partner Paula's video blog here. You can watch some more of Celine's work as well as some really trippy commercials they have edited.
It's always great to see old friends doing well.
Wednesday, December 27th, 2006 10:32 AM PST
Just read it
Roy Edroso on James Brown. God DAMN, that man can write.
Friday, December 1st, 2006 10:56 AM PST
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20, NOVEMBER 2006
1. T. Rex - Jeepster - Electric Warrior
2. Rob K - 5 Yamas - The End Of The Earth
3. The Dry Spells - The Village - The Dry Spells
4. The Sparta Philharmonic - Paper-Mache Mountains - Paper-Mache Mountains
5. Grifters - Last Man Alive - Ain't My Lookout
6. Ut - HomeBled - In Gut's House
7. The Beach Boys - Diamond Head - Friends/20-20
8. Vashti Bunyan - Rose Hip November - Just Another Diamond Day
9. The Big Boys - What's the Word? - The Fat Elvis
10. Love - Gather Round - Out Here
11. The Fall - My New House - This Nation's Saving Grace
12. The Experimental Bunnies - Normal - Integrity Tone Scale
13. Kaleidoscope - Keep Your Mind Open - Blues From Baghdad - The Very Best Of Kaleidoscope
14. The Fall - What About Us - The Complete Peel Sessions 1978-2004
15. Captain Sensible - The Man Who's Gotten Everything?/Our Souls To You - A Sides (Part One 1979-1982)
16. Eight Lamas From Drepung - Invoking The Spirit Of Kindness Though Sound - Tibetan Sacred Temple Music
17. The Window Shoppers - So What Do You Think? - Clear Your Dirt
18. Subtonix - Ashtray Girl - Tarantism
19. Mecca Normal - 1922 - The Observer
20. Linda Smith - You Changed - Emily's House
2. Rob K - 5 Yamas - The End Of The Earth
3. The Dry Spells - The Village - The Dry Spells
4. The Sparta Philharmonic - Paper-Mache Mountains - Paper-Mache Mountains
5. Grifters - Last Man Alive - Ain't My Lookout
6. Ut - HomeBled - In Gut's House
7. The Beach Boys - Diamond Head - Friends/20-20
8. Vashti Bunyan - Rose Hip November - Just Another Diamond Day
9. The Big Boys - What's the Word? - The Fat Elvis
10. Love - Gather Round - Out Here
11. The Fall - My New House - This Nation's Saving Grace
12. The Experimental Bunnies - Normal - Integrity Tone Scale
13. Kaleidoscope - Keep Your Mind Open - Blues From Baghdad - The Very Best Of Kaleidoscope
14. The Fall - What About Us - The Complete Peel Sessions 1978-2004
15. Captain Sensible - The Man Who's Gotten Everything?/Our Souls To You - A Sides (Part One 1979-1982)
16. Eight Lamas From Drepung - Invoking The Spirit Of Kindness Though Sound - Tibetan Sacred Temple Music
17. The Window Shoppers - So What Do You Think? - Clear Your Dirt
18. Subtonix - Ashtray Girl - Tarantism
19. Mecca Normal - 1922 - The Observer
20. Linda Smith - You Changed - Emily's House
Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006 10:14 AM PST
PRAISE FROM THE PIRATE CAT
Some nice words from DJ Nylon of Pirate Cat Radio:
J. Neo Marvin and the Content Providers - What happens when a Punk grows up, grows old and chronicles the lives of the people and the world around him? J. Neo Marvin. This is music that tells stories good and bad. Not folky at all but matter of fact. Gone are the cranked up amps, the wailing drums and wall of angst ridden youth. What is left is a lifetime of living, sometimes out living your friends, but optimism abounds.
He (or she?) also offers a good review of our pal Terese Taylor:
Terese Taylor - She catagorizes her music as
J. Neo Marvin and the Content Providers - What happens when a Punk grows up, grows old and chronicles the lives of the people and the world around him? J. Neo Marvin. This is music that tells stories good and bad. Not folky at all but matter of fact. Gone are the cranked up amps, the wailing drums and wall of angst ridden youth. What is left is a lifetime of living, sometimes out living your friends, but optimism abounds.
He (or she?) also offers a good review of our pal Terese Taylor:
Terese Taylor - She catagorizes her music as
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006 6:37 PM PST
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20, OCT. 2006
(Antietam and the Soft Machine continue to linger from September. You guys have such good and unique taste. Thanks!)
1. Antietam - 509 - Scraps
2. Keith Tippett Group - This is what happens - Dedicated To You But You Weren't Listening
3. J Neo Marvin & the Content Providers - Late Night - Covers Session
4. Soft Machine - Moon In June - The Peel Sessions
5. Can - Bring Me Coffee Or Tea - Tago Mago
6. Ut - HomeBled - In Gut's House
7. The Adverts - Safety In Numbers - The Punk Singles Collection
8. The Zeros - They Say That (Everything's Alright) - Don't Push Me Around
9. Citizens Here and Abroad - Enter the Elevator - Ghosts of Tables and Chairs
10. The Crabs - Sand and Sea - The Sand & Sea
11. Linda Smith - You Changed - Emily's House
12. K. McCarty - Golly Gee - Dead Dog's Eyeball: Songs of Daniel Johnston
13. Incredible String Band - Astral Plane Theme - U
14. Dangerous Birds - Smile On Your Face - Typical Girls Bootleg CD Vol. 2
15. John Fahey - Sligo Mud - The Best of John Fahey, Vol. 2: 1964-1983
16. Harry Belafonte - The Jack-Ass Song - Calypso
17. Braille Stars - Dream Totem - Golden Dream
18. Bessie Smith - Trombone Cholly - Bessie Smith: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3
19. Subtonix - Ashtray Girl - Tarantism
20. Essential Logic - Aerosol Burns - Fanfare In The Garden (disc one)
1. Antietam - 509 - Scraps
2. Keith Tippett Group - This is what happens - Dedicated To You But You Weren't Listening
3. J Neo Marvin & the Content Providers - Late Night - Covers Session
4. Soft Machine - Moon In June - The Peel Sessions
5. Can - Bring Me Coffee Or Tea - Tago Mago
6. Ut - HomeBled - In Gut's House
7. The Adverts - Safety In Numbers - The Punk Singles Collection
8. The Zeros - They Say That (Everything's Alright) - Don't Push Me Around
9. Citizens Here and Abroad - Enter the Elevator - Ghosts of Tables and Chairs
10. The Crabs - Sand and Sea - The Sand & Sea
11. Linda Smith - You Changed - Emily's House
12. K. McCarty - Golly Gee - Dead Dog's Eyeball: Songs of Daniel Johnston
13. Incredible String Band - Astral Plane Theme - U
14. Dangerous Birds - Smile On Your Face - Typical Girls Bootleg CD Vol. 2
15. John Fahey - Sligo Mud - The Best of John Fahey, Vol. 2: 1964-1983
16. Harry Belafonte - The Jack-Ass Song - Calypso
17. Braille Stars - Dream Totem - Golden Dream
18. Bessie Smith - Trombone Cholly - Bessie Smith: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3
19. Subtonix - Ashtray Girl - Tarantism
20. Essential Logic - Aerosol Burns - Fanfare In The Garden (disc one)
Saturday, October 7th, 2006 11:11 PM PDT
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20, SEPT. 2006
We were offline for a week, so it's late! But here it is for your enjoyment:
1. Ana Da Silva - Climbing Walls - The Lighthouse
2. Neil Young - Let's Impeach the President - Living With War (Gee, you guys aren't tired of this yet, are you? Sign of the times indeed...)
3. Antietam - 509 - Scraps
4. Eux Autres - The Sundance Kid - Hell Is Eux Autres
5. Mini-Jacket - Shapeshifted - The Band June - Demo
6. Systemwide featuring Dr. Israel - Crisis Time - Pure And Applied
7. Soft Machine - Moon In June - The Peel Sessions
8. Bonzo Dog Band - Rhinocratic Oaths - The Best of the Bonzo Dog Band
9. Ninety Nine - Mesopotamia - 180 Degrees
10. Captain Sensible - The Man Who's Gotten Everything?/Our Souls To You - A Sides (Part One 1979-1982)
11. Automat - Third Beach - Happy Trials
12. Peter B & Friends - Kirtan Got Soul - Peter B's Birthday Party
13. The Fall - Bill is Dead - Extricate
14. The Blame - Wagons And Boys - The Blame
15. Shine Cherries - Atmosphere - Shine Cherries
16. J Neo Marvin and The Content Providers - Primate House (1731 11th Ave.) - What is Truth?
17. Mutants - Furniture - Fun Terminal
18. Young Marble Giants - Wurlitzer Jukebox - Colossal Youth
19. Spurs of the Moment - Mom - Various Artists: Guess Who This Is
20. Sun Ra and His Astro Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra - Images - Space Is the Place
1. Ana Da Silva - Climbing Walls - The Lighthouse
2. Neil Young - Let's Impeach the President - Living With War (Gee, you guys aren't tired of this yet, are you? Sign of the times indeed...)
3. Antietam - 509 - Scraps
4. Eux Autres - The Sundance Kid - Hell Is Eux Autres
5. Mini-Jacket - Shapeshifted - The Band June - Demo
6. Systemwide featuring Dr. Israel - Crisis Time - Pure And Applied
7. Soft Machine - Moon In June - The Peel Sessions
8. Bonzo Dog Band - Rhinocratic Oaths - The Best of the Bonzo Dog Band
9. Ninety Nine - Mesopotamia - 180 Degrees
10. Captain Sensible - The Man Who's Gotten Everything?/Our Souls To You - A Sides (Part One 1979-1982)
11. Automat - Third Beach - Happy Trials
12. Peter B & Friends - Kirtan Got Soul - Peter B's Birthday Party
13. The Fall - Bill is Dead - Extricate
14. The Blame - Wagons And Boys - The Blame
15. Shine Cherries - Atmosphere - Shine Cherries
16. J Neo Marvin and The Content Providers - Primate House (1731 11th Ave.) - What is Truth?
17. Mutants - Furniture - Fun Terminal
18. Young Marble Giants - Wurlitzer Jukebox - Colossal Youth
19. Spurs of the Moment - Mom - Various Artists: Guess Who This Is
20. Sun Ra and His Astro Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra - Images - Space Is the Place
Friday, September 1st, 2006 12:19 AM PDT
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20, AUGUST 2006
1. Scrawl - Don't We Always Get There? - nature film
2. Girls at Our Best - Getting Nowhere Fast - Pleasure
3. Delta 5 - Shadow - Singles & Sessions 1979-81
4. Petra Haden - I Can See for Miles - Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out
5. Prolapse - Zen Nun Deb - Backsaturday
6. The Rolling Stones - Shake Your Hips - Exile On Main Street
7. Booker T. & the MG's - Hang 'Em High - The Very Best of Booker T. & the MG's
8. Au Pairs - Armagh - Equal But Different - BBC Sessions 1979-1981
9. Tall Dwarfs - Nothing's Going To Happen - The Short And Sick Of It
10. Yo La Tengo - Tighten Up - Yo La Tengo Is Murdering The Classics!
11. Various Artists - Inspector J From Delhi - Bombay The Hard Way: Guns, Cars And Sitars
12. Soft Machine - Moon In June - The Peel Sessions
13. Tom Verlaine - Saucer Crash - Warm and Cool
14. Dennis Brown - I Am The Conqueror - Money in My Pocket: Anthology 1970-1995
15. Cat Power - Willie - The Greatest
16. Bettie Black - I'm Nobody's Dog - Mega
17. Barbara Manning and the Go-Luckys! - Marcus Leid - Transatlantic Trips
18. Crashing Dreams - Paint The Town Red - Minimum To Exist
19. The Window Shoppers - This Government - Clear Your Dirt
20. Love - Mushroom Clouds - Love
2. Girls at Our Best - Getting Nowhere Fast - Pleasure
3. Delta 5 - Shadow - Singles & Sessions 1979-81
4. Petra Haden - I Can See for Miles - Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out
5. Prolapse - Zen Nun Deb - Backsaturday
6. The Rolling Stones - Shake Your Hips - Exile On Main Street
7. Booker T. & the MG's - Hang 'Em High - The Very Best of Booker T. & the MG's
8. Au Pairs - Armagh - Equal But Different - BBC Sessions 1979-1981
9. Tall Dwarfs - Nothing's Going To Happen - The Short And Sick Of It
10. Yo La Tengo - Tighten Up - Yo La Tengo Is Murdering The Classics!
11. Various Artists - Inspector J From Delhi - Bombay The Hard Way: Guns, Cars And Sitars
12. Soft Machine - Moon In June - The Peel Sessions
13. Tom Verlaine - Saucer Crash - Warm and Cool
14. Dennis Brown - I Am The Conqueror - Money in My Pocket: Anthology 1970-1995
15. Cat Power - Willie - The Greatest
16. Bettie Black - I'm Nobody's Dog - Mega
17. Barbara Manning and the Go-Luckys! - Marcus Leid - Transatlantic Trips
18. Crashing Dreams - Paint The Town Red - Minimum To Exist
19. The Window Shoppers - This Government - Clear Your Dirt
20. Love - Mushroom Clouds - Love
Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 12:28 PM PDT
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20, JULY 2006
1. Neil Young - Let's Impeach the President - Living With War
2. Elevation - Busstop - Neotext
3. Sleater-Kinney - Entertain - The Woods
4. J Neo Marvin & the Content Providers - You Of All People - Freedom Fried
5. The Monkees - Zor And Zam - The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees
6. Blue Orchids - A Year With No Head - The Greatest Hit (Money Mountain)
7. Terese Taylor - Chief Letters - Clothes We Wore Before We Were Married
8. Kevin Ayers - Religious Experience (Singing a Song in the Morning) Featuring Syd Barrett - Joy Of A Toy
9. Stereolab - High Expectation - Switched On
10. X-tal - Long Dark Night - Who Owns Our Dreams?
11. Television Personalities - I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives - And Don't the Kids Just Love It
12. Shine Cherries - Mosquito - Shine Cherries
13. Penetration - Silent Community - Moving Targets
14. Mecca Normal - 1922 - The Observer
15. Ana Da Silva - Climbing Walls - The Lighthouse
16. Love Is Chemicals - Misery Card - Love is Chemicals
17. LiLiPUT - U - LiLiPUT
18. John Lennon - Nobody Told Me - Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon
19. George Harrison - Guru Vandana - Wonderwall Music
20. Avengers - The Good The Bad And The Kowalskis - Died For Your Sins
2. Elevation - Busstop - Neotext
3. Sleater-Kinney - Entertain - The Woods
4. J Neo Marvin & the Content Providers - You Of All People - Freedom Fried
5. The Monkees - Zor And Zam - The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees
6. Blue Orchids - A Year With No Head - The Greatest Hit (Money Mountain)
7. Terese Taylor - Chief Letters - Clothes We Wore Before We Were Married
8. Kevin Ayers - Religious Experience (Singing a Song in the Morning) Featuring Syd Barrett - Joy Of A Toy
9. Stereolab - High Expectation - Switched On
10. X-tal - Long Dark Night - Who Owns Our Dreams?
11. Television Personalities - I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives - And Don't the Kids Just Love It
12. Shine Cherries - Mosquito - Shine Cherries
13. Penetration - Silent Community - Moving Targets
14. Mecca Normal - 1922 - The Observer
15. Ana Da Silva - Climbing Walls - The Lighthouse
16. Love Is Chemicals - Misery Card - Love is Chemicals
17. LiLiPUT - U - LiLiPUT
18. John Lennon - Nobody Told Me - Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon
19. George Harrison - Guru Vandana - Wonderwall Music
20. Avengers - The Good The Bad And The Kowalskis - Died For Your Sins
Tuesday, July 11th, 2006 10:46 PM PDT
Interstellar Overdrive
Last Friday, diabetes complications claimed the life of the great tragic genius, Syd Barrett, who had been living as a recluse for over 30 years. It has been said that he lived a life of quiet contentment and had found peace with himself by wiping away all memory of his brief, legendary career, but I've never been one of those who believed that pretending something never happened can ever truly make it go away. Syd's story was a very sad one, though at least most people had the good manners to respect his privacy. It's a shame he never was able to accept how much his music moved so many people. It might have helped him make peace with his past.
I first heard The Madcap Laughs as a teenager, and it's probably not an exaggeration to say it changed my life. The fragility of the music barely hid the absolute mastery of melody and structure within. The lyrics and singing were sometimes as whimsical and sweet as the Kinks, yet could veer into utter incoherent terror at any moment. As a portrait of a brilliant mind struggling valiantly against its own fragmentation, it may be one of the most moving collections of music ever recorded. I learned every song on guitar, playing along with every faltering moment. I hope some of the best of it rubbed off on me somewhere along the line.
Here is an mp3 of J Neo Marvin & The Content Providers covering "Late Night", recorded last year at the Wally Sound. The band was myself, Davis Jones, Steve Abbate, and Heiko Bachmann. I hoped we conveyed a little bit of Syd's soul in our own way and did justice to one of my all-time favorite songs.
Bon voyage, Roger Keith Barrett. I hope someone will tend your garden while you're gone.
I first heard The Madcap Laughs as a teenager, and it's probably not an exaggeration to say it changed my life. The fragility of the music barely hid the absolute mastery of melody and structure within. The lyrics and singing were sometimes as whimsical and sweet as the Kinks, yet could veer into utter incoherent terror at any moment. As a portrait of a brilliant mind struggling valiantly against its own fragmentation, it may be one of the most moving collections of music ever recorded. I learned every song on guitar, playing along with every faltering moment. I hope some of the best of it rubbed off on me somewhere along the line.
Here is an mp3 of J Neo Marvin & The Content Providers covering "Late Night", recorded last year at the Wally Sound. The band was myself, Davis Jones, Steve Abbate, and Heiko Bachmann. I hoped we conveyed a little bit of Syd's soul in our own way and did justice to one of my all-time favorite songs.
Bon voyage, Roger Keith Barrett. I hope someone will tend your garden while you're gone.
Saturday, July 1st, 2006 11:15 AM PDT
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 20: JUNE 2006
Chosen, as usual by our listeners. For no particular reason I said to myself, why 10? Why not 20? So here it is.
1. Linda Smith - I see your face - Nothing Else Matters
2. Gregory Isaacs - Extra Classic - Extra Classic
3. Beach Boys - H.E.L.P. Is On The Way - Landlocked-
4. Love - Seven & Seven Is - Da Capo (Get well, Arthur!)
5. Busi Mhlongo - Izinziswa - Only The Poorman Feel It
6. X-tal - Long Dark Night - Who Owns Our Dreams?
7. Robert Wyatt - Forest - Cuckooland
8. Y Pants - Magnetic Attraction - Y Pants
9. Mike Appelstein - Central Station - Oda King Made This Dress
10. The Go-Betweens - Cattle and Cane - Before Hollywood (We're all missing Grant, aren't we?)
11. Slumber Party - I'm an Example - Slumber Party
12. Link Wray - Raw-Hide - Rumble! The Best of Link Wray
13. Deerhoof - You Can See - The Runners Four
14. Nik Phelps & The Sprocket Ensemble - Askin' for Trouble - Fetch!
15. Kendra Smith - Valley Of The Morning Sun - Five Ways of Disappearing
16. Augustus Pablo - Memories Of The Ghetto - East Of The River Nile
17. Leonard Cohen - Democracy - Essential Leonard Cohen
18. John Cale - China Sea - The Island Years
19. Sister Double Happiness - On the Beach - Sister Double Happiness
20. Mekons - Alone and Forsaken - The Edge of the World
An interesting selection. Keep those votes coming.
1. Linda Smith - I see your face - Nothing Else Matters
2. Gregory Isaacs - Extra Classic - Extra Classic
3. Beach Boys - H.E.L.P. Is On The Way - Landlocked-
4. Love - Seven & Seven Is - Da Capo (Get well, Arthur!)
5. Busi Mhlongo - Izinziswa - Only The Poorman Feel It
6. X-tal - Long Dark Night - Who Owns Our Dreams?
7. Robert Wyatt - Forest - Cuckooland
8. Y Pants - Magnetic Attraction - Y Pants
9. Mike Appelstein - Central Station - Oda King Made This Dress
10. The Go-Betweens - Cattle and Cane - Before Hollywood (We're all missing Grant, aren't we?)
11. Slumber Party - I'm an Example - Slumber Party
12. Link Wray - Raw-Hide - Rumble! The Best of Link Wray
13. Deerhoof - You Can See - The Runners Four
14. Nik Phelps & The Sprocket Ensemble - Askin' for Trouble - Fetch!
15. Kendra Smith - Valley Of The Morning Sun - Five Ways of Disappearing
16. Augustus Pablo - Memories Of The Ghetto - East Of The River Nile
17. Leonard Cohen - Democracy - Essential Leonard Cohen
18. John Cale - China Sea - The Island Years
19. Sister Double Happiness - On the Beach - Sister Double Happiness
20. Mekons - Alone and Forsaken - The Edge of the World
An interesting selection. Keep those votes coming.
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006 7:40 PM PDT
EAR CANDLE RADIO'S TOP 10, APRIL 2006
Interesting chart this month. Pearl is an artist that Davis and I met through myspace. Her CD single is an urgent bit of hip-hop journalism that slams the maliciously inept response to the destruction of New Orleans. I figured it deserved to be heard on the station. Obviously it hit a nerve.
1. Pearl Burrell - Somebody Help Me - Somebody Help Me: Hurricane Katrina Disaster
2. Roky Erickson - We Sell Soul (The Spades) - I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology
3. The Ramones - I Want You Around - Hey! Ho! Let's Go: The Anthology
4. J Neo Marvin and The Content Providers - Fiscal Year Zero (Charge of the Lite Brigade) - What is Truth?
5. Eleventh Dream Day - Bagdad's Last Ride - Beet
6. Neil Young - Let's Impeach the President - Living With War
7. LiLiPUT - U - LiLiPUT
8. Quasi - Death Culture Blues - When The Going Gets Dark
9. Spearhead - Wayfarin' Stranger - Chocolate Supa Highway
10. Penetration - Lovers of Outrage - Moving Targets
1. Pearl Burrell - Somebody Help Me - Somebody Help Me: Hurricane Katrina Disaster
2. Roky Erickson - We Sell Soul (The Spades) - I Have Always Been Here Before: The Roky Erickson Anthology
3. The Ramones - I Want You Around - Hey! Ho! Let's Go: The Anthology
4. J Neo Marvin and The Content Providers - Fiscal Year Zero (Charge of the Lite Brigade) - What is Truth?
5. Eleventh Dream Day - Bagdad's Last Ride - Beet
6. Neil Young - Let's Impeach the President - Living With War
7. LiLiPUT - U - LiLiPUT
8. Quasi - Death Culture Blues - When The Going Gets Dark
9. Spearhead - Wayfarin' Stranger - Chocolate Supa Highway
10. Penetration - Lovers of Outrage - Moving Targets
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006 7:26 AM PDT
YOUSPACE/MYTUBE
Found out the other day that I'm even more of a late bloomer than Leonard Cohen. Cohen put out his first album when he was 31; when X-tal's first album came out, I was (gulp) 32. Let's just say I was "collecting valuable life experience" in my twenties, and leave it at that.
Anyway, late bloomer that I am, I only just took notice of this whole myspace thing the kids are into these days. Yet another competitor to the likes of Friendster, Tribe, etc., Myspace has certain features that bands and music fiends have been taking advantage of for a while now (band pages that hold four songs plus room for videos, photos, a blog, a gig calendar; as well as the whole "friend collecting" aspect, which makes for a nice colorful, personalized way to compile a mailing list), which has caused it to stretch into something a bit bigger and more, dare I say it, important than what was probably its original purpose: yet another vehicle for teenagers to make small talk and swingers to hook up. It's already starting to become a cliche to talk about "crappy bands with their myspace pages", but hey, anything that is cool and practical for musicians is bound to draw crappy bands. You'll just have to be discerning and dig a little bit more. It's worth the trouble.
So we've jumped on the old bandwagon ourselves. I now have my own personal myspace page, as does Davis. We also have one for the Experimental Bunnies, which contains some great sound and video clips. (We'll put up one for the Blame as well, once we amass some more material!) Not only do bands have pages, but also there are some enterprising souls who create fan pages for their favorite artists, so I am now able to include the likes of Sun Ra, Captain Beefheart, the Monkees, and Robert Wyatt among my friends. Pretty cool.
Lately, our actual friend and collaborator Steve has been e-mailing some amazing stuff from Youtube, another trendy site that allows people to upload and share video clips, and as a result, has grown from the predictable "America's Funniest Home Videos" showcasing of cute pets, kids falling down and guys getting hit in the balls to a treasure chest of extremely rare and cool shit. I ended up spending way too much time last night poking through the Youtube search engine to see what I could dig up.
A few of my current favorites:
A highly disgruntled Robert Wyatt (after being told that the sight of a singer in a wheelchair would be too depressing for TV) performing "I'm A Believer" on Top Of The Pops.
A really early and very psychedelic Soft Machine clip of Kevin Ayers singing "We Know What You Mean" on some TV show.
A German documentary about "women in rock" from around 1980 with some great Slits footage and brief glimpses of the Au Pairs and Girlschool.
The Beach Boys on the Mike Douglas show doing their cover of a Charles Manson song.
A Velvet Underground/Lawrence Welk mashup that has to be seen to be believed. You'll fall on the floor, I swear.
Warning: this becomes highly addictive. I'm merely scratching the surface of what's available here. Don't say I never did anything for you!
Anyway, late bloomer that I am, I only just took notice of this whole myspace thing the kids are into these days. Yet another competitor to the likes of Friendster, Tribe, etc., Myspace has certain features that bands and music fiends have been taking advantage of for a while now (band pages that hold four songs plus room for videos, photos, a blog, a gig calendar; as well as the whole "friend collecting" aspect, which makes for a nice colorful, personalized way to compile a mailing list), which has caused it to stretch into something a bit bigger and more, dare I say it, important than what was probably its original purpose: yet another vehicle for teenagers to make small talk and swingers to hook up. It's already starting to become a cliche to talk about "crappy bands with their myspace pages", but hey, anything that is cool and practical for musicians is bound to draw crappy bands. You'll just have to be discerning and dig a little bit more. It's worth the trouble.
So we've jumped on the old bandwagon ourselves. I now have my own personal myspace page, as does Davis. We also have one for the Experimental Bunnies, which contains some great sound and video clips. (We'll put up one for the Blame as well, once we amass some more material!) Not only do bands have pages, but also there are some enterprising souls who create fan pages for their favorite artists, so I am now able to include the likes of Sun Ra, Captain Beefheart, the Monkees, and Robert Wyatt among my friends. Pretty cool.
Lately, our actual friend and collaborator Steve has been e-mailing some amazing stuff from Youtube, another trendy site that allows people to upload and share video clips, and as a result, has grown from the predictable "America's Funniest Home Videos" showcasing of cute pets, kids falling down and guys getting hit in the balls to a treasure chest of extremely rare and cool shit. I ended up spending way too much time last night poking through the Youtube search engine to see what I could dig up.
A few of my current favorites:
A highly disgruntled Robert Wyatt (after being told that the sight of a singer in a wheelchair would be too depressing for TV) performing "I'm A Believer" on Top Of The Pops.
A really early and very psychedelic Soft Machine clip of Kevin Ayers singing "We Know What You Mean" on some TV show.
A German documentary about "women in rock" from around 1980 with some great Slits footage and brief glimpses of the Au Pairs and Girlschool.
The Beach Boys on the Mike Douglas show doing their cover of a Charles Manson song.
A Velvet Underground/Lawrence Welk mashup that has to be seen to be believed. You'll fall on the floor, I swear.
Warning: this becomes highly addictive. I'm merely scratching the surface of what's available here. Don't say I never did anything for you!
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006 12:47 AM PDT
WE DIG REPETITION
I'd say it was $20 well spent. The newest lineup of the Fall did what they needed to do, bashing out those brutally emphatic riffs while wizened enigma MES strolled around the stage, barking out his ever-more-fragmented lyrics, fidgeting perversely with mikes and mike stands, and creating impromptu dub mixes by fiddling with everyone's amps. "Mountain" and "What About Us" were particularly crackling. Whatever the state of Mark E. Smith's mind may be, he delivered tonight.
The night before, the Experimental Bunnies performed live for the first time at Noc Noc. Pretty successful. One regular thought we sounded like Hawkwind. Guess I'd better check them out.
The night before, the Experimental Bunnies performed live for the first time at Noc Noc. Pretty successful. One regular thought we sounded like Hawkwind. Guess I'd better check them out.
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