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KUSF Goes Internet Only; Damn Classical Music Takes the Airwaves!

Jan 182011

Lou Reed...The Way His Records Were Meant to Be Filed

Although the University of San Francisco, California website attempts to pitch this with a positive Spinal Tap-style spin, this seems like a bummer for radio listeners in that area who had 90.3 FM programmed on their radio dial, not to mention the DJs, whose work now holds no more value than that cat who does episodes of Saturday Night Shut-In.

The move to online-only distribution gives KUSF a powerful opportunity to grow its worldwide audience. Previously, the station was limited to 100 online listeners at a time, but capacity will be increased to accommodate thousands of listeners.

In the station’s place the airwaves will be filled by a Public Radio station playing long cover tunes, primarily from the 15th through 19th centuries.

Thanks to Townsman dbuskirk, a former KUSF DJ, for passing along this news.

Donnie Kirshner is gone…

Posted by latelydavidband

Jan 182011

We’ve lost Don Kirshner. Now maybe The Archies can play their own instruments.

Read all about the late, great rock impressario here.

Bruce Springsteen Initial Recipient of Rock Town Hall’s Rock Badge of Courage for “Born in the USA”

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 182011

The Boss holsters a la Rambo!

Popular music discussion blog Rock Town Hall has awarded Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen its first-ever Rock Badge of Courage for His heroic efforts to lift “Born in the USA” to the anthemic heights the song required.

The Rock Badge of Courage is the highest artistic decoration awarded by Rock Town Hall, even higher than induction in the Hall’s Foyer of Fame. It is bestowed on musicians who distinguish themselves “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her artistic cred above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against The Man, apathetic bandmates, or any other enemy of The Power & Glory of Rock.”

Although the song “Born in the USA” first saw the “light of day” while being composed for possible inclusion in the Michael J. Fox/Joan Jett movie of the same name, the rocking studio version had yet to be recorded as Bruce and His E Street Band neared completion on their 1984 album. With the band off for Presidents’ Day and The Boss anxious to record this passionate tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War, he took matters into his own hands. For the rhythm track He looped a recording of Max Weinberg‘s kick-and-snare drum check at the old Meadowlands. For the distinctive synth riff He called on the services of His 12-year-old nephew, Nelson, who had recently received a Casio keyboard for Christmas. Bruce played the rest of the tracks and singlehandedly carried the slipshod arrangement on the strength of his lyrics and vocal performance.

Rock Town Hall’s Rock Badge of Courage Commission is accepting nominations for future recipients of this honor.

The Bigger Lovers Reunite

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 182011

Don't worry...

Philadelphia’s The Bigger Lovers, the town’s torchbearers for guitar-pop at the start of the millennium, have reunited for the 10th anniversary reissue of their debut album, 2001’s long-out-of-print How I Learned to Stop Worrying. The remastered vinyl and digital reissue is coming March 8, 2011 on the band’s Miles Above imprint. The digital version will include two bonus tracks. To mark the occasion the band will also release a new Maxi-Single and treat hometown fans to a March 12th show at Johnny Brenda’s. Details on all this good stuff can be found at the band’s website, thebiggerlovers.com.

For a limited time, from now through February 1, the band is offering a free download of “Little Giant,” the lead track from the Maxi-Single. You can download it here. If you find that too troubling, click on the Rock Town Hall Player, below.

[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/The-Bigger-Lovers-Little-Giant.mp3|titles=The Bigger Lovers, “Little Giant”]

The Little Giant Maxi Single, including 4 newly finished tunes (plus a remix), began its life in the 2005 and finally wrapped up with the help of Tony Goddess (singer-guitarist of Papas Fritas). It will be available February 1 through the band’s website and iTunes.

The reunion show at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia will take place on Saturday, March 12. Tickets are available now through the Johnny Brenda’s website. Dennis Diken (Smithereens drummer) and Bell Sound will open.

Trish Keenan of Broadcast Dead

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 142011

Townswoman ladymisskirroyale wrote me before heading off to a busy day at work with the following report:

Ok, I know you were broken up about Gerry Rafferty, but today’s news about the death of Trish Keenan, lead singer of Broadcast, really bums me out. Broadcast has been one of my favorite bands for a long time. They started out as Stereolab wannabees (but without the overtly political lyrics of Laeticia Sadier) and were also highly influenced by The United States of America. (Mr. Royale and I tried to get into The United States of America but had minimal luck; albeit, we sampled only one album. The only similarities that they had were the vocals, maybe a bit. We sold it back.) But Broadcast really started to go in some interesting sonic directions, and I would say that their being labeled “space rock” by others was too reductionistic. Trish Keenen’s vocals were at times chilly (a la Karen Carpenter), but she was singing about very personal things and from a singular perspective. Listen to her sadness on “Illumination” on The Future Crayon. One of my favorite tracks is “Tender Buttons,” off of the Tender Buttons album.

Sony Records Plant Closes, or Why Can’t I Touch It?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 132011

More than Tyco products!

It’s yet one more blip on the radar, but I just read that the Sony (originally Columbia) pressing plant in Pitman, NJ is being shut down. Digital downloads of CDs, DVDs, video games, and—inevitably—bread, milk, and eggs have decreased the need for the plant, meaning the remaining 300 workers, following a layoff of 150 last year, will lose their jobs. My guess is most of them do not have the coding skills necessary to get new jobs in the digital distribution business.

Technology is great. Progress is necessary. Digital downloads have become a welcome addition to my enjoyment and exploration of music. I’m not about to fight any of these things, but I am entitled to a few minutes of reflection on what it meant to me to have had actual record pressing plants in my extended neck of the woods.