Friday, April 30, 2010

Playlist for 4-29-10

Hey folks,

I'm rocking some pretty sociopathic hygiene today. Went out to see the Antlers at the Detroit Bar last night, and decided getting a little more sleep this morning was more important than showering or how my coworkers thing I smell. So it goes.

Thanks to everyone who donated during this last TtAS of KUCI's Fund Drive. If you still haven't donated to KUCI, you have until May 3rd. Any amount, however small, is appreciated. Head on over to KUCI.ORG for details.

The music we play:

Things that Are Square 4-29-10

(*) = New release

Tullycraft - Polaroids From Mars - Disenchanted Hearts Unite

Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Rent a Wreck - #3
(*) Fang Island - Life Coach - Fang Island
Stephen Malkmus - The Hook - Stephen Malkmus

Treepeople - Big Mouth Strikes Again - Something Vicious for Tomorrow/Time Whore
Trembling Bells - The End Is the Beginning Born Knowing - Carbeth
Q and Not U - Soft Pyramids - Different Damage

Les Savy Fav - Adopduction - Go Forth
Hymie's Basement - You Die - Hymie's Basement
(*) Avi Buffalo - What's In It For? - Avi Buffalo

Sufjan Stevens - Ring Them Bills - I'm Not There
Vic Chesnutt - Bug - West of Rome
Calvin Johnson & the Sons of the Soil - Love Travels Faster - Calvin Johnson & The Sons of the Soil

Menomena - Cough Coughing - I Am the Fun Blame Monster
(*) Owen Pallett - The Great Elsewhere - Heartland
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Roberta C. - Twinkle Echo
(*) Small Black - Despicable Dogs - EP

(*) Antn Hrkwk - Jockey Jams - Thoroughbred
The Modern Lovers - Someone I Care About - The Modern Lovers
(*) The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt - The Wild Hunt
(*) Horse Feathers - Thistled Spring - Thistled Spring

The Antlers - Kettering - Hospice
The Mountain Goats - Genesis 30: 3 - The Life of the World to Come

Fujiya & Miyagi - Collarbone - Transparent Things

Thursday, April 29, 2010

I know what you want, and I'm never gonna give it to you



Frankly, I'm almost relieved that the video for Owen Pallett-née-Final Fantasy's "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt" isn't as amazing as the song. That much awesome in one place would probably explode my brain.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Feel good music about the death of loved ones



Anyone going to the Antlers show at Detroit Bar tomorrow night?

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

These jackasses HAVE to come to SoCal SOMEDAY, right?

Monday, April 26, 2010

Mix CD: Self Test

The last mix-cd assignment was to answer various questions via songs. Here is the result.


So, I'm kind of amused how foolishly eclectic this mix is. I guarantee it's the first mix ever to have both Mi Ami and Jeffries Fan Club on it. Fact.

Download it here.

1. First concert ever: Rush - Tom Sawyer
So, I'm not sure how it is in other places, but a lot of the dudes in my high school marching band were way into prog rock. I think it's that sort of "we are musicians, we want to listen to the most technically impressive music we can find." So, a couple of us went and saw Rush at the Forum on their "Test for Echo" tour when we were 15-17. I was very possibly the youngest person in the entire venue. Also, because it was in the bad part of LA, my friend Danny's dad paid for us to have a van take us there (but then learned that for a very small amount more, we could go in the lower-end limo). So, four high school band nerds in ill-fitting flannel (1996) got out of a limo in front of the Forum.

2. Current favorite song: Captain Ahab - I Don't Have A Dick
Under my musical interests on Facebook, I have "current best song in the universe," where I put the last song that really rung my bell. This is what's currently holding that spot.

3. My UFC entrance music: The Blood Brothers - Crimes
My roommate and I watch a lot of UFC, which a lot of people find surprising about me considering I own more Belle and Sebastian albums than you do and have read Pride and Prejudice. Anyway. Most dudes come out to total bro-metal, but every so often, someone will come out to something like Michael Jackson, and we think it's rad. The idea of entering into a fight to something decidedly un-manly is amazing. This song sounds foreboding and scary (which is good), but is also really "faggy." It'd be awesome.

4. Band whose poster I had in high school: Marilyn Manson - I Put A Spell On You
I used to love Marilyn Manson, and definitely had a Hot Topic-purchased poster up on my wall, held in place by that blue sticky crap that fucks up the corners of your posters and then never comes off the wall.

5. Last CD I bought: Mi Ami - Slow
As of right now, this is my favorite album of 2010. Mi Ami sounds like Can living in a neon junkyard. It's amazing.

6. Favorite song with "love" in the title: Spiritualized - I Think I'm In Love
At least right now it is.

7. Song I want played at my wedding: Sparklehorse with the Flaming Lips - Go
I've tried to get two separate couples to have this song at their wedding, and only one of them seemed really interesting. I don't think either used it, though. Daniel Johnston lyrics are awesome, romantically, but you're gonna need to find a cover to make sure you don't weird out your aunt.

8. First show ever: Jeffries Fan Club - Wish You Weren't Here
So, Rush was my first concert, but Jeffries Fan Club at the UC Riverside venue "The Barn" was my first "show." I listened to a ton of ska in high school, and my friend JR and I really latched on to THIS band for some reason. I think because they were local and we talked to their manager on AOL and such so they felt more connected to us. They sure as shit weren't as good as other ska bands we liked. Anyway, my mom drove JR, me, and this girl named Stacey I had a crush on out to the venue (about 40 minutes away). I kind of sort of tried to "skank" to the music, and JR and Stacey, who didn't know each other, stood behind me not talking to each other. It was awkward. Anyway...

9. Song I lost my virginity to: Elliott Smith - Sweet Adeline
Well, it probably wasn't the FIRST song on "XO," because you know, you got making out first and such. But, if we're being honest, it was probably before the end of "Independence Day," you know?

10. Album that changed my life: The Aquabats - Playdough
Mike Suh gave me a bootleg copy of "Return of the Aquabats" one day before freshman-year bio. He made it seem like we had talked about the Aquabats before, and that I had asked for the tape, but I really don't remember that. I do remember wearing that fucking tape out though. I had to have listened to it 1000 times. It was the first time I had ever heard ska, really, and it was the first time I ever really heard something that I thought was good that I didn't hear first on KROQ. So I became aware that there are good things that aren't on the radio, and I had to find more. And anyone who knows me knows how THAT quest turned out.

11. Great songwriting: The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
Lyrically, the Goats cannot be beat for me. And, as a big fan of narrative songs, this song's story of dark age burning at the stake is really engaging and amazing, not to mention written with evocative imagery. And the way Mr. Darnielle sings it with that "vocals bordering on unhinged" really adds a sense of excitement to the song. And in addition to the lyrical meaning of the song, the message of pride/confidence/strength in the face of overwhelming adversity and ignorance is something we can all use a little of.

12. Last concert I went to: Emperor X - Everyone In Jacksonville
Sam put on one of his Acrobatics Everday shows in the 24-hour lobby of an Irvine post office. It was, very remarkably, not broken up by cops. Additionally, both bands (Emperor X and Rare Grooves) both were amazing. Then we went over to Emily's house, drank beers, saw the trailer to a traumatizing horror movie, and discussed other topics of the day.

13. First album I bought: Crash Test Dummies - God Shuffled His Feet
If we're being honest, I bought a couple "Weird" Al Yankovic tapes and CD before I got this album, but this was the first like...."real music" album I bought. It was probably early in 8th grade (when I really started to listen to music). I was so excited about it. I brought it with me when I went out to Palm Springs with my friend Dustin, but he didn't really want to listen to it. We listened to the Violent Femmes, though, while driving around in his dad's golf cart, which I liked.

14. Favorite song with "Death" in the title: The Mountain Goats - The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton
Another Mountain Goats song, you say? Well, honestly, I could have put the Mountain Goats for most of this mix if I really wanted to. Also: this song is awesome forever.

15. Song to make me feel shittier: Bright Eyes - Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love And Be Loved)
This song makes me cry a lot. But, that's because I often cry to songs that have overt outpourings of emotion. Like, due to depression, I kind of keep myself semi-numb to avoid feeling shitty, and when faced with really strong emotion (or movie trailers, oftentimes, oddly enough), I just kind of can't handle it and start crying. But, this song has also cheered me up, as well. I'm a complicated man, folks.

16. Great songwriting: Tom Waits - Christmas Card From a Hooker In Minneapolis
I know I already answered this question, but this song is such a perfect little short story that I couldn't bare to exclude it.

17. Song I want at my funeral: Calexico/Iron & Wine - Dead Man's Will
I've thought about this question a lot, actually. This song is topically appropriate for the occasion, emotionally somber, and lyrically represents the idea that the singer has held on to these small treasures from throughout his life of the people he loved. And now that he's gone, he wants them to know that he valued and cherished these memories and the people who he made them with. I'd want anyone at my funeral to know that I loved them, and I valued the time we had together, even if it were as "inconsequential" as the innocuous items listed.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Do drugs



Seriously. Do them now.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

The Postal Service



I may not know you, but if you missed the Emperor X show that AE put on at the post office last night, you're probably a jerk of some type.

But don't worry. He'll be back in Irvine in May. So you can redeem yourselves.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Playlist for 4-22-10 (FUND DRIVE!)

Good morning, everyone,

Last night I did my first of two FUND DRIVE episodes of the radio show. What's Fund Drive, you ask? Only the most important thing KUCI does all year! It's the only time we interrupt our 24/7, commercial-free music/talk format to ask listeners to help keep us on the air for another year. Help keep public radio alive. Go to KUCI.ORG for more details on how you can support quality radio.

Radio that plays things like:

Things that Are Square 4-22-10

(*) = New release

Akron/Family - River - Set 'Em Wild, Set 'EM Free

Bon Iver - Skinny Love - For Emma, Forever Ago
Okkervil River - Okkervil River Song - Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See
Mirah - Monument - Advisory Committee

Tex Williams - Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette! - Got a Light, Mac?
Woody Guthrie - Blowin' Down the Road (I Ain't Going to Be TreatedThis Way) - Dust Bowl Ballads
The Mountain Goats - The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton - AllHail West Texas

(*) Owen Pallett - Lewis Takes Off His Shirt - Heartland
(*) Jónsi - Sinking Friendships - Go
(*) Caribou - Bowls - Swim

(*) Captain Ahab - The Calm Before the Sword - The End of Irony
OCDJ - Smoke My Cheese - Hooray
(*) Fang Island - Careful Crossers - Fang Island

(*) Los Campesinos! - A Heat Rash in the Shape of the Show Me State, Or, Letters From Me to Charlotte - Romance Is Boring
The King Khan & BBQ Show - I'll Be Loving You - Invisble Girl
The Sonics - Do You Love Me - Here Are The Sonics!!!

(*) The Splinters - Mysterious - Kick
Dead Kennedys - California Über Alles - Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death
The Fall - Totally Wired - 50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong
Calvin Johnson - Lightin' Rod for Jesus - What Was Me

(*) Xiu Xiu - This Too Shall Pass Away (For Freddy) - Dear God, I Hate Myself
Man Man - Spider Cider - Six Demon Bag
Herman Düne - I Wish that I Could See You Soon - Giant
Islands - Rough Gem - Return to the Sea

Kimya Dawson - My Rollercoaster - Remember that I Love You

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

I agree! Oh wait.....not anymore

Billy Hughes & His Buckaroos - Atomic Sermon


Sorry, I'm still just listening to old-school country music. Buzzola puts out these sort of....vintage/themed albums. This track is from "Like an Atom Bomb: Apocalyptic Songs from the Cold War Era" (a time period I'm really fascinated with), and that last country song was from "Got a Light, Mac?:Vintage Songs About Smoking 1926-1954" (because I'm super interested in old social attitudes. That's why I love old racist commercial art. It blows my mind what you used to be able to get away with).

Anyway. Please continue kicking ass. That is all.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

A salute to Spike Jonze

So, the video for LCD Soundystem's "Drunk Girls" has been released, off their alleged final album. And while the song makes me worried that they won't be going out on a strong note, Spike Jonze's video--done in one long take with a team of party-loving prankster pandas--is as fun as ever. Dude knows how to make rad videos. Here are some of my favorites in reverse chronological order so that you can kill time at work today (because I love you/hate productivity)

LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls (2010)


Weezer - Island in the Sun (2002)


Tenacious D - Wonderboy (2000)

Tenacious D - Wonderboy (Official Music Video) - Click here for this week’s top video clips

Fatlip - What's Up, Fatlip? (2000)


Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice (2000)


The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)


Pavement - Shady Lane (1997)


Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet (1995)

Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet
Uploaded by scopitones. - Explore more music videos.

Wax - California (1995)


Beastie Boys - Sabotage (1994)


Dinosaur Jr - Feel the Pain (1994)


And so on, in that fashion.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Life used to be different



I've been listening to a ton of old-school country. Their viewpoints are often different than my own.

Friday, April 16, 2010

I also like that beat, Jonathan



I adore Jonathan Richman. I will be first in line for his 3-night run at DiPiazza's in May. If the world had more romantic/honest/charming/unique musicians...well, I guess it'd make people like Mr. Richman much less of a treasure, but the world'd probably be a better place.

Bonus points for his Little Richard woo!'s

Double bonus points for 12-year-old Conan O'Brien.

Playlist for 4-15-10

Howdy folks,

My triumphant return to the airwaves! After being pre-empted for a 24hr jazz marathon, and then being on vacation to drive cross-country and almost getting killed by a deer in Kansas, I return to rock your ears and other bodyparts. Granted, being out of practice caused me to forget how microphones and such worked, so I just awkwardly batted at the equipment for a good two hours. But at least I played decent music under my simian fumbling.

And I recorded it! DOWNLOAD IT HERE.

Follow along with this playlist

Things that Are Square 4-15-10

(*) = New release

Animal Collective - Graze - Fall Be Kind

(*) Four Tet - Circling - There Is Love in You
The Books - Smells Like Content - Lost and Safe
(*) Jónsi - Grow Till Tall - Go

(*) Captain Ahab - Kill Me - The End of Irony
EAR PWR - Super Animal Bros. III - Super Animals Brothers III
Holy Fuck - Echo Sam - LP
(*) Xiu Xiu - Dear God, I Hate Myself - Dear God, I Hate Myself

(*) Let's Wrestle - We Are the Men You'll Grow to Love Soon - In theCourt of the Wrestling Let's
Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire - Post-Nothing
mclusky - The World Loves Us and Is Our Bitch - mclusky Do Dallas
(*) Fang Island - Daisy - Fang Island

(*) Titus Andronicus - A More Perfect Union - The Monitor
Parts & Labor - The Gold We're Digging - Mapmaker
(*) Double Dagger - Imitation Is the Most Boring Form of Flattery - Masks
(*) Pavement - Gold Soundz - Quarantine the Past

Woods - Rain On - Songs of Shame
(*) Awesome Color - Oaxaca - Massa Hypnosis
Spacemen 3 - May the Circle Be Unbroken - Playing with Fire
(*) Frightened Rabbit - Swim Until You Can't See Land - The Winter ofMixed Drinks

(*) The Splinters - Sea Salt Skin - Kick
(*) Black Tambourine - Dream Baby Dream - Black Tambourine (For Alex in Irvine, CA)
Ugly Casanova - Hotcha Girls - Sharpen Your Teeth
Artichoke - Pretty Vacant - Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the SexPistols by Artichoke

Noah and the Whale - 5 Years Time - Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
Foot Foot - Ancient Twisted Dream - Snaggle and Buck

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Sage advice for free



I love this Endless Bummer tape. You should too. Feel free to pick it up from Life's Blood Records.

Aaaaaannnnd, I AM going out tonight. I'm gonna drink hell of tequila. Wise choices will be made.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Oh hey guys, did I miss anything?



So, I know that everyone and their hip moms already loves this dude/album, but whatever. I'm not perfect and got to the party late.

Some thoughts:

-this song sounds better without shoes on
-that old guitar sounds fantastic
-does Jools Holland come on in the US? He seems to get a ridiculous amount of good musical guests (unless youtube is lying to me)

Monday, April 12, 2010

This album is the only thing preventing me from killing everyone I work with today



Bless you, Woods, you bearded Brooklynite sonsofbitches.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

The unrelenting lure of sunshine girls



This feels like one of those songs it'd be dangerous to listen to while driving. The kind that cause you to suddenly realize you're driving 90 mph and screaming out of the window. That happens to you guys, too, right?

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

I would like an apology



So, I'm currently sitting in the tub in a Pittsburgh hotel, drinking Olympia beers, and watching the Fugazi documentary "Instrument" on my laptop. True. My life is one of adventure and luxury.

Anyway, this Fugazi documentary.....Guy from Fugazi moves like a goddamned cobra on the stage. I haven't seen a frontman as animated and energetic as that in long, long time. It makes me upset that I never got the chance to see Fugazi live. Alas. That's what I get for not being as punk as I should be.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Better than Weird Al's "Yoda"? Discuss