Tuesday, September 29, 2009

CJAM Pledge Drive 2009!



This week's program was my annual Pledge Drive show. Once a year CJAM, which is a non-profit campus/community radio station relies on donations to keep the station running strongly for all of it's listeners. This year in particular is a very different kind of Pledge Drive. CJAM will be switching frequencies following the end of the drive and relocating on the 99.1 FM frequency. CJAM has been operating on 91.5 FM for the past 26 years, but due to unprotected status related issues we will require a frequency change. Now CJAM is about to begin a new era, with a new frequency. To do all of this, the station has had to install a new antenna which will result in a stronger signal and more range for it's listeners in some areas. As for the people who listen online, the station is also going to be launching a new comprehensive website, which will be more technologically advanced that the previous website. This will make listening to your favourite CJAM shows easier and faster.

My show this week featured several CJAM DJ's helping out. Adam (of Fear of Music), Clara (of The Washing Machine), and Chris White (of I Am Collecting Beautiful Things), all of which did a great job. My show did not reach its my desired pledge goal, but you can still help out! If you would like to donnate and help out CJAM you can visit the CJAM Website for instructions how to donate online through PayPal and to see the wonderful incentives we offer as a thank you for your donation. Pledge Drive will continue until October 5th at midnight. At that time CJAM will go off the air for good as 91.5 FM and retrun shortly after the installtion of a new antenna as 99.1 FM. The only thing that's changing about CJAM is the frequency, we will still offer the same great programing. Due to this my show will not be broadcasting next week, but check this website for special content.

This Week's Play List:

1. The Stooges - I Wanna Be Your Dog
2. Jay Reatard - Always Wanting More
3. Elvis Costello & The Attractions - The Beat
4. Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Cool N' Out
5. The Mongols - Nautoloid Reef
6. The Spys - Underground

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on September 29th, 2009.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Noise, Noise, Noise...The Story of The Damned & Show # 267


The Damned came together through a pool of musicians that had all been in previous bands in some shape or form. Three of the band members that would be in the original line up of The Damned first played in a group that never played outside of band practices. Masters of the Backside featured Captain Sensible (Raymond Burns), Rat Scabies (Chris Millar), Dave Vanian (David Letts), and Chrissie Hynde. The band who was being managed by future Sex Pistols band manager Malcolm Mclaren, broke up due to management related issues. Chrissie Hynde would go on to form The Pretenders, while the remaining members added Brian James (Brian Robertson) to their ranks. James who was at the time returning to London after playing in a band called The Bastards, joined up briefly with a band that also never played live called London SS. He would leave the group which featured future members of The Clash (Mick Jones) and Generation X (Tony James) to join The Damned. Dave Vanian became the vocalist, Captain Sensible the bassist, Rat Scabies the drummer and Brian James, the guitarist. The name of the band has said to come from a variety of sources, one being the movie The Village of The Damned. The name was also the idea of lead singer Dave Vanian, who would often dress up in a vampiric style. The band played their first live show in 1976 at the 100 Club opening for Sex Pistols. The Damned were influenced by bands such as The Stooges, MC5, New York Dolls, Sex Pistols and others.

Signing to Stiff Records, The Damned recorded New Rose, it was released in late October of 1976. Produced by Nick Lowe, the energetic single was the very first single to be released by a UK Punk act. The B-Side of the single was a cover version of The Beatles song "Help!", played at an accelerated rate. The single sold so well that the initial first pressings of the single were sold out on mail orders alone. In 1977, The Damned released the first UK Punk album ever. Produced by Nick Lowe, the album was titled Damned Damned Damned, the album featured 12 songs (one of which was "New Rose"). The songs bled the spirit of fast paced Rock and Roll. Songs such as "Neat Neat Neat", "Fan Club", "I Fall", and "So Messed Up", all of which were written by guitarist Brian James are good examples of The Damned's style. The only songs that were not written primarily by James were "Stab Your Back" (written by Rat Scabies) and "I Feel Alright" (which was a cover of The Stooges song "1970"). The albums cover featured the band after having a pie fight. The cover is a good representation of the bands music displaying their sense of humour and love of reckless Rock and Roll abandonment. The back cover originally had a misprint on it. What was supposed to be a picture of The Damned playing live, was actually a picture of the band Eddie and the Hotrods. The overall album design is credited to Big Jobs Inc., but it is actually just an alternate name for Barney Bubbles. The album went to # 36 on the UK album charts.


The Damned then joined the infamous Anarchy Tour in the UK with the likes of Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers. The tour which is known for having more cancellations than shows played, did not feature The Damned for long. They would leave the tour and open for T.Rex's last tour. They also set another record for UK Punk by being the first UK Punk band to tour the USA, in turn influencing the beginning of US hardcore with their fast paced shows. When they returned from the USA, The Damned recorded two songs ("Stretcher Case" and "Sick of Being Sick") with legendary producer Shel Talmy. After more touring, The Damned added guitarist Lu Edmunds as a second guitarist and set out to record their second full length album. The album would not be produced by Nick Lowe (he was not available at that time to produce), instead it was produced by Nick Mason of Pink Floyd (originally the band had the intention of using Syd Barrett as producer). The album which is often frowned upon by critics, is actually a well written album which incorporates more intricate guitar parts and song structuring alongside the bands fast paced Punk sound. The album was meant to be different than its highly charged Punk predecessor, it was meant to be their Psychedelic album. It was released in November of 1977.

The issues surrounding the album also helped shape Music For Pleasure. Drummer Rat Scabies wanted to quit the band, but was convinced to stay for the recording, and the band went into the studio with hardly any new music ideas. Despite these issues, the album featured great songs such as "Problem Child", "Don't Cry Wolf", "You Take My Money", "Idiot Box, and "Your Eyes". The album once again contained a large majority of songs penned by Brian James, but it also featured a handful of songs written by and with the assistance of other band members. Music For Pleasure ends with the song "You Know", which features an ending saxophone solo. This ending is somewhat influenced by The Stooges, their album Funhouse ends in a similar fashion. Artwork for the album was done once again by Barney Bubbles, the cover featured versions of each band member in an almost abstract/cartoon form. Since the album also flopped commercially, Stiff Records dropped the band and they broke up.

After the members of the band went out to try other music projects, they decided to reunite. All of the members of The Damned returned with the exception of Brian James. Former bassist Captain Sensible would switch to guitar, and Algy Ward (former bassist in The Saints) became the groups new bassist. For a short period of time, Lemmy of Motorhead filled in on bass and even played some live shows, the band were called The Doomed briefly. When Ward came in, the second era of The Damned began. Signing to Chiswick Records, the band entered a studio to record their third full length album. In April 1979, The Damned released their first single in two years, it was titled "Love Song". The single did very well chart-wise going to #20 on the UK Singles charts. In September The Damned released the single "Smash It Up", the song was banned from BBC 1, due to its lyrical content. The bands full length album would be titled Machine Gun Etiquette. The album differed from The Damned's previous albums, incorporating elements of Garage Rock, Psychedelic, Punk and Pop into the music. The album featured the singles "Love Song", and "Smash It Up", and also other songs such as "Melody Lee", "Noise, Noise, Noise", "Liar" and "Looking At You" (which was a cover of a song originally done by MC5). Machine Gun Etiquette was also recorded at Wessex Studios in 1979, at the same time that The Clash were recording London Calling. As a result, Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of The Clash are featured vocally on the song "Machine Gun Etiquette", but are not credited. The album received good reviews, and went to #31 on the UK album charts.


In 1980, Algy Ward left the group (he would go on to form the band Tank). Paul Gray who had played bass with Eddie and The Hotrods joined as the groups new bass player. The Damned's next album would be a double album, it would also be titled The Black Album. Released in October of 1980, the album featured the band expanding their sound on the song "Curtain Call". The song was 17 minutes and took up the whole third side of the album, when it was released on vinyl. The song ventured into the Gothic music genre. The final side of the album featured four live songs. The album would reach #29 on the UK album charts, it would also be The Damned's last album released on the Chiswick record label. A four song Ep was released in 1981, titled Friday The 13th. It featured four songs (three originals and one cover song). In 1982, The Damned released the album titled Strawberries. It was during this time that Captain Sensible was also involved in a solo career. he would have a hit single in the UK with the song "Happy Talk". Around mid 1984/85, Sensible left the group. During the mid-eighties period, Dave Vanian took over as the core member of the group (he still remains as one of the only original members left with the group). The Damned continued until 1988 (amidst many line up changes), they then broke up yet again.

The Damned released an album in 1985 titled Not of This Earth, and are currently on Nitro Records, which is a label owned by Dexter Holland (of The Offspring). Grave Disorder was released in 2001 and So, Who's Paranoid? in 2008. The band's last album reflected more of a Pop influence, the current line up features Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible, amoung others. All of the Damned's albums up to their 1985 album Phantasmagoria, have been re-issued on CD with bonus tracks. A box set featuring all the recordings with guitarist Brian James was released in 2007 titled Play It At Your Sister. In addition to this a 30th anniversary edtion of Damned Damned Damned was released in april of 2007. This version of the album featured three CD's, which included B-Sides, demos and live recordings.



Next week is CJAM's pledge drive. This year's pledge drive is a little different than past pledge drives. This year will mark the transition from 91.5 FM to 99.1 FM. There are all sorts of incentives that will be available, so there is no reason not to support CJAM. Check cjam.ca for info and pictures of the incentives offered this year. If you would like to make a donnation please read the following information and click the link that follows:

CJAM's annual pledge drive will coincide the final week of broadcasting at 91.5FM and we will be bringing you some additional special programming and events commemorating over 25 years of FM on the frequency.

This year's drive will begin on Friday September 25 and conclude Monday October 5th. But you don't have to wait to donate! Pledge and donate online through CJAM's Website!

The Play List:

1. The D4 - What I Want
2. Lime Spiders - 25th Hour
3. The Misfits - Some Kinda Hate
4. Gentlemen of Horror - Rough Hike
5. The Spores - Shopping Binge
6. The Action - Down Town Boys
7. The Action - Success Without College
8. The Hellacopters - Ain't No Time
9. Wylde Rattz - TV Eye
10. Awesome Color - Ridin'
11. Pluto - Paste
12. Thrush Hermit - Radio Blaster
13. Barracudas - I Can't Pretend
14. Jerry Nolan - Pretty Baby
15. King Khan & BBQ Show - Waddlin' Around
16. The Forty-Fives - Shake
17. The Gun Club - Preachin' The Blues
18. Nervous Shakes - Be A Man
19. Television - Fire Engine (1975 Demo)
20. Sloan - I've Gotta Try
21. Johnny Thunders - Leave Me Alone
22. The Damned - New Rose
23. The Damned - One Way Love
24. Luger Boa - Only A Moment Away

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on September 22nd, 2009.

Damned Videos:

New Rose (1976 Promo Video)
Neat Neat Neat (Live 1977)
Problem Child (Live 1977)
Fan Club (Live 1978)
Love Song (TOTP 1979)
Smash It Up (1979 Promo Video)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Humbug & Show # 266


Today's program showcased two tracks from the newest release by Arctic Monkeys. The songs come from the bands third full length album which is titled Humbug. The album differs from the bands other two albums for a variety of reasons. For one, a large majority the album was produced and recorded by Josh Homme (of Queens of the Stone Age) at his own Joshua Tree Studios in California. The band also recorded songs with producer James Ford, three of which are featured on Humbug ("My Propeller", "Secret Door", and "Cornerstone"). Secondly the music reflects a darker more aggressive version of the band (even more so than on their album Your Favourite Worst Nightmare). Despite the differences that may be described about the album, Humbug shows a band evolving while drawing on different musical differences.

Another thing featured on today's program was a performance that The Clash did on a French TV show in 1977. On the program they played "Complete Control", "1977" and did an interview. What's interesting and unique about the performances on this program is that the versions of "Complete Control" and "1977" are early versions of the songs. The guitars on "Complete Control" in particular, feature barely no distortion and the band as a result comes off sounding like an early 60's Garage Rock band. A rare glimpse at The Clash in their early days. The Video is posted below:




The Play List:

1. Neon Boys - That's All I Know Right Now
2. The Easybeats - Sorry
3. The Missing Links - Wild About You
4. Masters Apprentices - Undecided
5. Guided By Voices - Hot Freaks
6. Ride Theory - Genghis Con Artist
7. Young Rival - Another Nobody
8. The Bears - Decisions
9. Radio Birdman - Aloha Steve & Danno
10. Atomic 7 - Save Your Fork There's Pie
11. Phonocomb - Cliffhanger
12. Lost Patrol - Commanche
13. Fresh & Onlys - I'm Gonna Be Your Elevator
14. Arctic Monkeys - My Propeller
15. Arctic Monkeys - Pretty Visitors
16. The Stone Roses - Elephant Stones
17. The Clash - The Street Parade
18. The Clash - Complete Control (French TV 1977)
19. Ex-Boyfriends - The Secret of Immortality
20. Bureaucrats - Grown Up Age
21. Gruesomes - Thanks For Nothing
22. David Bowie - Queen Bitch
23. The Lurkers - Go Go Go
24. The Motors - Dancing The Night Away

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on September 15th, 2009.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

The Beatles Return in Remastered Form!! & Show # 265


September 9th is a day that Beatles fans have been waiting for. All of The Beatles albums will been re-issued on CD in remastered form. With their entire catalogue available in upgraded quality, some people may wonder if there is any difference between these new 2009 remasters and the older 1987 ones. There is a vast difference, the older mixes fail in comparison to these. The older mixes sound as if they were covered in layers of dust and now all the dirt has been wiped clean and the only thing that is left is The Beatles in all their glory. Paul McCartney himself has said the remasters sound like you are right there at the actual time of the recording. When you hear the new remasters it sounds as if the band is playing right in front of you. As you listen to your favourite Beatles songs you can hear parts that were previously unnoticeable before, they have been given a new life.

In addition the musical quality of these remasters, there is also the packaging. The digipack album replica artwork, is excellent quality. All are in glossy form, which is another experience on it's own. There are also historical linear notes and engineering notes on the original recordings. If that isn't enough each album features a mini making of documentary on them. For those of you who prefer to get all the albums at once there is a box set of the stereo remasters and even a box set featuring the original mono mixes. The Beatles will also release their own video game. Beatles Rockband will be available for a variety of video game systems. With all of these Beatles releases, it is a great day for a Beatles fan.

The Play List:

1. The Stems - Tears Me In Two
2. Guilloteens - Hey You
3. The Faces - Too Bad
4. Iguanas - Mona
5. The Beatles - Dizzy Miss Lizzy
6. The Beatles - Savoy Truffle
7. Lullabye Arkestra - Fog Machine
8. Quiet Jungle - Everything
9. The Staccatos - You Only Live Once
10. The Frat Kings - B.M.O.C
11. The Yardbirds - Psycho Daisies
12. Sonic Rendezvous Band - Step By Step
13. 101ers - Silent Telephone
14. Wrong Crowd! - Outta My Head
15. Hot Nasties - Get Away From Me
16. Generation X - King Rocker
17. The Evaporators - You Got Me Into This, Now You Get Me Out!
18. City Sweethearts - Can't Stop Shaking
19. The Diodes - Red Rubber Ball
20. The Danks - What We're Doing
21. Ultravox - Young Savage
22. Rezillos - Can't Stand My Baby
23. Exploding Hearts - Modern Kicks (Alternate Version)
24. The Features - City Scenes
25. The Professionals - White Light/White Heat
26. Dead 60s - Liar
27. The Hives - Fall Is Something Grown Ups Invented

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on September 8th, 2009.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

It Feels Alright...The Story of The Black Lips & Show # 264


Coming from Atlanta, Georgia, The Black Lips formed in 2000. The band originally was made up of Alexander Cole on guitar, Jared Swilley on bass, Ben Eberbaugh on lead guitar and Joe Bradley on drums. Taking their sound from a variety of bands and music styles such as Punk, Country, Blues, Folk, and Garage Rock, The Black Lips created a mix of the styles that has been called "Flower Punk" by some. They released a 7" single titled Ain't Comin' Back in 2002 on their own label. A few more singles followed and after some live shows (most of which were out of control which led to them being banned from some live venues), they got a recording deal with Bomp! Records. After recording their first full length album for Bomp! and getting ready to go out on a tour, the band suffered a loss. Lead guitarist Ben Eberbaugh was killed in a car accident involving a drunk driver. The band decided to carry on because they felt that Ebernaugh would have wanted them to.

After touring as a three piece, the band recruited Jim Hines on lead guitar. With Hines on lead, they set out for a longer tour in support of their album. In 2003 The Black Lips! was released. The album mixed elements of Punk, Garage Rock and Blues, creating an album of energetic, dirty Rock N' Roll. The bands second album was released in May of 2004. We Did Not Know The Forest Spirit Made Flowers Grow, was a reference to a movie by Hayao Miyazaki. Musically the album unleashed more Black Lips style Garage Rock fused with Punk Rock. In 2004 following the release of their second album, The Black Lips added guitarist Ian Saint Pé to their rants (replacing Jim Hines on lead guitar). Shortly after the album Let It Bloom was released on In The Red records in 2005. They sounded more professional and focused on this album, combining elements of bands such as The Fall, Velvet Underground and The Cramps to their Garage Rock and Punk sound.


In 2006, The Black Lips were featured in Rolling Stone magazine and Spin gaining them more exposure in a more national radius. A live album was released on Vice Records in 2007. Los Valientes del Mundo Nuevo is a live album that has been said to have been recorded at a bar in Tijuana, Mexico. Some people have said it was made to sound like a live album and that it was actually recorded in a studio. A full length album came in the same year titled Good Bad Not Evil. This album, whose title is a reference the song "Give Him A Big Kiss" by The Shangri-Las, combined elements of Garage Rock with Surf Rock and some Country. The album featured songs such as the catchy "O, Katrina!", the slow and moody "Veni Vidi Vici", the Surf Pop of "Navajo", and the salty Pop of "Bad Kids". The band appeared on US television performing "O, Katrina!" on Late Night With Conan O'Brien and on UK television performing "Bad Kids" on The Wall in support of the album.

The Black Lips were set to star in the movie Let It Be as a fictional band in the 1980s called The Renegades. The movie was going to be made in the summer of 2008 and a trailer for the movie was made, but after viewing the trailer the band backed out stating that they did not like the way that they were going to be portrayed in the movie. The Black Lips fifth full length album, 200 Million Thousand was released in 2009. The album features more of a fuzzy Garage Rock sound than Good Bad Not Evil. While there are other elements in this album, there are stand out tracks such as "Short Fuse", "Drugs", the creepy "Trapped In A Basement", and a cover of The Iguanas (Iggy Pop's first band) "Again & Again". In January of 2009 while the band was on tour, they stopped in Berlin, Germany with King Khan & BBQ to make some recordings. Calling themselves The Almighty Defenders, the band recorded a twelve song album of Gospel songs. The album is set to be released in September 2009. More information on The Black Lips can be found on their websites Black-lips.com and theblacklips.blogspot.com.

The Play List:

1. The Subways - Mary
2. The Clean - Moonjumper
3. Supergrass - The Return Of...
4. The Dead Weather - You Just Can't Win
5. Reigning Sound - Stick Up For Me
6. Jack-O & The Tennessee Tearjerkers - Make Your Mind Up
7. The Modernettes - New Society
8. Les Mods - Break It
9. The Cinch - Forwards & Backwards
10. The Manvils - Hollow Hands
11. The Balconies - Lulu
12. Fast Romantics - MoneyMouth
13. The Paper Cranes - Chivalry's Dead
14. Blondie - I'm Gonna Love You Too
15. Nervus Rex - Don't Look
16. The Babies - Meet Me In The City
17. The Zoomers - From The Planet Moon
18. The Unwanted - Freedom
19. Franz Ferdinand - All For You, Sophia
20. Subway Sect - Ambition
21. Talking Heads - Artists Only (Alternate Version)
22. The Black Lips - Navajo
23. The Black Lips - Bad Kids
24. The Black Lips - Again & Again

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on September 1st, 2009.

Black Lips Videos:

Feels Alright
Cold Hands
O Katrina!
Bad Kids (Live)
Veni Vidi Vici
Short Fuse
Drugs
I'll Be With You