The Supreme Cool Beings and Shows # 936, 935, 934, 933

Survival of the Coolest is the first and only album to be released by The Supreme Cool Beings. This post-punk influenced band with experimental elements, described as playing “off kilter pop songs,” formed in the summer of 1982 in Olympia, Washington. The group’s beginnings started when Heather Lewis was hanging out with her friend Gary May. He asked her to join a band that he was forming. Gary’s apartment turned into a rehearsal place and a place to see live shows at the time as well. After hearing them play at an apartment party that summer, radio DJ Calvin Johnson asked them to play a live set of music on his radio program Boy Meets Girl on the campus radio station KAOS FM. Unbeknownst to them, Johnson recorded their eight song set. Inspired by a series of cassette compilations that were released through Sub Pop, which Johnson helped with, Johnson decided to release the eight songs that they recorded on cassette. With artwork by Lewis, this cassette would be the first official release on the K Records label. 

The Supreme Cool Beings consisted of Heather Lewis on drums/vocals, Gary May on guitar/bass and vocals and Doug Monaghan on saxophone. Survival of the Coolest opens with the song “Who’s That?” a loose guitar, drums and sax song that features Lewis on vocals with lyrics revolving around paranoia and boredom. “Your Name Here” features May on lead vocals and guitar reminiscent of Wipers-like chord structures. Dual vocals featuring May and Lewis and lyrics such as “Plastic potato/The spud’s a dud,” contrast the plasticity of Mr. Potato Head with adolescence. “Don’t Panic” features watery sounding chord structures, with a steady drum groove and a catchy pop influenced chorus. With Saxophone filling in the gaps intermittently, May howls like Jeffrey Lee Pierce in the second verse.

“Um” is an experimental piece. As saxophone and guitar play dissonantly in the background, Lewis sings abstract lyrics before drums come in around the last minute of the track with surf sounding guitars. “Liberal Art” features jagged, yet reverb heavy guitar as the drums follow and saxophone paints an uneasy mood in the background. Heavy drums and garage-like guitars sounding almost like The Troggs dominate “Big Bombs.” With abstract lyrics “Sun goes up/Sun goes down/Water goes up/Water goes down,” and “I don’t want to hear it anymore,” this song sounds like it could be about an argument, but is left open to interpretation. “Our Advice To You” ends Survival of the Coolest. It is a more up-tempo guitar and drum track with saxophone parts that lock in the songs dynamics. It has an undeniable movement and dance-ability to it.

While only ever released on cassette and now long out of print, Survival of the Coolest is a loose sounding album with experimental elements that adheres to the DIY counterculture that was new and burgeoning at the time. It is a short, exuberant and spontaneous album. There is one more song that appears in the band’s discography. A longer danceable instrumental track titled “Survival of the Coolest” is a very lo-fi sounding track. Recorded at one of the band's live shows, it appeared on the Let’s Together compilation album. This compilation album was released on K Records in 1984. The Supreme Cool Beings time as a band was short lived. Shortly after this Gary May moved out of Olympia and the band broke up. Following this, Heather Lewis would go on to play with Calvin Johnson and Bret Lunsford as The Beat Happening in 1983.

Show 936 Playlist (Originally Aired On May 28th, 2022)(K Records and The Supreme Cool Beings):

1. PRIORS - Expelled Virtue
2. Trash - Priorities
3. The Art Attacks - I’m A Dalek
4. Property - Running Away
5. Trampoline Delay - In Your Head
6. Horsegirl - Anti-Glory
7. Lushings - Something
8. Vivienne Wilder - Ricky (Heart)
9. Gus Englehorn - Run Rabbit Run
10. Tuxedomoon - Jinx
11. Tuxedomoon - No Tears
12. DNA - Blonde Redhead
13. Soul Glo - We Wants Revenge
14. Girl Trouble - Tarantua
15. Apollo Ghosts - Acid Jenny
16. Christopher Sleightholm - Acid Cowboy
17. Tim Swaddling & Before the Flood - Pay In Blood
18. Bob Dylan & The Band - I Wanna Be Your Lover (Take 6)
19. Tess Parks - Happy Birthday Forever
20. The Sadies - Cut Up High and Dry
21. Wilco - Tired of Taking It Out On You
22. Seldoms - Trees of Mysterie
23. Young Pioneers - Round and Round
24. Beat Happening - Down At The Sea
25. Beat Happening - I Spy
26. Supreme Cool Beings - Your Name Here
27. Supreme Cool Beings - Big Bombs
28. Supreme Cool Beings - Who's That?

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the May 28 file to
download/stream the episode.

Show 935 Playlist (Originally Aired On May 21st, 2022)(The Flashing Lights, Randy Newman, David Byrne, Elvis Costello & The Imposters):

1. Ty Segall - Hello, Hi
2. The Flashing Lights - Highschool
3. The Flashing Lights - Rotary Hotel
4. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Tidal River
5. Weird Nightmare - Lusitania
6. Cola - So Excited
7. Porridge Radio - Back to the Radio
8. Susan - $50 Dream
9. Otoboke Beaver - I Won't Dish Out Salads
10. Rick White - Another Season Again
11. B.A. Johnston - Why Can't Tonight Be Wing Night?
12. The Urinals - I’m A Bug
13. The Normals - Almost Ready
14. Osees - Funeral Solution
15. Black Midi - Welcome To Hell
16. Fontaines D.C. - Skinty Fia
17. Kamikaze Nurse - Come From Wood
18. blackoutbeach - Deserter's Song
19. Destroyer - My Mystery
20. Randy Newman - You Can Leave Your Hat On
21. Randy Newman - God's Song
22. Pink Mountaintops - Nervous Breakdown
23. TOPS - Janet Planet
24. Talking Heads - Moon Rocks
25. Talking Heads - I Feel It In My Heart
26. David Byrne & Brian Eno - Everything That Happens
27. Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Farewell, OK
28. Elvis Costello & The Imposters - The Man You Love To Hate

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the May 21 file to download/stream the episode

Show 934 Playlist (Originally Aired On May 14th, 2022)(Yves Jarvis, The Clash Combat Rock 40th Anniversary):

1. Baby Giant - Yeah!
2. Mike Krol - Red Minivan
3. Martin Schiller - Future Prints
4. By Divine Right - St. Leon's
5. Black Country, New Road - Basketball Shoes
6. Tunic - Common Denominator
7. Cellos - The Downward Gaze
8. Tea Leaves - Cicada Song
9. Paul Jacobs - Show Me Something
10. Soft Plastics - Rope Off The Tigers
11. Yves Jarvis - Prism Through Which I Perceive
12. Yves Jarvis - At the Whims
13. Wet Leg - Supermarket
14. Heaven For Real - Sweet Rose
15. The Glass Picture - Horses On A Postcard
16. Parquet Courts - Marathon of Anger
17. Damaged Bug - Jet In Jungle
18. Sunglaciers - Out of My Skull
19. School Damage - In Love With A Chump
20. The Clash ft. Ranking Roger - Rock The Casbah
21. The Clash - Inoculated City
22. The Smile - You Will Never Work In Television Again
23. Kevin Morby - Rock Bottom
24. Broken Social Scene - Not At My Best
25. The Clash - Over Powered By Funk
26. The Clash - Ghetto Defendant (Extended Unedited Version)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the May 14 file to download/stream the episode

Show 933 Playlist (Originally Aired On May 7th, 2022) (Tom Waits, The Birthday Party, The Cure, Young Guv, White Fence, Cate Le Bon):

1. Apollo Ghosts - Soft American
2. David Bowie - Diamond Dogs
3. Tom Waits – Everything You Can Think
4. Tom Waits – Starving in the Belly of a Whale
5. The Birthday Party – The Dim Locator
6. The Cure – The Hanging Garden
7. Iceage - All The Junk on the Outskirts
8. Steven Lambke - Bats in Blue Twilight
9. The Sadies - Cut Up And Dry
10. Julie & Dany - Deglele
11. The Burning Hell - Birdwatching
12. Arcade Fire – Lightening II
13. Frog Eyes – I Was An Oligarch
14. Young Guv – Same Old Fool
15. Young Guv – Maybe I Should Luv Somebody Else
16. Pinch Points – King Rat
17. Yikes - Pink Cigars
18. Thee Oh Sees - Heavy Doctor
19. Drinks - Corner Shops
20. White Fence - Beat
21. Cate Le Bon - Remembering Me
22. Belle & Sebastian – Unnecessary Drama
23. Linda Lindas – Nino
24. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – My Echo
25. Pup – Puptheband Inc. Is Filing for Bankruptcy
26. Psychic Void - Denim Daddy
27. Psychic Void - Alley Dweller 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the May 7 file to download/stream the episode

Chris Bailey (of The Saints) & Shows # 932, 931, 930, 929 & 928

In April 2022, Australian musician Chris Bailey passed of natural causes. Bailey was the singer and along with guitarist Ed Keupper the founding members and songwriters of the band The Saints. With Ivor Hay on drums and Kym Bradshaw on bass, the band released their first single “(I’m) Stranded” independently in September of 1976 on their own label Fatal Records. The song exploded with its buzz saw guitars and the soulful sneering vocals of Chris Bailey that clashed against the conservative norms in Australia at the time. Like all great bands that are different from the norm, there was little interest in them from record labels, but shortly after its release, the single became the Single of the Week in the UK based Sounds Magazine. In fact reviewer John Ingham declared the song “Single of this week and every week.” This led to greater attention towards The Saints and a three album record deal with EMI. Predating singles by The Damned, The Clash and even the Sex Pistols, this pioneering single is important in Australian music history and in general as it influenced so many. Nick Cave recently posted about the influence of Bailey’s voice and the early Saints albums on his Red Hand Files website, which also includes a photo of Bailey with The Saints in 1977 and a stunned Nick Cave in the Crowd. The album (I’m) Stranded followed in 1977.

Following their EMI deal the band would move to the UK where their label tried to get them to adopt to the punk image, which they wanted nothing to do with. Refusing to adopt the “Saints suit” which was apparently designed for them, they kept their own low-key style that many bands nowadays still dress like. Their 1977 “This Perfect Day” single reflected their difficulties with the label at the time and would climb to #34 on the UK singles album charts, but stalled due to it being out of stock nationally for two weeks. Their album Eternally Yours was released in 1978. Often viewed as their best within the early days of the band, it incorporated horn sections and R&B elements to their already established sound. Shortly after the release of their third album Prehistoric Sounds, Bailey and Keupper went their separate ways. Bailey continued with The Saints in name and would change their sound and musical direction. He also recorded as a solo artist. Keupper would form the jazz influenced post-punk band Laughing Clowns, The Aints and record as a solo artist.

The Saints would wind up releasing 14 studio albums. Bailey would bring the band and his solo work in a musical direction that has been described as having a more roots rock and folk sound. It would draw comparisons to Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison, however, Bailey had his own way of presenting the music. Chris Bailey would release five studio albums as a solo artist between 1983 and 2005. The Saints song “Just Like Fire Would” originally released on the 1986 album All Fools Day would find a new audience when it was covered by Bruce Springsteen in 2014 for his album High Hopes. When All Fools Day was originally released, it was The Saints commercial breakthrough to the US. Videos for “Just Like Fire Would” and “Temple of the Lord” received airplay on MTV at the time. All Fools Day, which was also The Saints seventh studio album charted at #29 on the Kent Music Report (the Australian music charts at the time). In 2001, the “(I’m) Stranded” single was named one of the 30 Best Australian Songs of all time by ARPA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association).

News broke of his passing on the band’s social media page. Ending with this statement: “Chris lived a life of poetry and music and stranded on a Saturday night.” 

Show 932 Playlist (Originally Aired On April 30th, 2022)(Chris Bailey of The Saints tribute, McClusky, Beastie Boys, Wilco):

1. McClusky - Alan is a Cowboy Kilelr
2. Beastie Boys - Time For Livin'
3. Beastie Boys - Funky Boss
4. Foxhart Fishman - Ramblin Dan’s Righteous Manifesto
5. The Ding-Dongs - Blood! Blood! Blood!
6. Paula - Susan & Linda
7. The Saints - (I’m) Stranded
8. The Saints - Know Your Product
9. The Saints - (I’m) Misundertood
10. The Saints - Take This Heart of Mine
11. The Saints - Just Like Fire Would
12. Neko Case - Oh, Shadowless
13. Tea Leaves - Stray Dog
14. The Retail Simps - End - Times Hip - Shaker Pts 1&2
15. Snake Noise - The Way You're Wired
16. Wilco - Jesus, Etc.
17. Wilco - I’m the Man Who Loves You
18. Linda & Richard Thompson - Wall of Death
19. Big Thief - Spud Infinity
20. Father John Misty - Funny Girl
21. Kurt Vile - Palace of OKV in Reverse
22. Tops - Empty Seats
23. Pottery - Spell
24. D-Vices - Adequte
25. Susans - Nine
26. Wet Leg - Oh No
27. Fontaines D.C. - Roman Holiday
28. Viagra Boys - Ain't No Thief

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the April 30 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 931 Playlist (Originally Aired On April 23rd, 2022)(Orville Peck, Pavement Slanted and Enchanted, Chris Bailey mini set, Paul Jacobs):

1. Orville Peck - C’mon Baby, Cry
2. Andy Shauf - Satan
3. Men I Trust - Poodle of Mud
4. Mac DeMarco - Dreaming
5. Makeout Videotape - Exercising With My Demons
6. Pavement - Summer Baby
7. Pavement - Two States (Live)
8. Pavement - In The Mouth of a Desert (Live)
9. Pavement - Here (Peel Session)
10. Pavement - Trigger Cut/Wounded-Kite at :17
11. Pavement - Conduit For Sale
12. Pavement - Zurich is Stained
13. Pavement - Fame Throwa
14. Pavement - Our Singer
15. Silver Jews - Trains Across the Sea
16. The Saints - Let’s Pretend
17. The Saints - Simple Love

18. Chris Bailey & The General Dog - Ghost Ships (Acoustic)
19. Brat Kings - Control

20. Jon Spencer & The HITmakers - Push Comes To Shove
21. Dion Lunadon - Living and Dying With You 
22. The King Khan & BBQ Show - Love You So
23. Lychi - Freelance Therapist
24. Roye Trout - Dreamers
25. Jesse Fellows - He Is Here
26. Returners - A Toast For The Bugs
27. Pale Lips - Get Up and Go
28. Priors - NEWNEWNEW
29. Paul Jacobs - After Dark
30. Paul Jacobs - Born In A Zoo 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the April 23 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 929 Playlist (Originally Aired On April 9th, 2022)(PJ Harvey, The Beatles with Stuart Sutcliffe, Tobin Sprout, Foo Fighters):

1. PJ Harvey - O Stella
2. PJ Harvey - Dress
3. Kamikaze Nurse - Boom Josie
4. Destroyer - It Takes A Thief
5. Yves Jarvis - Bootstrap Jubilee
6. The Beatles - You'll Be Mine (Home Demo 1960)
7. The Beatles - Cayenne (Home Demo 1960)
8. The Beatles - Like Dreamers Do (1962 Decca Audition)
9. The Beatles - From Me To You (Live)
10. The Seeds - Lose Your Mind
11. The Stonemen - Faded Colors
12. Foo Fighters - Stacked Actors (Live)
13. Tobin Sprout - The Natural Alarm
14. Tobin Sprout - The Man I Used To Know
15. Ducks Ltd. (Featuring Illuminati Hotties) - Head On
16. The Leather Uppers - Mr. Googally Eyes
17. The King Khan & BBQ Show - Love You So
18. Laurie Anderson - From the Air
19. 3 Teens Kill 4 - Tell Me Something Good
20. 3 Teens Kill 4 - Hold Up
21. 3 Teens Kill 4 - Hunger
22. Soul Glo - Thumbsucker
23. Tunic - Reward of Nothing
24. Metz - Demolition Row
25. Q and Not U - Black Plastic Bag
26. Teenanger - Hot Rods at the Loser Convention
27. Louder Than Death - Scum of the Moon
28. The Ketamines - Ketamine Babies
29. Fifth Column - Imbecile
30. The Rapture - Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the April 9 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 928 Playlist (Originally Aired On April 2nd, 2022)(John Dwyer, Bob Dylan, Daniel Romano, Gang of Four, Sloan):

1. Black Midi - Moonlight On Vermont
2. Necking - Stop Singing
3. Century Egg - Moving On
4. Adrian Teacher & The Subs- Pop Medicine
5. Cool TV - Weird Buzz
6. Dumb - Tumbling
7. The Chats - Struck By Lightning
8. Reigning Sound - I Don't Need That Kind of Lovin'
9. Osees - The Ceiling
10. Lammping- Home of Shadows
11. Mangon - The Williow
12. Fontanarosa - Way In Out
13. John Dwyer - Oneironaut
14. Bob Dylan - Song To Woody
15. Nick Drake - Parasite
16. Neil Young - Are You Ready For The Country?
17. Ray Charles - Half As Much
18. Steven Lambke - Sea Level
19. Daniel Romano's Outfit - They Haven't Got A Word For That Yet
20. Daniel Romano - Nobody Sees A Lowered Face
21. Shotgun Jimmie - Too Many Flowers
22. Gang of Four - We Live As We Dream, Alone
23. XTC - Fly On The Wall
24. The Fall - Jawbone and the Air Rifle
25. The Misfits - 20 Eyes
26. Bad Brains - Banned in D.C.
27. Guided By Voices - Some Drilling Implied
28. Flipper - Ever
29. Sloan - Gimme Sopar
30. Sloan - Hot Cars
31. Baby Giant - Westbound and Down
32. Mudhoney - Flowers of Industry
33. The Dirtbombs - Sherlock Holmes

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the April 2 file to download/stream the episode.

For those keep track, episode 930 was a repeat of an episode (#878) that originally aired in April 2021. You can find the playlist to that episode here and download/listen to the episode here.

Julie Doiron I Thought of You & Shows # 927, 926, 925, 924

Julie Doiron released I Thought Of You in November of 2021 on You’ve Changed Records. This is the first full-length solo record Doiron has put out since 2012’s So Many Days, but Julie has been busy between these years releasing EPs and collaborating. She has released critically albums with Julie & The Wrong Guys (featuring members of Cancer Bats and Eamon McGrath) and Mount Eerie. In addition to this Doiron has been reinterpreting and releasing her songs in Spanish for the Cante en Espanol series on the Acuarela label. With a stellar backing band featuring Daniel Romano (guitar/keys/percussion), Ian Romano (drums) and Dany Placard on bass, Doiron delivers an honest spontaneous and an in the moment sounding album. With her vocals as the centre point as the band captures different musical strands behind her, Doiron’s I Thought Of You also encapsulates her masterful songwriting abilities.

“You Gave Me The Key” opens I Thought of You. With its folk and country meets indie rock swagger, Doiron brings forth an honest intimacy. With lyrics “There was never a plan/Starting over again” and “And your words they made me believe/That there’s life all around me/And there’s life all within me/There’s no need to explain,” that relate to aspects of Doiron’s musical output, while it also features a combination of mixed emotions and themes of inspiration from the every day that uplift this opening track. The title track has been described as a psychedelic western track and features contemplative lyrics such as “It’s been so long/I haven’t had a lot to say,” and “But honestly/I felt ashamed,” that operate on several levels. It sounds as if Julie is speaking directly to the listener who has been neglected, but also it could operate as a reflection on a lost connection to a person from the past. The music and lyrics blend so seamlessly. The song seems to end too soon before “Dreamed I Was” begins. Starting off with slower watery sounding guitars, this track floats with vivid striking and ruminative lyrics. “Just When I Thought” dips into psychedelia with a surreal quality before it gets heavier and more distorted towards the song’s ending moments. “Et Mon Amour” drifts with a shuffling beat. The song’s title translates into “And To My Love” and is a track sung in French. This adds another storytelling through song element to I Thought of You as it delves into a bittersweet and nostalgia tale of young love.

“Good Reason” is a song that originates from Greville Tapes Vol.2 EP, as with “I Thought Of You,” “Ran,” and “Cancel The Party” these tracks were recorded earlier by Dorion with different projects and reworked here for this release. The country-folk of “Good Reason” is introspective about the emotional and physical distance of a relationship as well as the strain and complications that come with it. With this track the band seems to hang on Julie’s every word intensifying, speeding up and also pulling back at the right moments. “Cancel The Party” is a shorter, but heavier track. Seeming to dip back into Dorion’s 90s rock beginnings, it features abstract lyrics with words such as “It’s time to sleep now/My dream is calling me/Cancel the plans/Forget the party.” “Darkness To Light” features haunting pedal steel played by Michael Feuerstack. As Dorion grabs hold of the listener with her vocals, lyrics such as “I made it through the darkness/Was stuck there for a while/And I know that some of my friends are stuck in there right now” tackle existential themes. “Ran” comes in with a weary determinedness, as the band builds behind the vocals advocating for the exit from an ended relationship, but one that is a bit more complex than that.

“Letters We Sent” conjures up Neil Young & Crazy Horse vibes, as Doiron sings lyrics such as “And the letters we sent are covered in snow/Beneath are the fears that I might be better off alone/And everyone is telling me to stay,” and “Well, I wasn't looking/My heart wasn't open yet” that captivate with a poetic honesty. “Back To The Water” ends I Thought Of You. This track features just Doiron and an acoustic guitar as she sings a folk tale that addresses her place in the world. As she states in the lyrics “I don’t need to know the answers/I don’t need to be alone,” “I know that there’s a lesson/Here for me to learn/I’ve been here before,” which end I Thought Of You on a bit of an ambiguous, yet graceful note. Throughout this album, Julie Doiron sounds revitalized. I Thought of You shows an elegance, addressing the chaotic moments we can all go through, while at the same time it revels in a motion of healing and moving forward.

Show 927 (Originally Aired On March 26th, 2022) (Returners, No Fix, Cowboy Junkies, Al Oster):

1.  Returners - Get
2.  Returners - #1
3.  No Fix - Neon Dreamz
4.  Psychic Void - Gutter Butter
5.  Priests - Puff
6.  Fruit Tones - Igloo   
7.  Destroyer - Suffer
8.  Modest Mouse - Wooden Soldier
9.  The Darcys - Peg   
10. Cowboy Junkies - Five Years
11. Cowboy Junkies - 17 Seconds
12. Bill Callahan & Bonnie “Prince” Billy  - Deacon Blues   
13. Al Oster - Midnight Sun Rock (Alternate Recording)
14. Al Oster - Yukon Gold
15. Sam Coffey - Worried Mary
16. Willie Dunn - Crazy Horse
17. Hank Williams - There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
18. Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues (Live 1968 - Show 2)   
19. Sonic Youth - In/Out/In
20. Preoccupations - Off Duty Trip
21. Celia's Dream - You   
22. Sunglaciers - Avoidance
23. Public Image Limited - The Suit
24. Bush Tetras - Punch Drunk
25. Susans - Impress Your Neighbours
26. Swell Maps - The Helicopter Spies

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the March 26 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 926 (Originally Aired On March 19th, 2022) (Apollo Ghosts, Guided By Voices, The Wipers, Parquet Courts):

1.  Apollo Ghosts - But I'll Be Around (Electric Version)
2.  OMBIIGIZI - The Once Child
3.  Motorists - Turn It Around
4.  Dummy - Fissured Ceramics
5.  Animal Collective - We Go Back   
6.  The Skaliwags - 365 Days A Year
7.  Melenas - Ciencia Ficcion
8.  The Mystic Tide - Why
9.  Alex Chilton - Every Day As We Grow Closer
10. Jay Reatard - Don’t Let Him Come Back
11. Weird Nightmare - Searching For You   
12. Superchunk - Endless Summer
13. Guided By Voices - Come North Together
14. Hot Garbage - Everything Stops
15. Liquid Liquid - Optimo
16. Seth A. Smith - Silver
17. John Doe Trio - Never Coming Back
18. Baby Giant - She's A Queen
19. The Wipers - What Is
20. The Revelons - 97 Tears
21. Rough Francis - Deathwire   
22. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Animal X   
23. Thus Owls - Balconies
24. Rent Boys Inc. - Pictish
25. New Vogue - Daylight Eraser
26. Kinetic Ideals - Life In Shadow
27. Viagra Boys - Blue Bone
28. Parquet Courts - Just Shadows
29. Parquet Courts - Sympathy For Life
30. Mick Futures - In Case We Learn

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the March 19 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 925 (Originally Aired On March 12th, 2022) (International Women's Day Episode):

1.  Riff Randells - Parker Place
2.  Deerhoof - Hitch-Hike
3.  Big Thief - Certainty
4.  Beach House - ESP
5.  Faith Healer - 2nd Time   
6.  Mary Simich - Problems of Your Past
7.  Blonde Redhead - 10 Feet High   
8.  Blonde Redhead - This Is the Number of Times I Said I Will But Didn't (4 Track Demo)
9.  The Delmonas - I’ll Use Evil   
10. Betty Davis - Feelins
11. ESG - UFO
12. ESG - You Make No Sense
13. Tanya Tagaq - Birth
14. Basia Bulat - Your Girl   
15. Weird Lines - Malibu
16. Julie Doiron - Good Reason
17. Julie & Dany - Mayo
18. Julie Doiron & The Wooden Stars - Dance Music
19. Julie Doiron - Nice To Come Home   
20. Joni Mitchell - Night in the City (Live)
21. Nina Simone - Four Women   
22. Cate Le Bon - Harbour
23. Mitski - Should’ve Been Me   
24. NOBRO - Bye Bye Baby
25. Amyl and the Sniffers - Hertz
26. Visibly Choked - Mother Tongue
27. Delta 5 - Anticipation
28. Kleenex - Ain't You
29. Bush Tetras - You Can't Be Funky   
30. Au Pairs - Come Again

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the March 12 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 924 (Originally Aired On March 5th, 2022)(Betty Davis, Syl Johnson, Mark Lanegan, Dallas Good/The Sadies):

1.  The Anomayls - Panik
2.  Jon Spencer & The HITmakers - Junk Man
3.  Ty Segall - Los Angeles News Service
4.  Betty Davis - If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up
5.  Betty Davis - 70's Blues
6.  Betty Mabry - Get Ready For Betty
7.  Syl Johnson - Soul Drippin'
8.  Syl Johnson - Black Baloons
9.  Syl Johnson - Wind, Blow Her Back My Way
10. Screaming Trees - Sworn and Broken
11. Mark Lanegan - Mirrored
12. Mark Lanegan - Carnival
13. Mark Lanegan - Hanging On (For DRC)
14. The Armed Feat. Mark Lanegan - The Music Becomes A Skul
15. The Sadies - Cut Corners
16. The Sadies - As Much As Such
17. The Sadies - Friendly Devil
18. The Sadies - Anna Leigh
19. The Sadies - Questions Never Asked
20. The Sadies - Lay Down Your Arms
21. The Sadies - Within A Stone
22. The Sadies - Flash
23. Career Suicide - No Sleep
24. The Unintended - Beautiful Things
25. Andre Williams & The Sadies - Busted
26. John Doe & The Sadies - Detroit City   
27. Black Country, New Road - Concorde
28. Spoon - The Hardest Cut
29. Destroyer - Eat the Wine, Drink the Bread 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the March 5 file to download/stream the episode.

Revolution Surf 2022 & Show # 923

On this year's Revolution Surf we featured some sets of music in tribute to two musicans that passed in 2022. Don Wilson guitarist of The Ventures passed in January at the age of 88 and Toronto musician Dallas Good of The Sadies passed unexpectedly in February at the age of 48. On the show, which features 40 surf and instrumental tracks, we had a set of Ventures tracks in tribute to Don Wilson and The Ventures adventurous style to tackle different genres of music and some music in tribute to the surf side of Dallas Good and The Sadies music.

Don Wilson (1933-2022)

Don Wilson co-founded The Ventures with Bob Bogle in Tacoma, Washington in 1958. His guitar style combined with the music that The Ventures created would be instrumental and highly influential on the future of rock music. Before the first full lineup of the band formed, an early version of The Ventures existed with just Don Wilson on rhythm guitar and Bob Bogle on lead guitar. They played clubs and bars and it has been said that Wilson’s very distinctive rhythmic playing style originated due to the fact that they had no drummer when they started out. Regardless when The Ventures found Nokie Edwards (bass) and Skip Moore the first incarnation of The Ventures was in place. Wilson continued his driving rhythmic guitar style. The band were on their own label initially before being signed to Dolton Records. Their first hit was “Walk Don’t Run” in 1960. It would climb to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts changing their status as a band forever. The song itself was a cover of a cover done by Chet Atkins. Originally a jazz song by Johnny Smith, the way that The Ventures played it was different than both the original and Atkins version. When the band recorded this track in 1960, the drummer Skip Moore wasn’t interested in touring with the band and was not a full-time member of the band, but is featured on the recording. They would re-record a different version of this song called “Walk Don’t Run ‘64” which would also re-chart at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The classic lineup of The Ventures featured Don Wilson on guitar, Bob Bogle on bass (he and Edwards would switch instruments shortly after the recording of "Walk Don't Run"), Nokie Edwards on lead guitar and Mel Taylor on drums.

The Ventures tackled multiple styles throughout their career recording country, 50s rock, 60s pop and psychedelic albums. They would also drift into some disco music in addition to experimenting with recording on albums such as The Ventures In Space. The Ventures also released records at a fast pace, sometimes having as many as four records released in a year. They even released a series of albums for people interested in learning guitar called Play Guitar with The Ventures. The Ventures also recorded songs for TV shows and soundtracks for films. One of the most notable is their recording of the "Hawaii Five-O" theme song. In addition to their US success, they would have a greater success in Japan where they still have devout followings. Their instrumental and surf sounds went on to influence many. They were called “The most influential, best-selling instrumental band in rock and roll history” by the Grammy Museum in 2019. While a new version of the band plays today, Wilson played with The Ventures throughout many lineup changes until 2015. His rhythmic guitar style helped drive the music of The Ventures.

Dallas Good (1973-2022)

Dallas Good’s mark on music is deeply embedded in a lot of Canadian and non-Canadian independent music over the last several decades. Whether with The Sadies or in some other capacity he had an influence and impact on music that wasn’t always directly in the mainstream spotlight. Dallas and Travis Good are the sons of Bruce Good, who played in the Juno award winning bluegrass group The Good Brothers alongside his siblings and Margret Good, their mother was also a singer/musician. Introduced to punk by his brother Travis, Dallas initially played in a series of punk bands, but it wasn’t until Sadies bassist Sean Dean got an upright bass that he switched his musical interests to country music. The Sadies first formed in Toronto in 1994. The band consisted of Dallas Good (on vocals/guitar), Travis Good (vocals/guitar), Sean Dean (bass) and Mike Belitsky (drums). Their first album was 1998’s Precious Moments produced by Steve Albini. The Sadies developed their own take on country and western music, incorporating elements of surf and garage rock with a punk infused energy. The band operated as a collective unit with their shows having been described as transcendent. Forging their own path, The Sadies built a following for approximately the last two decades by collaborating and backing up several other artists in addition to releasing their own material. The Sadies have also collaborated, performed and recorded with other musicians such as Andre Williams, Neko Case, Blue Rodeo, Garth Hudson, John Doe, Neil Young, Buffy Saint-Marie, Mary Margret O’Hara, Gary Louris, Kurt Vile, Justin Townes Earle, Jon Langford and Gord Downie. They have also toured and recorded with Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray’s Heavy Trash. 

In 2004, The Sadies along with Rick White (of Eric’s Trip) and Greg Keelor (of Blue Rodeo) formed The Unintended, releasing a self-titled album the same year. One more release followed in 2006, featuring Gordon Lightfoot covers that was split EP with the band Constantines called Constantines Play Young/The Unintended Play Lightfoot. Dallas also produced and played with other groups in addition to The Sadies. He played with Phono-Comb, an instrumental surf band featuring Don Pyle and Reid Diamond of Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet, played with Toronto hardcore band Career Suicide, Half Japanese and played live shows on bass with Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet starting in 2012 when they reformed. He also performed in several punk bands prior to being in The Sadies such as The Satanatras, Guilt Parade and The Rat Crushers. The Sadies also provided the surf inspired soundtrack to 2006’s Tales of the Rat Fink and appear in the Carmine Street Guitars documentary. 2007’s New Seasons and 2010’s Darker Circles were both nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. A forthcoming full-length album is set to be released in 2022. It was produced by Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Parry. 

 Revolution Surf 2022 Playlist (Originally Aired On February 26th, 2022):

1.  The Surfrajettes - Couch Surfing (Roller Fink - Hi-Tide Recordings - 2022)
2.  The Surf Hermits - Out Beyond the Dune Sea (Hang Zen - Sharawaji Records - 2022)
3.  The Green Reflectors - Rip Rap (Tune Up - 2018)
4.  Teke::Teke - Ai No Kizuna (Jikaku - Ray-On - 2018)
5.  The Ventures - Fuzzy and Wild (Wild Things! - Dolton Records - 1966)
6.  The Ventures - San Antonio Rose (Play The Country Classics - Dolton Records - 1963)
7.  The Ventures - Psyched-Out (Super Psychedelics - Dolton Records - 1967)
8.  The Ventures - Sealed With A Kiss ($1,000,000.00 Weekend - Dolton Records - 1967)
9.  The Ventures - Ten Over (Surfing - Dolton Records - 1963)
10. The Ventures - Walk Don't Run '64 (Walk Don't Run Vol. 2 - Dolton Records - 1964)
11. The Sadies - Rat Creek (Live) (In Concert Vol. 1 - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2006)
12. The Sadies - Snow Squad (Live) (In Concert Vol. 1 - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2006)
13. The Sadies - Same Song (Precious Moments - Bloodshot Records - 1998)
14. Phono-Comb - Enchanted (Fresh Gasoline - Quarterstick Records - 1996)
15. Jad Fair & Phono-Comb - TV Guide (Monsters, Lullabies… And The Occasional Flying Saucer - Shake The Record Label - 1996)
16. Phono-Comb - Phonebone (Fresh Gasoline - Quarterstick Records - 1996)
17. Phono-Comb - Cliffhanger (Fresh Gasoline - Quarterstick Records - 1996)
18. The Sadies - Rubber Bat (Precious Moments - Bloodshot Records - 1998)
19. The Sadies - Venison Creek (Pure Diamond Gold -
20. The Sadies - The Pyramid (Tales Of The Rat Fink - Original Soundtrack - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2006)
21. The Sadies - Wolf Tones (New Seasons - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2007)
22. The Sadies - The Very Ending (Internal Sounds - Yep Roc Records/Outside Music - 2013)
23. Les Krakmen - Krakmen Twist (Pebbles Vol 4 - BFD Records - 1979)
24. Os Kriptons - Manga Mandura (Paula EP - Lello & C - 1965)
25. Os Kriptons - Billy Boom (Paula EP - Lello & C - 1965)
26. Os Rebeldes - Murder By Contact (Tiro Liro - Orfeu - 1966)
27. The Pyramids - Pyramid Stomp (Play The Original Penetration - Best Records - 1964)
28. The Pyramids - Sticks and Skins (Play The Original Penetration - Best Records - 1964)
29. Bo Diddley - Surf, Sink or Swim (Surfin' With Bo Diddley - Checker - 1963)
30. La Luz - Yuba Rot  (La Luz - Hardly Art - 2021)
31. Blue Stingrays - Zuma Sunset (Surf-N-Burn - Epitone Records - 1997)
32. Blue Stingrays - Echo Park (Surf-N-Burn - Epitone Records - 1997)
33. Stereo Donkey - Shuvit (Shuvit Single - 2022)
34. The Cosmic Sand Dollars - Dunked (Let's Go Insertion! - Old Comet - 2022)
35. The Garrys - Heavy Flow (Get Thee To A Nunnery - Grey Records - 2021)
36. The Treblemakers - The Grudge (Time Machine: The History of Canadian 60's Garage Punk and Surf (1985-95) - Stomp Records - 1996)
37. HJ & The Constellations - Dawn of a New Day (Tubular Spectacular - 2021)
38. Atomic 7 - Your Ironic T-Shirt (Gowns By Edith Head - Mint Records - 2002)
39. Los Astros - Atomica (Latin American Surf Sampler Pt.2 - North Sea Surf Radio - 2015)
40. The Chewbacca's -  Echo Lake (The Return From Echo Lake - Sharawaji Records - 2019)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the February 26 file to download/stream the episode.

Still YC: An Interview with Steven Lambke Show # 922

In February 2022, Steven Lambke released a new two-track single in advance of his upcoming full-length, Volcano Volcano. “Every Lover Knows” has been described in a press release as “a song of celebration. The most profound moments in a life are often experiences of love, of connection, to another, to the world, to a shared moment. It is love that teaches the full scale of what can be experienced and of what can be lost.” The song balances elements of 2019’s Dark Blue with a forward momentum. This track has folkier elements mixed with jangly indie rock vibes. The B-Side to this track is a song called “Deep Water.” This non-album track is a louder track with squealing feedback in between Lambke’s catchy raspy vocals that state “There’s something inside that’s only grown colder/And bold as spider trapped under glass/A left-handed rhythm like a street corner drummer/One arm swinging wild, one lost at the shoulder.” The song has also been said to have been influenced by the lyrics and message of Johnny Cash’s “The Streets of Laredo.” These two tracks (along with the songs from the upcoming album) were recorded at Camera Varda in Toronto shortly after Cobra Poems by Daniel Romano’s Outfit. These two tracks serve as a preview for Lambke’s anticipated follow up to Dark Blue. 

This episode of Revolution Rock focused on the music that has been released from the You’ve Changed Records label. Formed in 2009, it was co-founded by Steven Lambke (also of Constantines/Baby Eagle) and Daniel Romano (previously of Attack In Black). Since its beginnings, You’ve Changed Records has been a label devoted to quality, not quantity. The first release on YCR was Still Jimmie by Shotgun Jimmie in 2009. Also around this time Baby Eagle and Attack In Black released a split album, which was the second official You've Changed Records release. The label has released music by Shotgun Jimmie, The Weather Station, Marine Dreams, Partner, Nap Eyes, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Fiver, Jon McKiel, Status/Non-Status, Julie Doiron, music from Steven Lambke and Daniel Romano and other bands that he has been a part of or collaborated with such as Daniel Romano’s Outfit, Ancient Shapes, Baby Eagle, Julie Doiron. In 2020, Daniel Romano released numerous albums at an amazing rate. Nine albums, an EP and a 22-minute track with Tool’s Danny Carey were released by Romano in 2020. A major feat for any artist and all of them are great.

We had a chance to speak with Steven Lambke (co-founder of You’ve Changed Records) for this episode. He talks about the labels formation, meeting Shotgun Jimmie, recording albums Dark Blue and his upcoming release Volcano Volcano, in addition to working with Daniel Romano on the Spider Bite album and more.

Listen to the interview that Revolution Rock did with Steven Lambke here:

 You've Changed Records Playlist (Originally Aired On February 19th, 2022):

1.  Shotgun Jimmie - Mind Crumbs (Still Jimmie - 2009)
2.  Shotgun Jimmie - Late Last Year (Transistor Sister - 2011)
3.  Shotgun Jimmie - Cool All The Time (Transistor Sister 2 - 2019)
4.  Daniel, Fred & Julie - No One Knew My Name (Daniel, Fred & Julie - 2009)
5.  Steven Lambke - Moonshine Brother (Days of Heaven - 2015)
6.  Fiver w/The Atlantic School of Spontaneous Composition - Leaning Hard (On My Peripheral Vision)
(Fiver w/The Atlantic School of Spontaneous Composition - 2021)
7. Nap Eyes - Dull Me Line (I'm Bad Now - 2018)
8. Leanne Betasamosake Simpson - Failure of Melting (Theory of Ice - 2021)
9. Marine Dreams - Blank Moods (Lemon Tree - 2014)
10. The Weather Station - Time (What Am I Got To Do With Everything I Know - 2014)

STEVEN LAMBKE PART ONE

11. Steven Lambke - Every Lover Knows (Every Lover Knows Single - 2022)
12. Steven Lambke - All Days Are Light and Gold Dark Blue (Dark Blue - 2019)

STEVEN LAMBKE INTERVIEW PART TWO

13. Adrian Teacher and The Subs - Terminal City (Terminal City - 2016)
14. Ancient Shapes - I Wanna Put My Tears Back In (Ancient Shapes - 2016)
15. Ancient Shapes - Political Rain (Silent Rave - 2018)
16. Ian Daniel Kehoe - What's A Liar Know Anyway (Secret Republic - 2019)
17. Jon McKiel - Management (Bobby Joe Hope - 2020)
18. Julie Doiron - You Gave Me The Key (I Thought of You - 2021)
19. Baby Eagle - Crooked Coin (Dog Weather - 2010)
20. Apollo Ghosts - Spilling Yr Guts (Pink Tiger - 2022)
21. Partner - Hot Knives (Healthy Release - 2016)
22. Daniel Romano - Helen's Restaurant (Sleep Beneath The Willow - 2011)
23. Daniel Romano's Outfit - Green Eye-Shade (How Ill Thy World Is Ordered - 2020)
24. Daniel Romano's Outfit - Even In The Loom of A Caress (Cobra Poems - 2021)
25. Daniel Romano - Half Moon (White Flag - 2020)
26. Spider Bite - Spider Bite (Spider Bite - 2020)
27. Spider Bite - Blood and Suffering (Spider Bite - 2020)
28. Daniel Romano's Outfit - Sucking The Old World Dry (Okay, Wow - 2020)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the February 19 file to download/stream the episode.

The Dirtbombs Ultraglide In Black & Show # 921

The second full-length album by The Dirtbombs is Ultraglide In Black. Released in 2001 on In The Red Records, this album followed 1998’s Horndog Fest and a series of singles. Fronted by Detroit musician Mick Collins, this album and the band (made up of two bassists, two drummers and Collins on vocals/guitars) play a series of 60s and 70s soul and funk covers in tribute to the black music that Collins grew up with. These songs are reimagined brilliantly in a garage, gritty and fuzzy Dirtbombs style. The album’s cover pays homage to a 1967 album by Stevie Wonder called I Was Made To Love Her. Having also been in The Gories, Blacktop, The Screws and others, The Dirtbombs were a band that started as a side project in 1992. In 1995 they began recording and in 1996 started releasing singles. The first Dirtbombs single was the incendiary High Octane Salvation. The Dirtbombs lineup has altered during the years, but on this recording The Dirtbombs featured Mick Collins on vocals/guitar, Jim Diamond (bass), Tom Potter (fuzz bass), Patrick Pantano (drums) and Ben Blackwell on drums.

During this early 2000’s period, there was a burgeoning garage rock scene in Detroit. In 2000, The Dirtbombs released two singles (Brucia I Cavi & Headlights On) in addition to a split single with The White Stripes (Cedar Point ‘78/Hand Springs). They also toured extensively in the US, Europe and parts of Canada around this time. The Dirtbombs released Party Store in 2011. Seen as a sequel of sorts to Ultraglide In Black, this album is made up of covers of early Detroit techno songs. In 2013, they released a bubblegum pop record featuring all originals in this style called Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-blooey! The Dirtbombs have released seven full-length albums, not counting singles, EPs and compilations. Collins has also recorded and released music with King Sound Quartet, The Voltaire Brothers, Danny Kroha, Wolfmanhattan Project and others (in addition to doing production work for other groups and his own).

“Chains of Love” starts off Ultraglide in Black with an undeniable fuzzy, yet soulful groove. A cover of a song by J.J. Barnes from 1967, The Dirtbombs begin this album with a song tackling themes of love and love lost. “If You Can Want” originally by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles comes next comes next in all its soulful, fuzzed out glory. “Underdog” is a song originally by Sly & The Family Stone, executed here with raved up garage, funk fashion. With lyrics such as “I know how it feels when you know you're real/But every other time/You get up and get a raw deal” and “I don't mind/I'm the underdog/No I can handle it/I'm the underdog,” this song brings forth a social commentary message of underdogs that have to prove themselves to be “twice as good.” “Your Love Belongs Under A Rock” is a short soulful track with ? and The Mysterians styled-organ sounds. Filled with enthusiasm and uninhibited Detroit rock and rock sounds, this track is the only original song found on Ultraglide In Black.

Other highlights include their take on Parliments “I’ll Wait,” Curtis Mayfield’s “Kung Fu,” Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up,” and “Living For The City.” Originally by Stevie Wonder and released in 1973, this song features some altered lyrics further emphasizing the urban struggle message and social commentary in the song with a fourth verse sung in Spanish. “Ode To A Black Man” is a song originally by Phil Lynott (of Thin Lizzy). This song is another strong moment with a bass heavy, moving rendition performed by The Dirtbombs that celebrates black leaders and cultural icons. “Living For The Weekend” is a raved up garage punk rendition of The O’Jays 1976 hit single that features a blues breakdown towards the ending moments. “I’m Qualified To Satisfy You” originally by Barry White features bouncing soulful bass with an unmistakable groove, while “Do You See My Love (For You Growing)” ends Ultraglide In Black. Originally by Jr. Walker & His All-Stars, it is found here by The Dirtbombs in a loose, yet spontaneous feel. Infusing garage with soul and a funk style, lyrics such as “Look into my heart baby/Look back at the memories/Tell me what do you see/Do you see my love for your growing” end Ultraglide In Black with a message that revels with possibility. 

House Rockin' Playlist (Originally Aired On February 12th, 2022):

1.  The Gories - Baby Say Unh! (Baby Say Unh! - Estrus Records - 1992)
2.  The Couvairs - Shake Baby (Shine On Sweet Starlet (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Sympathy For The Record Industry - 1998)
3.  The Voltair Brothers - The Mother Ones (I Sing The Booty Electric - Fall Of Rome - 2003)
4.  Mick Collins & Danny Kroha - Welcome To The Cemetery Club (Winter Blues and Greens - Epitaphs and Elegies by Vincent Kim Fowley - Norton Records - 2013)
5.  Wolfmanhattan Project - Sticky (Blue Gene Stew - In The Red Recordings - 2019)
6.  The Dirtbombs - Jump and Shout (Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-blooey! - In The Red Recordings - 2013)
7.  The Dirtbombs - Alleys of Your Mind (Party Store - In The Red Recordings - 2011)
8.  George "Wild Child" Butler - Gravy Child (Keep On Doing What You're Doing - Mercury Records - 1969(
9.  Mel Brown - Chicken Fat (Chicken Fat - Impulse! - 1967)
10. Howlin' Wolf - How Many More Years (Moanin' In The Moonlight - Chess Records - 1959)
11. Lonnie Johnson - There's No Love (Blues  - Bluesville - 1960)
12. The Meters - Funky Miracle (Look-Ka Py Py - Josie - 1969)
13. The Meters - Ease Back (The Meters - Josie - 1969)
14. Eddie Bo - Every Dog Gets Its Day (Tell It Like It Is/Every Dog Gets Its Day  - Ric Records/Quality - 1960)
15. Jackie Shane - Comin' Down (Any Other Way - Numero Group - 2017)
16. Jackie Shane - In My Tenement (Any Other Way - Numero Group - 2017)
17. Nina Simone - Mississippi Goddam Nina Simone (In Concert  - Phillips - 1964)
18. Salome Bey - Song From Blue S.A. (Salome Bey - CBC Radio Canada - 1970)
19. Andy And The Bey Sisters - Revenge (Andy And The Bey Sisters - RCA/Victor - 1961)
20. Yves Jarvis - Body of Work (Body of Work  - 2021)
21. Un Blonde - Understanding (Tenet - Bruised Tongue - 2015)
22. Faux Fur - Laundromat (Faux Fur - 2013)
23. Souvenir - Ransom (Collapse - 2021)
24. The Gories - Charm Bag (House Rockin' - Wanghead Records - 1989)
25. The Gories - Sister Ann (House Rockin' - Wanghead Records - 1989)
26. The King Sound Quartet - I Wouldn't Put It Past You (The Getdown Imperative - In The Red Recordings - 1997)
27. The Screws - Jesse Lee (Hate Filled Classics - In The Red Recordings - 1998)
28. Blacktop - Blazing Streets (I've Got A Baaad Feelin' About This: The Complete Recordings - In The Red Recordings - 2003)
29. The Dirtbombs - Burnt To Cinders (Horndog Fest - In The Red Recordings - 1998)
30. The Dirtbombs - I'll Wait (Ultraglide In Black - In The Red Recordings - 2001)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the February 12 file to download/stream the episode.

Rolling Stones Exile On Main St. & Show # 920

 

 

Released in May of 1972, The Rolling Stones album Exile On Main St. was recorded at a time when there was a lot of tension and change going on in the world of The Rolling Stones. Having moved to France due to a new tax on high earners in England, they became literal exiles in France. They also left their record label being entangled with publishing rights issues and in general thee was a constant influx of hangers on at the villa (where they would record Exile), there was also a growing disparity within the band member’s personal lives. Musically there are elements of blues, soul, gospel, country and rock music. The recording of the album began in 1969, but when the band relocated to France in 1971 they began the search for a studio to record in. Having trouble finding something that was suitable for them, it was decided that they would set up their mobile recording truck outside of Keith Richards villa named Nellcote and record in the basement rooms there. The sessions were described as loose, disorganized and as stated by bassist Bill Wyman, not that glamorous. Recording stretched out into irregular hours in the days and nights that followed commencing with some overdubs that were done at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles. A lot of the time not all of the band were present on the recordings, since the sessions were so loose, sometimes certain people wouldn’t be there when they were recording. All this adds to the albums mystique and overall aesthetic.

“Rocks Off” starts off with a Keith Richards guitar riff and a snare hit by drummer Charlie Watts before a tambourine leads us into the beginning moments of this album before the song kicks in. As great as an opener as there could be for an album, “Rocks Off” is sleazy, greasy and captures the undeniable essence of the band. In between horn stabs from the horn section featuring Bobby Keys and Jim Price, Jagger sings with tension, chaos and of the rock and roll lifestyle. There is even a psychedelic breakdown around the 2-minute mark. “Rip This Joint” ups the tempo with rave up rockabilly sounds featuring a slightly altered Stones lineup. Bill Plummer plays an upright bass along with the rest of the Stones including pianist Nicky Hopkins who plays a Johnnie Johnson styled piano part. As Jagger sings the story that takes place across America from an outsiders perspective, this song is also said to be the blue print for future proto punk and punk bands with its breakneck speeds. The Rolling Stones version of Slim Harpo’s “Shake Your Hips” comes next with a 50s rock influence, blues and undeniable swagger. “Casino Boogie” rolls with a blues and boogie rhythm feel while the abstract lyrics that pull in different meanings such as “Million dollar sad” were done using William Burroughs cut up technique. Random words were written on torn up pieces of paper, mixed up and then picked out one by one by the band members. The order that is present on the song is the same order that was picked during this process. “Tumbling Dice” is another standout track on this album. With its unusual blues rhythms and lyrics such as “Baby, I can't stay/You got to roll me/And call me the tumblin' dice/Always in a hurry/I never stop to worry/Don't you see the time flashin' by,” Jagger crafts a story of an unfaithful gambler. This track also features Charlie Watts overdubbing drums over his existing drums giving them a bigger sound.

Side two starts off with “Sweet Virginia.” A hazy country track, carried by Charlie Watts cardboard sounding shuffle rhythm, the lyrics are ripe with vivid imagery that have been said to be influenced by Gram Parsons, drug use and the debaucherous atmosphere that surrounded the sessions. With words such as “Trying to stop the waves behind your eyeballs,” “Yes I’ve got the desert in my toenail,” and “Thank you for your wine, California/Thank you for your sweet and bitter fruits,” the song isn’t so literal as some might think. The song seems to present an over arching theme of getting through hard times when you’re down and out. “Torn and Frayed” sounds exactly as the title suggests. Mixing elements of soul, gospel and country the song follows the thread of the frayed coat of a musician that lives life on the road and is a look into the less glamorous moments of being a rock star. “Sweet Black Angel” features country, blues and world music rhythms while the lyrics are of a political nature and about civil rights activist Angela Davis. The piano driven rough, yet tender love ballad “Loving Cup” arrives next. Another highlight on this album, the song had its beginnings during the 1969 recording sessions for Let It Bleed. The song “Happy” is sung by guitarist Keith Richards. The song was written pretty much on the spot in a few hours. Since not all of the band members were around a the time, the song was recorded with producer Jimmy Miller on drums and Richards on vocals, guitar and bass. Guitar overdubs were later added by second guitarist Mick Taylor along with backing vocals by Jagger (in addition to some horn section overdubs from Bobby Keys and Jim Price). This song went on to be a top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1972. “Turd On The Run” is not always liked by some Stones for some reason. Perhaps it is the title, but this is another great gem found among the gritty 18 songs that make up Exile On Main St. With its swampy blues rhythm, murky sounding at times humorous lyrics, this track was apparently sped up from the original recording to give it an unusual hectic sound.

“Ventilator Blues” features one of the few songwriting credits by guitarist Mick Taylor. This swampy blues number is indebted to Chess Records blues artists, soul music and has a title that was influenced by the lack of ventilation in the basement where they were recording. Since they were using a mobile recording unit outside and the weather in France at the time was quite warm, instruments were often going out of tune due to the heat and malfunctioning equipment. In the case of this song, they got some strange noises according to Richards and decided to leave it in. Lyrically dealing with the frustrations of life the song shows someone feeling the pressures of life closing in and evaporating around them. It provides no clear answers, but asks questions as it seeks some kind of ventilation or release from these frustrations. “Let It Loose” is a gospel inspired soul ballad. This emotionally charged song contains blues influences along with lyrics such as “Bit off more than I can chew/And I knew/Yeah I know what it was leading to,” and "In the bar you're getting drunk/whoa yeah yeah/Ain't in love, ain't in lust/whoa no no no” about a relationship that the character knows won’t last and can’t be maintained. “All Down The Line” starts of the fourth side of Exile On Main St. A more straight forward rock song with greasy blues spots throughout, lyrics such as “Well you can't say yes and you can't say no/Just be right there when the whistle blows/I need a sanctified mind to help me out right now,” seem to be looking forward while still being in the moment of chaos that surrounded them at the time. “All Down The Line” drives the Stones and Exile On Main St. into existential territory.

“Stop Breaking Down” comes next. A cover a song originally by Delta bluesman Robert Johnson, this song is reinterpreted with slide guitar from Mick Taylor, choppy blues guitar from Mick Jagger, harmonica, piano and an all around greasy groove from The Rolling Stones. Lyrically, this song even being a cover by Robert Johnson, takes on a new meaning here when redone by The Rolling Stones. “Shine A Light” is a soulful gospel influenced ballad that had its beginnings in 1969 when members of the band were working with Leon Russell. The song was originally about Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, but the lyrics were changed following his death. Featuring piano and organ by Billy Preston, drums by producer Jimmy Miller, bass and lead guitar from Mick Taylor, guitar from Richards and vocals from Jagger, this powerful song has words dealing with hope and despair. “Soul Survivor” ends Exile On Main St. This mid-tempo deep cut, displays The Stones in their element. Featuring lyrics such as “I'll stowaway at sea, yeah/Ya make me mutiny/Where you are I won't be/You're gonna be the death of me” and “I’m a soul survivor,” this song encapsulates a strength and spirit to rise above adversity. 

While there was a lot of recording done during this time, Exile On Main St. was put together in a way that many feel captures the essence of rock and roll music and is The Rolling Stones at their best and most creative. When describing the album art that makes up Exile On Main St.’s cover, frontman Mick Jagger stated that it shows a “feeling of joyful isolation, grinning in the face of a scary and unknown future.” And while those themes do present themselves on this album, along with outlaw blues related themes, Exile On Main St. also features more universal themes. Musically the album seamlessly blends all the elements of rock and roll music up to that point in 1971 and beyond. With Exile On Main St, The Rolling Stones proved that sometimes even when exiled from everything you know you can find yourself.  

Rolling Stones Exile On Main St. Playlist:

1. The Rolling Stones - Title 5 (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)
2. The Rolling Stones - I'm Going Down (Outtake) Exile On Main St: The Real Alternate Album
3. The Rolling Stones - Rocks Off (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
4. The Rolling Stones - Rip This Joint (Live) (Ladies & Gentleman: The Rolling Stones (Live 1972) - Rolling Stones Records/Eagle Vision - 2010)
5. The Rolling Stones - Shake Your Hips (Live) (The Montreux Rehearsals)
6. The Rolling Stones - Casino Boogie (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
7. The Rolling Stones - Tumblin' Dice (Live) (Ladies & Gentleman: The Rolling Stones (Live 1972) - Rolling Stones Records/Eagle Vision - 2010)
8. The Rolling Stones - Sweet Virginia (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
9. The Rolling Stones - Torn and Frayed (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
10. The Rolling Stones - Sweet Black Angel (Instrumental Version) (Exile On Main St: The Real Alternate Album - Red Tongue Records - 2012)
11. The Rolling Stones - Loving Cup (Alternate Take) (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 1972/2010)
12. The Rolling Stones - Happy (Live) (Ladies & Gentleman: The Rolling Stones (Live 1972) - Rolling Stones Records/Eagle Vision - 2010)
13. The Rolling Stones - Turd On The Run (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
14. The Rolling Stones - Ventilator Blues (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
15. The Rolling Stones - I Just Want To See His Face (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
16. The Rolling Stones - Let It Loose (Instrumental Version) (Exile On Main St: The Real Alternate Album - Red Tongue Records - 2012) 
17. The Rolling Stones - All Down The Line (Alternate Version) (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 1972/2010)
18. The Rolling Stones - Stop Breaking Down (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 1972/2010)
19. The Rolling Stones - Shine A Light (Alternate Version) Exile On Main St: The Real Alternate Album
20. The Rolling Stones - Soul Survivor (Alternate Version) (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)
21. The Rolling Stones - Good Time Women (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)
22. The Rolling Stones - I'm Not Signifying (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)
23. The Rolling Stones - So Divine (Aladdin Story) (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the February 5 file to download/stream the episode.

Coming Up On Revolution Rock in February 2022!

As February arrives, Revolution Rock is prepping for its annual theme month programming. Every episode that airs in February will be devoted to a specific theme. Dave and Adam have some cool programming lined up ranging from our annual Black History Month program to our Revolution Surf episode. Revolution Rock can be streamed and downloaded from cjam.ca (and also after it airs on this website). Last year Revolution Rock became a syndicated program and can now be heard on twelve other campus/community radio stations across Canada in addition to CJAM FM.

Continue reading to find out about this year’s schedule for Theme Month:

Stones in Exile: The 50th Anniversary of The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street Album
Saturday February 5th, 2021
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Originally released in May of 1972, Exile On Main Street is a double album released by The Rolling Stones. The recording of the album began in 1969 and continued into 1971 in the South of France in a villa rented by Keith Richard named Nellcote. At the time the band was living abroad as tax exiles, the basement rooms of the villa became the studio where the band would record the album. Recordings stretched across many days and nights as the band worked with a mobile recording unit. The sessions were described as disorganized and loose. At the time there were many other factors at play during the recordings including drug use, the conditions of the studio, growing disparity between the band members and their personal lives, hangers on and people coming by during the sessions. However as a result, Exile On Main Street was pieced together from these sessions in a double that many feel is The Rolling Stones at their best and most creative. Overdubs were done at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles. Musically the album dove into blues, country, gospel and rock and roll music in a variety of styles. Although it was met with some mixed reviews at the time of its release, it is now seen as one of their best. In 2010, a 40th anniversary edition of the album was released which featured a bonus disc made up of outtakes and alternate versions of songs recorded for the album. On this episode we will play the album in its entirety, but with a twist. We will be playing the full album, but made up of different versions of the songs from the sessions and live recordings. The show will also feature a selection of outtakes recorded from the session.

Houserockin’: Revolution Rock Celebrates Black History Month
Saturday February 12th, 2021
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

In the mid 1980’s Mick Collins helped form the seminal and now legendary garage punk band The Gories in Detroit, Michigan. The band, who still plays live to this day features Mick Collins on vocals/guitar, Dan Kroha on guitar/vocals and Peg O’Neil on drums. After three albums and a series of singles the band broke up after a European tour in 1992. Collins also formed The Dirtbombs in 1992. The band started as a side project and started recording in 1995. They went on to go much further than that blended diverse influences such as punk, soul also featuring dual bass guitar and a dual drum and guitar lineup. The band has had an ever-changing lineup. Every album the band releases is different, but not in the traditional sense. For example 2011’s Party Store features rock covers of early Detroit techno and house music, 2001’s Ultraglide in Black is a collection of soul, R&B and Motown covers, 2013’s Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-blooey! is a bubble gum record. Mick has also been involved in many other bands such as Blacktop, King Sound Quartet and more recently Wolfmanhattan Project. On this episode of Revolution Rock, we will have sets of music featuring music with Mick Collins, as well as sets of music from other artists and genres such as Nina Simone, Howlin' Wolf and Salome Bey in celebration of Black History Month.

Still YC: A Special On You’ve Change Records
Saturday February 19th, 2021
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca) 

 You’ve Changed Records is an independent, artist run record label. Founded in 2009 by Daniel Romano and Steven Lambke, the label celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019. The first official released on You’ve Changed Records was Shotgun Jimmie’s Still Jimmie in 2009. The label has released music by Shotgun Jimmie, The Weather Station, Marine Dreams, Partner, Nap Eyes, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Fiver, Jon McKiel, Status/Non-Status, Julie Doiron, music from Steven Lambke and Daniel Romano and other bands that he has been a part of or collaborated with such as Daniel Romano’s Outfit, Ancient Shapes, Baby Eagle, Julie Doiron. Each release that You’ve Changed releases has its own unique art/album covers and design. Romano started out playing in indie folk acts Attack In Black and Daniel, Fred & Julie. Steven Lambke is known as being a member of the band Constantines. He has also been the creative director of Sappyfest since 2017 and has released music as Baby Eagle and as a solo artist. In 2020, Daniel Romano released numerous albums at an amazing rate. Nine albums, an EP and a 22-minute track with Tool’s Danny Carey were released by Romano in 2020. A major feat for any artist and all of them are great. On this episode we will feature selections from the You’ve Change Records discography.

Revolution Surf 2022
Saturday February 26th, 2021
7-9 PM EST
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Every year theme month ends with our annual surf rock special titled Revolution Surf. Early surf music’s sound was dominated by the use of reverb units that were developed by Fender guitars in 1961. In the future they would be built into the amplifier, but at this point in the early 60s, they were separate units utilizing springs that helped to create that reverby sound that emulates what waves sound like. Now you can just add it as a setting when using a computer or on a guitar pedal or amplifier. For this year’s episode there will be no theme. The episode will be made up of a mixture of new and old surf and instrumental music from the past and present. Whether it was made with an old-fashioned reverb unit or one of the more modern reverb methods, Revolution Surf will end out this year’s theme month once again with a mix of surf sounds.

Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash & Shows # 919 & 918

The first Replacements album Sorry Man, Forgot To Take Out The Trash was first released in 1981 on the Twin/Tone label. Although associated with other bands in the Minneapolis scene, they were different. While their uninhibited snotty energy tapped into punk, Paul Westerberg’s songwriting even in this early stage, stood out from the other bands at the time. Featuring Paul Westerberg on guitar/vocals, Tommy Stinson on bass, Bob Stinson on lead guitar and Chris Mars on drums, The Replacements first album featured 18 tracks.

The songs delved into themes of boredom, angst, despair, relationships, booze and everything in between. Containing now classic tracks such as “Takin’ A Ride,” “Customer,” “I Hate Music,” “Johnny’s Gonna Die,” “Shiftless When Idle,” and “I’m In Trouble,” throughout the Sorry Ma album, the songs are also filled a unique sense of humour and also abandon. Recorded at Blackberry Way in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the album was produced by Steve Fjelstad, Paul Westerberg and Peter Jesperson. Although it has been stated many times before, Peter Jesperson was instrumental in getting The Replacements not only gigs at The Longhorn (a venue he was helping book shows at), but he also helped get them a record deal to make Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash. Also a taste maker in the music scene in the Twin Cities at the time, when he first heard The Replacements 4-track demo tape, he flipped out. He became an instant lifelong fan and supporter. He also helped to record early demos of the band in addition to helping produce this album.

In 2021, a deluxe edition of Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash was released on Rhino Records. This edition, like the previous deluxe editions of their other albums that have come before this, expands a certain time period in the band’s history. This set features the original Sorry Ma album remastered with the B-side country ballad “If Only You Were Lonely,” along with 67 unreleased tracks and an unreleased live show live at 7th St Entry in Minneapolis on January 23rd, 1981. Included in the set is the original 4-track demo that got them their record deal, the demo that proceeded it (when they weren’t even known as The Replacements yet), a plethora of other early demos and recordings, there are alternate takes and outtakes from the Sorry Ma sessions as well. The 4 CD set also comes with a vinyl edition of the album made up from the alternate takes and some demos from this time period giving Sorry Ma a different sonic outlook called Deliberate Noise -The Alternate Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash. There is also a book with previously unreleased photos, interviews with the band members and associates as well as writings from band biographer Bob Mehr. Peter Jesperson, Rhino’s Jason Jones and Bob Mehr produced this deluxe set. Whichever version you listen to Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash is where it all began for The Replacements. There is chaos, reckless abandon and depth in the songs. Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash captures The Replacements in their earliest and rawest form.

Show 919 Playlist (Originally Aired On January 29th, 2022)(Destroyer, Teenanger, Cellos, The Replacements):

1. Broken Social Scene - Curse Your Fail
2. Gray - Wig
3. Ada Lea - Oranges
4. Fiver - Paid in Pride
5. The Sadies - Message To Belial
6. Bill Fay - Backwoods Maze
7. Good2Go - Hold Me Close
8. The Detroit Cobras - Bad Girl
9. The Retail Simps - Love Without Friction
10. Thee Headcoatees - Don't Try and Tell Me
11. Neu! - Hallogallo
12. Destroyer - Tinoretto, It's For You
13. Teenanger - Good, You?
14. Aversions - Sharp Left Turns
15. Devo - Strange Pursuit (Demo)
16. Trampoline Delay - Don't Let Go
17. Cellos - Moustache Rock
18. Lucy Dacus - First Time
19. Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Penelope Halfpenny
20. Basement Revolver - Tunnel Vision
21. Cat Power - Pa Pa Power
22. The Replacements - Lookin' For Ya (Demo)
23. The Replacements - Raised In The City (Demo)
24. The Replacements - Careless (Alternate Version)
25. The Replacements - I'm In Trouble (Alternate Version)
26. The Replacements - Don't Ask Why (Alternate Mix)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the January 29 file to download/stream the episode.

 Show 918 Playlist (Originally Aired On January 22nd, 2022)(Fontaines D.C., Outtacontroller, Ronnie Spector, Dave Whitehead, Crissy DeVerbert, Hilary Bockham/Ida Red and Rachel Nagy Tributes):

1. Fontaines D.C. - Jackie Down The Line
2. Lammping - Everylasting Moors
3. Trampoline Delay - Personal Space
4. Outtacontroller - Parts Unknown
5. Matt Ellis - Everything Sucks/I Hate It All
6. Print Head - Only Being
7. Print Head - Trouble Doubt Brewin'
8. Howlin' Wolf - Who's Been Talkin'
9. Roy Orbison - Lana
10. Paul Simon - Run That Body Down
11. Al Green - La-La For You
12. No Frills - I Don't Want To Be Your Dog Anymore
13. Scarlet Drops - It's Time To Do
14. Tunic - Ex-Epic
15. L00ping - Wasn't There
16. Diamondtown - Stride
17. Lost Patrol - I’m Not The One
18. Lost Patrol - Grow Up Hard
19. The Guitar Army Ft. Dave Whitehead - Pills (Live at The Vic 1998)
20. Zellots - On The Dole
21. Zellots - Soldier
22. The Delmonas - Comin' Home Baby
23. The Delmonas - Peter Gunn Locomotion
24. Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band feat. Ronnie Spector - Be My Baby
25. The Ronettes - What'd I Say
26. Ronnie Spector - You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory
27. The Ronettes - Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love
28. The Detroit Cobras - He Did It
29. The Detroit Cobras - Stay Down
30. The Detroit Cobras - Cha Cha Twist

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the January 22 file to download/stream the episode.

Revolution Rock: The 2021 Interviews & Show # 917

This year on Revolution Rock, the program featured eleven different interviews. Eight were audio based interviews that aired on the show and three were done through email specifically for this website. On this episode we featured highlights (or clips) from each of the audio interviews and music from each of the artists that were interviewed, whether it was for the radio program or for this website. Below you will find some info about these interviews plus the playlist and download/streaming links to the episode.

An Interview with Richard Hell (February 2021): 

In February 2021, as part of Revolution Rock’s annual theme month programming we spoke with New York punk icon Richard Hell. Known as one of the originators and pioneers during the early days of New York punk, Hell quit the music world in 1984 to focus on writing, only reappearing a few times on some music projects. Having co-founded Television, being one of the original members of The Heartbreakers (featuring Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan of The New York Dolls), Hell formed Richard Hell & The Voidoids in 1976 and released their debut album, Blank Generation in 1977. Hell’s look and aesthetic would go on as a template for punk music that would influence others, most notably The Sex Pistols, who in turn would influence their own music scene. The Voidoids first album is seen as a classic, with its title track still sounding as vital and thought provoking today. In 1982, he released the often misunderstood Destiny Street. The album has a long history, which Richard goes into detail about in the interview. It was reissued in 2021 as Destiny Street Complete via Omnivore Recordings. The set contains four versions of the album, along with a few outtakes. The original 1982 version remastered, the 2009 Destiny Street Repaired version, a newly remixed version of Destiny Street and a collection of demos that show early and different versions of the songs that would make up this album. Destiny Street Complete re-establishes the great moments of Destiny Street for everyone to hear. Richard Hell is an author, poet, musician and actor. In this interview Richard Hell covers the time period making Destiny Street, parts of his writing career and influences, along with his songwriting process in the Voidoids and more.

Listen to the full interview here:

Find the original post here.

An Interview with Patrick Flegel (of Cindy Lee/Women) & Michael Wallace (of Preoccupations/Women) (February 2021):

As part of a special program focusing on the 10th anniversary of Calgary band Women’s second and final album Public Strain we spoke with vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Patrick Flegel and drummer Michael Wallace. Recorded in the span of ten months in the dead of winter in Calgary by Chad VanGaalen, Public Strain explored more post punk sounds, often darker and more jarring, but at the same time there is something strangely beautiful that permeates this record. The album received widespread critical acclaim, eventually being long listed on the nominees for the Polaris Prize in 2011. Women toured heavily from 2008-2009. They also toured in support of Public Strain, but that tour was cut short in October 2010. Following a show that occurred in October 2010 in Victoria BC, Women stopped playing as a band. The band members went their separate ways. Bassist Matthew Flegel and drummer Michael Wallace went on to form the band Viet Cong (before changing their name to Preoccupations), guitarist/vocalist Patrick Flegel would continue creating music eventually creating music as Cindy Lee and Christopher Reimer joined the band The Dodos as their touring guitarist while collaborating and creating music until he passed away in his sleep unexpectedly in 2012. In these exclusive interviews Patrick talks about creating the music with Women for Public Strain, his influences as well as recording and performing as Cindy Lee. Michael Wallace, gives his own account of the sessions, recording with Chad VanGaalen and the moments leading up to the album, joining the band Women, Preoccupatons beginnings as well as plans for their next album. 

Listen to the full interviews here:

Find the original post here.

An Interview with Chad VanGaalen (March 2021):

Chad VanGaalen released World’s Most Stressed Out Gardner in 2021 on Sub Pop and Flemish Eye Records. The music that he creates while it is sometimes folk, sometimes psychedelic, sometimes indie rock, sometimes strange, is really its own thing. The universe in which the songs of Chad VanGaalen belong is a strange, wonderful, kind of messed up, cosmic place at times. As we enter these worlds we find ourselves absorbed by the sounds and stories that he produces. World’s Most Stressed Out Gardener is eclectic and offers more variety musically than ever before on one of his albums, but still has the same feel of the best of Chad VanGaalen’s work. In the interview Chad discusses how the album was created and altered when he came up with the song “Samurai Sword” just before the album was set to be printed, working on songs and recording. He also discusses his time recording Women’s Public Strain and working with members of the band on their first two albums, buying stuff of Kijiji, gardening and more.

Listen to the full interview here:

Find the original post here.

An Interview with Chris Murdoch (April 2021):

Halifax musician, DJ and writer Chris Murdoch released the full-length debut album Collapse with his band Souvenir in April of 2021. This followed 2020, Beating into Dust EP. In 2020, we also spoke with Chris for this website through email to discuss his music history playing in bands and Black Dots: An Afropunk Primer. Black Dots is an eight-page essay is somewhere in between a zine and pamphlet that also includes exclusive illustrations done by graphic designer/musician Raymond Biesinger. Inside over the course of 2800 words, Chris Murdoch covers his own experiences being a musician and attending shows in Halifax along with information about when Black first met punk in the UK and US. It was released through the Pentagon Black label in Montreal and over $3000 was donated to Black Lives Matter Solidarity Fund Nova Scotia from its sales. Souvenir is a band out of Halifax, Nova Scotia featuring bassist/vocalist Lachie MacDonald (Tom Fun Orchestra, Great Plains, Dyscontrol), guitarist/vocalist Dave Banoub (Jon Hynes) and Chris Murdoch on drums/vocals (Word On The Street, Weekend Dads, Outtacontroller). Produced by Charles Austin (Outtacontroller, Future Girls) out of Ocean Floor Studios in Halifax, Collapse is the debut full-length album from Souvenir. With all three members contributing vocals and songs, Collapse features nine songs and album cover artwork by illustrator Raymond Biesinger. In the interview Chris talks about the recording and writing process that the band went through to create Collapse, politics in punk and more. 

 Listen to the full interview here:

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An Interview with Paul Jacobs (May 2021):

Montreal musician Paul Jacobs latest release Pink Dogs On The Green Grass was released via Blow The Fuse Records in 2021. With just thirteen tracks, this album follows 2020’s outtakes/demo collection Portrait of George (Demo & Songs I Forgot About) and 2018’s EASY. Already having several albums in his discography (and two releases as part of post punk group Pottery), Pink Dogs On The Green Grass shows Paul Jacobs branching out by finding a new way of approaching his music. Musically, references have been made to Cass McCombs, Kurt Vile, early Beck, but you can also hear the influence of 60s psychedelia and bands such as The Byrds and Lou Reed. Lyrically, Jacobs words are at times surreal. They are sometimes about different characters or observations and often take on cryptic meanings. While some have said that the lyrics reveal unwanted moments that stick with you, Pink Dogs On The Green Grass is much more than that. In the interview Paul talks about recording his new album, illustrating the videos for this album, who Bobby is from Pottery’s Bobby’s Motel album, David Lynch and more. 

Listen to the full interview here:

Find the original post here.

An Interview with Mark Arm & Steve Turner of Mudhoney (August 2021):

Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge is the second full-length album from Seattle’s Mudhoney. An expanded 30th anniversary edition was released by Sub Pop in 2021 featuring demos, outtakes and non-album tracks. Originally released on July 26th, 1991, the album shipped 50,000 copies when it was originally released. Just a few months later, Nirvana’s Nevermind would be released and the whole musical landscape would change. Prior to being recorded, Mudhoney recorded five tracks with producer Jack Endino (who also produced their Superfuzz Bigmuff EP and the Mudhoney album) in a 24-track studio. Unhappy with the results, guitarist Steve Turner pushed for a change of direction. Liking the results of Conrad Uno’s 8-track recording studio called Egg Studios on the Thrillsphere album by Tacoma, Washington’s Girl Trouble, the band decided to record a selection of punk covers with Uno to see what it would sound like recording there. Several of these songs came out on singles or on compilation albums, but not all of them. In spring of 1991, Mudhoney began recording Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge. On this album Mudhoney switches their focus embracing 60s garage influences such as The Sonics, Lollipop Shoppe, Neil Young, Spacemen 3, post hardcore, 80s hardcore and the sounds of bands such as Zounds and Hawkwind. In the interview Mark Arm & Steve Turner of Mudhoney talk about making the 1991 album, being in an unaired TV pilot for Fox, the influence of The Wipers, fuzz pedals and more. 

Listen to the full interview here:

Find the original post here.

An Interview with Matt Ellis (May 2021):

Hamilton musician Matt Ellis has played in many different bands such as The Vapids, Flesh Rag and PlasticHeads. Usually on guitar, Matt recorded a series of Ramones inspired EPs in 2020 at his home where he played all of the instrumentation. All of the proceeds from these releases went towards different non-profit organizations in Toronto and Hamilton. Following a remix, the addition of real drums provided by Jimmy Vapid of The Vapids, Curtis Tone from PlasticHeads and two new tracks, Full Moon Fever was released on vinyl at the end of February 2021 on Surfin Ki Records. With an obvious Ramones influence, the songs that make up Full Moon Fever pull from the Dee Dee Ramone penned catalogue of Ramones tracks with a dash of The Spits, DBOY and Seattle band HEAD. At 18 tracks, none of the songs on Full Moon Fever go past the two-minute mark. Running through themes of isolation, frustration, boredom and escapism, Full Moon Fever delves into a manic dynamic of punk rock and suburban paranoia. Ellis released an album with another band called Anxious Pleasers on cassette that featured members of Hamilton band TV Freaks. In January 2021, he released a new digital single titled Everything Sucks. Matt Ellis did an exclusive Q&A for this website covering his music influences/history, the making of Full Moon Fever, guitars and his favourite Ramones albums. 

Read the full interview/post here.

An Interview with Shawn McDonald (June 2021):

London, Ontario musician Shawn McDonald has been involved in numerous rock bands over the years. In 2021, he made several albums from his discography with different bands he’s been in available digitally for the first time. One of his earlier bands, Grassy Knoll & The Magic Bullit released the album Hollandays digitally. It was a lost, previously unreleased album. In addition to this album he made other albums from this band available through Bandcamp and other streaming services. In 2018, 2 was released by the band Baby Giant. Baby Giant is made up of musicians Shawn McDonald and Tim McDonald. The band started out around 2017 to record a collection of reworked/reimagined songs in commemoration of an earlier band that the McDonald’s had been in called Grassy Knoll & The Magic Bullit (that album is called Grassy Magic). Being in numerous bands such as The Fine Print, Dragsville, Hurricane & Able and many others Shawn McDonald really showcases his songwriting abilities on 2, both on his own and in collaboration with Tim McDonald. The album was recorded by Tim McDonald (credited as King Woobs). Shawn McDonald did a Q&A for this website covering the writing of several songs in Grassy Knoll & The Magic Bullit, some of the bands he has played/recorded with and what he is currently working on. 

Read the full interview/post here.

An Interview with Neil Jarvis (July 2021):

Perhaps best known as being in the Manchester band Sprinters, Get The Band Back Together is the third solo album released by Neil Jarvis. Prior to this Sprinters released two excellent albums, 2017’s Sprinters and 2019’s Struck Gold. Neil’s earlier solo albums were recorded the same way as this one was, on a 4-track cassette recorder. Weekends (2012) and Halloween Summer (2014) featured lo-fi, psych/surf influenced sounds that were sometimes experimental. Get The Band Back Together is more acoustic based, but it still features the sometimes haunting nostalgic feeling that is present throughout all of Neil’s songs. Recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder during lockdown in April 2020-June 2021, Get The Back Band Together takes Jarvis’ earlier tried and true method of recording/writing songs, but adds a sense of maturity and poignancy that sets this collection of songs apart from both Sprinters and his earlier work. Neil Did a Q&A for this website where he covers recording and releasing an album during the pandemic, the influence of musician David Berman and some of his earlier solo releases. 

Read the full interview/post here.

An Interview with The Garrys (October 2021): 

Get Thee To A Nunnery is the fourth full-length album by Saskatoon’s The Garrys. This three-piece sister trio features Erica Maier (guitar/vocals), Julie Maier (bass/vocals) and Lenore Maier (drums/vocals). They first started appearing on underground music radar with 2017’s Surf Manitou, which brought their prairie inspired surf dynamics and combined them with folk-like tales of Manitou Beach, SK, a family vacation spot that the Maier’s visited when younger. In 2020, The Garrys released their score to the 1922 silent film Haxan:Witchcraft Through The Ages, which was performed and recorded live as the film played in a theatre. They describe their music as “dreamy blood harmony surf rock doom-wop on morphine.” Get Thee To A Nunnery has been getting critical acclaim appearing on Bandcamp Daily, other sites and charting on the Earshot Top 50 Album Charts across campus radio in Canada. Revolution Rock spoke with Erica, Julie and Lenore Maier of The Garrys. In the interview they discuss their formation, recording/writing songs for Get Thee To A Nunnery, working with Dallas Good as producer, doing the live soundtrack to Haxan:Witchcraft Through The Ages and more.

Listen to the full interview here:

Find the original post here.

Show 917: The 2021 Interviews Playlist:

1. Richard Hell - Kid With The Replaceable Head  (Remastered) (Destiny Street Complete - Omnivore Recordings - 2021)

RICHARD HELL INTERVIEW CLIP

2. Richard Hell - Ignore That Door (Remixed)  (Destiny Street Complete - Omnivore Recordings - 2021)
3. Women - Narrow With The Hall (Public Strain - Flemish Eye - 2010/2020)

PATRICK FLEGEL (OF CINDY LEE/WOMEN) INTERVIEW CLIP

4. Cindy Lee - Love Remains (Cat O’Nine Tails - CCQSK Records - 2020)
5. Women - Everyone Is So In Love With You (Rarities 2007-2010 - Flemish Eye - 2020)

MICHAEL WALLACE (OF PREOCCUPATIONS/WOMEN) INTERVIEW CLIP

6. Preoccupations - Monotony (Preoccupations - Jagjaguwar/Flemish Eye - 2006)
7. Chad VanGaalen - Starlight (World's Most Stressed Out Gardener - Sub Pop/Flemish Eye - 2021)

CHAD VANGAALEN INTERVIEW CLIP

8. Souvenir - Ransom (Collapse - 2021)

CHRIS MURDOCH (OF SOUVENIR) INTERVIEW CLIP

9. Souvenir - Holding Pattern (Collapse - 2021)
10. Paul Jacobs - Half Rich Longer (Pink Dogs On The Green Grass - Blow The Fuse Records - 2021)

PAUL JACOBS INTERVIEW CLIP

11. Paul Jacobs - The Telephone (Revisited) (Story About Anything EP - 2018)
12. Mudhoney - Into The Drink (Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (30th Anniversary Edition) - Sub Pop - 2021)

MARK ARM & STEVE TURNER (OF MUDHONEY) INTERVIEW CLIP

13. Matt Ellis - Flowers In The Moonlight (Full Moon Fever - Surfing Ki Records - 2021)
14. Grassy Knoll & The Magic Bullit - A-Jam (Hollandays - 2021)
15. Baby Giant - Japan (2 - 2018)
16. Neil Jarvis - Get The Band Back Together (Get The Band Back Together - On The Grind Records - 2021)
17. The Garrys - Devil’s Dip (Get Thee To A Nunnery - Grey Records - 2021)

ERICA, JULIE & LENORE MAIER (OF THE GARRYS) INTERVIEW CLIP

18. The Garrys - In The Dawn (Get Thee To A Nunnery - Grey Records - 2021)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the January 15 file to download/stream the episode.