Foxygen, The Stems & Show # 446

Foxygen is an American Indie Rock duo that recently has released their second full length album We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic on Jagjaguwar Records. The band initially started out in 2005 in Westlake Village located in California and their music is often called experimental. In the early days of the band they were labelled as very experimental, they released several EP’s from 2005 to 2011 many of which are now long out of print. The duo consists of Sam France (vocals) and Jonathon Radio (guitar/keys) and following the release of 2011’s Take The Kids Off Broadway, produced by American producer Richard Swift they were signed to Jagjaguwar Records. The bands sound mixes elements of 60s Psychedellia, Pop and Indie and draws influences from artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Velvet Underground and David Bowie while adding an experimental twist. In 2012 Foxygen released their second full length album We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, once again produced by Richard Swift and has received high acclaim following the release of its first single “Shruggie”.

The Stems are a Garage Rock band from Perth in Western Australia. They initially formed in 1983 drawing on 60s Garage and 70s Power Pop influences for a sound all their own. They released one full length album (At First Sight, Violets Are Blue in 1987) and an EP (Love Will Grow – Rosebud Volume 1 in 1986). The band also put out several singles, in 1985 they put out the Tears Me In Two/Can’t Resist single on Citadel Records. “Tears Me In Two” was initially recorded the sessions for their first single “She’s A Monster”. After interest developed in the band they signed to Citadel Records, released the “She’s A Monster” single and re-recorded the “Tears Me In Two” single which was produced by Rob Younger of Radio Birdman along with their Love Will Grow - Rosebud Volume 1 EP. The single apparently climbed the Australian Indie charts and reached number one in the late 80s. The song itself was a 60s fuzz driven Garage Punk explosion right down to the opening scream and authentic organ. The band split up in 1987, reuniting in 2003 and releasing a new full length album entitled Heads Up in 2007. The Stems are still currently active.

This week's play list:

1. Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers – Born To Lose
2. MC5 – Highschool
3. The Ramrods –Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle
4. B-Girls – “B”Side
5. X-Ray Spex – Let’s Submerge (Live The Roxy London 1977)
6. The Unwanted – Freedom (Live The Roxy London 1977)
7. Craig Martinson – If I Had A Blame
8. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – From The Sun
9. Yo La Tengo – Ohm
10. A Volatile Mixture – Cinnamon Girl
11. Elliot Knapp – Instant Gratification
12. Smoke Faires – Three of Us
13. Adam and The Ants – Beat My Guest
14. Dishrags – Sold Out
15. Modernettes – Surf City Strangler (Live)
16. Lost Patrol – I’m Not The One
17. The Lyrics – They Can’t Hurt Me
18. The Canadian Rogues – Keep In Touch
19. Foxygen – Shuggie
20. The Damned – Born To Kill
21. Mystics – Bad Times
22. Paul Jacobs – You Got Soul (Demo)
23. Fruit Tones – One Foot Loose
24. The Stems - Tears Me In Two

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for March 5. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Make You Mine...The Stems Story and Show # 187

Coming from Perth, Australia, The Stems had their beginnings in the later part of 1983. The band started while Don Mariani was in a band called the Go-Starts. He was asked to give guitar lessons to Richard Lane, the lessons would then turn into more of a band situation. Gary Chambers would play drums and Julian Matthews would play bass. After a band was assembled the band recorded some demos and started playing live gigs. The bands first live gig was supporting The Saints and the Triffids. The band would be influenced by 60's garage rock bands such as The Standells, The Easybeats, and The Rolling Stones, they also had some R&B influences as well; The band falls under the categories of garage rock revival or garage punk. The band would continue playing live shows, securing a residency and in 1985 released their first single which was, "Make You Mine" with "She's A Monster" as the B-side. They would also record the song "Tears Me In Two" around this time as well.

The EP Love Will Grow came next in 1986. The EP was produced by Radio Birdman's Rob Younger and was released on Citadel Records. After touring to support the EP with the likes of the Flamin' Groovies, The Stems proceeded to record material that would make up their first full length album. After some complications in the studio and three months later At First Sight, Violets Are Blue came out in 1987. The album did quite well and went to number one on the Australian alternative charts, it even went to number 34 on the mainstream charts. The album was a mix of Mariani and Lane's garage rock and pop influences. The album was also on a different label Mushroom Records. There seemed to be interest in the band the song "At First Sight" was even featured on the soundtrack to the movie Young Einstein. After a tour to support the album and some TV appearances in 1987, they called it quits. The band did quite well for an Australian band that was only around for a short period of time, then released one full length album and a bunch of EP's; They have also been featured on numerous garage rock compilations.

After being in the Stems, Don Mariani would go on to form The Someloves, and DM3. Richard Lane would play with The Chevelles. In 2003, The Stems re-united for a tour and to promote the re-release of their first album. In 2007, The Stems recorded Head's Up, their second full length album.

CJAM is once again having voting take place for it's annual Jammy Awards. My Show (Revolution Rock) has been nominated for best punk/hard rock show. If you're a fan of the show and/or visit this website you can vote for my show (and your other favourite CJAM shows) at cjam.ca or by clicking this link Jammies 2008.

the Play List:

1. Collectors - We Can Make It
2. King Beez - Gloria
3. 409 - They Say
4. Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat
5. Rolling Stones - Around and Around
7. Standells - Medication
8. Foxboro Hot Tubs - Ruby Room
9. Love Me Nots - Come on Over
10. The Stems - Sad Girl
11. The Stems - Tears Me in Two
12. Pointed Sticks - The Witch
13. Neil Young - After the Garden
14. MC5 - Future/Now
15. The Clash - Stay Free (King Biscuit Flower Hour 1979)
16. The Clash - Janie Jones (King Biscuit Flower Hour 1979)
17. The Clash - Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad (King Biscuit Flower Hour 1979)
18. Buzzcocks - Harmony in My Head
19. Saints - Run Down
20. The Dogs - Sleaze City (Live)
21. Modernettes - Barbra
22. Constantines - Easy Money
23. The Strokes - Fear of Sleep
24. Compulsive Gamblers - Rock and Roll Nurse
25. Black Keys - Wicked Messenger

Stems Videos:

At First Sight
Sad Girl

Know Your Product...

I recently found out about these videos that The Saints made. There are two promotional music videos I found, one for their first single, "(I'm) Stranded", and one for "Know Your Product" that I didn't even know existed. Also included here is their performance on Top of The Pops in 1977. The Stems have a video too, I played the song "Tears Me In Two" on my show last week here's the video.

(I'm) Stranded Video
know Your Product Video
This Perfect Day on Top of The Pops
The Stems Tears Me in Two