There's lots of things to talk about, but today I mainly need to focus on one topic: I am covering the WCBN slot from 3-6 pm tomorrow and am putting together a special, one-time program, "Notes from Underground". It will consist entirely of little-known or remembered underground rock, new wave & punk from the period 1968-1989. No, I will not be playing my own stuff, but I think some of you might find it informative or at least entertaining. Naturallly, Free Speech Radio News will follow at 5:30 pm.
Some of the artists I do intend to play are The Contortions, Mars, DNA, Public Image Ltd., Boris Policeband, The Table, Joy Division, X-Ray Spex, The Bags, Throbbing Gristle, Arkansas Man, The Homosexuals, The Pack, The Dickies, Dome, The Residents, Chrome (if I can find anything), The Oxymorons and Good Cue Sign. The theme music will be by the Velvet Underground. Some of the artists I do NOT intend to play are The Clash, Nirvana, U2, R.E.M., Duran Duran, The Cure etc. There is nothing wrong with these groups, but they get plenty of support already in a "different kitchen", if you will. If anyone would like to suggest groups or cuts, feel free to write. I'd love to hear your suggestions, as long as they're not for things like "Turning Japanese". Write to uncledavelewis@hotmail.com. To hear the show on the web, go to
www.wcbn.org
On the left coast the program will begin at 12 Noon, in Europe it will start at 9pm. In NYC it will start at the same it does in Ann Arbor, at 3pm.
Some additional notes:
1) Monica Lewinsky's show is called "Mr. Personality", and gawd is it awful. One poor schmuck was called a "wimp" by Monica because he got tired of buzzing around the queen bee and decided to get it on with a drone. Another cast-off blamed his failure on alcohol consumption and pledged temperance to the TV in a way that would've made Carry Nation and her axe very warm and fuzzy inside. This show sends messages like "unemployed guys can be as cute as guys who have jobs, except that they can't behave at the luau."
2) Word has it that we will have an all-reality show network in about a year. Just what the world needs.
3) I listened to the Koch disc of Miklos Rosza's Symphony (1930/1993) and his orchestral varioations on a tune called The Vintner's Daughter (1955) today. I've had this one rolling around in my collection since about 1994, but heretofore never gave it a spin. The Symphony is good, not great, but it has a terriffic slow movement. The variations, though, is a masterwork, easily as strong as the best that Zoltan Kodaly has in terms of variation sets for orchestra. Doubtless you will hear it Monday morning next (unless my car dies again).
No playlist yet from Monday past. Soon Come.
Uncle Dave Lewis