Pop Recon returns to WPRB this Friday 4/25 at 7:00 PM ET with two archive interviews featuring ANTIETAM and SCRAWL.

These interviews have been transferred from the original reel-to-reels, and mostly likely, unheard since their original broadcasts. I hope you’ll tune in for these great, rare interviews and music from the artists.

Tune in! 103.3 FM on your radio dial, or visit WPRB on the Internet at http://www.wprb.com/

» Louisville, KY transplants ANTIETAM formed in 1984 — on the day of the Kentucky Derby, as the story goes. The group released a string of records on Homestead and Triple X, then quietly hung up their hats to focus on other projects. Antietam has recently regrouped and their new album, “Opus Mixtum,” is out now on Carrot Top.

This interview, taped in March 1990, catches the band right around the release of “Burgoo” (Triple X).

» Tough and noisy, Ohio rockers SCRAWL might have defined a lot of riot grrrl’s characteristics without knowing it. The group raged their way through seven albums for Rough Trade, Simple Machines, and Elektra. Though they called it quits in 1998, the group’s recording sound just as fresh as they did nearly twenty years ago.

The interview was taped in January 1990 at the Elm Club on the Princeton University campus, shortly before their show with Love Child. Needless to say, if I could devise a time traveling machine I would certainly go back to see this one.

ABOUT POP RECON
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pop-Recon/8493783673
Pop Recon is a monthly arts & culture series on WPRB. Pop Recon features new, on-the-scene interviews with musicians, writers, and more, and mixes them up with rare interviews unearthed from the station’s vault. Like the title suggests, Pop Recon seeks to take an in-depth look at the world of popular music.

Pop Recon is produced and hosted by WPRB’s Maria T (from the radio program Her Jazz), and is broadcast on WPRB the last Friday of the month at 7:00 p.m. ET. In addition to the broadcast, Pop Recon’s archive will be available for download via podcast. Pop Recon is WPRB’s first foray into the world of podcasting.

ABOUT WPRB
http://www.wprb.com/
Founded in 1940, WPRB is the oldest college FM radio station in the U.S.; it is a non-profit, independent organization operated by a staff of nearly 100 volunteer students and community members. WPRB can be heard on the airwaves throughout New Jersey and most of the Philadelphia metropolitan area by tuning into 103.3 FM or anywhere in the world via streaming audio at wprb.com or on iTunes radio.

Ever since I became a voter in PA, I have to say I am a little bummed that my polling place is, well, a little tame. The only difference between my PA and NJ voting locations is that my second grade teacher doesn’t sign me in and ask me if I’m still ice skating.

WPRB is covering the PA primaries tonight, beginning at 8PM EST. Can’t wait to check it out.

» The Constantines played Johnny Brenda’s on Sunday night and it was pretty fantastic. Sunday is a tough night for bands in this city, but there was a big crowd for the guys. Performance is the foundation of the Cons, so there wasn’t a dull moment on stage. I know a lot of folks aren’t crazy about Steve’s songs w/r/t the records, but they — and in this particular instance, thunderous and sprawling “Shower of Stones” — are perfectly tailored for live performance, appropriately linking the bands hardcore past with their current tastes. I was pretty psyched to hear stuff from the first album (”Arizona”, “Young Offenders,” “Steal This Sound” [? i think ?]), as well as their cover of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.”

» And in other news: I am in the process of moving out of my old apartment, dealing with the end of the school semester, and leaving my current job — all at once. (I believe these are what they call “Life Changes.”) Chances of me updating HJ in the next few weeks is pretty unlikely, but I’ll try.

The new Antietam album is quite fantastic.

Her Jazz 01-16-2008 | 07:00 - 10:00 PM | WPRB 103.3 FM (Princeton, NJ)
————————————————
the constantines - trans canada - kensington heights - N
lush - outdoor miner - for love
the strand - one more ring - seconds waiting
the fastbacks - impatience - 7″
julie peel - i believe in you - cinnamon girl - N C
sic alps - message from the law - description of the harbor - N
be your own pet - bummer time - get awkward - N
————————————————
del fuegos - i always call her back - 7″
monade - tout en tout est un - monstre comic - N
gordon withers - motorist - jawbox on cello - N
the thing - austere precautions - 10″
deception bay - ride - fortune days EP
external glands of secretion - run to me - northern exposure will be right back
breeders - night of joy - mountain battles - N
desk - astronauts - 7″
————————————————
pop recon: marc masters - interview - 3/9/08
the contortions - dish it out - no new york
teenage jesus & the jerks - burning rubber - teenage jesus & the jerks ep
pop recon: marc masters - interview - 3/9/08
mars - outside africa - mars
red transistor - not bite - 7″
pop recon: marc masters - interview - 3/9/08
dna - blonde redhead - a taste of dna
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dark day - nudes in the forest - new york noise vol 3 - C
antietam - i know - opus mixtum
blood on the wall - the ditch - liferz - N
helium - lucy - hole in the ground 7″
cause co-motion! - say what you feel - who’s gonna care 7″
the dentists - ugly - the dentists
cheveu - hot - cheveu - N
betty wright - mr lucky - eccentric soul: the outskirts of deep city - N C
————————————————
valet - fire - naked acid - N
grimble grumble - odyssey and oracle - grimble grumble 10″
magik markers - body rot - BOSS - N
unnatural helpers - heavy sugar - earwax EP - N
hearts of animals - lost in the translation - 7″ - N
————————————————
zumpano - let’s fight - goin’ through changes

The answer is Edison? Thanks to Maura for sending this!

I don’t want to say this is the perfect substitute for another Polvo album, because that would be downplaying Black Taj as a band. (It’s like if you dated someone and even though you broke up with said person, people would always use the ex as a point of reference. If it’s not kosher in our romantic lives, why is it acceptable to make similar comparisons when we’re talking about bands?)

But I digress. One of the strengths of Black Taj, I think, has been moving beyond what Polvo offered. Instead of western-tinged structures (which got super-indulgent and downright boring by Shapes), Black Taj shifts those trademark guitar riffs to classic rock. It winds up invoking the same fiery spark that put their previous band on the map in the first place. It’s not a throwback or a comeback, but rather staking out territory of its own.

Black Taj, “Fresh Air Traverse” (from Beyonder)
Pre-order the album here!
[Listen at Her Jazz]

Really. This image might top the dream I had about my friend Dominic booking a concert with Steely Dan, Jandek, and Robyn.

Because I don’t want to be The Ruiner™, You’ll have to click through to read the rest of this post.

If you followed my Twitter feed, you’ll know I waited for God-knows-how long to get inside the Zellerbach Theater (where they are taping CR for the week), and that I had to wait on another line once I was inside. Total wait time? Well over an hour. I probably would have had an easier time getting into Rachel Ray’s day party at SXSW.

Since they asked us to not use our phones and cameras during the taping, I couldn’t share anything in real-time. But here’s what I saw:

- DON’T BRING YOUR EXPLOSIVES, FIREARMS OR BOX CUTTERS. I mean really guys, leave ‘em at home for once. They will set off the metal detectors.
- The set is gorgeous, and complements the arcing nature of the CR set back in NYC.
- I enjoy the “Bill Cosby with pudding pop” homage in the background mural.
- What I wouldn’t give to have Ralph Archibald’s (aka, “Ben Franklin”) job. So much money for sitting in a chair onstage.
- Could Obama be tonight’s guest, rather than John Legend/etc? During the rehearsal they ran through an interview using his name.
- Stephen Colbert is just as funny in rehearsal as he is in the actual taping, especially since he gets to say “FUCK!”
- Rest assured, there will be some jokes you will cringe at.

Readers of this blog are well aware that I’m quite fond of WPRB to the point that I will say it’s the best damn radio station in the whole wide world — and our neighbor/friend/hot date to the north, WFMU, is not so shabby either — BUT this station trumps them all.

Why, you ask? Because it’s some guy in West Philly with a CB radio, blasting an array of funk, oldies and whatever they want. I’ve never actually listened, because I don’t own a CB, but this makes me want to buy one. We should all forget about lame-ass Muxtape, podcasts, and just start doing crazy fun shit like this.

» BTW, hello there visitors?! It’s a shame you had to visit on a day where I was busy and stuff.

Trishy’s brother, Steve, runs Too Drunk To Blog, and it’s just as fun as the Dead Kennedys tune it references. Wii! Karaoke! Who needs to drink when you can do it vicariously through Steve?

I think I’ve written this post about a million times now, but I would be thrilled to write it a million more: Pilam’s Human BBQ is my favorite music-related event in Philadelphia. Period. Hands-down. Simply put. Finito. And you know how much I loathe this godforsaken town.

So what’s so great about it? The free food (veg and non-veg), the bands, good vibes, and the welcoming nature of Pilam make it worth my time every year. For me, it’s the official start of spring, and when my first pangs of longing for summer begin.

This year I’m excited specifically because not only am I DJing (more on that in a sec), my good friends, Brooklyn’s Oxford Collapse and Philly’s own Brown Recluse Sings are playing, in addition to a slew of awesome bands.

So yeah, I’m DJing, 8:30 p.m. to midnight, along with England Belongs to Twee/FunVampires.com’s own Brian Labuda. You know the deal — indie rock, girl groups, power pop, and more. After us it’s Dave Nada and Cullen Stalin, who are part of the amazing Tax Lo party that goes down in Baltimore. And after that, the party will rage on until the next sunrise.

Anyway, here’s a track from Bellevue, who are reuniting for BBQ this year. (Thanks to Ben Morgan for tipping me off to the tune.) I think I saw them once or twice, most likely at Pilam. (Oh the hazy memories.) It rocks in a strangely Kinski-esque way (except that the vocals are terrible):

[Listen at Her Jazz]

While I appear to be in the small, small camp that enjoys most, if not all, of Chris Leo’s creative output, this performance of [what I argue to be one of] the Greatest Songs Written By A New Jersey Band In The Past Fifteen-ish Years fits the clingy, damp sensations of today.

Because it’s that kind of day, here’s “His Saxophone Is My Guitar” from The Van Pelt’s 1996 release, Stealing From Our Favorite Thieves. Those paying close attention might recognize a WPRB show with a similar name.

[Listen at Her Jazz]

After waiting for what seemed like a jillion hours (but was actually 3.5), CaUSE Co-MOTION! and Meneguar took the stage at Terrace F. Club in Princeton. Somehow, this late evening managed to set off a chain reaction of one late night after another, but not in a good or fun way.

ETA: Hello dere. Perhaps you may have not noticed this section before? If you keep stealing my photos for your sites, I will stop posting them here.

» In other news… the Austin Police Department located my missing driver’s license and bank card. Faith in humanity = restored.

My new series for WPRB, Pop Recon, debuts tomorrow (Friday) night at 7PM EST. Pop Recon is an hour-long arts & culture interview series that airs on the last Friday of the month, featuring new interviews and rare archive material from WPRB’s vaults.

The first episode features an interview with Marc Masters, whose new book “No Wave” was recently published by Black Dog Publishing.

Pop Recon is a step in a new direction for me — I’ve been learning how to record/produce pieces that are more “broadcast journalism” instead of “playing a bunch of records and praying that I don’t swear on-air” (not that I don’t love the latter!) — and I hope you’ll dig it. This project wouldn’t exist without the support of WPRB (best station in the world!) and the Department of Broadcasting, Telecommunications & Mass Media at Temple (which is actually giving me course credit to learn this! School is awesome!).

WPRB is accessible via terrestrial radio or the internet! You can tune to 103.3 FM in NJ/Eastern PA, or log onto wprb.com.

If you miss out on the show, I have good news: Pop Recon is WPRB’s first podcast series. Archives go up after the show is broadcast, and you can listen along at home/work/the road on your handy mp3 player of choice. (Note: archives will probably begin next week?)

If you happen to be on Facebook, I’ve set up a small page for announcements, etc.

Anyway, tell your friends and tell them to tell their friends, and I hope you can tune in.

Looking for May 1st/June 1st move-in!

Click through to check out some photos from my last two days at SXSW.

It’s NOT OK to repost these elsewhere without contacting me first.

Sorry to be an überbitch about it, but recently I have been running into the problem of having my photos swiped sans permission. It’s gotten to the point where I hesitate about posting my work in a public space at all.

Friday

Lamar Street pedestrian bridge, post so-called “riot”. It’s a little hard to tell in the second photo, but the band’s singer is wearing some sort of thong/”sexy lingerie” contraption. I don’t know what they were called, but the singer proceeded to shove the faucet of the water fountain up his rear at the end of their set. I would advise against using that fountain for, like, forever. Anyway, that’s J Mascis in the last photo, that the infamous bridge show. OK, now I feel all weird and stalkery writing that.

White Denim’s guitarist was playing out of this Grateful Dead-inspired cabinet. That is the first/last time you will ever hear me utter that band’s name on Her Jazz. Anyway, I’m glad I caught this band live — they really do put on quite an energetic show. They’re playing Philly on 4/22 at the First Unitarian Church.

This is a terrible, blurry shot of Be Yr Own Pet’s guitarist in mid-air. But I got it, and that’s what counts… right? Second photo: more BYOP raucousness. Third photo: I dig the subtext.

Portland’s Little Claw, who have a record on Ecstatic Peace (out now? due soon?). Highly recommended.

Baltimore’s Wye Oak, who have a record out soon on Merge, and seem to be one of the few success stories w/r/t to blog hype. Good for them!

Saturday

The Constantines, Arts & Crafts showcase at the Parish.

Home Blitz, Gulcher Records showcase at the Blind Pig (aka, “Mook Central,” as coined by yours truly).

Unknown artist, playing on a bus right outside the “Mess With Texas” event. I should point out that this photo was taken in the final moments before my drivers license/ATM card went missing.

So the night before (Friday), I went to that Lamar Pedestrian bridge show, and was totally unaware there was a riot going on. That’s how packed it was — people were jumping off the bridge and most of the audience had no clue. I was definitely freaked out by how much the bridge was moving, but other than that, I think was more concerned about being cold. (I thought I was going to head back to the hotel to change, but alas.)

BTW, I plan on putting up the rest of my photographs either later tonight or tomorrow, depending on how much coursework I can blaze through. (Ah, school.)

[Listen at Her Jazz]

Oh, Calc-U-Phone, where can you be? If I knew the answer to that, we wouldn’t be apart. I will miss our good times together, your pink rubber case, your ample-sized keypad, and all the Word documents/Twitter entries/text messages/etc I typed up thanks to you.

And now I must move on, and find a new one. But I’ll never forget our good times.

If I didn’t crawl into bed around 6 a.m., you would totally have more pictures. They are downloading off the camera as I write this. I need to get some food, recharge the spiritual batteries and get ready for a day of AWESOMENESS.

Also, it was nice to run into Mark Wilett again, who assured me that the aggro nature of Amy and myself on the music blog panel two years ago was the best thing about the panel. I have been spending the past 2 years totally worried that I was a complete and total jackass. (How is that different from any other day?)

[Listen at Her Jazz]