The Fleshy Fresh

I Can Make a Mess Changing the Music Business

2011-05-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

Whether or not you're a fan of Ace Enders (ex The Early November), this is something you should be interested in if you consider yourself a music fan. Under the I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business heading, Ace is releasing a new record, Gold Rush, under the new Do-It-Yourself group Sound of Evolution. The record is out May 5th. You can preview "Gold Rush," the title track and download another new song, "Lame Duck," for free.

I think we can all agree that the music industry needs some form of revision before it is able to monetarily support the artists we love. What's interesting about this project is that it is cutting out the middle man: the traditional record label. The labels make their money primarily from the fans, then only giving a percentage of that money to the artists. With today's social media advantages, the usefulness of joining a record label has seriously come into question.

This new business model should not be seen as taking advantage of the fans, as some idiots would suggest. Rather, it puts them in the driver's seat and on a path towards a much more intimate listening experience connected with the artist. Furthermore, allowing fans to fund musical projects, as Ace and the Sound of Evolution aims to do, is a brilliant strategy for music collectors. For example, the basic fans will be happy with paying $10 for the mp3's. More dedicated fans might offer up another $5 for a signed CD booklet. True music snobs will fork out the cash for higher quality sound files. And the most obsessed fans will pay almost anything for extras such as signed posters, thank you's in liner notes, and even, in ICMAM's case, the chance to host a live concert in their own living room.

Ace Enders, as well as a few other people, are setting a precedent for other artists to follow and, so far, it seems like something we should get on board with.

Putting the Music Business back in the hands of the Musicians

2011-03-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

Steph Barrak on St. Patty's Day

2011-03-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

If there's any hope for the future of the music industry, it better include this girl:

@Bar East in Manhattan

As my buddy said, that is a "F*ing amazing tune."

Taking Back Sunday Live Video

2010-06-25T23:15:00.000-07:00

Live at the House of Blues in Boston, June 25, 2010. Perhaps the most amazing night of my life.

Written By Yours Truly

2010-06-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

They're Back...

OH MY FUCKING GOD

2010-05-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Allison Francis Video

2010-04-29T11:51:00.001-07:00

Remember Allison Francis? She stopped by the studio during an episode of the Fleshy Fresh a few weeks ago for a live performance and interview. BU Today made a video for her. Check it out below:

Watch this video on YouTube

Stephanie Barrak Live In-Studio

2010-04-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

Stephanie Barrak will be back on the Fleshy Fresh for the final time tomorrow. Tune in for a live performance and interview from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST on

Got questions for the lovely lady or want to request a song? Call us at 617-353-6400 or IM us at wtburadiodj.

Upcoming Concerts

2010-04-07T20:48:00.000-07:00

Thursday 04/08
Dashboard Confessional
@ House of Blues

Cymbals Eat Guitars
@ Middle East Downstairs

Saturday 04/10
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
@ Paradise Rock Club

Monday 04/12
A Day to Remember
w. Silverstein, August Burns Red
@ House of Blues

Evelyn Evelyn
w. Amanda Palmer, Jason Webley
@ Club Oberon

Tuesday 04/13
Evelyn Evelyn
w. Amanda Palmer, Jason Webley
@ Club Oberon

This Providence
w. Anarbor, The Audition
@ Middle East Downstairs

The Gay Blades
@ The Great Scott

Wednesday 04/14
Blue October
w. Stars of Track and Field, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
@ House of Blues

Straight No Chaser
@ Wilbur Theatre

Thursday 04/15
Jakob Dylan
w. Kelly Hogan, Neko Case
@ Wilbur Theatre

Friday 04/16
Bo Burnham
@ House of Blues

New Tunes Tuesday - Stars

2010-04-07T10:16:00.001-07:00

I know this is late. Suck it.

Great new song from Stars. Check it out on Stereogum. Also, watch the new video from Ok Go for "This Too Shall Pass" below.

So much for "New Again"...

2010-04-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

New Tunes Tuesday - The Ataris

2010-03-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

Actually, this isn't new at all, and that's why we're showing it to you. 'Cause let's be honest, the new music from The Ataris sucks. And that's why this video of Kris Roe playing the old favorite "In this Diary" is so great.

You can't see much in the video, but the sound is great. Enjoy!

SXSW Re-Cap

2010-03-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

From Thursday, March 18 to Sunday, March 21, I was in Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest Music Festival.

I’m writing this now from the Austin airport, hoping to retain everything I learned from my experiences this weekend, and most importantly, to not lose the hope and inspiration I gained from the hundreds of artists, fans, and music industry professionals I met while here.

Austin, Texas is an amazing, diverse city. I had never been here before and I found myself enamored with the city’s unique life and culture that it so vehemently exudes. I fell in love with certain streets, certain venues, certain foods…I so often felt completely overwhelmed with emotion for music and the people around me, simply because we were all experiencing the same thing together. This, I believe, is what music is truly about.

The South by Southwest Music Festival showcases hundreds of bands in 89 “official” venues throughout Austin’s downtown area (there are unofficial venues and shows as well). The festival is one of the biggest of its kind, drawing thousands of people to the southern city from all over the world.

SXSW from Jennifer Brown on Vimeo.

I came to cover the festival as a music journalist, hoping to experience something unique. The last few days have exceeded any expectations I had prior to coming.

Thursday afternoon I arrived in Austin and was picked up by my brother’s friend. We dropped my stuff off at his house on West 49th Street and took a taxi south, toward the center of downtown. I picked up my press badge from the convention center where I met a guy from the Canadian North by Northeast festival. Together, we went to the Paradise restaurant on 6th street and had some free food at a Montreal music showcase. I then went to Emo’s on Red River Street for the So Many Dynamos show with my friend from MIT who was also in Austin for the festival. So Many Dynamos’ performance was energized and awesome…the guys always perform so well live, and it was really nice to see them again (I had seen them a couple times in Boston).

I then trekked over to the Palm Door, owned by the folks at Austin's Beauty Bar, for The Rolling Stone Showcase, featuring Low Anthem. Low Anthem’s set was engaging and a lot more subdued—a pleasantry after being surrounded by the hundreds of intoxicated music lovers on the street. The Low Anthem guys were gracious and I spoke with them a little after the show about their experience at SX.

Afterwards, I was hoping to catch Wye Oak, but got sidetracked talking to some booking agents, and instead headed to the Sub Pop showcase at the Galaxy on the 6th Street. I saw The Dutchess and the Duke, and then Dum Dum Girls, before running off to Club De Ville for Man...or Astroman? (if you like indie music, and you don’t know these guys, you should look them up). Man or Astroman? became big in the '90s and then broke up in 2002. They had just gotten back together a couple weeks before the festival…in short, the band’s uninhibited and spontaneous on-stage performance was a mix of outer-space hysteria and surf-guitar, fast-paced dance music. It was great.

I then went back to Emo’s to meet my friend and watch the Maps and Atlases set. I’d never seen Barsuk's M&A live and the band was solid. The lead vocals added to their catchy guitar riffing; the 18+ crowd (some kids has X’s on their hands) were so into the performance, and they really brought a fun mood to the set.

My friend and I then spent the rest of the night eating pizza and searching for an available cab—something of an impossibility at SX. While searching, I ran into music industry people I hadn’t seen for a long time, from different parts of the United States. Such a thing can only happen at festivals like SX. I eventually found a cab and paid the driver close to $20 to cart me back north.

The following nights were just as hectic and wonderful as the first. I saw a variety of musicians every night including, Man Man, Frightened Rabbit, Dr. Dog, Andrew W.K., No Age, French Miami, The Watson Twins, Billy Bragg, Memory Tapes, Jeremy Messersmith, and Daedelus. My favorite show went to either Dr. Dog or Daedelus and my least favorite show went to the band Yacht.

The following page includes some highlights from festival.

Words, videos, and photos by Jennifer Brown.

New Tunes Tuesday - Brighten

2010-03-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Today is March 23rd which means two things: April Fool's is but a week away and Brighten's new EP Be Human is available for purchase.

Be Human is true to Brighten's style with a creative exploration into new ways to express new experiences. The whole of the collection of songs comes across as a person's struggle to get over the loss of a romantic relationship. But without falling into whining and wailing, as easily happens, Brighten maintains some dignity with hooks that allow the listener to catch on, sing along, and experience the story that is being told as much as one can through a pair of headphones.

"Where We Belong" opens the EP with a catchy, optomistic guitar riff that kicks in with singer Justin Richards singing, "Oh, thank heaven, she's so beautiful." He vows to never lose her, foreshadowing the poor transgression of the EP that will lead up to the final track, "I Lost Her."

"Without You" again offers some insight into the possibility of not always having a beautiful woman around. Immediately, this is the most memorable track on the EP, which was put up on the band's myspace several weeks before the release of Be Human. Of all the tracks, "Without You" points back to the beginning of Brighten in King vs. Queen but with the maturity that they achieved in Early Love.

Be Human takes a bit of a turn on the third track, "While The Fire Was Out," giving the EP a bit of a home-on-the-country-side feel that will carry through the next couple songs. The mood is beginning to change, forcing the listener to begin to question what the true story behind the songs is and what The Fire is meant so symbolize. The song goes from simple old-south reflection to solid gold with a female guest vocal (I don't know who she is, someone should fill us in!).

When "That Girl" kicks in, Brighten returns to the indie-pop hook-masters that got them as many fans as they've acquired through enduring years of rough touring schedules and trouble with tricky record executives. This song will make Carbon Copy Media wish they hadn't screwed up their relationship with them.

The EP wraps up with the title track and the final conclusion of this short story told via mp3's, "I Lost Her." "Be Human," though connected to the whole of the EP by its title, is not the best song of the six. Brighten get points for ingenuity and creativity, but it doesn't sit well with a casual listen. "I Lost Her," however, is a beautiful, haunting song that finally places the listener in a relationship with the outcome of the story that has been told between the lines of the EP. Richards croons a melody that softly creeps under your skin as the song begins, which then becomes the anchor for the song to launch its climax. Richards may have lost her, but he resolves to get her back, as he sings, "I will work to be a man, as you will see."

As a whole, this is a great EP. Brighten have recently taken a hiatus as Jimmy Richards is doing missionary work in Africa and Justin tours with A Rocket to the Moon; hence, they have said that the release of this six-song EP is "just for fun." If this is what they do when they're just having fun, then we are sure to be blown away by an all-out, no holds barred full length. But you don't have to take my word for it. Go buy Be Human on iTunes for a meager $5.94 here.

Against Me! - White Crosses (Early Review)

2010-03-15T18:12:00.000-07:00

So Against Me!'s forthcoming fifth full-length release leaked a few days ago.

After a few listens, it becomes clear that this record has spent a lot of time in post-production. Never mind the fact that the band wrapped recording in October and the album still isn't officially out yet. The music is full and incorporates instruments, such as piano and a layered mix of acoustic and electric guitars, absent on previous Against Me! releases.

White Crosses is an album that stays true to the band's punk roots while pushing the group into experimenting with more of a straight ahead rock'n'roll feel. The songs are excellent. But they come from a band that has been decried as sellouts by the wannabe anarchists who initially gave the group a fanbase. It's a shame, too, because this is some of singer/guitarist Tom Gabel's best songwriting. Nevertheless, this is easily the best release of the year so far and it isn't even scheduled to come out until June. For those of you who just can't wait any longer, it is not all that difficult to find on various file-sharing and torrent sites. Also, Tom Gabel graciously gave everyone his blessing by acknowledging the leak and offering the lyrics to the songs on his blog.

And now, a brief yet triumphant review of the songs themselves:

White Crosses - A song that addresses the debate surrounding abortion. The white crosses the song references are supposed to represent all of the fetuses that are aborted daily in the U.S. Gabel passionately sings that he wants to smash them all. Guess which side he's on?
I Was A Teenage Anarchist - Scheduled to be the first single, this song is very catchy and deals with Gabel's earlier anarchism and subsequent dissociation from that type of politics.
Because Of The Shame - Against Me! put on their Bruce Springsteen costumes, play a little piano and also sneak in a little bit of Green Day influence (although they might not like to admit it). This is a killer track that deals with the loss of a close friend.
Suffocation - This one opens with an 80s style guitar intro before moving into a more standard Against Me! guitar line. Overall, one of the weaker tracks, but even at their worst, this band is still better than most.
We're Breaking Up - Buoyed by tasteful piano arpeggios and a muted guitar riff during the verse, this song explodes into a triumphant chorus. An excellent ode to the end of a relationship, perhaps addressing the band's near break-up in the time between their last record and this one. A time during which long-time drummer Warren Oakes left and was replaced by former Hot Water Music drummer George Rebelo.
High Pressure Low - The intro to this song could be right out of a John Hughes movie. Another catchy track that showcases how well this band constructs bouncy, melodic punk songs with hook-laden choruses.
Ache With Me - If the last song showcases the band's ability to make punk catchy, this one proves that they can also write slower, more contemplative songs that win you over on the strength of the lyrics and their delivery over an acoustic rhythm and simple drum beat. Spoiler alert: this one's a bit of a downer. The moshers might not know what to do when this song is played live...
Spanish Moss - The intro is a definite nod to The Who, followed by some beefy power chords and excellent drumming from Rebelo. This is an idealized song about getting away from it all without owing anyone an apology.
Rapid Decompression - An incredible burst of sheer energy. This song is one minute and forty-three seconds of punk injected directly into the bloodstream. The best punk song on the album.
Bamboo Bones - Against Me! knows how to end an album. Write a song with lyrics about God, throw in some passionate guitars, bass, and drums, then give it 135%. And that's exactly what they do.

Disclaimer: Remember that this review is based upon a leak of what we believe to be the full album, not necessarily the actual album that will be released. It is quite possible that the record will contain more songs, different songs, or have a different track listing.

Jenny Owen Youngs @ Great Scott

2010-03-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

Maturity might not have been on display on Jenny Owen Youngs’ Spring Break Forever Tour, which stopped in Allston at the Great Scott last Wednesday, but for the 28-year-old singer/songwriter who has progressed from covering pop songs to recording her second full-length album, maturity is embodied in her composure, her skillfully crafted songs, and her years of experience on the road.

“I’ve been doing a lot of designated driving on this tour,” Youngs said about the Spring Break Forever Tour before jumping on stage last Wednesday. Sharing the stage and time in the car were close friends Allison Weiss and Bess Rogers, who each played their own sets and then joined Youngs at the end of her headlining performance. With the three girls cracking jokes about body shots, hook-ups, and ideas for tattoos influenced by excessive alcohol, it was clear that they were “totally having a blast,” as Youngs said.

While the mood was light and the jokes were fresh, Youngs and her friends and bandmates took the opportunity to demonstrate their careful songwriting and experienced performing, featuring songs from her most recent full-length, Transmitter Failure. “It’s all about how the ‘I’ of the song interacts, communicates, and relates with another party,” Youngs said about her sophomore album. “I feel like as I mature my relationships become something I approach more and more from trying to understand everyone’s perspective and not just mine. It’s part of growing up,” she said.

Youngs has mastered the ability to account for the other person and it shows in the way she connected with the audience at the Great Scott.

“I strive to make songs that can mean something to me but can also mean something to other people,” she said.

She allowed herself to be accessible to the crowd by telling personal vignettes and letting everyone laugh along while Weiss and Rogers came on-stage to finish up the show with the catchy and hilarious theme song for the Spring Break Forever Tour.

Youngs has played the Boston area at least a dozen times and has toured the Northeast with Regina Spektor who she met at SUNY Purchase while getting her degree in Music Composition. Her music has been featured on Showtimes’ Weeds, Perezhilton.com and Daytrotter.com, among many other places. She will play at Austin, Texas’ South By Southwest music festival this week.

Her full interview will air on the Fleshy Fresh on Thursday, April 1 at 6 p.m. EST on www.wtburadio.org.

Spring Break Forever...

2010-03-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

In case you're wondering what I'm doing tonight....

Great Scott, Doors at 9 p.m.

New Tunes Tuesday - Lonesome Mississippi Drifters

2010-03-09T14:20:00.000-08:00

For this week's New Tunes Tuesday we bring you the Lonesome Mississippi Drifters. Go check out their version of "My Humps" that they played live on our show last week by clicking here.

Lonesome Mississippi Drifters Guide the Way to Spring Break

2010-03-04T09:08:00.000-08:00

The Lonesome Mississippi Drifters will be on the show tonight for live in-studio performance. You know them from their infectious cover of "Get Low" and their amazing performances at the WTBU Awards (scroll down for videos).

Also, tonight we are featuring new music from Kevin Devine, Jarrod Gorbel, and Ok Go.

Here's your concert update as we go into spring break. See you on the other side.

Thursday 03/04/
BU QUAD Magazine Haus Party
Featuring DJs
Christopher from C&G
John Kavouris

Friday 03/05/10
Cage the Elephant
w. As Tall as Lions
@ Paradise Rock Club

Saturday 03/06/10
Muse
w. Silversun Pickups
@ TD Banknorth

Copeland (farewell tour)
w. Ace Enders
Deas Veil
I can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business
Person L
@ Middle East Downstairs

Tuesday 03/09/10
Jet
@ Paradise Rock

Wednesday 03/10/10
Jenny Owen Youngs
@ Great Scott

Thursday 03/11/10
Paper
@ Harpers Ferry

Friday 03/12/10
Dropkick Murphy’s
@ House of Blues
(first concert in a series up to St. Patrick’s day).

Bowling for Soup
@ Middle East Downstairs

New Tunes Tuesday - Kevin Devine

2010-03-01T20:50:00.000-08:00

This week we bring you new music from Kevin Devine, an incredibly talented wordsmith out of Brooklyn, NY. Check out a video of his live performance of his new song "You Wouldn't Have to Ask" courtesy of GetAddicted.org.

Just Announced - Jarrod Gorbel on the Fleshy Fresh!

2010-02-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

Good news Fleshers! Jarrod Gorbel (formerly of The Honorary Title) will be dropping by the WTBU studios for our show on March 18th. We'll chat with him and he'll play a couple songs for us right at 6:00 p.m. EST. If you have questions for the interview let us know.

He is playing at the Middle East that very same day. In the meantime, check out his songs at his myspace.

(photo is copyright Amanda Klaus).

Jeremy Messersmith on Daytrotter

2010-02-24T13:46:00.001-08:00

If you at all believe that you are someone who enjoys good singer-songwriters, then you NEED to go to Daytrotter in order to listen to his live set. In any event, Daytrotter is a great website that everyone should know of.

New Tunes Tuesday - Dave Smallen

2010-02-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

Check out the new video for Dave Smallen's song "Happiness" below.

Tonight Tonight!

2010-02-18T14:56:00.000-08:00

This week on the fleshy fresh we have new music from Xiu Xiu and Taking Back Sunday, a hearty debate about athletes in the Olympics with questionable gender, some tributes to a retiring musician, and as always, some good honest music.

6-8 p.m. EST (in less than an hour from now)
www.wtburadio.org
BU TV Channel 6

Let us know you're listening and get a shout out at the end of the show!

New Tunes Wednesday - Paramore

2010-02-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

Paramore released another new video for "The Only Exception" off of their latest album, Brand New Eyes. The story of the video follows the story of the song pretty well. Check it out on their website: paramore.net.

New Tunes Tuesday - Dub FX

2010-02-02T22:06:00.000-08:00

Dub_FX. Everything is his voice. Rather than try to explain it anymore just listen.

Go check him out on youtube if you don't believe that everything is his voice.

Grammy's Shmammy's

2010-02-01T15:25:00.000-08:00

I'd really like to go on a rant about my disappointment with the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards that occurred last night. But instead, I'm pointing you to the article in the Muse of the Daily Free Press, because it pretty much captures my thoughts.

I will say this though. I have nothing against Taylor Swift. She has found a niche within the pop/country music world that people have clearly fallen in love with; and that is not debatable. However, when she is up against Beyonce and Lady Gaga, by no means should she be the one to come out on top. THIS WAS THE YEAR OF LADY GAGA. And that, my friends, is undeniable.

Click here to read the Daily Free Press article about the Grammy's by Muse editor Dan Rys.

Lonesome Mississippi Drifters Cancelled

2010-01-26T16:12:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately, the interview and live performance by the Lonesome Mississippi Drifters this Thursday has been cancelled due to another sports pre-emption. For the second week in a row, The Fleshy Fresh will not air. Hopefull we will return next week. We will keep you posted.

In-Studio Performance: The Lonesone Mississippi Drifters

2010-01-25T15:01:00.000-08:00

The Lonesome Mississippi Drifters will be stopping by the studio this Thursday to play some songs and talk about their music. Tune in between 6 and 8 p.m. on the 28th to catch the live performance and interview. Here is some Drifters stuff to check out in the meantime:

The Lonesome Mississippi Drifters on Myspace.

The Lonesome Mississippi Drifters on Facebook.

Lonesome Mississippi Drifters - My Humps - at the WTBU Awards from Peisin Yang Lazo on Vimeo.

Lonesome Mississippi Drifters - Get Low - at the WTBU Awards from Peisin Yang Lazo on Vimeo.

Top 5 Albums of 2009

2010-01-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

I Know. It's a little bit late for the "Best of 2009" article. But I was busy trying to beat Super Mario Bros. 3. And no, I haven't done it yet. World 8 is just impossible. But before I drive myself to eating a different kind of mushroom just to deal with my inability to beat this 20 year old game, I figured I'd distract myself by finally doing this. I give you the Fleshy Fresh's Top 5 Albums of 2009.

5. Metric - Fantasies

Hello. This is Metric. They are relatively new to popularity, but they showed that they deserve it with their release of Fantasies last April. It seems that everyone these days is trying to get somewhere with a female-fronted band, but few groups can do it successfully; and Metric is one of them. Emily Haines is a strong frontwoman with a unique voice, giving the band a unique sound. The best part of this album is Haines attempt to deal with what seems to be an existential problem in "Help, I'm Alive" and "Blindness." The miraculous thing, though, is that she tackles these issues while keeping the music up-beat and avoiding the typical depression-ridden sound that groups like Bright Eyes made so popular (and eventually so hated).

4. Maria Taylor - Ladyluck

Ladyluck brought everything we at the Fleshy Fresh love about Maria Taylor, and then some. She has her slow songs, where she gets to show off her unique ability to lull you to sleep with her soft, infectious voice. She has her full-band songs that show off her grand vision without trying too hard. And she still has strong song-writing skills. This girl has a long career ahead of her, and she proved it with this release.

3. Dave Smallen - Everything Changes and Nothing Changes

It was very tempting to put Smallen's Waiting For the Pills EP on this list of the best of 2009. But Everything Changes and Nothing Changes has all of the songs that Waiting has plus a few extra goodies. Where do we get started? "Waiting for the Pills," "America," "With the Sky All Blue," "I Think It's Getting Better." The record is overflowing with brilliant songs of homelessness, desperation, and self-challenges. It's reassuring to know that he can capture his intense honesty in his recordings. Well done, Dave. Well done.

2. Thursday - Common Existence

Sadly, this is a band that has gotten little attention on the Fleshy Fresh, but for Thursday to be forgotten after such an epic release in 2009 would be an injustice. Common Existence is a breath of fresh air after their previous A City by the Light Divided, which seemed to either be missing something or simply the result of Thursday trying too hard. But the band brought back their tension building intros and stress-relieving power in Common Existence. Welcome back, Thursday. We missed you. Now keep it up.

1. Paramore - Brand New Eyes

I imagine that to some, the fact that Paramore is first on this list will be mildly upsetting. I have checked several "Top 5" articles across the internet that claim to give the best records of the alternative genre for this year, none of which include any of these 5; and most of the picks are things I've never heard of. In other words, this selection might not be musically elitist enough for someone who blogs about music. But the simple fact is thus: Brand New Eyes packs the punch. Hayley Williams is one of the most amazing female frontwomen that this country has seen in years, and she proved it on Brand New Eyes. The pipes in this little woman are astounding! Take one listen to "All I Wanted" and I guarantee you will be blown away. And the record really delivers with the strong song-writers and talented hook-writers that make up the other members of the band. Sure, some songs stand out more than others, such as "Ignorance," "Brick By Boring Brick," and "The Only Exception," but there is not a single bad song on this record. If you're going to listen to anything I say here, listen to this: Paramore deserve all the attention that they have received in the past few months. They are here and here to stay.

Honorable Mentions: Sondre Lerche - Heartbeat Radio, Silversun Pickups - Swoon, and The Von Bondies - Love Hate and then There's You.

The Beginning of the End

2010-01-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

Ready for the last semester of the longest running and best pop show on WTBU? Good, cause we've got a lot planned already. The good news is that The Fleshy Fresh will still be on from 6-8 every Thursday! No new time slot for us...why fix what ain't broken?

Tonight we're featuring new music from Drew Danburry, Panic! At the Disco, Sondre Lerche, and all the usual banter between myself and Mr. Critical Carlos.

Also, guess the Guilty Pleasure for this week by commenting on this post and win a song request that I guarantee we will play for you.

Let us know you're listening and you'll get a shout out at the end of the show!

See you tonight!

www.wtburadio.org
BU TV Channel 6
89.3 Fm
640 AM
Call: 617-353-6400
IM: wtburadiodj

The Fleshy Fresh: Coming to the End

2010-01-10T15:48:00.000-08:00

When the Fleshy Fresh got started in the beginning months of 2007 it was on a 12-1 a.m. time slot on Sunday mornings. It wasn't even a full 2 hours. The show has seen a lot of changes since its modest beginnings: from a single DJ, to new DJs and interns, to fewer DJs, and new structure. I'm confident now that the Fleshy Fresh is the best it has ever been; I just can't believe that it's coming to the end.

This semester will be the last time The Fleshy Fresh makes the schedule on WTBU (unless a young DJ wants to continue the Best Pop Show at Boston University, but as of now nothing is in the works). So you're not going to want to miss this.

Already planned for this semester are our very own SXSW correspondent, reporting exclusively to us; a re-cap of the best albums of 2009; what to look forward to in 2010; understanding how Ryan Ross killed Panic! At the Disco; and as usual, tons of in-studio performances and special segments. Every episode will be a big bang along a semester of goodbyes.

So stay tuned for some new blog posts in the next few days. Our first broadcast of the longest running show on WTBU will be this Thursday at the same time, 6-8 p.m., only on www.wtburadio.org. We'll see you there.

89.3 fm

640 am

www.wtburadio.org

IM: wtburadiodj

Call: 617-353-6400

Best Pop Show on WTBU

2009-12-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who voted for The Fleshy Fresh and helped us win Best Pop Show on WTBU! We're heading into the final semester of the show, making the Fleshy Fresh the longest running show on WTBU. But not before we wrap things up from this semester.

This semester's last show will be at the usual time, Thursday, 6-8 p.m. You're not going to want to miss it as we leap into the winter break and a new year.

www.wtburadio.org

BU TV Channel 6

89.3 FM

640 AM

AIM: wtburadiodj

call: 617-353-6400

Upcoming Shows

2009-12-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a while since we've had a new post on the blog due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but I promise we'll have more to come soon. In the meantime here is your overview of upcoming shows.

Upcoming Shows

Thursday 12/03
All Time Low
w. Hey Monday
@ House of Blues

Friday 12/04
Passion Pit
w. Spoon, and Phoenix
@ Orpheum

Saturday 12/05
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
@ Middle East

Monday 12/07
Weezer
w. Jack’s Mannequin, Motion City Coundtrack
@ Agganis Arena

Wednesday 12/09
Switchfoot
@ Paradise Rock Club

Thursday 12/10
Dashboard Confessional
w. New Found Glory
@ Middle East

Friday 12/11
Will Dailey
@ Paradise Rock Club

Girls and Pianos

2009-11-23T20:16:00.001-08:00

On last week's show our theme was Girl's Week, as you know. Our Guilty Pleasure from the week was Lady Gaga's Bad Romance. But check out her live performance below...who knew the girl could actually play the piano!

Girls by Girls

2009-11-22T14:28:00.001-08:00

This week was Girls Week. So here is the best of the best songs sung by some stunning females. Some of it we played on the show, others are blog-exclusive.

1. Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson - "Winter Song"

Perhaps one of the best songs about winter. The mood of the song fits the title perfectly. I still get chills listening to it. Go look up the video on YouTube (embedding is disabled).

2. Regina Spektor - "The Call"

This song was not on any of her own records. Rather, it appeared on the soundtrack for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. It comes in right at the end, as everyone is saying goodbye. And that's what this song is about: how hard it is to say goodbye unless you remember everyone will come together at least once more.

3. Maria Taylor - "Time Lapse Lifeline"

A great song about the fleeting nature of life and time. The best thing about this song? The way that it kicks in.

4. Feist - "My Moon, My Man"

Probably the catchiest song off of The Reminder.

5. Beautiful Small Machines - "Robots In Love"

A catchy, techno-esque song. We're all just robots in love, right?

New Tunes Tuesday - Tegan and Sara

2009-11-16T22:20:00.000-08:00

Tegan and Sara released their follow up to The Con, which turned out to be a great album. Consequently, the anticipation for Sainthood was huge, and we expected a lot. Did the twins deliver?

Well, it's different. That's for sure. They sound a little bit angrier (and they were a bit angry to begin with), but the essence is there. That which makes Tegan and Sara Tegan and Sara is still present on Sainthood.

What's different, though, is the sound. It's rougher, and more digital. They have grown from an acoustic indie-rock duo to a well-formulated alternative group. Hopefully they can keep it up.

Below, listen to "Northshore," the seventh track off of Sainthood. The commanding song, which has clear punk rock roots, is everything we liked about Tegan and Sara: intertwined vocal melodies and clear, well articulated emotions, in this case, in the form of imperatives. Enjoy!

Upcoming Shows

2009-11-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

The Fleshy Fresh Recommendation: Bob Dylan on Friday, Brand New on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Lenka next Saturday.

Thursday 11/12
Mute Math
w. As Tall As Lions
@ House of Blues

Friday 11/13
Bob Dylan
@ Citi Performing Arts Center

Static of the Gods
@ Middle East Upstairs

Saturday 11/14
Bob Dylan
@ City Performing Arts Center

Lenka
@ Great Scott

Sunday 11/15
Bob Dylan
@ Citi Performing Arts Center

Tuesday 11/17
Brand New
w. Glassjaw
@ House of Blues

Hit The Lights
@ Harpers Ferry

Wednesday 11/18
Brand new
w. Glassjaw
@ House of Blues

Less Than Jake
w. The Swellers
@ Paradise Rock Club

Friday 11/20
Devandra Banhart
@ Berklee Performance Center

New Tunes Tuesday - Monsters of Folk

2009-11-10T15:55:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Concerts

2009-11-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

The Fleshy Fresh Recommendation: The Academy Is... on Thursday, Allison Francis on Monday, Bob Dylan next Friday.

Thursday 11/05
AP Tour
Academy Is...
w. Set Your Goals, The Secret Handshake, Mayday Parade
@ House of Blues

Mae
w. Jenny Owen Youngs
@ Middle East Downstairs

Monday 11/09
Ada Jane
w. Allison Francis
@ All Asia Cafe

Miley Cyrus
@ TD Banknorth

Rob Thomas
@ Citi Performing Arts Center

Train
w. Uncle Kracker
@ House of Blues

Wednesday 11/11
American Hi-Fi
@ Middle East Upstairs

Thursday 11/12
The Low Anthem
w. Blind Pilot
@ Paradise Rock Club

Mute Math
w. As Tall As Lions
@ House of Blues

Friday 11/13
Bob Dylan
@ Citi Performing Arts Center

Static of the Gods
@ Middle East Upstairs

The Halloween Playlist

2009-10-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

For starters, we have to get the classics out of the way: Marilyn Manson's cover of "This is Halloween," Michael Jackson's "Thriller," and maybe even the original Ghostbuster's theme.

But there are some great songs that are perfectly capable of complementing the Halloween classics--even if they weren't made with Halloween in mind. Let's get started...

1. The Used - "Blood On My Hands"
So, the Used are getting a little weird. And by weird, I mean dark. And by dark, I mean creepy. And what's more Halloween than a creepy song about murdering people? Check out the video for "Blood On My Hands" below.

2. The Fashion - "Dead Boys"
In "Dead Boys," this indie-pop band sings about how they're "coming out tonight" and how they used to be "sleeping in the ground." Sounds to me like these are some ZOMBIE dead boys. Take a listen below:

3. Saves the Day - "As Your Ghost Takes Flight"
First, ghosts are scary as hell. But if that wasn't enough, Saves the Day singer Chris Conley sings, "I drink your blood and feel it dripping down my throat as it heads for my heart." Thanks Conley, you're a creep.

4. The Smashing Pumpkins - "The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning"
Ready for the best association of all time? Ok, so this rarely heard Smashing Pumpkins song was featured in the trailer for The Watchmen and NOTHING is scarier than Dr. Manhattan's giant blue penis. Nothing.

5. The Veils - "Vicious Traditions"
Another movie association. This song came in at the end of the movie Mr. Brooks, just as (spoiler alert!) Kevin Costner got his throat slit and the credits started rolling. It starts of slow with Finn Andrews crooning drowned in heavy reverb. As the drums add in over what was first only a bass and some low guitar, and the lead guitar trickles through, the song climaxes a few minutes in with Andrews belting, "Fight your way out of this one! Fight your way out of this one!" It's like being trapped in a never ending version of Goosebumps with Kevin Costner hunting you down with his gun.

6. Armor For Sleep - "Basement Ghost Singing"
The original idea behind Halloween is Dia De La Muerte, the Day of the Dead. And Armor For Sleep's second album, What To Do When You're Dead, is a guide for being dead. So really, What To Do is a guide to Halloween.

7. Band of Horses - "Is There A Ghost?"
Well, is there? If you consider a bed sheet with holes in it a ghost, then yes.

8. Bat For Lashes - "What's A Girl To Do?"
As I said on the show last night, this is probably one of the creepiest songs I've ever heard. And the video isn't much better. Check it out here (Embedding is disabled).

"Their First Album Was So Much Better"

2009-10-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

Everybody loved Taking Back Sunday's Tell All Your Friends, but when they lost two band members and released Where You Want to Be, their fand base was troubled. Message boards were slammed with skepticism about the band's future--even before the record was released. Now, two albums later, the band is still going strong with an avid fan base. However, many people still believe that Tell All Your Friends is the best Taking Back Sunday record of all time.

Taking Back Sunday stands as one example of a band that had it made when they got started, but lost their momentum as their career started up. With that, we introduce this week's theme: "Their First Album Was So Much Better."

So tune in tonight at 6 p.m. (EST) on http://www.wtburadio.org/ to follow along as we run through some other bands that started great and then lost it.

89.3 FM
640 AM
http://www.wtburadio.org/
BU TV Channel 6
Call: 617-353-6400
IM: wtburadiodj

Allison Francis

2009-10-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

www.myspace.com/allisonfrancis

www.basetriprecords.com

She stands idle and alone at the center of a black stage with an acoustic Fender six-string around her neck. The flashiest apparel she wears is her pair of red and white Nike kicks that walk life into the rest of her otherwise plain outfit: a white T-shirt and jeans. Her physical appearance is unassuming and pure. The look on her face is half mystified and half terrified as she looks out at a sea of people crowding the basement of BU Central. And then she sings, and the depth within Allison Francis is released.

Her voice is rough—like a smoker who has lit enough cigarettes to make her voice warm and scratchy, but not enough to warrant a laryngectomy. She remains humble when the first song ends, saying thank you between sips of her water bottle before quickly launching into the next folk tune.
It is this simple and grateful attitude that sets her apart from an indie-alternative Boston music scene that spins around music snobbery and elitism. What Francis has that the rest are lacking? Authenticity.

Many artists these days spend their time trying to convince other people how ironic their lives are because of how misunderstood they are, says Conor Loughman, the founder of Base Trip Records who signed Francis in the summer of 2008. “There’s a hipster folk scene but I don’t think many of them actually like folk. They’re just trying to be cool,” he said.

The 21-year-old folk singer-songwriter will not admit to being better than the other musicians of her genre, because that would not be her style, and that would not fit her description here. “I think it’s so funny that people take themselves so seriously,” Francis said, and that is about all she has to say on the matter.

Loughman met Allison Francis in a dining hall while she was telling people about her music. While some artists would waste money and time coming up with fancy promotional artwork and designs, she was handing out pieces of paper torn from her notebook with her MySpace address written on them, Loughman said.

In some ways, though, Francis fits the mold perfectly. She presents an alternative image, but only as though it was an accident. She fantasizes about fronting a flashy indie band but worries that it would come across disingenuous. And after spending the entire summer collaborating with other songwriters and playing in parks in and around Boston, she said that she has found new confidence in more natural song writing. “It’s the only way I can really get high these days,” she said.

Despite a more sophisticated musical style and significant street cred among other musicians, Francis is not ashamed to say that she started playing guitar seven years ago because of an obsession with Avril Lavigne—someone to whom most people would not admit listening.

The paradox is thus: she is as much a part of the hipster, indie-folk-rock scene as horn-rimmed glasses and plaid t-shirts, but she sets herself apart from it with her down to earth perspective. The odd thing, Loughman said, is that she is secretly confident. “It’s this weird contrast where she doesn’t think she is better than anyone, but she still knows she is awesome,” he said.

Stephanie Barrak, another singer signed to Base Trip Records describes it as subdued determination. Francis is able to express and share her talent to other people without being overpowering. “Some people whore their music out, but she doesn’t do that,” Barrak said.

The simple fact is that Francis fits into the indie-music scene because that is where she has made friends and set up her life. She enjoys the niche of artists that has cropped up around Boston University, but wishes that there was more of an overlap between genres. “Most people here appreciate good home grown music,” she said, and that is enough to satisfy her.

It is clear, though, that Francis’ relationship with music is more than one of appreciation. “I think music can connect with people in their soul almost. It connects with emotions that they’re not necessarily even conscious of or in touch with,” she said.

Jennifer Brown, the music director at WTBU, Boston University’s student-run radio station, said that Francis offers more than the average indie musician and has the opportunity to fill a void in the music industry that is lacking a female folk musician like her. “She captures something real about the way human beings are,” she said. “She’s not afraid to show who she is in her lyrics and to put it all out there.”

Francis does not have much to say about all of this except that she has nothing to hide. “I do not usually try and disguise what I am saying in my songs.” She insists that music will always be a part of her life and if she is able to make a career out of it then that is just an added bonus. “I just want to make music that connects on a really personal level with people.”

Back at BU Central, the cluster of people who have gathered to see Francis play sit on the floor in total silence, taking in every word out of her mouth and every chord from her guitar. The room is comfortable, like a gathering of friends enjoying some honest music. “I liked that one,” someone comments between songs. Clearly, connecting with people is something that she can check off of her bucket list.

Allison Francis Live

2009-10-14T10:24:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow on the Fleshy Fresh Allison Francis will be in the studio for a live performance and a chat. She has come to visit us before, and as always, it should be an exciting adventure. So you know what's in store, check out her myspace: myspace.com/allisonfrancis.

Tomorrow's show: 6-8 p.m. www.wtburadio.org BUTV Channel 6

Jeremy Messersmith Video

2009-10-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

New Tunes Tuesday - Monsters of Folk

2009-10-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

If you've been listening to the Fleshy Fresh lately you've probably heard The Monsters of Folk. They are the musical collaboration between Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), M. Ward (of...himself), Yim Yames (My Morning Jacket) and Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes/Saddle Creek Recording Producer/Genius behind the early Bright Eyes records). I wish I knew more about how this project got started. I'm more concerned with the music that comes out of it. It sounds a lot like the latest Conor Oberst album. Anyway, their record, Monsters of Folk, was just released. Listen to "Say Please" below. I think you'll enjoy, it's my favorite so far.

Kanye West...

2009-10-06T19:20:00.001-07:00

In case you're wondering The Fleshy Fresh's official stance on Kanye West...I hate him.

Play Games at AddictingGames

Show Re-Cap

2009-10-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

Thursday
Ben Folds
@ Lizard Lounge

Friday
Ben Folds
@ Symphony Hall

Jay Reatard
@ Harpers Ferry

Brandi Carlile
@ House of Blues

Pink
w. The Ting Tings
@ TD Banknorth

Michael Jackson Tribute Concert
@ BU Central

Saturday
The Honorary Title
@ Harpers Ferry

Allison Francis
@ BU Central

Sunday
Every Time I Die
w. The Architects, Bring Me the Horizon
@ House of Blues

Relient K
w. Barcelona, Copeland
@ Paradise Rock Club

Senses Fail
@ Harpers Ferry

Friday
The Bravery
@ House of Blues

Built To Spill
@ Middle East Downstairs

New Tunes Tuesday - Paramore

2009-09-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

Today, Paramore released their new record, Brand New Eyes. So it's only fitting that, as today is New Tunes Tuesday, we share some new Paramore music.

The track below is "The Only Exception" and it's a bit different than what you might be used to from this pop-rock band out of Tennessee. It is mostly acoustic with some ringing instrumental melodies. Hayley Williams sings about how she didn't believe in love. That is, until recently--until meeting that right person. It's that person who is the only exception.

Check it out and share it with your friends, if you like it.

Michael Jackson

2009-09-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

New Tunes Tuesday - AFI

2009-09-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

AFI let out a new song from their upcoming album Crash Love called "Fainting Spells." I played it for the first time on our last broadcast of the Fleshy Fresh last Thursday. Listen to it below and let me know what you think. Sounds like good ol' fashioned AFI to me.

Show Re-Cap

2009-09-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

The Fleshy Flashback: "Girl All the Bad Guys Want" by Bowling for Soup

Love Is For Losers: "No Regrets" by Divit

Countdown to Blink 182: "Easy Target"

Dear Jack

2009-09-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

The incredibly true story of Andrew McMahon:

With Every Day

2009-09-16T21:36:00.000-07:00

www.joeygerber.com/witheveryday.html

With Every Day

I had a dream when I was only 9
I'd be a pitcher for the Braves
And they'd pull me from the bullpen
Every time they need a save
But that all changed
When I discovered I
I couldn't throw a strike to save my life
And now the only save i make is in my wallet every night.

i had a dream when i was 17
i'd be a rockstar and i'd know
what the women taste like
in every city that i'd go
But that all changed
When I woke up one day
And found I lost my voice
Now I write shitty poetry
'cause it's my only choice.

I had a dream when I turned 21
I'd finally see the end
Of everything I'm supposed to want
And a big and comfortable bed
But it's a lie.
I only made it up and left it in my head
So I could feel A little better
With every day I wasn't dead.

Philosophical Ignorance

2009-09-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow marks the introduction of a new segment: "Moment of Brilliance." In this segment we will discuss some of the hot issues in modern philosophy. If you have something you want to talk about give us a call on the air: 617-353-6400. Need ideas? Check out Pierre's Cafe.

Since the Fleshy Fresh Moment of Brilliance has yet to come, let's watch a live video of Paramore playing "Ignorance."

New Tunes Tuesday - Dave Smallen (Again)

2009-09-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

I really think this guy deserves all the attention he can get.

Someone Should Assassinate Kanye West

2009-09-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Unsigned Artist of the Week

2009-09-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, we had a great show. We reminisced with "Carousel" as our Countdown to Blink 182 and got angry along with Bayside and their song, "Guardrail," reminding us that Love is For Losers. We also played some new music from AFI and Paramore.

We ended the show with our Unsigned Artist of the Week. However, this week's artist just got signed a few months ago. So, we'll call them our "as-of-now-undiscovered-but-soon-to-be-huge artist of the week." I say that because they're scheduled to go on tour with Paramore this fall and so far nearly the entire tour is sold out (including at the Boston House of Blues--fuck!).

From Fenton, Michigan, these four kids are down to earth, middle-american dudes. Watch one of their youtube videos where they just screw around, and you'll fall in love with their personalities before you even listen to their music.

Fans of The Gaslight Anthem and Bruce Springsteen's rougher edge ought to love The Swellers for their blue-collar, hard-working punk rock.

Get started with their myspace, www.myspace.com/theswellers, and listen to "Welcome Back Riders." Then, take a trip back to their beginning days with their song "Bottles": watch the music video here.

New Tunes Tuesday/Unsigned Artist of the Week

2009-09-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

This is Chad. Chad is Emperor X and Emperor X is awesome. Emperor X is our Unsigned Artist of the Week from our show last Thursday. Let's learn a little bit about Emperor X.

The first time I saw Chad Matheny play was this past summer at a house show near Boston College. We stood in a dingy basement light by one half-functioning strobe light and drank PBR sold (no doubt illegally) for $1. The room was littered with garbage, odd markings on the cement floor and large, stone walls, and a few questionable pieces of furniture--like a half-destroyed mattress and a rocking chair deco-ed with bottle caps. No matter the atmosphere, nor his surroundings, Chad knew how to get people excited.

He gave no introduction until the end of his set. He and Jeremy from Pretty & Nice just started singing--or kind of yelling, for that matter. It immediately grabbed your attention. Anyone who had a tall PBR can to their lips immediately stopped chugging, mesmerized by the passion and the intensity booming from the center of the room. Emperor X strummed on his weary acoustic guitar faster and harder than I've seen, and filled the neighborhood with his heavy voice, despite his relatively small body.

If he is to be compared to anyone, it must be said that he is the Ben Folds of acoustic guitar. He's got some heavy hardware on his eyes, and he doesn't fit into the mold of the picturesque singer/song-writer or rockstar. He's got some quirks, but they are quickly overlooked by his stellar performance ability and songwriting. Needless to say, I came away a fan.

Here's a video of Emperor X playing "Raytracer," one of my favorites, at some park somewhere in America. Elliott Smith fans--watch out for the Either/Or reference.

Also, go check out his website, www.emperorx.net, where you can download some songs off the several albums and EPs he's put out over the past few years.

Show Re-cap

2009-09-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Fleshy Flashback: "Memory" by Sugarcult (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZm3d4J-7PI)
Love is for Losers: "Jude Law and a Semester Abroad" by Brand New (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeKKgoBJ5Pw)
Countdown to Blink: "Rock Show" by Blink 182 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxhl-xV0UOs)
Unsigned Artist of the Week: Emperor X and his songs, "Citizens of Wichita," "Raytracer," and Go-captain and Pin Lighter." More on Emperor X to come, stay tuned! (www.emperorx.net)

New Tunes Tuesday - Giant Drag

2009-09-01T10:01:00.001-07:00

I haven't heard from this band in a very, very long time. So, it is with great joy that I re-introduce Giant Drag, the musical collaboration between vocalist/guitarist Annie Hardy and drummer/synth player, Micah Calabrese.

This is not pop music! It's probably best that you know that going into it. Scroll down and check out the video, which perfectly mirrors the song by Giant Drag and the genre that they fall into. What I'm talking about is hard to describe, but I think the words melancholy disasterpiece might do it some justice. It's rough, it's got an edge, but it's also haunting and addicting. You can hear real desperation in Hardy's voice, and I think the video does an excellent job putting that feeling--when everything seems to be slowly, beautifully falling apart--into moving pictures.

Giant Drag released a full record a few years ago called Hearts and Unicorns, and I absolutely recommend it. You can watch the music video for the single off of Hearts, "This Isn't It," right here.

As for now, check out the new music video. The song is called "Stuff to Live For" and it will be out on the Swan Song EP in October.

Stuff to Live For from G.J. Echternkamp on Vimeo.

New Show Date and Time (and a Paramore Video)

2009-08-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

NEW SHOW DATE AND TIME

The Fleshy Fresh will air this semester from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday on WTBU.

In case you forget, this is how you listen:

www.wtburadio.org
BUTV Channel 6
89.3 FM
640 AM

Also, here is the new music video for Paramore's "Ignorance." I don't think this band can do anything wrong.

Help, I'm Alive - Metric

2009-08-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Emily Haines and James Shaw of Metric dropped by TheAlternateSide.org not too long ago to perform a live, acoustic, in-studio session. I recommend clicking this link and watching them play "Help, I'm Alive," off of their latest album, Fantasies. You can also watch the two of them play "Gimme Sympathy." But the first is a true specialty, marked by the addition of piano part, which is the way Haines originally wrote the song. It is hauntingly delcious. Or deliciously haunting. Whatever.

New Tunes Tuesday (AKA Way Late Wednesday)

2009-08-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry. Tuesday disappeared in my life. I have no recollection of it. And somehow it is Wednesday already. Well, it's ok, I still got something for you.

This isn't that new. But Paramore put out a new single relatively recently. It is called "Ignorance," though I must say, I'm not exactly sure why. There is a point in the song where Hayley Williams sings, "Ignorance is your new best friend." But how she got to that conclusion, I'm not really sure.

But we don't enjoy Paramore for their logic. We enjoy them for their music; their catchy, but still heavy, pop-rock.

Anyways, down to the point. There is a video below--not the official music video--that contains the song we're talking about. Give it a listen. If you're a Paramore fan I foresee pleasure in your future. If you are not yet a Paramore fan, I foresee a pleasant surprise in your future.

Until next time,

- Jgerbs

Worthless Self-Promotion

2009-08-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Go to www.joeygerber.com/allivegot.html to download my new EP, All I've Got.

Oh, and yeah, it's free.

- Joey

New Tunes Tuesday: The Many Colors of Dave Smallen

2009-08-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

Since the last time I mentioned good ol' Dave on this site, he has released TWO new songs. Oh my, we need to catch up more than Helen Keller in music class.

The first is entitled, "All My Life" and can be heard here. With a synth-pop sound in its rocket-launching intro, it stands out from the other songs that made the Waiting for the Pills EP, but with the same peppy-ness, backbone, and perfect blend of acoustic-rock that is Dave Smallen.

This is what Smallen has to say about the second song, "With the Sky All Blue": "Wrote this song for a Crayola commercial and it was rejected for being 'too dark.'" Click here to figure out what he means.

Blind Meter

2009-08-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

"What it is and where it stops nobody knows.

You gave me a life I never chose.

I wanna leave but the world won't let me go."

New Tunes on Tuesday

2009-07-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

Panic! At The Disco have a new single. It's called "New Perspective" and, considering that their last record made the Fleshy Fresh's Worst Records of 2008, a new perspective is probably a good thing.

Instead of trying to sound like the Beatles, this song feels less forced than Pretty Odd. In fact, I'm gonna go listen to it again. If you want to come a long, click here. Keep it up, kids.

In less poppy-mass-produced news, Dr. Manhattan also has a new song out. Seeing as how they made The Fleshy Fresh's Best Records of 2008, I think it's worth taking a look at. Go to the their myspace, here.

Their new record, Jam Dreams, comes out August 18th.

God I love this music video.

2009-07-22T16:11:00.001-07:00

Crazy

2009-07-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

Unsigned Artist Re-cap

2009-05-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

Every week we featured an undiscovered musical artist. Here is our list from this semester (in no particular order):

Kevin Devine (www.myspace.com/kevindevine)
Audrye Sessions (www.myspace.com/audryesessions)
Dave Smallen (www.myspace.com/davesmallen, www.davesmallen.com)
Spitzer Space Telescope (www.myspace.com/spitzerspacetelescope)
Your Sweet Uncertainty (www.myspace.com/yoursweetuncertainty)
Progress In Color (www.myspace.com/progressincolor)
Jenny Owen Youngs (www.myspace.com/jennyowenyoungs)
Sean Fournier (www.sean-fournier.com)
Ingrid Michaelson (www.myspace.com/ingridmichaelson)

On To the Summer

2009-05-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

From our last show:

The Fleshy Flashback: Matchbox Twenty - "Unwell" (I should have played this song instead)
Countdown to Blink: "Here's Your Letter"
Countdown to TBS: "New Again" and "Sink Into Me"
Love Is For Losers: The Clap - "In My Sights"

Check out the new Taking Back Sunday music video here.
MTV is streaming the new Green Day rock opera. Check it out here.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in over the course of this semester. We'll be back on the air in September, but the blog will stay up and running all summer, so don't go anywhere!

The Last Show of the Year

2009-05-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

The very last show of the Spring 2009 semester is airing today on www.wtburadio.org.

Tune in at 4 p.m. to hear our re-cap of the semester. We'll talk about our guests, our unsigned artists, and whatever else we feel like.

The blog will still be up and updated frequently over the summer. So don't go anywhere.

4-6 p.m. www.wtburadio.org IM us: wtburadiodj

Maria Taylor Doesn't Even Care About This Interview...

2009-04-30T20:55:00.002-07:00

ALLSTON, Mass.—The last time Maria Taylor came to the Boston area she brought a completely different band, she had a completely different record to promote and she played at a very different venue. While so much has changed since her visit last June, one thing has stayed the same the entire time: it is, and always has been all about the music.

The 32-year-old singer-songwriter played to a hefty crowd at the Great Scott in Allston last Tuesday night on a tour that will take her through New York City before she heads back home to Los Angeles. In a quick interview before her headlining performance, Taylor spoke about how this tour has been fun, how the economy has changed the music industry, and how, at the end of the day, nothing is more important than the music she makes.

“There’s just this different thing,” Taylor started off, with a smile on her face and a vodka and soda water in her hand. “Usually I have fun on tour but there’s a side of me that gets stressed out. There has been no
stress and no tension,” she said.
Much of the added relief this time around is due to the company she has with her on this tour. Whispertown2000, also from Los Angeles, are an indie-band with whom Taylor has a long history. The two bands share several band members, making for a very tightly knit group. Among them are Morgan Nagler, Whispertown2000 lead singer, who affirmed, “We are all in love with each other.”

Taylor brings different people on tour every time. She says that if she is going to play music as a solo musician she sees no reason to keep herself around the same people all the time. “For one, I have so many friends that don’t get to travel like I do. I want them to see what I get to see. And for me it just makes it more fun so I’m not around the same people,” she explains.

The mixing of members also does something for the music. “Every tour sounds different because people add their personalities [to the songs],” Taylor said. It also helps to keep things fresh to a young woman who has been playing some of the same songs since the release of her first solo album, “11:11,” in 2005. “When it came to ‘Song Beneath the Song,’ I was like, ‘we have to change it.’ So we changed the key and I told people to play whatever they want during the interlude,” she said.

Despite the need for a mix-up every now and then, the music still holds a personal connection with the Birmingham, Alabama native. “I have my babies,” she says, speaking of her favorite songs, “and I’m so emotionally attached to them.”

She wastes no time writing music, immediately tossing out ideas for songs that she doesn’t like. “There are some people who have 20 songs [on a record] and they don’t care for some of them. Pretty much every song I have I put on a record,” she said.

It’s this kind of love for her music that keeps Taylor writing music, going on tour, and playing the “game” she calls the music industry. In a tough economy, Taylor maintains that there is nothing else for her to do, despite that she expects to make less money on this tour than on past tours. “It’s weird,” she says. “’Cause you want to progress in your career, you know?”
Taylor’s manager insisted that she take a tour manager along with her on this tour. She says that she has so much fun on tour that she often forgets to get paid.

“This is absolutely what I would do for fun and that still amazes me. And sometimes I feel like I don’t take it as seriously as I need to ‘cause it’s my job and my career and I don’t have a family to fall back on. I need to grow up,” she confesses.

Not every day is a walk in the park, though. There is an aspect of her career that she has no taste for: the music industry. “My whole thing with this industry is that I love music and I want to be a part of it but the industry grosses me out. I have to play the game a little bit but I don’t want to,” she says. Little attention is paid to album sales, profits made, or ranks on billboard charts. “I don’t give a shit,” she says with a smirk on her face. “I don’t even care about this interview.”

Just before it’s time for Taylor to take her place on the stage, she pauses for a picture with two fans—a debacle in which Taylor insisted that the picture be taken several times. “I look so drunk!” she says. “We have to do it again.”

As the lights dim and the house music is cut any signs of inebriation are far from noticeable. The small room is filled with cheers and screams while camera flashes light up the air previously lit by only the neon beer signs that line the rustic brick walls. Drunk or not, Taylor affirms what she said in the interview: she is overcome by an honest look of pure contentment. The night ends with a Whispertown2000-Maria Taylor collaboration and a rousing round of “Happy Birthday” to Casey Wisenbaker, who played drums for the majority of the night.

There is a definitive atmosphere in the room that Taylor predicted before taking up her spot behind the microphone. “People come in and you feel the energy and then every song is like a different song every time.” Even without such an atmosphere, though, it’s clear that she would be set back only very little. “Even if no one was here, though, we would be having a great time,” she says. “That’s how you know it’s going to be a great tour: even if no one comes, we just have fun with each other.”

The Economy and the Music Industry

2009-04-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

ALLSTON, Mass.—One thing is clear about the state of the economy in the United States: business is down and people are spending less and saving more. In the music industry, though, the change may not be as obvious or predictable as expected.

Morgan Nagler, lead singer for Whispertown2000, an indie-rock band out of Los Angeles, spoke about the current economic climate on Tuesday before playing at the Great Scott in Allston.

As [the economy] gets worse the arts and entertainment become more important to people,” Nagler said. “People are struggling and it’s important to connect to people in the world and share your experience right now.”

This is all part of what Nagler called the “economic backlash” in which people come together to unite in their troubles. However, her suggestions do not mean that this is the time to drop out of high school and start a band. Tod Adrian, guitarist, bassist and drummer of Whispertown2000, says that they expect the same profits from this tour as tours in the past.

“There are definitely more people coming to shows, and that’s partly due to the fact that we’re still a new band and we’re still getting more fans.”

To Adrian and Nagler, having more people at their shows across the country does not add up to more income. When asked about financing the tour, Adrian says this tour has been what they expected.

“I want to say normal just because more people know who we are than on our last tour. I don’t know if more people are buying shirts and stuff. Gas is $2 cheaper than last time. Mostly just our personal finances are different, which is what everyone is thinking about.”

Things look different for a band that isn’t just getting their feet wet and has been firmly planted in the music industry for some time. Maria Taylor, who headlined the show at the Great Scott on Tuesday, said that this tour has been noticeably different.

“I’ll make less money on this tour, which is kind of weird because you want to make progress,” the 32-year-old singer-songwriter said.

Taylor, who got her start in the Omaha music scene as a part of the duo Azure Ray, is used to a certain amount of fan support that may not be as strong as it used to be. “Even for shows people want to see, they’re like, ‘oh, I’ll see her next time because I have no money.’”

Despite less fan support, Taylor is still in it for the long haul. “My whole thing with this industry is that I love music and I want to be a part of it; but the industry grosses me out. I have to play the game a little bit even though I don’t want to.”

Maria Taylor and Whispertown2000 are saving money on this tour by being resourceful. The two bands share members as well as a tour van that holds all 9 people. Less band members means their paychecks get split fewer ways. It is by no means the famed life of a rock star that the public admires, but it isn’t a poor man’s life either.

“We have gotten to a point where you can’t sleep on couches every night. This is our life and we’re adults,” insists Adrian.

Though this tour may not have accrued the same number of fans Maria Taylor is used to on her cross-country musical voyages, the concert at the Great Scott may have marked the backlash that Nagler foresees. The venue filled almost to capacity with an enthusiastic and engaging crowd by the time Taylor took the stage. Nearly every voice in the small venue—lit only by the neon beer signs that hang on the brick walls—was singing along to every song, including those off of Taylor’s latest album, Ladyluck, which came out only two weeks ago. Just before midnight, Taylor stopped in the middle of her last song, in order to lead the audience in a round of “Happy Birthday” for Casey Wisenbaker, the drummer for her and Whispertown2000.

Even if such a backlash doesn’t occur, it seems to be of little importance to Maria Taylor and her friends in Whispertown2000. “Even if no one came we would be having a great time,” Taylor said. “That’s how you know it’s going to be a great tour, because we just have fun with each other.”

Today and Tomorrow, Tonight and Forever

2009-04-22T12:23:00.001-07:00

Looking for something to do tonight? BU student and folk musician Spitzer Space Telescope is playing at the Morse Auditorium to celebrate the release of his full length album. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Facebook event here.
Spitzer Space Telescope here.

If you can't make it, don't worry. Spitzer will be on the show tomorrow. So don't forget to tune into www.wtburadio.org between 4-6 p.m.

Mondays Become Thursdays

2009-04-19T08:03:00.000-07:00

Because of Marathon Monday, the Fleshy Fresh will not air tomorrow. Instead, it will air on Thursday at its usual time (4-6 p.m.).

Now, my hope is that you've seen this video already. It's gotten millions upon millions of views. If you haven't, then promise me you'll watch the entire thing. Ok? Ok.

(They won't let me embed the video, but there's the link: here).

Unsigned Artist of the Week: Jenny Owen Youngs

2009-04-16T18:18:00.001-07:00

If you've been with the Fleshy Fresh since before this blog originated, then you'll notice that I'm cheating. Jenny Owen Youngs has already been our Unsigned Artist of the Week. But if you haven't, well, you wouldn't know that if I didn't just tell it to you. Anyways, who's to say that she doesn't deserve a little extra attention via the internet?

It is my understanding that Jenny is in fact signed, but really, who gives a shit. Just check her out.

Jenny just put out a new EP, Led to the Sea. What people loved about her previous release Batten the Hatches is still there: her voice is delicate but ear-piercing; her words are insightful; and the actual music--it's pretty damn catchy if I do say so myself.

Led to the Sea may not be as blatant or straightforward as Batten the Hatches, but what she lacks in word choice she makes up for with solid song composure. The arrangement of her songs is more sophisticated and elegant. It's no surprise that this 27-year-old, New Jersey-native is making ripples in the land of female indie singer-songwriters.

"Led to the Sea" is clearly the best song on the 4-track EP, and you can listen to it if you go to her myspace: www.myspace.com/jennyowenyoungs. However, "Nighty Night" (which you can also hear on her myspace) comes in a close second, reminscent of Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek." To get the last two songs on the collection you're gonna have to head over to her page on iTunes and download the thing. Trust me, it's worth the 4 bucks.

Show Re-cap, Maria Taylor, and Making the Time Pass By

2009-04-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps. Here's the rundown for yesterday's show:

TBS Countdown: "Cute Without the e (Acoustic)" from Punk Goes Acoustic Vol. 1
Countdown to Blink: Reckless Abandon from Take off Your Pants and Jacket
Love is for Losers: Maria Digby - "Girlfriend"
Fleshy Flashback: June - "If Kenneth Could Speak"

Our unsigned artist of the week was none other than the lovely Jenny Owen Youngs. She put out a new EP called Led To the Sea. We'll have more on her later, but until then, stop by her website and visit her on iTunes.

Also, for your viewing pleasure, and in honor of Maria Taylor's show at the Great Scott tomorrow night, here is her video for "Time Lapse Lifeline." Got any questions you want answered by MT? Let me know!

It's a good time to be a BU student

2009-04-12T20:57:00.000-07:00

Also, don't forget about the show tomorrow!
4 p.m.
www.wtburadio.org

Everyone. Everywhere. Dance!

2009-04-09T18:33:00.001-07:00

BU Hockey

2009-04-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

If you don't like BU Hockey you aren't a real BU student.

The Pills Have Finally Kicked In

2009-04-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't noticed, I love talking about Dave Smallen. He was our unsigned artist several weeks ago, but he keeps giving me more things to share with you.

As I mentioned before, he is releasing each track off his latest record one at a time. The newest addition to an already superb collection of songs: "Waiting For the Pills."

I've seen Mr. Smallen play this live, and ever since I've been anxiously waiting for him to share this with the world. And sharing it is exactly what he's doing; for the song is available as a free download on his site during the month of April. Don't miss this opportunity!

If you do download it for free, do him a favor and spread the word. Good musicians like him deserve attention and recognition.

Listen to the song here.

The Last Lecture

2009-04-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

Tune in tomorrow for Intern Take-over Day!

For those of you on or around the campus of Boston University:

Dr. Doe West: The Last Lecture

The inaugural event for this annual series, hosted by the Undergraduate Psychology Association, invites a faculty member to come give a lecture with the premise: "If you knew you only had one last lecture to give, what would you say?"

This year, we welcome Doe West to the stage. This event will be a great opportunity to hear from a truly remarkable and inspiring woman.

Admission is free, but the speaker suggests bringing a small donation to be given to local domestic violence shelters. We hope to see you there. Doors open at 6:30PM.

Partially funded by your Undergraduate Student Fee.
Starts
7:00pm on Wednesday, April 8th 2009
End Time
8:00pm
Location
Photonics Center - PHO 206 (8 St. Mary's Street)
Group
Undergraduate Psychology Association
Sponsored By
Undergraduate Psychology Association

Wild Things Are Where?

2009-04-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

Thank you to our musical guest on Monday, Allison Francis! We did record the performance so you'll be able to hear it soon.

Next Monday is Intern Take-over Day! So Shareen and Brian will be running the show. It's bound to be interesting, to say the least.

Here is something that makes my heart sing with anticipation and joy. If something sounds familiar, it's probably "Wake Up" by the Arcade Fire.

Twitter

2009-03-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

This says it all:

Unsigned Artist of the Week: Progress In Color

2009-03-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

If you're thinking that the people in this picture look like only a couple of little kids, you're gonna be really surprised when you listen to their music.

The four members that make up Progress In Color are from Oklahoma, but you wouldn't think so listening to their music. There are no country roots, no head-exploding twangs, and no talk about lost trucks, girlfriends, or dead dogs.

What's amazing is the following these kids have received. Thank you YouTube and Myspace. Their following, though, is not unfounded. They manage a crafty blend of music that is both catchy and insightful. Thanks to their singer, Caleb, the smooth sound of his vocals perfectly compliments the relaxing, mood-setting tone created by the rest of the band members.

You can stop by their myspace if you like, but honestly, their best songs aren't up there. Below is "It's A Plague." You'd be a fool not to watch the video. This link goes to another of their songs, "Breathing," also worth listening to. And while you're at youtube, check out their Cutting Crew cover of "(I Just) Died In Your Arms."

Show Re-cap 3/23/09

2009-03-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

Here's the quick stuff. I'll post more later.

Countdown to Taking Back Sunday's New Again: "You Know How I Do" (the video is an awesome acoustic version.
Countdown to Blink: "All the Small Things."
The Fleshy Flashback: Something Corporate - "Woke Up In a Car."
Love is for Losers: Something Corporate - "Drunk Girl."

Did you know that it's possible to fall from an airplane and survive? People have done it, I swear. Check it out. But don't try it. Until we speak next, enjoy this video with the song, "I'm Safer In an Airplane" by Copeland.

Prostitution

2009-03-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

So, as some of you may know, I am the Assistant General Manager of WTBU, the glorious radio station on which the Fleshy Fresh airs. One of my responsibilities as the Ass GM (as I like to call myself) is to be the bright and shining face of the station, a job I love very much (not really). So, when the Community Service Center came to us, as they do every year, looking for us to provide them with dates to be auctioned off, I was, naturally, one of the people chosen to sell my soul for a few bucks.

Here's a picture of me and my good friend Mike Carlos, who will also be whoring it up for charity:

Mike and I are not the only ones, however! If you don't want to pay five bucks for a date with me or Mike (though, I don't know how you could want someone else after seeing the above picture), then here is the list of everyone being auctioned off:

COM Dean - Dean Berkovitz
Brian Fadem (the hot dog--as in, the hot dog and jesus)
Joseph Alexander Rudolph Gerber III
Ross Lichtenberg
Rob Uslan
Michael Carlos
Jen Brown
Katie Latta
Katie Curtin
Vanessa Escobar
Robina Moyer
Ashley Lagas
Sam Kuttner
Zach Kohn
Dan McDade
Noah Wager
Jess Tannhauser
Anne Hetherington
Mark Foelster

If you don't know who a lot of these people are, facebook stalk them or something. You could go all out and have a reconnaissance thing going on and then come to the Date Auction all prepared, knowing exactly whose pants you want to get into. Just a thought.

Here are the details:

This Thursday, March 26th
7:30 p.m.
Conference Auditorium (2nd Floor of the GSU).

Bring a buck or two.

If you want to join the facebook event, click here.

Allison Francis Re-scheduled

2009-03-22T13:40:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately, Allison Francis will not be joining us tomorrow on The Fleshy Fresh. However, she will grace us with her presence next Monday, March 30th.

We still have a good show lined up for you tomorrow. Until then, check out this eerie song by Sufjan Stevens about a serial killer in Illinois.

Unsigned Artist of the Week: Sean Fournier

2009-03-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Sean Fournier is a nice guy. He's a really really nice guy. He recorded an album and now he's giving it away for free. In fact, all you need to do (and what you really should do) is go to his website, www.sean-fournier.com, submit your email address and download Oh My right now. It is absolutely worth the space on your hard drive.

There really isn't a bad song out of the collection of indie-pop songs Fournier has written, but the highlights are "Another Like You," "Hurricane," and "Goodbye."

If you're not willing to sacrifice the space on your computer without listening to if first then head to his myspace: www.myspace.com/sfournier.

Give it a shot. Would I ever lead you astray?

The Home Stretch

2009-03-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that we only have a handful of shows left before this semester is over? Cause I can't. Every day seems like an eternity. Our futile existence will never end! Alas, that is not true, our end is sight.

Anyways, here's a re-cap of our show from today. Next week: Allison Francis! And our new segment (stay tuned...oh snap!).

Blink 182 Countdown: Enema of the State's "Going Away to College"
The Fleshy Flashback: Death Cab For Cutie - "Title and Registration"
Love is for Losers: Bright Eyes - "Lover I Don't Have to Love"
Unsigned Artist of the Week: Sean Fournier (more to come).

Keep it fresh. Keep your flesh.

Monday Eyes

2009-03-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

It has been two weeks since The Fleshy Fresh has aired. Last week was spring break and the week before that BU had a snow day; hence, everything was shut down, even programming at WTBU.

Nowadays, people have the attention span of a goldfish, so I'm sure that in just two weeks you've forgotten about us. But we haven't forgotten about you.

Tomorrow we return. Tomorrow we start the turn around 3rd base, we start the final boarding call, we turn the key as we power our way through the end of the semester and this school year. So don't miss it.

Mondays, 4-6 p.m.
WTBU
www.wtburadio.org
89.3 fm
640 am
617-990-7855
IM us!: WTBUradioDJ

Katie Uva Video

2009-03-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

Well, it took me forever, but I finally got this video up.

A few weeks ago, the lovely Katie Uva came and paid us a visit on the Fleshy Fresh. She played three songs for us. In this video are two of those songs and some annoying banter on my part in the middle. Enjoy!

Katie Uva on the Fleshy Fresh - Jgerbs

Dave Smallen Follow-Up

2009-03-09T13:40:00.001-07:00

Remember Dave Smallen? He was our Unsigned Artist of the Week a few weeks ago.

He's doing an interesting thing. He's decided to release his CD that he recently recorded one track at a time. And you can pick your price per track!

Head on over to this page on his website and you can hear the song and download it if you like.

Like most of his stuff, it's pretty banging. So, I suggest you check it out.

And all those photos you see (including the one in this post) are all pieces of art that he makes himself. What a talented guy.

Unsigned Artist of (Last) Week: Your Sweet Uncertainty

2009-03-05T18:15:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. Your Sweet Uncertainty could be one of the worst band names in the history of band names. Even Fucked Up is a better band name.

However, give YSU a listen and you'll see that their talent isn't in naming things (God help their children), but rather in making music.

Your Sweet Uncertainty was founded after the death of The Early November. We all know that Ace went on to create Ace Enders and a Million Different People. I can tell you who isn't one of those one million people: Jeff Kummer.

Jeff was the drummer of The Early November and when they split, he went to his boys from the good ol' days: Grace Period. The band had to change their name, and so they came up with Your Sweet Uncertainty (Grace Period was SO much better).

So, to the point: their tunes. If you head to their myspace, start with these two songs: "Hey Baby," and "Thoughts of Time." I'm afraid that if you don't, you might find the singer's voice really annoying. These two will ease you into it.

There's not much else to say about this band, but if you're a fan of The Early November, Sherwood, and crazy drummers who like getting their ass shaved (I'll give you a dollar if you know what I'm talking about), then you'll probably like Your Sweet Uncertainty.

100 Bands You Ought to Know

2009-02-26T18:39:00.001-08:00

I highly suggest that you go to your nearest bookstore, newspaper stand, record shop, or wherever it is you like to get magazines and pick up the latest issue of Alternative Press. They've come out with their 100 Bands to watch in 2009 and it's quite the rundown. Don't miss out.

Word.

Show Re-cap 2/23/09

2009-02-23T21:55:00.000-08:00

So here's the skinny:

Unsigned Artist of the Week: Your Sweet Uncertainty (more to come later).
The Fleshy Flashback: Taking Back Sunday - Cute Without the 'E' (Cut From the Team) (screw them for taking their music video off of youtube).
Love is For Losers: Against Me! - Cavalier Eternal.
Blink 182 Countdown: What's My Age Again.

Next week's tentative musical guest: Allison Francis!

Here's the beats. Can you tell where a drastic change occurred?

1. Loquat - Harder Hit
2. Beautiful Small Machines - Robots In Love
3. Brand New - Logan to Government Center
4. Les Fleur De Lis - Hold On
5. Blink 182 - What's My Age Again
6. Cursive - Some Red Handed Sleight Of Hand
7. Ben Kweller - Fight
8. Beck - Paper Tiger
9. Taking Back Sunday - Cute Without the E
10. Thursday - In Silence
11. Street To Nowhere - Screamin
12. Against Me! - Screaming
13. Your Sweet Uncertainty - Hey Baby
14. Your Sweet Uncertainty - Thoughts of Time
15. Silversun Pickups - Rusted Wheel
16. Fratellis - Everybody Knows you Cried Last Night
17. Supergrass - Alright
18. Pulp - Disco 2000
19. Blondie - Heart of Glass
20. The Virgins - Rich Girls
21. Prince Far I - Foundation Stepper
22. Peter Tosh - No Sympathy

Unsigned Artist of the Week: Dave Smallen

2009-02-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

The first time I saw Dave Smallen perform was in 2007. He was on tour with his band Street To Nowhere, for which he was the lead-singer, and they were opening for Straylight Run at a now-demolished venue in Boston near Fenway Park. Now, I've seen my fair share of concerts, so I know what a good opening band is and I know what a piss-poor opening band is. Let me tell you that Street To Nowhere is a great opening band. I still remember exactly the way they launched into their first song and which song it was: "Screaming," off of their debut album Charmingly Awkward.

Unfortunately, Street To Nowhere is no longer a band. I don't know the full details about the break-up, but the important thing is that Dave Smallen maintained all the rights to the album (which has some great songs on it) and is continuing on his own.

Not long ago, Smallen released his first single: "America." The song has a strong message that outlines his frustrations with society as it is in this country. Apart from being politically fiery, Smallen's music is poignant and honest, sometimes to the point of brutality. He is most easily compared to Conor Oberst because of the way that his voice often passionately quivers giving his songs that edge; you know that way that Bright Eyes songs are more about the feeling than the music...it's like that, but usually more easy on the ears.

If you go to his myspace you will find a Leonard Cohen cover, his single, and a number of songs from the Street To Nowhere days (check out "They're Not Like Us" and "Tipsy"). Go to his website to download "America" for free. Oh, and don't miss this internet-savvy guy's blog.

Tuesday Show Re-cap

2009-02-17T22:19:00.000-08:00

Greetings. I hope this finds you in good health. If you missed Tuesday's show, don't feel bad. The change in schedules confuses even me. Here's the quick re-cap. We'll touch on some of the finer points a little bit later.

In studio performance by Katie Uva (I will post videos later!).
Unsigned Artist of the Week: Dave Smallen (more information on him later).
The Fleshy Flashback: "Around the World" by ATC and "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba
Love is For Losers: "Instant Pleasure" by Rufus Wainwright

Below is the playlist for the show in case there was something you liked and want to find. Stay tuned, much more to come!

1. Jack's Mannequin - Dark Blue
2. Loquat - Harder Hit
3. Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
4. Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
5. ATC - Around the World
6. Fountains of Wayne - Sink to the Bottom
7. MGMT - Electric Eel
8. Carolina Liar - I'm Not Over
9. Brighten - Ready When You Are
10. Sara Bareilles (with Ingrid Michaelson) - Winter Song
11. The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset
12. The Honorary Title - Apologize
13. Sea Wolf - Winter Windows
14. Rufus Wainwright - Instant Pleausre
15. Conor Oberst - Milk Thistle
16. Dave Smallen - America
17. Dave Smallen - They're Not Like Us
18. Northstar - Rigged and Ready
19. Hollis Brown - Passin' Me By
20. Blink 182 - Down