29.03.11 California Diner - 'Shameless Genre Hopping!'

The California Diner is generally known for serving up a wide variety of sounds each week, but this week, we just go all out buffet on ya! Bring your appetite, because here we go...

Hip hop. Our own Rob One, of 20/20 Hip Hop fame (my Tuesday night neighbor), dropped a big one on us—a brand new album called African. And it's good. I'm just getting into this one, but this multi-talented radio guy can rap, and we'll hear one of his tracks this week.

robone.bandcamp.com/

We'll then serve up our usual rock and roll feast, but pay special attention to the last 45 minutes or so of the show. We have a combo platter that'll leave you satsfied, as we careen between multiple genres. It's a 7 course musical meal, served rapid-fire, one right after the other.

Americana: can I bring you some Hail the Size? www.myspace.com/hailthesize

Shoegaze: try some Kat Jones—it's really tasty. www.myspace.com/katjones

Blues: how about a nice big serving of Bill Mumy! www.billmumy.com 

Punk: let me get you a quick little dish of The Vagabonds. thevagabonds.bandcamp.com/

Country: Skip Heller, coming right up! www.skipheller.com/

Electronica: just mixed up some Emily Zuzik and Tim Lefebvre. www.emilyzuzik.com/

Humor: I know you're stuffed, but just try a little Clutter Family. www.myspace.com/theclutterfamily

If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the California Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.

This note also appears in the News section on the home page of RechargedRadio.com.

See you then!

Chef Mike

mike(at)rechargedradio.com

MN2BDNC

Kaz Murphy - Killin' Wheel 

Rob One - Flames 

Fortune Dwellers - Al's Song 

Last Breath - Been Down This Road 

Go National - Straight Up Jen 

Uncle Meat and the Highway Children - Long Gone Mobile 

Laurie Biagini - Crazy People on the internet 

Onward Chariots - Seven Miles Away 

The Taters - Wolfman Told Me Tonight 

The Corner Laughers - Transamerica Pyramid

Truth Panel - Human Drama 

Sal Valentino - Looking For You 

The Scratch - Homely Crackle 

Joey Oskys - Try 

Charlie Cheney - Giant Chicken 

Heiskell - The Death of Knoxville Cool 

Maxi Dunn - How Was I To Know 

The Big I Am - Banging on the Wall 

Sarah Stanley - Not Gonna Leave 

Debora Iyall - Be My Last 

Sound Sessions - Be My Shaper 

Boomchick - Joyland 

Hail The Size - Booze, Pills, & Her 

Kat Jones - Those Expensive Eyes 

Bill Mumy - A Hundred Good Reasons 

The Vagabonds - John Mellor 

Skip Heller - Falling For You 

Emily Zuzik & Tim Lefebvre - E-Vill 

The Clutter Family - Head 

Calm As The Colour - The Rain Must Fall 

Rich McCulley - Far From My Angel 

22.03.11 California Diner - 'Duncan Faure Interview!'

On this week's show, we’ll be chatting with legendary singer-songwriter-musician Duncan Faure. And I don't throw the word "legendary" around lightly--this guy has some serious pop credentials. He got his start with the South African band Rabbitt, along with Trevor Rabin, and they became the best-selling band ever, in their home country. Rabbitt was pretty much a breeding ground for future musical greatness. Trevor later joined Yes (and wrote their huge hit "Owner of a Lonely Heart"). And Duncan was invited to join the internationally-popular band Bay City Rollers as lead singer and keyboardist. 

The Bay City Rollers were known for light, perky, incredibly catchy pop. Duncan recorded three albums with them, and with his songwriting and leadership, helped them unleash their creativity and gain critical acclaim as well, while touring the world. 

The 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and now the “teens” have seen a brilliant solo career for Duncan. His songs range from upbeat pop (my personal favorite), to tender ballads to progressive rock. The man can do it all. One of his songs, "24 Hours", landed on Madonna's "Who's That Girl" soundtrack album. Another song of his, "Let It Be Right", was a cry for world peace that was covered by both George Benson and a 500-member children's choir. And his other achievements are too numerous to mention here. 

Finally, a two-disc CD entitled Anthology is available. This set contains 36 tracks from his solo years, including a brand new song called “Nightfall”--which shows that Duncan’s work is better than ever. 

He now makes his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, and continues to tour and record. I had the chance to chat with him on the phone—and he's a really nice, down to earth kind of guy! You'll enjoy his stories, and we'll hear a few of his songs on this week's California Diner.

www.duncanfaure.com

If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the California Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 1:00-3:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.

Karim Fanous - Thin Bits 

Laurie Larson - Corporate Chew Toy 

Joe Symes - Lost Along The Way 

Mad Tea Party - I Never Was A Cool One 

Baby Scream - The Ghost Of Valerie 

Fortune Dwellers - Keep It Simple 

Maxi Dunn - Always Be My Friend 

The Medicine - Send The Rain 

Maple Mars - Butterfly Effect 

Duncan Faure Interview

Duncan Faure – Nightfall 

Duncan Faure – Not Enough Hours 

Duncan Faure – Feels Like A Day

The Shindig Addicts - Not Long Now 

The Scratch - Homely Crackle 

Nushu - Here's To Feeling Free 

Sound Sessions - Be My Shaper 

Rob Bonfiglio - Blow Me Away 

Lindy LaFontaine (with KYRO) - Harmonics 

Bill Mumy - Can't Complain 

Laurie Biagini - A Face In The Crowd 

Dennis Holseybrook - Turn Around 

Sexfresh - I've Got A Feeling 

Scumbag Philosopher - Scumbag Philosopher 

The Corner Laughers - The Commonest Manifesto 

Adrian Bourgeois - Mr. Imaginary Friend 

50ft Woman - Ultra Violet 

Teina Anthony - A Natural Life 

Nelson Bragg - Forever Days 

This note also appears in the News section on the home page of RechargedRadio.com.

See you then!

Chef Mike

mike(at)rechargedradio.com

MN2BDNC

15.03.11 California Diner - 'The Americans Are Coming!'

Back in the 1960's, the British Invasion was a musical phenomena that forever changed pop and rock music. You already know the story: The Beatles, Dave Clark Five, Rolling Stones, Kinks, and so many other fine British bands landed on these here U.S. shores and without firing a single shot, took over American radio, TV, and the record industry. Also our hearts and minds. Everything changed, and pretty much for the better. We even sent Jimi Hendrix over there, so that he could come back here and re-invade. Clever!

Well, another British Invasion of sorts is now underway, and I thought I'd just give you a little heads-up. Only this time, it's in reverse. American bands are coming to Britain, and musically speaking, they're taking no prisoners!

Four different California artists on this week's show will be touring Great Britain between now and May. They're already got well-established fan bases here in California, and we wanted to share them. Just remember, if you will, to return them in good condition!

Of the four, Anton Barbeau has the most well-established foothold in the UK—the  legendary Sacramento singer-songwriter actually lives there now! A big fan of Robyn Hitchcock, he counts two former members of Robyn's bands The Egyptians and The Soft Boys as part of his band now (Morris Windsor and Andy Metcalfe). Anton's music tends towards the quirky, melodic side, and we like it that way! We'll hear a track off of his brand new release Psychedelic Mynde Of Moses.

http://www.antonbarbeau.com

Anny Celsi is a marvelous singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. I had the chance to see her perform an acoustic set with Nelson Bragg on a trip down there last summer, and they are not to be missed. Acoustic rocks hard, when they do it. And if you're in the UK or Europe, now's your chance to see them—they're visiting you right now! Anny's album Tangle-Free World blends folk and Americana nicely, using all kinds of lush sounds and textures. We'll hear my favorite song from that album this week.

http://www.annycelsi.com/

Agony Aunts. Now there's a term that's completely ready to go in the UK. Here in the States, the equivalent would be a newspaper advice column, such as Dear Abby or Ann Landers. We have a band right here in Northern Calfornia called the Agony Aunts, and guess what—if you've been listening to my show for any length of time, you already know them! They're the Corner Laughers in disguise! The whole current Laughers ensemble—Karla Kane, Khoi Huynh, Charlie Crabtree and KC Bowman (founding guitarist Angela Silletto moved away last year) created a second band, in order to, well, I don't really know why—but they just did! But it's another great band, and I suppose they could open for themselves at a gig, and carry it off really well. Anyway, the Corner Laughers will be invading the whole of the UK in May—starting in London, visiting our Recharged Radio headquarters, and working their way up to Liverpool for the IPO (International Pop Overthrow festival). This week's show features a tune from their Agony Aunts debut disc, Greater Miranda.

http://agony-aunts.bandcamp.com/album/greater-miranda

Finally—the sub-invasion you've been waiting for—the Fresno Invasion! That's right—the Central California city of Fresno, located about three hours south of where I am, has a pretty tight music scene. The place, although probably not well known to those outside the U.S., seems to be a hotbed of creativity. Blake Jones and the Trike Shop are an upbeat pop band whose album The Underground Garden has a winning sound. Sometimes quirky, sometimes shimmery, and sometimes straight up power pop, I was completely charmed by this disc. Blake and the boys are veterans of the IPO Liverpool, and are reclaiming their spot on the stage of the legendary Cavern Club this May, as the capstone of their UK tour. We'll hear a song off of The Underground Garden, and you'll see why they've been invited back to the UK.

http://www.blakejonesmusic.com/

If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the California Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 1:00-3:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.

This note also appears in the News section on the home page of RechargedRadio.com.

See you then!

Chef Mike

mike(at)rechargedradio.com

MN2BDNC

Sarah Taylor - The Cure To Everything 

Anton Barbeau - Skunk Hungarian 

Anny Celsi - Tangle-Free World 

Ambassadors Of Morocco - Wikipedia 

Last Breath - It's My Time 

Beth Thornley - You're So Pony 

Rob Swanson - I Guess I Wish 

Duncan Faure - Man Of A Thousand Dreams 

The Mike Brown Band - Pay 

Rose Reiter - Tender Sky 

Hail The Size - Hot Mom 

Popdudes - Neglected 

Raistalla - Long Way 

The Awe Kids - Stuck In London 

Chad Neaves - Something In My Soul 

Chancellorpink - Muster 

Splitsville - The Kids Who Kill For Sugar 

Emily Zuzik & Tim Lefebvre - Out Of Line 

Agony Aunts - Linus's Fists Of Death 

Dave Stephens - You Are Mine, I Am Yours 

Lost City Soul - No Tomorrow 

Joseph Swidenbank - Harsh Words 

Maxi Dunn - Sinking In The Sand 

Blake Jones & The Trike Shop - Sun Up 

Laurie Biagini - Leave Me Alone 

Maple Mars - Borrowed Sunshine 

Kyro (with Lindy LaFontaine) - This Too, In Time, Shall Pass 

The Big I Am - Right About Now 

Kate Burkart - Cross The Street 

Allyson Seconds - Bag Of Kittens 

Jeff Merchant - Love Yourself Away 

08.03.11 California Diner - 'Better Days!'

Here's another week where the theme of the show writes itself. I was going to call this show “The American Dude Gets Lucky”, because I put this fantastic playlist together, and an interesting thing happened, which caused me to pick a better name. You'll see...

London-based singer-songwriter Joey Oskys has been making a name for himself with his heartfelt vocals and stellar guitar playing. He's not afraid to re-cut tracks, because he's a perfectionist. The craftsmanship shows. He won the Twirlie Award last month for Male Vocalist of the Year. He's in the process of putting a new album together, and we'll hear his song “Better Days”, which really showcases his vocals. Get on the Joey Oskys bandwagon now, and let your friends know where we're going!

http://www.myspace.com/joeyoskys

I've been familiar with Liverpool-based folk trio The Big I Am for the last couple of years. Pete McPartland has been emailing me tracks since 2009. The songs I'd heard were that of a really nice acoustic trio—ukulele, cuatro (like a small guitar), and piano. Nice songs, with a pulsing ebb and flow. He eventually asked me for my mailing address, because the album was done, and he wanted to send the physical copy 5,000 miles west to my Sacramento, California headquarters. One fine day, the disc shows up, and I pop it in the car CD player on the way home. And wow—what a surprise! The guys from Liverpool teamed up with super producer Wim Oudijk from The Netherlands, who added some amazing orchestration—in the form of strings and horns, to make a stunning, dramatic album. Every counterpoint is appropriately placed, and you'll think they were conceived at the same time and place. Guess what their song is called? Better Days!

www.bigiam.com

www.myspace.com/wimoudijk

So there you have it—two great artists with two great songs called “Better Days”. The theme writes itself. I'm just here to catch it and broadcast it to you!

If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the California Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.

This note also appears in the News section on the home page of RechargedRadio.com.

See you then!

Chef Mike

mike(at)rechargedradio.com

MN2BDNC

The Corner Laughers - For The Sake Of The Cat 

Last Breath - Been Down This Road 

Red Psalm - Your Wedding Cake 

Nushu - So Long (Maybe) 

Electric Needle Room - William Henry Harrison 

Onward Chariots - Seven Miles Away 

Little Guilt Shrine - One Two 

Dead Heart Bloom - Sentimental Cures 

Melissa Phillips - So Young 

Kaz Murphy - Hardly Think About That 

Brigada Mercy - Public Sector Terrorist 

Imani Hekima - Nothing's What It Seems 

Jerzey Street Band - Holly Grove 

Kyro (Featuring Lindy LaFontaine) - Alizee 

Nelson Bragg - Forever Days 

Sexfresh - Bucket Of Love 

Snow Byrds - Master Of Ceremonies 

Laurie Biagini/Maxi Dunn - In The Eyes of a Little Girl 

Fortune Dwellers - Al's Song 

Dennis Holseybrook - Take Care My Friend 

The Taters - That's Me 

Saimons - Caught In A Cage 

Bill Mumy - All Wound Up 

Joey Oskys - Better Days 

The Big I Am - Better Days 

Duncan Faure - In The Right Place 

Rose Reiter - Where You Are 

The Smith Bros - Kerrie Anne 

Baby Scream - Powerpop Crush 

Beth Thornley - A to Z 

The Dashing Suns - Sally Moore 

01.03.11 California Diner - 'Birthday Party!'

Not to dwell on this for too long, but it's my birthday this week. And I won't even mention it once on my show! The reason I'm even telling you this, is because I've been thinking—if I could have a musical birthday party, who would I invite? Well, for starters—31 of my musical friends are coming. Invited, RSVP'd. They'll be there, with instruments.

Laurie Larson wrote and performed a song so good, it won a Twirlie Award for Song of the Year in 2009. Angelic vocals, amazing keyboard and guitar solos, and rock-steady drums. I can't ever get enough of it, and so I'm playing it for myself. And for you too!

www.laurielarson.com

Rich McCulley put out an album a few years back called Far From My Angel. It was his “divorce album”. Not only lyrically, but on the track we're playing this week, you'll hear how he works out a lot of the pain sonically as well. There's an incredibly cathartic guitar solo, which compels you to play air guitar to it, and if I can ever learn to play guitar, I'd want to play it like that!

www.richmcculley.com

Allen is an expatriate American soul singer. Originally from Memphis, he's worked with the greats like Al Green. Now located on the Italian Riviera, he adds a certain spicy musical twist to his smooth vocals, and creates something new. It's like Latin Jazz meets Memphis Soul on the Adriatic coast, and basks in the sun. Now that's my way to celebrate a birthday!

www.myspace.com/perrymichaelallen

If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the California Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.

This note also appears in the News section on the home page of RechargedRadio.com.

See you then!

Chef Mike

mike(at)rechargedradio.com

MN2BDNC

Saimons - Caught In A Cage Sue Leonard - Bend This Circle Kaz Murphy - Hardly Think About That Agony Aunts - Me Being Maximum Debora Iyall - Tell Me Why Sound Sessions - Be My Shaper IC7 - Given Bill Mumy - Can't Complain Rich McCulley - Far From My Angel Maple Mars - Transcendental Guidance Ricky Berger - If Miami Dan and the Hayes Street Band - Star Of The Beach Emily Zuzik & Tim Lefebvre - West Coast East Coast Allen - Hold Me Tight Laurie Larson - Endless Thank You Loop Kat Jones - Those Expensive Eyes Baby Scream - The Ghost Of Valerie Fortune Dwellers - Al's Song Anton Barbeau - Psychedelic Mynde of Moses Rob Swanson - Happy Dance Go National - Straight Up Jen The Big I Am - Collecting Skies Boomchick - Operation Imperialism Left Step Band - The Deep End Maxi Dunn - Weather Warning Skip Heller & Jim Cavender - I Hate You Anny Celsi - First Love Freezes Joseph Swidenbank - Coming Up For Air Laurie Biagini - Leave Me Alone Wim Oudijk - Spirit Mad Tea Party - Found A Reason