31.05.11 California Diner - 'Break Out The Handcuffs!'

That's right—this week on the California Diner, we're breaking out The Handcuffs! No, no, not the law enforcement devices sometimes used for other nefarious purposes, you silly boys and girls. That great rock band from Chicago, The Handcuffs. And our special guests on this week's show are Chloe F. Orwell and Brad Elvis from the band.

I had the chance to talk with them recently, and in just 20 minutes, we covered a lot of ground. This dynamic duo leads the band, with their songwriting prowess and stage theatrics at the forefront. They both write, although Brad writes a little more. He's the drummer, and he not only propels this band, but his “side job” is to provide the rhythm for legendary 80's Detroit New Wave band The Romantics. And Chloe is a multi-instrumentalist, but is most noted for her powerful and dynamic vocals. She can go from thoughtful and introspective, to butt-kicking vocal pyrotechnics—sometimes within the same song!

These guys will sound instantly familiar to you. You know their influences—we all know Blondie, Bowie, and Beck (plus countless others). But don't confuse this with being derivative—these guys are completely original. They simply learned from the best, before creating their own fiery, high octane musical blend. Their songs have tons of energy and hooks. Oh, those hooks. You can hear any of the songs from their 2009 album Electroluv one time, and they'll stay with you all day. They're that infectious.

Emily Togni, Ellis Clark, and Alison Hinderliter round out the big Handcuffs sound on bass, guitar, and keyboards, respectively. They make the songs jump out of the speakers directly into your ears, and into your psyche.

You may have heard their music on such TV shows as Jersey Shore, Gossip Girl, Celebrity Rehab, or all over shows on MTV, VH1, and many other networks. Their songs are fun, and it's great to see them reaching a wider audience.

Great news for us Handcuffs fans: they're putting the finishing touches on their third album “Waiting For The Robot” right now! And they've been gracious enough to let me world-premiere this song on my show! So please return the favor. Just buy the record when it comes out. You're welcome. I've only heard two songs so far, but you and I already know it's going to be great—it's The Handcuffs, for crying out loud! And we'll meet them this week, on the California Diner!

http://thehandcuffs.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), 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 Taters - Right B4 My Eyes
Agony Aunts - Linus's Fists Of Death
Sweet Sweet Concorde - Armadillo Man
Lindy LaFontaine (with Kyro) - This Too, In Time, Shall Pass
Benson Klemme - Blue Skies
Anton Barbeau - Doctor Don't Chop My Knee Mama, Ouch Is Another Word
50ft Woman - Ultra Violet
Chad Neaves - Something In My Soul
Handcuffs Interview
Handcuffs - Wonderful Life
Handcuffs – Miss You On Tuesday
Soundserif - Brian Adams
Fortune Dwellers - Al's Song
Nelson Bragg - Tell Me I'm Wrong
Maxi Dunn - How Was I To Know
Cy Taggart - Cut It Out
Jay Fraser - That's How We Roll
Sal Valentino - Lovin' Fallin'
The Big I Am - Banging on the Wall
June & The Exit Wounds - Cathy Dennis
Tippy Canoe & The Paddlemen - Mass Transmissions
Rob Bonfiglio - Blow Me Away
Baby Scream - Lazy
Laurie Biagini - Leave Me Alone
Six Gun Jury - Chancellor Pink
Bill Mumy - Can't Complain
Kate Burkart - Cross The Street
Luke Dick - The Healer
The Ks - 13 Steps

24.05.11 California Diner - 'Last Breath Interview!'

By now, you know the rapture did not happen, as originally scheduled on May 21st. No apocalypse, end times, judgment day, whatever you want to call it. Or maybe it did—but we didn't make it. Interestingly enough, the dour preacher who'd spent months convincing his followers to send in $80 million to pay for this whole doomsday advertising campaign—is a Northern Calfornia radio guy. Sound familiar? Out of a warped sense of civic pride, and a sense of duty, I'm happy to report that he and I are both back on the air this week.


And so for you, my fellow “left behinders”, I've got a great show this week. We're going to visit with Blackpool, UK band Last Breath.


Last Breath are a melodic rock quartet currently working on their second album. They are made up of brothers James (vocals, guitar) and Tom (guitar, vocals) Parkinson, Mike “Crofty” Croft (drums), and recent addition Lynden Garrad (bass). They started back in 2003 as a hard rock cover band, influenced by the likes of Nickelback and Metallica. As time went on, they got more confident and more original, and they now sport a wide variety of styles. A single set of theirs at a gig might feature a hard rock song, a pop song, and a country or Americana song. As they explained, they want to make it interesting for their audiences—with a wide variety of sounds, to keep the audience engaged. They have a natural rapport, and tend to put on a fun show.


They recently headlined a 10-act festival—exposing their music to an even larger crowd. To my ears, they have a big, sweeping American pop sound. And their trademark is catchy melodies with big, soaring harmonies. We're going to play three of their songs for you on this week's show—and any one of those are guaranteed to stick in your head for the rest of the day. Don't say I didn't warn you—these guys are good!


www.reverbnation.com/lastbreathuk


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


Michael Miller - Carolina Skyline

The Shindig Addicts - Not Long Now

Go National - Strong

Maxi Dunn/Elizabeth Racz - Why

Corner Laughers - The Red Queen

Fake Teak - Solid-State

Anny Celsi - Tangle-Free World

Dead Heart Bloom - Sentimental Cures

Last Breath Interview

Last Breath – The Story Ends

Last Breath – It's My Time

Last Breath – Drive All Night

Kat Jones - Those Expensive Eyes

Television Keeps Us Apart - Parents House In '99

Fortune Dwellers - Keep It Simple

Rob One - Flames

Emily Zuzik - This Time Around

Auditorium - Saturday Soldier

Dennis Holseybrook - Go For A Ride

Vegas With Randolph - The Better Part

Mad Tea Party - Bunny Moves On

Skip Heller - Falling For You

Laurie Biagini - A Face In The Crowd

Debora Iyall - Tell Me Why

Fearless Vampire Killers - Fearless Vampire Killers

Beth Thornley - There's No Way

Maple Mars - Citizen Roger

17.05.11 California Diner - 'Sal Valentino Interview!'

This is pretty big news: the legendary singer-songwriter Sal Valentino is going to be our in-studio guest on this week's California Diner!

Sal’s early fame came as vocalist for the 1960′s band The Beau Brummels, with such top hits as “Laugh Laugh” and “Just A Little”. It’s been argued that the band defined the San Francisco sound. Certainly, they were out ahead of the pack–a little before the Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead.

The 1970′s came, and Sal played in Stoneground, a great amalgam of funk and country rock, perhaps a precursor to the Doobie Brothers. And he’s had quite a respectable solo career. As one of my European listeners said, “Sal Valentino–one of the great voices of all time!”.

His most recent album, Dreamin’ Man, teams him up with long time collaborator John Blakeley. This is one fine album. It starts with the breezy opener “Love Song”, then transitions into determined mid-tempo rocker “Hwy 49″. Sal and John turn in a great Americana performance on rising Sacramento star Jackie Greene’s “Valley of Woe”. While Sal sings with conviction, John’s stellar acoustic picking drives this song forward with abandon. These two bad dudes will kick your rear with this song, and you’ll love it.

But make no mistake–this tends to be a rather romantic album, especially the second half. “Looking For You” is a fun rave up, and Sal is completely devoted to getting through to his woman, no matter what it takes, a la the Fabulous Thunderbirds in “Tuff Enuff”. The last four songs burrow deep into your heart, with their romanticism. “Dreamin’ Man”, the title track, is quite moody and haunting, but always listenable. “Catherine I Do” and “Lovin’ Fallin’” feature classy instrumental hooks and lyrics that grab you, work their way through your mind, and into that place in your soul reserved for love and sentiment. These melodies are sublime and exquisite. The album ends with the confessional “That Way”–what Sal is confessing is eternal love and devotion for his woman.

Wow–guys–we need to learn how to write songs like these, to remind our wives/significant others how much we love and need them. This album would make a great little Valentine’s Day gift. But don’t wait that long–grab a copy now at http://gragroup.com/valentino.html.

Your homework assignment: go to YouTube, search for videos for The Beau Brummels' "Laugh, Laugh" and "Just A Little", and enjoy. And we’ll see you on Recharged Radio with Sal Valentino!

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 Vertigos - Rubix
Joe Symes - Lost Along The Way
Sound Sessions - Move On
Fortune Dwellers - Al's Song
The Scratch - Homely Crackle
Sexfresh - Dilemma
Luke Dick - The Healer
Tangent Sunset - Way Down
The Clutter Family - Rendering Vat
Nushu - Synthia

Sal Valentino Interview
Sal Valentino – Looking For You
Sal Valentino – Comic Strip
Sal Valentino – Catherine I Do
Sal Valentino – Snowman (Me And No One)

Joseph Swidenbank - Coming Up For Air
Auditorium - I'm the Enforcer
Maxi Dunn - Don't Look Back
William Cleere and the Marvelous Fellas - Labor Day
Hello Bandito - Burn
Tom Alford - Look To The Stars
50ft Woman - Ice Cream Man
Anton Barbeau - Skunk Hungarian
The Smith Bros - Kerrie Anne
Tina Lie - Twilight Hour

10.05.11 California Diner - 'Dave Stephens Giveaway!'

Well no, we're not really giving away Dave Stephens. He's not really ours to give. Plus shipping from Los Angeles to wherever you are can get pretty pricey.


What we're really giving away on this week's California Diner is a copy of Dave Stephens' latest album, Time Will Tell.


Dave, originally from Canada, has made his mark on the Los Angeles area music scene in the past several years with some well thought out singer-songwriter albums. He's a really good-natured guy, and massively talented as well. He plays guitars and some keyboards, and I saw him last summer in L.A. with Ricardo Vidana on a second guitar. The two guitar attack plays really well live.


Time Will Tell has him getting more electric on some tracks, yet more symphonic on others. He does character studies especially well—“Josephine” is the tale of a young lady who aspired to be a traditional movie star, but ended up in adult films—sort of a 21st century take on the old J. Geils tune Centerfold. “Mr. Wonderful” is about the obnoxious high school jock we all knew, who gets his comeuppance about 20 years later, to the delight of we who've put up with him all these years. There's some tender ballads, and some upbeat rockers. Picture Billy Joel, but much deeper and sometimes darker and cathartic.


Dave told me that he wrote about 60 songs for this collection, and had to somehow whittle it down to the eleven that appear on the album. Two intensive years later, the album is out, and it's a really good one. He used a Kickstarter campaign to help finance its release, so there really has been grass roots support for it. And one of you can win a copy on this week's show. All you have to do to win is, well listen to the show, and I'll tell you how. Dave gave me an extra copy to give you, so it's all good.

www.davestephens.ca


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


Chad Neaves – Something In My Soul

Throwback Suburbia – Asking Why

Chancellorpink – Disgusting

My New Favorite Tribe – Heavy Tropics

Sarah Taylor – The Cure To Everything

The Scratch – Alcohol's A Depressant

Laurie Biagini – A Far-Out Place
Dead Heart Bloom – Sentimental Cures

Laurie Larson – Endless Thank You Loop

Uncle Meat And The Highway Children – Long Gone Mobile

Rob One – African

Dave Stephens – Mr. Wonderful

Lindy LaFontaine (with KYRO) – This Too, In Time, Shall Pass

Missdavinalee – Come On

Sal Valentino – Catherine I Do

Debora Iyall – Stay Strong

Corner Laughers – You Two Are The Ones

Baby Scream – The Ghost Of Valerie

Dead Saints – You

Maple Mars – Big Imagination

Maxi Dunn – Weather Warning

The Dashing Suns – Sally Moore

The Clutter Family – Artist In The Office

Duncan Faure – Nightfall

The Mike Brown Band – Pay

The Taters – Right B4 My Eyes

Jerzey Street Band – Wasting Time

Joseph Swidenbank – Back Home

Teens – Die With You

Hail The Size – I Can't Die In L.A.

The Britannicas – Bleed Between The Lines

Little Guilt Shrine – What I'm Thinking

MN2BDNC

03.05.11 California Diner - 'The Big I Am Interview!'

Okay, I'm not going to sugar-coat it for you. Liverpool-based The Big I Am recently released a magnificent album, “Collecting Skies”. And it needs your attention. Never before in my experience have I gone so gaga over an album that features tons of strings, and doesn't even contain any percussion! Wow—a rock fan like me digging an album with no drums?


I`ve been familiar with The Big I Am for the last couple of years. The nucleus of Peter McPartland and Colin Heaney expanded to a trio for this collection, adding Steve O'Toole on piano. Pete has been emailing me tracks since 2009. The songs I`d heard were that of a really nice acoustic group—Pete on ukulele, Colin on cuatro (like a small guitar), and Steve on 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.


On this week's show, we'll chat with main men Pete and Colin, and ask all the hard-hitting questions: “what does the band's name mean”, “can I call your music 'folk'”, etc. Yep, I can be a tough interviewer, but I had to get in there and dig out those answers for you, so that you can make an intelligent purchasing decision. And the most intelligent decision you can make is to purchase this album. Go on, you'll be the better for it!www.bigiam.com

www.reverbnation.com/wimoudijk

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

Sweet Sweet Concorde - Armadillo Man
Sal Valentino - Lovin' Fallin'
Cult of Wedge - St. George and the Dragon
Sexfresh - Dilemma
Joey Oskys - See It 2000000
Man or Mouse - Jackson
Dom Veron - Breakdown Blues
Corner Laughers - The Red Queen

The Big I Am Interview

The Big I Am – Right About Now
The Big I Am – Better Days
The Big I Am – Water

The Shindig Addicts - Not Long Now
Tom Alford - Shiloh
Sound Sessions - Be My Shaper
Rob One - Flames
Laurie Biagini - A Face In The Crowd
Rose Reiter - Where You Are
The Little Philistines - Hot Phone
Duncan Faure - Man Of A Thousand Dreams
Skip Heller - Falling For You
Maxi Dunn/Elizabeth Racz - Why
Jerzey Street Band - Wasting Time
Wim Oudijk - Spirit
Nushu - Your Girl
Chemical Smile - 1991
Chancellorpink - Chancellor Pink
Terese Taylor - The End