26.07.11 California Diner - 'The State Fair edition!'

Well, it’s true--I’m in a bit of a summertime stupor--at least when it comes to naming radio shows. But I just had a fun day at the California State Fair, held each summer here in Sacramento. One of the responsibilities of the capital city of any American state (we have 50 of them, just for the record) is to host an annual State Fair. And summertime seems to be the best time to do it, because that’s when kids are off from school, and the weather’s good, and well, that’s just what we do. What does the California State Fair look like? Their website, www.bigfun.org, will give you the official story. I’m here to tell you the unofficial story--the lowdown--the scoop on what really goes down! Like California itself, it’s pretty amazing. There’s agricultural exhibits, horse racing, and lots of stuff for sale. Also music--a chance to see former chart-topping acts like War, MC Hammer (who is rumored to live right here in the Sacramento Valley), REO Speedwagon, and tributes to Steely Dan and Michael Jackson. And the food. This is where the underground action really takes place. Each year, a new taste treat takes center stage, and your Chef Mike has usually been right at the front lines to try it. A few years ago, it was deep-fried Twinkies (snack cakes), then deep-fried Snickers candy bars (delicious). Last year it was chocolate-covered bacon--an epicurean game-changer. And this year, further playing on that riff--maple bacon sundaes! Yes--it’s everything the name implies. A generous base of pure vanilla ice cream, topped with maple syrup and crumbles of bacon. A sublime blend of sweet, savory, creamy, and chewy. Foods that were not meant to go together, but were forced together in a culinary shotgun wedding to seemingly demonstrate that as California goes, so goes the nation. It was delicious, but oh, my poor stomach. Send me an email if you’d like to see a picture of this tasty treat. I chose to stay away from the exotic foods booth--where you could sample raccoon, scorpion, and in a play for attention too disgusting for even my broadminded American tastes, a “maggot melt” sandwich. No way would I ever be interested in this type of roadkill, or the stuff which feeds upon it. (http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-maggot-melt-sandwich-on-the-menu-at-california-state-fair-20110714,0,6464082.story). Yep, that’s California, in a nutshell. So what does that have to do with this week’s show? Um...not sure. But let’s just say that after an adventure like that, it was a relief to get back to the radio studio and put together a radio show for you, featuring some great new indie music. Here’s what to listen for: The Ks. A dynamic band from New York City--their music constantly has you jumping. If you’ve got the Ks, you don’t need caffeine or energy drinks. You just need the Ks. They just sent me their latest album, “Red Numbers Rising Faster”, and we’ll sample a track from it. www.myspace.com/theksband Vegas With Randolph. A great pop band from the Washington, D.C. area are about to release their album “Above The Blue”. I’ve been featuring tracks from it for the past several months, and we’ll hear a new one that I’ve not yet played on the show. Here’s a fun fact--the album’s coming out on July 31st, and I had the great honor and privilege of writing the liner notes! So yes, that means I’ve heard the whole album already, and it is fantastic. www.myspace.com/vegaswithrandolph Lindy LaFontaine. Just because it’s Lindy! That should be a good enough reason, but if you need more, I’ll be playing the track that made me stand up and take notice of this San Francisco Bay Area singer-songwriter. Her voice will send chills up your spine. www.lindylafontaine.com The Scratch. Same thing--just because it’s The Scratch! But Andy was kind enough to send me their magnificent EP “Mad Dogs and Englishness”, and it’s a pretty good taste of their well-crafted songs. D.I.Y. till they die, as I heard him once say on The Forum. www.thescratch.co.uk 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 PLAYLIST Emily Zuzik & Tim Lefebvre - E-Vill The Ks - A Couple Nights a Week Ricky Berger - Silly Boy, Goodnight Echo Shade - Fluorescent Nights Baby Scream - Everyday (I Die A Little Bit) The Furbelows - Pleasure Machine Miami Dan and the Hayes Street Band - Star Of The Beach Charlie Cheney - She's Made For Sunshine Splitsville - Pretty People Kaz Murphy - Hardly Think About That The Fuegos - Against the World The Handcuffs - Kiss This Goodbye Chad Neaves - Something In My Soul Go National - NYC Throwback Suburbia - Asking Why Natasha Davies - Giggle Maxi Dunn - Weather Warning Duncan Faure - Nightfall The Whiskey Saints - Every Little Thing Jointpop - Monday Morning Love Situation Heiskell - The Death of Knoxville Cool Onward Chariots - War Hero Laurie Biagini - Doin' Nothing At All Vegas With Randolph - Supergirl Wim Oudijk - Spirit M.A.D.I.S.O.N - Where Are You Blake Jones & The Trike Shop - Send The Band To Liverpool The Scratch - Alcohol's A Depressant Agony Aunts - Me Being Maximum The Taters - Wolfman Told Me Tonight Lindy LaFontaine - Free To Breathe The Handcuffs - This is a Test Beth Thornley - A to Z