27.03.12 California Diner- 'Laurie Biagini Interview/Session!'

Maxi Dunn - How Was I To Know? Last Breath - It's My Time The Vinyl Junkies - Gangs Maple Mars - Beautiful Mess The Corner Laughers - Bells Of El Camino The Mike Brown Band - Pay Patrick Campbell-Lyons - All I Do Is For You Natalie Cortez & The Ultraviolets - Three Times Laurie Biagini Interview/Session Laurie Biagini - The Heart of the Song Laurie Biagini - The California Quake (live) Laurie Biagini - A Go-Go Girl in a Modern World Colin Heppell - Poltergeist In High Heels The Big I Am - Tongue Tied Rob Bonfiglio - React Andy quirk - Hackney You're Not So Crap The Corner Laughers - (Now That I Have You I'm) Bored Poplord - Death Skip Heller - Fools Like Me Lindy LaFontaine - Alizee Throwback Suburbia - Get Her Off My Mind Kat Jones - Those Expensive Eyes Rob Swanson - Oh No! Joe Swidenbank - Coming Up For Air Rose Reiter - No Thank You Mark Bacino - Happy The Corner Laughers - Chicken Bingo Little Guilt Shrine - Crazy Girl Mad Tea Party - I Never Was A Cool One Sparklejet - The World Before Longitude

20.03.12 California Diner - 'Born Too Late To Be Old!'

A brief history of the world. Way back in the day, commercial radio sounded good. Then people got greedy, and then commercial radio didn’t sound good anymore. The end. Okay, that’s not exactly the kind of bedtime story you want to tell your little ones, unless you want them to stay up half the night, scared and worried about the future. There is actually a happy ending and a bright future to this. Radio was invented about a hundred years ago or so, by a dude named Marconi. So influential, that they even named a street after him here in Sacramento: Marconi Avenue--I kid you not! Once he invented this thing, people saw the potential, but realized that there were about 168 hours every week that needed to be filled with programming. Somewhere around the 1950’s, rock and roll was invented for just that purpose--to make radio sound better! By the mid to late 1960’s, the goal was achieved. And radio programmers got better and more creative, and aspiring musicians knew that getting their songs on the radio was the path to getting their songs heard by a wider audience. My particular favorite era in commercial radio was the “alternative era”, from roughly 1986-1996. That’s about the time that New Wave music and its synthesizers gave way to zoomy, atmospheric guitars, and the vocals became a little less affected and more natural. As you probably know, this all came crashing to a halt, at least here in the U.S., when our airwaves were legally deregulated. This meant that there were no limits to how many radio stations could be owned by the same company. All of a sudden, there were mergers and consolidations like crazy, and some companies suddenly owned hundreds and thousands of stations. This led to mergers and consolidations of playlists, and of course, the music that was played sounded bland and, well, not to my liking. But that doesn’t mean that all music wasn’t good. By the mid-2000’s, musicians, radio people, and music fans now had better tools to do what they do best. And they connected with each other, through internet radio (ta-da!) and social networking sites. And that little thing called YouTube. So these days, I can proudly say that my favorite era in music is: right now! There is so much creativity out there, and there are even some young bands who are making music that reminds my of my favorite era, the mid-1990’s. On this week’s California Diner, we’ll hear a couple of tracks from bands who are too young to have made music back in the ‘90’s, but have that wonderful alternative sound that my brain and ears cherish. Dollface. I have Alex Watson, our intrepid music expert, to thank for this one. This Brighton, UK-based power trio have got it going on. Having all been born in the mid-1980’s, they are truly too young to have made 1990’s music in the 1990’s, unless you count Greg’s stint air-drumming with chopsticks in a Chinese restaurant at an early age. Probably embarrassed his parents, but he eventually wound up as the guitarist for Dollface. Daniel received a drum kit for his Bar Mitzvah (which would be at the tender age of 13), and probably started embarrassing his parents shortly thereafter. And James refers to himself as a failed guitar player (probably embarrassing his parents along the way), who logically turned to the bass. I’m not making any of this up--check their website bios. Leaving a trail of embarrassed parents behind them (just kidding, guys), these guys formed Dollface, and make some really amazing music. Aside from their self-deprecating sense of humor, these are three guys with one big sound they can be proud of. It reminds me of that alternative sound--the soaring guitars, dramatic chord changes, and choruses that I’ll remember long after the song is over. I’ll be playing one of their new songs on this week’s show. www.dollfacetheband.net If you’re a regular listener, then you’re no stranger to The Corner Laughers. Here’s my brief history with them: I started doing this show in mid-November, 2009, and within weeks, they started rocking my world. They forwarded me a copy of their Ultraviolet Garden release, and it wound up as my #1 album for 2010. How did they do that so quickly? Simply by being themselves. Brainy, ukulele- and guitar-driven pop which covers all bases. Alternative, old-timey, power pop, and as they sometimes call it, “chamber pop”. Karla Kane’s vocals and clever wordplay remind me of the other side of 1990’s alternative--think Juliana Hatfield (Blake Babies, solo), Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses, Belly), Mary Lou Lord, Andrea Lewis (Darling Buds), and others of that amazing ilk. Females with heavenly vocals, yet you need to listen more closely for the deeper meaning behind the lyrics. The music can sometimes get intense: the perfect point-counterpoint. Khoi Huynh, the “secret weapon”--one of the best bassists you’ll find, with fluid instrumental runs that you can specifically hear flowing throughout the mix. Powerhouse drummer Charlie Crabtree urges the songs forward with his muscular sound. As founding guitarist (and provider of aforementioned atmospheric guitars) Angela Silletto left California for the greener pastures of Michigan, KC Bowman, with his considerable musical genius, joined forces. The perfect California storm. I bring this up, because they’re about to release their third album, Poppy Seeds, through the magic of Allen Clapp’s Mystery Lawn Studios and Wesley Stace (John Wesley Harding)’s Popover Corps label. I just want to make sure that you are as ready for it as I am. But to keep the tease going a little longer, we’ll hear a track this week from their debut effort, Tomb of Leopards. www.cornerlaughers.com Hey! Recharged Radio now has a magazine! It’s a free monthly music e-zine called Sound of the Suburbs (not to be confused with our radio show of the same name--oh heck, go ahead and confuse it--we don’t mind!) It’s our joint effort with our friends at Perfect Pop Co-Op. You can get it on the left hand side of the home page of Recharged Radio. Just scroll down a bit, and get reading! 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. See you then! Chef Mike mike(at)rechargedradio.com MN2BDNC Michael Miller - I Made You Up Dollface - You To Lose Sal Valentino - Lovin' Fallin' Nushu - Synthia Ben Swidenbank - Girl (Leave That Animal Tonight) The Pilgrims - Whole Level Down Terese Taylor - I'm Here Maxi Dunn - You Took The Sunshine From My Heart Skip Heller - Fools Like Me Corner Laughers - The Red Queen Rich McCulley - Tell Me, I'm Listening Jesus H Christ & The Four Hornsmen of The Apocalypse - Liz the Hot Receptionist Braam - Burlington Northern The B Goodes - Feel Alright Allyson Seconds - Dig My Pig The Ks - 13 Steps Jet Electro - Waiting For An Autograph M.A.D.I.S.O.N - To Know You Lindy LaFontaine - I Might Not Love You The Taters - Right B4 My Eyes Jeff Merchant - Love Yourself Away Note To Self: Don't Die! - Hell Anton Barbeau - MTV Song The Dashing Suns - Sally Moore Bud Rogers - Caught In A Wheel Laurie Biagini - My Little SUV The Scratch - Alcohol's A Depressant The Handcuffs - Miss You on Tuesday Blake Jones & The Trike Shop - I Roped The Moon Out Of The Sky Lannie Flowers - Circles Emily Zuzik

13.03.12 California Diner - 'Time Change Blues!'

I need to go back and check my records. I’ll bet that last year at this time, I whined and complained about the annual time change to Daylight Savings Time. You know, the one where we lose an hour. We set the clocks forward by one hour, in an effort to make evenings last longer. Great idea, right? I gripe about it every year. How wrong is this? Let me count the ways. First off, legend has it that the American version of Daylight Savings Time was originally conceived in an effort to maximize working time for farmers. They were already accustomed to getting up in the wee hours of the morning, when it was dark--so this would just add additional daylight hours to the end of their day--so they could work longer. Who thought this up--their bosses? Nope, it’s usually attributed to Benjamin Franklin, one of our Founding Fathers, and the guy who pretty much invented everything before 1800. Let’s see, did he work on a farm? Nope--he was a printer in Philadelphia. Hmmm...that’s pretty suspect, isn’t it. Okay, so I just dissed one of the greatest patriots and thinkers in American history. Bad form. So instead of that, why don’t I just rant about the time change itself. The standard time here is called, well, “Standard Time”. That used to be the norm, when the sun is highest in the sky at noon. But over the past few decades, we’ve been starting Daylight Savings earlier, and ending it later, to the point where it now starts the second week of March, and ends the second week of November. So if “Standard Time” is only four months long, and the “non-standard time” is eight months long, I think we need a name change. Standard apparently doesn’t mean standard anymore. Yes, I’m crabby that I lost an hour of sleep, and I’m still feeling the effects as of this writing. So I’ll just wrap up this little rant by sharing what a couple of my Facebook friends had to say about it over the weekend. They both posted something to the effect of “if you cut a foot of cloth off the top of a blanket, and sew it to the bottom, you still don’t get a longer blanket”. Amen to that. But I bring this up to point out that I’m confused, because I think my show will now be starting an hour later here in America, through no fault of my own (1:00 p.m. on Tuesday). However, my British brethren and sistren at Recharged Radio have the good sense to continue to air it at 8:00 p.m. GMT. So just follow whatever it says on the website, and we’ll find each other. So about the music. What keeps me happy in these trying times? On this week’s show, we’ll spin some great tuneage by the likes of Kaz Murphy, one of my favorite Americana singer-songwriters, he from Los Angeles. Some more new music from Debora Iyall--this week, she covers herself, updating one of her old Romeo Void hits with a “Second Decade of the 21st Century Spin” (my words--you can quote me on that!) And a fiery song from gentleman rocker Bud Rogers--one of the most personable rockers I’ve ever had the pleasure of interviewing. He’ll shred the guitars and wail on the vocals for you this week! www.kazmurphy.com www.deboraiyall.com www.reverbnation.com/budrogers Hey! Recharged Radio now has a magazine! It’s a free monthly music e-zine called Sound of the Suburbs (not to be confused with our radio show of the same name--oh heck, go ahead and confuse it--we don’t mind!) It’s our joint effort with our friends at Perfect Pop Co-Op. You can get it on the left hand side of the home page of Recharged Radio. Just scroll down a bit, and get reading! 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. See you then! Chef Mike mike(at)rechargedradio.com MN2BDNC Missdavinalee - Come On Three Minute Tease - Love Is Onion Bill Mumy - Take Us Home Goodfinger - Sounds Of The City Baby Scream - The Ghost Of Valerie She Makes War - In This Boat Cy Taggart - Cut It Out Jet Electro - Through Debora Iyall - A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing) Mad Tea Party - Blues Slip In Kaz Murphy - Killin' Wheel Blake Jones and Tom Magill - Life Turns On A Dime Popdudes - Desperation Time Sexfresh - Dilemma Great View of the Moon - One Weak Natalie Cortez & The Ultraviolets - Up All Night Maxi Dunn - Messed Up Sound Sessions - Baby's Just An Avatar Peter Daltrey and Damien Youth - Blue Girl Eyes The Scratch - Destroyed By The Look of Love Poplord - Save the Monkey Duncan Faure - Where Is The Music Laurie Biagini - The Heart Of The Song Sparklejet - The World Before Longitude Bud Rogers - Slave To Passion Sue Leonard - Bend This Circle Chancellorpink - Muster Lindy LaFontaine - Alizee Vegas With Randolph - Supergirl The Corner Laughers - Transamerica Pyramid Brave Chandeliers - Sinking Ship Fortune Dwellers - Al's Song

06.03.12 California Diner - 'Geology and Geography!'

In an effort to bring you the most tenuous of themes, this week I bring you Geology and Geography. Those are a couple of things I studied in college long ago. Believe it or not, Geography has changed some since then--a few countries changed their names, perhaps to keep it interesting, or maybe because they hired a marketing department. Some countries split into pieces, others merged. In any case, the map doesn’t look the same as it did back in the day. And Geology--now there’s a rock and roll field of study if I ever saw one. Earthquakes, tidal waves, molten lava, plate tectonics, erupting volcanoes. Crazy! It just doesn’t get more rock and roll than that. So to pull it all together, as dodgy as this theme may seem, I have a new song to play for you from each discipline. Sparklejet is a trio from Fresno, California, featuring Victor Sotelo on lead vocals and guitars, Wade Krause on drums, and Geoff Anderson on bass and vocals. We mentioned them in passing a couple of weeks ago on our “Fresno Rocks!” show. They started working their musical magic up and down the great Central Valley of California over a decade ago as a rootsy, Americana band. Then they hardened and honed their sound, and became more of a straightforward rock band. They recorded their most recent effort, “Beyond the Beyond”, with the legendary Chicago engineer Steve Albini about 5 years ago. This explosive album absolutely blew the roof off. So it’s been a long wait for we fans of the Jet, and they have not disappointed. Victor sent me a brand new track called “The World Before Longitude”. And this one’s a departure for them. The hard, focused sound loosens up just a bit. The songwriting and playing, however, are tight as ever, but genre-wise, they may have invented something here. Picture Jim Morrison fronting 1990-era R.E.M., and you might be close. Guitars are plentiful, both acoustic and electric. The lyrics are intellectual, and I literally listened to this one about 5 or 6 times in a row, just so my brain and ears could take in all the nuances. Magnificent, and you’ll hear it on the show. www.myspace.com/sparklejet Laurie Biagini writes and performs fun, sunny pop songs, heavily influenced by the more carefree side of the 1960’s beach sound. Lots of people, including myself, say that between her warm, honey-hued vocals and her upbeat keyboards, she sounds something like Karen Carpenter fronting the Beach Boys. Not a bad set of influences. She recently released a new album, “A Go-Go Girl in a Modern World”, and added some guitars into her sonic arsenal. So here’s the geographic rub--you usually think of beach music coming from California, but she hails from Vancouver, Canada! By my reckoning, she’s an honorary Californian. And she proves it--we’re going to hear her song that covers the Geology portion of our show--”The California Quake”. Yes, parts of our fair state do tend to shake quite a bit, and now, you can shake (and shimmy) when you hear this song--a choreographer friend of Laurie’s created a dance to go with this fun song. You’ll want to get out there and move! www.lauriebiagini.com Hey! Recharged Radio now has a magazine! It’s a free monthly music e-zine called Sound of the Suburbs (not to be confused with our radio show of the same name--oh heck, go ahead and confuse it--we don’t mind!) It’s our joint effort with our friends at Perfect Pop Co-Op. You can get it on the left hand side of the home page of Recharged Radio. Just scroll down a bit, and get reading! 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. See you then! Chef Mike mike(at)rechargedradio.com MN2BDNC The Whiskey Saints - Eastbound Anton Barbeau - MTV Song Cult of Wedge - St George and the Dragon Anny Celsi - Tangle-Free World Andy quirk - Hackney You're Not So Crap Ben Swidenbank - Girl (Leave That Animal Tonight) Sparklejet - The World Before Longitude Laurie Biagini - The California Quake Emily Zuzik & Tim Lefebvre - E-Vill Patrick Campbell-Lyons - Flowers For Friday The Vinyl Junkies - Gangs Baby Scream - Bad Seed Jay Fraser - Breaking the Reigns Jimmy Catlett - Everybody Sez Lindy LaFontaine - Sunday (Trip Hop remix) Auditorium - Did Your Heart Shake Like This Song? Braam - Way Away Maxi Dunn - Why Do I Want You? Hail The Size - Crazy Girl M.A.D.I.S.O.N - Home part II Skip Heller - Let's Stay Home 3 Foot Ninja - Fear Jet Electro - For Sale By Owner Tom Alford - Look To The Stars Agony Aunts - Linus's Fists Of Death Maple Mars - The Excursion Volary - Blackbird Fly The Taters - Wolfman Told Me Tonight Mark Bacino - Queens English Little Guilt Shrine - One Two Dead Heart Bloom - Sentimental