July 2012 Archives

Bob Kendall - Midnight Flower

It's been a decade since Bob Kendall released his debut solo record "Enough is Enough" on his own Kentone Records label. The founding member of the bands Lifeboat, The Blood Oranges, The Brothers Kendall, and The Labor Pool has finally let go of this collection of songs written, self-produced and recorded in his backyard shed. The title track, "Midnight Flower" features vocals by Tanya Donelly. (Belly, Throwing Muses, The Breeders) "Donelly adds a certain visceral, seventh sense - and conjures up weary-wise tones of Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris" (Influenza). Muses drummer, David Narcizo, once again provides his trademark style of hypnotic rhythms throughout the record. Kendall's songs have been described as "telling tales of recrimination and self-deception". Song styles and influences are reminiscent of Jeff Tweedy, Teenage Fan Club, Tom Petty, Ian Hunter, The Velvet Underground and Gram Parsons. Mixed and fixed by Kraig Jordan and mastered by Pete Weiss at Verdant Studios. Check out the Bob Kendall facebook page, download the track Ready Still, and pick up a copy of the cd at the label webpage.

Tom Scharpling - The Best Show on WFMU

The long running Best Show on WFMU (They recently celebrated their 500th episode) is a slow burner that pays off once you get to know all the reoccurring characters and guests. Host Tom Scharpling is an indie rock fan boy veteran, who ended up producing the tv show 'Monk' for a number of years and also recently directing music videos for bands like the New Pornographers. The man has amazing friends, whether it's Ted Leo, Paul F. Tompkins, Julie Klausner, John Hodgeman, or any number of the regular callers he gives the ol' "Heave-ho" to once he is tired of them. Musician Jon Wurster gets to flex his comedic muscles, calling in almost every show under a variety of guises and characters that always end up blowing themselves up or getting murdered by a woman named Sheila Larson. Whether he is threatening to make every show his last, battling AP Mike, or drinking Four Loco until he is literally curled up in a ball under the board, he is always obsessed with indie rock, Paul McCartney, and GG Allin. Scharpling knows his music history and if you decide to call in, you better make sure you have your facts straight.

Updated: Live on Tuesday 9pm-12am EST Every week, downloadable every Friday
Guests: Frequently
Twitter: @scharpling

Deep Purple, Squirrel Bait, Johnny Thunders, Straitjacket Fits, The Jam

Big O has Deep Purple 6-29-73
Noise Addiction has Squirrel Bait demos and live 1983-86
Nuzz Prowlin Wolf has Johnny Thunders 10-5-90
Wilfully Obscure has Straitjacket Fits 10-21-89
Great White Wonders has The Jam 11-30-80