Arcade’s On Fire

Canada’s The Arcade Fire (Merge) jump back to the #1 position this week on the Mediaguide Songs Chart with a steady amount of radio play across North America in support of their single, “Black Mirror,” from their forthcoming release, Neon Bible. Specialty show tastemakers tend to jump off a single or album once it’s crossed over into regular rotation, but such is not the case here. WFNX Boston, KDLE Los Angeles & WWCD Columbus, OH are among several monitored Mediaguide stations jamming “Black Mirror” in medium to heavy rotation. On a side note, the boys and girl will be performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Saturday April 28, 2007. Moving slightly down to the #2 slot, Leeds’ The Kaiser Chiefs make a bold return with first single, “Ruby” off their Sophomore Effort, Yours Truly, Angry Mob. God bless America…The full-length will be released in the states on March 27^th & internationally on February 26^th. Lastly, it has to be mentioned that for the first time since 1902, there are actually two bands on the songs chart wearing masks. Yes, Clinic (Domino) #12 & Big Beat/Atlantic’s Teddybears #19. 

Record of The Week: Monsters Are Waiting

Chuck P.

KDLD Los Angeles’ Chuck P. has probably one of the most well thought out specialty shows in North America. “Dead Air” cuts viciously deep on obscure and very popular indie albums whilst not making the listener suffer through absolute mainstream Top 40 Alt-Rock pre-heavy rotation programming. In other words, quite often to the dismay of the record industry, Chuck steers clear of watching chart #’s and playing along with record release dates with the intent of programming whatever he deems brilliant. Mr. P credits 91X SD’s Al Guerra (host of X-Space) for showing him the specialty show ropes so to speak, during their time together at KIOZ San Diego, CA and says that Al is, and I quote, “one of the most underrated specialty show hosts, ever… the man is a genius, and yet he’s still languishing on the sidelines…”  Chuck was also a big fan of the late Mr. John Peel (his role model of sorts) & also admires Steve Jones who he states, “…is like no one else when it comes to the interview. His inexperience as a host makes him one of the best. It’s like listening to your buddy talk to you about music.” Chuck takes this lead and quite often airs live performances and interviews (sometimes quite awkwardly direct/real) and has played on-air host to such greats at The Decemberists, Peter, Bjorn & John (minus John) & Of Montreal to name a few. Anyway, enough arse kissing. Go listen to Chuck’s show on-line (for those of you outside of Los Angeles) at www.indie1031.fm Sunday evening from 8-10p.

Currently Listening To: Jandek, SUNN O)))/Boris collab, Lydia Kavina, Mountain Party (LA) & (anticipating) the new Antibalas

Oi! If you're a hepcat scooter kid looking for somewhere to take your Vespa, head for the George & Dragon English Restaurant and Pub, 4240 North Central Avenue, [Phoenix, AZ] on Wednesday, February 7, when local [KZON-FM Phoenix] DJ impresario William Fucking Reed and http://myspace.com/wilyem debuts his newest dance night, Style Council. Every hump day, Reed and a slew of guest DJs resurrect the British scooter subculture of the '60s _ as seen in the cult classic Quadrophenia _ and transform the G&D into their own version of Manchester's Twisted Wheel Club (a legendary mod hangout) by spinning such throwback genres as northern soul, Britpop, and mod hits. So don your Fred Perry shirts and other stylish threads for plenty of drink specials, giveaways from Vespa and clothier Ben Sherman, and screenings of some classic '60s-era flicks. The Brit hits the fans starting at 9 p.m., and there's no cover. See http://www.modlife.co.uk.  
 
Full story here: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/Issues/2007-02-01/music/needle.html