Blonde Rebel Moreira Club

A big thank you to Adrian Moreira at RCA for sending us the Christina Aguilera double disc, Back To Basics and the new BRMC single, “Weapon of Choice” (sent a little late, but we still care for you). And it’s no secret, every tastemaker at radio loves BRMC. The boys return to #1 again this week on The Mediaguide Alternative Specialty ‘Songs’ Chart beating Blonde Redhead to the punch with new music show support from Llu at WBTZ Burlington, VT - Plattsburgh, NY, Aaron Axelsen KITS San Francisco & Chris Allman WTFX Louisville, KY. Props again to Indie 1031 for having the brains to step out on the record (Although, isn’t it kind of a no-brainer anyway?). So far, the indie station has played “Weapon of Choice” a total of 74 spins… A little rant though, Indie, please stop playing James in rotation. No one in America cares. Other regular rotation support on BRMC includes: AAA’er KCLC St. Louis, MO, WHHZ Alternative Gainesville - Ocala, FL & Pop station WZIP Akron, OH. And the new Arctic Monkeys’ song “Brianstorm” is the best single ever released. It’s a crime that it has only peaked at #6 so far on the ‘Songs’ chart. Meanwhile, rubbish like Dinosaur Jr.’s “Almost Ready” enters the chart at #5. I’m moving to London. xoxo.

New Debuts: Blonde Redhead, Dinosaur Jr., Annuals, Linkin Park & Kenna

Record of The Week: The Nightwatchman

DATAROCK – Datarock Datarock “Princess” -- Norwegian duo DATAROCK originally consisted of three friends who conceived the group while at a festival in Bergen (Norway). Shortly after, the trio tapped Tom Mæland to join the outfit, but it wasn’t long before Mæland and original member O’Brien parted ways with DATAROCK leaving Saroea and Mosnes to carry on as a duo. After 3 EP’s, the boys’ released Datarock Datarock in 2005, in 10 countries on their own label, YAP (Young Aspiring Professionals), receiving favorable reviews, especially in the UK. Not to mention, the single, “Computer Camp Love” peaked at #12 on Triple J Australia. Here is one of our favorite tracks off of Datarock Datarock called “Princess.” Thanks to Rae Cline for the send on the advance. Touch here.

“I’m The Daddy Now!” – Scum caused quite the uproar in conservative Britain upon its release in 1979. Created for BBC television, Scum was promptly shelved by the network, which found it too despondent, bleak, and anti-establishment to release. However, the filmmakers re-shot the project as a feature film two years later, making it even more brutal, a savage attack on the Borstal system (a juvenile detention center for male youth offenders between the ages of 16-21) which became an instant underground classic. The film features an outstanding performance from a young Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast, 2000) and is now available on DVD accompanied with the BBC television version as well. Stab here.

Dustin Matthews

hhA!: Would you please tell us a little about your history in radio?

DM: “I got started in radio when I was 15.  I did a job shadowing day at WIMZ in Knoxville, TN.  About a month later I landed a weekend gig at a small AM in my hometown of Morristown.  Then a few months later Shane Cox (then at WIMZ) gave me the chance to do weekends.  By that time I could actually drive myself to work.  I stayed with South Central in Knoxville for a few years.  I landed a full time job as MD on WIMZ and then got the chance to cross the hall to APD/MD in the Alternative world at WNFZ.  At the start of 2004 I moved to Richmond to do the same for WDYL working for Mike Murphy. The two years I spent in Richmond were amazing.  I really feel I was there for the pinnacle of the station's history thus far. We had a superstar staff there.”

hhA!: Would you give us an overview of your normal week at the station?

DM: “I try and be at my desk by 8:30 each morning.  I return calls and emails during that time.  Mondays are usually Music Days with my MD Leslie Scott.  Tuesdays we will finalize all category changes and we also have a weekly programming meeting.  Wednesdays I spend working on planning and promotions.  I also take music calls 11a-1pm. Thursday I spend time in creative mode.  I try and write at least a page of ideas or concepts we want to use on the air.  Thursday is also the day I play webmaster.  Fridays I take care of any unfinished business in regards to promotions, airstaff, and sales. I also plan out Sunday's Underexposed on Friday. Oh, and I'm on the air 3-7pm each weekday. 

hhA!: What is the history of Underexposed? How does Underexposed differ from what is being played in regular rotation?

DM: “Underexposed was launched on WFXH at the end of 2006.  I wanted to launch a specialty show when I first arrived in the market.  Once I was on the streets and meeting music fans in Savannah, I knew we had to put one on.  There hasn't been an outlet for true alternative in the market in years.  We partnered with a local music venue called the Jinx and had our first "Underexposed" show with Lucero! Underexposed is pretty different from anything in regular rotation here.  Like many Alternatives in the Southeast, we are "Acternative."  We balance mainstream acts from the Active and Alternative side of the charts.  The masses like it loud here. Most of the playlist on UE will never make it into regular rotation.  However, it still provides a great test ground for new/indie artists.  Every so often something really ‘wows’ them.”

hhA!: Who are you talking to these days (please name drop)?

DM: “I always make time for Nan Fisher and I keep in contact with the lads from UNCLE most definitely.  Also the lovely and talented Michelle Munz at Q-Prime, Bonnie S. from RCA & Chiapetta at Island. I seem to spend a few hours a week on the phone with Howard P. as well.  Oh, and Rich Michalowski! He's swell!”

hhA!: What is currently reacting on Underexposed and in regular rotation?

DM: “Mickey Avalon has been a huge reactor both specialty and in regular rotation. I played it originally on Underexposed and then at 5pm on my afternoon show one day.  The calls were overwhelmingly positive.  That blew me away.  Also in specialty The Shins, Cold War Kids and Clutch.  In regular rotation: Papa Roach, My Chemical Romance, Chevelle and Pepper.

I was once told by a haggard old man who wore a straw hat and smoked cigars for breakfast that “the key to life is simple… its simplicity”.  Astonishing.  So I gave him 67 cents and kept on walking down Hollywood Blvd. on my way to Hooters. Those words stuck with me for at least a good 7 minutes until I text messaged it to myself and lost my cell phone.  That being said, if simplicity is the key to life, and my life is blogs, then one would think that simplicity is the key to blogs as well.  If that is the case, then I have found my Holy Grail - LittleRadio.com is the shit homie!  Everything you need is on the front page (see: simplicity). There is no need to scroll down and skip over unwanted material, its all right there in your grill: News, Reviews, Features, Video, Downloads, Radio and a sweet little logo as well.  It is worth noting that Little Radio’s Warehouse in Downtown LA is infamous for throwing some ridiculously sick parties as well.  I spent an hour of my drunken NYE ‘07 night there, I think.  In closing, I’ve been searching for awhile on this site now and I’m still hoping to come across a podcast or perhaps a tribute section to the man with the master plan, yes that haggard old man who is now 67 cents richer.  If it wasn’t for him.. well.. I’d have a couple more quarters, a dime, and two pennies.

Brandy was spending a majority of her time stuck in traffic on the 15 freeway heading back and forth from Vegas to Los Angeles catching every hotly tipped show she could manage to fit in. Being a complete music fanatic, the thought occurred to her that she should begin booking her own shows once a month. It wasn’t long before she was bringing bands from other states and even other countries to a small little bar in Las Vegas. Brandy now books 300-2200 capacity venues including Art Bar & Beauty Bar Las Vegas and Los Angeles’ Safari Sam’s. Recent favorite live shows: IAMX, Of Montreal, Ima Robot & Ratatat

WQXA
Harrisburg, PA
The Sunday News with Bill Hanson
Sunday 9a – 11a; 11p – 1a EST