Category: Uncategorized (Page 2 of 31)

My friends, Oppenheimer have posted a big news item on their website, and all over their online presence.

you can read it here: Oppenheimer website

Back in, oh, I don’t remember when…but I used to randomly scan local venue sites and check out bands I’d never heard of, and read descriptions, etc. Anytime a UK band would be listed at one of the smaller venues in DC, I’d make a point to check them out and if I like their music try to go the gig. I’ve got a few of friends from Belfast, thanks to spending a few years in a bar in Atlantic City (basically, where I’m from) many many years ago. So naturally, a band from Belfast would stand out. I checked out their music, loved them, and then saw they were playing a gig in Philly with friends too.

I met Rocky, Shaun, & sound legend that he is, Gerry at DC9 and they didn’t think I was a freak. I’d offered up my living room as a place for them to sleep, but they were finishing up a tour that involved a horrible experience for a portion of it with one band that I can’t remember the name of and instead of staying in DC area, they drove back to NYC.

It was the first of many gigs I’d see, and I’d learn that there would sometimes be police involvement. I can’t find the video of the pool party at my friends’ home in NJ a few summers ago, but the police showed up at the end of the party, while Oppenheimer played their last song, and the police officer made it on camera dancing along with us.

Here’s a video from an all ages show at a gallery in Fredericksburg, VA when it was Rocky’s birthday…we went to a local bar and downed many pints before the show, which made it interesting, and then went back afterward. It’s only a portion of “Look Up” and it was before it was released on record:

Then there was the time they played again at DC9, and I was having a bad day, so I left work early, took the next day off, and took metro into the city, knowing I could get a lift in the van back…I spent the last of the little cash I had on 2 drinks (DC is expensive) and while I’m not a wine drinker, really, Gerry had a bottle that he brought in from the van (fuzzy old camera phone photos to follow):

He and I finished the bottle:

I managed to give good enough directions to get us from DC9 to my home without getting us stuck at the Pentagon, but not enough to be able for us to give their friend, Mark (aka Skibunny) who DJ’d that night back to his Dupont Circle hotel, although that could’ve been an entirely different night all together!

Then there was the time they played Atlantic City, and were on their way back from SXSW 2007, and their friends, LaFaro were with them. I knew Fireworks are illegal in NJ, but who was I to spoil the fun, so I took them to the beach where I stood with 3 Oppenheimers, 3 LaFaros and watched the beautiful fireworks. And within seconds AC police were there by bicycle, car and probably other means. poor Gerry took the heat for it all, and thankfully all he had to do was clean up the fireworks and some beer bottles that weren’t ours!

they played Galaxy Hut with our friends, Surefire Broadcast and this is one of my favorite photos from that gig:

I think they played IOTA too…and then I got to see the very first gig of their long tour with They Might Be Giants in Baltimore, and then close to the end of that tour here in DC at 9:30 club, and then again opening for TMBG just earlier this year!

I’ve been in my current place coming up on 4 years and in that time I’ve had a number of bands here. It’s tapered off in the last year & a half, but the Oppenheimers stayed here enough I could almost give them their own key!

I wish I could be in Belfast next week to see them play that last gig, and I wish I had met up with Rocky & Angie when I was in Belfast back in May, but it just never worked out. I know I’ll see Rocky again, not sure what Shaun’s plans are, but I wish them the best of luck! They’re a part of my musical family and I’m glad I could be there as much as I was these past few years!

here’s some more links:
Oppenheimer on Myspace
Oppenheimer on Facebook

I first heard about The Waxwings from Jeremy. I fell in love with Low to the Ground and immediately wrote the band a letter. at the time, they didn’t have anything online, but they had a Detroit P.O. Box, so I did what I used to do before the internet, I wrote them a letter saying hello, telling them I liked the record and if they ever wanted to play a show in Atlantic City, I could set them up with a show at McGuire’s.

I drove myself, Jeremy & Scott up to Khyber to see them. Unfortunately, the first band didn’t show up so The Waxwings had to go on early. As a result, we missed most of their set, except three songs. I remember blushing when I said we drove up from AC. Immediately, they knew who I was by name. perhaps they didn’t get many letters?! 🙂

In the Summer of 2000, I found myself working for a commercial alternative radio station. We started a concert series at Hard Rock Cafe and on the first night, I noticed one of the guys from our station holding Low to the Ground. He seemed baffled that I knew who they were. (my musical taste was well above and beyond a good number of people I worked with there, but it was a temporary escape from retail) At any rate, the station was apparently looking to bring them in to play a show. I suggested they play with John Faye Power Trip (now IKE) and a few weeks later it happened!

i still remember when I first heard “Ten O’Clock Your Time” on the station. I was sitting at my parent’s dinner table, having a spaghetti dinner and I practically spit out my food I was in shock.

At any rate, over the years, I’ve watched them release two more records, go through some turbulent times and was able to give them a place to sleep a couple times. When Dean was touring with Brendan Benson, I got to say a quick hello at the Black Cat, but that’s pretty much the last time I’ve spoken with him.

Seemingly, ages ago, a friend of a friend is his manager and I was given the privilege of an advance of the Hello=Fire album. I loved it within the first 10 seconds! I’ve been listening to it off and on, using alternate tags for it since I have last.fm linked, and have been dying for others to listen to it. I take the privilege of advance copies of albums seriously and while I really wanted everyone to hear it as soon as I did, I wasn’t about to spill it. That hasn’t stopped me from raving about it and wondering aloud when the hell it’s being released though!

the wait is over.

It’s being released next week. So far it looks like a UK release only. I haven’t been able to find any further information, but as soon as I do, I’ll be spreading it like wildfire!

And try as I might, Dead Weather isn’t my cuppa. Yes, I’ve watched late night show appearances and bought the record, but more out of support for Dean than anything else!

listen & watch the video, but that’s only a little bit of a taste of the goodness on this record!

I’ll have to write more later, so I’ll be editing this but here’s my play list for last Sunday’s radio show, song title, followed by artist:

Blues Stay Away From Me-The Louvin Brothers
My Darlin’ Hometown-John Prine
Somehow I Know-Mr D
Autumn Fields-Kontiki Suite
Hide Your Mind-Ardentjohn
To Better Days-Magnolia Summer
which william-Hensley Sturgis
Belle vue-The Tailors

American Static-Micah Schnabel
Alphabet City-Two Cow Garage
That’s How I Got To Memphis-Joe Pernice
The Day We Met-Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles
Teddy Boys-Kelly Willis
Doin It For The Country-Redlands Palomino Co
You’ve Got Troubles On Your Mind-The Scuffers
Drunk on the Blood of Christ-Bap Kennedy
You’re Not Coming Home Tonight-First Aid Kit

And Suddenly-The School
Mine Your Own Business-Honeybunch
Picture Perfect-Strawberry Whiplash
I’ll Never Be Yours-Bubblegum Lemonade
The Was-Make Model
Apple+Option+Fire-Hot Lava

Scotland-The Very Most
Swans-Camera Obscura
Anime Eyes-The Awkward Stage

Swim Until You Can’t See Land-Frightened Rabbit
Open Your Mind-Lewis Wilson
I Wonder Why-The Primary 5
Song For The Dead-Sean Jackson
Can’t Go Back-Michael Carpenter
After All-The Hazey Janes
Don’t Dream Of California-Dropkick
Darkest Hour-The Spectacular Fantastic
Rainfall-Apples In Stereo
Cheating a Cheat-The Small Change
Duality-The Martial Arts
Penny-Phony Bone

How Do You Know?-The Lyres
Sooner or Later-The Feelies
Let’s Go Surfing-The Drums
Teedy-Vulture Whale
The Good News-Philadelphia Grand Jury
Nothing to Hide-Yo La Tengo
Stuck for the Summer-Two Hours Traffic
Poison Letter-Le Reno Amps
Take It Upon Yourself-Sloan
Finish Line-Fanfarlo
Pocket Full of Gold-The Swimmers
Ton Of Love-Attic Lights
Don’t Look Back-Teenage Fanclub
Everything Flows-Velvet Crush
Threadbare-The Bigger Lovers

Quiet Little Voices-We Were Promised Jetpacks

In standard fashion, I should be sleeping.

I’ve worked all day and night between the studio and our booth at the county fair. I’m not quite sure why I got back on the computer. probably to look up something, which lead to another thing, and so on. and then I revisited a thread on one of my all time favorite band’s forum about favorite lyrics, and I posted a few from Replacements, Sebadoh, and The Jam, but it was a Swivel Chairs’ lyric that I posted as one of my most favorite. It took me a few minutes to sift through the files in my brain: ‘is it an archers’ song’ ‘no’  ‘silly, girl…it’s TIED NOOSES from Swivel Chairs!’ (slapped myself aside the head!)

I immediately pulled out the Swivel Chairs’ boxed set, “Wet Matches” and started reading what Jay, Jeremy and I wrote for the liner notes. It’s been 6 years since it was released, which means about 16 years that Swivel Chairs has been around!

I’ve decided to write my main entry from those liner notes here to share:

First off, I have to say that no one person in this world can be happier than me to finally have Swivel Chairs music available on CD! Especially now that I’ve moved into the digital age in my car and can no longer listen to my cassettes there. After a recent move, my coveted Swivel Chairs cassettes were piled away until a late-night whisper of a lyric forced me to hunt down every single one of them–through box after box. I then reveled in all the glory of success as I put my head on the pillow, with Walkman attached, to listen to the history at 4am. It’s almost impossible to imagine that more than 10 years have passed.

I remember the early days of Swivel Chairs fondly. That was back when they were strictly an acoustic venture. Craziness ensued, when, gasp!…Swivel Chairs went electric!!! All hell broke loose. You never quite knew what to expect. Would this show include slide projections or video behind them? Would we be treated to fancy attire, with tie? Or, better yet, would we get candy at the next show? One never could tell. I’m thankful to be a part of it all, and on occasion have performed integral roles in various performances. Once in a great while it would involving percussion, or sitting in a chair in front of the kick drum so it wouldn’t run away from Jeremy! How about Bill Seng and I taking over the tambourine or shakers? I was often supplier of blank cassettes, photographer, promoter, chauffeur, and God knows what else…

It’s a bit strange, when Jeremy asked me to write this, I had no idea what the name of the boxed set would be, but it was the opening lines of “Wet Matches” that I heard whispered in the hallway of my apartment that late night. It seemed so real that I turned to see if maybe Jeremy was walking behind me, or if Swivel Chairs were sitting in my living room playing it. That won’t ever happen though, as it seems that song will never see the light of day for a live performance. No it was just my wild imagination taking over again, but maybe someday I’ll get my wish and hear “Wet Matches” live.

As I go through and listen, I can picture Jay pacing back and forth on stage during “Keith Richards” or the comforting waltz of “Scraps of Paper” as the twinkle lights glow at the Common Ground coffee house in Wildwood, NJ.

Then there’s the hot-summer-day shimmy of “And Smile,” which belongs on bright yellow 7″ vinyl. Or, what about the way old-school acoustic hits: “Saved Time”, “Starting to Feel” and “A Way to Smile.” Of course, I can’t forget to mention, my all time favorite Swivel Chairs classic, “Tied Nooses.” Oddly enough, my favorite version of it does not exist on any ‘official’ release. It appears on a not-so-random tape that I begged for way back in 1994 that includes all sorts of Swivel Chairs’ rarities–now available on this boxed set. I could go on forever and talk about each song, each gig, and tell the stories, but that might take too long.

As I reflect on the past 10 years or so, and think of all the gigs, the insanity, the possibilities, and the crap we’ve all gone through…I realize the common thread that brought us all together in the first place…our sincere love for music. I wouldn’t go back and change a single thing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, without music, I’d be dead.

Jeremy and Jay have collected the history of Swivel Chairs for us here. I am extremely pleased and privileged to have been a part of it, and look forward to what’s in store for the future of the band. I hope to be there for every possible Swivel Chairs moment, whether it’s in person or in spirit. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope you enjoy discovering the world of Swivel Chairs, as much as I know I will, while I re-discover it over and over again.

Lauree McArdle
Arlington, VA 20003

It’s interesting that I choose tonight to remember this, and reminisce as it was just Jeremy’s birthday!

The lyric I love from “Tied Nooses” is: ‘well that anxious smile just gave you away in seconds flat, cause you wear your loneliness just like you wear a hat’ (although I wouldn’t be surprised if I got an email from him tomorrow telling me it’s something different)

truth is, I miss my friends. I miss the old times. I miss having new times. I miss being a part of it. I miss hearing advance versions/mixes of songs and getting to hear them grow and go out into the world. I miss being connected.

yet, here I am in a different Arlington apartment, staying awake too late, as I vibrate with the excitement of listening to and remembering an old song. And not being able to go to sleep until I get it all out of my head and I realize that maybe they’re not so far away.

Tied Nooses

Swivel Chairs on myspace

I’ve really been missing my time at WLFR lately and I was anxious to do another show. In a weird coincidence, it had been just a year since I did the last one.

I was going home to NJ for Easter, which also happened to be my nephew, Josh’s birthday.
Originally, I was supposed to do the show Sunday afternoon, but just before I left my parent’s house for the studio, I checked the stream online, and heard dance music. I knew that the DJ on at that time had a Grateful Dead show, so I knew something was awry.

I was leaving the macbook home so I could record the stream, since the college only allows students and faculty to log on to the wireless. I emailed Bill, one of the station managers my phone number and said I was thinking that no one was in the studio and it was on automation, but I was going off to campus to hope for the best.

Unfortunately, the campus was completely empty, and almost deserted. I was able to get into one building, but no where near the studio, plus even if I could get to where the studio is, I’d need an electronic card to swipe at the door to unlock it. Luckily, I spread the word as best I could to let everyone know there was a possibility I’d not be on…sigh.

The entire campus was locked up for the holiday, but the campus police never informed any of the WLFR managers.

Fortunately, I could go on to do a show the next afternoon, exactly a year to the date I did the last fill in show in 2008! too funny! Unfortunately, I set the computer to record the stream at the wrong time and didn’t get any recording of the show. If anyone does have a recording, I’d love to get it from you!

Here’s what I played, and I had an absolute blast playing it!

The Music Asylum April 13 2009 on WLFR:

The Feelies-Let’s Go
Joe Strummer-Johnny Appleseed
Jenny Doveson-I Will Think of it All
Blind Pilot-Go On, Say It
The Swimmers-Heaven
Crocodile-August is Over
Surefire Broadcast-Hey Baby!
Make Model-The Was
Oppenheimer-Only Goal & Winner
Marah-Point Breeze
The Heavenly States-Lost in the Light
Glossary-Almsgiver
The Clean-Someone
Running with Horses-Over Before it Ended
The Love Language-Lalita
I’m from Barcelona-Oversleeping
Marching Band-For Your Love
Frank Turner-Reasons Not to be an Idiot
Attic Lights-Walkie Talkie
Dropkick-Breakdown
The Primary 5-What Am I Supposed to Do?
Uncle Tupelo-Give Back the Key to my Heart
Have Gun, Will Travel-Come All Ye Sinners
Lamont Skylark-Daisy
Two Cow Garage-Skinny Legged Girl
Ike Reilly Assassination-Garbage Day
The Minders-It’s So Hard
The Underclass-Tomorrow is Now
Nushu-Spill
Camera Obscura-I Need All the Friends I Can Get
Mojave 3-Running with Your Eyes Closed
Teenage Fanclub-Ain’t That Enough
The Jam-That’s Entertainment
Swivel Chairs-And Smile

Two hours goes by real quick in radio, especially when you only get to do a show once a year. I hope to do more this year, but a lot depends on when I can get home to NJ. Community & college radio in Northern VA & DC is lacking, at least for community members. I out to a local college here in MD, as they had an open house for DJs. It was highly disorganized and I couldn’t be bothered to wait in line. I left it for the kids to fight for air time.

WLFR turns 25 this October, and hopefully, I can play a role in helping that celebration. I’ll have to dig up all my old “stuff” I have from my time at WLFR.

Stay tuned, I’m hoping to get back in the studio real soon!