2009-10-31 Playlist

Listen any time at WRSI.com.


Segment 1
TMBG - It's Spare the Rock
-Ella ID
TMBG - Hovering Sombrero '05 (Here Come the ABCs)
Tom Knight in-studio

Segment 2
Steve Weeks - 4 Little Girls
Telephone Company - The Old Man Song (Panda Brain)
ID/prep to rock
Baze and His Silly Friends - Scare Me Scare You!
Mighty Weaklings - The Monster Under My Bed
ID

Segment 3
REM and Muppet Rocker - Furry Happy Monsters
Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell on You
Monty Harper - Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet
ID
Ralph's World - Monster
Siouxsie & the Banshees - Spellbound

Segment 4
ScribbleMonster - Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child
ID
ScribbleMonster - A Monster Goes Rrraargh!
Los Straightjackets - Munsters Theme
Laura Freeman - My Brother's a Monster
Clementown - Skeleton Flowers
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Boogie Man
ID/play time with Ella

Segment 5
Tom Waits - Heigh Ho (The Marching Song)
ID
Pixies - Tony's Theme
Robbert Bobbert - We R Superheroes
School for the Dead - Superhero
ID
CandyBand w/ Detroit Youth Symphony - Monsters
Wee Scary Beasties - Pumpkinhead
Keith Munslow - Boogieman

Segment 6
ID
I'm From Barcelona - Just Because It's Different Doesn't Mean Scary (Yo Gabba Gabba)
Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1
Bobby "Boris" Pickett - Monster Mash
ID
Uncle Rock - Picnic in the Graveyard
Sippy Cups - Day After Halloween
ID
TMBG - Experimental Film
TMBG - Spare the Rock

Halloween!

This Saturday, we'll be at the Florence Rag Shag Halloween Parade gathering.  It starts at Trinity Row Park, which is where we'll be set up.  If the weather is nice enough, we'll have live music from School for the Dead; otherwise, we'll have a great Halloween playlist.

And!  We'll have a pile of the Yo Gabba Gabba CDs to give away!

2009-10-24 Playlist

Listen any time at WRSI.com!

Thanks to Sarah Lee & Johnny and to Dan Zanes for coming by!

Here's what we played:

Segment 1
TMBG - It's Spare the Rock
-Ella ID
TMBG - E Eats Everything
Sarah Lee & Johnny In-Studio
- If Mama Had Four Hands
- Take Me to Show-and-Tell

Segment 2
Wilco - What Light
Astrograss - The Homework Machine
Aric Bieganek - Central Park Kitty (live in-studio) (1:00 at Eric Carle Museum)
ID/prep to rock
Hipwaders - Twitchy
Deedle Deedle Dees - Bring 'Em In (History + Rock and Roll = Deedle Deedle Dees)
CandyBand - Wheels on the Bus (CandyBand)
ID

Segment 3
Pogues - Metropolis
Peter Himmelman - Feet (My Green Kite)
Terrible Twos - Lily Names Everthing Sandy (Jerzy the Giant)
Mr. Richard - Tummy Talk
ID/book time with Ella
The Roots - Lovely, Love My Family
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Family Tree
ID

Segment 4
ScribbleMonster - Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child
ID
Jim Armenti - The Great Pumpkin Roll (Town Center Library Project)
Vibrations - Ain't No Greens in Harlem
Dick Dale & Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pipeline
Juliana Hatfield & Tanya Donelly - Josie & the Pussycats
Danny Adlerman & Friends - How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck? (One Size Fits All)

ID

Segment 5
Dan Zanes in-studio:
Catch That Train
Rock Island Line
Moonlit Town

Segment 6
Sippy Cups - Magic Toast
NRBQ - RC Cola and a Moon Pie
Justin Roberts - Maybe the Monster
ID
TMBG - The Bloodmobile (Here Comes Science)

In the Springfield Republican

Donnie Moorhouse, the music columnist for the Springfield Republican, wrote a nice piece about the show a week or two back.  For some reason, it's not online, but if you like, you can see a scan of it here.

Dan Zanes Tonight & Tomorrow

Dan Zanes & Friends are at the UMass Fine Arts Center tonight at 7:30. Before heading there to soundcheck, he stopped by the station and recorded an in-studio we'll air in the morning. (And Jaz will play one track from it this afternoon). We also chatted some, including a discussion about whether he has any aspirations to write a Broadway musical himself...

Here he is doing "Rock Island Line."

30% Off Dan Zanes Tickets

Heck of a deal, folks. Go buy tickets here for Dan Zanes & Friends' show at the UMass Fine Arts Center, and you'll get 'em for 30% off. That makes adult tickets $24.50 and kid tickets $7. Do it!

(Dan will be on our show on Saturday morning, with one song from our session with him airing with Jaz on 93.9 The River Friday afternoon too.)

Brady Rymer Show Postponed

Due to a scheduling issue, the Brady Rymer show in the No Nap Happy Hour series has been postponed. We'll announce a new date soon.

2009-10-17 Playlist

Listen any time at WRSI.com!

If you want to win a pair of tickets to see Dan Zanes & Friends on Friday at the UMass Fine Arts Center, send me an e-mail (show AT sparetherock DOT com) with the name of the DZAF song we played today by the end of the day on Sunday. One lucky e-mailer will win!

Segment 1
TMBG - It's Spare the Rock
-Ella ID
TMBG - What Is a Shooting Star?
The Nields - Percy on Pluto (Rock All Day, Rock All Night)
Little Mo' McCoury - Man Gave Names to All the Animals (Little Mo' McCoury)
ID
Trout Fishing in America - What I Want is a Proper Cup of Coffee (Family Music Party)
Lead Belly - Rock Island Line (Sings for Children)

Segment 2
Miles Davis - Move (Birth of the Cool)
Gunnar Madsen - Sun Comes Up
ID/prep to rock
B-52s - Rock Lobster
Miz B - Raise the Brain(Raise the Brain)
ID/book time with Ella

Segment 3
ID
Deedle Deedle Dees - Growl Growl (History + Rock 'n' Roll = Deedle Deedle Dees)
Duplex! - Orange Popsicle (Worser)
Princess Katie & Racer Steve - Jeans!
ID
Ramones - Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio
Jimmies - Do the Elephant (Live) (Trying Funny Stuff)
ID

Segments 4 & 5
Guest DJ set from Uncle Rock:
Dean Jones & the Felice Bros - Hail Hail the Gang's All Here
Paul McCartney & Wings - Magneto & Titanium Man
Daniel Lavoie - Le Baby Dragon
Alan Lomax - Down in the Valley
Donovan - Riki Tiki Tavi
Uncle Rock - The Night the Lights Went Out
Wanda Jackson - Let's Have a Party
Phillips Wonders - Hambone
Kim Walsh - The Troll
Tarantainas De La Casa Sin Pared
Pete Seeger - I Know a Little Girl
Dave Clark 5 - Live in the Sky
Dean Jones - Baby in My Pocket

Segment 6
(Dan Zanes ticket giveaway)
Dan Zanes & Friends - I Won't Grow Up (76 Trombones)
Rhythm Child - Riding on the Bus (Eat a Bowl of Cherries)
ID
Asylum Street Spankers - Don't Turn Out the Light (Mommy Says No!)
ID
TMBG - Particle Man
TMBG - Spare the Rock

Tomorrow...

1. You must listen to Uncle Rock's guest DJ set. It's got some great field recordings, new music from him, and new music from Dean Jones, backed up by the Felice Brothers. Remember that Uncle Rock and the Playthings are playing at the Iron Horse on Sunday at 2. Advance tickets, including the great-deal family four-pack, are available at IHEG.com. The family four-pack is only available in advance.

2. Also tomorrow, listen for your chance to win tickets to see Dan Zanes & Friends next Friday. You will just have to e-mail me the name of the (new!) Dan Zanes song we play towards the end of the show. I'll draw one name from all correct entries that I receive by the end of the day on Sunday. You will need to pick up the tickets at WRSI in Northampton.

Rock!

New Renee & Jeremy

We've been playing tracks from the new (terrific!) Renee & Jeremy record C'mon for a while now. Here's your chance to get the title track for yourself!:

The No Nap Happy Hour Continues! (and other updates)

I haven't done an overview of the series recently, so let's do that. All shows (except TMBG) are at the Iron Horse Music Hall on Sundays at 2:00. I believe all shows will have advance only family four-packs for $30. And all are great. Check it out:

10/18 Uncle Rock & the Playthings - Uncle Rock will be guest DJing on Saturday 10/17, featuring new music from Dean Jones, backed by the Felice Brothes. This is Uncle Rock's first Valley performance with his band the Playthings.

12/6 Bill Harley - Grammy winner Bill Harley played to a packed house with the Greenfield Symphony earlier this year; here's your chance to see this great musician and storyteller in a more intimate venue. Bill will also be doing a guest DJ set.

12/31 They Might Be Giants - It's not part of the No Nap series, but we're very happy to be part of bringing They Might Be Giants to the Calvin Theatre on New Year's Eve, with a 3:00 family show and an 8:00 14+ show. Tickets are on sale now, with a special family four-pack for $60.

2/21 AudraRox - AudraRox makes their first full band appearance in the Valley, supporting a great new record! You've seen Audra on Noggin, Sesame Street, and elsewhere, and her band tears up the stage with a raucous show for the whole family.

3/14 Gustafer Yellowgold - The New York Times called Gustafer Yellowgold a cross between Sgt. Pepper's and Dr. Seuss, and they've opened for the likes of Wilco and the Polyphonic Spree. Creator Morgan Taylor's melodic songs tell the story, along with the "moving storybook," of Gustafer Yellowgold, who is a creature from the sun trying to make his way on Earth.

4/11 Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - The first great hip hop for kids from a member of GFE. SA23's live show is certain to make you laugh and dance.

TBA Brady Rymer & the Little Band That Could - Grammy nominee Brady played the Taste of Amherst over the summer and has played here one or two other times too. Great roots rock from one of the best bands in kids' music. Brady will be doing a guest DJ set prior to his show.

Plus! On Friday, October 23, Dan Zanes & Friends will be at the UMass Fine Arts Center. Listen to our show on October 17 to hear how you can win tickets, or visit Hilltown Families to enter to win a four-pack from them. Dan will appear on Spare the Rock the next morning, as will our recording of Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion!

2009-10-10 Playlist

Listen any time at WRSI.com!

Thanks to Laura Doherty for her guest DJ set! Remember, she's doing a benefit for Noho Pride this coming Thursday at 4:00 at the Florence Civic Center. Tickets are available at Cup & Top Cafe.

Segment 1
TMBG - It's Spare the Rock
-Ella ID
TMBG - I C U
Deep Fried Pickle Project - Pickle Juice
Laura Doherty - El Train (Kids in the City)
ID
Gourds - Fossil Contender

Segment 2
The Good Ms. Padgett - So So Good
Asylum Street Spankers - Sidekick (Mommy Says No!)
ID/prep to rock
Deedle Deedle Dees - Put on the Dress (History + Rock 'n' Roll = Deedle Deedle Dees)
Artichoke - Marie Curie (26 Scientists)
Milkshake - Happy Place
ID

Segment 3
ID
Wee Scary Beasties - Pumpkinhead (Creepy Lullabies)
Dan Zanes - 76 Trombones
The Not-Its - When I'm Five (We Are the Not-Its)
Sippy Cups - Seven is the New Fourteen (Time Machine)
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks
ID

Segments 4 & 5
ScribbleMonster - Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child
Laura Doherty guest DJ set
Human Tim + Robot Tim -
Beatles - Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
Bird and the Bee - Tonight You Belong to Me
Jannie B - My Pony
Jim Gill - The Banana Song
--
XTC - Ballet for a Rainy Day
Dan Zanes & Friends - Mole in the Ground
Erin Flynn & the Co-Op Band - Butterfly
Michelle Shocked - Strawberry Jam
Karen Banks - Oooh...It's Halloween
Ralph Covert - Salamander Green

Segment 6
ID
Uncle Rock - There's Love in My Food
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family - Go Waggaloo (Go Waggaloo)
ID
Henning Ohlenbusch - Carnival (Looks Like I'm Tall)
The Band - Live is a Carnival
ID/book time with Ella/concert announcement - TMBG - 12/31 - family show at 3, 14+ show at 8, Calvin
TMBG - Science is Real

Here's what you're doing on New Year's Eve

Well, we were kinda thinking we were announcing this on tomorrow's show, but Monte talked about it this morning, so let's go ahead and announce it here too:

We are so glad to be part of this, TMBG's first ever family show in the Pioneer Valley!

They Might Be Giants
Family show!
New Year's Eve!
3pm
The Calvin Theatre
$20 in advance, family 4-pack = $60 (general admission)

They Might Be Giants
New Year's Eve!
Thursday, December 31st
8pm
The Calvin Theatre
14+ show
$32.50 in advance (general admission up at the front of the floor, reserved for the rest)

Tickets will go on sale to the Iron Horse mailing list on Wednesday, October 14 and to everybody else on Friday, October 16.

Austin City Limits Rocks. As does Austin Kiddie Limits.

That's really all there is to it.

I didn't try to be methodical in tracking our movements or shows or anything, and so I won't have a formal wrap-up. (I am sure Stefan will, or maybe already has; same with Gwyneth. [I haven't looked through Reader yet upon getting home.])

But it was a ton of fun, even with the rain and ludicrous quantities of mud. We loved Lunch Money and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (who, by the way, is coming to the No Nap Happy Hour in April) and Mr. Leebot and Milkshake; we, alas, missed some other great stuff on the kids' stage. On the other stages, we saw the Avett Brothers, the Felice Brothers (who are producing and playing on Dean Jones's new record, and it sounds great), B-52s, Dirty Projectors, Flogging Molly, and a bunch more than that I'm not remembering right now.

Ella's favorites were Lunch Money on the kids' stage and Flogging Molly and Dirty Projectors elsewhere. One assumes that the Molly being Flogg[ed] is not Molly of Lunch Money.

Off-festival-grounds, we saw a ton of friends and ate great food.

Thanks, as always, to the nice folks at C3, especially Tor, for their hospitality!

2009-10-03 Playlist

Thanks to Aric Bieganek for a great guest DJ set! You can listen to the show any time you like on our page at WRSI.com.

Segment 1
TMBG - It's Spare the Rock
-Ella ID
TMBG - How Many Planets?
Hipwaders - The Books I Like to Read
Steve Weeks - Monkeys
Tarika Sammy - Hendry (African Playground)
ID
ScribbleMonster - Scratchy Records (Songs with No Character)

Segement 2:
Uncle Rock - Please Don't Make Me Laugh When I'm Upset (live at Spare the Rock)
Johnny Bregar - 9 lb hammer
ID/prep to rock
Captain Bogg & Salty - Emphatical Piratical
Pixies - La La Love You
Yosi & the Superdads - Funky Monkey

Segment 3
Soccer Team - I'll Never Fear Ghosts Again (Play)
Chris Collingwood - Cookie Jar
AudraRox - All My Toys Are Broken
ID
Artichoke - Elephant


Segment 4
ScribbleMonster - Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child
Aric Bieganek guest DJ
Beatles - Nowhere Man
Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song
The Who - Boris the Spider
James Brown - Papa's Got a Brand New Bag
Aric Bieganek - Bright Lights, Big Kitty


Segment 5
Aric Bieganek guest DJ
Blitzen Trapper - Sleepytime in the Western World
John Vanderslice - Time Travel is Lonely
Paul Westerberg - Jingle
Golden Smog - Starman
Joey Ramone - What a Wonderful World

Segment 6
ID
Mister G - Pony with a Problem
Renee & Jeremy - Do Do Do Do (C'mon)
Jellydots - Adventure Quest!
Bob Marley - Redemption Song (B is for Bob)
ID
TMBG - I Am a Paleontologist
TMBG - Spare the Rock

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion In-Studio, etc.

So you've probably heard about the forthcoming kids' record from Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family, Go Waggaloo. Stefan's got a nice essay in the liner notes, it's on Smithsonian Folkways, and it's great. Like their labelmates Liz Mitchell & Friends, it's a genuinely family affair.

Sarah Lee & Johnny came by the studio today to record an in-studio that we'll air later this month. (They also did one with Jaz that will air on WRSI sometime -- probably tomorrow -- so listen for that.) Here's a sampler:



Also, the first 100 people to pre-order it get the CD autographed.

We might have another special thing or two for you in connection with the record. Stay tuned.