To help celebrate another year of broadcasting radio from the UC Santa Cruz campus, here’s a fine mini-documentary on The Great 88. Directed and produced by UCSC alum Marc Atkinson, it’s a pretty good snapshot of the staff and philosophy of KZSC. SEE IT HERE. [Parental Warning: contains one word we cannot say on the…
Players Of The Month
By Michael Bryant | Published February 15th, 2013Mention “Sex, Dope & Cheap Thrills” to people and you’ll be surprised where the conversation goes. The name for their weekly show is based on the original title of Big Brother and the Holding Company’s first Columbia Records album – not received well by label executives in 1968. In the spirit of the late 60′s…
World Music Show Feb. 19
By World Music Director | Published February 13th, 2013This and next month are full of African and African-influenced music events in Santa Cruz. Tuesday the 19th, world fusion band Toubab Krewe will perform at Moe’s Alley. Toubab Krewe specializes in upbeat instrumentals that draw from African blues, rock, folk, and so much more. Some of the instruments used are the Kora, electric guitar,…
Loud Rock Charts: 2/12
By Trevor Mascarenhas | Published February 11th, 2013In this week’s version of great awesome new metal, we see hardcore band Shai Hulud release what could amount to be one of the finest albums in the genre since Converge’s Jane Doe (yep, you heard me right). Also dropping is the ever increasingly popular band Bullet for my Valentine with Temper Temper, who are hoping…
Jake Shimabukuro Feb. 14th
By Michael Bryant | Published February 11th, 2013Ukulele player as rock star? How about taking center stage at a symphony hall? Almost hard to imagine unless you’ve heard Jake Shimabukuro. An international phenomenon, Jake’s played loud rock on his uke in front of thousands in Japan, classical music with orchestras and jazz with the best of them in New York. He’s written…
The Love Bug
By Michael Bryant | Published February 10th, 2013There’s something in the air beyond the need for that Volkswagen’s smog check. Yes, the road to Valentine’s Day is paved with programming on KZSC. Many of your favorite shows will be paying tribute to Thursday’s holiday with specials focused on amour. Cupid couldn’t be happier. To request a dedication for that Certain Someone or…
Gridlock!
By Michael Bryant | Published February 10th, 2013If you ever wanted a visual clue to what is in the mind of a KZSC programmer when they come up with a show title, here it is. This white board hangs in our lobby to show off our schedule for winter 2013. An electronic copy of our program schedule (although not as colorful) can…
Henry Henry
By Music Librarian | Published February 9th, 2013In honor of punk rock icon Henry Rollins, I will now pile on 16 tons of Henry knowledge. Germanic in origin and meaning, “Henry” is well used as a first or last name. Dozens of royals in multiple countries have been named Henry plus the Roman numerals. Thanks to Joseph Henry, science uses “the henry”…
ZZ Ward Feb. 13
By Volunteer Coordinator | Published February 8th, 2013ZZ Ward’s raw edge evokes blues greats such as Big Mama Thornton with a modern twist. Her “Eleven Roses” mixtape began to catch the public’s attention when she sampled hip-hop beats over her bluesy vocals allowing for an explosive fusion of soul, blues and hip-hop. Her recent releases, the “Criminal” EP and “Till the Casket Drops”,…
Jazz Album Review: Branford Marsalis “Four MFs Playin’ Tunes”
By Jazz and Blues Boss | Published February 8th, 2013This week I had the opportunity to listen to Branford Marsalis’ newest release, Four Mfs Playin’ Tunes. This album is the first of his to feature 21 year old drummer Justin Faulkner who in the last 5 years has replaced the seemingly irreplaceable Jeff “Tain” Watts. Tain is one of the most powerfully aggressive modern drummers out…