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A Floral review (playing Jan 7 in SF)

Nothing really says DIY like a good ol' house show, and nothing says underground like bands that have forged their own distinct sound. I'd known Floral's guitarist since his punk rock days back when our bands were equally pissed off and equally terrible in that beautiful way that only punk is. What a few semesters at Berklee had done to him was simply mindblowing. With only a compressor to cut out feedback and static, his high treble tapping brought the room to a mathy frenzy. Fingers flashed and blurred. Feet flew over massive and elaborate pedalboards. Surely, math has never before been this rock. Or rock been this math. You know, whichever.
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Reggae on the river

Reggae on the River! what a joy and a blessing to share,Singer/songwriter/activist Janine ‘Jah9′. She has been credited as the creator of the Jazz on Dub genre. Her vocals blend the Jazz melodies of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone with…

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Reggae Hot

Easy To Love is a fine representation of lovers’ rock, an effortless blend of reggae, R&B and dancehall with universal appeal. The sophistication he brings to these tracks is the mark of true quality. His delivery and phrasing are impeccable,…

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Debo Band Tues July 16th

Outstanding Ethiopian-Pop Debo Band makes an appearance in Santa Cruz tonight, Tuesday July 16, 2013 at Moe's Alley. This large 11-member group includes musicians and dancers from Addis and Boston, plus local fiddler Kaethe Hostetter formerly of Bonny Doon. They've…

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Not Fade Away

My two-year stint as KZSC's music librarian is coming to an end this month. It has been a fascinating plunge into music of all kinds.  I am happy to say that Chris Jong is returning as librarian for the station…

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Time To Get Savage

The brutal truth is this: there's a lot of stuff in your life that needs to get moved out the door and down the road and KZSC is no exception. We have a fantastic music collection that has grown (or…

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This Pope Shall Not Abdicate

All hail Pope Lou Reed the Only.  His robe is a Velvet Underground. His throne, the mighty city of Berlin.  Whose Mary Magdalene's were transvestite streetwalkers on the wild side.  Who turned the other cheek when struck viciously with flowers…

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Henry Henry

In 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…

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Django Fail !

Though not for the reasons being bandied about, I did not like this movie. But, since this is a blog for KZSC, let's keep to issues musically related......      I am a huge fan of QT, and have found his…

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Better Late Than Never !

Quite recently, I had the real pleasure of catching an interview on the BBC with John Lydon.  Of course, he is better known as, Johnny Rotten, of the notorious Sex Pistols.  What a guy.  His sense of humanity, his intelligence…

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The World of GWAR !!!

For the second time in my life, I have attended a GWAR show.  This most recent time was also @ the Catalyst and on the eve of the election.  Naturally, both candidates for president appeared as puppets in the show…

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Ship of Fools

Ship of Fools may make you think of a Grateful Dead song or a song from The Doors, but the history behind this 3-word phrase is really quite amazing. It first appears in 1494 as a book, Das Narrenschiff, written…

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Our Sound, Our Fury

Today and Today and Today, sweeps in this pretty place, from hour to hour.  To the last sound of time left on this track, and all our yesterdays have lighted playlists.  The way to dusty vinyl.  Out! Out!  Skips and…

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Got Twink?

Like it or not, we are well into the age of digitally enhanced music.  There is no escape & resistance is futile.  Our only defense is to sort through the truly awful with great speed & alacrity.  But every now…

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A Midsummer Radio Dream

Here on the campus of UCSC, Shakespeare Santa Cruz still has a bit more than three weeks left for this marvelous festival before things wrap up on August 26th, & we here at KZSC still have a full 2 months…

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