Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Eddy Current Supression Ring:

COMPACT AUSTRALIAN-PUNK.
There are a couple of things to immediately like about the Eddy Current Suppression Ring: 1) they formed on sort of a lark, to play some music for the Christmas party at the record pressing plant where they all work; 2) the singer has a vocal delivery sort of reminiscent of one of my favorite rock and roll singers, Bon Scott; and 3) their songs are short, neat packages of well-constructed rock and roll music.

Sounds like a kind of clinical examination of what's more of a visceral thing... I really like this band for some reason, and like most good things, I'm not positive why. Something about the challenge of writing an entire album that does its job well in about a half hour, and that leaves you singing songs like My Ego Got the Best of Me. I hear all sorts of power pop and proto-punk goo all over the place. Stuff like the Celibate Rifles, Replacements, the Real Kids, and the Jam all come to mind.

Their wikipedia entry tells the story, and lists their discography. Domestically, the Goner record label has just released their Primary Colors record.
Thanks to Goner and the band for getting us both their debut CD, and their most recent release! Both are excellent examples of modern rock and roll played with an ear for the best of the past. Terminal Boredom did an interview with them after their 2007 U.S. tour, you can find that here.

Other things in the KBGA new pile of note: Quintron: Too Thirsty 4 Love, Usaismonster: Space Programs, Pierced Arrows: Straight to the Heart and the Paranoia 7", Touchers: Blithe

We'll be asking for your support for KBGA this January during our annual RadioThon. Talk to you soon--

Fun fact: Speaking of Australia, and its people: the word "aussie" sounds like "ozzy", not "ossy".

Josh

Friday, November 21, 2008

AIDS WOLF: NAKED ART-JAZZ CANUCKS ATTACK MISSOULA WED. NOV. 26TH
Montreal, Quebec may be better known for the ponderous meanderings of Godspeed You Black Emperor, or the sappy pop of the Unicorns, but for my money, AIDS Wolf get to wear the weirdo crown. In a world where being indie/alternative/punk generally means structuring most all of your music in the standard way that it's been done for the past 60 or so years (blues-based, 4/4 time, etc.), a band that just gets up and beats the shit out of their gear, has a good participatory time, and makes you think is a refreshing change. Speaking of refreshing, judging from the photos of the band (when you google image search) AIDS Wolf seem essentially uncool with clothing.

Amusical music? Free jazz punk? Spazz rock? Not sure.
Compelling, wild and great: Check.

The show's officially free, but as you might imagine, gasoline and food still aren't giving themselves away, so bring along a couple dollars to pitch their way.

If you're into comparisons, I get reminded of Arab on Radar (interestingly another Skin Graft outfit) and lots of the more driving no-wave from the Early '80's.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008


Faces for Radio: The KBGA Team Hurls Urethane
Here are some photos of the 'Beej crew bowling
(DJ in Training, Dane Hansen)

(top score, Tim Donahue: 127) tonight. That's right. When they're not busy keep the airways ripping with Missoula's only source of anything but crap classic rock, bad screamo, commercial country or baroque, these folks devote an entire DJ meeting to the slurping of suds and chucking of balls at pins. Ahem!
If you need more convincing, simply look at these photos:


To quote Homer Simpson: "U.S.A!"

As a reminder: KBGA is bring Health (L.A./Love Pump
(Niki, the "Sectretary" Promotions Lady)

United) on Monday, November 17th at the Palace lounge and Times New Viking (Columbus/Matador) to the Badlander Wednesday, November 19th and Aids Wolf (Montreal/Skin Graft) to the Badlander on Wednesday, November 26. COME ON!
















More of the Crew!














(Tim and Junie (above) Travis, below)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008


Bridgebuilder: Blast Off the Rock Excellent
Missoula's home to more than a handful of really good bands (Shotgun Moses, Volumen, Birds Mile Home, Reptile Dysfunction, Knot Knocked Up, Four Horsemen, Sherlocks, Black Velvet Elvis, Vera, etc.) but the band that's been taking the heavy/loud cake for just about a year is Bridgebuilder. They're a power trio in the true sense, playing through huge old PA towers rather than regular guitar/bass speakers, they control a mass of sound that would knock down lesser bands.

Their music has metal roots (quasi-classical sounding intros, Ibanez axes, etc.) but definitely is more along the lines of noise rock, with more frequent starts and stops and mathy changes, rather than being totally riff-bound. They're sort of uh, Helmety, without the churn. Most songs clock in at around two or 2.5 minutes, and their sets by and large are 30 minute affairs that thoroughly leave the crowd wanting more.

They've self-released a CDR called Lay Waste the Siege Perilous, and it's pretty excellent. The mastering/EQing job could've been done with more finesse and less bombast, for a better final product, but the songs help it to stand out and be one of the more exciting records that's come from Missoula in some time.

I think what I like most these guys is the absolutely unaffected in-it-for-the-right-reasons grins they have glued on when they play a show. You can tell they're doing something that makes them happy, and they're well-rehearsed and instense to boot. Check them out.

Josh/Loud MD
Recently on the KBGA loud playlist: Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Signal Lost, Totalitar, Asshole Parade, Bridgebuilder, Pierced Arrows, Harvey Milk

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Why Aren't You Listening to the Jesus Lizard?


Hey Kids,

Rod Powers here, you might know me from my work on LA Law, Jake and The Fat Man and Hanging' with Mr. Cooper. When I'm not doing loads of coke and banging hookers I like to stay up on what's hip in the music world. KBGA has asked me chime in every so often to submission you jerks into liking what I like.

So my first order of business is to spread the word of The Jesus Lizard. If you don't like them or haven't heard them before than you're like Sonny Corleone to me "DEAD". This band could have possibly done more coke than me and Corbin Bernsen combined. So take some time out of your boring day and listen to The Jesus Lizard. Now!!

Love You Baby.

Rod Powers

Jesus Lizard Youtube Video links down low.

The Jesus Lizard "Nub" Video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7wilcAlAal8

The Jesus Lizard "Wheelchair Epidemic" Live
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mrAoCp3nI0w

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Wilco - Adam's Center 5/5

Wilco drew heavily from 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot for the Missoula audience, featuring eight songs from their career making album. Their most recent effort, Sky Blue Sky, along with 2004's A Ghost is Born were also well represented with six and five songs respectively. Also in the mix was 'When the Roses Bloom Again', a song culled from the band's joint sessions with Billy Bragg but unreleased on their collaboration, Mermaid Avenue. As with other songs from that effort, 'When the Roses Bloom Again' was a lost lyric of Woody Guthrie's set to music by Jeff Tweedy following the discovery of the song by Guthrie's daughter.

Here's the full setlist from last night's show:

Via Chicago
When The Roses Bloom Again
You Are My Face
Hummingbird
IATTBYH
A Shot in the Arm
Side With The Seeds
Handshake Drugs
Pot Kettle Black
On and On and On
Impossible Germany
It's Just That Simple
War on War
Jesus, etc.
Shouldn't Be Ashamed
Theologians
I'm The Man Who Loves You
--------------------------------
Poor Places>
Reservations>
Spiders (Kidsmoke)
--------------------------------
The Late Greats
Hate It Here
Heavy Metal Drummer
Walken>
Monday>
Outtasite (Outta Mind)

Saturday, March 15, 2008

KBGA is back in the blogoshere!!!

Hey friends,

Welcome to the brand new blog for Missoula's one and only college radio station, 89.9 FM KBGA Missoula!!

We're going to be on top of this blog sitch like none other. We'll be posting blogs about upcoming and past shows, music reviews, and other general KBGA chit chat.

The blog posts will be coming from KBGA's staff and we encourage our listeners and DJs to comment, comment, comment!! Give us ideas, rants, love letters, or whatever else you can come up with.

We want to hear from you!!! So keep checking back for new stuff!!

KBGA loves you,

Lina
(Music Director)