Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Apocalypse Meow! 2013 with Cody Wyoming & Mac McSpadden
+ Spinning Tree Theatre’s “Ain’t Misbehavin'”
+ Penny Thieme of VALA Gallery & Studios
+ A Musical Tribute to Lou Reed

1. Lou Reed – “Take A Walk on The Wild Side”
from: Monitor This / Monitor This / June-July 2003
(Transformer / RCA / Nov. 8, 1972)
[A previously unreleased version found during remastering sessions for Transformer release – different from version found on the BMG album NYC Man: The Collection. A Lou Reed song from his 1972 second solo album Transformer. It was produced by David Bowie. The song received wide radio coverage, despite its touching on taboo topics such as transsexuality, drugs, male prostitution and oral sex. In the United States, RCA released the single using an edited version of the song without the reference to oral sex. The lyrics, describing a series of individuals and their journeys to NYC, refer to several of the regular “superstars” at Andy Warhol’s New York studio, The Factory, namely Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, Joe Dallesandro, Jackie Curtis and Joe Campbell (referred to in the song by his nickname Sugar Plum Fairy). Candy Darling was also the subject of Reed’s earlier song for The Velvet Underground, “Candy Says”.]

2. Lou Reed – “Interview”
from: Satellite Of Love / Vanilla-One Media Publishing / 2009 (also released as American Poet 2001)
[Originally a bootleg recording of Lou Reed’s December 26, 1972, remote radio broadcast from Ultra Sonic Recording Studios for Tuesday Night Concert series WLIR-FM out of Long Island, New York. It featured material from the Transformer album, The Velvet Underground, his 1972 solo debut Lou Reed. Fresh off having just recorded Transformer in the UK with David Bowie and Mick Ronson, Lou had returned to NYC with his new band the Tots and agreed to do a live concert on WLIR. Recorded in crystal clear clarity, music critics have claimed that the show would end up being one of the finest live documents of Lou’s career and would capture a band at the top of its game. Circulated as a bootleg for years, the performance put to shame almost every other live album Lou put out in the 70s, including the disappointing Rock And Roll Animal and Lou Reed Live LPs, as well as the infamous Take No Prisoners.]

3. Lou Reed – “Heroin”
from: Satellite Of Love / One Media Publishing / 2009
[A bootleg recording of Lou Reed’s Dec. 26, 1972 remote radio broadcast from Ultra Sonic Recording Studios for WLIR-FM out of Long Island, NY.]

10:16

Some things are sacred. Lou Reed is certainly sacred. I’ve been grieving the loss of Lou. A treasured Icon, for so many reasons, the voice, the rebellion, the beat, and the poetry. Listen to “Heroin,” one of Lou Reed’s first songs, written in 1964, and tell me who it reminds you of. The song is an experience, the song is the drug. Lou wrote about things no one else was writing about. The people in his songs really existed. Lou changed the rules about what rock & rollers could write about in their songs. Thank god he did, because queer kids like me finally found their identity in music, for the first time ever.

I came to know the music of Lou Reed through my infatuation with David Bowie, as a teenager tracing Bowie’s influences. I learned that Bowie’s producer Ken Pitt, while in NYC, was able to obtain a white label acetate of The Velvet Underground’s debut record, before it came out in 1967, and he gave this to Bowie, who became The Velvets biggest fan. Bowie bragged that he’d be the first to cover a Velvet’s song, before the album even was released. Bowie borrowed everything he could, Lou was one of his greatest influences.

Bowie made his own trip to NYC in 1971, to visit The Factory, Andy Warhol, and to see the play “Pork” written by Brigid Berlin. By this time The Velvets were a broken band. Lou was flying solo. Bowie & Mick Ronson happily signed on to produced Reed’s 2nd album “Transformer” (released November 8, 1972). Ronson and Bowie loved Lou, it was a beautiful collaboration, a soundtrack to NYC, The Factory, Warhol, a companion piece to Bowie’s “Hunky Dory” (released December 17, 1971) and “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars” (released June 6, 1972). Glam Rock had arrived.

Everybody after The Velvet Underground, owes something to The Velvet Underground. After Lou Reed left the band, he forged a solo career spanning over 40 years, and he never sold out. He never made Transformer 2. Lou always challenged himself, always an artist.

Patti Smith said it best: “So many of us have benefited from the work he has done, we all owe him a debt. Most of us, that owe a debt, are not very happy to own up to it. Sometimes you like to imagine that you did everything on your own. But I think with Lou, everyone will stand in line to say ‘thank you,’ in their own way.”

We started with rare and live tracks and interviews with Lou Reed. Lou Reed died on Sunday, October 27, at the age of 71. Later in the show we’ll feature songs from Lou Reed’s clasic recordings: New York, Magic & Loss, and The Velvet Underground & Nico.

10:21 – Interview with Penny Thieme

Penny Thieme is founder of VALA Gallery & Studios. Penny Thieme joined us to discuss the VALA Benefit Concert, Saturday, November 2, 7:00 to 10:00 pm, to support victims of domestic abuse and other violent crimes. The concert features Howard Iceberg, The Accidentals, Camry Ivory, Alan Whyte, and Kathryn Lorenzen and will be held at VALA Gallery, at 5834 Johnson Drive, Mission, Kansas.

Penny Thieme thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.dio, Literary, Artists; a multimedia, multi-generational contemporary art space and gallery for independent artists to connect, collaborate, create and build community. Could you tell us how you started VALA and how it has grown?

VALA Gallery & Studios joins us to discuss the VALA Benefit Concert, Saturday, November 2, 7:00 to 10:00 pm, to support victims of domestic abuse and other violent crimes. The concert features Howard Iceberg, The Accidentals, Camry Ivory, Alan Whyte, and Kathryn Lorenzen and will be held at VALA Gallery, at 5834 Johnson Drive, Mission, Kansas. More information at: http://www.valagallery.org.

10:31 – Underwriting
10:32

4. Ron Lacke & Eboni Fondren (Angie Benson, piano) –“Honeysuckle Rose”
from: Ain’t Misbehavin’ / Spinning Tree Theatre / Recorded by Jeff Eubank, October 29, 2013

10:37 – Interview with Andy Parkhurst and Eboni Fondren

Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller was a musical innovator and influential jazz pianist and composer. A Broadway production of his music was the only musical review to win The Tony Award for best musical. Spinning Tree Theatre’s production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ opens this Friday, November 1, at 8:00pm, at Just Off Broadway Theatre in KCMO.

Joining us in our 90.1 FM studios were: Managing Director & Ain’t Misbehavin’ co-director & choreographer Andy Parkhurst and cast member Eboni Fondren.

This is the 1st show of Spinning Tree Theatre’s new season, and 1st at Just Off Broadway Theatre. Spinning Tree Theatre has produced shows in many venues including Off Center Theatre, The Living Room, Paul Mesner Puppets.

The show features an an all local professional cast featuring:

Eboni Fondren
Jennie Greenberry
Matthew King
Ron Lackey
Linnaia McKenzie

Angie Benson, piano
Brian Wilson, bass
Julian Goff, drums

scenic design by Michael Benson
lighting design by Paul Tilson
costume design by Shannon Smith
sound design by Jeff Eubank
stage management by Robin Harman
musical direction by Angie Benson
directed by Michael Grayman and Andy Parkhurst

Just Off Broadway Theatre – 3051 Central Ave. KCMO on south end of Penn Valley Park

Fri Nov 1, 8:00pm
Sat Nov 2, 8:00pm
Sun Nov 3, 2:00pm

Thurs Nov 7, 7:30pm
Fri Nov 8, 8:00pm
Sat Nov 9, 8:00pm
Sun Nov 10, 2:00pm

Thurs Nov 14, 7:30pm
Fri Nov 15. 8:00pm
Sat Nov 16, 8:00pm
Sun Nov 17, 2:00pm

2013-14 SEASON:

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

For info visit: Spinning Tree Theatre (816) 569-5277 or http://www.spinningtreetheatre.com

10:52

5. Bill Callahan – “Javelin Unlanding”
from: Dream River / Drag City / September 17, 2013
[Born June 3, 1966, Bill Callahan is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, who has also recorded and performed under the band name Smog. Callahan began working in the lo-fi genre of underground rock, with home-made tape-albums recorded on four track tape recorders.]

6. Deer Tick – “The Dream’s In The Ditch”
from: Negativity/ Partisan Records / September 24, 2013
[from Providence, Rhode Island led by guitarist and singer-songwriter John McCauley]

7. Radkey – “Overwhelmed”
from: Devil Fruit – EP / Little Man Records / October 14, 2013
[Radkey is a St. Joesph based band made up of teenage brothers Darrion, Isaiah, and Solomon. Their influences include The Who and Nirvana.]

11:02 – Station Identification

Apocalypse Meow is Fri, Nov. 1, at Midwestern Musical Company, feat: Chris Meck & The Guilty Birds, The Silver Maggies. Sat, Nov. 2, at Knuckleheads, featuring: She’s A Keeper, Freight Train & Rabbit Killer, Not A Planet, The Latenight Callers, The Philistines, & Sister Mary Rotten Crotch, Tony Ladesich, Dave ‘Chilidog’ Crawford, Betse Ellis, Howard Iceberg, Gregg Todt. Here are 4 musical acts appearing at Apocalypse Meow.

8. Howard Iceberg & The Titanics w/ Sara Swenson– “Hard To Forget”
from: Welcome Aboard Vol. 1 / Independent / June 26, 2011
[7-CD set, includes over 100 original songs, featuring The Titanics: Gary Paredes on lead guitar, Dan Mesh on rhythm guitar, Scott Easterday on bass, Pat Tomek on drums. With contributions from over 70 local artists, who’ve joined in on Howard’s “never-ending recording project” conducted in Pat Tomek’s home studio.]

[Howard Iceberg plays acoustic stage at Knuckleheads on Sat, Nov 2, for Apocalypse Meow 2013]

9. The Silver Maggies – “Slow Poke”
from: My Pale Horse / Money Wolf Music / March 28, 2013 [Fronted by lead singer/songwriters – Patrick Deveny and Terrence Moore (American Catastrophe, The Black Water). Founding members include Felix Dukes on electric guitar, Jonathan Knecht on drums and Steve Tubbert (Zoom) on bass. Terrence joined The Silver Maggies in 2010 after performing with them that year at the Murder Ballad Ball. He brought several original songs to add to the repertoire and splits singing and songwriting duties. This spring the band added Amy Farrand (American Catastrophe, Atlantic Fadeout, EIO) on vocals and additional instrumentation, as well as Samon Rajabnik on B3 organ. Both artists performed on “My Pale Horse” and joined the band for a raucous set at the 2012 Murder Ballad Ball in Kansas City. The album was recorded over the last year by Chris Cosgrove at Black Lodge, Cosgrove Audio, WaveLab and Element Recording. Mixing was done in Tuscon, AZ at WaveLab by veteran producer/engineer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Neko Case, DeVotchKa).]

[The Silver Maggies play Midwestern Musical Company, Fri, Nov. 1 for Apocalypse Meow 6.]

10. Not A Planet – “Girl Comes Down”
from: The Few, The Proud, The Strange / Independent / May 10, 2013
[Kansas City based Rock and Roll trio formed in 2010. Nathan Corsi, Liam Sumnicht, Bill Sturges.]

[Not A Planet play the Main Stage at Knuckleheads on Sat, Nov. 2, for Apocalypse Meow 2013]

11. Betse Ellis – “Twilight is Stealing”
from: High Moon Order / Free Dirt / June 14, 2013 [BE voc & tenor guitar / Roy Andrade on voc & banjo]
[2nd solo release from renowned fiddler, Betse Ellis, known by many as a founding member of The Wilders]

[Betse Ellis plays Knuckleheads on Sat, Nov. 2, for Apocalypse Meow 2013 on the Acoustic Stage]

11:15 – Interview with Cody Wyoming & Mac McSpadden about Apocalypse Meow 2013

A year ago, on this show, we were joined by Abigail Henderson and Chris Meck, known for their bands: The Gaslights, Atlantic Fadeout, and Tiny Horse. Abigail Henderson was a songwriter, musician, and activist. After 4 years of non-stop touring, recording, & promoting, in early 2008, Abigail was diagnosed with Stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer. Abby’s friends & fellow musicians, rallied around her and helped raised money to aid Abby with the enormous hospital bills and her battle with a health insurance company.

That same year, in 2008 Abigail & Chris, and friends in the music community founded the Midwest Music Foundation a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational arts organization that unites performer & audience and fills a health care gap for KC musicians.

This summer we lost Abigail Hope Henderson Meck, who died at the age of 36, on August 27, at her home in Kansas City, after a five-year battle with cancer. Abby’s amazing music will live on, Abby’s friends, and the community around Abby, that created the MMF will continue in her honor, to do the work that was so very important to Abby.

Two of Abby’s dear friends Cody Wyoming & Mac McSpadden, joined us to discuss Apocalypse Meow.

Apocalypse Meow 2013 is on TWO NIGHTS!

Friday, November 1, at Midwestern Musical Company, 1830 Locust, KCMO. (Doors at 6, Free, All Ages), featuring: Chris Meck & The Guilty Birds, and The Silver Maggies.

Saturday, November 2, at Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester Avenue, KCMO. (Doors at 6, $10, 21 and over), featuring a Silent Auction, Raffles, and Two Stages!

Main Stage: She’s A Keeper, Freight Train & Rabbit Killer, Not A Planet, The Latenight Callers, The Philistines, and Sister Mary Rotten Crotch.

Acoustic Stage: Tony Ladesich, Dave ‘Chilidog’ Crawford, Betse Ellis, Howard Iceberg, and Gregg Todt.

Midwest Music Foundation sponsors health care programs and provides financial relief to local musicians who have suffered a health care crisis. Since 2009, the MMF has distributed $30,000 in health-care grants. Abigail also founded Apocalypse Meow, an annual fundraiser for the MMF. Apocalypse Meow became an annual event to help raise funds for the Musicians Health Care Fund for Artists living and working in the KC area. The Foundation aims to create mechanisms where Musicians, Live Sound Engineers, Music Club Employees, and Recording Engineers can gain affordable access to health care.

11:23

12. Tiny Horse – “Ride”
from: Darkly Sparkly [EP] / Flyover Records / Mar. 4, 2013 [Outside of the band, we were the first to hear the debut EP release from Abigail Henderson and Christopher Lynn Meck. In our opinion, Abigail’s voice remains one of the most honest and moving voices in KC music scene, Chris Meck’s guitar sings too. Cody Wyoming-baritone guitar, guitar, keys, Zachary Phillips-bass guitar, Matt Richey-drums, percussion ]

Funds are now available to musicians in need. Grant applications and more information are available online at http://www.apocalypsemeow.net.

For more info visit: http://apocalypsemeow.net
or http://midwestmusicfound.org

11:36

13. The Latenight Callers – “Straight Razor”
from: Songs for Stolen Moments / TLNC / June 8, 2013
[formed in Lawrence by baritone guitarist, Krysztof Nemeth, and vocalist Julie Berndsen, With the addition of Bassist Gavin Mac, and Nick Combs on keyboards.]

[The Latenight Callers play Knuckleheads on Sat, Nov. 2, for Apocalypse Meow 2013 with She’s A Keeper, Freight Train & Rabbit Killer, Not A Planet, The Philistines, Sister Mary Rotten Crotch. Acoustic Stage: Tony Ladesich, Dave ‘Chilidog’ Crawford, Betse Ellis, Howard Iceberg, Gregg Todt.]

11:40 – Underwriting

11:41 – More Lou Reed Tribute…

14. The Velvet Underground – “Atlantic Release Promo”
rom: Live At Max’s Kansas City / Atlantic Recording Group / 2005 Reissue (orig. 1972)
[Other than this promo piece, the entirety of “Live At Max’s Kansas City” was recorded on a tape recorder by Andy Warhol protege Brigid Berlin.]

15. The Velvet Underground – “Black Angel’s Death Song”
from: The Velvet Underground & Nico 45th Anniversary (Super Deluxe Edition) / Universal / Oct. 1, 2012
[Originally released in March, 1967 by Verve Records. Debut album by The Velvet Underground and Nico. Recorded in 1966 during Andy Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable multimedia event tour, The Velvet Underground & Nico would gain notoriety for its experimentalist performance sensibilities, as well as the focus on controversial subject matter expressed in many of its songs including drug abuse, prostitution, sadism and masochism and sexual deviancy. Though a commercial and critical failure upon release, the record has since become one of the most influential and critically acclaimed rock albums in history, appearing at number thirteen on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time as well as being added to the 2006 National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.]

Lou Reed was co-founder of The Velvet Underground, and he had an extensive solo career. Lou Reed died on Sunday, October 27, at the age of 71.

16. Lou Reed – “Halloween Parade”
from: New York / Sire / January 10, 1989
[The fifteenth solo album by Lou Reed. Velvet Underground drummer Maureen Tucker played on the album. “Dirty Blvd.” was a #1 hit on the newly created Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for four weeks.]

17. Lou Reed – “Power & Glory” w/ Jimmy Scott
from: Magic & Loss / Sire / January 14, 1992
[Magic & Loss was Lou Reed’s 16th solo album inspired in part by the illnesses and eventual deaths of two close friends: songwriter Doc Pomus, who had given Reed his start in the music business some 25 years earlier, and a woman Reed identifies as “Rita” — popularly assumed to be Rotten Rita, who along with Reed was a familiar figure at Andy Warhol’s Factory in the mid-to-late ’60s. Photos of Pomus and a woman’s face can be seen at the center of the lyric booklet included with the CD release. Jazz singer Little Jimmy Scott performs the backing vocal on “Power and Glory.”]

18. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

Sources for notes on tracks and interview segments come from: artist’s websites and wikipedia.org and where noted.

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
http://www.kkfi.org

Show #497