WMM Playlist from February 15, 2012

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Mark Manning

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

Playlist from: Wednesday, February 15, 2012

New & Local Releases + Midcoast Takeover 2012
+ Jerad Colton Tomasino & Ross Brown of Golden Sound Records

1. Dream Wolf – “All Time”
from: Learn To Survive / Independent / January 2011
[Christian Tady – Electric Guitar, Tess Jehle – Drums, Megan Zander – Vocals, Katelyn Boone – Keyboards, Brent Jamison – Bass. Dream Wolf plays the recordBar, Saturday night, February 18. Dream Wolf’s sister band The B’Dinas will be LIVE on our show next week.]

2. The Magnetic Fields – “Andrew in Drag”
from: Love at The Bottom of The Sea / Merge Records / March 6, 2012
[The band’s 10th full-length album is their first release of new material with Merge since 1999’s highly acclaimed 69 Love Songs. After putting out their “synth-free trilogy,” The Magnetic Fields are returning to their signature mix of synth and acoustic sounds. Merritt notes about the new album that “Most of the synthesizers on the record didn’t exist when we were last using synthesizers.” The Magnetic Fields are on a North American tour and the closest they will get to KC is: IOWA CITY, Iowa, on Wednesday, March 28, at the Englert Theatre for the Mission Creek Festival 2012. More information at houseoftomorrow.com the website for The Magnetic Fields]

3. Vacationer – “Trip”
from: Gone [EP] / Downtown Records / January 31, 2012
[A side project of Body Language, a Brooklyn synth pop outfit known for their EP, Social Studies.]

4. Of Montreal – “Dour Percentages”
from: Paralytic Stalks / Polyvinyl Records / February 7, 2012
[11th full-length studio album from Athens, GA, psychedelic pop group, founded by Kevin Barnes in 1996.]

5. Cursive – “The Sun and Moon”
from: I Am Gemini / Saddle Creek Records / February 21, 2012
[Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1995. This, the band’s seventh LP, was recorded in the summer/fall of 2011 at Omaha’s ARC Studios. Front man Tim Kasher, wrote the albums lyrics in a linear fashion, in order, from song 1 to song 13. Cursive will play KC at the recordBar on March 2. ]

11:22 – Underwriting

11:23

6. Cherokee Rock Rifle – “4 gram Shotgun”
from: …and the plains are burning / Independent / Jan. 2011
[Debut EP from KC based band fronted by Dutch Humphrey. The 5-piece band also features: Douglas Nelson on lead guitar, Scott Reed on rhythm guitarr, Bert Northward on drum, and Evan John on bass. Cherokee Rock Rifle, will be in concert, this Friday Night, February 17 at The Riot Room at 4048 Broadway, with Maps For Travelers, We Are Voices, and The Atlantic as part of the MidCoast Takeover SXSW 2012 benefit to send KC area bands to the South X Southwest Music Festival in Austin Texas.]

10:30 – Interview with Chris Haghirian

Chris Haghirian is a 12 year veteran of The Kansas City Star. Chris helped launch INK in 2008. Chris is one of the primary organizers of The Middle of The Map Festival, Midcoast cares: A Benefit for Joplin, and the past three years of MidCoast Takeover SXSW. Chris is also a regular contributor to The Mailbox, a weekly podcast radio show produced and hosted by Michael Byars that is available Midwest Music Foundation’s website: midwestmusicfound.org where you’ll also find links to MidCoast Takeover.

The third annual MidCoast Takeover, March 16th and 17th, at Shangri-La in Austin, TX.

MidCoast Takeover will showcase bands from Kansas City, Lawrence, and the Midwest region on the national stage at South by Southwest.

Bands included are:

American Catastrophe, Cherokee Rock Rifle, Hearts of Darkness, Les Izmore w/Hermon Mehari and Diverse Trio, Cadillac Flambe, Everyday/Everynight, Sons of Great Dane, Maps For Travelers, The Beautiful Bodies, Appropriate Grammar, Oriole Post, Quiet Corral, She’s a Keeper, The Atlantic, run little rabbit, Antennas Up, The Empty Spaces, Amy Farrand, The Blackbird Revue, Vi Tran Band, We Are Voices, David George & A Crooked Mile, O Giant Man, The Dead Girls, White Girl, and Future Kings.

Benefit Shows started last week

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 at THE BRICK – 1727 MCGEE, KCMO
11:45 — Everyday/Everynight
10:30 — Oriole Post
9:45 — Empty Spaces
9:00 — Run Little Rabbit

and continue this weekend…

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 at THE RIOT ROOM – 4048 BROADWAY, KCMO
11:45 — Cherokee Rock Rifle
10:30 — Maps For Travelers
9:45 — We Are Voices
9:00 — The Atlantic

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 at RECORD BAR – 1020 WESTPORT ROAD, KCMO
11:30 — Hearts of Darkness
10:15 — She’s A Keeper
9:30 — Future Kings

FRIDAY, MARCH 2 at CZAR – 1531 GRAND BLVD, KCMO
11:00 — Quiet Corral
10:00 — Blackbird Revue
9:00 — Sara Swenson

“The Midcoast Takeover Benefit shows are created to raise funds specifically for the expense of two full days (and night) of the showcase in Austin, Texas, at The SXSW Music Festival. Renting a venue in a prime area is expensive. Unlike a lot of other showcases, the Kansas City organizers invest in top notch production for sound and lights, which are transported to Austin and back home. In addition, there are advertising costs, website design and maintenance, printing costs for posters and handbills. The showcase in Austin is free to the public, so organisers raise all the funds in advance. Everyone involved works to ensure that our Kansas City bands have the best production and best support that organisers can manage.”

MidCoast Takeover was born from The Midwest Music Foundation a not-for-profit organization that has the amazing mission of supporting and helping to create a safety net for our amazing, hard working, local musical artists. The Midwest Music Foundation has given birth to many annual events to raise funds and awareness for the Kansas City Music Scene. MidCoast Takeover is rooted this amazing objective.

Chris and Mark talked about some of the other principle organizers of MidCoast Takeover: Rhonda Lyne, Christopher Meck, Abigail Henderson, Sondra Freeman, and Amy Farrand. These people have donated hours and hours of time and work, to help make our Kansas City music community stronger.

“It takes a village”

Chris talked about the community involvement in MidCoast Takeover and the 2012 SPONSORS: The Brick, CM2 Audio, Czar, Harvest Productions, INK, Midwest Music Foundation, Record Bar, Riot Room, XO, Blackwater, TV Party, Boulevard Brewing Co., C & C Custom Drums, Chipotle, Mammoth/Hunt Productions, Scarlett Amps, Seen Merch, KC Creative Crossroads, J Naatz Design, Mike Nickells Studio, Pipeline Productions, and Eleven Productions.

For more information you can visit: midcoasttakeover.com

Chris Haghirian will be back with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley on March 21 to talk about The Middle of The Map Festival, April 5 – 7.

10:45

7. Cadillac Fambe’ – “Devil’s Branch”
from: Eli’s Porch / Independent / July 29, 2011
[KC based band dedicated to pushing the envelope and blending various styles to create a new class of blues. The band was featured at Murder Ballad Ball of 2011, a Benefit for the Midwest Music Foundation, on Dec 9, at The Riot Room. Cadillac Flambe’ is one of 26 bands chosen to represent KC at the MidCoast Takeover at SXSW in Austin. Cadillac Flambe’ plays The Phoenix at 302 W. 8th St. , KCMO, on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 9:00 PM. ]

8. Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three – “So Long Honeybee, Goodbye”
from: Middle of Everywhere / Free Dirt / July 19, 2011
[From St. Louis, Missouri, they’re know for performing American roots music in a creative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing. Released on Takoma Park, Maryland-based label Free Dirt Records, the label of The Wilders. The South City Three, include fellow St. Louis musicians Joey Glynn, Adam Hoskins & Ryan Koenig. Pokey Lafarge & The South City Three will play here in KC, tomorrow night, Thurs, Feb. 16th at 8:30 PM at Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club w/ the amazing Betse Ellis.]

9. Betse Ellis – “Bear Creek Sally Goodin’”
from: Don’t You Want To Go / Free Dirt / April 21, 2009
[Originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Betse Ellis is one of the founding members of Kansas City’s The Wilders, an internationally touring acoustic honky-tonk band, have been together for nearly 15 years. More information at wilderscountry.com. Betse received her BA Music from the University of Missouri – KC. Betse plays Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, tomorrow night, Thurs, Feb. 16th at 8:30 PM]

10. Oriole Post – “Sparrow”
from: Silver City / Golden Sound Records / 2009
[KCK based band includes: Rachel Pollock – Vocals, Acoustic Guitars; Seth Jenkins – Mandolin, Bass, Acoustic Guitar; Michaela Meckel – Fiddle; William Pollock – Drums & Percussion, Michelle Strong – Vocals; Roger Strong – Double Bass. one of 26 bands chosen to represent KC at the MidCoast Takeover at SXSW in Austin.]

11:00

11. Honey & Darling – “Little Coats”
from: What Became Of What I Love / Golden Sound Records / 2009
[Three piece band, based in Omaha, Nebraska, includes: Sara Bertuldo – Guitar, Bass, Vocals; Mathew Carroll – Guitar, Drums, Vocals; and Robert Little – Drums, Bass, Vocals.]

12. Baby Teardrops – “Still Singing The Same Songs”
from: X Is For Love / Golden Sound Records / November 15, 2011
[Three peice band based in NYC with KC native and former Doris Henson leader, Matthew Dunehoo, Megan Thomas and Gerry White. Golden Sound Records of Kansas City re-released “X is for Love” on November 15th, in digital, CD, and for the first time, vinyl formats. The release also included exclusive remixes of album tracks. The Baby Teardrops will be part of The Middle of the Map Festival in April 5 – 7.]

13. Ross Brown – “Education”
from: The Human Condition / Golden Sound Records / 2007 [The initial songwriting effort from Ross, at 18 years old, the Human Condition was written, performed, produced and recorded by Ross Brown at home. It is a collection of songs documenting over a year of ideas and challenges.]

11:10 – Interview with Jerad Colton Tomasino & Ross Brown of Golden Sound Records.

Ross Brown & Jerad Tomasino are two of the founders (w/ Mat Shoare) of Golden Sound Records.

Ross Brown grew up in West rural Olathe. His band Fullbloods will be in concert this Sat, Feb 18, at 10:00 PM at The Brick, 1727 MCGEE, w/ Richard the Lionhearted from Columbia and Millions of Boys from Omaha, w/ an acoustic set by Jerad Tomasino.

Jerad Tomasino moved around a lot growing up but spent some of his high school years living in Omaha. Jerad has released solo recordings and his also a member of the critically acclaimed band, Everyday/Everynight. Jerad and Ross join us today to talk about Golden Sound Records, their involvement in the Midcoast Takeover 2012, The Middle of The Map Festival and the Kansas City Music Scene.

For info you can visit: goldensoundrecords.com

Ross grew up in west rural Olathe.

Jerad came from a Military family, and moved around alot, but claims Omaha as a hometown.

Ross Brown started playing trumpet in junior high school band and continued through high school playing euphonium, guitar and bass in jazz band, and singing in choir. Music classes were all he took from “public school” during high school. He started writing music when he picked up guitar around 12 years old. He picked up bass and drums shortly afterwards to accompany myself on recordings. Singing wasn’t really his thing until after high school.

Jerad told us that he was one of those kids who always sang along to the radio in the car. He picked up the guitar around 7 years old. He took up acting for most of his childhood, but spent countless hours with his ears full of radio and his eyes glued to MTV. He was addicted to studying pop music. Singing was his primary form of music making until Christmas of 2000 when he got his first electric guitar. He wrote his first riff/song, “Stuff” when he was 11 and played around until he moved to Omaha. At 13 he performed his first original song, “Chocolate Warfare”, at a local talent show and got hooked. He ditched acting and set his sights on music.

Ross Brown went to DeSoto high school for a year and home-schooled the rest. After that he took a two-year audio engineering course at BRC Audio Productions, where he met Jerad and everyone in his band Fullbloods.

Jerad Tomasino went to Bellevue West, in Bellevue, Nebraska for 2 years, then he attended Lee’s Summit West for 2 years. After high school Jerad started attending classes at BRC Audio Productions where he double majored in Music Ed. and Music Therapy at The Conservatory. He had a mental breakdown, changed majors and started EverydayEverynight. Jerad will graduate from the University of Missouri at Kansas City this year majoring in Music Composition with a minor in Entrepreneurship.

Jerad met Ross at BRC, and connected with Mat Shoare and Evan Ashby while in choir at The Conservatory at UMKC. Mat Shoare is also a founding member of Everyday/Everynight and a founding partner in Golden Sound Records.

11:17

14. The Empty Spaces – “Starting Over”
from: Low Noise / Golden Sound Records / 2011
[Debut EP from a KC based band formed from a studio band that recorded Mat Shoare’s solo album The Empty Spaces in 2010. The Empty Spaces are one of 26 bands chosen to represent KC at the MidCoast Takeover at SXSW in Austin, The Empty Spaces will be in concert Feb. 25th @ Riot Room w/ i hate you just kidding]

11:20

Why start a record label?

Ross Brown told us about how he and Jerad and Mat, wanted a platform for their own music and an organized body to support and encourage others to continue making music. Golden Sound Records keeps them involved in, and accountable to their craft.

Jerad told us about how music is always about more than yourself. Even the music that we personally create (as a necessity) must bounce off of other people to truly resonate. So, for Jerad, the idea of a label is an extension of his artistic output; fostering ideas and projects into realization. It makes him a stronger musician and more fulfilled person to touch and be touched by the records and artists he works with. On a logistical front, this label centralizes their efforts, and gives context to the art that is deemed as cool and lets Golden Sound Records present it in a specific way.

11:26

Ross Brown & Jerad Colton Tomasino are two of the founders (with Mat Shoare) of Golden Sound Records. Golden Sound Records will be involved in the Midcoast Takeover 2012, and The Middle of The Map Festival. For info you can visit: goldensoundrecords.com

11:33

15. Fullbloods – “Candy”
from: The Perpetual Machine / Golden Sound Records / 2011
[Ross Brown, Alex Chapman, Bill Pollock, & Glenn Shipps. Fullbloods will be in concert Saturday, February 18, at 10:00 PM at The Brick, 1727 MCGEE, with Richard the Lionhearted from Columbia, MO and Millions of Boys from Omaha, with an acoustic set by Jerad Tomasino.]

Golden Sound records is sending three bands to MidCoast takeover SXSW 2012: Everyday/Everynight, The Empty Spaces, and Oriole Post.

**everyday/everynight**
February 10th @ The Brick (Kansas City, MO)
March 9th @ House/Pizza Party (Kansas City, MO)
March 10th @ Riot Room w/ Capybara (Kansas City, MO)
April 7th @ MOTM (Kansas City, MO)
April 21st @ TBA, Record Store Day (Kansas City, MO)

**The Empty Spaces**
Feb. 10th @ The Brick, SXSW Midcoast Takeover Fundraiser
Feb. 25th @ Riot Room w/ i hate you just kidding
April 6th @ Westport Coffeehouse, MOTM

**Fullbloods**
February 18th @ The Brick, others tba
March 10th @ Czar w/ Noise FM, Photo Atlas, and Archie Powell & The Exports
April 6th @ Westport Coffeehouse, MOTM

**Oriole Post**
February 10th @ The Brick

**Baby Teardrops**
April 6th @ Westport Coffeehouse, MOTM

**The Caves**
April 6th @ Westport Coffeehouse, MOTM

GSR will be curating a special showcase at Westport Coffeehouse for Ink’s Middle of the Map Fest on April 6th.

Jerad Colton Tomasino & Ross Browno be back with us on Wedneday MidDay Medley on April 18 for our special show about Record Store Day.

For more about Golden Sound Records you can visit: goldensoundrecords.com

11:43

16. Everyday/Everynight –“Body Electric”
from: Etc. / Golden Sound Records / May 3, 2011
[Written by Jerad Colton Tomasino. Nominated for a Pitch Music Award for “Best Emerging Act.” Evan Ashby on Guitar, Mat Shoare on Guitar/Keyboard/Vocals, Austin Lyon on Drums, and Jerad Colton Tomasino on Guitar/Keyboard/Vocals. They played The Riot Room, November 5, as part of Apocalypse Meow 4. They are also one of 23 bands going to MidCoast Takeover in Austin, TX. as part of the SXSW Music Festival. Everyday/Everynight will be in concert on March 10th @ Riot Room w/ Capybara. ]

17. Jerad Colton Tomasino – “Two Kids”
from: White Hall / Golden Sound Records / 2010
[5 songs recorded live in White Hall performance hall. Songs written and performed by Jerad Colton Tomasino. Produced by Ross Brown & Hallie Richardson.]

18. Millions of Boys – “Dead Girls”
from: Competing For Your Love / Golden Sound Records / 2012
[Omaha based, Sara Bertuldo on Guitar, Bass &Vocals; Alex van Beaumont on Guitar, Bass & Vocals; and Ryan Haas on Drums & Vocals. Millions of Boys will be in concert Saturday, February 18, at 10:00 PM at The Brick, 1727 MCGEE, with The Fullbloods, Richard the Lionhearted from Columbia, MO and, an acoustic set by Jerad Tomasino]

19. The Sleazebeats – “Get It”
from: The Sleazebeats / Independent / Feb. 16, 2012 [Charlie Colborne – keyboards, guitar, vocals; Bill Belzer – drums; Jeff Harshbarger – bass; Recorded at More Famouser Studios w/ Mike Nolte engineer, mixing, mastering the recordings. The Sleazebeats will play in a CD Release show at the recordBar, Thurs, Feb 16, at 9:30, w/ Lazy and The Features from Tennessee.]

11:59:30

20. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]
Sources for Notes: Artist’s websites noted above and wikipedia.org

Show #408

WMM Playlist from January 25, 2012

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Mark Manning

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, January 25, 2012

I Formed a Band – The Tom Livesay Story

1. Foolish Sad Robot – “I Recorded It”
from: The Complete Foolish Sad Robot / Independent / 1995-96

2. Foolish Sad Robot – “Personal Rock Song”
from: The Complete Foolish Sad Robot / Independent / 1995-96
[One of 23 songs recorded with Ike Sheldon and Tom Livesay. Performed at The Rhumba Box.]

3. The Whittlers – “Vans”
from: Reduced Bit By Bit / Independent / Summer 2000
[One of four full length albums created by Tom Livesay and Phil Wade between 2000 – 2004]

“I Formed A Band – The Tom Livesay Story” chronicles the musical history of Tom Livesay‘s life, through every band he has played in, starting with The William Jewel Orchestra and Jazz band and following through 24 years of Tom’s life, playing in 12 bands, where Tom played bass, sang lead vocals, played synthesizers & casios, wrote or co-wrote (probably) over 150 songs, recorded (probably) over 200 songs, and engineered or produced just as many tracks, if not more. Tom Livesay has collaborated with a very long list of KC’s best musicians including: Ike Sheldon, Phil Wade, Beste Ellis & Nate Gawron (who became The Wilders) Amy Farrand, Jeff Brown, Tony Zager, Matt Brahl, Patrick Frazier, Mark Smeltzer, Randy Wolf, Mark Stevenson, Mike McCoy, Jeff Nichols, Mark Reynolds, Stephen DiFranco, Marco Pascolini, Paul Guinto, Wm. Howell, Jennifer Appell, and many others…

Tom grew up in Independence, and graduated from Chrisman High School in 1984.

WJC Jazz Band, February 12, 1988, Kansas State Jazz Festival

After High School Tom was accepted into William Jewell College in Liberty, MO where her played saxophone in the William Jewell Orchestra & Jazz Band. It was in this band where he met future longtime collaborators: Jeff Brown (trumpet) & Ike Sheldon (trombone).

1987 – 88 Tom formed The Freshman Senators with 3 friends who needed a bass player. Tom sold his saxophone, and bought a bass.

4. The Freshman Senators – “Butterfly Fan”
from: The Freshman Senators / Independent / 1988
[Originally released on cassette. Re-released as a single w/ 2 other songs on cassette in 1990. Winner of local radio station call in contest. William Jewell Band w/ Tony Zager – Guitar, David King – Drums, Brian Meredith – Guitar & Saxophone, Tom Livesay – Bass. Friend Jeff Brown formed rival band: The Industry.]

1988 after William Jewell College Tom moved to Midtown, near KCAI, and continued with The Freshman Senators.

1989 Tom formed Wig Newton with Ike Sheldon after Ike graduated and moved to midtown. Wig Newton was influenced by bands of the day: Jane’s Addiction, Faith No More.

1990 – 91 Tom formed Knotty Pines with Tony Zager (of Freshman Senators)

5. Knotty Pines – “Zuleika”
from: Geek Mythology / Independent / 1991
[Antony Zager – Guitars, Tom Livesay – Vocals & Bass. Released on Cassette. Recorded at Westend Studios. Dedicated to The Freshman Senators & Wig Newton.]

1989 to 1991 there was some overlapping between The Freshman Senators, Wig Newton and Knotty Pines. At William Jewel Ike Sheldon had been a vocal music major, in Wig Newton, Ike used his operatic tenor, as well as rapped. We do not have any Wig Newton recordings, but Ike did contribute guest vocals for the Knotty Pines, “Geek Mythology” release, which gives us an example of Ike’s pre-The Wilders vocals.

6. Knotty Pines – “Planet Janet”
from: Geek Mythology / Independent / 1991
[Special lead vocals by Ike O. Sheldon. co-written by Livesay/Zager/Sheldon. Antony Zager – Guitars, Tom Livesay – Vocals & Bass. Released on Cassette. Recorded at Westend Studios. Dedicated to The Freshman Senators & Wig Newton.]

1991 Tom formed The Young Johnny Carson Story with William Jewel Orchestra Members Jeff Brown, Ike Sheldon. The Band’s name came from Ike Sheldon’s dream where he was in a made-for-TV movie, playing the part of a young Johnny Carson.

1992 The Young Johnny Carson Story released “Nerd”

7. The Young Johnny Carson Story – “You’re Too Beautiful”
an unreleased track / Independent / 1992
[Jeff Brown – Guitar & Vox, Tom Livesay – Bass & Vox, Ike Sheldon – Guitar, Bass & Vox]

What happened when Tom Livesay asked Johnny Carson permission to use his name for their “musical project”?

A letter dated March 14, 1994, from Carson Productions read:

Mr. Livesay,

“Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the use of mr. Carson’s name in your musical project. However, I must inform you that it is in the best interests of Carson Productions to unconditionally refuse permission for the use of the name in any form. To persist in doing so will result in immediate litigation. We wish you luck in the persuit of your project, but must insist in your finding a new name.”

– Carson Productiona

1994 the band changed their name to My Childhood Hero and added drummer Amy Farrand to the group.

In the notes, on the cassette release, it reads “We support, Rhumba Box, Gee Coffee, The Dhurries, Shallow, Trouble in Mind, Secular Theme, Danger Bob, Frogpond, and Shiner.”

8. My Childhood Hero – “fiesta ware”
from: The Young Johnny Carson Story Is Now My Childhood Hero / Whiney Piney / 1994 [Jeff Brown – Guitar, Tom Livesay – Bass, Ike Sheldon – Guitar & Bass, Amy Farrand – Drums. Guest artists: Betse Ellis – Violin & Angel, Mark Smelzer – feedback, Phil Wade – Angel. Recorded live to 2-track ny randy Wolf in Mark & Leslie’s attic, February, 1994.]

1991 (while playing with Young Johnny Carson Story, and My Childhood Hero) Tom also started playing bass with the band Cher fronted by Mike McCoy. Tom played with the band on two cassette releases: “By Named Sue” (1991) and “The Gambler” (1992).

9. Cher – “Chop-Chop Life”
from: Boy Named Sue / Independent / 1991
[Released on Cassette. Mike McCoy Guitar & Vox, Jeff Nichols – Drums, Tom Livesay – Bass, Mark Reynolds – Free Bass]

Raucous life shows, sometimes hostile audiences, it was during a Halloween show when 3 of the 4 members quit and walked off stage, in the middle of the set, leaving Mike McCoy alone on stage. Mike eventually reformed the group with Lisa McKenzie on Drums, and Heather Grehan on Bass, and renamed the band Cher UK and rerecorded many of the songs from the two cassette releases, in Minneapolis, for the 1993 release on Red Decibel Records, “She’s A Weird Little Snack.”

1995 – 96 Tom formed, Foolish Sad Robot with Ike Sheldon, Tom’s 8th band in 8 years. With Ike, at least 23 songs were recorded. The band played in many venues & developed a following.

10. Foolish Sad Robot – “Postpone”
from: The Complete Foolish Sad Robot / Independent / 1995-96
[One of 23 songs written & recorded with Ike Sheldon and Tom Livesay.]

1993-95 The Dhurries, formed with Betse Ellis on Violin, and Phil Wade on sitar, drums, & guitar. Phil was into East Indian ragas. The Dhurries played local coffeehouses including Whistler’s Mother in Westport where they became fans of the Young Johnny Carson Story and Foolish Sad Robot. Tom Livesay, Ike Sheldon, Jeff Brown, Betse Ellis and Phil Wade played together a lot in those days.

11. The Dhurries – “Red Ribbon”
from: Yeppers / Barry Lee Compilation for KKFI / 1995
[Betse Ellis & Phil Wade. Originally recorded on Barry Lee‘s radio program, “Signal To Noise,” in 1995. On a Signal To Noise radio show Ike Sheldon joined Betse & Phil to play a “string tune” they’d been experimenting with after Ike started playing his father’s old country records. Some say this was the beginning of The Wilders. A You Tube video of Ike, Betse & Phil on Signal to Noise is on our Wednesday MidDay Medley Facebook Page.]

1996-97 William Jewell Orchestra members: Tom Livesay, Jeff Brown & Ike Sheldon teamed up with Phil Wade (formerly of the Dhurries and The Pedaljets) and Stephen DiFranco (formerly of Bad Manners) to form a new band: Day Sleeper

12. Day Sleeper – “Meteor (Reprise)”
from: When The Meteor Comes / Independent / 1997
[Tom Livesay (lead vox on this song) – Bass & Vox, Phil Wade – Lead Electric Guitar & Lap Steel Guitar & Vox, Ike Sheldon – Fender Rhoades & Electric Piano, Jeff Brown – Vox & Electric Guitar & Acoustic Guitar, Stephen DiFranco – Drums. Recorded at The Tic Ranch, Frazier Farm, mixed at band’s house, 3605 Jefferson. Songs written by Jeff Brown & Day Sleeper.]

“I Formed A Band – The Tom Livesay Story.” continues…
A chronicle of the musical history of Tom’s life, through every band he has played in, over the past 24 years.

1995, Phil Wade started listening to bluegrass music.

1996 Ike Sheldon, Betse Ellis and Phil Wade formed The Wilders with Matt Kesler (Phil’s band mate from The Pedaljets) sometimes on Bass.

1997 -1998 Tom moved to Arizona with a friend. While in Arizona Tom recorded some solo recordings using casio keyboards.

13. Tom Livesay – “Jumbo Jet Beat”
from: Tom Livesay’s Greatest Hits / Independent / 1998 [Tom’s solo work.]

1998 The Wilders released the first recording: “Cornbread, Molasses and Sassafras Tea” on Rural Grit Records. Ike started hosting The Rural Grit Hour at The Grand Emporium.

1999 Tom Livesay moved back to KC from Arizona and joined: Snakebite Orphans with Mark Stevenson, Marco Pascolini (of Mr. Marco’s V-7), and Matt Brawl (of Sandoval).

1999 Tom Livesay engineered the recording of The Wilders 2000 release: “The Wilders.”

The Wilders

(Note: In 2011 After 15 years, 10 albums, and constant touring, The Wilders announced last month that they would be taking an extended “hiatus.”)

14. The Wilders – “Righten That Wrong”
from: The Wilders / Rural Grit Records / 2000
[Ike Sheldon – Lead Guitar & Vox, Betse Ellis – Fiddle & Vox, Phil Wade – Mandolin & Dobro & Banjo & Vox, Nate Gawron – String Bass. Rec. Live Dec, 1999, at Randy Wolf’s house. Engineered by Tom Livesay & Randy Wolf. Jeff Brown plays Bass on this song.]

2000 – 2004 Tom formed The Whittlers with Phil Wade

15. The Whittlers – “They Wanted Songs”
from: Reduced Bit By Bit / Independent / Summer 2000
[One of four full length albums created by Tom Livesay and Phil Wade between 2000 – 2004]

2000-2004 Tom & Phil Wade recorded 4 albums, while working together at The KC Art Intitute.

16. The Whittlers – “Dressed Up and It’s Hot”
from: Sci Fi Runaway / Independent / January – February 2001
[Song includes a guest rap from Ike Sheldon. Album included guests: Betse ellis, Ike Sheldon, Nate & Mary Gawron, Wm. Howell and others.]

17. The Whittlers – “Stuck in Missouri With You”
from: Touch The Artist / Independent / Summer 2002
[Album was made up entirely of covers. This song was made famous by Stealer’s Wheel. Jeff Brown played drums on several tracks. Ike Sheldon played piano and keyboards on several tracks.]
 
18. The Whittlers – “Another Night Gone”
from: Nobody’s Happy / Independent / Summer 2004
[written by Betse Ellis. Tom on Vocals, Ike on Piano, Phil on Guitar. Recorded as a surprise for Betse.]

2001 Tom Produced albums for: Wm. Howell & played bass for Paul Guinto aka Redbirds

19. Wm. Howell – “Born Again”
from: Sweet Boy / Independent / 2001

2001 Tom released his first solo release with guest appearances from Ike Sheldon, Phil Wade, Beste Ellis, Tony Zager, Matt Brahl, Patrick Fraizer, Mark Smeltzer, Kim Stanton, Mark Stevenson, Paul Guinto, Wm. Howell,

20. Tom Livesay – “Kids Feel Stifled!”
from: Gazer / Independent / 2001
[co-written with student in Beijing, Tony Zager & Tom Livesay, Guitar by Tony Zager, cyborg vocal by Wm. Howell. Bass, Vocals & Synthesizers by Tom. Drums by Matt Brawl.]

21. Tom Livesay – “Lover Slash Friend”
from: Gazer / Independent / 2001 [co-written by Ike & Tom. Guitar & Tamborine by Ike Sheldon.]

22. Tom Livesay – “Stripmall Opens”
from: Gazer / Independent / 2001 [cello by Betse Ellis.]

23. Tom Livesay – “ReRelease”
from: Gazer / Independent / 2001 [Guitar by Patrick Frazier]

Present day – Tom is raising his 8 year old daughter Hirut, adopted from Ethiopia.

Recently Tom has been working on new songs.

24. Foolish Sad Robot – “Sad Hour”
from: The Complete Foolish Sad Robot / Independent / 1995-96

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

Sources for Notes: Artist’s websites noted above and wikipedia.org

Show #405

WMM Playlist from Dec. 28 – The 111 Best Recordings of 2011 (part 4 of 4)

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Mark Manning

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, December 28, 2011:

The 111 Best Recordings of 2011
(Part 4 of 4)

The 111 Best Recordings of 2011 are based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley. In 2011 we’ve featured hundreds of New & Local Releases, we’ve featured dozens of LIVE, in-studio performances from area musicians, and we’ve interviewed over 150 local and national artists. Over 40 recordings on our list are from the KC & Lawrence area. All December we’ve been playing nearly 8-hours of music that represent: The 111 of Best Recordings of 2011!

Howard Iceberg's 7-CD collection of over 100 songs, "Welcome Aboard" tops our list of The 111 Best Recordings of 2011

The Wilders also make our list with their 2011 release, "The Wilders"

1. (27.) Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – “Morning Thought”
from: It’s A Corporate World / Warner Brothers / June 3, 2011
[A project started by Detroit based Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott, recording in a basement without the benefit of expensive microphones or big-name producers.]

2. (26.) The Low Anthem – “Boeing 737”
from: Smart Flesh / Nonesuch / February 21, 2011
[The follow up to their critically acclaimed “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin” where the three original band members-Jocie Adams, Ben Knox Miller, and Jeff Prystowsky took over a Block Island cabin in the dead of winter. To record Smart Flesh, the group expanded to a quartet with the addition of drummer Mat Davidson and they found a former pasta factory in Central Falls, Rhode Island, a cavernous loft space that became crucial to the shape of the album. Says vocalist Miller, “We knew right away when we stepped into the factory that the space was really the main instrument for the whole record. The resonance was chilling. We were able to experiment with new recording techniques to capture the sound at different distances. Mics 100-200 feet away caught the sound barreling across the room.” Additional tracks were recorded in a garage that had previously been home to a reptile breeder, another unconventional studio space that the quartet dubbed “the gator pit.”]

3. (25.) Dengue Fever – “Cement Slippers”
from: Cannibal Courtship / Concord Music / April 19, 2011
[Newest release from 6-piece band formed by brothers: Zac and Ethan Holtzman in 1981 after being inspired by a trip to Cambodia.]

4. (24.) Thee Oh Sees – “Crushed Grass”
from: Carrion Crawler – The Dream / In The Red Records / Nov. 8, 2011
[From San Francisco. It began as an outlet for John Dwyer to release his instrumental, experimental home recordings, and over the course of several albums evolved into a full band. We first played The Oh Sees on Sept. 28.]

5. (23.) David Kilgour & the Heavy Eights – “I’ll Climb Back Up That Hill”
from: Left By Soft / Merge Records / April 26, 2011
[8th album from former leader of legendary New Zealand band, the Clean.]

6. (22.) Tom Waits – “Chicago”
from: Bad As Me / Anti Records / October 21, 2011,
[17th studio album and Waits’ first album consisting completely of new material in seven years since Real Gone (2004). Waits’ label, ANTI-, recently agreed on a distribution deal with Warner Music Group allowing them to release the album internationally. This marks Waits’ first release through the Warner organization since Heartattack and Vine (1980). Upon its release, Bad As Me received widespread critical acclaim.]

7. (21.) Austra –“Lose It”
from: Feel It Break / Domino Records / May 17, 2011
[Co-founder and lead singer, and songwriter Katie Stelmanis, draws upon her classical and operatic upbringing and mixes it up with drummer Maya Postepski and bassist Dorian Wolf to create what Amazon calls, “a stark, danceable masterpiece suitable for both ritual incantations and clubs.”]