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  • From the Stacks: Uncle Murray’s Record Collection

    Dear Band Families, I recently inherited well over 1,000 LP’s from my Uncle Murray.  This Wednesday after school we will sell them for two dollars each with all proceeds going to the school band. Sincerely, Mr. Levitz My kid tells stories about his band teacher like other kids talk about their coaches.  Mr. Levitz was born and…

  • Davy Jones, 1945-2012

    Sad news out of Florida this morning that head Monkee and Marcia Brady prom date Davy Jones succumbed to a heart attack.  I’m sure there will be plenty of “Last Train to Clarksville” puns, but you won’t find any here. The Monkees loomed large for my generation.  They were part of a small group of artists that appeared…

  • From the Stacks: Something Gonna Jump Out the Bushes

    Nappy Brown was a Charlotte, North Carolina legend.  Hit the intergooglewebtubes for some brilliant Nappy moments from the Fifties.  Something Gonna Jump Out the Bushes came out during Nappy’s Eighties comeback, and it’s a great album.  But that cover?  Sweet Fancy Moses.

  • New Stripmall Architecture Video Released

    You can view the video for “We Are Not Cool” here.  (Spoiler alert: Yes they are.)

  • 66. Give Me Three Steps Toward The Door

    Lee G.’s family attended a Methodist church just down the street from the egomanical  Dr. Fred’s church.  I last attended church in the seventh grade, when the good doctor stuck his flock with the bill for his failed television ministry.  “You should come to MYF with me,” Lee G. said. “I don’t like church.” “It’s…

  • From the Stacks: Holiday for Pianos

    “Say, gals, freshen those cocktails?” “I don’t mind if I do, Louie.” “You dames ever been on a boat?”

  • Deep Cuts: In Defense of Styx

     Let’s just get this out of the way right now:  There won’t be very many deep cuts on this list.  Styx is one of those rare situations where radio programmers have gotten it right.  The reason that you hear the same Styx songs over and over is because they are awesome. Dennis DeYoung did a…

  • 65. Wherein I Am Completely Wrong

    “You just have to look at the facts,” I said. Matt didn’t even look up from our frog.  “The only fact is that it sucks and nobody cares about it.”  The frog didn’t say anything.  He was pinned to a board, limbs splayed like a Froghouse centerfold.

  • Zappa Plays Zappa at the Crest Theatre, 2/18/12

    Sacramento, California’s Crest Theatre is a beautiful landmark.  In its current form the Crest has been around since 1949, but as the Empress Theatre it dates back to 1912.   That’s one hundred years of vaudeville, movies, concerts and other stage appearances. Tonight covers about the last forty-five of those of years for both the artist and me. …

  • From the Stacks: Party Party, Original Soundtrack

    Never released in the United States, Party Party’s soundtrack at least makes it look like one of the stupid Eighties teen movies that have been this week’s topic. Maybe some of you UK readers can leave a comment and let us know what we’re missing.