WFMU's Myspace Band Friends - Dump 'em or Pump 'em?
Good morning, citizen! You've heard of this myspace thing, yes? WFMU has had a little profile page set up there for a couple of years now.
Things being the way they are in the music world, scores and scores of bands request to be our virtual buddies there every week in the hopes of getting some Radio Airplay. Music & Program Director Brian used to handle these requests, but he turned the job over to me in order to free up some more time for his Lasagna Cat addiction.
Using a complicated algorithm based on factors such as whether one's profile 
picture shows them holding a guitar (out), or playing a guitar (in), I slog through all the requests and decide who's in and who's out. Generally, I am a lazy bouncer and accept everyone, unless they are the young lady pictured to the right or other spammer types.
The result of this quasi-calculus is that WFMU has a hefty friend list, over 10,000 so far. While the quantity may be impressive, that is no vouch for quality. Digital recording is easily accomplished these days, and anyone can make a myspace page to promote their music.
So, in an election year spirit of Democracy I put the decision to you, dear readers. After the jump you'll find a random assortment of WFMU's band buddies presented for your approval. Take a listen to these bands and then please cast your votes... pump 'em... or dump 'em???
"Black Mass" (mp3) by Alien Soundtracks (myspace profile).
"The Clock" by Methods of Transport.
"My Drinking Song" by Modern Convenience.
"Handsome Molly" by The Poverty Line Old Time Band.
"Old Man Trouble" by The Toblerones.
"Two Front Teeth" by Taum Taum.
Meagan this has to become a regular feature! Of course, you'll only be egging the hordes of bedroom "virtual knob twiddlers" on. (That sounded complete filthy!)
So far only "Old Man Trouble" is in.
Posted by: Marcus | January 18, 2008 at 11:01 AM
I get that same girl on the laptop! I don't understand, every day I click the SPAM button on these babes and every day they come back with more friend requests. WHAT DOES THE SPAM BUTTON DO? I'm assuming they're from the same source; shouldn't this entity be banned by now? It seems like a sing of very poor security over at myspace central.
Oh, and by the way, you wouldn't think of kicking murderedman off your friends list now would you?
Posted by: murderedman | January 18, 2008 at 02:27 PM
OH ! NICE ONE ! GOOD IDEA ! Hello from Australia!
Posted by: elephant ears | January 18, 2008 at 07:36 PM
I second the notion that this should become a regular feature. Also, perhaps there could be some stakes, such as the most well-liked song gets played on the air, and the originator of the least well-liked song gets de-friended.
If American Idol has proven anything, it's that while Americans don't really care that much for voting in political elections, we love voting for our entertainment.
Posted by: R | January 18, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Great feature -- lot's of fun. Would it be possible, though, to keep the Pump It and Dump It selections consistent? I think I accidentally Pumped and Dumped some. One or the other should always be option one. Aside from that, these were mostly pretty interesting selections worth the time taken to listen and vote.
Posted by: Zach in Philly | January 20, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Why is Taum Taum's voting order reversed? They get my pump vote....my only pump vote. Oh yeah, I took the bait and checked out Murderedman and he/they is really good but should be dumped for sleazy promotional practices.
Posted by: Brian B. | January 20, 2008 at 08:15 PM
This is an awesome idea! It makes me want to search around myspace looking for terrible music all night.
(Seriously!)
Posted by: bentforkman | January 21, 2008 at 10:10 PM