WFMU's Beware of the Blog

Great Moments in WFMU History #25

Wesley Willis Head-Butt - by Ken Freedman & Liz Berg

Late musician Wesley Willis dropped by WFMU to play live on the air in 1996. A sweet guy, Willis was plagued by schizophrenia and the voices inside his head, and would frequently scream out of fear. He was on tour with a Chicago metal band called The Fiasco, who were incredibly disrespectful to the tortured man. During his time at WFMU, Wesley took a liking to a young, attractive female volunteer, who had just started helping out at the station that very day. Willis repeatedly hugged his new muse, and was finally so enamored that he dealt her a hearty head-butt (a token of affection that he was well-known for offering fans, as evident by the unicorn bump on his forehead), which may have scared her away from the station for good.

Willis was very unsatisfied with his on-air performance, and actually wrote a self-deprecating song about the experience, called “I Fucked Up At WFMU,” which he performed the following night at a show in Washington, DC. The song title was later changed to “I Done A Poor Job” and appears on Wesley’s New York New York album.

Illustration by Dimitri Simakis

Great Moments in WFMU History #24

Burnt Orange - by Ken Freedman & Liz Berg

In 1998, a few years after Upsala College went completely bankrupt, closed its doors, and abandoned the East Orange, NJ campus, WFMU was on the brink of a move to its new home in Jersey City. During the final program on the final night of the last-ever WFMU fundraising Marathon held in the station’s Springdale Ave house next to the campus, a gratifying farewell symbol presented itself. The empty Upsala Business Office, a site of countless financial battles between the station and college administration, burst into flames and burnt to the ground. DJ Frank Balesteri (aka The Vanilla Bean) grabbed volunteer Phil Catalano’s cell phone, galloped toward the blazing inferno, and called in to the on-air line to give a play-by-play of the mayhem, even managing to interview a firefighter.

Art by Aaron Zimmerman

Great Moments in WFMU History #23

Making Old Ladies Cry Since 1995 - by Ken Freedman & Liz Berg

Fig. 1 - During an episode of talk show Seven Second Delay, callers provided hosts Andy Breckman and Ken Freedman with the name and number of someone who needed cheering up. A young woman called in and suggested that the hosts phone her Aunt Tess, who was living in a nursing home. Andy called up Aunt Tess, and when he explained that her niece had asked him to send her good cheer, the poor woman began to cry. Andy milked more tears by gushing about the thoughtfulness of the niece’s gesture. Sept. 25, 1995.

Fig. 2 - Two high school kids in a band called up during an episode when callers were asked to play their answering machine messages over the air. The band members played a message that another bandmate had left for them, in which he earnestly chatted about the group’s new songs and expressed excitement about their next practice. Trouble was, the callers wanted him out of the band. Andy jumped at this opportunity to call the unsuspecting teenager and kick him out of the band over the air.

Fig. 3 - On another occasion, Andy offered $50 to any kid who delivered their tooth to WFMU before the end of the hour instead of leaving it for the tooth fairy. A kid named Henry called in on a cell phone and his mother Wendy agreed to drive him to the station to trade the tooth for Andy’s money. The pair were stuck in traffic on the way, but upon reaching the station, the situation appeared favorable to Henry… until he and Wendy hopped into the station’s notoriously slow elevator. Still on the phone, Andy berated the mother and son, building the pressure and making it sound as though they were too late for the money. At this point, poor Henry lost it and broke into tears in the elevator. But in the end, Henry made it to the studio in time, and gladly took Andy’s $50. Listen to this archive in real audio here.

Illustration by Mark Kaufman

Great Moments in WFMU History #22

Upsala Sells WFMU - by Ken Freedman & Liz Berg

In late 1993, it became clear that Upsala College, the university that owned WFMU’s broadcast license and housed its studios, was on the verge of implosion. Seeing Upsala’s financial demise as a golden opportunity rather than the end of WFMU as he knew it, Station Manager Ken Freedman offered to purchase the station’s license from a reluctant Upsala administration.

As the college’s financial problems escalated to desperate, Ken convinced them to sign an agreement stating that he would run the station on their behalf and Auricle Communications, a non-profit group made up of DJs, listeners, and volunteers, would manage the station.

Finally Ken received a call from Upsala’s Vice President of Finance, who asked him “How quickly could we sell the station to you?” “Right away,” was Ken’s reply, even though Auricle did not have enough money to do so. A generous listener-donor loaned us the funds, papers were signed, and a rush order was sent to the FCC. Upsala’s final payroll barely squeaked by on funds from Auricle’s purchase of WFMU, and the college declared bankruptcy 2 weeks later. June 22, 1994.

Illustration by Danny Hellman

Great Moments in WFMU History #21

Panties is Fundamental - by Amanda Barrett

Bronwyn C.'s "Read 'em and Weep" was a radio book club, and in 2003 her fundraising premium giveaway was a thong with a picture of a winking book and the slogan "Panties is Fundamental." Which they is.

During her Marathon show (listen), Bronwyn was diligently hustling pledges on mic when DJ Kenny G dropped trou and stuffed his mighty man-unit into a pair of the teeny girl-undies. The shocked volunteers let the phones ring as Kenny G panty-danced behind the momentarily unaware Bronwyn.

Suddenly, Kenny G released his big ol' bookworm and rested it on Bronwyn's shoulder. She was somehow able to soldier on until Kenny began whacking her cheek with the thing. Luckily, no permanent physical injuries were sustained. Following post-traumatic stress counseling, Bronwyn said, "I knew Kenny G was nuts, but that's when I realized he was completely out of his mind." March 5, 2003.

Illustration by Steve Hogan

Great Moments in WFMU History #20

Sharing a Beer with Joe Strummer (This Gob's for You!) - by Hova Najarian

“Kill your idols” sounds nice in theory, but the fact is DJ Hova worshipped Joe Strummer. Hova was in complete awe when Strummer stopped by WFMU for a guest-DJ set in July 2001, but he wasn’t the only star-struck staffer either. A few light-headed WFMU DJs loitered in the studio after Joe had left, savoring the moment. Mike Lupica kept stealing sidelong glances at the unfinished black-and-tan in front of Joe’s chair, finally asking, “Is that... ?”

“Go on,” Hova said. “You know you want to.”

Mike took a swig - gingerly, reverently. Transubstantiation ensued.

Brian Turner (jokingly?) suggested giving the rest away during our fundraising marathon, so Hova took the bottle home to his fridge. Several months later, Terre T. was visiting Hova, and he brought it out to show off.

“Behold,” Hova bragged. “Essence of Strummer.”

“Gimmee!” Terre blurted, snatching the bottle and chugging like a frat boy. Eventually, Hova got it back, salvaging enough beer/backwash to fill 20 small vials, which, accompanied by a certified letter of authenticity, made for a fine marathon premium. One of which Hova drank.

Joe Strummer guest DJ show:  playlist  |   listen
Strummer’s beer giveaway Marathon show:  playlist  |  listen

Illustration by Abby Denson

WFMU's Kelly Jones and Bronwyn C. on film

All of you Tribeca Film Fest fans should be pleased to know that WFMU's own hilarious girlie talk duo, Kelly Jones and Bronwyn C., are featured in one of this year's flicks: Guest of Cindy Sherman.

Back in 2004, listener Paul H-O called into The Kelly Jones Show Starring Bronwyn Carlton, seeking advice on how to deal with dating someone famous (listen to the archive). Said famous person happened to be artiste magnifique, Cindy Sherman. Less than a year later, Paul decided to document his experiences, and asked Bronwyn and Kelly to participate in the film.

Fast forward to 2008, and Guest of Cindy Sherman is slated for Tribeca AND Sundance. Congrats to Paul! More info and showtimes for Tribeca screenings available here. Ok ok, now the exciting part... check out this clip, starring Kelly Jones and Bronwyn Carlton.

Great Moments in WFMU History #19

WFMU's Emergency Plan - by Mike Lupica

Given its proximity to downtown NYC, 9/11 was an especially lousy morning to wake up in Jersey City. With random road closures and a panicked citizenry all contributing to the general chaos, it took longer than usual for WFMU’s staff to arrive for work in JC that morning.

First onhand were JM in the AM’s Nachum Segal and freeform DJ Michael Goodstein, both of whom valiantly maintained the air signal during the crisis. Mike Lupica arrived next via mountain bike and was soon joined by Scott Williams, who’d sought emergency passage on public transit. DJs Rich and Tamar arrived later, and after watching the towers fall, it was universally decided that a visit to WFMU’s smelly but well-fortified basement was quite overdue.

As F-15s screamed overhead and social chaos reigned just beyond our foyer, no less a man than Bob Gruen (famed photographer who snapped the photo of John Lennon standing astride Lady Liberty) rang the doorbell and joined the fearful cellar-dwellers; earning his place as an honorary FMU staffer for the day. By mid-afternoon, overwhelmed with the dueling stenches of moldy records and raw sewage, the shaken group left the basement to seek the particular comforts that only aggressive drinking can afford. September 11, 2001.

Art by Robert Piersanti

"An Airplane Can Throw Flowers on You, But A Kamikaze Fun Machine Can Save Your Life"

The WFMU / Exchange Place PATH guerrilla strikes again.  Prior community outreach here and here.

Left coast got struck here.

Listen to Diane's Kamikaze Fun Machine here.

Read Diane on The Blog here.

Zooooom:

People Like Us Retrospective Exhibition

WFMU's own sound/image/video collage mistress People Like Us (aka Vicki Bennett) is being featured in a gallery exhibition next month. In case you weren't already aware, People Like Us is an amazing artist, DJ, and podcaster, sampling and reappropriating audio, music, film, television, found footage, and anything else she can get her hands on, resulting in surreal and sublime juxtapositions that bend one's perception of culture.

We Edit Life: a retrospective exhibition
alt.gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Opening Night: 15 May 2008, 6 - 8pm
Exhibition: 16 May - 12 July 2008

The exhibition will focus on the concept of collage, showing an edited selection of Vicki's work, including twenty album releases, numerous singles and remixes, live sets, seven films and over a hundred and fifty radio shows. Dr. Drew Daniel of Matmos even composed an essay for the the exhibition! On top of that, We Edit Life also marks the launch of a new compilation CD, "Smiling Through My Teeth," curated by People Like Us for the Sonic Arts Network.

People Like Us has previously shown work at Tate Modern, Sydney Opera House, Pompidou Centre and Sonar, and performed radio sessions for John Peel and Mixing It, as well as WFMU. In 2006, she was the first artist to be given unrestricted access to the entire BBC Archive, no small feat.

Links:
Do or DIY radio archives on WFMU

Do or DIY Podcast

Codpaste (with Ergo Phizmiz) archives

People Like Us back catalogue

People Like Us homepage

Great Moments in WFMU History #18

The Misfits Take On Terrorists - by Mike Lupica

“This one goes out to Pat Duncan! It’s called ‘Dig up her Bones!!’”

Eternal bearers of teenage sleaze culture, the re-activated Misfits performed on Pat Duncan's show just weeks after 9/11. The band's lineup read like a roll call of intergalactic superheroes, with genuine Misfits Jerry Only and Robo donning leather trousers and devil locks, teaming up with drummer Marky Bell (whom one FMU staffer mistakenly called “Tommy” -- earning blank stared non-recognition from the erstwhile Ramone) and Black Flag's Dez Cadena. The oldies revival set list comprised a bevy of Ramones and Black Flag covers, plus all the expected Misfits tunes into one skateboard-wielding teenager’s aural wet dream.

During the on-air interview with Pat, things took an unexpected turn for the surreal when in regard to the 9/11 attacks, the affable but fast talking Jerry Only brought calm to our wounded spirits by reasoning that America, with help from the Misfits, would hunt down those responsible. And kill them. October 4, 2001.

Listen to the Misfits, as they admonish terrorists and perform a great live set (real audio).

Illustration by Diego Medina

Hoof and Mouth Videos 2008 (Part 5 of 5)

Here we wrap it up: the final batch of videos from the last night of the Marathon, back on March 9th at Maxwell's.  All 36 videos shall live here forevermore.

These vids were shot by Phil Catalano, Taso Stefanidis, and Evan Savitt and lovingly edited by Bryce.
The Hoof & Mouth Sinfonia is our inhouse karaoke band, lead by yours truly, and starring the following major gents:

Drums: Evan "Funk" Davies, Bryce Kretschmann, Irwin Chusid
Bass: Mac, Matt Fiveash
Guitar: Brian Turner, Scott Williams
Fiddle / Theremin: PGB
Keyboard: David Goldman
Sax: Chris Stubbs

Engineers: Gil Shuster, Irene Trudel, Carson Kopp

Images by notladj

The videos:

31 Todd-o-phonic Todd, "I'm a No-Count" by Ty Wagner

Hoof and Mouth Videos 2008 (Part 4 of 5)

OK, we're almost there!  Here's another batch of videos from the 8th annual Marathon Finale featuring our very own in-house karaoke band, the Hoof & Mouth Sinfonia.  These were shot back on March 9th, live at Maxwell's, and this here's the fourth set, out of five.  Tomorrow we wrap this up, and all the vids shall live forever together, with props to all the beautiful people who made it happen, right here.

23 PGB, "Supreme Evil" (Supremes / ELO mashup) by Go Home Productions

Great Moments in WFMU History #17

World Record Broadcast - by Scott Williams

Glen Jones is WFMU's reigning bad boy. But in May 2001, he flirted with respectability when he reached for, and briefly held, the Guinness World Record for longest ever radio broadcast. A media blitz ensued, Katie Couric repeatedly checked on Jones' progress, and some began to worry: would all this attention mellow Our Jonesey? 100 hours and 42 seconds later, as Tom Waits's "You're Innocent When You Dream" spun on turntable #2, a haggard and exhausted Jones reflected on the 1,128 songs, dozens of guests, and several on-air massages. Witnesses to this feat look back fondly on one particular portion of the record-breaking broadcast: Jones’ phone interview on the Howard Stern show, where Jonesey told Howard "I don't respect you", right after saying "shit" -- on Stern's airwaves, and not WFMU's. May 25-29, 2001.

Real audio links to all 100+ hours of the Jones-a-Thon broadcast are available here.

Illustration by Lyman Dally

Hoof and Mouth Videos 2008 (Part 3 of 5)

Here's another batch of videos from the 8th annual Marathon Finale featuring our very own in-house karaoke band, the Hoof & Mouth Sinfonia.  These were shot back on March 9th, live at Maxwell's, and this here's the third set.  All the vids, featuring tech & band credits, shall be stashed in perpetuity here. Over the next several days, we'll be posting videos from all the evening's performances, so keep checking this space.

16 Maria Levitsky, "King's Lead Hat" by The Dirtbombs (covering Eno)

Great Moments in WFMU History #16

Elvis Phone Sex Prank - by Ken Freedman

One of the most inspired phone pranks on record was orchestrated by WFMU’s Frank Balesteri (aka The Vanilla Bean): he called a phone sex outlet in Memphis, Tennessee and pretended to be a guy with an Elvis fetish. But Frank’s real stroke of genius was turning the tables on the actress/operator and getting her to fantasize about Elvis - his guitar-shaped swimming pool, Elvis getting laid in heaven, the jism on his blue suede shoes. Frank even got her singing "It's Alright, Mama," or at least all the lyrics she could remember. Too bad this was never aired.

The outrageously dirty conversation is available on WFMU’s 2-CD set, Radio Archival Oddities, Vol. 2, or can be downloaded here (MP3).

Illustration by Brian Musikoff

Hoof and Mouth Videos 2008 (Part 2 of 5)

Here's 9 more videos from our annual Night Of A Thousand DJs, the Marathon Finale.  These were shot back on March 9th, live at Maxwell's.  This here's the second set - witness the entire first set, featuring tech & band credits, here. Over the next several days, we'll be posting videos from all the evening's performances, so keep checking this space.

7 Woody, "When You Come Around" by Charlie Feathers

Joe Belock Graffiti Extends to Comic World

WFMU's SXSW Poster for Sale

WFMU is pleased to offer up our beautiful, limited-edition 2008 SXSW poster.

Designed and screen-printed by Aesthetic Apparatus, the poster features a scary monkey, multi-directional "action arrows," and the list of bands that performed at our SXSW showcase on 3/14/08: Half Japanese, Hank IV, Evangelista, Paul Metzger, Gary Higgins, Harvey Milk, Lexie Mountain Boys, Psychedelic Horseshit, Kelley Stoltz, The Bad Trips, Citay, Cheveu, The Homosexuals, and Los Llamarada.

The poster is on fancy, thick paper stock and measures 18" x 24". Each poster is individually numbered (limited edition of 200). Click here to buy one!

Great Moments in WFMU History #15

Within Reach - by Brian Turner

Damo Suzuki is the Japanese-born, free-spieling vocalist from the German Krautrock legends Can, still performing around the world with his "Network," continually shifting pickup bands of faithful disciples in each city a performance is scheduled. For his appearance at WFMU’s Spring ‘02 Record Fair, he tore the roof off the joint when he was joined by Boston's Cul De Sac, improvising powerful currents of drone, some hints of Can's "Mother Sky" and generally upflifting the spirits of sweaty shoppers who huddled around WFMU’s broadcast booth. The capper: Damo walked around the crowd during the final jam, embracing each and every onlooker in attendance. Who says not everyone scores at the record fair?

 

Illustration by Wayno

Great Moments in WFMU History #14

Potty-Mouthed Partisans - by Brian Turner

When UK punk legends the Partisans spilled drunkenly into WFMU, the first thing the singer said to Music and Program Director Brian Turner was "oo the fuck are you and where's the fucking loo?"

Over the next several hours, DJ Diane Kamikaze tried to cajole some kind of performance from them, and unfortunately failed. Between outbursts about George Bush being a c**t, half-slurred demands for band members to get their acts together, and about 78 aborted song attempts, Diane pretty much chalked up the expletive-laden session as unairable.

Brian released some of the between-song banter on his Marathon premium, as it was too amazing to let pass into history without some sort of documentation. To this day, Brian still greets fellow WFMU-staffers in the morning with "oo are you and where's the fucking loo?"

Read more about the Partisans unairable, inebriated expletive fest here.

Or you can download the entire filthy studio session (MP3)

Illustration by Brian Musikoff

WFMU's 2008 SXSW showcase archive

For those who couldn't make it to the taco-filled streets of Austin, TX last week, now is your chance to live vicariously: check out the unedited soundboard recording from the main stage of our first and triumphant SXSW showcase, which happened at Spiro's nightclub on 3/14:
Playlist  |  Real Audio  |  Streaming MP3

Or listen by band:
Harvey Milk   
(listen: Real Audio  |  MP3 )

The Homosexuals    
(listen: Real Audio  |  MP3 )

Hank IV    
(listen: Real Audio  | MP3 )

Carla Bozulich / Evangelista    
(listen: Real Audio  |  MP3 )

Half Japanese    
(listen: Real Audio  |  MP3 )

Citay    
(listen: Real Audio  |  MP3 )

The Bad Trips    
(listen: Real Audio  |  MP3 )

Thanks to Irene and Diane for engineering, and thanks to Jason for splicing and dicing. We've posted downloadable MP3s of songs by The Homosexuals and Half Japanese already, but stay tuned for even more!

Great Moments in WFMU History #12

Protecting Projected Beastiality - by Brian Turner

WFMU had a successful benefit at the Westbeth Theater thanks to Stereolab (and in spite of the glares from Paul Simon's musical's crew whom we were interrupting for the show), but started to overstay our welcome during our next show there in 1997. After a bill of Chris Knox (Tall Dwarfs), Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields), Tuli Kupferberg (the Fugs), and the Lynnfield Pioneers pushed the venue's security overtime hours past midnight, the fact that the Bunnybrains were going on at 1am and looking like they were gonna stay a while was getting Music and Program Director Brian Turner dirty looks from everyone at the theater. The employees tolerated the Bunnybrains hurling full cans of beer into the audience then utilizing the building’s beer-soaked floors as a makeshift slip-and-slide, but when the 'brains started an endless noise jam in front of a film screen where hott xxx chick/dog action was being projected, Turner was told to yank the plug. He didn't. And we can't quite remember another rock show ever happening at the Westbeth since.

Illustration by Peter Gallagher

Great Moments in WFMU History #11

Fundraising by Attorney - by Irwin Chusid

Assigned a fundraising Marathon slot together, Kenny G and co-host Irwin have a pre-show falling out and refuse to speak to one another. They each bring “legal counsel” to the studio and communicate on-air only through each others’ attorneys.

Pledges and prize giveaways, pitches and pleas all have to be negotiated. Much friction ensues. Things get heated -- not between Irwin and Kenny, but between Kenny and his attorney, as the ever-obstinate Mr. G refuses to follow advice.

In exasperation, his attorney quits, leaves the studio, and joins Irwin's legal team on the other side of the studio glass. Without advice from an adult with mature judgment, Kenny degenerates to name-calling, object-throwing, and abusive behavior. Within 15 minutes, he and Irwin have a fistfight on-air in the main studio. The attorneys rush to quell the fracas – by helping Irwin whup the crap out of Kenny. March 12, 2003.

Listen to the jargon-filled debacle here (real audio).

Illustration by Lorna Miller

Music By, For, And About DJ's - Country Division (MP3s)

It's never been easy for a recording artist to break through the always crowded marketplace and reach those with the power to decide whether or not to play their records.  Given the difficulty of making it onto a radio station's playlist, perhaps it's no surprise that artists would occasionally decide to make their case with a naked appeal to the collective vanity of disc jockeys.

I'm not accusing DJ's of being any more self-centered than anyone else, but on a certain go-for-broke level one can see how artists might be seduced into believing that singing about a DJ might be helpful in their attempts to worm their way into the hearts of the gatekeepers.

Judy Lynn - Hello Mr. DJ (United Artists, 2:11) -  Might as well start things off with a bang, literally.  Judy's steamed at her husband for cheating on her one too many times, so what does she do?  Why she phones the local DJ and requests a cheating song.  While she's still on the line with the DJ, the philanderer comes home and Judy wastes no time in unloading her gun into him.  Complete with sound effects of a ringing phone and a blasting gun!

Ernest Ashworth - The DJ Cried (Hickory, 2:42) - Great 1965 honky-tonker about a guy who cuts a song (about how his gal dumped him) and drops his freshly-pressed record off with the local DJ.  The song is so full of misery, depression and woe that the DJ is overcome by tears.  Since 1989, Ashworth has owned WSLV, an AM radio station in Ardmore, Tennessee. I wonder if people ever drop off records about crying DJ's.

Carl Smith - BJ the DJ (Columbia, 3:02) - Stonewall Jackson had a #1 hit with this tune in 1963, perhaps the only time the "sing about a DJ" gambit really paid off.  BJ wrecks his car while speeding to the radio station at 90 MPH and now  "spins the hits no more."  Carl Smith's version was released as an album track in 1965.

Gene Davis - An Open Letter To Country Music DJ's (Columbia, 3:01)  -  Davis works the corn pone humor angle and drops the names of about two dozen Nashville big shots.

Jack Campbell - Mr. DJ (Sims, 2:27) Label shot

Jack Campbell - DJ Play A Sad Song (Jubilee, 2:33) Label shot  Same singer, same co-author as on the previous 45.  I like their persistence.

Jerry Byrd - Theme For A DJ (Monument, 2:13)  Photo - Nice 1964 instrumental workout from the man who served as Ernest Tubb's steel guitarist in the late 1940's.