WFMU's Beware of the Blog

Weird NJ contributor Wheeler Antabanez

Billy Jam says:

New Jersey explorer, writer, photographer, filmmaker, welder, artist, skateboarder, avid Passaic River canoe traveler, graffiti lover, urban anthropologist, prankster, high school dropout, WFMU listener, Weird NJ contributor, and as he calls himself "run of the mill trespasser" are all titles befitting Wheeler Antabanez who will be a guest on WFMU today (Nov 20th 3-6pm) on Put The Needle On The Record when he will talk about his passion - New Jersey, especially the rundown abandoned funky parts - and take phone calls from listeners on exploring the abandoned buildings of the Garden State. But in the meantime, as a primer for his WFMU appearance, here are a sampling of video clips of some of Wheeler's adventures plus his interview with Beware Of The Blog (BOTB).



BOTB: Are you NJ born and bred, and when & where did you first start your explorations?

WHEELER: I grew up in Caldwell, which put me in easy bicycle range of the abandoned Essex Mountain Sanatorium. My friends and I happened upon the hospital while we were exploring the woods in North Caldwell behind Matarazzo’s Farm. The first thing we saw was the entrance column with a huge swastika spray painted across the front. It was in the peak of summer, the buildings were completely overgrown, and Overbrook, which is what we used to call it back then, was the scariest thing I had ever seen. It didn’t take us long to grow the balls to enter the building. By the time I was 15 or 16 I knew the layout so well it was almost like I owned the place. In those days I had an M17 BB gun hidden in the rafters above the auditorium. When I walked the halls with that weapon in my hand, I felt like nothing could hurt me, even on the darkest midnights. Looking back, I was lucky to have never been shot by the sheriffs’ officers on patrol, because the gun looked real. The best part was the innocence of our destruction. We found the place long after it had already been trashed by generations of teenagers, so it didn’t seem like a crime to break the windows, or smash the toilets. Over the years I’ve worked many construction jobs and smashed up plenty of plumbing. Somehow demolition has never seemed like much fun compared to when I used to run wild through the sanatorium.

BOTB: Is NJ truly a haven for all things weird and funky and abandoned?

Old Jersey vs. New Jersey, Part 2

Billy Jam sez:

In the first part of this series (posted a week ago) I included an MP3 of people on the streets of Jersey City speaking on their knowledge (or lack thereof) of the origins of the name of New Jersey. This time I am including an sample of what the folks I stopped on the streets of St. Hélier in "old" Jersey had to say when quizzed on their knowledge of New Jersey (MP3). I am also including my new favorite old Jersey song which sums up so perfectly the unique and special place that is the small island of Jersey, Hedley Le Maistre's "Jersey, Mon Vie!" (MP3).

Friday, October 2nd's WFMU live remote broadcast (during Doug Schulkind's timeslot) from Jersey's capital of St. Hélier during the Channel Island's 2nd annual Branchage Film Festival was an amazingly wonderful event to be a part of, and a rewarding one on many levels. First off it was a really great idea of the festival's director Xanthe Hamilton to link "old" Jersey with New Jersey via WFMU - something she presented to a receptive FMU station manager Ken Freedman about five months ago, and whose concept grew in scope since. And secondly for the dialog it began between the two Jerseys - one which we hope to keep going on the air here at WFMU. Expect to regularly hear "Jersey Bites" on Friday afternoons during the new WFMU Fall/Winter season which kicked into effect Monday, October 12th.

If you missed last week's broadcast it is archived - in playlist and audio forms - here, and includes a wide variety of guests getting on the FMU airwaves to share insights on the island of Jersey; a place that may only be 45 square miles in size but is incredibly rich in culture and history. A British Crown dependency the Bailiwick of Jersey, as it is officially known, is 100 miles south of England and lies only 14 miles west of the coast of Normandy, under whose rule it was once governed.

The WFMU remote show guests included Philip Malet de Carteret whose ancestors - several centuries ago - owned the land now known as the Garden State and were the ones responsible for giving New Jersey its name. The interview I conducted with him at his historic manor in the parish of St.Ouen (Jersey is divided into parishes, not counties) ran a lot longer than the segment included in the remote broadcast. Hence snippets of it will be played over the coming months on the air. Same for the organic Jersey dairy farmer Ian Mitchell, who was a live guest during the October 2nd remote but whose farm I visited the following day (see video below) and recorded more footage about the Jersey cow (a highly intelligent & unusally friendly animal) and its rich dairy product.

Old Jersey vs. New Jersey: WFMU On Location

Billy Jam sez:

If you stop people on the streets of Jersey City and quiz them about the origins of the name of the Garden State, the majority will be unaware of the island of Jersey - the British Crown Dependency located in the Channel Islands off the coast of Normandy. I know because recently I did exactly this: I interviewed a sampling of Jersey City folks on the street near the WFMU studios (MP3). 

I will be playing back this vox pop on Friday (Oct 2nd) between 9am and 12 noon (NJ time) during the WFMU live remote broadcast from Weighbridge Square on the harbour-front in St Helier (Old Jersey's capitol), during day two of the four-day Branchage Film Festival in Old Jersey.

In addition to talking on the air with the film festival's director Xanthe Hamilton and many others about the festival that also involves music, I will be talking with several authorities on the relationship between Old Jersey and New Jersey. These will include Philip Malet de Carteret whose ancestors are literally responsible for New Jersey. Back in 1663 King Charles II rewarded the de Carterets for their loyalty during the Civil War by gifting them with a large tract of land in North America. That tract of land would become New Jersey.

Also to be interviewed will be Rod McLaughlin - an acclaimed Jersey historian who will speak on Jersey's status as a Crown Dependency, how it was once under French rule, its occupation by the Nazis, and its relationship to New Jersey. Jersey cow farmer Ian Mitchell, who will bring along samples of some dairy products derived from the rich creamy Jersey milk, will discuss Jersey's popular export.

And in conjunction with BBC Jersey, who are producing the festival's Shear Music showcase of local talent, I have invited numerous Old Jersey artists including Jjjiiim, Jersey Bob, and Wizard & Frog to come on the air live to perform. There are many more guests expected on this WFMU remote broadcast but who knows just what might happen on freeform FMU. Tune in to find out on Friday 9am to 12 noon (Doug's normal slot) on WFMU. For exact details on the Branchage Film Festival click here. And check back here on the WFMU blog for updates from Jersey on the Branchage Film Festival. 

- Billy Jam

Reintroducing WFMU's Local Events Guide

The Arbitrary Guide to Popular Culture is back!

WFMU's local events guide underwent a minor facelift and is now ready to show you a good time. It may even help you predict where Marty Markowitz (right) will turn up next...

Hit the Arb Guide to check out what's going on in NYC & NJ, and find something to do this weekend! Special thanks to Ari and Jeff for helping out.

New Podcast: The Rampler with Frank Edward Nora

WFMU has just added yet another podcast to our growing roster...

The Rampler with Frank Edward Nora

From the streets of NYC and also in-studio, a unique, pleasantly insane talk show about pop culture, food, technology, the mysteries of the universe, and a whole lot more. Subscribe to The Rampler podcast via iTunes by clicking here (or visit WFMU's podcast page for more options).

Highlights from Wildwood, N.J. - 1994

Seen, but not really believed...

 This was scrawled on the wall of a post office I frequent. I can't say that MAIL is my biggest complaint in the world, but maybe I'm alone in that thought.

WFMU's Fatburger Takeover

If you missed out on Joe Belock and Todd-o-phonic Todd's hilarious and artery-clogging remote broadcast from Fatburger in Jersey City, you can regorge on the magic by checking out the archive, a short video of the event from NJ.com, and a greasy slideshow of visual highlights (thanks Cynthia).

Special guest appearances by Mark Moran of Weird NJ, Georgia and Ira of Yo La Tengo, the Longo brothers, Robert Piersanti, and Jersey City youth rockers!

Belly bombs away!

More WFMU DJ Off-Mic Activities

Not only can you catch Dave the Spazz rubbing shoulders with Mick Collins and the Paul Green School of Rock kids tonight at BB King Blues Club in Manhattan... a few other DJs have some upcoming off-mic events this week that are worth checking out.

HotRod DJs tonight @ the Lamp Post in Jersey City (352 2nd St), 9pm-2am... Free!
 
Maria Levitsky celebrates the opening of her photography show, "Building Photographs," at Deborah Berke & Partners Architecture Gallery (220 5th Ave, 7th Floor) in Manhattan tomorrow evening (Thurs 5/21), 6:30 - 8:30pm.

Small Change DJs at the Down & Derby roller disco party at Studio B in Brooklyn (259 Banker St) this Saturday with DJ Ayres and Rok One, 10pm onward (RSVP here for discounted admission).

  

So When Is the Benny Tudino's Show Already?

Haven't seen them on a Maxwells marquee yet, but Personal and the Pizzas assure everyone that they are indeed New Jersey's finest rock and roll band. As a radio station in the central orbit of many Jersey bands (some of whom utilize weaponry), we issue our standard "who are we to argue?" response.

WFMU Teams Up with the School of Rock!

Paul Green's School of Rock Presents:
WFMU Benefit!

Join us for 2 nights hosted by Dave the Spazz, with his handpicked music performed by local branches of the Paul Green School of Rock and the SCHOOL OF ROCK ALLSTARS.

For each show there will be groups of kids from local schools performing songs of Spazz' choosing as part of a contest; Dave will select the winning school. The School of Rock Allstars will then take the stage and blow you away!

Expect a chimpified, sonic soiree of overmodulated, toe-stubbing rock and roll music as performed by junior high and high school kids!

Hope you can make it to one of these nights:

Friday May 15th - 8pm
Asbury Lanes
Asbury Park, NJ
$10 advance and door

Wednesday May 20th - 8pm
BB King Blues Club
New York, NY
$15 advance and door

Vinyl Finds: Big Daddy's Twist Party (196?)

Typically, I leave the wacky, zany 50s/60s-style rock 'n' roll nostalgia to my colleagues on and off the air, but this LP, which originally belonged to my Mom, has had a substantial impact on my life and the lives of those I've shared it with.  Terry Folger in particular was obsessed with several songs from Big Daddy's Twist Party, most memorably "The Persians Twist"—probably my favorite of the collection, too, as it's über-catchy and mentions "Paramus, NJ" in the chorus.

Anyone who's done some garage-sale/record fair-type vinyl digging is familiar with the early-60s trend in Twist albums, many of them made by faceless artists, studio musicians and labels attempting to capitalize on the dance craze made world famous by Chubby Checker.  This is one such LP, but unlike many of the other Twist records I own or have heard, this one is truly exceptional.   The simple but effective sleeve layout is designed such that the word "TWIST" vibrates in front of your eyes as you listen to these songs, rendered by the hot, punchy band and Big Daddy's booming voice.

Who was Big Daddy?  I have never seen this record anywhere else, nor was I able to dig up any information about it online.  I've read a review of a 2006 retro/revivalist album also called Twist Party by one Big Daddy, which is not to be at all confused with this one.  This album also has no connection to the Rhino Records band Big Daddy, who were a big hit on WFMU in the 1980s, mostly for doing doo-wop covers of contemporary pop numbers (as well as being responsible for the obscure, tape-only piece "What're You Tryin' to Do?  Blackmail Me?".)

The LP liner notes are unusually well composed, and only serve to add to this odd record's charm and mystique.  From the back cover:  "Here he is, in person, zealous, zestful, zany BIG DADDY, the most torrid torso twister in town. ... BIG DADDY sings em and swings em, his gravel gutted voice gives vent to the driving enthusiasm he projects and you are soon under the spell of the excitement he generates. ... So, if you're planning a party and you want it to be gay and exciting, just put BIG DADDY on your record player and be assured of success.  Invite Mom & Dad, the neighbors next door – all the kids. ... REGENT RECORDS, Inc., Newark, New Jersey."

Yes Sir Thats My Baby | The Persians Twist | Twistin Bonnie | Twistery | Red White and Blue Twist | Twistin Rickshaw Boy | Twistin Cat From Kansas City | Twistix | The Twisters Ball | Happy Twistin Birthday | Twistin at the Pit | The Whistlers Twist

My favorites:  "The Persians Twist," "Twistin Rickshaw Boy," "The Twisters Ball" and "Twistin at the Pit."  (No punctuation per the liner notes and LP label.)

For those of you who enjoy reading my posts here at Beware of The Blog, you can now check in with me daily at My Castle of Quiet.

WFMU Marathon Approaches: March 2nd - 15th

All hands on deck: WFMU is approaching our once-a-year fundraising Marathon!

Unlike many other droll and dour public radio beg-a-thons, your pals here at Freeform Headquarters make sure our Marathon is spastic, exciting, and a little bit dangerous. Be sure to tune in to WFMU March 2nd - 15th for some very special programming including DJ tag teams, on-air stunts, prize giveaways, and on March 13th (8-11pm) Yo La Tengo will play cover song requests for your pledges. Marathon time is also an excuse for DJs to play their favorite hits, so the tunes are sure to be choice.

We've got a new line of swag including t-shirts, a coupon pack, a locked-groove LP, hoodies, and tons of great DJ Premiums for the taking! Check out the mountains of goodies and make your pledge right here.

Early pledges help us a lot, and for those who can make a paid pledge of $180 or more by March 8th can claim naming rights to an item or person at WFMU. Check out our virtual adoption gallery to view the fixtures and DJs in need of your generous attention.

You may have noticed that this blog, WFMU's programming, website, podcasts, playlists, archives, and live streams never contain any advertisements, sponsors, or underwriting (a complete anomaly these days even among non-commercial outlets). This is because we are supported entirely by listeners, freeing us from money with strings attached, and allowing us to provide you with all of the crazy fun and magic you see here. We hope you can help us keep it that way!

Doug Gillard on WFMU mp3s

Back on October 3rd of this year, unstoppable indie guitar crackerjack Doug Gillard sat in on my program to shoot the f-sharp and enthrall the listenership with a few acoustic versions of songs off his brand new release, Call From Restricted, available now on itunes. For your listening enjoyment, some mp3s from the program (many thanks to Jason Segal for the digitizing):

Time is Nigh

Gibraltar

Gogol Was Rollo

Last night word was, he popped onstage as a surprise guest at night 2 of Yo La Tengo's annual 8 Nights of Hanukkah shows to electric-fy some pop covers and stoked fans. In January you can catch Doug rocking a residency for four Wednesday nights at Piano's in NYC.    (live tracks posted under a Creative Commons license)

Bat Day

Baseball season is a distant memory - even more so for those of us in the NY area - it's rare that a local team isn't in contention- we've been uninterested for so long now, it seems like the schedule ended sometime in 2007.

I was at the humble abode of my brother and his family the other night. The kids were winding down and the McBoingboing residence was descending into the lull that marks the end of the weekend. A shriek, and then a stampede of people come running up the steps from the family room. There's yelping, howling and other modes of expression coming from what I knew to be humans; eyeballs nearly popping out of heads, hands clasped to mouths and a lot of  stuttering. A BAT IS DOWNSTAIRS. So the weekend hasn't yet ended, apparently.

Astro Bowl

It ain't over till it's over and Astro Bowl was over for keeps when it finally shuttered its doors in the spring of '99. I was offered a ride out to Jersey to roll some games a few weeks before the business went south and I jumped at the chance. Astro Bowl was located about 15 minutes outside of the Lincoln Tunnel in the bustling Allwood section of Clifton, New Jersey. Laid out 1960s style, with the exception of the cheesy computer scoring system (the one with the little animated pins going up to heaven), Astro Bowl was once the pride of the Styertowne Shopping Center. By the time I got there the intoxicating sparkle of the lanes had long since vanished. Creaky and dank, redolent with overflowing ashtrays, the lobby stank of foot spray and sticky soda syrup. Dusty glass cabinets boasted blue ball point pen championship stat sheets and the faded league night photos of triumphs gone by. An inescapable finality overshadowed the din and clatter of the automatic pinsetters. As I laced my size nines, I could sense that a great deal of sordid and raucous business had transpired in this joint. A lot of kiddie parties went down in those lanes over the decades and more than likely many an ill-shaven face was abruptly slapped in the cocktail lounge.

Astro Bowl was opened in 1959 with great fanfare by Lawrence "Yogi" Berra and Phil "The Scooter" Rizzuto--two Yankees buddies who were probably looking for a legit hangout to greet the huckleberries while they could sock away a little something-something for the chilly post-season years. Luxuriating in one of mankind's finest follies, they brought in their brothers to keep the lanes waxed and the counters polished just so. Sometimes Yogi would tend bar and bowl with the customers while Scooter would chat with fans over a cannoli. Sure, the malaprop spouting geniuses hedged their bets by hawking Yoo Hoo and the Money Store, but they always found their way back to the bowling alley (which was initially called the "Rizzuto-Berra Bowling Lanes" before they sold the ownership). Hard to believe that a 40-lane paradise that kicked off to such frenzied hoopla would struggle to stay open, and ignominiously shut down, not even giving the Brunswick 2000 ball return machines a chance to greet the new millennium.

Music To Bowl By (MP3s)

National Bowling Week (August 23 - 30) starts today, so here are a few MP3s for you listen to while you navigate to your neighborhood alley.  If you're planning on going bowling in North Jersey, here's a coupon for you.

World Famous Blue Jays  -  Ten Pin Boogie  (3:38)

Goldtones  -  Strike  (2:12)

Bobby Mills  -  Let's Bowl  (1:50)

Jimmy Soul  -  My Baby Loves To Bowl  (2:09)

Famous in New Jersey

NJ.com just posted a video about WFMU starring Ken, Brian, Billy Jam, DJ ALF, Daniel Blumin, Irwin, plus an nj.commer sporting a Pulaski Skyway tee. Check it out!

Behind the scenes: WFMU radio studios

How did you discover WFMU?

Being that 2008 marks WFMU's 50th anniversary, I posed a loaded question to listeners who receive Blast of Hot Air (BOHA), WFMU's monthly e-mail newsletter (subscribe here): how did you discover WFMU? Below, I'm sharing Listener Joe McGinty's story about discovering the station, and if you would like to chime in with a tale of your own, post it in the comments section, or drop me a line (lizb at wfmu dot org).

I've been listening to WFMU online since March 13, 2001. I know this because it was listener appreciation week on the Best Show and I found the archive. I was listening on dial-up and had to stop listening to get Tom's phone call. A week later I made my first pledge.

I knew about WFMU because of my brother Joe McGinty. He's been living in New York since the late 80's and working as a professional musician - both of his bands "Baby Steps" and "The Kustard Kings" have performed on WFMU and are included on two of the old premiums. He also is the mastermind behind the Loser's Lounge tributes (Irwin wrote the liner notes for one of the Loser's Lounge CDs). I live well outside the broadcasting area, down here in Southern New Jersey (outside Atlantic City), but I knew of WFMU because of Joe. Joe had at some point ordered a birthday gift for me from the old catalog of curiosities, and I started to get the catalogs on a regular basis. Eventually I started ordering stuff for myself. I really fell in love with WFMU without ever really hearing it.

WFMU Radio Greats Weekend: Archives

If you missed any part of WFMU Radio Greats Weekend, the archives are all up and awaiting your listening pleasure!

The weekend of August 9th, legendary WFMU DJs from years past drop by to help celebrate 50 years on the air. Special guests included Steinski, Danny Fields, Vin Scelsa, Hova & Belinda, R. Stevie Moore, The Hound, Wildgirl, Meredith, David Newgarden, Nicholas Hill, William Berger, Neal Adams, Mark Allen, Douglas Wolk, Stork, Mark Allen, John Schnall, Bart Plantenga plus surprise guests and rare airchecks. More info and archive links below. (Read more)