The Plague

Thicked

2006-11-05T18:06:00.000-08:00

Quick thoughts: Hold Steady on Dec. 4 at Sticky Fingerz, yo. Anticipate. "Leaning on You" is a perfect song. Re: "Oh, Shooter," which BTW is based on a true story and supposedly contains an anti-gun message (WTF?), I can't think of any example, beyond "Walk This Way" (sadly, the inspiration for the tepid video for "Shooter"), where the remaker and the appropriated participated together and benefited--artistically and in credibility--so equally. Weezy F. please-say-the Baby advanced his claim to the hearts of everyone who wants their favorite rapper outfitted in genre-stretching arrangements, while Thicke proved that he was more than weird celebrity trivia, exposing himself to thousands of rap kids who'd otherwise probably be pretty suspicious of a blue-eyed soulman. Consider other prominent examples in the genre (does this happen elsewhere?): Eminem plucks Dido from relative obscurity. Puffy coaxes Jimmy Page onto his abysmal song for the Godzilla soundtrack that borrows heavily from "Kashmir." We suspect Led Zepp. residuals weren't quit covering Jimmy P.'s botox/occult trinket habit. I think T.I.'s re-do of "Front, Back, and Side-to-Side" came from a DJ Drama mixtape. T.I.'s clearly loves and respects of UGK, and maybe the song will inspire teeny-boppers to check out Port Arthur's finest, but damn if this isn't disposable. What a weird phenomenon. Need to think on it more.

8/15/06

1. The Hold Steady- Modesto Is Not That Sweet (live on the Current)
2. The Hold Steady- Stuck Between Stations (live on the Current)
3. Duane Eddy- Night Train to Memphis
4. The Swingin' Yo-Yos- Leaning on You
5. Waylon Jennings- When Sin Stops
6. Willie Colon- La Murga
7. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings- Switchblade
8. Thicke- Oh Shooter
9. Ratatat- Wildcat (E*vax Remix)
10. Hot Chip- Colours (DFA remix)
11. Yo La Tengo- Tom Courtenay (Acoustic)
12. The Mountain Goats- Moon Over Goldsboro
13. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy- Cursed Sleep

The Return

2006-10-31T00:21:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, we're slacking. The online arm of Plague Industries has been inactive for a long minute or three. But we've been having some meetings, and all the principals have agreed to step it up. So look for us to first play a little catch-up (there are several shows from weeks or months ago that are on a server ready to be shared), and then start steady posting.

In the meantime, you can now listen to KABF 24/7 via the web. Check it.

Dose 1

2006-07-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

"This is the weirdest mix of music you ever put together," said one listener, who begrudingly tunes in regularly.

That sounds kinda like a challenge, but we'll take it for a compliment.

Blue Cheer plays Downtown Music next Wed., July 12. If you deem that too loud, tune in to Localist Radio, from 10-12, and hear gubentorial candidate Rod Bryan talk about the issues, and, fingers crossed, mix up some Arkancentric jams.

Tracks 7 and 8. Quite possibly the best two-track combo in the history of The Plague.

7.5.06

1. The Mountain Goats- The Plague (theme)
2. Johnny Cash- God's Gonna Cut You Down
3. Blue Cheer- Second Time Around
4. Youngblood Brass Band- Nate McCavish Handbills for No Man
5. Curumin- Tudo Bem Malandro
6. Copperpot- Dreams feat. Longshot, Diverse, and Profound
7. Jackie Lee- White Horses
8. Belle Epoque- Miss Broadway
9. Sleater-Kinney- Milkshake 'n' Honey
10. Gun Club- Promise Me
11. Guided by Voices- I Am a Scientist
12. The Fantastic Four- If This World Were Mine
13. Pixies- Evil Hearted You
14. Wire- Map Ref. 41 n 93 w
15. Ray Cash- Bumpin' My Music feat. Scarface

Dose 2

2006-07-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

7.5.06 b

1. Dengue Fever- Ethanopium
2. T. Rex- Ride a White Swan
3. Richard X- Finest Dreams feat. Kelis
4. Tom Zé- Elaeu
5. Comets on Fire- The Antlers of the Midnight Sun
6. Joey Ramone and General Johnson- Rockaway Beach
7. The Jam- Mr. Clean
8. Destoyer- Rubies (Live @ Middle East, 2006)
9. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy- The Signifying Wolf
10. Richard Buckner- 22
11. Centromatic- Now That Have Blown Away Your Cards
12. Bobby Bare Jr.- Flat Chested Girl
13. Hot Water Music- Not For Anyone
14. The Mountain Goats- Song for Cleomenes
15. Garnet Mimms- As Long As I Have You

Fade In

2006-06-12T10:52:00.000-07:00

The diddling about is over. We were trying to streamline the podcasting, but our efforts were for naught. So we've come back, resigned to the grind, but committed to course. So stay tuned.

For those of you whose Plague fades and festers with the podcast, we'll offer a confession: we're getting a touch formulaic. Beta Band and its descendents + Southern rap futura remixes + saucy girl singers over dance beats + saucy British girl rappers who sometimes sing + South American blip-folk + the church of Elvis Costello + Frank Black's Spanish-horns-in-Memphis remixes + the church of Craig Finn + token local band = each and every Plague.

Hope it sounds fresh!

The Return.

1. The Mountain Goats- The Plague
2. The Aliens- Robot Man
3. Project Pat- Good Googly Moogly (Josh Console Remix)
4. Nelly Furtado- Maneater
5. Lily Allen- Friday Night
6. Juana Molina- Salvese Quien Pueda (Four Tet Remix)
7. King Biscuit Time- Impossible Ride
8. Elvis Costello and Allen Touissaint- The River in Reverse
9. Elvis Costello- Human Hands
10. Frank Black Francis and Two Pale Boys- Holiday Song
11. The Hold Steady- Multitude of Casualties
12. The American Princes- Baby Blue

RIPs

2006-06-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Billy Preston, Grant McLennan, Big H.A.W.K, and Desmond Dekker all passed away in the last little bit. To be honest, we here at Plague Enterprises don't know a whole hell of a lot about any of these artists. Here's the extent: Billy Preston was the 5th Beatle. McLennan co-founded The Go-Betweens. Big H.A.W.K. was Fat Pat's (RIP) brother, Screwed Up Click affliated, and probably about to be really famous. Desmond Dekker was the king of ska.

And Prince turned 48 last week.

Tribute hour.

1. Prince- Black Sweat
2. Desmond Dekker- Bongo Gal
3. Billy Preston- Outta Space
4. The Beatles- Get Back
5. The Go-Betweens- Cassanova's Last Words
6. Billy Preston- Sunday Morning
7. Desmond Dekker- Pickney Girl
8. Billy Preston- That's The Way God Planned It
9. The Go-Betweens- Near the Chimney
10. Trae feat. Fat Pat and Big H.A.W.K- Swang
11. Desmond Dekker- Fu Manchu
12. Billy Preston- The Same Thing Again
13. Desmond Dekker- Intensfied Festival
14. The Go-Betweens- Cattle and Cane

Hip-hop violinist is...

2005-11-29T19:38:00.000-08:00

...my favorite musical descriptor of the year. That's me and Miri Ben-Ari, the Israeli violin sensation who just put out this album which includes a veritable who's who of today's top rappers. And they all say something about the violin in every song. It's sort of genius.

Another amazing development in hip-hop this year that we document below: our favorite Dade County rapper, Trick Daddy, samples the Talking Heads.

Also: we're LOVING "Mathematics" from Nashville power-pop sensation Jetpack (which features Searcy native Sean Williams on vocals; White County, ho!). Jetpack plays Whitewater this coming Friday, Dec. 2 with Grand Serenade and Johnny Mac and the Reds.

Part 1

1. The Mountain Goats- The Plague (theme)
2. Miri Ben-Ari feat. E-40 and Lil Flip- Sick With Da Flip
3. Trick Daddy feat. Ludacris and Cee-Lo- Sugar (Gimme Some)
4. The Talking Heads- Sugar (On My Tongue)
5. A.C. Newman- Most of Us Prizefighters
6. Jetpack- Mathematics
7. Johnny Mac- Hey... Hey...
8. Pinback- B

RIP Link Wray (2)

2005-11-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

Rumble on.

The Exploding Hearts have long been a Plague favorite. Contemporary garage-rock at its pinnacle. Tragically, three-fourths of the band died in a bus accident in 2003, so the album below is all you'll ever hear of the Exploding Hearts. Holler at your local record shop and get a copy if you don't already have one.

Part 2

1. The Exploding Hearts- Rumors in Town
2. The Reigning Sound- She's Bored with You
3. Big Silver- Pictures of You
4. Ike and Tina Turner and the Ikettes- Contact High
5. Little Jimmy Dickens- May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
6. Link Wray- Caroline

Three (6)

2005-11-29T18:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the new Fader, I know that Willie Hutch deserves A LOT of the credit for my favorite song of the year.

Here ya go:

Three.

1. Lil Flip- This Is the Way We Ball
2. Willie Hutch- Tell Me Why Our Love Has Turned Cold
3. Betty Wright- Secretary
4. Fabulous Souls- Take Me
5. Barry White- Me and Mrs. Jones
6. Arthur Alexander- Soldier of Love
7. Booker T. and the MGs- Sunny
8. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings- Switchblade
9. Johnny Dowd- Sleep in the Grass

4

2005-11-29T18:18:00.000-08:00

Not much.

Here.

1. Chris Denny-?
2. Andrew Bird- MX Missles
3. The Avalanches- Tonight May Have to Last Me All My Life
4. Robert Wyatt- Born Again Cretin

Catchin' Up (11.16.05)

2005-11-29T17:56:00.000-08:00

Chris Denny at White Water (photo courtesy of the very talented Laura Grenard)

Technical difficulties, other projects, and Thanksgiving conspired to delay the delivery of that aural crack you know as "The Plague."

Here's the show from Nov. 16.

Check it.

1. Chris Denny- Time
2. Wilco- Misunderstood (live)
3. My Morning Jacket- The Way That He Sings
4. Neil Young- Revolution Blues
5. Alexander "Skip" Spence- Margaret/Tiger Rag
6. The Delta Rhythm Boys- What Would It Take

The Holy Ghost (or Number 2)

2005-11-29T17:35:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa: I need more 9 cd box sets.

Just realized these will play out of order. I'm sure few of you share my compulsion over such things, so I'm gonna let it slide.

Number 2

1. X-Ray Spex- Obsessed with You
2. Artic Monkeys- (I Bet You) Look Good on the Dancefloor
3. Frank Black- (I Want to Live on an) Abstract Plain
4. The Libertines- Can't Stand Me Now
5. Big Silver- Berryhill Park
6. The Mountain Goats- Your Belgian Things
7. Kingsbury Manx- ?
8. Rogue Wave- Bird on a Wire
9. Dengue Fever- Ethaniopium
10. Mulatu Astetke- ?
11. Albert Ayler- Our Prayer

Time to whistle at it (part 3)

2005-11-29T17:22:00.000-08:00

Juelz Santana is clearly the most patriotic man in these United States.

Tre.

1. Stars- Ageless Beauty (The Most Serene Republic remix)
2. The Fiery Furnaces- Spaniolated
3. Lady Sovereign- Hoodie (Basement Jaxx remix)
4. Juelz Santana- There It Go (The Whistle Song)
5. Epiphany- Clarification
6. Franz Ferdinand- The Fallen (Justice edit)
7. Kings of New England- Space Is the New Seattle

Don't Sleep on Conduit

2005-11-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, occassional venue Pizza D hosts Conduit Entertainment, arguably the A-state's tightest rap collective. Within the crew is Suga City (Arkansas Bo and Goines), DK, and Ephiphany (pictured above). All the dudes bring it something good, but Big Piph is on some other-level-shit. Check him out for yourself, here.

The Autumnal Soul Spectacular

2005-11-10T22:54:00.000-08:00

It's dark at 5, the leaves are changing and falling, and it's 80 degrees. What's all that mean? Well, clearly that it's time for the Autumnal Soul Spectacular, a seasonal offering.

Soul is one of our passions at Plague HQ. We hope it shows.

(For the geeks: only the Ebony Rhythmn Band and Sharon Jones covers correspond with the songs we feature. The other two just look cool.)

Download part 1 here.

1. The Mountain Goats- The Plague (theme)
2. Messengers Incorporated- Soulful Proclamation
3. Ebony Rhythm Band- Drugs Ain't Cool
4. Sir Mack Rice- Muhammad Ali
5. Wanda Robinson- A Possibility Back Home
6. Jean Knight- Do Me
7. Bohannon- Save Our Souls

Part 2

2005-11-10T22:46:00.000-08:00

Get it.

1. The Staple Singers- Long Walk to DC
2. The O'Jays- There's Someone (Waiting Back Home)
3. Jean, Shirley & the Relations- People Make the World a Better Place
4. The Impressions- (Man, Oh Man) I Want to Go Back
5. William Bell- I Forgot to Be Your Lover
6. The Invincibles- Heart Full of Love
7. Irma Thomas- Wish Someone Would Care
8. Roebuck "Pop" Staples- Black Boy
9. Yumyums- Gonna Be a Big Thing

Part 3

2005-11-10T22:39:00.000-08:00

Here.

1. The Bar-Kays- Sang and Dance
2. The Sylvers- Stay Away From Me
3. The Fascinations- Girls Are Out to Get You
4. The T.S.U. Tornadoes- Play the Music Tornadoes
5. Nostalgia 77- Seven Nations Army
6. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings- Your Thing is a Drag
7. Quincy Jones and Bill Cosby- Hickey-Burr
8. The Mad Lads- No Strings Attached

Part 4

2005-11-10T22:22:00.000-08:00

Check it.

1. Shuggie Otis- Inspiration Information
2. Sly and the Family Stone- Trip to Your Heart
3. Ohio Players- Fopp
4. Booker T. & the MG's- Soul Limbo
5. Howard Tate- My Soul's Got a Hole in It
6. Charlie Rich- Big Time Operator
7. Al Green- Feels Like Summer
8. Bessie Banks- Go Now
9. Clarence Carter- I'd Rather Go Blind
10. Sam Cooke- A Change Is Gonna Come

Tonight

2005-11-04T10:40:00.000-08:00

Gimme Some More

2005-11-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

After listening to the Broken Flowers soundtrack, we're crate diggin' for dude. Haven't seen the film yet, but apparently "Yegelle Tezeta" is the theme. Check the segue from DJ Shadowfied Yo Gotti to Mr. Mulatu.

Also, check the new (leaked) Outkast track from the Idlewild soundtrack. Sounds like some that ol' ATLiens, Dungeon-Family crack.

Next week: THE FALL SOUL SPECTACULAR!!! Or maybe we'll call it THE AUTUMNAL SOUL SPECTACULAR!!!

11.2.05 a

1. DJ Shadow- Funky Skunk (excerpt)
2. Mulatu Astetke- Yegelle Tezeta
3. Lightnin' Rod- Sport (from Songs from Gay Dog---Cougars, hoooo!)
4. Lee Hazelwood- These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
5. St. Thomas- The Railroad
6. The New Pornographers- The Bones of an Idol

2

2005-11-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

11.2.05 b

1. Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians- Alright Yeah
2. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks- Fractions and Feelings
3. The Modern Lovers- Astral Plane
4. The Velvet Underground- Venus in Furs
5. The Stooges- I Wanna Be Your Dog
6. Death From Above 1979- Little Girl
7. The Stooges- Shake Appeal

3

2005-11-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

11.2.05 c

1. Ho-Hum- The Axe (buy this album now!)
2. Talking Heads- Pyscho Killer
3. The Homosexuals- Astral Glamour
4. The Hold Steady- Cattle and the Creeping Things
5. (Smog)- Hit the Ground Running
6. Outkast- Rats and Roaches (NEW old-school Outkast)
7. Annie- Me Plus One (The Rapture Hush Hush Remix)
8. MIA- Pull Up the People (ASIH remix)
9. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Tortoise- That's Pep
10. Bukka White- Pine Bluff, Arkansas
11. The Uniques- All These Things
12. South San Gabriel- Saint Augustine

You had no idea...

2005-11-01T07:25:00.000-08:00

...who you were dealing with.

Anticipate the clothing line.

Radio To-Go

2005-10-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

Great big show for ya.

We've almost got all the kinks worked out. Still, for some reason, we can't find the show when we search iTunes podcast directory.
No, sweat. Follow this link and click the subscribe with iTunes button and you're set for life.

Maybe I'll add some commentary later, for now:

10.26.05 a

1. The Coachmen- Possibility
2. Arthur Alexander- Pretty Girls Everywhere
3. The Childballads- White Chocolate Tea (AKA The Onion Domes of Tallahasee)
4. The Good Fear- Keep in Touch
5. Dolly Parton- Baby I'm Burning
6. Paul Wall- They Don't Know (World Series Mix)....for naught, Paul
7. P. Nice- There It Go (Boston Bounce Remix)
8. The Books- An Animated Description of Mr. Maps

Part 2, I remember Hallooooween!!

2005-10-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

Candy apples and razorblades, too.

10.26.05 b
1. Sonic Youth- Halloween
2. Siouxsie and the Banshees- Halloween
3. The Misfits- Halloween
4. The Ramones- Pet Cemetary
5. The Cramps- Zombie Dance
6. Screamin' Jay Hawkins- Whistlin' Past the Graveyard
7. Bobby "Borris" Pickett- Me and My Mummy
8. The Shaggs- It's Halloween

Part 3

2005-10-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

10.26.05 c

1. Yo La Tengo feat. Daniel Johnston- Speeding Motorcycle
2. Silver Jews- Punks in the Beerlight
3. Grand Serenade- Golden Receiver
4. The Microphones- I Felt Your Shape
5. Neko Case- Blacklisted
6. Carl Butler- Honky Tonkitis

Part 4

2005-10-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

10.26.05 d

1. Magnolia Electric Company- Hard to Love a Man
2. Othar Turner and the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band- Boogie
3. Nina Simone- Feeling Good
4. Gore Gore Girls- Shotgun Wedding
5. Wipers- Better Off Dead
6. DFA 1979- Romantic Rights (Jesper Dahlback Remix)
7. Aural Exciters- Spooks in Space (bonus Halloween treat)
8. Wings- Goodnight Tonight (extended)

The Solution

2005-10-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

That's right, Finger-Roll S. Boyd will, forever more, be known to we at Plague Industries as "The Solution," after he came through in the clutch and saved the show from our overwhelming ineptitude last week. So join Emily Witt and us as we admire and salute the Finger.

Still not quite up-to-speed yet, but progress.

Check it.

10.19.05 a

1. Jimmy Holiday- Baby I Love You
2. The Seeds- Fallin' Off the Edge of My Mind
3. Steve Flynn- Mr. Rainbow
4. Four Tet- Sun, Drums and Soil (Sa-Ra Creative Partners On the Move Mix)
5. Curumin- Tudo Bem Malandro
6. The Raincoats- Earthbeat (Peel Session)
7. Essential Logic- Music Is a Better Noise
8. The Fall- Feeling Numb
9. Rocket From the Tombs- What Love Is
10. Roxy Music- In Every Dream Home a Heartache
11. The Lovejoys- Payin'
12. Les Beatlettes- C'est Grace A Toi

10.19.05 b

1. Robyn- Crash and Burn Girl
2. Purple Ribbon All-stars- Kryptonite (Cadence Weapon Remix)
3. Rosin Murphy- If We're in Love (Dani Siciliano's What Will Be Will Be Remix)
4. X-Press 2 feat. Kurt Wagner- Give It

No, I did not mean "American Princess"

2005-10-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Big FREE show at White Water tonight. Dance-rockers W/O, who own the stage in Little Rock (wherever that stage might be), and rock-rockers the American Princes, who own the road (and the hearts of young women everywhere), battle for the affections of we concert-goers. Hopefully, they'll be an applause-o-meter to settle the score. 10ish.

Gnarls Barkley and more podcast strides

2005-10-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

Since his Goodie Mob days, Cee Lo's been a bit of an underachiever in my mind. I mean, his two solo albums each had some moments, but none of that who-the-fuck magic he brought to Soul Food and Still Standing. But he's got a new project, a colloboration with Dangermouse (check that new Dangerdoom album), they're calling Gnarls Barkley. Best name ever? Yes. Details are sketchy at this point--I think the release is still months away--but I came across a sampler yesterday, and woo-wee, if fifteen second snippets tell anything, this album's gonna be hot. Also, it'll likely inspired some head-scratchin': they do a bouncy cover of the Violent Femmes' "Gone Daddy Gone." The lead single is called "Crazy" and it opens the second edition of the Plague podcast.

We're still working out some kinks with everything. Again, we're disappointed we can't bring you the full two-hour show, though I think we've improved by 15 minutes or so from last time. Also, we've not quite negotiated the iTunes subscription business. You can subscribe to "The Plague" through iTunes podcasting (in iTunes, click on the purple podcast icon, search for "The Plague," subscribe), but for some reason, only the first segment dowloads.

(Actually, you might need to follow this link for now to subscribe.)

Until we figure this out, you can download the second and third segments by Ctrl clicking and saving link as with Macs and right clicking and saving target as with PCs.

Here it be:

10.12.05

1. The Mountain Goats- The Plague (theme song)
2. Gnarls Barkley- Crazy
3. Howlin' Wolf- Smokestack Lightning (68 version)
4. The Tigers- Don't Leave Me
5. Charlie Feathers- Frankie and Johnny
6. The Good Fear- We've Got it All (Arkansas, ho! From the new Keep in Touch CD. Antho-Pop might have some copies. Or you could just email Zach and work something out. More on the Good Fear in the future. For now: trust us you need this album.
7. The Reigning Sound- She's Bored with You
8. Big Star- Lady Sweet
9. The Clientile- E.M.P.T.Y

10.12.05 b (problems)

1. The Black Keys- 10 A.M. Automatic
2. Gang of Four- Natural's Not In It (Ladytron remodel)

10.12.05 c

1. Modeselektor feat. TTC- Dancing Box
2. Robyn- Konichiwa Bitches
3. Chamillionaire- Turn it Up (Houston Astros)
4. Carla Thomas- A Woman's Love
5. Milton Floyd- I Am a Shadow
6. Pizzicato Five- Nata Di Marza
7. Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers- Gail Loves Me
8. The Dixie Cups- Iko Iko
9. Rev. Lonnie Farris- His Love

The Black Death for your ears

2005-10-08T23:42:00.000-07:00

Here's the first edition of what we plan to make a weekly podcast.

For those not in the know or not in central Arkansas, this is a recording of Wednesday night's most infectious radio program, "The Plague," heard from 10-12 pm on KABF 88.3, "The Voice of the People."

In the future, we'll divide the program into thirty minute segments. Technical difficulties this week led to only a partial recording, which we've divided into 40 and 30 minute segments.

Several themes at play:

We pay tribute to bluesman/Tuvan throat-singer Paul Peña, who passed away earlier this week. Rent Genghis Blues if you haven't already seen it. At the very least, it'll broaded your musical horizons.

The MLB playoffs are underway this week, so it seemed fitting to help usher them in with some music. Joe Pernice tinkers with keyboards and drum machines and a stupid Offspring hook in his ode to baseball's most endearing jackass. And in my favorite baseball-themed song, the Ultramagnetic MC's drop some history on the Negro Leagues. And Daryl Strawberry sets the bar for baseball playing rappers to come, "When I'm runnin', all the players make space/I run, I slide, and then I'm safe/"Cause you're DEF!"/Yo, I ain't soft/I even get paid on my days off."

10.5.05

1. The Mountain Goats- The Plague (recording cuts in late)
2. Paul "Earthquake" Peña- Kargyrra Moan
3. Paul Peña- Jet Airliner (recording interupted)
4. Paul Peña- Gonna Move
5. The Cryan' Shames- Sugar and Spice
6. The Del-Vettes- Last Time Around
7. Franz Ferdinand- Do You Want To?
8. Franz Ferdinand- Do You Want To? (Max Tundra remix)
9. Mylo vs. the Miami Sound Machine- Doctor Pressure (Dirty Club Mix)
10. Jackson and His Computer Band- Moto

10.5.05 b

1. Joe Pernice- Moonshot, Manny (Pega Luna, Manny)
2. Ultramagnetic MC's- The Saga of Dandy, the Devil and Day
3. Darryl Strawberry- Chocolate Strawberry
4. The Go! Team- Ladyflash
5. De La Soul feat. Redman- Ooh
6. Chi Ali- Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number (Qool Marv Speed Up)

Vacation ex post facto style

2005-10-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

tropical
Originally uploaded by youhavetheplague.

In case you forgot, friends, we're working in the minor leagues here, and even though we should know better, we do things like post "I'll-be-away-for-a-minute" messages after we've returned.

Don't fret.

We're about to up the frequency.

Stay tuned.

Love,
Your sick friends

Pur-Pur-Purp-Purp-Purp-Purple-Yurple

2005-09-20T20:12:00.001-07:00

Last week, they had the Baddest, which is cool and all--we're down with Slip-n-Slide. But DAMN, we're movin on up in the world like elevators. Big Boi and the Purple Ribbon Allstars (Killer Mike, Sleepy Brown, and maybe more) will be in the Little Rock tomorrow afternoon and evening, kicking it on the air on Power 92 and doing a meet-and-greet at Elevations, where a donation of clothing or canned goods gets you free admission. All donations go to the Watershed, which will then pass them on to victims of Hurrican Katrina.

92 isn't saying exactly when they'll be on the air--we suspect because Big Boi will show up whenever he damn well pleases--but it'll likely be sometime in the late afternoon, 'round drive-time. If Trina's visit is any indication, they'll be debuting some new cuts from that forthcoming Got Purp, Vol 2.

Partial employment will probably keep us from listening live, but we're furiously devising a TiVo-like device for our radio. If "Kryptonite" is a true preview, the album is gonna be bangin. We can't stop saying, "I be on it all night/Man, I be on it all day/Straight up pimpin'/If you want me, you can find me in the A."

Except when we say "A" we mean Arkansas, the Naturile.

Viva La Wilcox

2005-09-18T21:31:00.000-07:00

Without stepping on the toes that ride low in our peoples' five-inch stilettos over at Media, Bitches!, we at Plague HQ felt obliged to point folk to Sunday's Washington Post Magazine, where local mega-talent Lauren Wilcox writes about Las Vegas, and feat of feats, skips over the dancing girls and gambling that seem to give the city its, ahem, flavor. Instead, Wilcox writes of forgotten clubs and a graveyard for neon signs, the strange appeal of the grandiosity of a contrived city and a nostalgia for a place in constant renewal.

It's a fine piece of writing from a writer who for a few short months you can accost on our streets. After that you'll only find her in the pages of far-off magazines like this one.

You have to register to read it, but it's well worth it.

And as a bonus, if you register, you can harass Lauren at noon central tomorrow (Monday) when she partipates in a live chat on the Post's website. My partial employment will probably keep me from chiming in, but I'll be dreaming of gems to toss her way tonight to feed to my spies.

Jason Molina's eyebrows look like a tilde when he sings and indie sustainability

2005-09-15T22:51:00.000-07:00

Magnolia Electic Company showed up in full force at Stickey Fingerz. They played hard for the forty or fifty people in attendance. Jason Molina smiled a lot in between all his austere songs.

Overheard in the bathroom: "For ten bucks, they better play a hit soon."

(Also, I failed to mention that my good buddy Lawrence Wilson told me recently that he was in a band called Songs:Oh Yeah!)

Between breaks, I debated with my new friend Zach of the Good Fear and White Whale (formerly the Matt Suggs Band) about the state of live indie rock. I bemoaned the lack of quality national acts coming through Little Rock (that I did this during the live show of one such band is telling). Zach countered by saying that the kids of today, who ten years ago supported the hell out of indie rock, have moved on to nu-metal and Chrisitian punk and other banal music that has "edgy" pretensions. I agreed, but clarified my original point: I'm not concerned about indie rock in a Pavement, Built to Spill, Modest Mouse kinda way, I just want Little Rock to get artful groups and artists, music from anyone from Bill Frisell to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings.

Is that too much to ask, friends?

I shelled out $8 for the new Magnolia Electric Company EP. Mainly, I realize now, because it hasn't "officially" been released. Still, it's good. And there's a baffling cover of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves in London."

Breaking News! Localist goes online!

2005-09-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

One of the main goals of the Localist has always been to promote the local scene. Not just to folks around the state, but to others around the country, so they could check out the talent and interesting artists of Arkansas. With this in mind, as well as the incredible cost of putting out a full color magazine with no budget (well mostly because of that), we have decided to go completely online.

The new Localist site will include the same type of coverage you've come to expect from us, but broader, with articles on things happening all across the state; guides to bands, venues, restaurants, and more; show reviews; new columns by the best and brightest in Arkansas; a Localist blog; a messageboard; a mp3 hub that any Arkansas band and artist can post to; and much, much more.

I know some people will be disappointed that they won't have a physical object to hold in their hand, but in the end Localist online will afford us the opportunity to provide more frequent and up-to-date content and interact more fluidly with our readers. The same energy and vision the made the printed Localist will go into creating the new site.

Look for our launch sometime this fall.

Thanks for all your support and comments,
TJ Deeter
Publisher

P.S. As many of you know, our editor David Ramsey is now in Gainesville going to graduate school. We owe much of Localist's recent improvements to Dave's editorial guidance, and we're certainly going to miss him. Lindsey Millar is replacing Dave as editor, and I'm confident that he'll continue to push Localist to new heights. You can reach Lindsey at localisteditor@gmail.com, our art director Jeremy Colburn at localistart@gmail.com, and me at localistpublisher@gmail.com.

P.P.S. To all of you who wrote or were written about for what we'd hoped would be our summer issue, we're planning on including all of that content on the website.

Burt Taggart? Oh, you know, the architectural draftsman.

2005-09-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

The Arkansas Times gives Max Recordings love in their latest cover story. It's always nice to see Burt get his due. His stable of artists is strong and his packaging is game-tight. And, I mean, how cool is it that he sells the Chinese Girls' "OYTR" and Johnny Mac and the Red's "Fine Lines," two of central Arkansas' best rock singles in the last ten years, on 45?

The article begs the question, however, when are some other folk gonna step it up and start-up similarly strong labels? Clearly, Harlan has been holding it down for some time. And there've gotta be some rap labels other than Official 1 (incidentally, what's going on with them? Seems like I heard Ball Jones and Ricky D had a falling out). But things are still way wide open.

Somebody come with an electronic-focused label with a quickness. My eyes are on you ATM.

Da Snowman is Secretely Canadian

2005-09-15T10:56:00.002-07:00

Chris at Lemon-Red made the connection a few days ago, but I doubt he could've anticipated such a confluence. Tonight the tours of one of indie-(roots-)rock's elder statesmen and rap's hottest commodity meet in the Rock. Young Jeezy plays the Clear Channel Metroplex (on their website, they're billing him as "Young Greezy"), while Jason Molina and Magnolia Electic Company (the name may have changed, but the game's still the same) hit Stickey Fingerz with the Boondogs and Kevin Kerby opening. Clear Channel wants $20 in advance or $30 at the door, while central Arkansas' number one post-frat hangout asks only $10.

What to do, what to do?

Jeezy tells us that other rappers be acting like Patrick Swayze, while Molina admits that he's paralyzed by the emptiness. Jeezy is a member of the up-and-coming Boyz N da Hood, easily the most lamely named group in the last ten years. Molina, on the other hand, has been the sole member of the sometimes absurdly-named Songs:Albian, Songs:Radix, Songs:Unitas, Songs:Ohia (for a minute), Amalgamated Sons of Rest, and now, Magnolia Electric Company.

Surely, you know about Jeezy's "boom, boom, clap," but for those of you out-the-loop, I'll throw-up a couple of Molina favorites.

Songs:Ohia- Farewell Transmission

Songs:Ohia- Captain Badass