Month: May 2018

Facebook Post: 2018-05-29T06:38:06

It is very easy to get distracted, and some of the most skilled distractors have been at work recently. But we must remember an old political truism that Douglas Adams so eloquently summarized: a President’s job is not to wield power, but to draw attention away from it.

There’s only one Trump scandal, but the news treats it like hundreds of little scandals. What are the hundreds or problems out in the world that we’re being misdirected away from?

“There are not many Trump scandals. There is one Trump scandal. Singular: the corruption of the American government by the president and his associates, who are using their official power for personal and financial gain rather than for the welfare of the American people, and their attempts to shield that corruption from political consequences, public scrutiny, or legal accountability.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/05/there-is-only-one-trump-scandal/560825/

Facebook Post: 2018-05-28T10:33:53

I don’t usually support the military, or their actions, but soldiers are another matter. Sometimes they don’t want to be fighting. Other times they are doing a job that both sides in our political system call for, and it is hard to hold the soldiers accountable. And when the system is unfair and needs reform, soldiers are often unable to step up as vocal participants in these movements, unfortunately due to many retaliatory reasons that keep their voices silent. The reasons soldiers are maligned are awful; the reason the military is maligned as an entity makes total sense.

My Grandfather and Great-Grandfather were both soldiers who were involved in big Wars: WWII and WWI, respectively. I never knew my Great-Grandfather, but my Grandfather was not defined by his military experience. I didn’t even know he was in the war for many years. But he was many things to many people at different times in his life, and it shouldn’t be surprising that there were unplumbed depths to his personality that I never got to know. I guess, more than anything, I just regret not being able to ask him about this.

I miss you Chet.

(Photos curtesy of Penelope Rich Bartsch.)

Facebook Post: 2018-05-26T05:05:11

Pere Ubu (band), Mission of Burma, Vivian Girls, Drats!!!, The Wipers, The Minutemen, The Red Krayola, Stereolab, The Bangles, NoMeansNo, Germs, Flaming Lips, The Who, Unwound, Buzzcocks, Brian Eno, William Shatner and more. Available for stream or download. Philosophy Rock gets REAL.
http://midvalleymutations.com/2018/05/25/realer-than-the-realest-thing-ever-103/

Facebook Post: 2018-05-21T17:28:30

I know this may sound awful, but I have no sympathy for the kid. He’s getting off somewhat lightly, considering we lost that beautiful forest forever. And there’s this:

“The boy can set up a payment plan, though payments can be halted after 10 years as long as he complies, completes probation and doesn’t commit other crimes.”

So he’ll barely put a dent in that 30 million after 10 years. But maybe he’ll learn his lesson by having to make those payments forever if he commits another crime. Does that offset the animal life that was lost in the fire?

Facebook Post: 2018-05-17T08:33:32

Sesame Street is so maudlin. The sounds have a ‘70s sadness to them, the lessons have a somber undercurrent. So much Kids culture of my childhood really has sadness as an element or undercurrent, and I don’t think it’s the nostalgia; the music is often minor key and downbeat. (Watership Down.) What was wrong with us? Everything I grew up with just fills me with sadness, but is presented as happy joyful cartoons. How did this happen?

Facebook Post: 2018-05-07T09:51:38

Here’s a major summer bummer, and we’re barely into the nice weather. One of my favorite punk outfits is momentarily hanging up the grind. They’re going on a farewell tour to support their newest release – WILSONCORE – and will play a number of shows as they wrap up this phase of their career. /root_DIR is probably playing near you, so if you wanna catch them as they wind things down, here’s the where and when. Plan accordingly. They kick off this “Game Over Man” tour at The Space Concert Club, so do not miss this incredible event!

Facebook Post: 2018-05-06T07:18:55

I’m very excited about this Variety Show I’ve organized at The Space Concert Club, which features comedy and punk rock (and other things, too) into one incredible evening of entertainment that you won’t want to miss. We recommend you show up early, as this will most likely wrap at 10, as we’re trying to keep it All Ages. But regardless of your age, please get some snacks and drinks, and enjoy a wild Mother’s Day program where anything can happen. See you there!

Facebook Post: 2018-05-02T21:05:28

I have been at KMUZ now for two years, and this Friday is my 100th episode of all-original experimental radio mixes for the Mid-Valley, and I couldn’t be prouder of all 100 episodes. But this also marks a number of anniversaries: 25 Years making zines, 24 Years playing music and putting on shows, 20 Years in radio, 18 Years making web-content, 14 Years podcasting, and Five years making films. So spring is always very meaningful to me, especially since it’s also my birthday.

With that in mind, here’s a show of all-new content, by (mostly) new artists from the last few years, with a new theme and concept that I’ve never done before. I’ve played tapes on the show before, just never a whole show like this. And nearly every inch of this program features new acquisitions and new people you can go and see play music NOW. SO there’s that, too.

I love making radio, and I pour my heart and soul into it. And I think that the shows are good, too, so please, tune in, and enjoy some excellent tune, and help me celebrate a quarter century of making my own brand of art. I wouldn’t want to spend it with anyone else but you.