POST-TOASTED:
FEEL-GOOD HIT OF THE SUMMER

The voice on the clock radio at 7 a.m. said today’s air was going to be “unhealthful,” advising those with “problems” (respiratory and otherwise) to stay indoors. There go my plans to play hooky from deadline and go to the beach (like I’d even know where to find the beach, as Gaby will attest). Sometimes the beach becomes an unwitting option, as in the case of our friend Tim Richards, who was relieved of his Q101 PD duties last Friday. Do I call; do I not call? Is there appropriate etiquette for these kinds of conversations (which have become all too frequent)? Fuck it, I’m calling. Tim sounded much calmer than I would’ve been in his situation, telling me that he would’ve been more upset if he didn’t honestly feel like he’d given 100% to the job. Sometimes circumstances are beyond one’s control, which doesn’t negate their hard work (as futile as it may seem) or their talent. Or, as Miranda learned on last week’s Sex and the City, “He just wasn’t that into me.”… Let’s play “career musical chairs” (where’s Halloran and his overhead projector when I need him?): Robert Benjamin has amicably parted company with WHFS after 12 years as PD. He was last spotted in a fake-wood-paneled station wagon heading west… Stu Bergen has departed IDJ for a major gig at Columbia, commencing early September. Island’s Howie Miura and Christine Chiappetta remain in their perch above the Hustler store, reeling in dozens of Thrice adds (including WJBX, KROX, KMYZ, WNFZ and others), while continuing to keep me abreast of Paris Hilton sightings… Mary Shuminas is named the “Acting PD” at Q101 for the 483rd time. Logic dictates that Vince Richards is the next PD in the sequence, although we think Keith Richards would be funnier… Ted Volk was back in the office on Monday after the birth of daughter Noa Samantha on July 2, with cautious expectation that Jane’s Addiction would be #1 on the other airplay chart. Hmm… It’s #2—one spin behind The White Stripes. The errant spin (and a few more) was discovered after hours spent probing through every station log. Correcting the error (and elevating “Just Because” to its rightful spot at #1) would contradict policy. The music industry is hanging on for dear life right now, partly because each faction is at cross-purposes with every other. While Ted was telling me this, a lyric from Elvis Costello’s “Radio Radio” kept going through my head: I want to bite the hand that feeds me. I want to bite that hand so badly. I urge every programmer to switch places with one of their locals (if they’ve ever met them) for the day, and vice versa. What are the common goals of radio and labels (other than staying employed)? Here’s another reality check: Visit the $1 section of Amoeba Records. Those 10 or so rows are crammed with records we’ve worked, programmed, or been involved with on some level—what happens to those musicians, once their record doesn’t research, or they get dropped—when their creativity is relegated to the section marked “nearly worthless”? It’s a sobering thought… Perseverance (and patience) is often merited with accumulated acceptance, as is the case of the new Rancid single “Fall Back Down.” Although some programmers used to think of Rancid records as being as relevant to PoMo as another big band revival, the group remained true to its vision, while continuing to stretch as songwriters. Rob Goldklang and Heather Luke landed 25 early adds this week! Speaking of bands that have outlived the “fad” status to which you ascribed to them, Rob and Heather had another amazing week on Less Than Jake’s summer smash, including 99X, WBRU, WZNE, WWDX and more! Yippee!... Greg Dorfman is all grins now that KROQ has added Smile Empty Soul’s “Bottom of a Bottle,” which is researching like crazy (for those of you who live or die by these things). Speaking of KROQ, we hear that Kevin Weatherly will be adding national VP stripes to his many titles, following the latest Infinity restructure. As always, we hail him… Early love for the new Fuel single, “Falls on Me,” included adds at K-Rock, Y100, KXTE, WXTM, WZTA and KUCD. Jacqueline and her gang are STOKED… Kings of Leon debuted on the U.K. chart at #3, selling 33,000 the first week! Their debut coincides with an appearance on the cover of NME, as well as a Q101 add on “Molly’s Chambers”!... Our favorite Virgins are revved up over early adds on Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s “Stop,” including Live105, KTBZ, WFNX, WZZI and KSYR! You will LOVE this record—it’s the perfect combo of melody, noise and swagger!... SONG TO HEAR: Sense Field’s “I Refuse” (sounds like a CLASSIC)… PEOPLE TO WATCH: Lisa Worden, John DiMaio, Rae Cline, Stephanie Harty, Chris Williams, Steven Strick, John Moschitta, Bob Waugh, Jimmy Barnes, Doug Ingold and John O’Connell.