By Karen Glauber
Fueled by my son’s Halloween candy leftovers (the kid hates chocolate, so it’s fair game) and the grande-est matcha latte Coffee Bean is willing to sell me, I’m doing my damnedest not to feel like the personification of Day of the Dead. Tyler, The Creator’s IGOR is helping diffuse some of the existential anxiety that woke me up at 3am (“Earfquake” should have been a Modern Rock hit). I didn’t need a calendar to remind me that Mercury turned retrograde today. In brief, I can’t be held responsible for anything I say until it turns direct on 12/20, but please accept my preemptive apologies.
Since news of Rage Against the Machine’s first concerts since 2011 surfaced on Friday, the band’s Instagram followers have doubled. Will their 2020 Coachella headlining gig mark a return of the rock music-loving crowd to this festival? The news has certainly piqued my interest, and the social-media chatter from radio friends suggests that the return of Rage could be just what the format needs (assuming that new music will follow). To quote my esteemed colleague Simon Glickman, “Considering what the erstwhile Machine has been up to, the decision to resume Raging against it is particularly timely.” Thank you, Tom Morello.
Yesterday, My Chemical Romance announced that their first show since 2012 will be held at L.A.’s Shrine Auditorium on 12/20. As expected, the 30-to-40-somethings lost their proverbial shit over the news, much like my fellow 50-somethings did when the 40th anniversary Bauhaus tour dates were announced. I’m just grateful to have seen reunions from Patti Smith, Big Star and Television in my lifetime. While I would have loved to have seen Roxy Music with Brian Eno, or T. Rex circa ’70-73, I’d rather focus on what’s next, although it’s very exciting to see T. Rex on this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballot.
Many years ago, Marc Bolan’s son Rolan Bolan used to visit the HITS bunker in Sherman Oaks, so I emailed him to see if he’d share his thoughts on his father’s first-time inclusion on the ballot. Here’s what he had to say: “It is truly exciting for my father Marc Bolan and his bandmates to be among this year's nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It has taken some time, but his music has influenced musicians all around the world. From the powerful guitar riffs and mystical lyrics, T. Rex’s music embodied the rush of Beatlemania and the feeling of finding the groove in your own beat. This will be a true honor and a chance to reach a new audience all around the world. Keep a little Marc in your heart.”
Coincidence or not, my favorite new song is “Good Luck” from Broken Bells, which liberally borrows the bassline from T. Rex’s “Mambo Sun.” This is a stellar time for upper-demo songs, whether it’s the new Coldplay, Mumford and Sons’ latest, The Lumineers’ “Life in the City,” Beck’s subtly brilliant “Uneventful Day” or Vampire Weekend’s “Sunflower.” These are the songs I want to hear RIGHT NOW. Also, if you have a spare half hour, listen to the new Rex Orange County record. There’s a reason why Dennis Blair and Artie Gentile are so passionate about this artist!
I hate to report format upheaval, but here goes: Cumulus’ KHTB Salt Lake flipped Thursday from Alt to Pop (now simulcasting Power 101.9 with the moniker Power 94.9). Toby Ryan exited his MD/PM drive gig at 101X Austin after 23+ years. WRMR Wilmington PD Laura Lee was downsized out of a gig this week. WGMP Montgomery MD Emily Hayes exited a few weeks ago. KVIL Dallas MD Lindsey Martin will exit of her own accord to join Atlantic Records’ promo team, based in Charlotte. The future is female, although that doesn’t appear to be the case in Alternative radio. I’m counting on Lisa Worden, Michael Martin, Troy Hanson, Mike Kaplan and the other gatekeepers to “change the conversation,” as my friend Leslie Fram advocates.
SONG TO HEAR: Peach Pit, “Feeling Low” (see them on tour with Two Door Cinema Club)
