MP3 of the Day

It's Michael Jackson's birthday today! He was born in Gary, Indiana, and began performing with his four brothers in the pop group The Jackson 5 when he was a child. The group scored its first #1 single in 1969, with "I Want You Back." At age 14 Michael released his first solo album, and in 1976 the Jackson family, including sister Janet, launched a TV variety show called The Jacksons that ran for one season. Today we have CRISPIN GLOVER covering the song Ben from Michael Jackson's 2nd solo album released in 1972. That concludes our birthday week. Have a great long weekend!

MP3 of the Day

It's Kurt Bloch's birthday today! In 1979 he formed the band The Fastbacks with friends Lulu Gargiulo and Kim Warnick. These three band members remained constant, but they went through numerous drummers, including Duff McKagan, who went on to Guns N' Roses. The band estimates that they went though at least 12 drummers over the years. In 1988, Kurt joined the Young Fresh Fellows when original member Chuck Carroll left the group. The Fastbacks broke-up in 2001, and Kim Warnick joined the band Visqueen. Today we have the song I Guess by THE FASTBACKS from the 1990 album Very, Very Powerful Motor. Kurt's new band is called Sgt. Major.

MP3 of the Day

It's Jeff Fell's birthday today! He was born Jeffery Wayne Fell in Bakersfield, California, the hometown of Buck Owens. In 1990, Jeff founded the band Crayon with Brad Roberts and some other guy in Bellingham, WA. Back in the Crayon days, Jeff would often perform live shows in a full Lion Suit (minus the head). Jeff "the drumming lion" enjoyed a bit of notoriety in the indiepop circles. In the few short years that Crayon were together, a handful of 7" singles, split singles and one full length album called Brick Factory were released. After a six week US tour with The Softies, guitarist Brad Roberts quit the band in the summer of 1994, and Jeff would go onto form Tullycraft. Today we have the song Chutes and Ladders from the one and only CRAYON album Brick Factory. Happy Birthday Jeff!

MP3 of the Day

It's Moe Tucker's birthday today! She was born Maureen Ann Tucker in Levittown, New York, and began playing the drums at age 19. She played standing up, rather than seated, using a simplified drum kit of tom toms, a snare drum and an upturned bass drum. She was asked to join the Velvet Underground in 1965, by Velvets guitarist Sterling Morrison. In 1971, Maureen quit the band and the music business all together to raise her family. In the 1980's, Moe started recording and touring again, releasing a number of albums on small, independent labels that featured her singing and playing guitar. She also made a few guest appearances on other band's records, including producing the 1993 album Fire in the Sky for Half Japanese. Today we have the song This Could Be The Night by HALF JAPANESE from the Moe Tucker produced album Fire in the Sky.

MP3 of the Day

It's Elvis Costello's birthday today! He was born Declan Patrick McManus in London, the son of a big-band singer. He sometimes performed under his mother's maiden name, Costello. When he signed a record contract with the independent label Stiff Records in 1976, he changed his first name to Elvis on the advice of his manager. Today we have a demo version the song Radio, Radio by ELVIS COSTELLO.

MP3 of the Day

The movie Pump Up The Volume was released on this day in 1990. In the film, Christian Slater played an introverted student by day and an outspoken disc jockey by night. Many consider it to be one of the best teen rebellion films of all time. The movie won the Golden Space Needle Award at the Seattle International Film Festival, beating out the festival favorite, Jesus of Montreal (some audience members booed when the film was named the winner). Today we have the song Pump Up The Volume by ART BRUT. Happy Friday!

MP3 of the Day

Joe Strummer, the co-founder and lead singer of The Clash was born on this day in 1952. He died on December 22, 2002 of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect at his home in England. Today we have the song Coma Girl by JOE STRUMMER & THE MESCALEROS.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1981, the Scottish band, ALTERED IMAGES released their single Happy Birthday. The first 10,000 copies shipped with a free iron-on transfer. It was the band's biggest hit, reaching #2 on the UK singles chart. That same year they were voted "Best New Group" at the NME awards. "Happy Birthday" was introduced to a more widespread American audience when it was included on the soundtrack to the John Hughes' movie Sixteen Candles.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1981, ABC aired its final episode of the detective series Charlie's Angels. The show had been on the air for five seasons and it featured a bevy of crime-solving grrrl detectives instructed by a mysterious voice on a speaker phone known only as Charlie. Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Farrah Fawcett played the original Angels. Subsequent Angels included: Cheryl Ladd, Shelley Hack, and Tanya Roberts. Today we have the song When The Angels Play Their Drum Machines by HEFNER from the album Dead Media.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1903, German engineer Karl Jatho allegedly flew his self-made, motored gliding airplane four months before the first flight of the Wright Brothers. He flew for nearly 200 feet at an altitude of 18 feet in front of four witnesses. He ended up founding a plane factory, but did not have much success. Today we have the song Big Blue Sky by MINISNAP from the album Bounce Around on Magic Marker Records.

MP3 of the Day

I don't know if any of you saw the announcement that BOYRACER are supposedly playing their last ever show tonight at the 40 Watt in Athens, GA. I love Stewart and Jen to death, but I have to call b.s. on this. If they hadn't made this claim half a dozen times before I might be inclined to believe them, but I simply don't. Tullycraft actually played with Boyracer at their "last ever show" in the bay area a few years back (just one of many since then). I'm betting there will be other chances to catch them live in the future. Feedback squeal and reckless energy like theirs can't be contained for too long. Today we have the song Where To Place Your Trust? by BOYRACER from the album Happenstance. Happy Friday!

MP3 of the Day

Hurry up and make your way to Athens, GA! The Athens Popfest is in full swing! Appearing at the 40 Watt tonight are: Bunnygrunt, Patience Please, Cars Can Be Blue, and Roky Erickson!!! If you're in Athens for the entire weekend you can catch The Smittens, Elf Power, The Secret History, Fishboy, Cryptacize, Dead Confederate, Hot Pants Romance, The Lolligags, Nana Grizol, The Music Tapes, Thee American Revolution, The Faintest Ideas and many others. Today we have THE APPLES IN STEREO performing the song Ruby at the Athens Popfest in 2006.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1992, WEEZER played their very first show outside of the LA area. They appeared at Marsuggi’s in San Jose (in Northern California). Their set included “Let’s Sew Our Pants Together,” “My Name Is Jonas,” and a new song called “No One Else.” Today we have an acoustic demo of In The Garage by WEEZER. The song "In The Garage" featured a few pop-culture references including Ace Frehley & Peter Criss from the band KISS, and Kitty Pryde from the X-Men. Oddly enough, Kitty Pryde and having a KISS poster on the wall are mentioned in the same verse. In X-Men #129, the first to feature Kitty Pryde, she is seen in one panel lying on her bed with a KISS poster on her wall. Hmmm?

TULLYCRAFT TUESDAY

Good news! We just received a small batch of the size medium and x-large “bats” T-shirts. This means these shirts are currently available in sizes: small, medium, large, and x-large (while supplies last). If you are interested, you may order one from our merch page.

MP3 of the Day

JOE JACKSON was born in Burton-on-Trent, England on this day in 1954. He grew up in Portsmouth, England, and to avoid playing sports, he took up the violin at age 11. He fell in love with music, and by age 16 he was playing piano in local pubs. He recorded a demo, and in 1978 was signed to A&M Records. His first album, Look Sharp! was released in January, 1979 and peaked at #20 on the US Billboard charts. Today we have the song Happy Loving Couples from the Look Sharp! album.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1988, the Chicago Cubs hosted the first night game in the history of Wrigley Field. The game was called due to rain in the bottom of the fourth inning, but because five innings are required for a game to be official… it didn’t count. Wrigley’s first night game was officially recorded as a 6-4 win over the New York Mets on August 9, 1988. The Cubs are the only major league team that still plays the majority of its home games during the day. Today we have a live version of Cubs In Five by THE MOUNTAIN GOATS. Happy Friday!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1971, The Bee Gees scored their first #1 single with "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart." They topped the charts eight more times with songs like "Jive Talkin'" and "You Should Be Dancing." The group went on to score more #1 hits than any other group in history except The Beatles and The Supremes. Today we have THE LUCKSMITHS covering The Bee Gees' classic I Started A Joke.

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On this day in 1970, West Coast Yippies invaded Disneyland “to liberate Minnie Mouse.” Leaflets were distributed beforehand declaring that they would attempt to take over all of Disneyland, but they only managed to infiltrate Tom Sawyer’s Island. Anaheim police had prepared for thousands of troublemakers and were waiting backstage in riot gear, but only about 300 showed up. After “capturing” Tom Sawyer’s Island, the Yippies marched down Main Street and harassed the Disneyland Marching Band. At that point the police stormed in and attempted to evict the Yippies, who quickly disbursed throughout the park. Disneyland was then closed and emptied; the first time in the park's history. Today we have the song Mousetrap by SOME VELVET SIDEWALK.

Teenage Fanzine Revolution!

Volume 4 of the fabulous fanzine Sapricot just came out. That's right! An actual fanzine... not a blog! This new issue features an interview with Derek from Flowers Forever, an indiepop booty call flowchart, a story about the perfect mix tape, and a really long interview with Tullycraft. The Tullycraft interview was done in person while we were in Washington, DC. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this zine, they are only $2.00 US and $3.00 international. Money may be sent via PayPal to sapricotzine@gmail.com - Check out the Sapricot MySpace Page! Today we have the song Burnt Toast by the band SUMMER CATS.

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On this day in 1981, Pete Wylie's band WAH! were the musical guests on The Evening Show with Richard Skinner on the BBC. Is this fact interesting to any of you? Today we have the song TV by THE JUDY'S from their 1981 album Washarama.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 2003, Tullycraft played at the Arts Café in London, England with Mates Of State. That night we met Kate from HOTPANTS ROMANCE (we hung out with her and some of her friends after the show). Sometime during the show, the van that Mates Of State were touring in was broken into outside of the venue. Their passports, money, and some of their clothes were stolen. It was a real bummer, but a few days later our paths crossed with Jason & Kori again at a festival Sweden, and we were happy to hear that their passports had been replaced and that their tour was back on track. Today we have the song Stop Escaping by HOTPANTS ROMANCE from their new album It's A Heatwave on HHBTM Records. Happy Friday!