Happy Thanksgiving!

On this day in 1976, ROBYN HITCHCOCK announced to a crowd in Cambridge "We're the Soft Boys." It was a new direction for the band that was only hours before calling themselves Dennis & The Experts. The new band name came from the title of a song that Robyn recently made up in rehearsal called "Give It To The Soft Boys." Guitarist, Rob Lamb left the group shortly after the name change, commenting that he thought the band was "getting to be too scrappy." Today we have a live version of the song Viva! Sea-Tac by ROBYN HITCHCOCK recorded at the Metro in Chicago. I think I'm gonna take tomorrow off, have a great weekend!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1862, Charles Dodgson sent a handwritten manuscript called Alice's Adventures Under Ground to 10-year-old Alice Liddell. The 30-year-old Dodgson made up the story one day on a picnic with young Alice and her two sisters, the children of one of Dodgson's colleagues. The Liddell children thought his tale of a girl who falls down a rabbit hole was wonderful, and Alice insisted he write it down. During a visit to the Liddells, English novelist Henry Kingsley happened to notice the manuscript. After reading it, he suggested to Mrs. Liddell that it be published. Dodgson published the book as at his own expense, under the name Lewis Carroll in 1865. Alice in Wonderland became one of the earliest children's books written simply to entertain children, and not to teach them. Today we have the song Like Or Like Like by MINIATURE TIGERS.

TULLYCRAFT TUESDAY

Never let it be said that Tullycraft doesn't have the greatest fans in the world. Earlier this year, Jake Rohdy wrote us an email from Michigan that read in part: "so this may sound strange, but I happen to paint a little bit, and I was wondering since you guys have given me some great songs, if you would like your very own Tullycraft painting?" Well, we took Jake up on his offer and today we're sharing his painting with all of you. He managed to incorporate many of our song titles, our city, Jenny's favorite dress, and a killer robot! Thanks so much for the wonderful painting Jake! Today we have the song These Things Happen by ACTION PAINTING!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1981, the synthpop duo SOFT CELL released their debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret on Some Bizarre Records. The album was recorded with a very little money using a Roland drum machine, a NED Synclavier, a Roland bass synthesizer, and Revox tape recorder. Despite this, the record received critical praise and was bolstered by the success of its single "Tainted Love", a cover version of a little-known R&B song by Gloria Jones which topped charts worldwide and became the best-selling British single of 1981 in the United States. Today we have the song Say Hello, Wave Goodbye by SOFT CELL from the album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret .

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1980, 350 million people around the world tuned in to find out who shot J.R. on the television series Dallas. J.R. had been shot on the season-ending episode the previous March, which still stands as one of television's most famous cliffhangers. The plot twist inspired widespread media coverage and left America wondering "Who shot J.R.?" for the next eight months. The November 21st episode solved the mystery, identifying Kristin Shepard, J.R.'s wife's sister as the culprit. Today we have the song Rumours by LOVE IS ALL - who are playing in Seattle this Sunday.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1987, the concert film Sign O' The Times was released in 250 theaters nation-wide. The film was directed by PRINCE and was intended to promote his Sign O' The Times album. It featured the band that accompanied Prince on his 1987 tour, including dancer Cat Glover, drummer Sheila E. and former members of The Revolution. The film did not perform well and was quickly taken out of theaters. Nonetheless, when Sign O' The Times was released on VHS in 1988 it became extremely popular and received rave reviews, particularly in the UK. Q Magazine gave it 4 stars, and Sky Magazine suggested that it "was the greatest concert movie ever made". Today we have the full six and a half minute version of I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man by PRINCE from Sign O' The Times .

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1982, THE CURE released the 7" single Let's Go to Bed b/w Just One Kiss in the UK. In the aftermath of the dark Pornography album, Robert Smith wrote "Let's Go to Bed" as a sarcastic reflection on pop music, but apparently he hated the song and was initially upset that it was released. Today we have an interview with Robert Smith talking about this single and an acoustic version of Let's Go To Bed by THE CURE.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1978, in remote northwestern Guyana, People's Temple leader Jim Jones directed hundreds of his followers to drink cyanide-laced Kool-Aid in a mass murder-suicide at their commune. The few cult members who refused to take the lethal fruit-flavored concoction were either forced to do so at gunpoint or shot as they fled. The final death toll was 913. Jones died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Only a dozen or so followers survived, hidding in the jungle. Today we have the song Guyana Punch performed by TULLYCRAFT from The Singles cd.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1968, with just 65 seconds left to play in the Oakland Raiders / New York Jets game, NBC switched off the game in favor of its previously scheduled programming, a made-for-TV version of the children's story Heidi. The Oakland Raiders went on to score two touchdowns in nine seconds to beat the New York Jets, but nobody outside the Oakland Coliseum actually saw any of this, because of NBC's programming decision. Shortly after the Heidi debacle, the NFL inserted a clause into its TV contracts that guaranteed that all games would be broadcast completely in their home markets. For its part, NBC installed what they called the "Heidi Phone," in the control room, and they assured viewers that such a disaster would never be allowed to happen again. Today we have the song Conspiracy To Commit Arson by OH SANDERS from the album The Death Of Nature.

On this day in 1981, The Go Go's performed "Our Lips Are Sealed" and "We Got The Beat" on Saturday Night Live. Bernadette Peters was the host. Jenny Mears was too young to stay up and watch, but she didn't mind... because it was her birthday! I know Jenny is a big Lizzie McGuire fan, so today we have the Go Go's classic Our Lips Are Sealed performed by HILARY DUFF (featuring her sister Haylie?) Who on earth is Haylie? Happy Birthday Jenny!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1967, the Roman Polanski film The Fearless Vampire Killers was released. The movie followed an old bat researcher, professor Abronsius and his assistant, Alfred, to a remote Transylvanian village as they search for vampires. While staying at an inn, Alfred develops a fondness for Sarah (played by Sharon Tate), the daughter of the inn-keeper. After Sarah is kidnapped by a vampire, the two must break in to the vampire's castle to rescue her... and then the hilarity ensues! Today we have the song Bruises by MANDA RIN (aka Manda - formerly from the band Bis) from her first solo album My DNA.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 2004, during GUIDED BY VOICES final tour, the city of Los Angeles proclaimed this day to be "Guided by Voices Day" in the city. Today we have the song 14 Cheerleader Coldfront by GUIDED BY VOICES.

TULLYCRAFT TUESDAY

I think it's been a few weeks since we've had a Tullycraft Tuesday - where we feature a band (or artist) covering a Tullycraft song. As luck would have it, a few days ago we received this awesome version of Superboy & Supergirl performed by THUNDERBEAR who hail from Slough in the UK. Check out their Facebook. Are bands on Facebook? I don't have one, I don't know. Hey! If you're in a band or know a band that covers a Tullycraft song, send it our way and we'll put it on the site!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1980, the British pop band VISAGE released the single "Fade to Grey." The single was a top ten hit in the UK and made the charts in several other countries. The band became closely linked to the burgeoning New Romantic movement and they followed-up the single with the release of their self-titled debut album which also experienced some chart success. Today we have the song Fade To Grey by VISAGE.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1981, DEPECHE MODE released their debut album Speak & Spell. This would be the only album with Vince Clarke as a member of the band. He wrote most of the songs on Speak & Spell; Martin Gore would take over songwriting duties, after Vince left, writing almost all of the band's material on the later albums. The album peaked at #10 in the UK Album Charts. Today we have the song Photographic from the album Speak & Spell. Happy Friday!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1982, Shirley Allen was arrested for poisoning her husband. Lloyd Allen had complained of a strange taste in his beverages, but believed Shirley when she told him that it was an iron supplement for his health. After witnessing her mother spike Lloyd's drinks with anti-freeze, Shirley's own daughter turned her in to the authorities. When Allen's death was investigated, toxicology reports confirmed that his body tissue contained a lethal amount of ethyl glycol (anti-freeze). After a short four-day trial, Shirley Allen was sentenced to life in prison in 1983. Today we have the song I'm Not Drinking by ED'S REDEEMING QUALITIES.

We Did It!

It's Election Day!

Today we have the song Absent Votes by THE LUCKSMITHS. If you haven't already, please don't forget to vote.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1956, the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz was shown on television for the very first time. 45 million people tuned in to see the movie on CBS. Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland's 10-year-old daughter, introduced the program. Today we have the song 3 Feet Deep by MILD STALLIONS from their Pocket EP.