Stranger Than Paradise

Why Clear Channel and the FCC suck (again)

Physical State: achey
Mental State: muddy
Music: Kim Hiyorthoy - Hei
Fashion sense: grey shirt, blue jeans

What is wrong with the USA, Chapter whatever...Six Clear Channel stations suspended their broadcasting of the Howard Stern show due to unsavoury content and what they deemed was a conflict with the rules of broadcasting laid out by the FCC. While I'm not a fan of Stern really (his show was on Toronto radio station q107 for awhile but has now been replaced) I am a fan of his ability to say what he wants. Like him or not his show matters in the history of radio. Things like Clear Channel and the FCC ensure that the US gets more homogenized and more culturally stupid as the years go by. The US always blames the easy target of objectionable material as the source of all its woes (do Republicans watch Michael Moore movies?). Why is it that I think that under Bush that country is going south in its open-mindedness, logic and its ability to exercise its freedom of speech (ironic when they're fighting a "war" for freedoms in the first place, no?). Seems that Clear Channel like many other media giants, post-Janet, are watching everything that anyone says or does and then shutting them down when they don't seem to fit the FCC agenda of decency (a Republican appointed commission). They are pressured by politicians and advertisers to stay on the straight and narrow (and in turn keep us stupid). Granted Stern's show is not great entertainment but it is a voice. Stern is just the beginning (or is it...anyone remember George Carlin's 7 dirty words?). Moral values should come from within not from some corporate lawyer. Censorship from media conglomerates and governments is an evil if there ever was one (anyone remember Jesse Helms?). People should be intelligent enough to turn off the show if they don't agree with a viewpoint (or better yet correspond with the "offender" and start a dialogue about why they thought something was wrong, that's your right). They should also be willing to ask their children about why something they deem offensive is so important to their kids. Try to see both sides. But the powers that be attitude is that people are morons and they'll go along with anything you do (including piping in safe crap music 24-7 across all venues and listener dials while crushing local diversity and independent talent). As much as I'm not a fan of Stern I honour his ability to go against the boring status quo. Unlike Janet, Stern has been doing this for awhile, not to just sell a new album or get in the papers. What do I know? Make up your own mind which is exactly what they don't want you to do.

Today's Listens:
London-era Stones (still one of the best)
EBTG - Walking Wounded



Physical State: groovy
Mental State: springy
Music: The Rolling Stones - London Years Box (yes I will return this to my sister...NEVER!)
Everything But The Girl - Walking Wounded (Tracey Thorn has the best sad girl voice)
Fashion sense: black hoodie, grey shirt, blue jeans

Finally pulled out this box that my sister lent me (I think it was when I moved out many years ago). London-era Rolling Stones...three cds. They were a great indie rock band at that time (if you don't believe me take a listen to it). Not perfect songs but incredibly timeless. There are so many bands that must have this collection its obvious. I bet even Jack White has one. Andrew Loog Oldham produced this collection and it is my favourite period for Stones music, hands down.

Okay so I'm still around. Been busy doing absolutely nothing it seems. Just wrapping up a few things and starting a new issue of New Century (a Buddhist magazine that I help a friend out with, even if neither of us are Buddhist). Not content to make myself a nuisance to people on Friendster I have also joined on to nerve.com. Why do you have to pay to email someone? Seems really stupid. But I don't make the rules. It is interesting to see what people say about themselves, some people are really creative and others are pretty straight-laced. Vicky says that meeting people in a conventional sense is highly overrated and I would tend to be in agreement (at least that's what I'm saying...maybe I'm just too lazy to get out there and meet people in the winter time). The only downside of these things is that you read about these people, see their pics and really get interested in them and then you contact them and you never hear from them! The same thing seems to be happening at friendster for me lately. I feel like I've pissed off tons of people and I'm not sure why.

Fight Club on DVD and reviews for Wavelength still to write tonight...jeez gonna be another late one...You know I hate when you rent a movie that's a 7 day rental and you get complacent and decide that "you'll just watch it later" only to find that when you actually want to watch it, its due the next day! I think I need to organize things a bit better.

KT you should call me. (sorry couldn't resist, I know I know)

Later all.

BNW's Best of 2003



Physical State: sluggish
Mental State: puttering
Music: Plaid - Double Figure
Fashion sense: black sweatshirt, blue sweats


Yep I'm still here. My cold made worse by a trip to Super Furry Animals last night (not the greatest show I ever saw to be honest). No Dave Pajo/Papa M either...stopped at the border.

Brave New Waves recently had their best of 2003 show and I thought I'd put up the list for you to look over. I've marked the ones that I agree with with a star beside them. This whole month they are having special programming that looks back at many of the great interviews and guests they've had over the years. Definitely check out the schedule to see what's coming up, here.

BNW Best of 2003

fourtet - rounds *
the locust - plague soundscapes
lightning bolt - wonderful rainbow
melt banana - cell-scape
wire - send *
the thermals - more parts per million *
the sick lipstick - sting sting sting
erase errata - at crystal palace *
deerhoof - apple o*
the animal collective - here comes the indian
frog eyes - the golden river
the unicorns - who will cut our hair when we're gone?
barmitzvah brothers - mr bones' walk-in closet
beehive and the barracudas - in dark love
whirlwind heat - do rabbits wonder?
zongamin - s/t
t. raumschmiere - radio blackout *
mu - afro finger and gel
the soft pink truth - do you party? *
kaada - thank you for giving me your valuable time
the rip-off artist - in through the out door
otto von schirach - chopped zombie fungus
gold chains - young miss america *
the bug - pressure
dj scud - ambush! *
donna summer - this needs to be your style
secret mommy - babies that hunt
lfo - sheath *
neon hunk - smarmymob
busdriver & radioinactive with daedalus - the weather
kid koala - some of my best friends are djs
dm & jemini - ghetto pop life
king geedorah - take me to your leader
sensational - natural shine
beans - tomorrow right now
prefuse73 - one word extinguisher *
pole - s/t *
jaga jazzist - the stix *
egg - don't postpone joy
matthew dear - leave luck to heaven
vert - small pieces loosely joined *
the postal service - give up *
broadcast - haha sound *
movietone - the sand and the stars
tindersticks - waiting for the moon *
xiu xiu - a promise
the books - the lemon of pink *
cat power - you are free *
daniel johnston - fear yourself
manitoba - up in flames*
tim hecker - radio amor