The Economy is...Bad. Real Bad.

(Blurry...yes...that's exactly what I was going for...)

Things aren't looking so great here in the States, economically. Banks are being bought on a daily basis. Jobs are being lost. Homes - no one can pay their mortgages. Gas is expensive as hell. And low and behold: we have the money to build new sports stadiums. Now I love arenas and athletics and whatnot, but hey, our country needs to get things figured out. I don't want my grandparents living through 2 "Great" Depressions, let alone myself and everyone else.

"Infrastructure world collapse." Is it upon us? Yeah, unfortunately.

But hey, we got good music (videos) coming your way!

NEW: TV on the Radio
Afros, dancing cops, sky, mountains, weird things in unison.

NEW: Jenny Lewis
Cutest (in actuality: hottest) female indie rocker of our time.

NEW: Jack White...and Alicia Keys (?)
007 won't know what hit 'em.

NEW: Oasis
Hopefully they're album won't take a spill off stage like the lead vocals, Noel Gallagher.

NEW: Everything! (Check out our fun-loving, cool parents at Stereogum...we steal from them when they're out.)

And hey, check this out: It's this week's poster, dumb-dumb:

Good stuff, eh? Well tune in this week and you'll be happy. And not depressed. Promise.

Here's last week's poster, too. Because we were lazy and forgot. Fun collectibles - no?:

P.P.S. Our blog is getting some serious changes done to it! It's going to look legit! Not all Microsoft Paint-esque. Keep it here, at NMTM.

September 26, 2008 (Playlist)

September 26, 2008 (Playlist):
"Our Third Show!"

*Jim's songs are indicated by the "J", and my (Mike's) songs are indicated by the "M".

1. M: The White Stripes – You Don’t What Love Is (You Just Do As Your Told).
2. J: Of Montreal – Du Og Meg.
3. M: Pinback – Blue Harvest.
4. J: The Manchester Orchestra – Wolves At Night.
5. M: Noah And The Whale – 5 Years Time.
6. J: Bon Iver – For Emma.
7. M: Coheed & Cambria – The Suffering.
8. J: Bayside – The Walking Wounded.
9. M: The Godfathers – Birth, School, Work, Death.
10. J: Black Flag – TV Party.
11. M: We Are Scientists – It’s A Hit.
12. J: Say Hi To Your Mom – Blah Blah Blah.
13. M: Jane’s Addiction – Been Caught Stealing.
14. J: Gogol Bordello – Wanderlust King.
15. M: The Offspring – Can’t Repeat.
16. J: Aesop Rock (Feat. John Darnielle) – Coffee.
17. M: MGMT – Electric Feel.
18. J: Belaire – Through The Air (Kanye West Cover).
19. M: Interpol – Obstacle 1.
20. J: Bruce Springsteen – No Surrender.
21. M: The Replacements – When It Began.
22. J: Billy Bragg – A New England.

*Background music consisted of various Explosions In The Sky songs from the following albums: "How Strange, Innocence", "Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever", "The Earth Is Not A Cold, Dead Place", & "All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone".

Thanks to all those who listened to us Friday evening! Don't be shy about calling in or IMing us your requests/shout-outs. We'll put you on the air! Plus, we're really nice guys.

Video: (Summer Favorites - Part 6)

"Infrastructure world collapse"

Means: the failure of all worldly communications. Forget your fancy phonographs and talking pictures, check out the future. The future belongs to lasers and Radiohead.

Radiohead - House Of Cards

Thom Yorke doesn't want to be your friend, merely your lover. This video uses no cameras or lights (a.k.a., none of that primitive 21st century mumbo-jumbo). We now have "3D plotting technologies collected information about the shapes and relative distances of objects." Furthermore, "the video was created entirely with visualizations of that data."

Does that not blow your mind?

When I first read the comments for this video, people on YouTube we're like, "this sucks", "what the fuck", "I miss old Radiohead videos".

Well, I think that sucks. This is the first of its kind. Its snowy, but let's see you do any better. Plus, it's supposed to be this way. It's art. It's over people's heads. Including mine. Complicated computer technology makes me want to go play original Nintendo and be content with that time's technology.

A beautiful, surreal song. Got into it in the middle of my summer, when things kind of leveled off and I go used to being at home. Brings up strange, raw emotions. Then again, it's only a song, right?

Off "In Rainbows". In stores now.

PODCAST!!!

Here it is, finally, our 2nd radio show of the semester, in it's entirety. Enjoy.

Download HERE. (Rapidshare)

September 19, 2008 (Playlist)

September 19, 2008 (Playlist):
"Our Second Show!"

*Jim's songs are indicated by the "J", and my (Mike's) songs are indicated by the "M".

1. J: Pela – Cavalry.
2. M: Tokyo Police Club – In A Cave.
3. J: Coconut Records – West Coast.
4. M: Death Cab For Cutie – Your New Twin Sized Bed.
5. J: Elliott Smith – Ballad Of Big Nothing.
6. M: Sufjan Stevens – Dear Mr. Supercomputer.
7. J: Pixies – Debaser.
8. M: The Breeders – Cannonball.
9. J: The Thermals – Pillar Of Salt.
10. M: CSS – Rat Is Dead (Rage).
11. J: M83 – Kim & Jesse.
12. M: Black Kids – Hit The Heartbrakes.
13. J: Bruce Springsteen – Darkness On The Edge Of The Town.
14. M: Sea Wolf – Middle Distance Runner.
15. J: Psychedelic Furs – Love My Way.
16. M: Echo & The Bunnymen – The Cutter.
17. J: The National – All The Wine.
18. M: Pearl Jam – Jeremy.
19. J: Vampire Weekend – Exit Music (For A Film) (Radiohead Cover).
20. M: Gnarls Barkley – Run (I’m A Natural Disaster).
21. J: The Mountain Goats – This Year.
22. M: Motion City Soundtrack – Even If It Kills Me.

*Background music consisted of various Radiohead songs from the following albums: "OK Computer", "Kid A", "Hail To The Thief", & "In Rainbows".

Thank you to everyone who tuned in! Tune in next week for another great set. And don't forget to call in or instant message us - we take requests all show long!

The Second Show is TONIGHT!

(This is 100% copied from an annoying Facebook message I sent to everyone in the group):

Hey guys, the second installment of "Never Mind the Mainstream" is tonight from 6-8 PM on Kutztown University Radio (KUR). And some of you have said, "I don't have a radio, so I can't listen". So, 1, get a radio (no home should be without it). And 2, you don't have to (and almost shouldn't) listen on FM or AM. Here's what you do:

Go to kur.kutztown.edu
Click on "Click Here To Stream KUR"
And that's it. You're all set.

It's going to be a great show. We got a great line-up on new and classic alternative tracks by some great artists and bands. Death Cab For Cutie, Echo & The Bunnymen, M83, The National, and Pearl Jam, just to name a few. So don't forget to tune for the entire two hours!

Also, feel free to talk to us on the air! Call (610)-683-4058 for our studio line, or IM us on AIM (our screen name is KURRequest).

Hope to hear from you. Enjoy the program!

Our 2nd Show Is Tomorrow, People!

6-8 PM tomorrow night. What the hell are you going to be doing? I'll tell you: you're going to be tuning into "Never Mind the Mainstream" on Kutztown University Radio!

Make sure you tune-in @ kur.kutztown.edu via our web-stream!
Or these other fine choices:

88.3 FM & 1670 AM (If you're in the Kutztown, PA area)
Service Electric Channel 24 (Kutztown, PA)
Hometown Utilicom Channel 41 (Kutztown, PA)

We got some new tracks, some oldies, but overall: we got one son-of-a-bitch-of-a-show. So listen to us for the entire 2 hours!

"The best alternative and indie rock on college radio."

September 12, 2008 (Playlist)

September 12, 2008 (Playlist):
"Never Mind the Mainstream Debut!"

*Jim's songs are indicated by the "J", and my (Mike's) songs are indicated by the "M".

1. J: Arcade Fire – Headlights Look Like Diamonds.
2. M: Public Image Limited – Rise.
3. J: The Hold Steady – Stay Positive.
4. M: Vampire Weekend – Campus.
5. J: Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin – I Think I Wanna Die.
6. M: Miracle Legion – The Backyard.
7. J: Throw Me The Statue – Lolita.
8. M: R.E.M. – Man-Sized Wreath.
9. J: Barton Carroll – Brooklyn Girl, You’re Gonna Be My Bride.
10. M: Kevn Kinney – MacDougal Blues.
11. J: The Knife – Heartbeats.
12. M: Santogold, Julian Casablancas, & N.E.R.D. – My Drive Thru.
13. J: The Smiths – Still Ill.
14. M: Dodos – Fools.
15. J: Built To Spill – Big Dipper.
16. M: Conor Oberst – Souled Out!!!
17. J: Of Montreal – Know Your Onion! (The Shins Cover).
18. M: The Ting Tings – Shut Up And Let Me Go.
19. J: Pattern Is Movement – Right Away.
20. M: Bloc Party – One Month Off.
21. J: Björk – All Is Full Of Love.
22. M: Radiohead – Videotape.

*Background music consisted of instrumental tracks from Bloc Party's first and second albums: "Silent Alarm" and "A Weekend In The City".

Thank you to everybody who tuned in to the left of the dial to hear the premiere. It was a great first show with a wide variety of different tunes from yesterday and today (and tomorrow!). Thank you for the calls and instant messages, too. Those were great. Tune in next Friday (6-8 PM) for another great set. And as always, for more information, keep checking this blog frequently. Talk to you again soon!

TONIGHT, TONIGHT!

This is it. We go live in less than 6 hours. How does that make you feel? We feel great about it. Here's how you can tune in to catch the greatness:

Go to kur.kutztown.edu
Click on Listen Live! (Back-up Stream)
Click away
Open your ears
Enjoy the noise

It's very basic, but man, is it going to be something else. We'll have a re-cap and playlist posted sometime after the show. Hope to hear from you! (AIM: KURRequest; Studio Line: (610)-683-4059).

Something glorious is going to happen!

WE GO LIVE! - TOMORROW!

That's right! 6-8 PM tomorrow night on Kutztown University Radio!

Make sure you tune-in @ kur.kutztown.edu via our web-stream!

GET PUMPED! You will not want to miss the best alternative and indie rock on college radio! It's "Never Mind the Mainstream"!

Video: (Summer Favorites - Part 5)

"Cath..." (has a haunting echo, does it not?)

Death Cab For Cutie - Cath...


A somber and harrowing tale of a bride who (out of fear of being lonely her entire life AND confusion) marries a man who who will presumptively not love her, or even stick with her for that matter. It's a depressing tale that unfortunately suits many marriages in this day and age.

This is Death Cab's second single off there sixth studio album, Narrow Stairs. I got into this one in the middle of May when I was just thinking over and over about marriage (not sure why, it just came into my head and didn't leave for a while). It's an unsettling tune, but a good one, musically and lyrically. The video, on the other hand, is not the greatest. I was hoping for something with a little more doom and gloom. Although, the Seattle natives do sit Indian-style and sing in unison in a great little grassy corridor. Watch it, it might be your fancy.

"Soon everybody will ask: what became of you.
Because your heart was dying fast, and you didn't know what to do."

Tuesdays on the 'Tube (on a Wednesday)

Sorry I am a day late, but I was literally just watching this video for 25 hours straight, being confused.

Oh and NEWSFLASH: Björk is weird.

MTV's 25th Video Music Awards: The Collapse Of Mankind

I'm debating whether or not I want to get into this, but whatever, here it goes. Britney Spears: train wreck, worst mother in modern times, Satan, whatever - took home 3 awards. It's obvious that MTV wants to resurrect her (or just bring her up only to have her come crashing down - again). Regardless, her music is ass and I'm surprised she's still alive.

Other categories, let's see. Tokio Hotel (sp?)? The lead singer looks like a chick, sounds like a chick, hair looks like an explosion. Another pop-punk band that ruins good labels and further brings about the Apocalypse. They won Best New Artist. Good God.

Russell Brand was host. Very British. American audiences didn't get him. It's cool, he's British. His whole angle was being outlandish to us. I think he did his job.

I didn't really watch the whole thing, but I heard Lil' Wayne put on a good show. Maybe I'll catch it sometime soon. I mean, MTV will only play it 50 more times within the next 2 weeks or so (they could be playing "Music Videos"...).

What a joke. This makes me want to puke. I'm surprised I didn't talk about the Jonas Brothers. ...Too easy.

Stereogum does a good job of pointing out some awards given to good bands (Death Cab For Cutie, Gnarls Barkley, The White Stripes) in a post last week. Check it out here.

I'm going to go watch clips of early 90's performances at the VMA's and cry. Later.

P.S. In 1991, R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" won Video of the Year. In 1993, Pearl Jam's "Jeremy" won the prestigious one, too. Fast forward: Britney Spears wins it in 2008 with "Piece of Me". ... I am looking forward to the end of time in 2012.

P.P.S. I will not bold shitty artists. They do not deserve it. Even on a cheap college blog.

Enjoy Every Sandwich.

Warren Zevon died 5 years ago today.

Other than "Werewolves of London" I didn't know much of Warren Zevon when he died. Having grown up on a heavy diet of mainly Bruce Springsteen, you'd have though Mr. Zevon's records and I would've crossed paths, but it just didn't happen. Now I would like to remedy that for anyone who is possibly reading this.

Warren Zevon was brilliant. His songs are what you can call "classic rock" at its best, and he even threw some serious dark humor into a bunch of his songs, a sense of humor he honed over years of alcohol abuse and rough times. He also spent some time in my hometown, Philadelphia, engaged to a DJ at local rock station WYSP. However his drinking was out of control and he eventually left Philly for the west coast once again. It was inoperable cancer however, and the same cancer that killed Steve McQueen, that eventually took his life. When it came down to the end, he knew his cancer was inoperable, and he knew he would die. Knowing this, he refused treatment to ease his pain and instead spent his last months recording his final album, The Wind, that would be released two weeks before his death.

On October 30, 2002 Zevon made his last final appearance in public as the only guest on the entire hour of The Late Show with David Letterman. Letterman, who Zevon called "the best friend my music's ever had", had been a huge fan of Zevon for years, and knowing he was dying dedicated the entire hour long program to him. Zevon played three songs and spoke about his illness.

When asked by Letterman if there's anything he should know about life and death, Zevon responded "you're supposed to enjoy every sandwich."

Here is Warren Zevon's last public appearance and performance, playing my favorite song of his and Letterman's as well, "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner"

Video: (Summer Favorites - Part 4)

Part 4 of ??

Radiohead - Videotape


"When I'm at the pearly gates,
This'll be on my videotape.
My videotape.
My videotape."

Now I know we've already had a Radiohead post in our young blog life, but we can't get enough. This song was one of my most played on iTunes in the middle of the summer and it's just beautiful. "Videotape" is a song about death, or entering the afterlife, if you will. It's a reflection on a perfect day, right before your called by the Piper. It's a collection of what has been won and what has been lost, in life. Furthermore, it's about saying goodbye. It's the closing track off "In Rainbows", and rightfully so. It's great modern piano work and very Radiohead-esque moan sessions.

Bask in Radiohead mystery.

"No matter what happens now,
I shouldn't be afraid.
Because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen.

Video: (Summer Favorites - Part 3)

This is becoming routine.

Santogold, Julian Casablancas, & N.E.R.D. - My Drive Thru


This video is not so much "vintage", "retro", or "old". However, I think it's the coolest collaboration in a very long time, just because of the "who's who" in good music factor. You got Santogold, who may or may not be adding to the cult of trendy indie hip-hop divas (who's riding M.I.A.'s coattails?). She's great. Pharrell Williams has never sounded more like a chick in his life, and when I first heard the tune, I didn't even believe it could be him. But it's all good - some dudes have high voices. And then Julian Casablancas (lead singer of The Strokes) + (and where the hell have they been? I've had enough of Hammond Jr. doing his own thing) who adds some great riffs to this track. "My Drive Thru". What's it about? Doesn't matter. It's too dancy and catchy to be denied.

There are a bunch of cool lines in this cut (for lyrics, go here). I especially connect with "it's summer in the city." How true. Every time I worked in New York City this summer, I thought of this little number. Then I thought about how I wasn't getting paid and how I would be in debt well into the school year.

Converse, well done. You made this happen. Forming super groups and flashy kicks - I approve.

Vintage Video: (Summer Favorites - Part 2)

Ah, alas - Part 2. This one is a little more serious of a song than "Been Caught Stealing". Although, the gang does joke around before they start playing once they hear a request for a Southern Rock anthem. Listen for the Nine Inch Nails plug, too. This is one of many covers Nirvana played during their MTV Unplugged set on November 18, 1993.

Nirvana - "Plateau" (Meat Puppets Cover)


"Plateau" is a beautiful song. I always think of some sort of biblical journey through a desert or a plain when I hear the tune and listen to the lyrics. I think it's a self-realization song. Kurt's vocals suit it very well, adding a slightly depressing tone to it, rather than the upbeat Meat Puppets version. It was nice to have those dudes join Nirvana onstage. This performance, 15 years after it was recorded, is still haunting. Watch the entire unplugged: it's especially creeping during the final song (Leadbelly's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?") and Kurt's last scream. Looks painful. Big time spooky.

R.I.P. Kurt Cobain.

Vintage Video (Summer Favorites - Part 1)

Ever get really into a song during some point in your life when it's either really irrelevant to your current situation or not even remotely modern? I find myself digging into the past with old school alternative videos from the late 80's and early 90's more and more often these days. There's a lot to be learned and admired from these artists and their videos. They were creative, not terribly flashy, and pretty unique for their time.

I've got about 9 or 10 of these that I'll be posting. But basically, these are some songs from over the past summer that really stuck out to me. And these videos (whether official or not) are cool concepts. The first one belongs to LA's own Jane's Addiction.

Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing (1990)


Nothing wrong with a little theft to spice up your life. It's also cool to have your girlfriend be into the same criminal mischief. Perry Farrell, Dave Navaro and the rest of the gang in this alt. rock quartet offer up an idea for excitement - just make sure you don't wind up in trouble with the law. Check out the sweet dance fest that goes on in isle 7.

P.S. Try not to be totally freaked out by this cross-dresser.

Tuesdays on the 'Tube

Tuesdays on the 'Tube is a weekly feature where I will be posting my favorite youtube videos of the moment, music related or not.

The inaugural post for Tuesdays on the 'tube is one of my favorite songs of the year, from my favorite album of the year in a beautiful live setting. Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago" is one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard, and I cannot see it being usurped from the top spot on my best of the year list as of right now. So if you watch one video on youtube this week, please make it this amazing live performance of Creature Fear by Bon Iver.

Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's Our Schedule!

Hey you, listen to this!:

We got our schedule for "Never Mind the Mainstream" on Kutztown University Radio (KUR). We got a pretty solid time slot and we're going to use it to the best of our advantage. Now, we're only on once a week, so get your alternative and indie rock dosage when you can. Here it is:

Every Friday: 6-8 PM!

Wanna know how to listen? Of course you do. Here are all the fascinating ways you can do so:

88.3 FM & 1670 AM (If you're in the Kutztown, PA area)
Service Electric Channel 24 (Kutztown, PA)
Hometown Utilicom Channel 41 (Kutztown, PA)
On The Web (via our web stream) @ http://kur.kutztown.edu

For more information and other fun stuff, head over to KUR's official website here.

We're excited. We're pumped. We're going to rock. And we're going to be on the air on...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 (6-8 PM)!

You do not want to miss this. More to come. Peace.

Microsoft Paint 95 - you never cease to amaze me.