Friday, August 31, 2007

A change of format — 96 Wave is now Chuck FM

Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Fri, Aug 31, 2007 at 12:43 PM

Word came in today that Apex Broadcasting station 96 Wave (96.1 FM) planned to switch formats this evening from whatever kind of “heavy rock” hybrid they’ve been tinkering with this year to an “Adult Hits” (a.k.a. “Variety Hits” or “Classic Hits”) format. Rumor had it they’ll be named (or nicknamed) “Chuck,” similar to other Adult Hits station around the country. Could this be the end of 96 Wave as Charleston has known it for decades?

Will they start playing the Bee Gees and Elton John next to Green Day and My Chemical Romance? Will Lancer, Wendy, Nick, Max, The Critic, other on-air talent be forced to spin John Mayer and Jefferson Starship? We’ll find out this week for sure.

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** [only a few hours into the new "Chuck FM" format on Friday evening, it sounded like things zig-zagged from Poison to Dead or Alive to Robert Palmer to .38 Special to K.C. & The Sunshine Band to OMC to Elvis Presley, etc. … no jocks, no back-announcing, no explanations … all of the Wave information online has been deleted and replaced only by the image to the left]

*** [Tues. Sept. 4 — word also has it that most of the regular Wave DJs have either been dismissed entirely or elbowed over to new duties at Apex's B-92 FM station. No word from Apex on their plans for their forthcoming Charleston frequency, 101.7 FM, due to launch in the fall or winter … stay tuned]

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Bright Eyes at The Plex

Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Wed, Aug 29, 2007 at 2:39 PM

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This just in: Bright Eyes, the Omaha-based, Saddle Creek Records band led by singer/songwriter Conor Oberst (pictured), make a special trip to town for a concert at The Plex on Thurs. Nov. 8 in support of their latest album, Cassadaga — a follow-up top the critically-acclaimed 2005 album I’m Wide Awake. Ticket and opening band information isn’t yet available yet. Stay tuned …

Michael Flynn is almost too prolific

Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Wed, Aug 29, 2007 at 2:23 PM

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Look for a feature on Charleston-based pop-rock band Slow Runner next Wed. (Sept. 5). City Paper just interviewed singer/pianist Michael Flynn and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Josh Kaler about their roller-coaster year of music biz misadventures and their plans for the fall and beyond. The latest configuration — featuring bassist Jonathan Gray (formerly of Jump) and guitarist Scott Baumil (formerly of the Young Republicans) — are well practiced and ready for a “CD Release Party” gig at Cumberland’s on Sat. Sept. 8. It’s “officially an unofficial” album-release party for their home-recorded “rock” collection titled Shiv — a melodic, Wurlitzer-driven album with a warm sound quality and a string of cool grooves. They already have a “quiet” collection of tunes set for release over the holidays. Flynn and the guys already have four dozen tunes ready for the studio in 2008 … some bands in town don't even know how to play that many songs!

Michael Flynn is almost too prolific

Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Wed, Aug 29, 2007 at 2:23 PM

click to enlarge slowrunnerband-keyboard.jpg

Look for a feature on Charleston-based pop-rock band Slow Runner next Wed. (Sept. 5). City Paper just interviewed singer/pianist Michael Flynn and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Josh Kaler about their roller-coaster year of music biz misadventures and their plans for the fall and beyond. The latest configuration — featuring bassist Jonathan Gray (formerly of Jump) and guitarist Scott Baumil (formerly of the Young Republicans) — are well practiced and ready for a “CD Release Party” gig at Cumberland’s on Sat. Sept. 8. It’s “officially an unofficial” album-release party for their home-recorded “rock” collection titled Shiv — a melodic, Wurlitzer-driven album with a warm sound quality and a string of cool grooves. They already have a “quiet” collection of tunes set for release over the holidays. Flynn and the guys already have four dozen tunes ready for the studio in 2008 … some bands in town don't even know how to play that many songs!

Johnny Irion gets spacious at Pour House

Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Wed, Aug 29, 2007 at 2:07 PM

It’s been over a years since husband/wife folk-pop duo Sarah Lee Guthrie (the daughter of Arlo and granddaughter of Woody) & Johnny Irion (a S.C. native) brought their modern take on traditional roots music to a local stage. Next week, on Sun. Sept. 9, Irion leads one of his latest solo projects — The Mattress, featuring bassist Jay Brown and drummer Zeke Hutchins — back this way for a set at the Pour House.

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Some older scenesters may remember Irion for his work in the ’90s with Durham/Raleigh-based indie-rock band Queen Sarah Saturday. His latest material on the album Ex Tempore (Rte 8 records) is a mellower mix of piano balladry, Americana, chamber pop, and folk-style fingerpicking … spacious, emotional, chime-y stuff. Guests include Sarah Lee, members of Chatham County Line, Hobex, and Corner Pockets. Ryan Picket, My Morning Jacket’s live sound mixer, coproduced and engineered the session at his Durham studio. You can check out tracks at Myspace, too.

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