A bike, an ipod, and a vacation...

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July 5th, 2012

Plentiful free podcast archives

A few vacation days off from work for me usually involves sleeping in, watching movies, and taking a dent out of the ever-growing mountain of laundry building up in my closet.

However, last week I decided rather than sleep all day and stink up my apartment, I should actually try and get some exercise in. The weather’s been fairly nice and with the bike trail so close, I threw on my most comfortable exercise wear, grabbed my old school, 160 Gb iPod, and hit the road for a few hours of clarity.


Above: Two scenes from the Kern River Bike Path. Courtesy photos

I’m not one of those types of people who listen to techno while I work out, nor do I have carefully thought-out playlists with titles like, “Matt’s Jams,” “Clobberin’ Time” or “Namaste.” I’ve found there is no good way to tailor music playlists. Even the thought of it makes me exhausted.

I’m not into criticizing local radio. They get enough of that, plus they’re powerless to change anything you hear on the dial anyway. So what do I do? I hit the road with archived radio podcasts downloaded free off the web.

Among my favorite blasts from the not-so-recent past: the archived 2006–2009 “Jonesy’s Jukebox” shows hosted by Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. Originally broadcast afternoons on Indie 103.1 FM in Los Angeles, before the station headed to web-only streaming three years ago, it’s one of the best shows of its kind, especially for music geeks like myself.


Above: Steve Jones

Jones has been an Angeleno for years and can strike up a conversation with just about anyone he comes in contact with: Cheech & Chong, Duran Duran vocalist Simon Le Bon, Oasis, Eddie Money, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, and many others who have been guests. One of the best interviews features comedian Jim Norton, who shares in detail his many uses for Craigslist personal ads. It’s blue, off-the-cuff entertainment from Jones, who besides being a member of one of music’s most iconic punk bands, is quite the music historian. The only parts of the show missing are the musical segments. Jones has some eclectic tastes and always handpicked his favorites, which never follows any particular genre. If you’re a KROQ.com listener, you can still catch the new Jonesy’s Jukebox Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. Those shows aren’t available to add to your iPod, but you can stream his music picks via their website.



Another interesting podcast is “Lyrics Undercover,” also available for free at iTunes. In a lengthy series of 10-minute episodes, you can find out the song meanings behind everything from Oingo Boingo’s “Dead Man’s Party” to They Might be Giants’ “Birdhouse in Your Soul,” and Death Cab For Cuties’ “I Will Possess Your Heart.” Narrator Brian Ibbot of the Denver Post has an easygoing voice and shares a brief bio on the artist before chiming in bits of info about various lyrical passages. You can download episodes free on iTunes or subscribe at lyricsundercover.com.



These are just two examples of what’s out there; there’s also the Kevin Smith Smodcast, the Adam Carolla podcast, etc. All free and legal to download for hours of listening. Not to sound like an Apple salesman, but if you don’t have iTunes yet, go download it — free.

**I have plenty of bizarre stories from the Kern River bike trail I will be sharing in a future column...Stay tuned!

Peter Murphy in Bako

Tickets are currently on sale for an Aug. 19 concert featuring former Bauhaus lead vocalist and “Godfather of Goth,” Peter Murphy at On the Rocks.


Above: Peter Murphy

In the late ’70s through the ’80s, Bauhaus helped popularize the goth music and fashion movement in England, with gloomy lyrics and a dark, theatrical stage show. Their influence eventually made it to the U.S. and still resonates today where Bauhaus “vampire bat” T-shirts have become an essential part of teen wardrobes, and Murphy’s baritone voice style has become the standard for legions of imitators.



Bauhaus released five albums over the course of its career in between breakups, and at one point even morphed into the group Love & Rockets. Since going solo, Murphy has never stopped performing and collaborating with artists such as Trent Reznor and even made a brief appearance in “Twilight: Eclipse” as, you guessed it, a vampire. Today at age 54 he sounds and looks even more authentically goth — if there is such thing. By far one of the more interesting Bakersfield concert bookings, let’s hope he can stand the August Bako heat. Also appearing are the Ours and DJ Josex. Advance tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the club or online at tgptix.com. On the Rocks, 1517 18th St. For more information call 661-327-7625.

Matt’s Picks: July 6, 7 & 10


Mento Buru and DJ Mikey at Sandrini's Bar, 1918 Eye St., Friday, July 6th, $5, 9:30pm, 661-322-8900. Summer is here and to keep the First Friday festivities going - Mento Buru's funky ska reggae blend along with DJ Mikey's hip-hop Latinizer mix will keep you going craazzzzyyyy! By all means - JOIN US! If you don't dance to this, you don't dance. Check out Mento Buru at: facebook.com/mentoburu


Metalachi at B Ryder’s Bar, 7401 White Lane, 9 p.m., Friday, July 6th, $10, 397-7304.
These loco bandidos continue building a massive fan base as the only group of its kind, even garnering a blessing from their idols Anthrax, Motorhead and Slayer. Meshing Mexican mariachi music with the headbanging sound of heavy metal, the result is nothing short of bizarre. Onstage they rock traditional mariachi outfits with wild makeup, covering classics by Metallica, Ozzy, Led Zeppelin, plus lots of extra cheesy covers from Europe, Poison and other hairy-fying acts from the '80s. According to the band, they were originally scorned by many of the longtime Los Angeles mariachi groups, who accused them of messing with tradition after forming last year. Don’t expect this loco train to stop anytime soon; they pack out every show. Opening is local country metal hybrid Black Water Soul.

Adema at On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 8 p.m., Saturday, July 7th, $13, 661-327-7625.
A major-label deal, radio and MTV air play, massive tours, thousands of records sold, a worldwide following: Most working bands strive their entire career -- and fail -- to achieve that level of success. But  akersfield-based band Adema is trying something even more ambitious than that. This will be the band's second stab at a homecoming show following a stormy reunion with original vocalist Mark Chavez two years ago and the arrest of bassist Dave DeRoo during a tour stop in Connecticut last year. Although both incidents hindered plans for a full-fledged comeback, the group has continued performing and touring successfully with original members Tim Fluckey on guitar and vocals; drummer Kris Kohls; DeRoo on bass; and veteran Bakersfield guitarist Marc DeLeon. Rumor has it, original guitarist Mike Ransom will be making an appearance. Ransom now lives in Los Angeles performing with his new band, Black Heart Vacancy. Now, if Marky Chavez shows up, well...Let's just wish the fellas the best and congratulate them on keeping the rock alive. Cheers, brothas! Opening are Ruby Skye, Choirs, and Meditated Assault. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Reverend Horton Heat at On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 10th, $23, 661-327-7625. Wild Texan Reverend Horton Heat to me is and will always be the king of modern-day rockabilly and its deranged cousin, psychobilly. I've seen the Rev at the Vans Warped Tour, The Hootenanny, and every dive bar up and down the West Coast. Every show has kicked, and he never disappoints. His 1994 CD “Liquor in the Front,” produced by Ministry’s Al Jourgenson, is still as fresh as it was the day I bought it. This year the Rev celebrates 25 years of music and is about to release an anniversary box set titled “25 to Life” that features a live concert CD and DVD, plus a documentary on the band. Also appearing are Supersuckers and Goddamn Gallows.

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*Also printed in The Bakersfield Californian, 7-5-12