dimland radio 4-27-19 show notes

A Friend Of Z Talk And Dimland Radio Has Been Lost

He was known as Homey in the chat room at Z Talk Radio. He was a semi-regular visitor going way back. Homey was dropping by less frequently in recent years, but when he did pop into chat he was always a welcome sight.

His name was Jimmy Holmes and he died sometime in the last couple weeks. I'm not exactly sure when or what it was that took his life. I was stunned when I learned of his dying.

Z Talk Radio and Dimland Radio have lost a friend. Homey will be missed. 

Is Exxon/Mobil Admitting To Being Part Of The Problem? 

Global climate change is real. It's happening and it is likely to have dire consequences. It's also mainly due to human activity. All that pumping of CO2 in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution is taking its toll and humans need to get behind efforts to reverse the trends and fix the damage.

But there's been a lot of foot dragging in part due to people not understand the importance and the urgency. Too many think it's not that big of a problem. They think there is a debate among scientists. They think the science isn't settled.

A big part of the reason for the foot dragging is the misinformation campaign fostered by the oil industry. They have been muddying the waters and giving the public and politicians a way the justify not taking my aggressive action.

But then I saw this ad:

CO2 is the main greenhouse gas that is causing the problem. Most of the CO2 in the atmosphere is the result of burning fossil fuels. Capture it would be helpful. Exxon/Mobil seems to be admitting fossil fuel (you know, the thing they produce) is the problem. They do so without mentioning climate change, but they seem to be admitting they are part of the problem.

Don't they?

It's Not True: Urine Is Sterile

I believed this one. Lots of people do, even doctors.

But there is bacteria in urine. It seems to be a recent realization, but it has been learned that you don't have to have a bladder infection to have non-sterile urine. The human body is filled with bacteria, good and bad. And there is bacteria in urine.

Learn more here and here.

Measles Is Making A Comeback In America! 

UCLA and Cal Sate LA have both put a number of staff and students in quarantine due to their possible exposure to measles via students with the should-be-gone-by-now disease.

Dimland Radio wishes to extend a hardy (and sarcastic) Well Done! to all the anti-vaxxers out there. You have done your job well.

"This Is Jordan, We Do What We Like..."

Those are the opening words of '80s post-punk band Big Black's song Jordan, Minnesota. It's a disturbing song about the rash of child sexual abuse accusations that beset that small rural Minnesota town beginning in 1983.

Similar accusations were being made all over America in those days. Daycare providers, parents, teachers, even members of law enforcement were being accused of taking part in child sex rings, meting out all kinds of sexual abuse to children as young as 2 months old.

Children were taken from their parents, parents and others were charged, put on trial, and some were imprisoned.

Authorities believed even the most outrageous tales of physical and sexual abuse, and even ritualistic murder. Fear was fomented, towns were put on edge, lives were ruined. And songs like Big Black's were recorded. However, it turned out there were no child sex rings. 

Jordan became national news. People Magazine published an early account of the horrifying claims. It gives an excellent insight into the fear that gripped the nation. The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune both wrote about the allegations: here and here. 

MPR interviewed the author Richard Beck whose book 'We Believe The Children: A Moral Panic in the 1980s' explains the events of Jordan and other similar incidents all over America in the '80s. He found that there was no there there.

One Cool Thing

We had a medical doctor in the family. He was my great grandfather Dr. Walter Fitzsimmons. He used to teach at the University of Minnesota. Below is photograph of him (on the far right) and a few of his students. And a cadaver.

It's pretty cool! 

Music heard on the show...

Dimland Radio opening theme song: 'Ram' by The Yoleus 
First ad break bumpers: 'Independence Day' by Urban Guerrillas & 'Dirty Mind' by Prince

Second ad break bumpers: 'Once In A Lifetime' by Talking Heads & 'New World Man' by Rush

Closing song: 'Angler's Treble Hook' by $5 Fiddle

That's it! See you next Saturday night for Dimland Radio 11 Central, midnight Eastern on www.ztalkradio.com you can also download my show from the z talk show archives page. You can email your questions and comments to drdim@dimland.com

Please subscribe on iTunes! Just search for Dimland Radio in the podcast section. And if you could leave a good rating and a positive review it would be awesome.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

Images used under Fair Use.

dimland radio 4-6-13 show notes

Roger Ebert Has Died

Well, now there really will never be a Siskel & Ebert reunion.   Of course, we knew that because Gene Siskel died long ago and once you're dead you're dead.

So, now Roger Ebert has also died.  That's a bummer.  I talked about being a long time watcher of the best movie review show ever and how I stayed loyal through Gene's death, Richard Roeper replacing Gene, Roger's illness and his subsequent leaving the show, and Roeper's leaving the show.  But, when the show's producers decided to change the format that had worked so well, I stopped watching.

Pedantic Moment: "Everybody's Talking About..."

The phrase "everybody's talking about" is a bit of hyperbole that's bugged me for a long time.  Sure, we know it's a gross exaggeration, but it still gets under my skin and I finally got around to talking about it. 

Dimland Radio's Look At Sports

The sports injury the everybody is talking about!  Kevin Ware of the Louisville Cardinals college basketball team broke his leg on national television last Sunday.  It was during the "Elite Eight" game between Louisville and the Duke Blue Devils and it was horrific!

Although Hayden (my son) and I were watching the game, we didn't see the injury as it happened, but I did see the replay.  Holy crap!  That was nasty!

The injury was almost identical to the broken leg Joe Theismann suffered in 1985 as quarterback for the Washington Redskins.  The injury made it Joe's last game.

I talked about the difference in how network TV handled showing the leg break in 1985 compared to today.  And I talked about how my dad enjoyed my squeamishness about Joe's injury and how dear old Dad liked to trick me into watching the replay. 

 

Never Found In The 80s:  Big Black

My second installment of my guest blog series of musical artists that never found a mainstream audience in the 80s.  This time I wrote about the Chicago band Big Black, a very edgy and angry band that was too edgy and angry to get near the American Billboard charts.

You can read my piece here.

JREF's 2013 Pigasus Awards

 

It has been my tradition to talk about the Pigasus Awards each year and this year was no exception.  You can find the list here.

Your Eyes Can Deceive You, Don't Trust Them

Old Ben Kenobi knew what he was talking about a long time ago in a galaxy... You know the rest.

There's a video of dancing girls wearing half white and half black and as they dance your eyes play tricks on you.  Watch the video and remember that it was taken with good lighting.  Imagine what tricks your eyes will play on you when you are in the dark, wandering around looking for ghosts.

Movie Recommendation: Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1969)

 

20th Century Fox

A classic Western of which even my son approves.  It's funny and adventurous.  And it has a terrific chase sequence that rolls out over several minutes with the two train robbers trying to shake a group of trackers who just won't go away.  "Who are those guys?"

It stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch and Sundance and was directed by George Roy Hill.  The movie also features Katharine Ross, Strother Martin and Ted Cassidy and has the BJ Thomas hit song 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head' by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Hayden and I highly recommend this movie.

Music heard on the show (Whenever Possible, I Will Link To The Song)...

Dimland Radio opening theme song: 'Ram' by The Yoleus

First ad break bumpers: 'Spy World' by Wall Of Voodoo & 'Kerosene' by Big Black
Second ad break bumpers: 'Strange Thing' by Buzzcocks & 'Love Song' by The Cure
Closing song: 'Angler's Treble Hook' by $5 Fiddle

That's it! See you next Saturday night for Dimland Radio 11 Central, midnight Eastern on www.ztalkradio.com you can also download my show from the z talk show archives page. You can email your questions and comments to drdim@dimland.com

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

concert memoirs pt. 40 - trip shakespeare, big black & the three johns

Trip Shakespeare (Minneapolis band)

I mentioned this in my blog about Breaking Circus, but I want to go into a little more detail on First Avenue's New Band nights. Back when John and I were going to Club Degenerate, First Avenue's weekly dance night featuring punk, post-punk, industrial, indie, etc. music, on each Tuesday night, we could cross-over to the 7th St. Entry to catch New Band Night. It was free and a good opportunity to possibly see the next big thing from Minnesota.

It was during these New Band Nights that we first saw Breaking Circus and numerous other bands that I've forgotten since. But, I haven't forgotten Trip Shakespeare. Since it was New Band Night, it must have been Trip Shakespeare's first time playing at First Avenue, albeit in the Entry.

They were a three piece band then. Matt Wilson's brother, Dan, had not yet joined the band. As I recall, they were all dressed in matching grey business suits. I don't remember if they wore ties. Maybe. I do remember liking their catchy tunes right away. I also recall that the gal playing the drums, Elaine Harris, was standing at them. I don't think I'd ever seen drums played that way until then.

Matt Wilson had an usual stance and moves while playing. He would sort of lean back and squat slightly, then sway side to side while stomping his feet in time to the music. At least, that's how I picture it.

I bought their first LP, 'Applehead Man', when it came out. For some reason, I got rid of it. I wish I hadn't.

Big Black at First Avenue 1986 or 87 with John.

This was a very loud show. They started off the show with what I think was customary for them, lighting off a brick of firecrackers. I don't know if they amplified the fireworks at all, but it was damn loud! And it must have taken a minute or two before the last firecracker exploded. The smoke and smell of gun powder hung thickly in the club for the rest of the show. I'm not sure the fire marshal would have been pleased.

So, Big Black was a three piece band using a drum machine. They were loud and very, very angry. The sounds they made were incredible. I still think the opening guitar riff of their song 'Kerosene' is one of the all-time greatest moments in guitar rock history. And Steve Albini pulled it off brilliantly live.

I especially liked Albini's use of his guitar strap as a belt. Cool visual. As if the guitar was attached directly to his pelvis.

The Three Johns w/Lesley Woods in the 7th St. Entry with John.

This was an interesting (and fun) night in the Entry. It started with Lesley Woods, fomerly of the great UK band Au Pairs. It was just her, a microphone, and a boom box. John and I stayed at the back wall and watched her tell a story or two, perform some Au Pairs tunes and some of her solo work from there.

I thought it was pretty gutsy to get up there like that, solo with just a backing tape playing on a boombox. But, then it's pretty gutsy to do anything in front of a group of strangers.

Then came The Three Johns. Boy, were they fun. They were another three piece band using a drum machine. Playing some really good guitar driven post-punk dance music was their thing. They released some really good singles. Such as, '(He's a) Brain Box' and the brilliant' Death of a European'. Their albums were ok, but it was their singles that made them special.

During their set, it was their between song banter that stole the show. They were very funny and they took special enjoyment out of razzing some of the gals in the audience.

"Oh, look! It's Madonna!"

"And there's Madonna, too!"

"And another one!"