Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, 8-10pm) include the Monks, Byrds, Glitter Band, Adam and the Ants, Standing Waves (Austin), Toy Dolls, Mystreated, Stereo Total, Cannibale, new music by the Guardian Singles (New Zealand), YORCHH (Spain), Silicone Prairie (Kansas City MO), Qlowski (London/Italy) and Freak Genes (UK), as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
PICTURE SLEEVE OF THE WEEK: Fracula were a short-lived electronic new wave duo consisting of Matt (Brown?) from Michigan and Valeria Grafeo from Italy. They formed Fracula after meeting in Sweden, and released but two records, a one-sided LP, and the “Music for Derelicts” EP, both in 2008, and both on the Italian label Surfin’ Ki. The EP was released in an edition of 50 on red and white splatter vinyl, and 250 on black vinyl. It featured Matt’s artwork (see images) on the picture sleeve, record label, as well as a small poster that came as an insert. They also created a cool stop-action video (see link below) for the song “Sloth Boy” from the album.
LAST WEEK’S DUSTY DIAMOND (a forgotten gem from the STD vaults): The Vageenas are a German garage punk band that were mostly active from the mid 90s through the mid 00s. While they still play out occasionally, their last release was an album in 2006. Like much of their music, “I’m in Love with Take That” has a lo-fi punk aesthetic. What it lacks in musical virtuosity, it makes up for with DIY enthusiasm, yielding a fun tune that makes me think, gee, I should start a band. It appeared in 1994 on the self-released “Here Are the Vageenas (Punk-Rock Single of the Month)” EP. Listen to it here:
Promo art from the Glitter Band’s 1974 “Angel Face” single on Bell Records. Design and photo uncredited..