Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, July 12, 8-10pm) include Anna Karina, Billy Nicholls, Spirit, Blondie, Chi-Pig, Pointed Sticks, Poison 13, Eyeliners, Causey Way, lots of new music as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: What is there to say about Blondie that hasn’t already been written? They were pioneers of new wave, both in sound and look. Their first album, “Blondie,” was released in December of 1976 on the Private Stock label. Soon after they signed with Chrysalis and it was reissued simultaneously with the release of their second album “Plastic Letters” in September 1977. The instantly recognizable front cover as well as the back cover features photography by Shig Ikeida with art direction and design by David Perl.
DUSTY DIAMOND OF THE WEEK (a vintage gem from the STD vaults): Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments (one of my all-time favorite band names) were part of a vibrant Columbus OH indie and garage punk scene of the 90s that included bands like the New Bomb Turks and Gaunt. Formed in 1988 they were active throughout the 90s, releasing several singles and albums, the last in 2000. “Quarrel with the World” is a loping slab of gritty garage rock (a la Dead Moon) with superb guitar picking and excellent if somewhat bleak lyrics. (“Where do people go when they give up? I’m sure I’m gonna find out soon enough.”) It appeared on their first album, “Bait and Switch,” released in 1995 on Onion Records. Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODOWgSGopV0
Promo art from Spirit’s 1968 s/t album on Ode Records. Art direction by Tom Wilkes and photography by Guy Webster.