Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, October 17, 8-10pm) include Serge Gainsbourg, Silver Apples, Brett Smiley, Dickies, Dead Kennedys, The Dance, Fal of Saigon, Superchunk, Apples in Stereo, Duchess Says, lots of new music as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: Silver Apples were an influential NYC based electronic rock duo comprised of vocalist Simeon Coxe and drummer Danny Taylor. Active initially from 1967 through 1970 they were one of the first bands to incorporate electronic sounds in pop and rock music, using a primitive synthesizer built by Coxe. While they never realized any popularity in the 60s, a slew of reissues and bootlegs in the 90s introduced them to a new generation of listeners. Their first release, a 1968 self-titled album on Kapp Records, features cover art credited to “Anonymous Arts.”
DUSTY DIAMOND OF THE WEEK (a vintage gem from the STD vaults): The Exploding Hearts were a Portland OR based punk rock and power pop band. Formed in 2001 they were part of a 70s power pop revival in the Pacific Northwest in the early 00s and included New Orleans musician King Louie Bankston as songwriter and occasional keyboardist. Tragically three of the band members were killed in July 2003 when their van rolled over on the way home from a gig. Just recently, surviving member and vocalist / guitarist Terry Six, has been performing Exploding Hearts material live with a reformed band. “Modern Kicks” is a mid-tempo riff heavy power popper channeling bands like the Boys and Undertones. It appeared on “Guitar Romantic,” their only album, which was released on vinyl in October 2022 on the Screaming Apple label. Dirtnap Records released a CD version in the spring of 2023 shortly before the accident. You can listen to it here:
Promo art from the Dead Kennedys’ 1980 “Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables” album on Cherry Red Records. Sleeve concept by Jello Biafra and photo by Judith Calson.