Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, January 4, 8-10pm) include the Bad Roads, Milk ‘n’ Cookies, Angels, Lurkers, Chrisma, Gruppo Sportivo, Models, Martha and the Muffins, Makers, Opération S, lots of new music as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: Gruppo Sportivo are a Dutch new wave pop band that were active from the late 70s until 2013 when they disbanded. They have since reunited to release some new music and have a tour planned for 2025. “Hey Girl” was one of their early hits, released in 1978 as a single and as a track on the “Back to 78” album, both on Ariola. The single’s picture sleeve features an uncredited photo of the band that captures the frequent comedic component of their live performances. (Click on image to enlarge)
DUSTY DIAMOND OF THE WEEK (a vintage gem from the STD vaults): This week’s Dusty Diamond (a vintage gem from the STD vaults): The Inhalants are a special band for me for a few reasons. They were the first Austin garage band that I ever saw perform, that was at a show at Chance’s (where Cheer Up Charlies is now) probably sometime in 1994, or even late 1993. They also had a practice space right down the hall from where the first KOOP office and studio were, in a building on San Jacinto between 5th and 6th St. (where the Westin Hotel is now). One time we were holding a station meeting for volunteers and programmers in the office with the sounds of the Inhalants practicing clearly audible. Crazy good times. And they also included two people that I consider close friends to this day, Dave Haney on guitar and vocals and Lisa Rickenberg (original host of The Clear Spot) on bass and occasional vocals. “Automatic Pilot” is classic Inhalants, a short blast of garage punk with Lisa’s loping bass and Dave’s snarling vocals and searing guitar. It also included their second drummer, Dana Barclay. It appeared in 1995 on a single on Unclean Records. Listen to it here:
Promo art from The Makers’ 1998 “Psychopathia Sexualis” album on Estrus Records. Original design by Michael Maker and Vic Mostly. Photograph by Christine Holmquist.