RADIO HANNIBAL

The fight to repeal the Cleveland admission tax

Over the summer word spread in the local music community of an initiative to curb loud music in local bars and clubs here in Cleveland.  Council members cried that the uproar was for naught.  They said that the initial legislation was merely a starting point to talks and that some sort of compromise could be reached down the road. They were actually taken aback at the attention it drew.

Seriously?  The idea of toning down or even banishing rock and roll from bars and clubs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame city is absurd period.  We should be upset at a city council so misguided in its priorities.

Shortly before this legislation came to light Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson began an initiative to collect back taxes on venues that booked live music.  This admissions tax, as it's called, says that 8% of the ticket price will go into the city coffers.  Because the tax was loosely enforced, a number of clubs and bars were looking at a back tax bill that could wipe them out financially. 

The good news is that the city is being open minded about this.  They are even considering repealing the admissions tax for small venues.  The proposed ordinance is #1492-11.

Local musicians and bars have come up with a two pronged attack.  In an effort to bring awareness of the admissions tax to the public a number of local live music clubs are presenting Defend Music Night this Friday.  Here's the poster with a list of venues and acts.  Please go out and support live, local music.

In an attempt to show the Mayor and Cleveland city council how robust and talented the local music scene is Brent Kirby is asking any and all musicians to send the Mayor your release.  It doesn't matter if it's a CD, vinyl, or even a home made cassette.  Don't procrastinate though, get your albums to the Mayor's office by February 29th. Here's the address:

Mayor Frank Jackson
Cleveland City Hall 
601 Lakeside Ave. 
Cleveland 44114

No physical product? Then email your MP3s to:

mayorsactioncenter@city.cleveland.oh.us

The fact is local venues and musicians helped bring $840 million dollars of income and $91.6 million in taxes to Cuyahoga County in 2010.  That's not counting the synergy created between local music and the Rock Hall that attracts tourism to our city. 

 

Cleveland's Janet Macoska publishes sensational Alex Harvey book

I was record shopping on Saturday afternoon at Blue Arrow Records and came across mint copies of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's Next and The Impossible Dream.  My own copies were beat, having bought them back in the 1970s when Alex Harvey was a rock star here in Cleveland. 

Alex Harvey was not well known in the United States other than here in Cleveland due to our unique radio station WMMS.  The station still exists but holds none of its former glory, but I digress.  He was relatively well known in the UK, especially in his home country of Scotland. 

Janet Macoska, who was in college when WMMS began turning us Clevelanders onto this interesting rock character.  She became his biggest fan.  At 20 years old she interviewed Harvey twice for the college paper.  Those interviews have just been republished in Classic Rock Magazine, Exclusive: Lost Alex Harvey Interview Published.

30 years ago on February 4, 1982, Alex Harvey died of a heart attack at the age of 47.  In tribute, Macoska is publishing a photobook celebrating the life and music of Harvey titled Alex Harvey: The Last Of The Teenage Idols.  That being one of the songs by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. 

After college Macoska began a career as a photographer, focusing on rock and roll.  Her work has been a featured exhibit at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.  She took many of pictures of her idol and friend Alex Harvey and are featured in the new book. 

Macoska will be unveiling her book at a tribute to Alex Harvey in Glasgow, Scotland this weekend.  The two day event will be attended by Alex Harvey Jr. along with members of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. 

Framed and Next albums on Spotify

All Sensations - The Best Of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

Rock Is Dead They Say, Evidence That Alt. Rock Is Dying

A week or so ago I wrote about the death of rock music or more precisely that no genre really dies but may fall out of favor.  Well last week The Guardian published a story about the fall of alt or indie rock, Indie rock's slow and painful death.

They use sales figures to demonstrate and present an interesting argument.  The question they pose though is, should we care.  I don't think so.  At least I don't.  I'm finding much pleasure in all the different forms of popular music that are pushing it out of the way.  There's great satisfaction in much of the electronic music being created today.  And I just listened to NPR's All Songs Considered show on the annual world music event in New York City, globalFEST 2012: A World Of Amazing Discoveries.  That'll keep me busy discovering new music for awhile. 

If you're lamenting rock's current lag then I suggest you broaden your horizons and open your mind.  Or you can become one of those curmudgeon types who say there's no good music being made anymore. 

A Closer Look At SOPA and PIPA

The New York Times' David Pogue wrote a piece this week on the SOPA and PIPA legislation.  His claim is that those opposed used scare tactics and that the bills wouldn't cause that much harm to the overall public.  Here's that story, Put Down the Pitchforks on SOPA. 

Pogue makes some good points but he's missing the big picture.  This  legislation could have dire effects on creativity and make it nearly impossible for the independent artist to get his or her art to the public.  The ability to simply share content could be in jeopardy.  Here's what Bob Lefsetz posed, "You might be unable to do this (share content) under SOPA. For fear that you might be sharing copyrighted material, your ability to share at all could be crippled, because it would cost too much for the linking service to determine whether it's legal to share the content or not."

That could be disastrous for amateur artists.  They would be unable to get their work to the public.  That's just what the supporters of these bills want.  They want control.  They want to tell you what to watch, what to listen to, and what to read. 

Here's an excellent insight into what the ramifications could be if SOPA and PIPA pass from Clay Shirky. 

The good news is that after the online protest on Wednesday the tide seems to be turning.  Congressmen and Senators seem to get it and many have changed their position.  But that's what's really scary, not only for these bills but for anything on the hill.  Lobbyists and influence peddlers have our ill-informed representatives in their pockets. 

Stop SOPA and PIPA

Today is the day of the internet blackout to protest bills in Congress and the Senate.  The legislation is aimed at stopping online piracy which is a good thing.  The problem is the language of the bills is far too reaching and will damage the internet in the United States.  The bills are a form of censorship. 

Big corporations would like to take control of the internet, taking away an individuals right to a fair playing field online.  This legislation would be a move in that direction. 

Here's a partial list of those supporting this legislation:  RIAA, MPAA, News Corp, TimeWarner, Walmart, Nike, Tiffany, Chanel, Rolex, Sony, Juicy Couture, Ralph Lauren, VISA, Mastercard, Comcast, ABC, Dow Chemical, Monster Cable, Teamsters, Rupert Murdoch, Lamar Smith (R-TX), John Conyers (D-MI)

While here's a list of those opposed to it:  Google, Yahoo, Wikipedia, craigslist, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, eBay, AOL, Mozilla, Reddit, Tumblr, Etsy, Zynga, EFF, ACLU, Human Rights Watch, Darrell Issa (R-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Ron Paul (R-TX)

Many of those in opposition are going dark for 12 hours beginning at 8am today as a form of protest.  Craigslist, for example, will direct you to a landing page about the bills and how you can help defeat the measures by contacting your representatives in Washington DC, Craigslist, About SOPA and PIPA.

In solidarity with the opposition I, personally, will refrain from using the internet today other than for business email.  You might consider doing the same.  At the very least, contact your congressman and do not buy products from those in support of this misguided plan.

Packy Malley's Capricorn Party, Always A Blast No Matter What Sign You Are

Packy Malley, part of the Malley's chocolatier family here in Cleveland and my mobile DJ partner, is a Capricorn.  I don't put much stock in astrology but that's not why he calls attention to his sign either.  It's an excuse for a party. 

It all started when he was attending Ohio State University.  He and some friends came to realize they were all born around the same time of year, under the Capricorn sign.  Why not throw a party for all of them thought Malley.  After all, he'd already begun promoting concerts at the school.  He knew how to create an event.  Thus the annual Capricorn Party began.

When he moved back to Cleveland he continued the event and it's grown to where it's now held in the main music hall at the House Of Blues. This year's party is this Saturday.

What's a party without some live music.  Since it's been a crowd favorite for about five years now, Packy invited back Terry Lee Goffee's Johnny Cash Tribute Band. 

I'd say it's a great way to escape the cabin fever that usually begins to set in around this time of year in Cleveland but with the spring like January we've had...well...it's still a great time to hang out with a great bunch of people.  See you there.

Rock Is Dead They Say

Every decade or so the debate arises again.  Is rock music dead?  If Rolling Stone magazine is a barometer, and it's not, The Black Keys on the cover would contradict the statement.  Remember, The Sheepdogs (a rock band) were on the cover in August.  There's the power of Rolling Stone these days. 

But back to the question, is rock dead, which is being bandied around once more these days.  It is certainly in a lull commercially.  And quite frankly, the genre is so old now that it's hard to think of a way to come at it from a new direction.  Everything's been done. That's why we're seeing more creative work in hip hop and electronic music.  There's still new territory to be explored. 

Rock isn't dead though.  I'm hard pressed to think of any form of music that is dead.  Gregorian chants made a come back in the 1980s.  It just may be that we'll never see the kind of mass appeal for rock and roll that we once did.  That's ok, I don't listen to music because it's popular.  In fact, most of what passes for the hits of today, the popular stuff, is lousy.  As always, the better music lies just below the surface. 

Don't fret you rock and rollers.  Kids will still be picking up a guitar and banging out chords.  Rock and roll is primal.  I'm not sure the same can be said for electronic music. 

Playing the guitar or drums is physical, especially if you truly rock.  Playing with software on a computer is not physical.  True, the end result of the electronic piece you create may be visceral.  It may make you move your body but it doesn't really happen in the creative process. 

The same debate is happening in the blues world.  Here's a story from the Chicago Tribune, Is this the twilight of blues music?  Again, the blues will never die but it may be relegated to a much lesser stage.  And someday it may see a resurgence. 

All this fretting over the loss of ones favorite music is just so much nonsense.  We have what's been recorded, and everyday, somewhere in the world, someone will be rocking out or singing the blues.

What Direction Is WDOK Heading In? Could Nolan Be Involved?

There's more seismic shifts in the Cleveland radio scene this week.  Our holidays were spoiled when the new owners of V107.3 pulled the plug on the triple A format going back to light jazz...hardly jazz.  Now the "Lady In Red" Nancy Alden gets the boot from WDOK.  Here's the Plain Dealer story, DJ Nancy Alden dropped by WDOK, may be an end to a three-decade career in Cleveland radio.

In fact the on air staff was told to take the week off as they make changes to the station.  I'm sure it's been an odd week for Trapper Jack, Jim McIntyre and the rest. 

So what direction is WDOK heading in?  The station's been on auto-pilot all week.  The playlist sounds like it may be heading to a more upbeat top 40 rather than the station you play at work or in the dentist office.  That's called going from soft AC (adult contemporary) to hot AC. Management hasn't said what's in store but we should know by Monday. 

I'm not expecting anything great.  I'm expecting anything but great. Now with CBS Radio ramping up cost cutting mode to join their radio giant counterpart Clear Channel the average wage of on air talent is getting closer to minimum wage.  This is all in an effort to save the sinking ship which is commercial radio.  I feel bad for the players but not the owners.  They brought it on themselves through ignorance and greed. 

Here's a prediction out of left field.  WKYC's Mark Nolan is resigning of his own accord.  He says we'll probably hear him before we see him again.  Could this mean Nolan will play a big part in the new WDOK?

 

Another Look At Radio Hannibal's Top Albums And Singles Of 2011

Radio Hannibal Top 40 Singles Of 2011

1. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks
2. Azealia Banks ft. Lazy Jay - 212
3. Lana Del Ray - Video Games
4. Ana Calvi - Desire
5. Kurt Vile - Jesus Fever
6. M83 - Midnight City
7. The Dodos ft. Neko Case - Don’t Try And Hide It
8. The Head And The Heart - Lost In My Mind
9. St. Vincent - Cruel
10. Neon Indian - Polish Girl
11. Lykke Li - Sadness Is A Blessing
12. Tom Waits - Bad As Me
13. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
14. Kate Bush - Wild Man
15. Washed Out - Amor Fati
16. The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
17. Nicki Minaj - Super Bass
18. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
19. The Horrors - I Can See Through You
20. Junior Boys - Banana Ripple
21. Eleanor Friedberger - My Mistakes
22. Cut Copy - Take Me Over
23. Girls - Honey Bunny
24. Yuck - Georgia
25. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
26. Gruff Rhys- Sensations In The Dark
27. The Jayhawks - She Walks In So Many Ways
28. Fountains Of Wayne - Someone’s Gonna Break Your Heart
29. Raphael Saadiq - Radio
30. Cornershop - United Provinces Of India
31. King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Bubble
32. Adele - Rolling In The Deep
33. Metronomy - The Bay
34. Friendly Fires - Hawaiian Air
35. Florrie - I Took A Little Something
36. Herzog - Silence
37. Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend
38. Hayes Carll - Kmag Yoyo
39. Dave Alvin - Harlan County Line
40. Mayer Hawthorne - The Walk

Radio Hannibal Top 40 Singles of 2011 on Spotify

Radio Hannibal Top 50 Albums of 2011

1. M83 - Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
2. Jonathan Wilson - Gentle Spirit
3. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
4. Tom Waits - Bad As Me
5. The Black Keys - El Camino
6. White Denim - D
7. Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo
8. Clive Tanaka Y Su Orquestra - Jet Set Siempre 1 Degree
9. Baxter Dury - Happy Soup
10. DRC Music - Kinshasa One Two
11. Washed Out - Within And Without
12. Neon Indian - Era Extrana
13. The Horrors - Skying
14. Wild Flag - Wild Flag
15. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact
16. Amor De Dias - Street Of The Love Of Days
17. Cut Copy - Zonoscope
18. Drive-By Truckers - Go-Go Boots
19. Wilco - The Whole Love
20. Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin’
21. The War On Drugs - Slave Ambient
22. Pedro Soler, Gaspar Claus - Barlande
23. Gruff Rhys - Hotel Shampoo
24. Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost
25. Kate Bush - 50 Words For Snow
26. Fountains Of Wayne - Sky Full Of Holes
27. Tinariwen - Tassili
28. Panda Bear - Tomboy
29. Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit - Here We Rest
30. Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix
31. Brent Kirby - Coming Back To Life
32. The Felice Brothers - Celebration, Florida
33. Cass McCombs - Wit’s End
34. Garland Jeffreys - Don’t Call Me Buckwheat
35. The Jayhawks - Mockingbird Time
36. Paul Simon - So Beautiful Or So What
37. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
38. Marissa Nadler - Marissa Nadler
39. Woods - Sun And Shade
40. Metronomy - The English Riviera
41. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
42. Hayes Karll - KMAG YOYO
43. Bright Eyes - The People’s Key
44. The Field - Looping State Of Mind
45. The Dodos - No Color
46. The Head And The Heart - The Head And The Heart
47. Atlas Sound - Parallax
48. Robag Wruhme - Thora Vukk
49. Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise
50. Josh T. Pearson - Last Of The Country Gentlemen

Radio Hannibal Top 50 Albums of 2011 on Spotify

Not Feeling The Christmas Spirit? Give Until It Hurts And You Will

You hear it every year as Christmas approaches, "I'm just not feeling the Christmas spirit".  The quick answer to it is that it's on them.  No one else is going to give you that feeling except yourself.  And as much as I'm a fan of Christmas music and the power of music in general, listening to songs of the season will only lift those spirits so far.

There's a simple cure for it though.  It's called giving.  And I'm not talking about giving presents to family and friends.  I'm speaking of giving to those in need.  And there's plenty of people who could use your charitable donations right this very second. 

I don't need to give you a list of charities who are looking for your help.  They're plentiful and if one doesn't come to mind ask those around you to name one.  In fact, tout your own favorite local charity right here if you like.

Here's the trick though.  Use that saying "give 'til it hurts".  Make a donation that is above and beyond what you've ever considered in the past.  Make it hard to write that check or to cast that $100 into the Salvation Army kettle.  Then, my friend, a magical thing will happen.  You will be filled with the Christmas spirit.