A few years back, Dan Gaffney and I started a project with local Rehoboth musician Xavier Alexander. Here’s how it happened… Xavier had been in and out of mental hospitals for the last few years, being involuntarily committed by his family, he began showing up at WGMD radio broadcasts with his guitar and singing songs that has written.
He eventually came on the radio on Dan’s morning show to be interviewed and to tell his story. A year or two later, we decided that I would produce an album for Xavier that included new interview segments, in a way to tell his story.
Though we never finished an entire album, 5 songs were recorded and about 26 minutes of interview audio were captured that spring day at WGMD studios in Rehoboth Beach. Shortly after these sessions were taped, Xavier found himself back in the hospital (after a brief stint of moving some of his possessions including his guitar to the radio station).
Though we haven’t worked with Xavier since, these following recording tell a powerful and haunting, beautiful and scary portrait of a tortured artist at work. I recently unearthed these recordings, and not knowing what to do with them, since the album project is not happening, I’ve decided to post them here and at a few other sites. Although I own these sound recordings, the songs are owned by Xavier and I would not in any way try to make anything from them. I just want you to hear them. Therefore, I’ve uploaded these songs to playlist.com and below you can listen to the complete session the way we envisioned it that day.
“Backwards Dreams: The Music and Words of Xavier Alexander”
By: Xavier Alexander
Words and Music written by Xavier Alexander
Acoustic Guitar and Vocals by Xavier Alexander
Interview by Dan Gaffney
Recorded and Produced by Jared Morris
Concept: Dan Gaffney/Jared Morris
Recorded at WGMD Studios in Rehoboth Beach, DE 2005
Well, this isn’t a music post… But, I had so much fun with it at work today, that I thought I’d dual post it on talkofdelmarva.com and here… plus, here’s a little sample of what I do for a real living.. Here’s the back story.. One of my fellow co-worker’s husbands found a message in a bottle on the beach in Rehoboth Beach earlier this week and he was afraid to open it, so we decided it would be fun to open it on the radio today… actually, she text messaged me during the program, and even though I had a scheduled guest to talk about wind power, I canned that and said “Yes, Please come in!” — it’s so damn silly, but, so entertaining aswell… below is the video shot with my flip video camera.. what follows is the posting from my work blog talkofdelmarva.com, check it out!
Well, For all of those of you who have been wondering about the message in the bottle from today’s program:
from WGMD News:
A message in a jar was found on the beach Monday in front of the Henlopen Hotel by WGMD’s Maria Evans’s husband. Maria brought the jar to WGMD for its unveiling. It was tossed into the ocean in Rehoboth Beach by someone with a Maryland phone number.
Here’s the youtube video of that portion of today’s program, this is one of those segments that’s kind of funnier to see than to hear, I guess… We all had a great deal of fun with it today… Thanks to all the callers who chimed in and to Maria Evans and to ML for the photos
For more WGMD videos from my show and misc station vids check out my youtube site at www.youtube.com/jaredmorrisradio
Am I the only person out there that still likes Jesus Jones? I miss them. I just watched part of their 2005 DVD Live at the Marquee - And, man were they awesome… There’s just something about early 90’s british dance alternative rock pop stuff that they do that really gets me.. I’d love to be in a band like that.. I’ve been having that feeling lately — here’s the question I ask… How do bands like Jesus Jones get a group of guys together who are all mutually interested in doing the same sort of music? Every band I’ve ever been in, everyone is interested, really, in doing other things… The first band I was in was an indie punk band that sounded like The Ramones on a train playing clean guitars instead of dirty… Everyone quit that band because it wasn’t the sound they were going for… the second band I was in was sort of Smashing Pumpkins/Sunny Day Real Estate-ish that got broken in favor of Trash Metal… The next few bands were me wanting to do music like The Cure vs. Math Punk — they broke up cause we weren’t tough enough sounding… even now, My band is two bands because we can’t focus on one sound… we often wonder if we should be three of four bands.. even now.. I’m writing songs that are decidedly darker than our classic rock/kiss/dirty blues inspired last record… We already have a whole album written and ready to be recorded and I’ve written at least half of a new album after that.. but, we’re splitting our time with a punk outfit, because nobody can really decide what they want to do.. I mean, and I’m guilty too.. One day I want to be Warren Zevon meets Aerosmith, the next day I want to be The Cure meets Jesus Jones.. the only real question is… Why am I only into bands that no one buys their records anymore?? I mean, you’d think you’d model your band after something people besides yourself actually like…
ANYWAY, the best (if not the best) show that I ever saw was Jesus Jones’ Mi-5 gig at Arlene’s Grocery in NYC in 2001 (May 5th, according to their Web site) — It was set up by Ted Mason of Mi-5 Records, the guy that used to be in Modern English (He played during his set “Melt With You” — though it sounded more like the Rolling Stones doing it) — Midge Ure and Jesus Jones were also on the bill.. Somehow, I got in touch with Mason via email and he set me up on the guest list since I was traveling up all the way from Delaware — So that was the first cool thing, but, being seriously almost up on the stage with Jesus Jones was the coolest… A band that was so big in the early 90s… It was crazy.. I even met Mike in the bar after the show… If I had a scanner, I’d scan in some of the photos from the show. Anyway, that was probably the best show I’ve ever been too.. — Although, I seem to remember their drummer, who was new at the time, did a false start during “Right Here, Right Now” and actually starting playing “Real Real Real” — or it may have been the other way around… Mike referred to the Jones’ as the world’s only One and a Half hit wonders… It’s sad to read interviews with Edwards now about how Jesus Jones’ isn’t really a band anymore and they don’t really have any plans for the future. Besides the DVD the only other recent release was 2004’s Culture Vulture EP — Which was kins of a cool concept… After the tracks on the CD, it featured the instrument tracks so you could make your own remixes of the Jones’ songs..
Jesus Jones sounds so much louder and rocking live than on disc… Just way better, and that DVD proves it aswell… It strips away some of the techno gleam off songs like “Zeros and Ones” and “The Devil You Know” — Well, I guess Mike has a new Country music project going right now called The Blazing Zoos http://www.myspace.com/theblazingzoos – Check them out.. and does anyone else out their love Jesus Jones?
I guess, according to the myspace site www.myspace.com/outlawcountryblog Hank III’s latest album, supposedly called “Damn Right, Rebel Proud”, isn’t being released by Curb Records, the same kind of deal that happened with his last album “Straight To Hell” – Here’s the information from their Web site:
Shelton Hank Williams III is a living legend of country music and a modern-day country music outlaw. Just as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings fought for creative control, more exposure, and quick turnaround of their albums back in the mid-1970’s, Hank III does so today.blog, where I’ll keep you informed about Hank 3, as well as all of the members of the modern Outlaw Country movement including reviews of albums, tour info, vids & pics, etc
Just like his last album Straight to Hell was held up by his label, Curb Records, his new album Damn Right, Rebel Proud is also not being given a release date.
With the Hank Williams name, Hank III could’ve been a superstar and made millions riding on his dad’s and granddad’s coattails. But Hank III has proven over and over to be his own man who does things his own way, whether the money is there or not. He is also the leader of the modern Outlaw Country movement, and a champion of the old and true style of country music.
Hank III’s fight is not just about country music. You may not like country music or you may not like Hank III’s music, but his fight is the same fight artists of all walks are fighting for creative control of their art. Weather you are a musician, painter, writer, sculptor, whatever, Hank III’s fight is your fight, and he serves as an inspiration to us all.
Updated II (05-12-08): Here’s an audio review of the Cure show from my radio show LISTEN HERE FOR MORE ON THE CONCERT SEE INITIAL UPDATE BELOW… –>
ORIGINAL POST: (I know this is an indie music blog… but, I have to write about other things sometimes.. and hell, at least I’m writing.. plus, there’s got to be other people that suffered through their teenage years with The Cure and The Smiths)
Well, one of the only bands that I feel the same way about that I felt when I was 14 years old is The Cure - Well, I haven’t always felt that way.. there was a period in 1999 when I decided that I should only listen to indie indie bands and stopped listening to The Cure for a while.. although I always bought their new albums and singles. It’s a strange thing when A.) your favorite bands are bands that the (general) public has lost or has no interest in and B.) Those bands wait 4 years to put out new music. That’s something I really can’t understand.. Hell, maybe it has to do with their contracts or what have you — maybe everyone really will stop selling hard CDs and go digitial.. MC Hammer did it, and his last record sold 300,000 copies on iTunes. I don’t know.. reading interviews with R.E.M. and they kept talking about how their last albums were disappointing.. They put out “Up” in 98… “Reveal” in 2001… “Around The Sun” in 2004 then they wait til 2008 to release “Accelerate” — They universally pan “Around the Sun” — (although, I think there’s moments of absolute brilliance on it.. have you heard “Ascent of Man”?) — Why would you wait four years?? Wouldn’t you try to follow-up a disappointing album quickly with a killer effort? You wait 4 years and the world is expecting the best album ever.. all that garners is a million reviews about how this next album is supposed to be your comeback album..
Well, The Cure is another one of those bands that waits forever to put out new records (and also, every album of theirs is supposed to be “the last record”) — Since 1992’s “Wish” they’ve waited four years in between every album (“Wild Mood Swings” in 1996, “Bloodflowers” in 2000, “The Cure” in 2004 and now their new album in September of 2008) — Now, the only reason I mention any of this is because it’s hard to stay really into a band that never releases new music… This year rekindled my absolute love for everything Cure — Hell, I even listened to that CD by The Glove this year… Sure they’ve done some reissues with some instrumentals and demos and things.. (see my earlier post http://indierocks.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/the-value-of-less-reissues-special-editions-rare-tracks/) — and they’ve done a few DVDs — the trilogy DVD and the Festival DVD — but, it takes more than that to keep fans really into a band.. I’m not really sure what got me so heavily into The Cure again this year — But, something did.. In fact, I’m going to see them in Philly on Saturday — So I’ve purchased all the DVDs I’ve Torrented some old bootlegs of theirs, I broke out my old videos.. and my reward.. Finally a new album.. I’ll post a review of the Cure show next week.. but for now.. They are doin something really really cool.. They are releasing a new single on the 13th of every month in anticipation for the new Cure album..
THE CURE TO RELEASE NEW SINGLES THE 13TH OF EACH MONTH LEADING UP TO THE RELEASE OF THEIR 13TH STUDIO ALBUM.
BAND GEARS UP FOR US TOUR KICKING OFF MAY 9TH
Santa Monica, California, May 1, 2008- The Cure, one of the most revered British bands of the past quarter-century, have unveiled their plans to release four A & B side singles, one each month starting May 13th, leading up to the release of their thirteenth studio album, as yet untitled, which will be out on Suretone/Geffen Records September 13th. It will be the band’s first album of new music since 2004’s self titled album The Cure. Physical and digital singles will be available for purchase in store and on all digital partners.
Why the 13th of each month? The forthcoming album is The Cure’s thirteenth studio album… A lucky number indeed!
First single “The Only One” (released May 13th) includes the b-side “NY Trip”; second single “Freakshow” (released June 13th) includes the b-side “All Kinds Of Stuff”; neither b-side will appear on the album. Both tracks were produced by Robert Smith and Keith Uddin. July 13th and August 13th singles will be announced shortly…
The band is currently gearing up for a U.S. tour, kicking off May 9th at the Patriot Center in Washington DC (see below for complete tour itinerary.) 65daysofstatic will open on all dates.
Led as always by lead singer/guitarist Robert Smith, the Cure line-up comprises longtime members bass player Simon Gallup, drummer Jason Cooper and, back in the band for a third time, guitarist Porl Thompson
Also, in other Cure news.. American Laundromat Records is putting out a tribute to the Cure CD: http://www.myspace.com/atributetothecure — It seems to be pretty cool with contributions from Black Francis, The Wedding Present and more.
051108 Updates: I’m too lazy to try to remember the actual set list of the show last night, as it lasted a good 4 hours… So, the only way I can really rememeber the songs if I list them in chronological order from whence the were first released.. I know that might sound odd, but, it’s my system.. so below is the list of songs The Cure played last night in Philly. Oh and also, the opening act 65daysofstatic ( http://www.myspace.com/65propaganda) was pretty decent too, although their myspace page makes them seem seemingly more techo. Oh, and theyt were using Simon from the Cure’s bass amp onstage, cause theirs was broken or something.
Songs the Cure played.
10:15 Saturday Night
Grinding Halt
Fire In Cairo
Three Imaginary Boys
Boys Don’t Cry
Jumping Someone Else’s train
Killing An Arab
Primary
One Hundred Years
A Strange Day
In Between Days
Kyoto Song
Close To Me
Push
The Kiss
If Only Tonight We Could Cleep
Why Can’t I Be You
Just Like Heaven
How Beautiful You Are
Pictures Of You
Lovesong
Lullaby
Fascination Street
Never Enough
Open
From The Edge of the Deep Green sea
End
Wrong Number
Maybe Someday
The End Of The World
alt.end
A Perfect Boy
The Only One
Freak Show
Below are some youtube videos of The Only One and Freak Show:
If you’ve read the below post about The Flip video camera I got that’s how I taped these performances. One of my goals when starting this Web site was to provide video of some of the bands I write about on here, aswell as other bands at shows I happen to go to or happen to play with.
A couple of months ago I posted some video of a Bitchslicer show that I attended… but shorty after, my camcorder stopped working… Actually, I didn’t even own one, I was using Dave Grind’s to record MVOI shows and Entertainment Clymer’s for other things. On Sunday, as Grave Mistake, I had the pleasure of buying this new Flip Video camera and got to capture some of the action of the show I played at that night. Here’s some video clips — maybe watching some of these (because I do plan to post as many videos as possible!) will get some people interested in coming out to more local shows, and if you couldn’t make it out, here’s what you missed.
from their myspace bio “Buttnaked Butthole is a power trio formed in 2007 consisting of Chuck Bonner, Sam Migliori, Kevin Hoffman all 25 years of age. Hailing from Philadelphia, Buttnaked Butthole is a hardcore punk/metal band with influences such as Suicidal Tendencies, Gwar, Slayer, Minor Threat and Dead Milkmen. Buttnaked Butthole has a 21 song album which was released 2007 at their debut show at Rex’s Bar in West Chester, PA.”
One of the other bands that I play in, horror punk from Newark, DE — Grave Mistake has been around a long time before I started playing 2nd guitar — they’ve featured everyone from Toxic Holocaust’s Joel Grind to The Black Cheese’s Joe Dugan — They’re one of those bands like Oprichniki where it seems everyone I know has been in the band, so why not me..
A couple of months ago the radio station purchased a Flip Video Camera (http://www.theflip.com/products.shtml)– I thought the concept was pretty cool — a handheld digital video camera that plugs right into the USB port on your computer, on-click video, good audio quality, easy storage, no tapes or mini-DVDs, it records up to an hour and only requires two double A batteries.. Now, I’ve read some pretty bad reviews of the Flip, Apparently around Christmas a bad shipment of Flips went out to Bestbuy.com and to Walmart — in fact, the first one that the station purchased was defective…
Yesterday, I decided that the benefits outweigh the bad reviews.. every review on BestBuy.com was either 5 stars or 1 star… an odd combination.. and I threw caution to the wind and bought my own. They cost around $120 dollars and they are indeed easy to use, compact and just amazing (I say this now, but, we’ll see if it lasts down the line.) I often need a video camera to tape live performances, radio clips and just things of general interest… One of my hobbies outside of work is editing video.. I worked for 8 months on a video project converting old VHS and 8mm cam tapes to digital files and finally to iPod ready videos (which was actually a few step process.. 1. copy the vids to DVD 2. rip the DVD into computer (need DVD ripping software) 3. edit the digital videos to more compact cleaner versions (needs video editing software and Audio mixing/Mastering software). 4. Finally convert videos to iPod ready M4P format videos… (needs another special program to convert) — A difficult and time consuming process, especially when you’re using a PC with clunky software.. The Flip Video allows you to edit the videos you shoot and saves them right to iPod ready videos.. It’s quite simple.. Now the video I’ll post below was actually filmed live in the studio with The Flip, but the audio was superimposed over the clip from a direct line out of our radio console.. So the audio here will be slightly better than what you’d acheive with The Flips built in mic, but, I did it this way to show you the great quality video and audio you can possibly acheive with a few very simple steps. i only used the camera and Windows Movie Maker combined with Adobe Audition to record the actual audio line out. Then a quick upload to youtube and you’re ready to go. The actual quality of the saved videos are much better than the youtube version, but if you are a frequent youtube user, than you’ll notice the familiar youtube wash over the video.
Check it, this is Ron Ferrell of Ferrell Cooling and Heating from today’s WGMD broadcast.
Posted by indierocks 
Posted by indierocks 
Posted by indierocks 
I guess, according to the myspace site 
Well, one of the only bands that I feel the same way about that I felt when I was 14 years old is 
