Do you like good music? Do you like listening to people who really know good music chat about good music and other fun music-based topics? Are you tired of me saying the word “music”? If so, you are so in luck! Join us at Philly’s most fancy crepe-slinging venue L’etage as we welcome esteemed radio deejay and label owner Jon Solomon (WPRB, Comedy Minus One). Jon has been instrumental in promoting great indie music for years and it’s time we say thanks and also see what part he played in the subprime mortgage crisis that nearly crippled our fragile economy.

Join us for our live podcast recording session!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 – 8:00pm SHARP!
L’etage
624 South 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Admission: FREE!

Past Shows!

• UsedWigs Radio Podcast 88: Brian Seymour
• UsedWigs Radio Podcast 87: Guests Kelly Vrooman and SM Shrake
• UsedWigs Radio Podcast 86: Guests Doogie Horner and Maggie Serota
• UsedWigs Radio Podcast 85: Guests Dave Hill and Nikki Walter

Photo by Stephen Goldsmith

(Originally posted in 2010, the show date has been updated below for the 2011 broadcast.)

I’ve been driving back and forth between Philly and the Jersey Shore for over twenty years, many times on Christmas Eve. That’s how I discovered Jon Solomon way back in the early 90s. I flipped on WPRB-FM (Princeton University) and was immediately impressed with the wonderful assortment of rarely-heard holiday tunes being spun while I sat in traffic on the NJ Turnpike. It was a welcomed break from Bruce, Burl and that little creep who was watching his mom make out with Santa.

Back in the late 80s, a young Jon Solomon decided it was his calling to help spread holiday cheer. On that Christmas eve, he locked himself in a cramped radio studio and dispensed musical merriment to all the good little girls and boys throughout the land. Santa approved. The media embraced him. A sandwich was named after him. History was made and he’s still at!

So let’s give back and listen on Saturday, December 24th at 6:00 pm ET as Jon Solomon hosts his 24th annual 24-Hour Holiday Radio Show, which airs exclusively on 103.3 fm WPRB. RSVP for the show on Facebook, follow along on Twitter and watch on uStream.

Tune in when you can, it’s the perfect musical accompaniment to wrap gifts, open gifts, and re-gift gifts.

Until then, let’s learn a little more…

Jon, you do a lot chair swiveling, mike adjusting and CD pulling during the 24 hour period. How do prepare for these physical demands?

My biggest issues are (usually) not tweaking my back loading crates of records into the WPRB studios or having my handcart tip over sadly between my car’s trunk and the station elevator. From that point forward, things usually work out OK.

I give up most sugar for December and cut out my traditional morning iced coffee with soy milk for tea (hello, chai!). Trying to avoid getting sick and/or the caffeine highs/lows that can really wreck a marathon like this.

Last night I realized that I need to be doing more situps (be glad you can’t see the half of me positioned beneath the broadcast board) so perhaps I’ll add that to my regimen.

How old were you when you did your first 24-Hour Holiday Show and was your motivation strictly to impress the ladies?

It was 1988 and I was 15. Like all things I did then and all things I continue to do now, it was strictly to impress the ladies.

If present-day Jon Solomon could hop in a British police box and travel back in time to that first show, what advice would he give young Jon Solomon?

I would present younger me with a list of records I should buy in a format other than cassette.

There would also be a list attached of girls to make a point of kissing and a list of girls you really shouldn’t kiss.

We would then accidentally touch and melt into each other like a couple of Ron Silvers. Oof.

Technology-wise, how much easier is it to program and run a show now than back in the day. Is there any aspect of the old technology you miss?

It is and it isn’t. I still burn all of my digital files to CDR (will be doing that monster task tonight) and play everything from LP, CD, and 45 live. When WPRB had three CD players, that was a brief luxury!

Having access to all sorts of out-of-print titles that people have digitized and shared has improved the overall depth, sound, and uniqueness of the show several-fold. I really enjoy trading files/links with some other Xmas music friends I’ve met through this program. I’m glad people think of me with holiday songs if they find one in July.

What was the very first song you played on the first show?

I wish I knew! The oldest paper playlist I can find today is from 1991, and the oldest page from that marathon appears to kick off with Santa Claus by the Sonics.

Sean Murphy and Jon Solomon in the WPRB studios, some time last century.

Worst song you ever played and will not play again?

Hmmmm. There was some goth nonsense I played in the middle of the night last year that I thought was the only song I played on the 2009 show I wasn’t crazy about in some respect.

Never again.

When I first started the show I had to play everything the station had regardless of quality, because I didn’t have a library of my own and I wanted to fill the time with holiday cheer.

Now I have too much great music to hope to squeeze into the 24 hour window. It sounds like a long time, but it divides down to around 300 songs when all is said and done.

What song or comedy bit do you look toward to playing the most every year?

Jeez. I don’t have a specific favorite, but what I really look forward to are requests for songs I forgot were in the collection or didn’t recall off the top of my head as amazing. I like being surprised by listeners with things in my library that I know I’ve flagged as great but can’t completely remember why I like them.

Ever have a live musical guest play during the show?

Not yet (would be a bear to engineer while doing everything else) but people have certainly recorded songs live to be played on the show. I hope to get my 2.5-year-old daughter to sing a few holiday songs on-air towards the end of this year’s show. She’s currently obsessed with Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman.

When David Bowie pops in during the holidays, we all know yuletide magic happens. Please name three people/groups you’d love to have drop in and maybe belt out a tune.

The great 1960s garage rock band the Sonics are the first that come to mind. It would be very fun to have a bunch of musical friends on-call in the back of the studios to perform Hootenanny-style on-demand, but the time of year doesn’t lend itself to this grand idea.

I’ve notice a glaring lack of wacky sound effects played during your show. Will this be remedied any time soon?

What, jingle bells aren’t wacky enough for you?

Nope, wackier!

One of the first years I did the show I had a clock radio that “spoke” the time and weather in a robot voice. Oh, how I regret not having that trusty friend by my side anymore.

Better bad radio movie, FM or Pump Up the Volume?

Talk Radio.

I enjoy the video element of the show where we get to see you do your thing and also become tired. Will you be doing anything special for the camera this year?

Every year fellow WPRB DJ Julia Factorial says she’s going to set up a full manger backdrop behind where I sit in Studio A. Every year this does not happen.

Perhaps this will be the year? Cross your fingers.

During the show, what is your preferred method of receiving user feedback/requests, online chat or phone?

In the first third of the show, email/chat (if I was allowed to pick). Things are nuts then and I’m never completely ready for how overwhelming the start can be.

Overnight and if you can accept that I may say “I’m sorry I have to go” at any moment, by all means telephone. It will be nice to hear from you.

What are you looking for in the next person who will inevitably take over the role of “Jon Solomon, 24-Hour Holiday Radio Show Host”?

While I am not currently looking to recast this part, hopefully someone who will keep seeking things out and adding to the library I’ve already collected.

As you may or may not know, I have optioned the rights to your story and I need to change a couple teensy weensy things. First off, which setting would you prefer and why: You’re an intergalactic DJ alone in a spaceship who must play holiday music non-stop to keep nefarious holiday-hating aliens away from your home planet … OR you are the last human DJ on earth stuck in a studio while non-threatening, vegetarian Zombies pester you with Phish and RatDog requests.

I would choose the latter. I think you have a better chance of getting that one in under budget.

Greenlit!

Let’s say listeners wanted to send you nourishment during the show, what is your favorite type of pizza and from what local Princeton area establishment should he or she order?

While I always appreciate the sentiment of people I don’t know wanting to stop by, please don’t. I hope you take this the right way, listeners. It is far less glamorous and far more chaotic at WPRB than you might imagine. I always feel bad when folks come to the studios unannounced and:

- Have coffee to offer I can’t drink.

- Have cookies to share I can’t eat.

That being said, on any regularly-scheduled Wednesday night radio show between 7-10 pm ET, I would not turn down a large pie with peppers from Conte’s on Witherspoon Street.

Lastly, what is your favorite album of this past year?

Right now I’m saying Majesty Shredding, but that’s subject to a full review of records I’ve played in 2010 come January.

More:

• Keeping Score At Home
• UsedWigs Radio Podcast 89: Guest Jon Solomon
• UsedWigs Radio Podcast 69: Talking Music, Radio, Comedy and Wrestling with Guest Jon Solomon of WPRB

Camper Von Bikethoven! Give it three weeks until you see a some dumb hipster trying to pull this off. Enjoy some more camper bike photos and paintings, then build your own why don’t cha. via @iamjolly

Speaking of… It’s pretty easy to tell the difference between those who bike to work for health reasons and those who do it for DUI reasons.

Ooopsie! Looks like Gizmodo’s Jason Chen made fun of a “Lazy Segway Mom” three years ago and just found out the woman was not actually lazy. She was in fact a “15-year cancer survivor who lost her left leg to the illness” and was just “helping take care of her grandniece.” Good lord I am not making fun of stupid-looking anonymous people ever again. Read the Giant Asshole’s (his words, not mine) apology here.

Julie Roberts’ Giant Mouthful of Teeth Are Back on The Big Screen: I bet you’d attract a larger audience if you added just one word to the end of the her latest horror movie title “Eat Pray Love”… that word being “Die”.

Don’t Forget: Blake Schwarzenbach’s new band — forgetters — has posted some new song clips. Go have a listen. EP Drops Sept. 21.

Congrats Phoenix! Best of luck rising from the ashes of your predatory student loans.

Awesome, Indeed! “Artists illustrate “Law & Order” plot synopses. Awesome.” via @timcarvell via @strangerslog

I Doot! The guests at The Clinton wedding got to pee pee and poo poo in style: $15,000 porta-potties.

We Love Sports! Dammit! My beach cruiser got a flat! There goes the .5 mile Bike stage of the Petite Triathlon. Hope the Boogie Board stage goes smoother.

Sit On It, Rudd! “Dinner for Schmucks? More like the Happy Days episode “Fonzie vs. The She Devils”.” Tweet by @RobPRocks

You Should Follow: Please check out Todd Barry‘s replies to the inane and semi-literate tweets of a very popular bad rapper:

Don’t worry. Pottery Barn is pretty good about refunds. RT @kanyewest Fur pillows are hard to actually sleep on

We could never hang. I love taxes. RT @kanyewest: I love everybody… only thing I don’t like is taxes.. me and taxes gone fight

True, but I’m still opening that typewriter repair shop. RT @kanyewest most businesses don’t make it out of their first year

Bad Idea #2354: Wishing the “Sh*t My Dad Says” show all the excitement, success and ratings that “Quarterlife” enjoyed. Fire your agent William Sh*tner.

Gear Head’s Up: Laurent Nivalle Photography: Le Mans Classic 2010 via Grain Edit

More Motorized Mayhem: This sweet ride was built in the 30s.

NO MORE ROBOTS! For The love of god, Japan, stop making things that will one day enslave us all.

Help Me: What’s the word for that “ashamed & miserable yet cocky & defiant” look always given by all the smokers outside my building?

Keeping Score at Facebook: Help our favorite disc jockey, WPRB’s Jon Solomon, get to 300 Facebook Friends before his bitter rival at Trash Flow Radio. The loser must dance atop a Q102 billboard on the PA turnpike for 24-straight hours (I think). For the love of god, follow now!

Oodles of Noodles: Watching a show about Okie Noodling. Interesting to learn about these terrifying creatures… and how they catch fish.

Quality Tweets of The Week Winners: View Tweets @Randazzoj @morgan_murphy @dubouchet @joshcomers and @toddmarrone.

Hollywood Baby News: Diablo Cody, the woman who made everyone officially tired of snark, just birthed a baby. She can’t decided between the names “Just Sayin’” or “Whatevs”

Breaking Breakfast News: Haven’t switched over to iced coffee, but wow, this iced omelet is very refreshing.

Pennsylvania Travel Tips: Heading to Dutch Wonderland with the family next month. It’s Dutch, so prostitutes and pot are totally cool, right?

Just Did Some Math… turns out the only people who enjoy Drag Queen entertainment MORE than me is every person on the planet.

Photo: Lego my Steven Hawking!

I Laugh at Your Commute. I work in a coconut on my front lawn.

Giant Sad People: The hyperrealist sculptures of Ron Mueck haunt my dreams, but I can’t stop peeking at them.

Hippies with AuotCAD: Hmmmm… seems like a lot of work went into this extremely stupid, never-gonna-happen bike lane idea.

New David Cross Show: “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret”. It’s on British telly, so you’ll have to wait or steal a British TV set to watch. View Video clip.

Download: Minutes – Seven​-​Inch. It’s good for your body and Jon Solomon approved, what else do you need to know?

We Love Sports (for 3 Weeks Every 2 Years): Awesome Olympic photos

Old-Timey Video: Dick Button 1948 Olympic Freeskate. Pretty rad, except for the weird Nazi-looking outfit. (thx @pfilbert)

Food Lover’s Video: Soup Boots brought to you by one of Todd’s old students, Dave Metter.

Speaking of Todd… The artist/skate rat will debut some spiffy new art you can ride. I’m so gonna front side grind at this show. Where are my Vans?

Waste of Good Ink: House Industries Design for John Mayer Tour Poster

Looks Like a Duggar Escaped Years Ago… and was raised by some real show business people:

This kid never had a chance. Thanks Everything is Terrible.

Nice Try: Ad agency stages lame “walk into door, spill stuff” video, hoping for viral.

It’s Coming People… Better Hide or Turn Off Twitter! SXSW will be here soon and every designer, web pro, social media nerd, bearded band guy, label flunky and alt-celeb will be inundating your Twitter with on-the-minute updates on what they are doing, where they are currently drinking coffee, TwitPics of their airplane seats, are most importantly, kissing the asses of other people in their biz who they desperately want the attention of. Expect lots of RTs.

Twitter’s pipes will be clogged like Paul Deens’s butter-battered arteries during a family BBQ. Fucking Four Square just bought a new server the size of a Costco to handle all the traffic! “Mike is the now the Mayor of Austin’s Kinko’s on Main Street! http://4sq.com/imana$s” Awesome! “Marci is eating an organic grape @ Augie’s Produce with @pixelbaybee http://4sq.com/imana$s2.” Thanks for that!

Good lord, I wish Twitter had a hide feature. SXSWers, please behave.

Don’t disappoint this boy on Christmas Eve!

Join our pal Jon Solomon as he spins and spins and spins some spectacular holiday cheer!

“Listen on Thursday, December 24th at 6:00 pm ET as Jon Solomon hosts a station tradition, his 22nd annual 24-Hour Holiday Radio Show, which airs exclusively on 103.3 fm WPRB.

For this year’s webcam and live chat click here. RSVP for the show on Facebook.”

Bonus: Sneak peek of this year’s offerings on The Takeaway.

Guest: Jon Solomon of WPRB.

Topics: Jon Solomon’s Annual 24-Hour Holiday Radio Show, Reunited Bands (Good Ones), Tegan and Sara Love, Albert Brooks & Comedy Minus One, Old Comedy Records, Gallagher Too, Macho Man Randy Savage & Top-notch Wrestling Music, Professional Radio Voices, Remembering Jerry Fuchs, Horrible All Star Tributes.

Playlist: Tegan and Sara, White Rabbits, Kurt Vile, Obits and Maserati

Preview: “Have you ever been in a fight with another radio guy?” and “I like radio… and basketball… and watching Dr. Who.”

Play Now: http://www.usedwigs.com/pod/podcast69.mp3

iTunes: Download, Listen and Subscribe

Website: www.usedwigsradio.com

Related Links: View here!

Body Movin’ Body Body Movin! Dave Hill and his Valley Lodge have fleshed out a nice video for their classic cut “All of My Loving.”

Conan and Andy Visit: Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis. Outstanding as always.

Sales Guy vs Web Dude: I’m a bit late to the game on this viral vid, funny stuff for anyone involved in tech, tech support, web or even you dummies in the sales department: The Website is Down. Episode one is my fave. (link via @mleis)

Ken Ober: “Kenny wasn’t like the other kids/ TV mattered, nothing else did/Girls said yes, but he said no/Now he’s got his own game show… Remote Control!” Thanks for bringing an insane amount of trivial fun to my obsessive video- and game show- watching teen years with Remote Control. Ken Ober, you were a good man. A funny man.

Expensive Gift Idea: Beatles USB Drive! This high-tech piece of fruit will set you back about $240, a little too pricey to be mentioned in our Popular and Affordable Gift Guide, but if you have a Beatles nerd in your life who deserves something cool, have at it. The deets:

“The exquisitely crafted, apple-shaped USB drive is loaded with the critically acclaimed re-mastered audio for The Beatles’ 14 stereo titles, as well as all of the re-mastered CDs visual elements, including 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK album art, rare photos and expanded liner notes.”

Edward Woodward – TV’s The Equalizer (a totally bad-ass show) has passed away. Here’s a nice tribute.

Timber! The Death Of The Drexel Shaft:

Chris Knows A-Holes! Our pal Chris Illuminati is the coauthor of The Assholeology: The Science Behind Getting Your Way – and Getting Away with it. It will be out January, 2010. Buy it, so he’ll write another one and stop tweeting so much.

Fuck NPR! Give your dough to WFMU for a change. (They never depress the hell out of you.) Join Scharpling and Wurster Tuesday night (11/17) for the 24-Hour Fall Marathon! Always excellent swag with each donation. The Best Show starts at 8:oopm EST.

Jerry Fuchs Tributes: In case you missed it last week, WPRB’s Jon Solomon produced a lovely tribute show to Jerry Fuchs who died tragically on November 8th. Dave McGurgan penned a really nice piece about Fuchs amazing drumming style and Henry Owings remembers his dear friend on Chunklet.

Jerry is survived by an impressive canon of records on which he’s performed, countless mouth-agape audiences in awe of his work, dozens of heart-crushed former bandmates, and an endless parade of true friends around the world. Jerry, your influence was profound and far-reaching. More

BTW, Jon Solomon will be our next guest on UsedWigs Radio.

Photos: Lindsay McIntire

Team UsedWigs, Inc. pulled off our first “live” show this past Friday night and it was a ton o’ fun. Critics raved, “They sure drink a lot, especially in a coffee house.” and “The seats were very comfortable.”

Russ, Todd and I have been doing our podcast for over four years and thought it would be a grand idea to get the hell out of Russ’s home studio for once and enjoy some humanity, interactivity and the deafening thunder of applause and fanatical adulation (we got 2 out of 3, not bad).

We chose MilkBoy Coffee in Ardmore as the venue because Russ and Todd have performed there many times (think Cirque du Soleil on a larger scale) and the owners Jamie and Tommy are great guys who are always up for something different, like a live podcast.

We had a little over a month to organize the show, which was pretty tight considering all we wanted to do: live musical performance, comedian, special guest interview, live science demonstration and some multimedia presentations all jammed packed in a 2-hour show. We envisioned an old-school Mike Douglas Show vibe. After the 3 of us conferred at a kick0ff meeting (McMenamin’s Tavern), we decided we needed some serious help. So we brought in some pros… the After School Specialists.

We enlisted the human firecracker, Kenjamin Franklin Ryzner, to create and serve up the multimedia and Machiavellian martinet, Jandek Phil Charron, to direct the whole shebang (neither asked for money up front, just a piece of the international distribution rights of the DVD and the Spanish language version). Our lovely announcer Lisa signed on too (lucky for us, Lisa and Russ are married, so she could not fib and say she was busy).

That’s a pretty solid crew to stage a performance, but every good talk show needs a house band, so Russ got on the horn and “Rusty Static and The Wig Tones” were born. Part of putting a show together is getting your talented friends involved, and lucky for us, Russell Gellman and Brian Jacobs are two of best musicians and nicest guys around (and are usually up for partaking in our nonsense).

There were rumors the Ultimate Washington Insider was going to be in town and join the show too… his legions of fans were lighting up the message boards and fan sites.

So we got the team together and then assembled a stellar line-up of super fun guests:

• live music by Philadelphia’s Audible
• literary musings by “Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook” bestselling author Josh Piven
• knee-slapping humor from comedian Don Weir
• thrilling science demonstration by PuttyWorld’s Crazy Aaron
• Philly art give-away by Michele Melcher
  

Another excuse to drink planning meeting took place (Earth Bread + Brewer) and we nailed down each show segment to specific time and doled out the duties. Everything went along swimmingly until the day before the show when the schedule band Audible (new CD is outstanding!) had to pull out due to a medical emergency. Uh oh! We’re screwed. “Can anyone do magic tricks for 25 minutes?”

I mentioned earlier about getting friends to help out, yeah, well this is one of those times when you find out just what great friends you have. I’ve been a huge fan and friends with the Philly band The Grundles for many years, so I contacted Tom Jadico (bass and surfboard) about our dilemma and he quickly got on the Grundle Hotline. Less than two hours later, Grundles Ted, Andrew and Tommy agreed to play the show. How cool is that? Very very cool, indeed. Fonzie-freaking cool.

It’s 7:00pm on June 12 and a growing crowd at Milkboy assembles while Kenjamin Franklin’s dynamic video presentation of magic, spandex and teen drinking explodes on screen. Everyone’s in a fine mood. Beers are cracked. Lattes are sipped. Cheeks are kissed. Then 8:15pm hits! Director Charron barks out orders, Ken fires up the video introduction, Lisa takes the stage for the announcing duties, The Wig Tones grab their instruments, and after 40 glasses of water (just a little dry mouth) me and the boys take the stage. Shenanigans, awkward pauses and paper shuffling ensue!

It went pretty darn well from then on. We popped some beers, chatted a bit, gave away a UsedWigs Live Swag Bag to a lucky audience member and then treated the crowd to a PowerPoint presentation on Facebook detailing “how old people (like us) have ruined it!”

At the beginning of this segment we were surprised by a cleverly-disguised SM Shrake playing maracas and wearing a creepy wig. SM, a Facebook etiquette expert, sat down and joined the lively discussion. Segment ended, a new one began.

Bestselling author Josh Piven then joined us on stage for an amusing chat about his “Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook” series and his upcoming book “This Green House” (September 2009). Josh was a funny guy and thankfully, tolerated his hosts who peppered him with barrage of hard-hitting questions. As Josh left the stage, Lisa presented him (and all our guests) with a UsedWigs Live “Home Version” game:

Next up, our pal Michele Melcher gave away one of her lovely illustrations to another lucky audience member while the band set up. The high-energy and charismatic Grundles rocked out as expected. They chatted with us for a bit before leaving to “wing on over to London and jam with the Stones!”

While the rocking may have ended, the rolling continued in fine fashion when comedian Don Weir made a triumphant return to his homeland from Brooklyn, NY. Don killed! 911 received numerous calls immediately after his set about severely strained laughing muscles.

Throughout the night Todd was busy drawing the guests on his trusty pad and displaying the art on a little easel for all to enjoy. The guest was then given his personalized piece of art to take home. Pretty sweet, huh? You would pay damn good money on the Wildwood boardwalk for that honor, but at UW Live… absolutely free! Rusty Static and The Wig Tones kept everything moving and grooving during the show too, creating a chill vibe to temper some of the between segment nuttiness.

UsedWigs Live inaugural show sadly had to end (a senior citizen puppet show was scheduled for 11:00pm sharp), but not before Crazy Aaron pounced on stage and administered some serious pickle electrocutions (not a euphemism) with some old-timey contraption, dazzling and endangering the excited audience who were clamoring for more pickled-fried goodness. It was a sizzling good ending to a fun-filled night.

Many thanks to the above-mentioned UsedWigs Team members; the wonderful guests; the awesome staff at Milkboy who were insanely accommodating; the many fine folks who helped us promote that crap out of the show (Chris and McG at PhillyBurbs.com, Eric at Geekadelphia.com, Dave at ComicVsAudience.com and Jon Solomon of WPRB); photographer extraordinaire Lindsay McIntire, artist Bevan McShea; Aaron and Elizabeth at PuttyWorld; wives Heather and Kelly; and of course, all you good people who came out and showed us a lot of love. As Hammer would say, “Proper!”

Enjoy some More Photos!

• Photo Slideshow
• Photos with Thumbnails
• iPhone Pix of UsedWigs Live

hugs! Jeff

Oh, and many thanks to McCloskey’s Bar (next to Milkboy) for the after party! My booming hangover was well worth it.

Off to a family wedding in a bit for an extra-long weekend of merriment, drinking and fist-fights (yes, it’s an Irish affair). So here are some delicious diversions for you as I bid farewell for now. Congrats Kath and Dave!

• “I have to go back and fix the economy!” David Letterman Busts McCain For Lying
• Pushy Parents: Won’t You Help Baby Sophie Walk?
• You’ll Never See UsedWigs Listed Here: 100 Nice and Beautiful Blog Designs
• There’s No Such Thing as Corinthian Leather! What’s In a Product Name? Why, Deception Of Course!
• Cartoon-based Learning: Subprime Mortgage Primer Online Comic {via BoingBoing}
• Get a Golden Ticket! Check out these cute videos promoting the new historic Fairmount Park location for Philly’s Please Touch Museum.
• Discover New Music You’ll Love: Jon Solomon’s latest radio show was quite fabulous.
• Illuminati Has Fetish: The Babes of Home Shopping, looking forward to his “Creepy Guys of Home Shopping” follow up.
• Android Power! iPhone beware! Here’s a peak at the new “Googlephone” (photo above, vid below) using Google’s open source technology.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZHgZr3SXCA[/youtube]

I always enjoy a good “If you like this ____ you might like this____” recommendation from a music reviewer, so I was excited to give my updated iTunes (now with genius power) a whirl.

Yes, “Genius” is a silly name and just begs for a good drubbing, but that’s the ever-haughty Apple for ya. For those who purchase affordable computers, you may not know that Apple has a “Genius Bar” in its stores, very misleading, there’s nothing genius about a bar with no alcohol. “Underpaid, Half-Interested in Your Problem Nerd Bar” would be a more realistic moniker.

On the design side of things, it doesn’t take a real genius to see from where those lazy Apple designer stole the logo. See Exhibit A:

Okay, back to the review. In addition to our crack team at UsedWigs Labs, we’ve asked a bunch of local music mavens to give us some feedback on the product. Let us see if the Apple music geeks can start preparing their applications to Mensa. Our findings:

Well, I have downloaded it and have begun experimenting. My initial reaction is that it is cool that it generates a playlist based on one song.

However, I am finding that the playlists it is generating are not as eclectic as I would like. So for example, when I “genius” the song Trashcan by Delta Spirit, the genius gives me a good mix of my alternative/modern/indie rock related songs from my playlist. It seems to be populating the playlist by related genres; I’d like there to be more a diverse genre mix.

I wished you could also make a playlist and then be able to “genius” the entire playlist. As for the recommendations, I’ve already purchased way too many songs as a result of this in the last 24 hours. Those guys at Apple are smart.

Bruce Warren
WXPN-FM
Some Velvet Blog

“I have assembled two mixes. One based upon ‘Sacrificial Bonfire’, the last track on XTC’s Rundgren-produced ‘Skylarking’, and another based upon ‘Snowden’ by Doves from ‘Some Cities’.

Overall, I am really impressed with iTunes’ ability to keep a ‘vibe’ with a given mix, which is what I mainly want. It is also pretty cool that it digs through some stuff you have never heard in your music collection, like, oh ‘Roscoe’ by Midlake. Huh? But it does a really good job of matching genres, feel, and even bands that hail from the same city. Coincidental? Only the Genius knows.

I do not like it when the Genius serves up tunes from the same album the mix was based upon. I don’t need to see three or four other tracks from Skylarking. Of course they are going to sound complimentary. Genius, you need to earn the money that I’m not paying you.”

Greg Hoy
Happy Cog

Apple has no problem with throwing the word genius around. At 55, founder Steve Jobs continues to be touted as a “boy genius”. The Apple Store unapologetically bills a collection of four stools and a T-shirt clad techie, the “Genius Bar”. Following form, this week Apple released version 8.0 of their flagship software application, iTunes, complete with its own built in “Genius”. Being an inhabitant of the venn diagram overlap between music geek and tech nerd, I was thrilled.

The iTunes Genius function promises to reacquaint you with your own musical library by suggesting other songs that are similar to a selected track. Having a library of almost 3000 albums, I was thrilled with the possibility of learning more about my neglected digital possessions. Admittedly, having a new software function introduce me to my own music felt a little like going to a marriage counselor to learn more about my wife but the doohickey delivers.

After downloading a boatload of information from the Apple iTunes Store about my collection, Genius busily offered tips to compliment my listening experience. Some made perfect sense (suggesting Wolf Parade to compliment TV on the Radio), while others where less helpful (suggesting TV on the Radio to compliment TV on the Radio). In all cases, the suggestions where on the money. After Genius does its thing, you can ask for more suggestions (up to 100 at a time), “refresh” the list with a quick reshuffle or even save it as a dynamic “Genius Playlist” (making the previous “Smart Playlists” feel like total morons in comparison). As you might expect, Genius also has some recommendations from the iTunes store but it certainly isn’t a pushy salesman. You can preview the purchasable music from within a sidebar or simply slam the section shut if you aren’t in the mood to kick start our economy.

I was curious about Genius’s selection making criteria and wondered if it was based on Pandora’s music genome project so I pointed my browser to Apple’s web page to learn more. Disappointingly, the “how Genius works” section is just a simple set of user directions. It’s as if Apple was telling me, “don’t worry your pretty little head about it because you’ll never understand, it’s a Genius.” Ambiguity aside, Genius is a welcomed addition to iTunes and one more notch in the hipster “mac guy’s” bedpost.

Todd Marrone
toddmarrone.com
Ghosticorn Apparel
UsedWigs Radio

so iTunes really wants me to clap my hands and say yeah, how do i tell them that i don’t want to.

also, steve poltz in the same room with John Doe, please.

sigur ros, leads to godspeed you black emperor, broken social scene, mogwai, explosions in the sky – so this is pretty reliable and there are a few that I would check out and thankfully no major-label dorks like John Mayer that the geniuses seem to want to choke you with not matter what song you enter.

overall, it does not seem as authentic as the lists on emusic – the iTunes genius lists seem based on downloads rather than ratings, otherwise why would it want me to buy John Mayer?

Brian Seymour
www.brianseymour.com

Update 1: Since we last talked, all it has done is gather information about my library!

Update 2: I only got it to tell me what I would like in my own collection! Help!

Update 3: I’m in, but… Now Genius is “temporarily unable to show you related music.” So, my Top Songs are Pink, T.I, and Rihanna.

Update 4: I did eventually get it working and it did suggest Silkworm as the first band I would like if I dug Bottomless Pit. It could not find any matches for The Feelies (The Feelies!) and suggested A Flock Of Seagulls and Thomas Dolby. For Shellac it suggested an artist named Shella six times…

Conclusion: I don’t know if I would ever use it and it doesn’t seem that different than the right side of the screen in the actual iTunes store. It is a shame there’s no frame of reference for well-known bands that don’t have large iTunes presences like Feelies and Shellac. There has to be an “influences” meta-tag, doesn’t there?

Jon Solomon
WPRB
Local Support Podcast
keepingscoreathome.com

Genius is a bit like taking your favorite DJ home with you. Oh, it all starts out great. He puts together some excellent mixes, blending tracks with an eye for mood and genre, occasionally surprising you with his picks. But now you’ve got a DJ in your house and he doesn’t know your library all that well and he’s starting to look a little sweaty as he smashes a mellow, beat-driven track up against a driving punk song. Then, as you hand him one of your unique favorites, he shrugs and pushes it back at you, a blank look in his face. Genius is better treated like a visitor than a roommate.

Personally, I think I’ll get a lot of use out of Genius. It solves one of my biggest annoyances with shuffle: the total disregard for a cohesive sound or logical sequence. However, while my tastes are fairly diverse, I tend towards out-of-the-mainstream hip-hop and turntablism. So I’m stumping. iTunes maybe 3 or 4 times out of 10, which can be discouraging.* The other issue is that these songs won’t *ever* get queued up by iTunes in association with tracks it can identify. I wish I could see just how many of my 2,250+ tracks are being disregarded because iTunes/Apple can’t identify them.

I tried to discern a pattern for the neglected tracks, as I’d read that it was often a matter of album names not matching the database, but I think Apple was smarter than that. For example, Iron & Wine’s version of The Postal Service’s ‘Such Great Heights’ was mixed in just fine and that track had no album data at all. At a glance, the quickest way to anticipate a failure is if iTunes can’t find album art. It’s not an absolute given (Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton’s *Knives Don’t Have Your Back* is one example), but it’s true more often than not. The next predictor is an odd label or no label at all. For example, I don’t think Danger Mouse’s ‘Grey Album’ will ever be recognized by iTunes, given that it was never sanctified by any label. It’s a shame and is something that shuffle or a playlist won’t have trouble with for obvious reasons. This feature will always exclude some of your music.

The oddest instance of Genius crapping out was when I couldn’t get a single Tettix track to work, even though all of his music is on iTunes. He also distributes it for free on his site, which is where I got it, but I’m still confused by the omission. Perhaps the database doesn’t have enough user data to sample from, leading to a failed Genius request?

But in spite of these misfires, when Genius is on target, it’s spot on. Autolux’s ‘Great Days for the Passenger Element’, Dave Brubeck’s ‘Take Five’ and Portishead’s ‘Wandering Star’ all yielded some great mixes that I’d definitely listen to again. I wouldn’t suggest relying on Genius for all your DJ/party mix needs, but as long as you’re willing to accept its limitations, it’s a solid secondary feature for the behemoth of audio players.

*Four of my hip-hop misses: DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist’s *Hard Sell (Encore)*; DJ Krush’s *Zen*; *The World Famous Beat Junkies, Vol. 2*; Q-Bert’s *Camel Bobsled Race Live Mix*

Chris Rugen
currentconfig.com
rdesignltd.com

“Genius is unavailable for {insert every Grundle song title}”

Listening to Mike Ness solo effort “Cheating at Solitaire” song – “Rest of our Lives” which has a country feel – suggestions included Son Volt (i.e. Alt Country) which was good – but also Sinead O’Conner from her Reggae standards album “Throw down your arms” with the song “Downpressor Man” (an excellent tune), but didn’t see the connection. Then using Genius for “Downpressor Man” returned REM, The Clash, English Beat.

General observation: when choosing an obscure (i.e. non radio hit) from an album the majority of recommendations returned were songs that were played on a radio. I didn’t see too many deep cut recommendations.

Bush’s “Comedown” returned an all 90′s play list of “Grunge” era standards – Alice in Chains, Greed Day, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Collective Soul, Everclear, STP, Oasis, Nirvana with one “newer” band Jimmy Eat World.

Tom Jadico
The Grundles

I tested “Oldest Story In the World” by The Plimsouls.

Pretty solid returns:

• Can’t Hardly Wait – The Replacements
• Medicine Show – Big Audio Dynamite
• September Gurls Big Star
• Cuyahoga 4:21 – Lifes Rich Pageant
• Talk About the Passion – R.E.M
• Radio Radio – Elvis Costello & The Attractions
• A Million Miles Away – The Plimsouls
• Awful – Hole
• Hitsville UK – The Clash
• A Sort of Homecoming – U2
• Late At Night – Buffalo Tom
• If I Can’t Change Your Mind – Sugar
• Nobody – The Replacements
• Cut Your Hair – Pavement
• Disturbance at the Heron House – R.E.M.
• Box Full of Letters – Wilco
• Contact – Big Audio Dynamite
• Ester – Elefant
• Become the Enemy The Lemonheads
• Charlie Don’t Surf – The Clash
• See A Little Light – Bob Mould

Mike Pierantozzi
The Brooklyn Brothers

Okay Genius, let’s see what you got. First up, “Death of the Life of The Party” by alt-country demigods Drag The River. Looky here, spot-on results for the first few (Lucero, Whiskey Town, Two Cow Garage, Time Barry) and then you lost must have got distracted by my singing and stop caring: Dynamite Hack? Flight of the Conchords? Beck?. Quit while you’re ahead, Genius, let’s go for Quality not quantity.

Next up, “Egon & Gertie” from Rachel’s — some of the most beautiful, soul-cleansing, neo-classical instrumental music you”ll ever hear (tears of joy and an overwhelming sense of serenity guaranteed.) Okay, you served up some some bands I have not heard of… let’s listen:

• Eluvium – very nice, a little more atmospheric than I like, but a solid result.
• Clogs – also very nice, not as inspired as the Rachel’s, and not enough cello. Never enough cello.
• Unwed Sailor – Kudos Genius! Not only have I heard of these guys (and shouted them out on Wigs a while back), I’ve been meaning to buy the CD “Little Wars” for some time. So I just bought it… on eMusic! I always check there first before I give Apple Inc. any more of my dough. Ha ha Genius.

Next up, let’s kick it old school with “Start With” by dearly-departed Seaweed. Ah ha, stumped you apple brains! You stink. This is one of best songs of the 90s. What were you too busy playing that Cracked Rear View ass-platter over and over instead digging a little deeper and enjoying some quality Northwest post-punk goodness? Shame on you. Don’t even look at me.

The stumping keeps continues… You’ve got nothing for comedian Todd Barry and his classic “Leftover Food” bit? What the…! You could only cough up more Todd Barry recommendations. Real ballsy prediction, “Hmmmm… Jeff likes Todd Barry, maybe just maybe, he might like some more… Todd Barry?” Boo! So you know shit about comedy too, huh Genius. Bet if I typed in Dane Cook you’d have a whole lot to say. Please don’t.

Last Up, “Husker Dave” by Armalite, the greatest punk supergroup ever to grace Philly. Okay Genius, you’ve completely lost your shit. Here’s what you had to say (in the snooty third-person, no less)

“Genius could not find matches for your specific selection, but here are the Top Songs in Our Store.”

Ne-Yo, Nelly, Jason Mraz, Metallica… bluh… get me a bucket! Impressive logic? I bet if you were a waiter and you did not have the delicious asparagus and mushroom risotto I ordered, you bring me a wild boar’s head wrapped in bacon and served with a side of Rocky Mountain oysters. This is heading for an uninstall my friend…

Oh, come on genius, I was just kidding… you did okay. Stop freezing up in embarrassment, take a breath, relax. At least you’re not a complete, insufferable tool like the failed-musician reviewers at Pitchfork. You got a lot to learn pal, so instead of “Genius” how about iTunes “Vee Jay” for now?

Jeff Lyons
Blabbermouth