VIA PRESS RELEASE | “This book is a book for the people. All of us. Every one of us. Yes–even you. It is a lovingly crafted devotional to Patti Smith’s truthful genius and her vast contribution to global culture for over half a century. As one of the most beloved and revered artists of our times and the last of her kind, Smith’s importance and creative influence cannot be overstated.”
—Shirley Manson

On May 31st, Why Patti Smith Matters, by journalist Caryn Rose, arrives at North American bookstores everywhere. The book arrived in the UK to great reviews and displays at iconic stores like Rough Trade. Rose is scheduled to appear at four events in June and July with more to come (see events below).

Following the success of memoirs and collections like Just Kids and M Train, Patti Smith has legions of fans both new and old who will love Caryn Rose’s clear-eyed and music- focused contextualization of Smith’s creative work, her influence, and her wide-ranging and still-evolving impact on rock and roll, visual art, and the written word. The first book about Patti Smith written by a woman, Why Patti Smith Matters is a contemporary meditation on the artistry and influence of one of our most important artists still working today.

Smith, the daughter of a factory worker, has attributed her array of endeavors as “work” and characterizes her performances as “jobs.” Rose shows the significance of her work ethic on popular culture. Rose notes, “I was eager to take on the formidable task of chronicling Patti Smith’s career because aside from Smith’s own work, the existing scholarship didn’t possess the kind of informed, careful perspective of her life and art that it deserves.”

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VIA PRESS RELEASE | It’s Yep Roc’s 25th anniversary this year, and to celebrate we’re auctioning off a ton of test pressings (many autographed!) from our archives with all proceeds benefiting Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. This month we’re focusing on titles revolving around springtime! You can own a piece of music history from Paul Weller, Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), Grant-Lee Phillips, Josh Rouse and more! The auction ends on 5/17.

On Auction This Month: Born Ruffians – Birthmarks (autographed!), Grant-Lee Phillips – Little Moon (autographed!), Jonah Tolchin – Clover Lane (autographed!), Josh Rouse – The Happiness Waltz (autographed!), Eleni Mandell – Wake Up Again, Southern Culture on the Skids – Party at My Trouse (feat. Fred Schneider), The Fleshtones – For a Smile 7″, Paul Weller – Dragonfly 7″, The Apples in stereo – Her Wallpaper Reverie, and Watchhouse (fka Mandolin Orange) – Such Jubilee.

Test pressings are extremely rare first pressings of a vinyl record that are used to approve the vinyl pressing, before an LP is mass produced. Generally, only four copies are made—one for the artist, one for the producer, one for the label, and one extra (sometimes a few extra are made, but overall the quantity is always very small). Simply put, these are collector’s items, and anyone in ownership of one is part of a very small and exclusive group. Now is your chance to own a piece of music history!

The underground rock scene of the 1980s has been given due spotlight and celebration since its unruly heyday, but one of the more undersung (if not necessarily criminally overlooked) bands of the era is Savage Republic of Los Angeles, one of the few US outfits that can legitimately be described as post-punk in orientation. Released in 1982, Tragic Figures is their debut full length, freshly reissued and expanded on 2LP/2CD by Real Gone Music and available now. And on May 20, Meteora, a brand spanking new Savage Republic album emerges on LP/ CD through the Mobilization label. If Tragic Figures has held up spectacularly well, Meteora thrillingly exceeds expectations.

Hearing Tragic Figures back in the 1980s was a striking experience, and I venture ‘twas the case even for those deeply immersed in the period’s u-ground happenings. In short, they could hit the ear like a cross between Keith Levene-era Public Image Ltd and early Sonic Youth at their most strung out and textural, but with a substantial influx of industrial whack-clatter-general abrasion, and on top of that, a whole lot of tribal drumming.

Theirs was a potent sound intensified by a sparse attention to lyrics; that is, some songs have words and some don’t. But as track titles “Attempted Coup : Madagascar” and “Kill the Fascists!” should make clear, Savage Republic weren’t disdaining the ideological. Rather, when they had something to say, they made it count. And it’s not like they could just be conveniently tucked under the blanket of “political band,” as “Next to Nothing” is textbook post-punk alienation and “Perfect Day” is prime rainy day old school punk rock ranting.

Vocals are more prominent on side two of Tragic Figures, with the music attaining an apex of political theorizing in its closing track “Procession.” However, the stylistic spectrum is wide throughout (and especially so in “Procession,” which is quite multifaceted). If the record is audibly a byproduct of its time, that’s not a limiting factor, as the band’s restlessness, ambition and disdain of commercial sheen are a welcome combination. When combined with such a high degree of musical curiosity, the record hasn’t lost a thing.

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VIA PRESS RELEASE | Released for the first time on vinyl, Queen’s compilation The Platinum Collection, featuring all three of their Greatest Hits albums, shows their unrivalled track record of chart-topping, award-winning, record-breaking rock and pop classics. With four songwriters in the band—Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon—Queen created a glorious legacy of all-time anthems that still ring out across the ages. For past and future fans alike, they will rock you!

Living up to its name, The Platinum Collection is certified 5x Multi-Platinum in the US and was recently certified by the UK music industry organization the BPI as having gone 8 x Platinum, representing sales of 2.4 million achieved since its June 2011 re-release as part of Queen’s 40th anniversary celebrations. June 17 will see the limited edition 6LP color vinyl set released in a slipcase with brand new artwork. Each piece of vinyl will be a different color and come in its own individually designed sleeve. The set also comes with an exclusive 24-page 12″ photo booklet.

Queen Greatest Hits, first released in 1981, is certified 9x Platinum in the US and is the best-selling album of all time in the UK, having sold over 6.8 million copies, with global sales in excess of 25 million. Spanning Queen’s triumphant first act, from 1974 to 1980, Greatest Hits includes some of the world’s most beloved rock standards, including the stadium-sized symphonic chart-topper “Bohemian Rhapsody,” recently inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress as a culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant song worthy of preservation for all time, and the roof-raising “We Are The Champions,” which was named the most catchy song of all time by a team of scientists in 2011.

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The top of the Empire State Building is an impressive place to say that you’re doing any activity, and it’s even more exciting to say it’s where you’re hosting a radio program. That’s what listeners in the New York City area imagined when they tuned to Z100 on their radio dial. Okay, so maybe in actuality they weren’t broadcasting exactly from that lofty location, but the theatrical panache solidified Z100 into what is now considered perhaps the most influential radio station in the world.

However, there was a time when that claim was not true. In the early ’80s, a successful host from Florida was sent to the swampy Meadowlands of NJ to create a radio station that would rival all others in the New York City metro area. That man was Scott Shannon and he is my guest this week to discuss a new film that has been released which explores those primal days at Z100 and how they climbed from the bottom of the ratings to the top. It’s called From Worst to First and also features memories and interviews from Jon Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Nile Rodgers, Debbie Gibson, and—of course—Scott Shannon.

Shannon joins me to discuss the path that led him to Z100, how playing it safe is a fool’s game, and what was so special about the musical mix cooked up by Shannon and his compatriots.

So, while we’re not joining you from the top of the Empire State Building, it doesn’t matter, Shannon long ago reminded us all that radio is, indeed, a theater of the mind. No one says that you can’t close your eyes and imagine Scott Shannon and I conversing on the 102nd floor of the most iconic, Art Deco skyscraper in New York City. Man, would you just look at that view?

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.

I can think of a whole bunch of reasons to own this album. It’s a slightly marred musical masterpiece, one that melds heavy metal and progressive rock without ever letting the latter dominate the proceedings. And most of its songs are great. But the most important reasons to keep a copy of 1971’s Look at Yourself on hand is its cover.

Because it’s a real mirror! True, what you’ll see is a distorted fun house reflection of yourself, but how do you know that isn’t what you really look like? Could the fact that you look like one of Francis Bacon’s portraits be the real reason you never get dates? (And here everyone tells you it’s because you’re obnoxious!) Are your friends only hanging out with you out of pity? Could you be the Elephant Man of your social set? Would it be better for all concerned if you simply disappeared into some dark forest, where you’ll be able to bag all the game you need simply by staring at them?

Uriah Heep–or just the Heep, as we serious Heepheads call them–were powered by Ken Hensley’s omnipresent organ, Mick Box’s fantastic guitar, and David Byron’s operatic vocals and ability to out-shriek a Tiger Pistol Shrimp. What separated them from your average progressive rock band were their driving tempos, heavy metal inclinations, unwillingness to write complex five-part songs, and the fact that Hensley wasn’t some pompous Keith Emerson clone with classical pretensions (although he has his brief moments). Hensley didn’t write a single piano concertos. He was a rock and roll guy through and through.

Look at Yourself—the band’s third—was Uriah Heep’s breakout album, and it’s not hard to figure out why; most of these songs proceed at a breakneck speed, and the two that don’t (“July Morning” and “What Should Be Done”) are both classics in their own right. Rarely do they let their progrock inclinations run away with them, but there are exceptions—“Shadows of Grief” and the absurdly titled “Love Machine” being the chief offenders.

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VIA PRESS RELEASE | Today sees the release of the first in a series of half speed mastered studio albums from The Who; My Generation and A Quick One.

These limited-edition black vinyl versions have been mastered by long-time Who engineer Jon Astley and cut for vinyl by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios with a half-speed mastering technique which produces a superior vinyl cut and are packaged in original sleeves with obi strips and certificates of authenticity.

First released in 1965, My Generation was The Who’s debut album, it peaked at #5 and unleashed The Who on the world. It has been described as one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone, Mojo, NME and was selected to be the United States Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry as “culturally significant” to be preserved and archived for all time.

The band’s follow up album A Quick One was released in late 1966, it contains more experimental compositions including the nine-minute title track which act as precursors to what was to follow in later years as well as classic Who tunes as “So Sad About Us” and “Boris The Spider.”

VIA PRESS RELEASE | With their driving hooks, twin lead guitars, lyrics saturated in working class lore, and the charismatic presence of singer/songwriter/bassist Phil Lynott, Thin Lizzy are undeniably one of the most influential bands in Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Mercury Studios salutes their legacy with the release of Phil Lynott Songs For While I’m Away + Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back In Town Live At The Sydney Opera House October 1978 on June 24. Pairing the acclaimed Phil Lynott documentary with a renowned live concert film, the set will be available as a 2xDVD+CD and Blu-ray+DVD+CD (with the Phil Lynott documentary on the Blu-ray).

Songs For While I’m Away chronicles the life and music of Phil Lynott, utilizing archival footage, interview snippets from the man himself, and music from both the Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott solo catalog.

Notable conversations with Midge Ure (Ultravox / Thin Lizzy), Darren Wharton (Thin Lizzy), Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy), Adam Clayton (U2), Huey Lewis (Huey Lewis & The News), James Hetfield (Metallica) and others, as well as Phil’s wife Caroline Taraskevics and daughters Sarah Lynott and Cathleen Lynott reveal an all-encompassing look at Phil, from his 1950s’ upbringing as a Black boy in blue collar Dublin to his rise to fame. Fully exploring his history and rippling impact on music, the film examines Lynott as a singer, songwriter, poet, father, and cultural icon.

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When people think about the music of New Orleans, it’s usually the traditional jazz scene that comes to mind. But, NOLA is also one of the most consistent melting pots in our great country, so it’s bound to birth some amazingly unique and exciting music.

Born in the Big Easy, Tank and the Bangas honed their musical skills during their time as backing band in many of the city’s open mics before morphing into the Grammy nominated, NPR Tiny Desk Concert winning, soul, funk, hip hop group that they have become.

Norman Spence from the band joins us on this episode to discuss the crafting of the band’s latest release, Red Balloon. He explains his role in the group, how he uses his own vinyl collection as an instrument of sorts, and the myriad influences and ingredients that all the members of the band bring to the table to create their own unique musical jambalaya.

So, let’s promenade down to the Land of Dreams to learn more about what Tank and the Bangas have cooked up on their recent release. The sound may not be what comes to mind when thinking about New Orleans, but maybe it should be, maybe it is the sound of a new New Orleans.

Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.