Airwaves

by Brian Goslow

Worcester guitarist Dave McKay performs live on Hullabaloo on October 1 at 8 p.m. on WCUW (91.3 FM). "He's definitely the sound chemist," says host Mark Paolini. "He takes different sounds and textures and uses them to create loops, then he plays over them, adding to the mix." Until now, McKay's live shows have been rare events. "He's trying to get into the habit of playing more. This will be his first radio gig in front of an audience."

MacKay's been known to add a surprising cover tune or two to his repertoire, including Donovan's "Season of the Witch" and the Rolling Stones' "Play with Fire." He has released two homemade cassettes [New Directions and Tarantella] with a third on the way. "If anyone wants to recite their poetry or spoken-word writings, they can come down, and he'll improvise with them afterwards," says Paolini. "He would be up for that."

The performance is part of WCUW's ongoing fall fundraiser. Listeners can drop into the station's 910 Main Street studios beginning around 7:30 p.m. A $3 donation is requested.

WCHC SHOULD BE BACK on the air by the time you read this. Music director Trevor Atwell has waited to get a summer's load of releases on the air, including the Grifters' Full Blown Possession (Sub Pop) and the Geraldine Fibbers' Butch (Virgin). "It's been my favorite album for the better part of the summer."

The Holy Cross-based station's DJs have been big boosters of the Fat Wreck Chords label. Two new releases are certain to get lots of airplay -- No Use for a Name's Making Friends. and Lapwagon's Double Plaidinum. "They [Lapwagon] are probably the best punk band going today. I saw them a couple weeks ago in New York at CMJ and in Boston."

Up Records is also releasing some of Atwell's favorite music. Screech noise dance rockers Modest Mouth's The Lonesome Crowd West was produced by K Records honcho and Dub Narcotic Sound leader Calvin Johnson and 764-HERO follow in the two-player tradition of fellow Pacific Northwesterners godsheadsilo with Salt Sinks and Sugar Floats. "Their last full length was really great."

Helium return with MagicCity (Matador). "It's an extension of No Guitars. I've always liked what Mary Timory's done, especially her most recent recordings." He's keeping an eye out for the new Will Oldham, the former leader of the Palace family of bands (Palace Brothers, Palace Music). "He's dropped the band moniker and is doing solo stuff." Joya is slated to come out on October 6. Meanwhile, Palace's cover of AC/DC's "Big Balls" has just been released by Skin Tight.

While neo-ska rages commercially, don't look for the Mephiskapheles to be part of the breakthrough. "They're an extremely good band that never threatens to get played on MTV. Their content is more `devil-core' that could be taken the wrong way." But not by Atwell, who'll be including their newest CD among the latest releases every Thursday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m on 88.1 FM.

STUDIO 3'S FALL SCHEDULE continues this week with the Joyce Camillo Trio. Swing masters Tom Morley and 78 RPM's Jazz at Sunset appearance is featured the weeks of September 29 and October 13, while an encore presentation of Billy Novick and Shades of Swing's Brown Bag Concert appearance at Mechanics Hall runs the week of October 6, in conjunction with Novick's appearance as part of Old Sturbridge Village's American Music Series. Studio 3 airs every Monday at 8:30 p.m., Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday at 9:30 p.m. on WGMC-TV 3.