Airwaves

by Brian Goslow

If you've listened to WCUW at fundraising time during the past two decades, you've undoubtedly heard Patti Smith's testimonial for the community broadcaster. The plug was recorded during her 1979 Clark University visit as part of the Patti Smith Group's Wave tour. Now, with her third solo CD, Peace and Noise (Arista), in the stores, a former 'CUW DJ is playing a key role in re-introducing the punk poetess to non-commercial radio.

Mike Morrissey was host of WCUW's Beat Surrender during the mid- to late-'80s and through correspondence with her mom, Beverly, was one of the few fans who kept in contact with Smith during her long period of silence. Earlier this year, he was asked to put together a Patti fanzine (People Have the Power). "It came together really easily," says Morrissey, who edits the 'zine with Pattie Klein, who previously did the same for REM and Morrissey (the Smith). "We enjoy comparing notes and putting each issue together, with much help from Patti's mom, Beverly, her sister Linda, and the band themselves."

In addition to putting out the fanzine, they were also asked to make sure the new CD gets in the hands of the people who want to play it. "We're currently assisting Arista to get more promo out from fans to fans," Morrissey explains via e-mail. "The idea is actually Patti's, and she asked that our mailing list receive extra stuff and Arista has been real eager to find her real market. It has been inspiring to be approached in this way and to get a major label interested in a grassroots/DIY promo buzz."

'CUW listeners got a sneak preview of the disc several weeks back when former 'CUW DJ Amy Salit, now NPR's Fresh Air producer, played a track as a birthday present for Dave Goldberg (of the Dave and Dave Show). "The song ["1959"] was phenomenal," explains Judy Ricardi, host of Double Dare Ya and a PHTP contributor. "It was a magical moment."

If you want a copy of PHTP, send $5 to PHTP, Box 304, Union City, New York 07087-0304. Submissions of any Patti-related material may also be sent to that address. "If you want it to happen, reach out and make it happen," Morrissey says. If you missed Patti's appearance on PBS's Sessions last weekend, it'll be repeated this Friday (October 3) at midnight on WGBH Channel 2.

BESIDES A KNAPSACK full of Patti, Ricardi is featuring a slew of new indie releases every Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 p.m. on WCUW (91.3 FM). Miranda July and the Need team up for "Margie Ruskie Stops Time" (Kill Rock Stars). "It has lots of noise and is wonderfully obnoxious." Sugarsmack's Fueled By Jesus features driving chords and beats. Vocalist Hope Nichols plays children's toys on many of the tracks, including "Voit," "Lightning Bug," and "Woolery." Team Dresch V 6.0 Beta's first release, "Deattached" and "Venuslacy" (Outpunk), features their new Kira-less line-up. "It's got a great sound," Ricardi proclaims. "Dyke rock is alive!"

The spirit of X lives on Auntie Christ's Life Could Be a Dream (Lookout). "Exene Cervenkova and D.J. Bonebrake are back playing punk rock music." "The Nothing Generation" questions the trendies with right on lyrics like "You'll swallow anything they shove down your throats." "Hail Exene!" Skunk Anansie's Stoosh (Epic) "is a powerful mix of heavy rock, pop, and beautiful ballads," says Ricardi. "The best tracks are `Twisted,' `Brazen,' and `Yes, It's F . . . ing Political.'" Isn't everything?