Airwaves

by Brian Goslow

As we move closer to the millennium and world homogenization, there's still a roving pack of people seeking higher inspiration. Recent appearances on WCUW's Dave and Dave Show by psychic Jason (who works out of Highland Street's Top It Off Boutique) have received more calls than any prior guest in the program's four-year history. "By far, this is the biggest response we've gotten to anything on the show," says cohost Dave Goldberg. "The last time he was on, we had calls from all over the area. Some people are tuning in special, because they're followers. The others [regular listeners] are really motivated by it."

Psychic radio is an international trend. "Last year, when I was in London, listening to Spectrum Radio late at night, I heard someone reading Tarot cards, doing predictions. People were calling with their issues. I thought he [the program's host] was using their telephone manners as much as the cards. But Jason does the cards -- he seems very in touch with using them to make his predictions.

"He's a fifth-generation gypsy," Goldberg explains. "He can trace his psychic abilities back five generations in the family." He already has a proven on-air track record.

"He was on was the night of the Louise Woodward verdict. He said she would be guilty of a lesser charge, before manslaughter was even an option."

What fate awaits Worcester? "He keeps saying it's going to be a great time for Worcester, with lots of positive energy all around."

Plans call for the psychic to appear every third week. If you're reading this on Thursday (November 20), you can catch Jason on the Dave and Dave Show tonight from 9:30 to 11 p.m. on WCUW (91.3 FM).

HAD ANYONE NOTICED there are no rock and roll records on the Billboard charts anymore?" Goldberg asks. "As we speak, Green Day is at the Auditorium while Puff Daddy's at the Centrum." Some of the more familiar-sounding music D2 have been playing include Chumbawamba's Tubthumper (Republic). "They're anarchists reliving the Crass dream, who've surprised everyone with a pop record." They're giving sentimental airplay to Letters to Cleo's GO! (Revolution), and going international with Portishead's gloomy yet powerful self-titled breakthrough CD (Go! Beat). "It's an indicator of how far off the mainstream a rock band has to be these days to make an impact." Loop Guru's amrita (World Domination) fits nicely next to fellow techno gladiators Future Sounds of London. "I'm not shedding any tears over the supremacy of dance music. It's far more contemporary and relevant to today's youth culture. It's funny that it isn't techno that overshadowed rock as the music industry banked on, it's the rise of R&B."

Current regional faves include Chillum '97, Pothole's latest 45, plus Saugus-based Wrath A.D.'s self-produced CD and Hingham's Exceed's The Blood Is on Your Hands.

"Initially we got cassettes from both groups. The production on these CDs is really cleaned up. Both groups were heavily involved in the Sunday-afternoon all-ages scene at the Rat in Boston [which closed last weekend]. They're doing the work to keep the [metal-based] music going."

During recent D2 appearances, Worcester's maniacal Cream Team attempted to put the final stake in karaoke, and Maladdiction hyped their new CD, The Power Within (Powerline). "When Dave [cohost Dave Lyons] and I first heard this Spencer band, we thought we were listening to a nationally touring group." They're equally excited about El Camino's All American Swagger CD. The Watertown group visit Sir Morgan's Cove on December 5. "They're real driving-in-your-car music."