Airwaves

by Brian Goslow

Camera crews from a Virginia cable television outlet will be on hand for the July 9 Dave and Dave Show on WCUW (91.3 FM). They film the appearance by Jason the Psychic, whose visits every third week are a major happening during the D&D program, a/k/a Radio Free Wormtown, which airs Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 p.m.

"It's about time he got some publicity," states cohost Dave Lyon. "When we first put him on the air, we were amazed at what a natural presence he was on the radio and invited him as a regular quest. He's a radio prophet." And how on the mark are his forecasts? "Some listeners have written in and said his predictions have come true."

While not having his own life affected by Jason's predictions, Lyon has been playing selections from the Wonderdrug Records compilation, up the dosage! "It features great, really raw Boston bands with lots of heavy fuzz. There [are] no love songs on this compilation. It's old-school hardcore, a fresh alternative to the so-called hard rock you hear on alternative stations."

He doesn't even attempt to describe Feces Pieces' "Last Rites" for readers. Anal Cunt's "I Sold Your Dog to a Chinese Restaurant" pencils in at 50 seconds. "It's totally incoherent, fast, in your face, and loud." His favorite track is Slughog's cover of the early Van Halen track, "Unchained." "Having been brought up and weaned on Van Halen, [I think] it's great to hear a heavy band cover a classic of theirs. It's got lots of heavy distortion and scratchy vocals. They're having fun paying tribute to them." You can also hear the self-proclaimed "Boston Kings of Pummelcore" on their Grit! and Ungodly Amounts of Meat CDs.

Although Jason can always be counted on to attract lots of callers, Lyon encourages listeners to call the program to take part in on-air discussions about whatever is on the mind of Wormtown's residents. "We're not Dr. Laura, just a couple of jerks on the radio."

THE SCHEDULE FOR STUDIO 3 has been rearranged to help promote upcoming concerts in the area. This week's program (Thursday at 9:30 p.m.) features a recent Brown Bag Mechanics Hall appearance by the Tuxedo Classic Jazz Band, whose music serves as a prelude to the July 3 Jazz at Sunset Concert by the Bourbon Street Paraders at the New England Science Center.

The week of July 6 showcases "Boston's First Lady of Cabaret," Carol O'Shaughnessey, who'll be at Cafe Abba on July 10 and 11. Seaside recording artist Steve Marvin is featured the week of July 13 with the Mac Chrupcala Trio. He's at Shorah's Restaurant on July 16.

The Mark Kross Trio, featuring pianist Kross, alto sax and clarinet player extraordinaire Billy Novick, and trumpet and flugelhorn legend Herb Pomeroy, are featured the week of July 20, while the Paul Broadnax Quartet, who continue to appear every Monday at Bullfinch's Restaurant, in Sudbury, are featured the week of July 27. Studio 3 airs on WGMC-TV 3 every Monday at 8:30 p.m., Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday at 9:30 p.m.

NEED SOME MUSIC to go with that speeding ticket? Fran Ritchie's annual special tribute to the New England Summer Nationals continues this Saturday from 9 to 11 p.m. on the Rock and Roll Party on WCUW. He promises to air the usual hot-rod and automobile classics. No word on whether he'll dig up tributes to the renegade Volkswagen delegation.

THIS WEEK'S Sunday Night Concert Series features three recent performances recorded at the Space. Kolya, Halobox, and Garrison can be heard at midnight on July 6 on WCUW. "It's my way of spending Independence Day," says host Ian Schleff.