Tomorrow

You Tore My Brain

If you can get to Prospect Heights in Brooklyn this week, the Nortons need you! Email me at wfmuichiban@gmail.com for directions.  The clock is ticking. Thanks!

Let Her Dance!

Dust & Grooves Video Of Operation Norton

Saving Norton Records after Hurricane Sandy from Dust & Grooves on Vimeo.

Thanks to Eilon from Dust & Grooves for shooting this.

Deke Dickerson remembers his early days as a Norton Records artist

 In the 1980's, as a headstrong teenager fresh out of high school, I was in a band called the Untamed Youth.  We were the first "new" act signed by Norton Records, back in 1988.  It's hard to remember this now, but at the time the two main formats were vinyl records or cassette tapes.  CDs were an expensive medium for classical and jazz fanatics, and if my memory is correct the earliest CD players cost something like two thousand dollars.  LP's were definitely waning in popularity, and cassettes were the highest selling format....and don't forget the most miserable format of all, "cassingles,"  the majors' feeble attempt to replace the 45 rpm record with a two-song cassette tape.  If you were a normal alternative rock or heavy metal band in 1988, you put your new release out on cassette, and it would possibly be released on vinyl if you were signed to a big indie or major label.  There was no "hip" association with vinyl at the time.  It wasn't cool like it is today.  Mainstream people hated it.  A lot of people thought the pressing plants for vinyl were going to go out of business (and a lot of them did) during that time.

I remember asking Billy Miller if the Untamed Youth album would be released on cassette, since I was very worried (insert sad horn sound here) about our band's commercial potential in the marketplace.  Billy's response was that "cassettes are for Madonna."  When the Untamed Youth came to New York to play, Billy took me in the Norton-mobile to the pressing plant to see our record being made.

To an 18-year old kid, immersed in the new-to-me mystical world of intense, obsessive record collecting, seeing the antiquated processes and machinery that created these records was like a visit to the Wizard of Oz.  Machines wheezed and clunked and the air was thick and acrid with the smell of vinyl particulate and steam.  It was awesome.  I watched as Untamed Youth "Some Kinda Fun" LP's came off the line.  I was surprised at how much hand-work was involved, figuring it would be an all-automated process.  Nope, it was pretty much like the 1950's, low-wage folks inserting vinyl biscuits into pressing machines, hand-inserting vinyl into sleeves.

Billy Miller looked at a stack of reject 45's and pulled out a red vinyl 45 called "Roaches" by the Court Jesters.  "Hey, this one is a good doo-wop song about Roaches, you have it?"  I replied I did not, but I knew I certainly needed it.  Soon my world would revolve around doo-wop sounds about Roaches, one-man band songs about government cheese, and surf songs about monkeys.

We loaded a bunch of boxes of literally hot-off-the-press Untamed Youth albums into the Norton-mobile and drove to the Norton warehouse (different place than it is now, but still a musty, moldy underground bunker with the sort of infrastructure and wiring and plumbing one would expect from a city built upon the ruins of the previous three centuries).  There I was, a kid fresh out of high school, unloading a princely 1000 copies of my first record down some rusty stairs into a dark basement warehouse.  I probably knew at that moment, though my ambition wouldn't let me accept it, that super-stardom was not in my future.  Madonna had not started out this way.

Somehow I knew, though, that this was my place.  A world where a pancake-shaped molded vinyl particulate would be obsessed over as though it were the Shroud of Turin by a group of unemployed, broke jackasses that really, god bless 'em, really really cared about the music.  They could tell you about alternate takes, they could tell you about which pressings were vinyl and which were noisy styrene, they could wax philosophical about how Hasil Adkins and Jerry McCain had been separated at birth, even though one was white and one was black.  I felt all the same things, and I knew that Jerry Lee Lewis alternate takes were important to me, too, even if they didn't mean a damn to the friends I had back in Missouri.  For that moment of recognizing and accepting my fellow species of lowlife music-obsessed, record collecting miscreants, I owe Billy and Miriam and Norton Records a huge thanks. 

Now here I am, two and a half decades later, lugging my own vinyl pressings into my own storage space, 1000 copies at a time.  Vinyl is hip again in a way that we never would have predicted back in the 1980s.  I have no embarrassing cassingles in my past, and I have Norton Records to thank for that as well.

It saddens me now to think of the Norton Warehouse, submerged under Hurricane Sandy bilge water, those precious biscuits of vinyl waterlogged.  Some of those priceless nuggets have my own precious teenage angst garage band music recorded on them.  I remember lugging those boxes down the stairs nearly 25 years ago, and it makes me damn proud to know that Norton Records has hung in there that long--prospered, at that.

I know that the good people will come together and help save what records can be saved, and people will help Billy and Miriam recover from this tragedy.  Norton Records is too damn important to let some flood water put 'em out of business, where Madonna had failed to do so.  You can't drown the loud sound, indeed!

 All photos appear here courtesy of the Untamed Youth's Facebook page.

Norton Record Cleaning

Here's a picture of the flooded warehouse.

Boxes of records are being transferred to Norton HQ in Prospect Heights.

Bloodshot Bill does the heavy lifting.

Ted and Angie bring the records upstairs.

The gang washes every record and wipes them dry to await new sleeves to a Mad Mike soundtrack.

If you would like to help, call 917-671-7185 or email nortonrec@aol.com.  This will be going on all week.

Norton November On Ichiban

We dedicate the month of November to our heroes over at Norton Records.  Their Brooklyn warehouse was flooded with 4 feet of water during the Frankenstorm.  If you live in Brooklyn and have some free time, please lend a hand in salvaging what's left of the debris.  Volunteers are needed to sort/clean records at Norton HQ in Prospect Heights.  For the address call 917-671-7185 or 718-789-4438 or email nortonrecs@aol.com.  I will see you there!!

We're Back!

We lost our main Ichiban server during the storm, but Dr. Filth is holding down the fort until we can get back up!!  Tune in now!

Donations accepted!

Spookareno!

We welcome guest DJ, Phil Milstein from Probe Is Turning On The People  to handle the scary business here today!!  We still do not have power in our Jersey City studios so I've uploaded the show for you to enjoy now.

BOO!

1. Merv Griffin: House Of Horrors (Merc., 1962; wr. Ruth Roberts & Bill Katz; cond. Charles Greane)
2. Babs Tino: Dr. Jekyll Or Mr. Hyde (Kapp, 1963)
3. Cecil Campbell & His Tennessee Ramblers: Spooky Boogie (RCA Vic., 1950; actual chattering teeth!)
4. The Sharks: Spookareno (Sapien 1003)
5. Hollywood Flames: Frankenstein's Den (Ebb, 1958)
6. The Daylighters: Mad House Jump (Bea & Baby, 1959)
7. The Jayhawks: The Creature (From Outer Space) (Aladdin, 1957)
8. homemade hybrid: Casper The Friendly Ghost (TV sdtk.; Little Richard)
9. The Nightmares with Jimmie Maddin Orch.: The Headless Ghost (American Int'l., 1959)
10. Bob Ridgley: The Way-Out Mummy (Del-Fi, orig. unrel.)
11. Damon Fox: Black Widow Spider (Crimson, 1967)
12. Jack Rivers: Haunted House Boogie (Coral, 1951)
13. Jekyll & Hyde: Frankenstein Meets The Beatles (DCP, 1965)
14. Lon Chaney, Jr.: Spider Baby (from movie of same title, 1964; wr. Ronald Stein)
15. Lord Luther with The Kingsmen: (I Was A) Teenage Creature (Frantic, 1959)
16. Ray Noble & His Orch., voc Al Bowlly: Haunted House (UK, 1931)
17. Bryan "Legs" Walker: Trick Or Treat (Piper Platters (Temple City CA), 1959; wr. Bill Jacoby)
18. The Chubukos: Boogie The Devil In (Mainstream, 1974)
19. The Devils: The Exorcist (from Funk Cargo comp (Famous Groove, 1994))
20. Round Robin: I'm The Wolf Man (Domain, 1965)
21. The Sham-Ettes: (Hey There) Big Bad Wolf (MGM, 1966)
22. The Fairviews: Nightmares (Spin It (LA CA), c.1965; wr. Murray Schwimmer; pr. Nick Therry)
23. The Dell Vikings: The Voodoo Man (Merc., 1958)
24. Shalimar & His Friends: Voodoo Mash (pts. 1 & 2; Del-Fi, 1962)
25. Cathy Mills: Monster Hop (Tin Pan Alley (song-poem); wr. Gregory & Dienna)
26. Nita & Bonnie: The Graveyard Rock (Preview (song-poem); wr. Ash, Marsh & Susser)
27. The Villagers: Headless Nightmare (Petal 1410, c.1964)
28. Hot Rod All Stars: Ten Commandments From The Devil (Torpedo, 1970; wr. L. Briscoe)
29. Ron Waldon: Witch Girl (Vibra 101, 1961; wr. Clesi & Alcorn)
30. Murray Schaff & The Aristocrats: Tombstone Number 9 (King, 1956)
31. Morgus with The Daringers: Werewolf (Fulton (Det.), c.1959)
32. The Muleskinners: Wolfman (Soma, 1964)
33. Denny & Lenny with The Hollywood Ghouls: Monster's Love (Chance)
34. Billy Snel: Queen Of Halloween (Wild 100, 1960)
35. Jimmy Bowers: The Vampire's Ghost (Track 1002, 1958)
36. The Crewnecks: Rockin' Zombie (Rhapsody, 1959)
37. The Nightmares with Jimmie Maddin Orch.: (Ooh I'm Scared) Of The Horrors Of The Black Museum (Amer.
Int'l., 1958)
38. Eddy Arnold: Tennessee Hillbilly Ghost (RCA Vic. EP, 1957)
39. Ray Stevens: Laughing Over My Grave (Merc., 1964)
40. Rosemary Clooney: The Wobblin' Goblin (Col., 1950; pr. Hecky Krasnow)
41. Eddie Dean: A Gravedigger's Lament (Crystal 156, c.1948)
42. Janie Jones: Witches Brew (HMV (UK), 1965; wr. & pr. Sidney Gilbert; title sic)
43. Souls Unlimited: The Raving Vampire (pt. 1; Wigwam; wr. Bobby Green & James Parker; pr. Charles O. Johnson)
44. Jesse Stone: Who's Zat (RCA Vic., 1948)
45. The Mystrys: Witch Girl (Orbit (Sydney Aus.) 100, 1966)
46. Kay Bell & The Spacemen: Scream Along (With The Monster) (Vista, 1963)
47. The Monotones: Zombi (Argo, 1958)

special thanks to Bruce Milne and Tom Taber

Tassel Twirler Tuesday!

Gee_Baby,_You're_the_Utmost!

Grave Yard Creeps mix

Happy Halloween, Ichibaners!

Boogie Man - The Higher Elevation
Gravediggers Rock - Clyde Scott with the Zanyopolis A.U. Students
Grave Yard Creep - James Duhon
Someone Walked Over My Grave - Criswell

GRAVE YARD CREEPS

If The Price Is Right (MP3)

 
Houston Roberts  -  If The Price Is Right 

Here's a foot-stompin' honky-tonker from Houston Roberts on Nashville's Little Darlin' label, an organization that  frequently peddled hard country sounds.  And speaking of prices, this seems like a fine time to gently remind you that WFMU's Rock & Soul Ichiban comes to you at all hours of the day and night completely free.  So if you feel like hitting the pledge button above to help us keep everything humming, we'd be grateful. 

Creepy Chix Mix!

My Girl Friend Is a Witch - October Country
Draculena - Aaron McNeill
The Monster Miss - Miss L.L. Louise Lewis
My Baby's Got a Crush on Frankenstein - Soupy Sales

CREEPY CHIX

Zacherley For President!

Cool Ghoul mp3 mix

Roland - Billy Duke & the Dukes
Dinner With Drac - John Logan
Dance Along With Dracula (Doin' the Drac) - The Monstrosities
Casa A Go Go - Count Von Shukker

COOL GHOULS

Tassel Twirler Tuesday!

Johnny's_Jive

Broadcast Pioneers Hall Of Fame

Zacherle For President

John Zackerley - Zacherle For President

Thanks Postman Tom!

Reigning Sound!

DA the DJ

Come out and see one of our Saturday night Live From The Admiral DJs and future Ichiban blogger, Greg Cartwright performing with his band Reigning Sound, featuring members of the Jay Vons!!  Tomorrow night at the Bell House in Brooklyn.  With the Baxx Sisi's and DJ Todd-o-Phonic Todd!!  9 PM.  Tickets $15.

Watching My Baby Get Ready

Happy Birthday Chuck Berry!

Photo via: The Lost Photographs Of Deejay Tommy Edwards

Join Matt Fiveash & Ted Barron for a 5 hour birthday Salute to Mr. Chuck Berry. 12 Noon - 5 PM on WFMU's Rock 'n' Soul Ichiban 24 hour webstream.

Playlist & Archive

the Camel Walk Is Easy To Do

 Come help us celebrate our 3rd anniversary at Botanica tonight!!

DJ Archive (incomplete)

Tassel Twirler Tuesday!

Sticky

We'll Produce Some Mummy Juice

From the seminal Monster Mash LP

Let's Twist Again (Mummy Time Is Here)

Devil Dance!

Devil_Dance!

Night Train Mambo

 

In 1952, Jimmy Forrest hit the #1 spot on the R&B charts with his version of Night Train.  A few years later, he checked in with this rhythmic mambo version.

Spike Jones in Hi-Fi

Via Greg Cartwright via Strider Records

Side 1
Side 2

Zacherley Month

Goodnight, whatever you are

Via Postman Tom.

Get Down Like James Brown

Come out to Botanica on Wednesday, Oct. 17th for your once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a Future Shock T-Shirt.

You can have ZACHERLEY in your own home!

Branded A Tramp (MP3)

Linda Lee  -  Branded A Tramp  (2:35)

Ichiban!

In honor of our 3 year anniversary, Listener Jon in Paris sent us this infographic. Thanks, Jon!

Shock Theater

via Postman Tom

Become A Ghoul Scout!

via Zombo

31 Days Of October

Photo by Eilon Paz

WFMU is having a silent fundraiser for the entire month of October.  DJs are not pitching on air, so please make a pledge if you're a fan of our programming.  You can donate to the station as a whole or to your favorite DJ.  Here are some handy links with more info on premiums that you will receive based on your pledge level.  Thanks for helping to keep us on the air!!

Ichiban

Matt Fiveash

Ted Barron

Live From The Admiral with Dr. Filth and Greg Cartwright

Fool's Paradise

Downtown Soulville with Mr. Fine Wine

Music To Spazz By with Dave the Spazz

Debbie Does WFMU

Zacherley mini-45

Rockin' Since 2009

This event will also be broadcast live on the Ichiban webstream, thanks to Dr. Filth!  Follow us on the Twitter for up-to-the-minute DJ schedules and dance contest details.  One lucky dancer will win a Future Shock T-Shirt!!

Our Hero With The Box Tops

Zacherley hosts Disc-O- Teen 1967.

Zach on TV (paper model)

1) Download the "ZACH ON TV.jpg," below.
2) Print, cut, fold & paste.
3) "Good night, whatever you are!"

ZACH ON TV.jpg

The Cool Ghoul Indeed!

EVERYONE loves Zacherley!

October is Zacherley Month!

Keep On Dancing

The Gentrys on Hullabaloo 1965

Slippin' Around (With You)

Written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham 1965.

Art Freeman - Slippin Around

Don't Give Up On Me

Written by Dan Penn, Carson Whittstt and Hoy Lindsey 2002.

Rainbow Road

Written by Dan Penn and Donnie Fritts 1964.

I Need Someone

Written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham 1966.

Live From The Admiral

Tonight!!  11 PM - until w/ Dr. Filth and Greg Cartwright.

Funky Crimes - "Rap Sheet" + Special Edition

End of the line, brothers & sisters!  This will be the final FUNKY CRIMES post.  Those seeking further crime & punishment might want to check out the special edition FUNKY CRIMES mp3 disc--124 tracks, plus 62 original blaxploitation radio spots on a single CD-R (total playing time: 6 hours, 27 minutes).  CLICK HERE for more info.  Below are all of the tracks shared here on WFMU ICHIBAN over the past weeks:

Oceanliners - Funky Pants
The Nite-Liters - Itchy Brother
Sherlock Holmes Investigation - Black Bag
The Fabulous Counts - Jan Jan
The Soul Continentals - Goobah (African Twist)
The Politicians - Funky Toes
J.C. Davis - Coconut Brown
Preacher - Life Is a Gamble
Dennis Coffey - Getting It On
Bill Doggett - The Funky Whistler
Willie Tell & the Overtures - Kick-Back
The Dapps (featuring Alfred Ellis) - The Rabbit Got the Gun
March Wind - All the Way Down
The Black On White Affair - A Bunch of Changes
Dave Hamilton - Cracklin' Bread
The San Francisco TKOs - Herm
Jesse Anderson - Mighty Mighty

I Hate You

Written by Dan Pen and Leroy Daniels 1973.

Little Green Radio

The Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee presents a salute to Dan Penn on it's Poets and Prophets series.  Essential viewing!  Click video twice for full screen view.

Do Something

Written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham.  Recorded by the Swingin' Yo Yo's 1967.