Word of the Day

ken\KEN\

DEFINITIONnoun

1a : the range of vision b : sight, view
2: the range of perception, understanding, or knowledge
EXAMPLES
The author advised the aspiring writers in the crowd to develop an authoritative voice by sticking to subjects within their ken.

"[Yemeni President Ali Abdullah] Saleh and his military-based regime are steering the country into a demographic and political minefield, and it's already far beyond their ken to steer out of it." -- From an article by Ellen Knickmeyer in Foreign Policy, February 10, 2011

DID YOU KNOW?
"Ken" appeared on the English horizon in the 16th century as a term of measurement of the distance bounding the range of ordinary vision at sea -- about 20 miles. British author John Lyly used that sense in 1580 when he wrote, "They are safely come within a ken of Dover." Other 16th-century writers used "ken" to mean "range of vision" ("Out of ken we were ere the Countesse came from the feast." -- Thomas Nashe) or "sight" ("'Tis double death to drown in ken of shore." -- Shakespeare). Today, however, "ken" rarely suggests literal sight. Rather, "ken" nowadays almost always implies a range of comprehension, understanding, or knowledge.

Born On This Day: Kim Gordon, April 28, 1953

Today is the bass player and singer of Sonic Youth's birthday. Kim Althea Gordon was born in Rochester, New York.

The Discreet Charm Of Morrissey

"I would never, ever do anything as vulgar as having fun."

Phrase of The Day

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.

Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Word Of The Day

catastrophe\kuh-TASS-truh-fee\

DEFINITION noun

1a : a violent and sudden change in a feature of the earth b : a violent usually destructive natural event (as a supernova)
2: utter failure : fiasco

EXAMPLES
The party was a catastrophe; the band didn't show up, the food was awful, and a sudden rain shower sent the guests running for cover.

"The democratization of economics owes much to the financial crisis that first hit in 2007. That ongoing catastrophe, which few economists predicted, tarnished the profession's reputation, prompting some to look elsewhere for answers." -- From an article by Stephen Mihm in The New York Times Magazine, December 19, 2010

DID YOU KNOW?
When English speakers first borrowed the Greek word "catastrophe" in the 1500s, they used it for the conclusion or final event of a dramatic work, especially of a tragedy. By the early 1600s, "catastrophe" was being used more generally of any generally unhappy conclusion or disastrous or ruinous end. By the 18th century, "catastrophe" had come to denote truly devastating events, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Finally, it came to be applied to things that are only figuratively catastrophic -- burnt dinners, lost luggage, really bad movies, etc.

Alt-Rocker Quotes

There's a hell of a lot of freedom in this rock and roll circus... it's where all the freaks go - it's the environment for me.

-Brian Molko

The Most Significant Indie Records

The Ugly Ducklings - Somewhere Outside (Yorktown Records,1967)

Released in early 1967 but containing the band's three 1966 singles, Somewhere Outside skirts the cusp of '66 r'n'b and '67 psychedelia. The LP opens with "Nothin'" and its prototypical garage riff, allegedly recorded on a two-track machine for $300 and pushed into regular rotation just a few weeks later by local deejays. Other tracks, such as the revved-up "She Ain't No Use to Me" and the searing "Just in Case You Wonder", their third single, capture on vinyl the hegemony of cool the Ducklings had over the Yorkville scene in Toronto at the time. Still other tracks, like the Rascalesque, harmonica-tinged "Not for Long", add a quieter balance, while the closer "Windy City (Noise at the North End)", an acid-blues rave-up, echoes Paul Butterfield's excursions of the same year.

Some Sad News

Sadly, the punk world lost one of its great pioneers this week as X-Ray Spex's iconic leader Poly Styrene (aka Marian Joan Elliott-Said) died of breast cancer. She was 53 years old.

The British-born singer was an inimitable voice in the first-generation London punk scene and the defining face of a heroic band that consistently broke from convention. On Tuesday, rumors of her death became increasingly credible, fueled by condolences on her Facebook page, and her UK spokesperson confirmed the news early Tuesday morning.

Poly Styrene was a punk amongst punks," her representatives said in a statement. "A groundbreaking presence that left an unrepeatable mark on the musical landscape, she made history the moment she uttered, 'Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard but I think oh bondage up yours!' The influence of Poly and X-ray Spex has been felt far and wide ever since. Their landmark album 'Germ Free Adolescents' is a landmark work and a primary influence on Britpop and Riot Grrrl. At the centre of it was Poly Styrene, a bi-racial feminist punk with the perfect voice to soundtrack rebellion. Poly never sacrificed the intelligence or the fun in her music and style. Her trademark braces and dayglo clothes were a playful rejection of the status quo and of conformity and complacency. She dissected gender politics, consumer culture, and the obsessions of modern life in a way that made us all want sing along with her."

Loaded with witty, anti-establishment sentiments that seemed to dismiss proper feminism in favor of fierce individualism, Styrene informed the Riot Grrrl movement that would follow, long after she abandoned X-Ray Spex in 1979. The band's one true hit, 'Oh Bondage, Up Yours,' remains a key track in punk history, having proved itself a timeless classic. Like many punk bands from the era, their career lasted just three years with few, intermittent reunions thereafter, but their mark on the genre, the culture and music history at large is immeasurable.

Styrene left X-Ray Spex following some personal incidents which, in hindsight, only further solidified her as a punk goddess -- including claims that she suffered from hallucinations and a period in which she joined the Hare Krishnas. A solo career in the 1980s kept her name out there but was a mixed bag both in terms of the music (which ranged from dance-punk to something more akin to New Age) and in terms of the reception. More recently, she had a more earnest comeback, championed by a new solo album, 'Generation Indigo,' which was a return to form, gloriously recalling her days in X-Ray Spex. In a tragic coincidence, that album was released on the same day she passed away In February, Styrene announced that she had breast cancer. A Facebook update, dated April 19, reads, "Slowly, slowly trying to get better, miss my walk along the promenade. Would be so nice to sing again, and play my new album live. It's nice to have something positive to look forward to, Love Poly X."

She will definitely be missed

Rest In Peace Poly.

Please tune in this Saturday, April 30th. I will be doing a special on Poly Styrene and her group X-Ray Spex. Tune in to http://www.lametro.com.ec/ Saturday night 8:00 pm (Ecuadorian time)

Today in Alternative Music History: April 27, 2009

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament is the victim of a violent robbery outside an Atlanta studio where the band is recording. In the course of the robbery, thugs knock Ament to the ground. He suffers a head laceration.

Phrase of the Day

Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

Word of The Day

axiomatic\ak-see-uh-MAT-ik\

DEFINITION adjective

1: taken for granted : self-evident
2: based on or involving an axiom or system of axioms

EXAMPLES
The axiomatic concept of supply and demand dictates that if there is a decrease in the amount of a commodity available and an increase in the public need for it, then the price of that commodity will go up.

"It has long been unspoken but axiomatic among those who live in the stratospheric world of the membership rolls of Augusta National Golf Club: people desperate to join never will, regardless of how hard they may try." -- From an article by Larry Dorman in the New York Times, April 9, 2011

DID YOU KNOW?
An axiom is a principle widely accepted on the basis of its intrinsic merit or one regarded as self-evidently true. A statement that is axiomatic therefore, is one against which few people would argue. "Axiomatic" entered English from Middle Greek "axiōmatikos," and "axiom" derived via Latin from Greek "axiōma" ("something worthy") and "axios" ("worthy"). The word "axiom" can also refer to a statement accepted as true as the basis for argument or inference. Such axioms are often employed in discussions of philosophy, as well as in mathematics and geometry (where they are sometimes called postulates).

LOCAL ARTIST: QUITO, ECUADOR: JUAN FER CIFUENTES

Today I bring you yet another local artist from the Ecuadorian Alternative Local Scene. His name is Juan Fer Cifuentes. Juan Fernando Cifuentes was born on August 2,1988 and at a very young age he was always fascinated with music. This is due to his parents influences who adore music. the first instrument that Juan Fer learned to play was the piano. He started at 8 years of age. Stayed with it till he started college. He then made a switch to the drums. He also managed to learn to play the guitar, the bass and also found his voice.He graduated at Música y Producción Musical y Sonido del Instituto de Música Contemporánea de la Universidad San Francisco de Quito. He is the founder, drummer, and producer of the band Humanzee since 2006. His first single as a solo artist is “Mi Perfecta Analogía” It was out in May of 2010. His first EP, “Siempre es hoy”, was released on December 15, 2010. I highly advise you to check this artist out. You can find him at these webpages http://www.myspace.com/juanfercifuentes and
http://www.facebook.com/#!/juanfercifuentes

Alternative/Indie Band To Check Out: The Luyas

Over the past couple of years, the indie experimental band The Luyas, from Montreal , Canada, have made little splashes in a big pond. But things really picked up for the band after their debut album, Faker Death, was re-released in 2008, and following appearances at popular Montreal music festivals. Yet, as far as in the States, The Luyas didn’t start to grab attention until the later half of 2010, especially after their praised performance at New York’s CMJ Music Marathon last October. The Luyas are set to perform at South By Southwest in just a couple of weeks from now. The band have grown in number over the past couple of years, and it has benefited them greatly. In fact, former Arcade Fire French horn player, Pietro Amato (who also plays with Bell Orchestre and Torngat) joined the band. And Arcade Fire collaborator Owen Pallett contributed string arrangements and violin to some tracks on The Luyas’ latest album, Too Beautiful to Work. In addition, the band turned to engineer Jeff McMurrich (Tindersticks, Constantines) for their second album. Founding member Jessie Stein (vocals/guitars/moodswinger) has also played with SS Cardiacs and Miracle Fortress, and is skilled at playing the Moodswinger, a 12-string electric zither created by the Dutch experimental luthier Yuri Landman. Another founding member, Stefan Schneider (drums), plays with Amato in Bell Orchestre. Recently, they added their fourth permanent member, Mathieu Charbonneau (Wurlitzer). With their lush, electro-pop sounds, trippy orchestrated loops and heavy bass lines, heavy use of strings, plus the charms of the Moodswinger and a Wurlitzer. The Luyas are going to hit it big in the alternative circle.

Alternative/Indie Band to Check Out: The Vaccines

The UK band have already gathered a large fan base. They have been compared to Joy Division, Sonic Youth and most notably, they have been labelled as the UK´s answer to New York´s The Strokes. A listen to the short, fast, jagged number, "Wreckin´ Bar" explains why The Vaccines have been compared to so many bands of past and present, however at the same time, they possess a sound which has its own unique quality to set them apart as something fresh. "Blow It Up" is another track to check out. The Vaccines are the atypical indie band - clanging electric guitar riffs, soaring vocals and thumping drum beats - but, they are particularly good at it.

Phrase Of the Day

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers. James Thurber (1894 - 1961)

Word Of The Day

haphazard\hap-HAZZ-erd\ DEFINITION adjective : marked by lack of plan, order, or direction EXAMPLES Because of the haphazard way the cars were parked in the field, it was difficult for drivers to exit in an orderly fashion after the reception. "With bookshelves piled to the ceiling, and every inch of space filled with stacks both meticulous and haphazard, Lippincott Books seems so firmly entrenched in its Central Street, Bangor location that one can’t imagine how it will close its doors this spring." -- From an article by Jennifer Vincent in The Maine Campus (University of Maine), February 20, 2011 DID YOU KNOW? The "hap" in "haphazard" comes from an English word that means "happening," as well as "chance or fortune," and that derives from the Old Norse word "happ," meaning "good luck." Perhaps it’s no accident that "hazard," as well, has its own connotations of luck: while it now refers commonly to something that presents danger, at one time it referred to a dice game similar to craps. (The name ultimately derives from the Arabic "al-zahr," or "the die.") "Haphazard" first entered English as a noun (again meaning "chance") in the 16th century, and soon afterward was being used as an adjective to describe things with no apparent logic or order.