Music Life Radio

We speak to director and producer Corbett Redford of the documentary TURN IT AROUND: THE STORY OF EAST BAY PUNK which spans over 30 years of the California Bay Area’s punk music history with a central focus on the emergence of Berkeley’s inspiring 924 Gilman Street music collective. Narrated by Iggy Pop and executive produced by Green Day, Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk is the definitive telling of this vibrant story, drawing from a wide variety of voices and viewpoints and featuring the music of many of the most famous and infamous punk bands ever. Corbett talks about how he got the job to direct and produce this film, the trials and tribulations in putting it all together over 3 and a half year period, the people who helped him on this journey, and his personal highlights of making the film.  We also talk a bit about his background in growing up in Pinole, his role as father (he has a two year old son), and his band Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits (see MLR 030 and 031). TURN IT AROUND FILM CREW AT WORK – Photo by Robert Eggplant Anna Lewis, Steve List, Corbett Redford, and Anthony Marchitiello after Steve’s interview – Photo by Robert Eggplant Credits: “MLR Intro Theme” by “Rob McCann“, “Tear it Down” by “Visitor 42“, “Pac-Man and Pop Tarts” by “Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits” Video: The post 122 – Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk first appeared on Music Life Radio.

Johnny Truant is the vocalist for the band The Truants, a self-described “SAN FRANCISCO BASED POST-PUNK/WEIRDO ROCK BAND. WE ARE QUEER, DARK AND CONFRONTATIONAL, YET MOTIVATED BY THE JOY OF ROCK N ROLL. WE WILL MAKE YOU DANCE. WE WILL MAKE YOU SWEAT. WE WILL MAKE YOU QUESTION YOUR SEXUALITY.” Johnny talks with MLR’s Erik Core about his life story including his musical history, intrigue with the androgynous rock star archetype, gender transition, and what it’s like to be in a band with his own father. Plus we listen to a couple of great tracks from The Truants forthcoming album, yet to be released. Johnny Truant Guitar: Khalil Sullivan, Drums: Estaybahn, Vocals: Johnny Truant, Bass: Colin Wild Credits: “MLR Theme” by “Rob McCann”, “Wasted Youth” by “The Truants“, “Millennial” by “The Truants” The post 121 – The Many Transitions of Johnny Truant first appeared on Music Life Radio.

Frank Castro spent time in prison where he helped start an inmate-run music program. The power of music helped to change his life around by giving him something to care about, and other positive events soon followed.  Soon after he gets clean, earns an AA degree, and becomes a drug and alcohol counsellor. Frank is now out of prison, and rebuilding his life. Erik Core interviews Frank all about his Rock and Roll Redemption. Organization’s like “Jail Guitar Doors” bring music equipment to prisoners. Credits: “MLR Intro” by “Rob McCann”, “Octoblues” by “Kevin MacLeod“, “Mountains on the Moon” by Antony Castro. The post 120 – Rock & Roll Redemption: Frank Castro first appeared on Music Life Radio.

He Who Cannot Be Named has been playing punk rock for over 25 years, most of that time with the punk rock band “Dwarves”. An original member of this San Francisco based combo, he wrote or cowrote many of their songs, was voted guitarist of the year by Flipside Magazine in 1991, but he is perhaps mostly known for his unusual stage wear, or lack thereof. His trademark look can best be described as  “naked and wearing a mask”. He Who Cannot Be Named released his first solo album in 2010 entitled “Sunday School Massacre” and has been performing his own style of short, fast and funny punk ever since with his own band.  The He Who Cannot Be Named band is currently made up of local bay area musicians Keith Mueller (Bite), Mark Adams (Black Furies) and Mike Wampler.  In this special Halloween episode we listen to the band perform live at MLR San Francisco studios, with interview segments sandwiched in between songs conducted by Erik Core. Mark Adams, Keith Mueller, He Who Cannot Be Named, Mike Wampler Credits: “MLR Intro” by “Rob McCann”, “Hate Song“, “Happy Suicide“, “Lucky Tonight“, “Beautiful Disease“, and “Satan is a Friend of Mine” by “HeWhoCannotBeNamed” The post 119 – HeWhoCannotBeNamed first appeared on Music Life Radio.

Tia Carroll is a singer from Richmond, California, and has been performing the blues, R&B, and soul music for many years. She has often been compared to legendary female singers Tina Turner, Koko Taylor, and Aretha Franklin but she still has her own unique style and sound. She can often be found playing festivals and supper clubs with her band throughout the Bay Area and beyond. She has toured the world, playing places such as Switzerland, Italy, Estonia, and Brazil. She is the recipient of multiple awards for blues and R&B including West Coast Female Blues vocalist of the year 2007, and the Jus Blues Music Foundation’s Traditional Blues Woman Of The Year 2008 and Band Leader of the Year in 2009, and R&B vocalist of the year 2011. In 2012 she wowed the judges and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Corporate Band competition and won best vocalist.  Music Life Radio’s Dan Sauter talks with Tia about her musical career including her family history with music, a stint as a radio disc jockey, her MANY bands, tours, awards and accolades. Credits: “MLR Intro” by “Rob McCann”, “They Call it Animal” by “Tia Carroll“, “2 Drink Minimum” by “Tia Carroll“, “Had Your Love” by “Tia Carroll“, “The Bluesiest Woman” by “Tia Carroll” The post 118 – The Blusiest Woman: Tia Carroll first appeared on Music Life Radio.

Chris Korp sits down with Music Life Radio’s Erik Core to discuss the “legend” of the band Slackbone. Slackbone was a Bay Area punk rock band formed by a group of baggage handlers, after purchasing instruments from their local music shop who was holding a going out of business sale. The first incarnation featured Wayner (lead vocals),  Suzanne Kimmel (bass), Con Shegeleff (drums), and Chris Korp (guitar, vocals). Slackbone was known for their high energy brand of punk rock, and outrageous costumes. They were one of the featured bands at the Nightbreak in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco for many years in the late 90’s. Chris Korp and Erik Core Slackbone Credits: Music Life Radio intro by “Rob McCann”, “Moving On”, “No God“, “Take No Prisoners” and “Big J M” by “Slackbone”. The post 117 – Slackbone: Chris Korp first appeared on Music Life Radio.

Ben Bongers (an opera tenor featured in Opera Stories: Ben Bongers – MLR 051) returns to Music Life Radio and speaks with Erik Core about his adventures while performing in China. The winner of Chinese Idol (yes, the Chinese version of American Idol) had heard Ben singing in San Francisco and wanted him to come to China to share the stage with her. The performance was held in the Bird’s Nest, which is a former Olympic venue, and was broadcast to over 1 billion people! Ben talks about his experience, which included meeting the president of China, Xi Jinping, in a German beerhall. Ben Bongers and Friends in China Arrival in China at 5PM in the Afternoon. Hello Smog! Ben Bongers Master Class Banner German Beer Hall Sign For more pictures of his china trip, view Ben Bonger’s Facebook timeline circa Nov 2013. Credits: “MLR Intro” by “Rob McCann”,  “Nessun Dorma from Giacomo Puccini‘s opera Turandot” performed by “Ben Bongers”, “La Donna e Mobile from Giuseppe Verdi‘s opera Rigoletto” performed by “Ben Bongers“ both recorded live at Music Life Radio Studios.The post 116 – Ben Goes to China first appeared on Music Life Radio.

Timekode is the solo project of a maverick of a woman called DENI. Deni is a Producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, video artist, record company owner & author. Deni received a bass guitar from Marc Bolan (T.Rex) as a kid, and started off playing bass and singing in more traditional bands (Wildfire, the Lulu Boys, Mistress), but soon grew interested in incorporating electronic instruments and synthesized voices into her music. She formed a futuristic computer-based, electronic band, featuring robots, dance, graphics & music (LeLuLus), which received vast media coverage for playing in people’s living rooms, and culminating in a gig at The Royal Albert Hall with New Order. She is a pioneer in the use of singing machines, voice simulators, and human voice blends, and use of robots in live performances. In this interview Deni narrates the story of her early life, and then a voice simulator asks the remaining questions for Music Life Radio! Deni / Timekode Deni and Marc Bolan Deni in the band Mistress Credits: “MLR Intro” by “Rob McCann”, “C’Mon Now” by “Deni” on MoxieMix album, “Tell Him” performed by “Wildfire”, “Boom Boom” by “The Lulu Boys”, “Africa” by “Le Lulus”, “In The Year 2525” by “Timekode“, “You’ve Broken Thru” by “Timekode” “Fire” by “Timekode” The post 115 – Timekode: Deni first appeared on Music Life Radio.

Pete Townsend and Stephen Carter Hicks Stephen Carter-Hicks is a classically trained singer who found his calling in the world of cabaret.  Starting his career in show business through his talents as a wig and hair master, he worked on Broadway productions such as Tommy but soon found himself on the stage in performances like Cats.  He found his passion in cabaret performance and has gone on to record albums, and produce and star in several shows.  In part two of the interview, Erik Core talks to Stephen about his career in show business, and what’s going on for Stephen these days. Biography: Broadway performer and cabaret artist Stephen Carter-Hicks has toured the United States and the world sharing his voice and stories while delighting audiences from here to Istanbul. Steven has worked on Broadway for many years, also touring the United States four times with three different Broadway shows; not only did he work on stage, but backstage as well as a wig Master, though singing is his first love! He started his training as a singer from the womb of his mother singing in churches all across the country. Stephen was absorbing his musical gifts and he came out singing! From day one he sang from church to church, from high school to high school, and college; where he majored in music at Cincinnati Conservatory of music and then went out to study with the great Chloe Owen in Boston at Boston University and kabuki theater with the great Shozo Sato. Steven’s latest adventure has been working with Cirque de Soleil for the past seven years in Las Vegas where he was wig master for the show Zumanity, as well as the vocal coach for many of the eight shows artists. While pursuing his dream of singing cabaret all over the country and recording three CDs which are out now, he is currently working on a fourth album. You can find his music at: CD Baby, iTunes, and Amazon. His newest adventure is working with the internationally reclaimed artist Nick Dong. They have pieces that were in the Smithsonian Institute now in the International Museum in Taiwan. Who knows where these vocal chords will take him next? Stephen Carter Hicks, Nick Dong, and Howard Breitbart Stephen in makeup (Cats) Credits: “MLR Intro” by “Rob McCann“, “Improbable” intro music by “Kevin MacLeod“, “When the Boys Come Home“, “When I Have Sung My Songs To You“,  all performed by “Stephen Carter-Hicks” (vocals) and “Howard Breitbart” (piano) from “Step Into My Parlor“The post 114 – Step Into My Parlor: Stephen Carter-Hicks (2/2) first appeared on Music Life Radio.

 Stephen Carter-Hicks is a classically trained singer who found his calling in the world of cabaret.  Starting his career in show business through his talents as a wig and hair master, he worked on Broadway productions such as Tommy but soon found himself on the stage in performances like Cats.  He found his passion in cabaret performance and has gone on to record albums, and produce and star in several shows.  In part one of the interview, Erik Core talks to Stephen about his childhood, his love of singing, and his early career in show business. Biography: Broadway performer and cabaret artist Stephen Carter-Hicks has toured the United States and the world sharing his voice and stories while delighting audiences from here to Istanbul. Steven has worked on Broadway for many years, also touring the United States four times with three different Broadway shows; not only did he work on stage, but backstage as well as a wig Master, though singing is his first love! He started his training as a singer from the womb of his mother singing in churches all across the country. Stephen was absorbing his musical gifts and he came out singing! From day one he sang from church to church, from high school to high school, and college; where he majored in music at Cincinnati Conservatory of music and then went out to study with the great Chloe Owen in Boston at Boston University and kabuki theater with the great Shozo Sato. Steven’s latest adventure has been working with Cirque de Soleil for the past seven years in Las Vegas where he was wig master for the show Zumanity, as well as the vocal coach for many of the eight shows artists. While pursuing his dream of singing cabaret all over the country and recording three CDs which are out now, he is currently working on a fourth album. You can find his music at: CD Baby, iTunes, and Amazon. His newest adventure is working with the internationally reclaimed artist Nick Dong. They have pieces that were in the Smithsonian Institute now in the International Museum in Taiwan. Who knows where these vocal chords will take him next? Credits: “MLR Intro” by “Rob McCann“, “Midday Dance” intro and outro music by “Kevin MacLeod“, “Morning“, “Summer Night“, “On The Road to Mandalay“, “Precious Lord (Traditional)“, and”Waltz of my Heart” all performed by “Stephen Carter-Hicks” (vocals) and “Howard Breitbart” (piano) from “Step Into My Parlor”  The post 113 – Step Into My Parlor: Stephen Carter-Hicks (Part 1) first appeared on Music Life Radio.