Alki Point, Seattle and The Ventures-esque Stylings of Takeshi Terauchi and The Blue Jeans - Hippie Love Turbo Radio Show - Code Word "Endive"

On this episode of Hippie Love Turbo, on KUCR 88.3 FM you heard a fun, mostly instrumental, song by The Jesters named after the Seattle neighborhood Alki Point. While talking about the song I mispronounced Alki Point as Al-key rather than Al-kai (pronounced like the ki in kite) and, ironically, towards the end of the show you heard a song by Marc Bolan (lead singer/songwriter for T.Rex) and I mentioned that there is a scene in the 2017 film Baby Driver where the lead character is embarrassed by his love interest, Debora, when she corrects his mispronunciation of T.Rex as Trex. Oh well. Wouldn't be the first time I didn't say something correctly and certainly won't be the last!

Trex?

Anywho, Alki Point is a lovely peninsula in Seattle that is known for its coastal views that include both downtown Seattle and the Olympic Mountains. When most people think of Alki Point they are thinking about Alki Beach where tourists like to gather during the warmest months, which there aren't many. The beach has served as a backdrop for small to mid-sized concerts over the years such as Sub Pop’s 30th Anniversary Party in 2018. 

Photo by Asahel Curtis Photo Company (1914)

 

Continuing along the coast of Alki Point are the expected eateries, a handful of small parks, as well as, a few landmarks including: the Alki Point Lighthouse and 8 and a half foot-high copy of the Statue of Liberty which was donated to the neighborhood as part of the Boy Scouts 1950 campaign themed Strengthen The Arm of Liberty. Although 200 replicas were distributed to various cities across the US, many have been removed or replaced over the years. In fact, the statue that sits in Alki Point is a copy of the original which had to be replaced due to damage caused by the natural aging process and vandalism. Appropriately, Alki Point was settled and partially founded by a New Yorker named Lee Terry and who had originally named the settlement "New York Alki."

Towards the middle of the show, you heard another instrumental song, this time by Takeshi Terauchi and The Blue Jeans. Takeshi, aka Terry, was in several groups over the years with his Ventures style guitar work being the main focus. If you dig The Ventures you'll like Terauchi's early work with The Blue Jeans, especially the 3 volumes of Beat! Beat! Beat! which includes a couple far out covers such as: The House of The Rising Sun and Please Mr. Postman. If you aren't a fan of overly polished studio work from the 80's I'd say you should avoid their 25th anniversary album although, as I discussed in a previous episode, that kind of sound can have its own charming aesthetics.

Thanks for reading the blog and be sure to listen over the air on KUCR 88.3FM on Saturdays at 9pm or through KUCR.org! If you'd like, you can also listen to KUCR through Radio Garden or Tune-In.

You can listen to this episode's playlist below:

 

4 Score - Mini-Skirt
Mustache Wax - I'm Gonna Get You
The Squiremen Four - Bitter End

April March and A 35ft Tall Statue of Liberty - Hippie Love Turbo Radio Show - Code Word "Asparagus"

If you tuned into this week's episode of Hippie Love Turbo, on KUCR 88.3 FM you heard the song Karate by The Emperors as I talked about their hometown of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is the state capital of Pennsylvania and there are plenty of places to visit including: the Broad Street Market which is a farmers market that was first established in 1860, the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum with exhibits featuring firefighting equipment from early America, as well as, one of the largest parade hat displays, and along the Susquehanna River you can spot the city's wacky 25 foot tall replica of the Statue of Liberty. 

Later in the show I played France Gall's Laisse Tomber Les Filles which many know from a cover version by April March that's featured on the Death Proof and But I'm a Cheerleader soundtracks. April March is somewhat of a Francophile and has covered many Yé-yé songs in both English and French but she is also known for her work in animation, writing, and more recently, illustration. 

Photo from Rocktober #43. Illustration by John K. from the back cover of Voo Doo Doll / Kooky.

 

Going back to her early work in music, March performed in The Pussywillows, a New York band that played music inspired by girl groups of the '60s. The band's only EP release, 1988's Spring Fever!, has a cover of The Coupon's Turn Her Down which you may have heard on the Hippie Love Turbo episode named Cabbage. In 2003 the band also performed backing vocals on Ronnie Spector's album Something's Gonna Happen. 

Although March obviously has a soft spot for '60s rock and roll, she's also performed with more punk leaning bands such as The Bassholes, The Haves, The Makers, and The Shitbirds. The Shitbirds had a few singles and EPs but most, if not all, of their output was released on the compilation album Famous Recording Artists with the best track being their cover of the classic Hard-Ons song There Was A Time. April March is still making music to this day and has recently released an EP with Olivia Jean named Palladium. Finally, if you can't get enough of April March check out her appearances on WMFU (at about the hour mark) and the Third Man Podcast where she talks a little bit about her career and her latest releases.

Hey you! Check out this episode's playlist below:

 

The Lollipops - Busy Signal
Hélène April - Je m'ennuie
The Kids - False Illusions
The Electras - This Weeks' Children