John Richards

Good morning and Welcome to the Morning Show with John, Monday edition! Happy birthday to Daniel Kessler, English-American singer and guitarist of Interpol, born on this day in 1974. According to Interpol's Daniel Kessler, the album's opening track, "Untitled" was written specifically to open their live shows. He said, "'Untitled' was a piece of music that was cultivated to open shows, well before we had any designs to make a record. It was a way to introduce the band live. And then by virtue of having performed it so many times, it became clear that this was our theme music to announce the band, and it felt appropriate to include it as such on our first album." - bit.ly interpol.bandcamp.com

From the newest record by the National, released by surprised last week. The National are a Brooklyn-based five-piece hailing from Ohio. The group contains two pairs of brothers -- Bryce Dessner (guitars), Aaron Dessner (bass, guitars), Scott Devendorf (bass, guitars), and Bryan Devendorf (drums) -- and features Matt Berninger on vocals. www.americanmary.com

Released in 1987 themarychain.com

The Church will be performing at the Neptune September 28th AND LIVE on KEXP Fri. Sept. 29 at 9:30AM! That KEXP in-studio is open to the public. --- The Church previously performed live for KEXP listeners back in February 2015. Watch the full performance here: www.youtube.com www.stgpresents.org

Listen to the last live song performed by Joy Division before the death of Ian Curtis here: www.youtube.com

Happy birthday to Steven Severin, English bass player, songwriter, and producer (Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Glove), born on this day in 1955! Born Steven John Bailey, he took the name "Severin" from the Leopold von Sacher-Masoch character who is mentioned in the Velvet Underground song "Venus in Furs".

From Nation of Language's third studio album! Subscribe to KEXP's YouTube channel to get notification when we launch the video from Nation of Language performing LIVE in the KEXP Gathering Space last month:; www.youtube.com Here they are live on KEXP in 2022: www.youtube.com

Happy birthday to Santigold (born Santi White), American singer and producer, born on this day in 1976! Fun fact, she worked for Epic Records as an A&R representative but left the position to co-write and executive produce How I Do, the singer Res's debut album.

"It's a new day dawning, John and Owen and the Morning Crew! If it pleases the DJ, would you play "Jimmy James" by the Beasties Boys? I need a power song to celebrate my first day at my new job after a grueling 6-month job hunt triggered by my former company laying off 85% of their staff. It would also help lift my heart after dropping my oldest son off at college for his new day dawning this past weekend. --Erik Hansen, Shoreline; Amplifier"

(during air break) The Budos Band combine elements of doom rock, Afro-soul, '70s hard rock, and late-'60s soul. Their new EP, 'Frontier's Edge' is the band's first new music on their internal label, which is spearheaded by the group’s saxophonist Jared Tankel and guitarist Tom Brenneck. thebudosband.bandcamp.com

RIP to Terry Robert Kirkman, born December 12, 1939 and passed away this weekend on September 23. He was an American musician and songwriter best known as a vocalist for the pop group the Association and the writer of several of the band's hit songs. As a member of the Association, he was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.

Released on this day in 2015, 'b'lieve i'm goin down...' is the sixth studio album from Kurt Vile. Want to purchase it?: kurtvile.bandcamp.com -- See the official video for "Life Like This," directed and animated by Adam Avilla. Avilla said that the video is "a story about getting at the heart of inspiration and the surreal disjointed journey that the pursuit entails." He added: "I feel that artists of all disciplines can relate to such a notion of getting pleasantly (or sometimes unpleasantly) lost in your own thoughts, and from them reap inspiration for our best work." bit.ly youtu.be

Brand new from Sufjan Stevens. Check out the new video Video animated by Stephen Halker. sufjan.com Sufjan recently revealed that he is learning how to walk again after being diagnosed with the rare Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder where the body’s immune system attacks a portion of the peripheral nervous system. Read about his condition in Variety: variety.com

New album out November 10th! Pre-order it here: www.beirutband.com

This song is on included on their most recent live release, available on Bandcamp: devotchkamusic.bandcamp.com You can also see them in the studio with Cheryl back in 2018 here: www.youtube.com

She Hangs Brightly is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Mazzy Star. It was released on May 21, 1990, by Rough Trade Records and re-released by Capitol Records later in the year. The album cover is a shot of the interior of Hôtel Tassel in Brussels.

Smokin' new album produced by Sera Cahoone! margocilker.bandcamp.com

Big Thief made "Born for Loving You" at Teatre de ca l'Eril Studio in Guissona, Spain, during a European tour earlier this year, recorded and produced with producer/engineer Dom Monks. pitchfork.com

This album became a breakthrough hit for the the band. It was #2 for seven weeks behind Pink Floyd's The Wall. Tom Petty's response to Westwood One about being anchored at #2 was "I love Pink Floyd but I hated them that year".

Title track from OMD's 14th studio album, which will be released on October 27. Pre-order it here: omd.uk.com

The cover artwork is a reproduction of Duane Michals' 1949 photograph, Homage to Purvis de Chavannes. www.petermurphy.info

Entertainment! was the debut album by English post-punk band Gang of Four, released on this day in 1979. The title track starts with syncopated bass and guitar, which are later accompanied with the drums. The song also features vocals by Jon King, which take the role of "a lonesome, longing lament" and a "nearly spoken-word" section sung by the band's guitarist Andy Gill.

"Thanks so much for this mornings songs! It’s been a blast listening. Definitely helping me through this raining morning. My husband lost his grandfather this weekend. They were really close and he’s grieving. Is there any way you could fit in some David Bowie this morning to let him know we’re thinking about him? No worries if not :) You all are rocking it! His name was Ken Gold. He was 96 and one of the few remaining WWII vets. Autumn and Elliott" The pop-punk song was inspired by American rock band The Velvet Underground, but more particularly the lead singer Lou Reed. “Queen Bitch” acts as a tribute to the band from Bowie, who was a huge fan of the group and their music. The lyric “trying hard to pull sister Flo”, is a direct reference to The Velvet Underground’s track “Sister Ray” and sonically, many music critics have compared the song’s main riff to The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane“. -- Lou Reed performed this with Bowie at his 50th birthday party in New York in January 1997.: www.youtube.com

"Today is my 14th AA birthday ❤️🤘 please play This is the Day by The The for me! keep on rockin in the free world 🤘 Ruth in Renton" Matt Johnson's first album "Burning Blue Soul" led to a bidding war for his work, eventually won by CBS Records; he decided to release his next album as The The, on CBS' Some Bizarre Records/Epic Records imprint

"Morning all! I'm going to see Lauren Mayberry's solo show at Neumos tonight. It's been a turbulent few months and this'll be my first time going to a gig solo. I'm irrationally a little bit nervous even though I know it should be a great night. If it fits with your plans, could you please shoehorn in some Chvrches to help build up the right energy? Thanks and love and appreciation to all of the community at KEXP, Gwyn" There are still tickets to tonight's show!! www.axs.com

By request! Frontman Robert Smith described it as "a childhood dream (nightmare) that came true with adolescence." He explained how it was inspired by his experience of getting lost in the forest as a boy. "I try to capture that feeling of extreme fear I was being taken by and how - maybe in other ways - this type of unpleasant feeling can still be felt by anyone." This song is behind a famous incident. At the 1981 Werchter Festival in Belgium, The Cure were on before Robert Palmer and were just finishing their set. Robert Palmer, apparently getting a little pushy, tried to have his road crew hurry The Cure off the stage. Robert Smith responded by sassily informing the crowd that they couldn't play anymore, then played an extra-long 9-minute version of "A Forest." Bass player Simon Gallup put a stamp on the performance by shouting "F--k Robert Palmer" to a cheering crowd. tinyurl.com

A Beacon School is the solo dream pop project of indie singer/songwriter Patrick J. Smith. Smith began recording under the moniker in 2009, releasing a self titled EP in 2012. In the years since, Smith has also played with other indie outfits like Modern Rivals, Bluffing, and Maxband, the side project from Parquet Courts’ Max Savage. Smith confides, "On 'KITM' ('Keep It To Myself' abbreviated), I'm very much talking to myself, voicing my frustrations with how long it takes me to do anything. I have all these plans and ideas and frustrations, but never act on them. It’s kind of a pep talk to say, 'Hurry up and do something!'" tinyurl.com

By request! Love Plus One was Haircut One Hundred's only hit in the US despite being well-loved in their native UK. Here's what the very handsome Nick Heyward (of Haircut One Hundred) is up to now: nickheyward.com.

Troy recently hosted Modern English in the studio, including this song: youtu.be

Released on this day in 2020! Following the release and success of Idles' 2018 album "Joy as an Act of Resistance," frontman Joe Talbot got criticized for speaking up for socialism and the rights of minorities. He wrote this defiant post-punk stomper as a response. "I want to sleep at night knowing that my platform is the voice of reason and an egalitarian want for something beautiful," he said. "Not the murder of Black people, homophobia at the workplace, racist front lines."

Perhaps The Hives will perform this when they play Neumos on Wednesday, November 8th. -- See the live visualizer for "Rigor Mortis Radio": www.youtube.com

Released on this day in 1988! The title of this track came from an experience the Johns had when they found a substantial number of Ng's listed in a phone book. Linnell: "I think I was collecting possible song ideas and, for some reason, I ended up looking in the phone book, and there were about four pages of this name that contains no vowels, Ng. I was fascinated because it's a name I didn't know about before, and it was filling up a large chunk of the Manhattan white pages. I called up some of the numbers kind of experimentally to find out how it was pronounced, and I got the phone machine of a Dr. Ng and I was kind of relieved. The message said, 'Dr. Ng is not in,' and I had my material."

The Bug Club are a three piece from the little-known rock n' roll hotbed that is Caldicot, Monmouthshire, Wales. After years of gigging relentlessly in Cardiff and Bristol, they're finally releasing their upcoming double album, "Rare Birds: Hour of Song," on Oct. 18! tinyurl.com

"Morning, John et al. Amplifier Stacey in Tacoma here. It's my sister Jocelyn's bday today and I'd love to get a bday call out to her today! Request options... 1) she and her husband DJ a punk dance night in Gilbert, AZ, so maybe Dead Milkman's Punk Rock Girl? 2) As kids, we choreographed a dance to Tom Petty's Don't Do Me Like That. 3) Also as kids, she introduced me to just how awesome David Bowie is, and she was definitely a rebel. So maybe Rebel Rebel? Whatever works in best! Thanks for all you do! Sending love." The first single released from the band's fourth album Beelzebubba - www.deadmilkmen.com

"I'd like to hear Two Headed Boy by Neutral Milk Hotel. Listening from AZ. Keep up the great work Jack " Jeff Magnum wrote this song after leaving a carnival in New York City or a "freak circus in Pennsylvania." He describes it as being " about a two headed boy who makes a magical radio for his girlfriend." -- Here's a solo rendition from 2014: www.youtube.com

Released on this day in 1979! According to Brett Milano, writer of the Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology album notes "'It's All I Can Do' was an affecting, straight-ahead piece of romantic pop, give or take a line like 'When I was crazy, I thought you were great.'"

A recent KEXP Song of the Day, as chosen by Cheryl Waters, host of The Midday Show. www.kexp.org "Chronicles of a Diamond" comes out in late October. www.blackpumas.com

"The night is falling here in central Greece. Pouring down right now. Request for any song from sonic youth. Greetings. BK " "Kool Thing" by Sonic Youth feat. Chuck D samples LL Cool J's "Going Back to Cali". This song was inspired by an interview bassist/singer Kim Gordon conducted with LL Cool J for Spin. Although he is never mentioned by name, the song's lyrics contain several references to LL Cool J. Chuck D also provides spoken word verses on the track. - bit.ly

Waiting Room was written by Ian MacKaye and comes from Fugazi’s 13 Songs album – a compilation of the Fugazi and Margin Walker EPs from 1988. That's MacKaye's thrashing guitar on this song. -- "I am a patient boy..." If you have enough patience, you can listen to these 10 (!) covers of "Waiting Room," including by Rancid and Jimmie's Chicken Shack: www.verbicidemagazine.com

"Good Morning KEXP! Jake from Bellingham here, throwing out the idea of Smile by The Jayhawks. Changing of seasons brings new feelings. I love their melancholy, triumphant reminder to " Wake up, put your shoes on, take a breath of the northern air, and rub those eyes." KEXP4LYFE! Jake" Go here to the official website of The Jayhawks, "a band from Minnesota': www.jayhawksofficial.com -- Watch this "Minnesota band" perform "Smile" live at First Avenue in 2016: www.youtube.com