The last great rock radio show

Here's an article from the LA Times about one of the best things on the radio. If you click the link below you can listen online.

Anarchy at 103
The Sex Pistols' Steve Jones is on the air.

Indie radio, indeed. The voice of Steve "Jonesy" Jones is not what you would call a classic FM-radio baritone. His cockney ramble is as graceful as a freight truck with balky gears, and every weekday he helms a two-hour radio show that staggers, mutters and misfires like a boozy sailor tossing darts in a West London dive.

"I don't know if we're giving anything away," he told his listeners on a recent show. "I couldn't give a toss, to be honest with you. Let's play another song, another pox Christmas song ... take it away, me old son."

Jones nods to his producer, Mark Sovel, who cues up a 1980 punk-rock mauling of "Silent Night" by the Yobs. With his mike off, Jones swallows, lets out a small belch and curses the influenza that has his eyelids hooded and his gut churning. Jones eyes the visitor sitting in his cramped studio at the Wilshire Boulevard offices of Indie 103.1. "I'm sick and I'm in an 'orrible mood, mate, I'm sorry."

Like his phonetic kin Ozzy Osbourne, Jones is a verifiable rock-star survivor: He was the guitarist for the Sex Pistols and, by his own modest description, the man who invented punk. That was in the 1970s, when he was a moneyed junkie and before he wandered Los Angeles "homeless, in the toilet and broke." And now? "I do this."

He waves his hand at the microphone, headset (with Union Jack sticker affixed across the top) and unruly stack of CDs that are just about all he needs for his spectacularly primitive radio show, "Jonesy's Jukebox."

From noon to 2 p.m. at the station (broadcasting as KDLD/KDLE-FM), Jones sits opposite Sovel and peers down through the reading glasses perched on his nose to pick the next song, which may be old Pistols rivals the Clash, Frank Sinatra, some obscure glam band or a forgotten British pop star from the 1950s.

In this calculated, corporate and computerized age of big-time Los Angeles radio, this approach is roughly the equivalent of a commercial airline stripping the landing gear from its entire fleet.

The result? "Jonesy's Jukebox" has become a prized underground brand name, and is turning heads nationwide in the rock scene. Rolling Stone, Blender and Esquire magazines have each pegged the station — which this month celebrated its one-year anniversary — as the country's single strongest sign of a resurgence of indie-style rock.

The station doesn't come close to matching the ratings or signal strength of longtime alt-rock powerhouse KROQ-FM (106.7), but industry insiders credit the upstart station with pressuring KROQ to be more adventurous in recent months to protect its flank. "I used to like KROQ in the 1980s, but now it's dreadful," growls Jones. "Absolutely 'orrible. It's McDonald's."

One of Indie 103.1's tactics has been to draft DJs from its playlist instead of getting polished pros — Jones, Courtney Love, Henry Rollins and the members of Crystal Method are among those who have been given stints behind the mike.

"Jonesy is the one who gives us credibility and definition; he's the quarterback of the station," said Michael Steele, the program director of Indie 103.1. Steele was not too long ago in the same post at KIIS-FM, the Top 40 titan that is about as loose and gritty as a Nordstrom.

That's not to say Indie doesn't have corporate ties — it's owned by Entravision, the Spanish-language radio giant, and Clear Channel, the industry's largest company, sells its ad time on a contract basis. At the station's offices, it's the only studio tenant broadcasting in English, and it's clear that language is not the only gulf separating Indie's pierced and tattooed staff from their wide-eyed neighbors.

To that staff, Steele may be the man who calls the shots, but Jonesy is the resident spirit. He shared the stage with Johnny Rotten, outlived Sid Vicious and takes pride in the fact that his snarling crew is the most influential rock band that manages to be ignored year in and year out by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, even as room is found for the Brenda Lees and the Lovin' Spoonfuls.

During a commercial break, he scoffs at the annual snub. "I couldn't care less. I don't care about getting into the Hall of Fame.... But, uhhh, I wish I could go to the bathroom. I wish I could puke."

The daily dose of on-air Jonesy (and its rebroadcast, weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m.) is not much more refined than that. But it is also deliciously candid. He chides unsuspecting guests who come in to plug their products but overlook the fact that, hey, this is the same guy who used to play "Anarchy in the U.K." on stage.

When the radio pitchmen who do the "Real Men of Genius" ads for Bud Light praised the brand recently, Jonesy hammered away at them to admit that, deep down, they must agree that all American beers taste of urine. The squirming was nearly audible over the air. "You don't drink this stuff, do you?" the DJ pokes. Later, off air, he chuckles. "They're so showbiz they never expected someone to do that on the air. But that beer can't be good."

Jones must have been making the taste appraisal from distant memory. In years past, his body might have been racked by heroin, vodka or whatever, but on this day, at age 49 and sober for more than two decades, Jones is pumping his body full of Chinese herbs and bottled water. The temptations haunt him still. He recently demurred from joining a station staff excursion to Las Vegas. "He told me he's still a world-class addict and that he can't go near that town," Steele said.

The addictions Jones feeds these days are his video game habit ("I like mostly the sniper/spy/shooting games; I'm deadly at those") and, of course, music. "Turn it up, Mr. Shovel," Jonesy intones, using the familiar mispronunciation of his producer's name. Sovel turns up the volume and the sound of the Damned, part of the Pistol's peerage in the old days, fills the studio. "That's good. I'm feeling better."

The Pistols got together two years ago to play, ironically, a KROQ show that pulled in the Damned, the Buzzcocks and others names that have adorned tattered T-shirts for years. "It was a good show, a good night. We got along OK that night."

The Pistols had all of one album, and the venom they tossed in every song often hit each other in the eye. Of the 1996 reunion tour, Jonesy says, "We got together again for the money. It was just for the money."

Back on the air, he plays a song by Public Image Ltd., the outfit that John Lydon, a.k.a. Johnny Rotten, fronted after the Pistols retired the side. "He's got a great voice, he always has. His voice is original and a lot of guys did it after him." Jonesy closes his eyes either for the flu or to appreciate the caterwaul of an old sometime-friend.

The guitar hero whistles these days on the air — if listeners can identify the song they win a prize — but he's thinking of bringing in a guitar soon. His trademark was the white Fender, but he doesn't own one anymore. "I sold it. I have a problem holding on to things. I sold it for $10,000." Items change hands in life, especially in Jonesy's biography.

He was raised in the Shepherds Bush area of London and describes his level of poverty by pointing out that the family had to share the same tub water. His mother taught him to shoplift; his stepfather had a habit of cracking him across the skull.

When the Pistols formed in the summer of 1975, they used equipment that had been stolen by Jones. "I took David Bowie's stuff once ... microphones and gear."

Jones has Mr. Shovel cue up Bowie's version of "Waterloo Sunset" ("a song he stole from the Kinks") and the Smiths' "Shoplifters of the World Unite."

Where most radio stations are run by market research, "Jonesy's Jukebox" is programmed by the memory and the moment. He's almost through with his two-hour workday.

"I'm feeling better," he says with new cheer as he takes off his headset. "It's amazing how playing music makes you feel better. Like drinking — I don't miss it at all because I'm a mess when I drink. Listening to music can make you feel good, y'know?"

Mr. Shovel is counting down for the next song. Jones picks up a Sex Pistols CD.

"You want to hear this one?"

He rubs his eyes and looks a bit ill again.

"Nah. I really don't want to. Let's find something else."

Merry Christmas, again!

Last week I was not able to report on my top-secret mission to Disneyland (yes, that's right, my third visit in two weeks, God bless the Annual Pass!), to buy some Christmas presents for Genevieve. We had agreed to only get each other a few small things for Christmas because of the baby etc., and I knew of a few little things G had been interested in on our last little trip down. I left the house at about 6:50 am and got there when they opened up, getting into the park at about 8:10 am. It is a lovely time to be in there; even at peak holiday time the park is fairly empty at opening time. I hit a few rides (the Jungle Cruise, Indy, Pirates and Haunted Mansion) and shopped along Main Street and out in Downtown Disney for a few hours, stopping for lunch at an In-N-Out burger on the way home. Got back home around 2:30 and was very tired, although I couldn't tell Genevieve why!

Note the "Mickey Mouse Ear" wreaths over Main St.

Christmas morning came and we rose a little late. One of my presents from Disneyland for Genevieve was the Minnie Mouse Santa ears she's wearing below. She'll be furious that this is on the Internet. Our gift-buying was kept to our nieces and nephews this year, at the insistence of family on both sides. It's a little odd to be thrust back into a state of belt-tightening we've not known since we were first getting together more than ten years ago now, but it is only very temporary, and our friends and families are so very supportive and generous. Some lovely presents came our way including some wonderful little outfits for baby Jack from both sets of grandparents. He will look adorable in them. Thank you EVERYBODY!

I made us a huge Christmas breakfast of blue corn cakes with sour cream and smoked salmon, grits, eggs and sausage, and we relaxed all day, called family on the phone and watched some Christmas stuff and listend to Christmas music.

Christmas night was lovely. Genevieve lit all her Christmas candles, and I made a pretty good meal -- some orange and ginger-scented peas, a salad of spinach and Maytag blue cheese with a bacon-walnut viaigrette, and massive pork chops stuffed with shrimp with a shrimp bordelaise sauce. Very filling indeed. Afterward we watched a movie.

Our tree this year was a Douglas Fir. Smaller than usual, 'cuz our place is smaller than it always has been. For some reason Douglas Firs were the best values of all the other trees. Some of the prices for some pretty scroungy-looking trees were outrageous. I gather the Douglases have a shorter growth cycle and that's why they cost less, or perhaps the guy at the tree place was just bullshitting. Anyway our tree was pretty even if it only held about half our 8 zillion ornaments.

Genevieve had been feeling a little blue about the impossibility of a "white Christmas" in LA. I managed to find these inflatable snowmen real cheap at the drugstore and set them up out on our porch along with some fake snow to surprise her. Well, she was surprised all right! On Christmas we closed our shades so we could only see the snowmen and fake snow next to our tree. It almost felt like the real thing.

The Ghost of Christmas Future

Last week Genevieve and I went to the doctor for what's called a "structural ultrasound," a heavily detailed analysis of the baby's development. (I mean, they look into everything, check the valves of the heart, the kidneys, the whole deal -- all flying colors for little Jack).

These eye-popping pictures are the result. They have 3D imaging technology now that allows you to see the baby's features in incredible detail, considering he's inside the womb! They have a "4D" process which gives you a heavily textured, full motion video as well. Here are both of these images for you. It's a little eerie -- at least for me -- he seems like almost a ghostly little presence in there. It was incredible seeing him make his little "sneeze" move just as Genevieve said "ooh! he moved!"

Here is the "3D" image:



And the "4D":


Unbelievable!

Last night we saw Ocean's 12. Awful movie -- but that's not the point. The baby seems to like peanut butter cups, because G ate one while watching the movie and the baby went nuts. G was giggling through half the movie at his wiggling around.

Merry Christmas!

Took this picture last Saturday at Disneyland. Genevieve and I actually visited Disneyland twice in the last couple of weeks. On the 11th she was supposed to have had her office party -- on a cruise boat out of Long Beach. The traffic was dismal and we were running 20 minutes late -- and Long Beach was engulfed in such a thick fog we couldn't even see the docks. G parked and I went off to find our vessel -- which I eventually did -- just as it was giving a hearty "toot toot!"
and pulling out of the harbor. We drove about 15 minutes to Disneyland instead and had a nice supper at Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, got lucky and hopped on Haunted Mansion Holiday and saw the holiday fireworks and the snow (yes, they make it snow).

Last Saturday we went down again for the whole day and evening -- something we hadn't done in a few months. It was a beautiful, beautiful day and the park looks so wonderful with all the Christmas decorations. The castle has been totally repainted and shined up for the park's 50th anniversary next year, and many other refurbishments have been done -- it looks better than it did even a year ago, by far.

I only went on 3 rides. We were really there just to walk around, enjoy the atmosphere, people-watch, have a little lunch, etc. That's the great thing about having our annual passports. Totally takes all the pressure off our visits, and we can really enjoy them, even at extremely crowded times such as the Christmas holidays. Not to mention, for one annual moderate expense we can always do something fun all year, even if we're broke!

Sleeping Beauty Castle by day and by sunset (the colors looked especially fantastic at sunset, not well captured here by my cheesy cellphone-cam):




Main Street, alive with lights as the sun went down:



I picked up a Mickey Santa hat to get in the mood.



So that was the 18th. On the 19th I had a wedding to go to -- one of my fellow AFI students. It was a lovely and very ornate ceremony up in the mountains. I left mid-afternoon.

Later that day I had a chance to visit Walt Disney's barn. Now this might not seem very impressive to you, but Walt Disney is a big hero of mine. I have always been impressed and motivated by his persistence in the face of being told "it can't be done" when it came to virtually every important accomplishment of his life, from sound cartoons to Snow White (click the link for a fascinating article on the importance of Walt's persistence in making it) to Disneyland -- not to mention his enormous curiosity and creativity. Well, when Walt lived in the Holmby Hills on Carolwood Drive he had a large-scale steam train layout in his yard, called the Carolwood Pacific, complete with tunnels, bridges, the whole deal.



You can find out more about Walt's hobby at the website for the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society (I'm a member). The CPHS in association with the Disney family rescued an old barn from demolition on the old Carolwood property. This barn was Walt's workshop.

In a way, the barn was the birthplace of Disneyland and Imagineering. It was here that Walt first had some of his studio hands, accomplished machinists, help him build his steam trains. Walt's interest in trains and his experiments using studio staff to build them led directly to larger projects and eventually to Disneyland (it's a little more complex than that, but that's what the other web pages are for.) Anyhow, the barn was moved to the grounds of Griffith Park and rebuilt exactly, then filled with Walt's railroad memorabilia. It's very exciting to visit it; the site is located on the grounds of LA Live Steamers, a train society that specializes in these large-scale layouts and has several tracks active on the park grounds, giving rides to adults and kids alike each Sunday. On one of those Sundays a month, the CPHS opens the barn and grounds to visitors. It's very exciting to see all Walt's shop tools and train parts up close.





One of the exhibits is Walt's workbench, complete with his tools and parts and plans and the occasional note or two.



Had a chance to speak with CPHS president and founder Michael Broggie, whose father, Roger, was Walt's main guy, train-wise. Roger helped Walt build all his trains and eventually the designer in charge all the theme park railroads and transportation systems. In fact, they named a train after him at Disney World.

So, finally I am on break from school. Phew! A lot of stuff went crazy the last few weeks -- so so so busy. Next term will be even busier! I'll be working on 4 movies, not just 2. And of course baby Jack will be born -- God, I hope he cooperates and doesn't come in the middle of my projects! Yikes!

I must say it is a bit odd getting in the Christmas spirit when it's 70 degrees outside and palm trees are waving in the breeze (which is why going to Disneyland is so nice, what with their obliging habit of providing snowy evenings for us!). Had to really cut down on gifts and such this year, which has also diminshed our holly-jolliness this year. Dropping my salary for school has made life a little more difficult than we had planned. But it is only temporary. Hopefully, I will have a job next summer and part-time work, at least, during school. We knew this first year would be tough. We just weren't expecting a baby in the mix! But -- hey, we are grateful and happy and can weather anything together. We're both well -- though I really need to hit the diet trail hard after the holidays. G is a real trooper with the baby and all, although she does tire a little more easily these days.

Wherever you are -- I hope your holiday season is going well. Drop me a line at laughograms@hotmail.com if you want to be in touch.

abc7.com: 100 MPH Pursuit Plays Out On City Streets

After lunch today I heard several helicopters hovering over our apartment building. Shortly afterwards I heard a lot of cop cars in the area. Looking out my front window I saw this whole fracas going on outside. Boris and I went for a walk and watched this dude get arrested, right next door. It was really something to walk out your front door and have an armed cop say "Go back in your home!"

More of an update tomorrow, but enjoy this link while you can. There's video from right outside my doorstep.

abc7.com: 100 MPH Pursuit Plays Out On City Streets

Not a lot to report. Been keeping busy despuite the relatively mellow school schedule. Lotsa household chores and odds and ends, and I have been doing a little computer work for my friend Joe to supplement the income around here. Saturday I was in his restaurant working on installing a new network for them. Sunday G and I had a nice lazy day; it was rainy all day so we watched DVDs. Monday had more work at Joe's all day and class in the evening, then errands and such all day Tuesday. Working on the Herculean task of getting all our CDs digitized into a computer that is attahced to the stereo system. Was going along well on this project until school, and then work on it kind of evaporated. It's taking a lot of effort just to get back to where I was. School and shopping yesterday, and classes all day today. I have a one on one meeting with our first year mentor, who was the editor on Easy Rider, The Last Picture Show, Cinderella Liberty and Smokey and the Bandit 2, among other films. First, I have to exercise. I haven't exercside in months and my diet has gone all to hell. Been gaining back a good deal of weight lost last year and this is very upsetting to me. So today I am back on the wagon and shaping some new habits.

Not much to report. Just another couple struggling along on one income and having a baby! A little downtime at school is great -- for the next week or so my schedule is limited. I am a little frustrated with myself though -- I have been planning on getting up earlier and doing this or that and getting some things done, but I haven't been following through. Of late I feel kind of tired and run-down. Maybe I am still recovering from being sick for a month and working 15 hours a day all that time. I still am not 100%, but getting there. Anyway -- gotta tidy up and get on over to school.