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bktandem

@[email protected]

Blogger, podcaster, writer, PR person, runner/triathlete and musician in central NJ. Rider University/The Rider News alumnus. Making music as Ferocious Designs. He/him

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@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

WTF? An Italian singer who was on X Factory Italy a few years ago is using the moniker of Baltimora to release music.

How is the 1980's Baltimora (famous for the song below) not suing the crap out of this singer?

If this is okay then what is to stop me from releasing music as The Beatles? They're not using it anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0n9Dv6XnY

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Both are Italian acts, too. But Maurizio Bassi hasn't been active since Baltimora so maybe Italian law says it's OK to use it if the original act isn't actively marketing the name for a certain amount of time? I was trying to find if Bassi was working with this newer artist, but that doesn't appear to be the case either.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

  1. Why is this story on the front page of BBC News? Are there not more important things going on in the world?

  2. Would these same people complain about a rock act not having visuals & costume changes?

Seems like the people complaining care less about the music, & more about extraneous things. If someone puts on a good show, who cares about visuals or costumes.

If she's singing badly or performing poorly, that's one thing, but these complaints seem weak

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8e8z38d2po

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio

Absolute insanity that an example of Doja Cat being sexually assaulted is presented as being controversial for her because she felt "discomfort" with it. WTF?

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

RE: https://mastodon.social/@aeschtunes/115560101001872199

Fun Fact: "We Built This City" was written by Martin Page & Bernie Taupin.

I've always had a sweet spot for this pop song, but their original demo has a bit more of a New Wave edge to it that like even more.

https://soundcloud.com/user-554184759/martin-pages-and-bernie-taupins-1984-original-8-track-demo-of-we-built-this-city

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Never heard this before. Yeah, I prefer this version.

And it just registered with me that Bernie Taupin gave the album, Knee Deep in the Hoopla, its title.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

Is that hope I feel this morning... I've kind of forgotten what that was for the last year...

bktandem ,
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bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Incredibly under appreciated.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

Banding Together 2025 Webathon
Benefiting
Spondylitis Association of America

Day 3 of 7

Listen & Info https://blowupradio.com

Donate & download 233 song comp https://www.spondylitis.org/webathon

Performance Schedule
(Times ET)
Now - the dt's
7:50 - Successful Failures

  • 4 more days of performances

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Like Thanos, the dt's playing "That Thing You Do" is inevitable.

Unlike Thanos, the dt's playing "That Thing You Do" is awesome!

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

Banding Together 2025 Webathon
Benefiting
Spondylitis Association of America

Day 3 of 7

Listen & Info https://blowupradio.com

Donate & download 233 song comp https://www.spondylitis.org/webathon

Performance Schedule
(Times ET)
12 - Frank Patrouch
12:40 - Shotgun Bill
1:20 - Greg Gobel
2 - The Winter Sounds
2:40 - The Mighty Alrighty
3:20 - Ciara Zwicker
4 - Torment Of Giants
4:40 - Indeyevid
5:20 - Dr. Void
6 - JD Burner
6:40 - Damfino
7:20 - the dt's
7:50 - Successful Failures

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Just noticed the current day is highlighted with past days shaded. Have you done that before or is it because Banding Together is so much longer this year? I like it, though.

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Welp...guess I was completely oblivious to it.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

Cyndi Lauper opening her CBS special with "She Bop", feels like a major rebellious act given the current administration.

I wonder if the CBS censors, and current administration, has any idea what the song is about...

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio

They still don't know what "Fortunate Son" and "Born in the U.S.A." are about. I'm sure "She Bop" is way over their heads.

bktandem , to random

A few pics from yesterday's Asbury Park Porchfest, featuring @christian_beach, @kbluemusic_ and @thedtsmusic

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPJRdwHDouu/
Park Porchfest

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio @bktandem @christian_beach

Sung in the style of Madness...

🎶Our porch in the middle of the street🎶

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

it's another sign... but what does it mean?

picture of a Battlebot named HUGE
ALT
bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Looks like some kind of…

…ferocious design (in a big box)

David Caruso putting on sunglasses

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

When I am out walking in the morning I often pass a house that has a camera filming the street. It whistles and a red light flashes to let you know it is filming you.

Once I discovered this I figured I had to let them known I know they are filming me.

So now every time I go past that house I am waving hi, doing a funny walk or "dancing" (in quotes because much like Genesis, I can't dance).

I sure hope the family is watching the recordings and going, "who is this guy?" 🤪

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio

Just seeing this post now…kind of odd that we both referenced that song today…

https://mastodon.social/@bktandem/115129713946552405

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

I single those songs out because I feel their presence on that album diminishes the entire album, which is pretty solid — but especially "Driving the Last Spike" and "Fading Lights," which I feel are the last great Genesis songs recorded by the classic trio.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

If you're going to make a 7 minute song, please try not to make it so repetitive... the sad thing is I generally love this artist's music...

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio

Saw this yesterday and meant to reply. Pretty sure I know what song you're talking about. They're playing it on XPN because they are faves there — and I'm usually a big fan myself (one of their songs was the original inspiration for my song "Years Go By") — but this new song is terrible.

And if we're not talking about the same song, well, that means there are two 7-minute songs out there right now that suck by artists who are usually way better than that.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

I found five dollars while out walking this morning.

Moral: Exercising does pay

😀

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Know what else pays? Cleaned a pile of clutter on my desk yesterday. Stuck inside an old notepad of mine, I found an envelope that had a Christmas card in it at one point. Inside the envelope, I found a folded up $50 gift certificate (printed out) to Savory Spice that I verified still worked…and stuck in the folds of that? A $100 bill. 🤦‍♂️

I’m embarrassed to admit it was from at least 2-3 years ago.

😬

@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar bktandem , to random

It's been awhile, but Philly metro and NJ are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. EDT tonight.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

@bktandem

Since we were talking about her the other day thought you might want to know that Nicole Atkins is doing a free concert in a small park in Matawan in a few weeks

I wonder if this means she's living in NJ again, or just back up a few weeks and booking whatever shows she can.

list of events in Matawan shows Nicole Atkins playing in Terhune Park on August 7th
ALT
bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio

LOL! I follow him on IG and Threads, but somehow I had no idea Arlan Feiles is a Matawan councilman. He introduced Nicole and her band.

Nearly had another Thursday night concert canceled on me, though. Nicole said she was battling food poisoning most of the day. She sounded as good as ever, though.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

Road Sign: Who says you can't go home? The Police if you drive drunk.

Me: Dumbass sign think The Police wrote a Bon Jovi song.

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio

Would have been a better song if The Police had written and recorded it.

bktandem , to random

Family is going to head down to Gloucester City, NJ, today for this free music festival to see one of my faves, polaroid.fade

My wife and I RSVP'd for WXPN's Homegrown Live show with Polaroid Fade next Saturday night at World Cafe Live, but we will not be attending because of the labor situation there. We'll see the band in Gloucester City today instead.

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio @bktandem

Yeah, it sucks. The new CEO is terrible.

@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar bktandem , to random

RIP, Doug from Nitzer Ebb...not seeing any news stories, but here is the band's Facebook post announcing the sad news...

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

Waiting for the first post in memory of Brian Wilson to post the "Kokomo" video... seriously (obliviously) or ironically...

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio

There are people on Facebook posting comments on the sponsored post promoting the Beach Boys at PNC Arts Center wondering if the show will still go on. Do these people think Brian Wilson was still touring with them? Last time he did that was around 2012 for their 50th anniversary, and that was his first full tour with them since the 80s.

¯_(ツ)_/¯

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

I mean, the only original Beach Boy is Mike Love. The only other active full-time touring member appears to be Bruce Johnston, who originally joined in the 60s to replace Brian Wilson on tour. I can't find anything that even says what their lineup is at this point. Forget about postponing out of respect for Brian...I bet they start rebranding the tour as a tribute to him for a sales boost.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

I agree with Senator Josh Hawley... no, sorry, that doesn't feel right saying that, but here we are...

CBS NEWS: Conservative Sen. Josh Hawley wants to raise federal minimum wage

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/josh-hawley-raise-federal-minimum-wage/

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

Anyone know why the new episode is not on yet?

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio
Global simulcast situation. Think it will be on around 2 pm here.

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio
BBC had been putting it on iPlayer (and Disney+ globally) in the mornings there with it airing on BBC in the evening, but they are holding it for the actual air time.

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio

Yeah, neither time is great for me today. XPN Song Challenge starts at noon, so I needed sleep last night and won't have time to watch until tomorrow afternoon.

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio
Yeah, that episode was weird. What's really bizarre is the rumor going around — and the source has been right about 90% of what has happened the past few episodes. And the way RTD is talking about spoilers and a "big one," I fear the source is right again. I wouldn't exactly be opposed to it, but it would just seem forced (again) if it happens.

bktandem ,
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bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

I’m making decent progress on the song so I gave myself time to watch it just now. Yes, the ending is the rumor that was going around. I’m not opposed to the casting…just seems weird. What I don’t understand is that they made her look like her original character. She has a different look these days, so why doesn’t she just appear like that? But that entire episode was saved by THAT cameo. That made me so incredibly happy.

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

I really think RTD has got to go whenever Doctor Who returns. We now have two seasons full of red herrings and unanswered questions/unexplained plot points. WTF with no Susan payoff? And WTF with "The Boss"? That was first mentioned THREE DOCTORS ago now, and still no payoff! I mean, JFC, "MAVITY" IS STILL A THING! He knew there would be a long wait after season 2 and he STILL kept all of that unsettled. Episode would've been better as just an hour of 13 & 15.

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Hopefully, XPN is extending the submission deadline a bit because the site was being wonky so I wasn’t able to submit it until 12:09…but this is what I came up with. I rehearsed it so much, that end part took out my voice. Had to wait until around 10:30 am to record it. Ugh.

Also, this year, 12 semifinalists will be put to a public vote, which is cool.

https://youtu.be/d8wpKfFsCyo?feature=shared

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

Press Release: "[artist name redacted] releases his forthcoming album [album title redacted], out now"

Whomever wrote this needs a proofreader. The album can't be "forthcoming" and "out now" 🤦‍♂️

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Schrödinger's album

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

I look forward to an AI generated Orson Welles dancing with a vacuum cleaner, while an appalled AI generated Gene Kelly looks on.

VARIETY: Orson Welles Can Now Be Your AI-Generated Tour Guide

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/orson-welles-ai-voice-storyrabbit-audio-storytelling-app-1236406112/

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Just seeing this now thanks to my messed up notifications…but if an AI-generated Orson Welles isn’t selling me Blotto Bros. Wine, Rosebud Frozen Peas or Mrs. Pell’s Fish Sticks, what is even the point?

https://youtu.be/6i7ycxiog40

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

To this day, any time I encounter peas I think of “fresh, green pea-ness.”

That “they’re even better when you’re dead” line cracks me up every time.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

Writing press releases is not my area of expertise, but here I am trying once again to write one to promote the upcoming Rock Against Hate albums for Pride Month.

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio
Whoa! I just received a notification on Threads that you posted this! I’ve seen reply and reaction notifications from fediverse users, but I’ve never seen “new post” notifications from fediverse users before. Does this mean we’re getting closer to full interaction/interoperability?

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio
Now someone is telling me that's been a thing since December, but it just wasn't working with my account for some reason.
🤦‍♂️

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio
And now my Instagram and Threads accounts are locked because I tried making an account change on my desktop and it gave me a "strange activity" prompt and three buttons: It Wasn't Me, It Was Me, Close. When I clicked on It Was Me, all three buttons highlighted and it forced me to change my password. And when I did that, it still wouldn't let me back in. 🤦‍♂️

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio
I mean, look what happens when I click on "It Was Me"...and it keeps forcing me to change my password. But even after doing that multiple times, my account remains locked on desktop and mobile. 🤦‍♂️

video/mp4

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Hmm...not using Safari, but I'll try to clear cookies in Chrome and wait 24 hours before trying again. Thanks.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

FFS @BBCNews do you really not know that Newark is in NEW JERSEY?

"The airport [Newark Liberty International Airport], one of New York's busiest hubs..."

At least say "New York area's..."

No wonder no one trusts the news anymore. they can't get something as simple as the state a city is in right 🤦‍♂️

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy048rzjjjo

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio
Just like how everyone reported that helicopter crash as being in NYC when it clearly went down in Jersey City, NJ.

image/jpeg

bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio
OMG! I think even Herbert Morrison did it on his full recording of his Hindenburg coverage on this date in 1937. At around 25 seconds in, it sure sounds like after he talks about the time it took to fly from Chicago to NEW YORK, he then says "when we landed at NEWARK..."
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tm36oLQzbQ0&t=25s&pp=2AEZkAIB

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio
Also, I never knew until today that American Airlines had a Newark to Lakehurst flight specifically to connect people to the Hindenburg for the transatlantic crossing.

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio
And now just flying into Newark is about as safe as flying on the Hindenburg, apparently.

¯_(ツ)_/¯

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , to random

So this guy thought to himself, "how can I highlight that I am driving a cyber truck?"...

A Tesla cyber truck painted highlighter yellow color.
ALT
bktandem ,
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@BlowUpRadio
Maybe that color masks the urine stains from all the people pissing on it?

bktandem , to random

Sure, just go ahead and normalize something that's blatantly unconstitutional...

RE: https://www.threads.net/@njdotcom/post/DI14IXHvz_C

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio @bktandem

That was actually the gist of what I was originally going to write, but thought that was more directed at the writer. In the moment, I thought what I wound up writing was more of a blanket statement against the overall sentiment at many media outlets…that what Trump says or does is just some form of trolling without any real meaning or consequences.

@BlowUpRadio@gardenstate.social avatar BlowUpRadio , (edited ) to random

I'm curious what people think.

Is it fair to call something a "Fest" if it only has 3 acts performing at it?

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Depends on the scope of the event. If it includes something in addition to music (visual and other performing arts, crafts, beer, food trucks, etc.), then yes. If it's just 3 acts performing on a single day, that's a concert.

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Just saw the other reply. OK, there's food and drink, but if there are a bunch of food trucks, you could justify it as a "food fest"...with live entertainment.

bktandem ,
@bktandem@mastodon.social avatar

@BlowUpRadio

Is it being marketed locally or regionally? Like, if it's a town promoting a smaller thing one town over and it's more of a localized event, a "fest" is proportionately appropriate, I guess. If it's claiming to be something bigger/more regional, yeah...just a concert.