Tyler Books Tokyo Police Club

Fresh from last week's sold-out show with Passion Pit at Rams Head Live, Tokyo Police Club's singer-bassist Dave Monks and keyboardist Graham Wright sit in with Tyler for an interview and in-studio performance at 4 p.m. Friday.

The Canadian indie band garnered a ton of critical acclaim in 2006 on the strength of their intriguing EP A Lesson in Crime, and landed gigs at high-profile national festivals. This week Tokyo Police Club released its sophomore album, Champ, featuring "Breakneck Speed" and "Wait Up (Boots of Danger)."

Kick off your weekend with the band's exclusive, stripped-down set on Altered Fridays.

Turn the Page Back on Phish

Grab a pint of Phish Food, and tune in this Friday at 9:20 a.m. for an encore edition of Morning Sessions with Page McConnell.


A couple years removed from PHISH's (then) last show, the innovative keyboardist stopped by the WTMD studios (pictured with our very own Bug) to promote his self-titled solo album, which spawned the TMD favorite, "Beauty of a Broken Heart."

McConnell said that after the break up, he built a home studio. He and co-producer/engineer Jared Slomoff, patched together the music and lyrics that wound up on the album. And legendary session drummer Jim Keltner added his magic touch to the recording.

"He was just the nicest guy you could meet. Everybody knows him from the John Lennon 'Imagine' sessions," McConnell said. "He was such a pro and had so many stories. We were hanging on every word!"

And given that a couple of his Phish bandmates appeared on his disc too, we couldn't help but press Page just a little bit as to the status of any possible reunion.

Hear his answers and re-live a little history from one of the most legendary touring bands ever!

Ernie Fowler Trio on Baltimore Unsigned

Ernie Fowler Trio brings their sweet three-part harmonies to Baltimore Unsigned at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The band performs selections from the Life Lessons Learned EP, the latest chapter in Fowler's songwriting. 

"This is the trio's first EP, but I've made a bunch of CDs by myself," he says. "It's crazy to hear how these songs have morphed over the years. This trio is the best representation of the music to date."

The songs also embrace elements of some of the best the 90's had to offer. "Toad the Wet Sprocket was one of my favorites," says vocalist and guitarist Mike Prout. "If you listened on headphones, you could hear all these crazy harrnonies in the background. It thickens up the music."


Ernie Fowler Trio hosts a CD Release Party with Nelly's Echo at the 8 x 10 on Friday, June 18.

Sludge-tastic CD of the Week: The Dead Weather

Jack White's collaboration with vocalist Allison Mosshart is more than just a one-off. The Dead Weather recently released ther second album, Sea of Cowards, and they've ratcheted up the aural assault.


Heavier basslines and thick walls of sonic sludge serve as an undercurrent for Mosshart's vocal experimentations. She easily switches from loud to soft dynamics--and her harmonies with Jack White's higher growl create an effect that is spooky good.

The band's live show is reported to face meltingly heavy with lots of strobes. It's just colorful corner of Jack White's expanding universe.

The Dead Weather perform at Ram's Head Live on August 2.