Completely Conspicuous 231: Rock This Town

Part 1 of my conversation with filmmaker Eric Green as we discuss his documentary about V66, the short-lived Boston music video channel. I've also got the Bonehead of the Week and music from The Walkmen, Beachwood Sparks, King Tuff and Superchunk.

Show notes:

- Recorded in Cambridge, Mass.

- Eric's documentary is called Life on the V

- V66 was on the air from 2/85 to 9/86

- UHF station that reached throughout New England

- Cable still hadn't reached many towns

- There were other music video shows including Friday Night Videos on NBC

- Videos had been around for awhile but didn't catch on until MTV arrived

- V66 introduced a lot of new music, played diverse styles

- We both watched it as kids

- Run DMC's "King of Rock" was most requested song on V66

- Boston bands were given more attention: Del Fuegos, Til Tuesday, New Man

- Ex-radio guy John Garabedian started V66

- Station did non-music programming likes sports, weather

- MTV began adding different programs in late '80s

- Eventually, V66 was sold to Home Shopping Network

- Something like V66 could never happen today

- Eric worked at Fuse, the video station out of NYC

- Began making documentary in 2008; almost done

- Did many interviews with former V66 staff, as well as viewers

- Collected footage from fans

- Talked to musicians inspired by the station

- V66 teamed up with local radio stations on events

- To be continued

- Bonehead of the Week

Music:
The Walkmen - Love is Luck

Beachwood Sparks - Sparks Fly Again

King Tuff - Bad Thing

Superchunk - Misfits & Mistakes

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The Walkmen song is from the album Heaven on Fat Possum Records. Download the song for free at Epitonic.

The Beachwood Sparks song is on the album The Tarnished Gold on Sub Pop. Download the song for free at Sub Pop.

The King Tuff song is on the band's self-titled album on Sub Pop. Download the song for free at Sub Pop.

The Superchunk song is on the EP Leaves in the Gutter on Merge Records. Download the song for free at Epitonic.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian; check out his site PodGeek.