Episodes

Episode 52: Blitzen Trapper, the Throne Stone from Scone, Eating Dirt

Blitzen Trapper/courtesy Sub Pop Records

This week: Portland sextet Blitzen Trapper eyes us up…the throne stone from Scone…and Brendan meets an artist who bites the dust…literally. Plus Top Chef Ludo Lefebvre eats his own, and new Wavves.

Icebreaker: Top Chef Master Ludo Lefebvre skewers the French soccer team.

Small Talk: Real-Life Light Sabers, Wine Machines, and the Hundred Thousand Dollar Hangover
The staff at Marketplace tell you about some news items your dinner guests probably missed. Like for instance the real-life “light saber” that’s got Lucasfilm powering up its litigation Death Star.

A History Lesson With Booze: The Stone of Scone and the “Kelvin Car Bomb
This week back in 1996, the British government announced the Stone of Scone was going home. The Stone, a 340-pound sandstone block, sat on a shelf within Britain’s coronation chair for 700 years… much to the chagrin of the Scots, from whom it was taken back in the 13th century. Toast its return with a Scottish take on the classic “car bomb” cocktail… as prepared by a guy named Hans in Texas.

Kelvin Car Bomb, created by Hans Gerner, owner of The Kelvin Arms in Houston, TX:

In a pint glass pour:

  • 1/2 pint Belhaven Scottish Ale

In a separate shot glass, combine:

  • 1 oz. Scotch
  • 1 oz. Drambuie

Drop the shot glass in the pint glass, chug, get stoned.

Guest of Honor: Blitzen Trapper
Long before Twilight fans formed Team Jacob, Portland Oregon sextet Blitzen Trapper were making a case for lovable teenage werewolves with “Furr,” perhaps the best song of 2008. Their new album Destroyer of the Void ranges from epic prog-rock to sweet folk-pop to murder ballads — the common denominator being big, surprising melodies and a sense of the hugeness of life. BT songwriter Eric Earley and drummer Brian Koch took a break from the band’s ongoing tour to chat with Rico about NASCAR, the concept of concept albums, and big-eyed primates.

Click here to download Blitzen Trapper’s “Dragon Song”

The Main Course: Eating Dirt
“Terroir” is a word used by foodies to describe how the taste of food is affected by the place it’s grown. Laura Parker, an artist in San Francisco, explores this concept in “Taste of Place,” an art installation which includes, yes, “dirt tastings.” Brendan met with Laura, quaffed dirt, and went on a Proustian journey.

One For The Road: Wavves- “Post-Acid”
Wavves make scuzzy adrenaline-drenched beach pop. The band revolves around Nathan Williams, who wrote the first two albums on his own in his parents’ garage. Spastic and sloppy, Wavves at times sound like a dog whistle for the young, but Williams’ allegiance to pop tempers the edges. “Post-Acid” is the perfect driving companion on your way to destroy a day at the beach.

Music On This Week’s Show:

The Sea & Cake – “The Argument”

The Wedding Present – “Signal”

Link Wray – “Jack The Ripper”

Tipsy – “Liquordelic”

Brian McNeill – “The Atlantic Reels”

Bright Eyes – “Another Travelin’ Song”

John Barry – “007”

Blitzen Trapper – “Destroyer of the Void”

Blitzen Trapper – “Dragon Song”

Sean Carey – “In The Dirt”

Wavves – “Post-Acid”