This week: Actor Anton Yelchin can’t let go of Legos… Spider-Dan climbs the walls… And Del the Funky Homosapien has a ball. Plus we revel in a new tune from L.A. band Alexander.
Icebreaker: Del the Funky Homosapien
Oakland MC/rapper Del the Funky Homosapien, who has a new acclaimed album out called Golden Era, tells us a Cinderella story.
Small Talk: LazyCakes, The Ketchup Ceiling and Porkchoppers
The staff at Marketplace dig up some lesser-known headlines, including the passing of the “Pork Chopper bill,” which allows Texans to rain down death upon wild hogs.
Speaking of the Texas legislature!… Radio listeners heard Jake Silverstein, editor of Texas Monthly, tells us the Lonestar State Senate wants to offer finger food to 100-pound catfish. Anyone for noodlin’?
A History Lesson with Booze: Spider-Dan & the “Trumped”
This week in 1981, outdoor adventurer Dan Goodwin did some climbing. Which sounds normal enough…except his target was the surface of the (then) tallest building in the world – Chicago’s Sears Tower — and he scaled it dressed as Spider-Man. Hear his tale, then climb into this custom cocktail named after a new fixture on the Chicago skyline.
“Trumped,” as built by Nandini Khaund of The Violet Hour in Chicago, IL:
In a shaker, add:
- 1 oz. Mezcal Vida
- 1 oz. Rothman & Winter Creme de Violette
- 1/2 oz. Lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. Lime juice
- 3/4 oz. lilac-black pepper simple syrup (or standard simple will do)
- 1 oz. heavy whipping cream
- 1 oz. 1 egg white
- soda water
- 8 drops Laphroaig Scotch
Pour all ingredients except Scotch and soda into shaker, and “mime shake” (shake w/out ice) for a few minutes. Add ice, shake vigorously a few more minutes. Strain into Collins glass, add soda, then spoon the remaining foam from the shaker into the glass. Add 8 drops Laphroaig on top. Admire your tall and intimidating drink, and try not to get dizzy.
Guest of Honor: Anton Yelchin
Anton Yelchin, best known for playing Russian whiz-kid Chekhov in the Star Trek reboot, comes down to earth for two major roles this year. He plays a romantic lead opposite Felicity Jones in the Sundance-winner Like Crazy (out wide this fall). And this week, he joins Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster in The Beaver, a quixotic family saga about a man and his puppet alter ego. Anton tells Rico about his parents’ roots, how pain can be fun, and why a Lego set haunts his memories.
One For The Road: Alexander – “Truth”
Alex Ebert, lead singer of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, records solo as Alexander. His song “Truth” (off a self-titled March album) gallops through a spaghetti western soundscape full of whistles, chants, and drums. Best heard on a vision quest through the desert.
Music On This Week’s Show:
Sea & Cake – “The Argument”
The Wedding Present – “Signal”
Link Wray – “Jack The Ripper”
Tipsy – “Liquordelic”
Spunkshine – “Building a Grand Theory”
Butterglory – “Boy Burning Down”
Postal Service – “Such Great Heights”
“Kalinka” (traditional)
Alexander – “Truth”
