InFormation, The Renfields and CLOG Rock RFC 142

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Positioned strategically at the head of this post, you should see the latest episode of Radio Free Charleston. Our 142nd installment is called "It's Just A Flesh Wound Shirt." Our music this week is by InFormation, The Renfields, and the Charleston Light Opera Guild cast of "Hairspray". In addition, this episode features a quick look at Dan Kehde's new play "Cupid Falling/Cupid Rising," a short film by K.D. Lett, and new animation by Frank Panucci.

Host segments were shot in downtown Charleston Monday afternoon during lunch, which is why we ended up at Slyce Pizza Company.

This is our first show back after our month long summer hiatus and we were sort of hoping that the heat would have ended by now. It didn't. Our title shirt this episode is a mash-up of the classic electric board game "Operation" with "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." It's designed by John Sprengelmeyer, who is better known in graphic design circles as Captain RibMan.

We got the shirt from our friends at Tee Fury.com, but the design is available from a few other online sources as well.

We open the show with a look at the Contemporary Youth Arts Company's production of Dan Kehde's teen sex farce, "Cupid Falling/Cupid Rising." You have three more chances to catch this drop-dead funny play, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 PM at the WVSU Capitol Center on Summers Street.

Our opening musical salvo comes to us from InFormation, who first appeared on Radio Free Charleston way back on Episode 24, almost exactly four years ago. We've watched the band progress through a couple of different line-ups and they really seem to have hit their stride as an intricate, power trio musical unit. They're performing some of the most original music in the area right now. Check PopCult regularly for updates on their upcoming gigs.

InFormation almost turned up on RFC 141, our big Fifth Anniversary show, but an audio glitch made their footage unusable. The silver lining in all that is that we got to record them one week later at the Blue Parrot with a three camera set-up and a line into the sound board. The results are quite impressive. Curtis, Roy, and Shane are at the top of their game and Shane unleashes a drum solo with lethal force during their performance of their original song, "Think Twice."

Our animation this time, as usual, comes from Frank Panucci. "Mr. Robotno" is a touching story of a robot on a slippery surface. Special attention should be paid to the bingy-bongy music in the background.

Making their RFC debut are The Renfields, well, most of them anyway. Three-fourths of The Renfields, Vincent Renfield, Dick Ramses, and The Fiend, recently drove to town from Transylvania to perform at the Heart of Appalachia Roller Derby benefit at the Empty Glass. They were unable to pry loose their drummer from the coroner's office, but treated the enthusiastic crowd to an acoustic set.

This horrific band of punk poppers debuted their new song, "Roller Derby Girl." Eagle eyed viewers may be able to spot a roller derby girl or two dancing in the crowd.

K.D. Lett follows up his iPhone fireworks video from RFC 108, almost exactly one year ago, with a brand new iPhone fireworks video which is even cooler looking.

Wrapping up the show, we feature "You Can't Stop The Beat", from the musical "Hairspray", performed by the Charleston Light Opera Guild. You have three more chances to catch this fun little musical at the Clay Center, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM.

That's about it for this week's episode of Radio Free Charleston. We will return in a couple of weeks with a brand new episode, which will contain music, short films, and animation (that means we aren't sure what's going to be in it yet.) Until then, keep reading PopCult and check out the RFC fan page at Facebook