Sonic Reducer on KEXP

THE DAVID JOHANSEN FUND

David Johansen, legendary co-founder of the New York Dolls, has been living with stage 4 cancer and a brain tumor. Diagnosed in 2020, Johansen made the decision to keep his illness private, but due to the severe financial burden, he is ready to share. In November 2024, he fell and broke his back in two places, which required surgery. Despite a successful procedure, David is bedridden and incapacitated.

For the best chance of recovery, he requires around-the-clock care. Assisting in the Johansen family recovery efforts, Sweet Relief launched the David Johansen Fund. The most immediate needs are full time nursing, physical therapy and funding for day to day vital living expenses. With professional specialized care, the Johansen family remains hopeful that David can regain some mobility and independence.

For more information and to donate to the fund, visit https://linktr.ee/therealmickrock xx

📸 David Johansen at the Mercer Arts Center, 1972

In 1989, an Ohio punk band that went by The Gits relocated to Seattle, WA, taking up residence in an abandoned house in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The Rathouse became a sacred space where they lived and rehearsed – and over the next few years, their live performance would make them one of the most incendiary bands in the new Seattle rock scene, then just beginning to catch fire.

A ferocious outfit with the magnetic Mia Zapata, "the greatest blues singer in punk rock history," at its center, the band released their debut album Frenching the Bully in 1992 – the only that would feature Zapata before her tragic murder in 1993.

Over three decades later, Sub Pop Records is re-releasing Frenching the Bully. And KEXP is celebrating with a week of special interviews on KEXP Radio starting on January 27, leading up to a record release party in the KEXP Gathering Space on February 1.

Join us Saturday, Feb 1 for a live performance from the Gits and special guest singers, as well as a vinyl signing and merch pop up. Sub Pop will also reveal their new Gits gallery exhibit and attendees will see a screening of the short film documentary The Gits Live at RKCNDY.

This event is 21+ and FREE with RSVP: https://kexp.visitlink.me/qyL2Wh

📸: Lucy Hanna