How strict can an organization actually be about asking for volunteer hours? Our friends over at CJSR are currently debating the validity of requiring all its volunteers to put in two hours a month of

non-airtime duty, presumably tallying them up on a scrutinized,

centralized timesheet. This metaphorical draft would include working the dreaded–yet-crucial fundraising efforts, which have historically sometimes required a dentist’s skill to ply semi-willing bingo slaves into proper position. There are obviously more creative ways to throw in your time too, which the clever will find.

The arguments for and against the call are obvious.

 As an example, for some DJs, pulling a weekly show together requires a fine balance between staying active in community radio and, say, raising actual children.

On the other hand, shit gotta get done, y’all. But having been a late-night DJ there myself with David Stone years ago, I can’t imagine being excited about an enforced participation beyond sleephosting through those hardly coveted owl hours, keeping progressive overnight security guards in touch with the latest CanCon.

Taking a cue from pollution controllers, a cap-and-trade system seems in order for those with the best excuses out the door if this idea sticks.

As a deliberate aside, I’d like to thank all of CJSR’s DJs and staff, who have gone through a rough ride for a number of reasons through this station’s last era. You should know that, beyond the politics, people out here appreciate your work, especially on-air, and hopefully this new discussion won’t be too hard to weather. We’d love to hear your concerns on the SEE site if you’re willing.

Another good week for concerts, including Jerry Jerry and Martha Wainwright — but it was the Priestess gig that stole the pie off the windowsill. If you haven’t seen Bison (who attach B.C. as a suffix for legal reasons not applicable here), do not miss this band’s next show in town. A mix of the best parts of SNFU and Strapping Young Lad, they put out so much punk joy it’s sick. Also, while singing about fictional (?) creatures like the Wendigo, they renew our faith in Vancouver’s music scene, which, given the city’s population, should really have more of an impact on our eardrums.

No matter: Bison makes up for it. Priestess’ new material was pretty hot, too — turning up the metal now that they’ve convinced radio stations that it’s okay to play good music like theirs again. Seriously, I’d rather hear about orc battles than some emo kid’s psychological problems with women any day.

The rumours are indeed true: Velvet Underground will now be called Brixx. That’s with only two x’s, which I believe is the indicator for “softcore.”

In closing, a bit of weird Facebook dialogue between Swifty and me:
1:04 a.m. Shawn: the fishster
1:04 a.m. Fish: Wazzup, partysaurus
1:05 a.m. Shawn: black dog, sat, jan 3, hair of the dog, the swiftys.
1:05 a.m. Fish: Sounds like a good time. You guys should play on the stairs. It’s probably not set up for sound there, though, eh?
1:07 a.m. Shawn: I’m going to set up a surround sound system there and a bunch of headphones.
1:07 a.m. Fish: Serious? It’d be fucking wicked. HeadPHONES?
1:07 a.m. Shawn: Everyone has to listen to the show on Westjet headphones.
1:07 a.m. Fish: What’s up, Jane Goodall? We need da jam. Da juice. Da squirtz!
1:08 a.m. Shawn: I’ll text you your meds.
1:08 a.m. Fish: Hurry, daddy!
1:09 a.m. Shawn: Mommy don’t love you no more.