If you feel that maybe your exams are just too impossible and school has become epically difficult, consider the man, the myth, the legend, Mark Goffeney. Mark was born without arms and dreamed of playing music but never gave up, despite the goal he set for himself. Some would have thought playing guitar with your feet was improbable, and playing well for that matter, simply impossible.

Although the obstacles presented to you could appear unfathomable just realize anything is possible…

Even doing well on exams.

If you got through my motivational message and are still uninspired, I guess you could just go back to the old time remedy of getting baked with pot cookie monster….

Hot and fresh out the kitchen:

The Killers - “Spaceman” - Despite the fact that the Killers’ new album, Day & Age, has yet to be released, we’ve already moved on to this second single. (The official release date of the album is November 24.) You’ll forget all about how bizarre some of these lyrics are after you’ve heard it a few times, at which point you’ll be powerless and bursting into song. Even though it may seem like the Killers are getting a little Bowie on us, they’re still one of the most approachable bands around and they’re still riding the crest of the indie rock wave.

Smashing Pumpkins - “G.L.O.W.” - There’s been a lot of buzz generated over this song over the last several weeks. All of you Guitar Heroes out there can look forward to including this song in your rock arsenal, as it is going to be made available for the new game. Not sure if this wins or loses the Pumpkins cred with the kids, but In Billy We Trust.

Also listen for:

Keane - “Spiralling”
Patrick and Eugene - “Don’t Stop”

Friday, Friday, Friday! Or, as I like to call it, the day whence if you do not have tickets to the Illinois-Ohio Game that you may be granted them through feats of skill. It is a pain to fit that in my day planner. Wednesday, Thursday, The Day whence if you do not……, Saturday.

Welcome to another Friday issue of Inside WPGU - the only blog where you get to take a peak at what new destruction our staff is bringing to Champaign-Urbana.

Friday, my day planner is packed and I have my running shoes ready so that I can hop around town for all the cool things going on.

First, there is the Midwest Communications Group Ticket Giveaway. They have 3 pairs of tickets they are giving away at 510 N. Cunningham in Urbana. All you have to do is show off how Orange and Blue you bleed… not through anything ritualistic, but rather through a test of Illini trivia. This is happening from 1-3 PM. http://www.midwestcomm.com/

Your second shot for tickets is by sprinting back to campus town and partying it up at McKinley Presbyterian Foundation from 4PM to 6PM. Of course, after that half marathon - you are going to want some cool drinks and hot dogs. Fortunately for you, McKinley is ready for you! Free hotdogs, free drinks, AND free Illni vs Ohio State tickets. 3 pairs of tickets to the Illini vs. Ohio State game. Come on out and hang out with the fantastic promo staff as they spice up your Friday afternoon with games and fun.

Finally - wonder of wonders, we will have even more tickets on Saturday at the PGU Pregame. It kicks off at 9am and has free drinks and food from Famous Dave’s. Stop by WPGU Studios at 512 E. Green Street from 12 to 5PM on Friday to get your tickets to the pregame. We also have tickets for the Ohio State game - but, fair warning, much danger to ye who try to participate in this. We have seen the contestants have to do everything from apple dunking to a football touchdown dance - one participant even taking it to a whole new level by taking off his shirt, much to the disgust of the audience.

Regardless, fun times abound in the upcoming days and we are your Illini Football ticket hookup!

ALSO, do not forget to call in at 337-1071 and donate to Operation Santa. Operation Santa is WPGU’s annual charity drive to bring toys to children. Every single DJ will be on call to take donations and we have our Operation Santa lock in this weekend - in which 3 DJs are locked in the studio all weekend and they battle TO THE DEATH. False. They merely sit there like caged animals and have a raucous time on the radio while trying to do everything they can to convince you to call in. Bring some holiday joy to those who would otherwise be without - Operation Santa.

- See you next Friday, Jonesy.

Hey guys, Mat Brown here and *ahem* apart from my show, you should really check out Thursday night’s on WPGU. It kicks off at 9pm with Surfabilly Freakout, continues with the PGU Partyhour and rolls on with Das Rock Show and The War Zone all the way up until 3am! From the Tomfoolery to the Drinking Games to the Live rock to the Competitive radio to the Damn Fool Boobery, it’s the the best 6 hours fit for Radio.

Check it out kids, every Thursday night from 9pm-3am

Two amazing things are happening at WPGU right now, so get ready…

1. We’re giving away tickets TODAY for the Canopy Club’s showing of Christmas on Mars this Sunday, November, 16. The movie is written and directed by the Flaming Lips (awesome) and is being shown as part of Canopy Club’s Pizza, Pitcher, and a Movie.
*Just in case you’re out of the loop, Canopy shows a block of three movies and charges only $10 for beer and pizza every Sunday. It rocks.

2. We’re locking three DJs in the studio all weekend (Friday to Sundayat midnight-yikes!). No, they aren’t being punished. It’s for Operation Santa!
Operation Santa is WPGU’s way of giving back to the community. You’re going to be hearing a lot from our DJs in the next few weeks asking for donations to benefit kids in Champaign-Urbana. Let’s help give these kids some toys!

That’s it for me!
-Liz

Many times in life, things can be confusing, frightening, or even crazy. Luckily you have The Mad Hatter to put things in perspective…

Here’s 5 newly inaugurated songs to listen for this week!

Annuals - “Down the Mountain” - The new release from Raleigh, NC -based Annuals, entitled Such Fun, has a lot of people excited. This band has a lot of fun with their music, and it especially shines through in this song. “Down the Mountain” is still able to remind me of spring even as Champaign-Urbana quickly turns into tundra.

The Aliens - “Magic Man” - I’ve been a longtime fan of The (now defunct) Beta Band, and was delighted to hear that three of that band’s members are still making music as The Aliens. This song has a great beat and some even better hooks. I especially like the line, “Bake me a cake and I’ll do a handstand.”

Lisa Hannigan - “Lille” - Fans of Damien Rice will recognize this voice immediately. (Hannigan sings backing vocals on both of Rice’s albums.) This is her solo debut, and let’s just say that, from the sound of it, she needn’t be too worried about being on her own.

Also check out:
We Are Scientists - “Impatience”
Tokyo Police Club - “New New Song”

Jonesy of the Flashback Cafe here! I am your Friday correspondent for good ole WPGU. So, here is a salute to poor grammar, misspelling, and non-sequiturs. In fact, let us give salutes to the many things that have been going on and will be going around.

This week, we salute The Hathaways! They were the band of the week and their pre-recorded songs played all up and down our airwaves. Be sure to tune in tomorrow at 3PM for the live in-studio interview with them.

Also on salute, the Lemelson-Student prize! A in-studio interview spotlighted the prize, which is worth $30,000 to any student or graduate student that can show outstanding creativity or innovation. Information and applications can be located at http://30kprize.uiuc.edu/.

Our final salute for the week goes out to our good friends and neighbors, Legends! We will be over there from 5 PM to 7PM tomorrow giving away tickets to the upcoming Ohio State game which is going to be played on December 15th. Tickets will be the award for those who win the trivia contest. Trivia, beer, and tickets - that sounds like the makings of an excellent Friday evening - who knows where it’ll go from there.

Keep that dial locked on WPGU 107.1 and be sure to check out Inside WPGU for updates on what we are going to be doing all week.

- Jonesy

You, the WPGU listener, are very lucky today. In fact, I’m jealous of you. Why?

WPGU is giving away tickets to Reno 911 and Role Models!

MORE SPECIFICALLY:

Reno 911’s Carlos Alazraqui and Cedric Yarbrough will be performing a sketch comedy/improv show at Foellinger Auditorium. The show is Sunday November 9th, Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7:30pm.

There will be an advanced screening of Role Models at Beverly Cinemas this Wednesday the 5th. Also included for the winner is a cup/shotglass combo and poster from the movie, so each person that wins gets 2 VIP tickets (1 pair), 2 cups, and 2 posters.

So if any of you would like to take me with you…

Adios!
-Liz

We may have started saving daylight, but WPGU is not holding back in the rock department.

Kaiser Chiefs - “Never Miss A Beat” - This is the newest single from the Kaiser Chiefs’ latest album, Off With Their Heads. Fans of bands like Blur, The Libertines, and The Arctic Monkeys should definitely check this one out.

Ray LaMontagne - “Meg White” - This is a love song written to the rhythmic enchantress of White Stripes fame. It’s got a familiar “old-timey” feel, with some possible influences being Van Morrison or The Band. I like this one even more than the first single, “You Are the Best Thing,” but you can be the ultimate judge.

Also Check Out:

Of Montreal - “For Our Elegant Caste”
Alkaline Trio - “Calling All Skeletons”