Pirate Cat Radio chief executive Monkey - he changed his name legally several years ago, when he was running for mayor of Hollywood - is standing behind the counter of the Mission District coffee shop that houses his radio station. Behind the glass window into the studio, DJ Stoo Odom conducts a phone interview with drummer Don Bolles of the Germs, who sounds as if he's hitting a bong while he talks on the radio.

Into the otherwise empty cafe walks guitarist James Lucas, an enthusiastic Pirate Cat listener with a fresh demo by his band, Wicked Mercies. Monkey looks over the package, which includes a color photo of three women, presumably members of the band.

"What are you guys doing tonight between 8 and 10 o'clock?" Monkey asks. "I've got nothing scheduled. You want to bring your instruments down and play live on the air?"

"I've got an eight-piece band," the guitarist says, looking worried. "I might be able to get four of them."

Monkey tells him to check it out and scratches down his phone number on a cocktail napkin ("My letterhead," he says). A half hour later, the guitarist phones to say he has the band lined up.