The Daily Wire: Unsound Sounds

Where would Weird Al be without him?

From the flawlessly-cut gems of Tom Lehrer to "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer," the novelty song has a long and (to say the least) checkered history, but the unarguable high priest of the genre is radio host Dr. Demento, spinning comedy records via syndication since 1974. But that�s just his secret superhero identity--in real life, he�s Barry Hansen, free speech advocate. In a talk sponsored by the ACLU, he�ll discuss the ways radio programming has become a battleground between the First Amendment and FCC regulations. And he�s promised to bring some of the best/worst hits from his collection. Kane Hall, UW campus, www.brownpapertickets.com. $25. 3 p.m. GAVIN BORCHERT