Smashin' Transistors

There were a handful of occasions to celebrate the first week of May. Cinco de Mayo. Kentucky Derby. The Friday of that week is one of the most important holidays for many people from my homeland. Yes, I am talking about Michigan. And, yes, I am talking about the birth of Rockin' Robert Seger, born 177 years ago on May 6th. It's not an official holiday in the state but let's put it this way. If you are in a crowd of people and something like Katmandu comes on and you don't let out a giant Woo! or Yeah!, the crowd will look at you like you are some sort of malcontent and most likely an apostate of the Mitten State.  What you'll hear: Kim Weston – Soul On Fire Tha Retail Simps – Summertime The Neckbones – Eyeful The Drin – Move To Extinction -words from your host- Mr. and The Mrs. – Fukkkopps Loop – Isochrone Henry Flynt and the Insurrections – Go Down The Pinstripes – Fish On Land -words from your host- The Crawlies – Get On Down Sundog Summit – Whiskey Woman Jeremy Scott – Your Ice Cream’s Gonna Melt One Da

"Still on this side of the daisies" is now my new favorite response when asked how the day is going. Not sure if it's an actual southern colloquialism but a sassy Chapel Hill lady well into her eighth decade of living said that to me recently when I asked her such a question.   I found it quite poetic. What you'll hear: Waylon Jennings – Stop The World (and Let Me Off) Julie Doiron – Et Mom Amour Nick Lowe – Mary Provost Jeremy Scott- What Am I Talking About -words from your host- Headkicker – The Law The Drin – For The Tsarina Ify Jerry Krusade – Everybody Like Something Good  The Crawlies – Way It Goes -words from your host- Toe Ring – Staring At The Sun Spiritualized – The Mainliner Song Print Head – Slippin’ ADULT. – Fools (We Are) -words from your host- Star Party – Shot Down Mudhoney – You Got It Reaper’s Gong – Bed Of Mutilation Jon Spencer and the Hit Makers – Junk Man -words from your host- Tha Retail Simps – 25 Step Program Sonic Chicken 4 – Shalalalove Lifters – Stop Holding On to Me The New Li

Except it's not really gold in color. It's more of a weird bright yet sickly yellow. And it falls from the skies before doing the things it does in the earth.    The seed plants of the US southeast have started have gone all on their yearly horndog already. Time to open the windows up to let the air in but only for a very short time. The gymnosperms don't give a damn where the goops of reproduction land. If you landed on this post through googlin' The Pollening, I guess it shows some of my SEO tools are still sharp. Now just don't go up hoarding the facial tissues for yourself, ok? What you'll hear:  XTC – Beattown Hue Blanc’s Joyless Ones – Winter Palace Gino and the Goons – I’m Your Man Tha Retail Simps – Rock n’ Roll -words from your host- Air Vent Dweller – Heat Wave Minor Threat – Screaming At The Wall Crash The Superyacht – Like A Rash The Statics – Can’t Get Enough -words from your host- Green/Blue – Bad Looks Zurich Cloud Motors – ‘56 Chevelle Kalemaris - Frk. Arm & Dr. Konto Hélène Barbier –

Here it is a new year. It's been since last year that Smashin' Transistors sent out a broadcast transmission. The work/life/the record company thang/world in general imposed exile is over. Never had any PTO available to use for it anyhow so I knew I'd be back. Just took a bit What you'll hear: Teenage Boatpeople – My Friends Know Too Much The Notwist – Exit Strategy To Myself Gentleman Jesse – Compass Bat Fangs – Talk Tough -words from your host- Lappen – Nachtschweiß Rearranged Face – Menaced Assassin Ivy Green – I’m Your Television Power Supply – Let’s Do This and Let’s Do That -words from your host- The Mary Veils – Rowhome The Cowboy – Galaxy Jam Honey Radar – Sunrise Alphabet Smirk - Step -words from your host- M.A.Z.E. – Her Smile Is Fake Dom and the Wizards – Outlaws and the Cops MARV – Con Moto Brute Spring – Into Ribbons -words from your host- Helene Barbier – Unbolted Cover R.L. Crutchfield’s Dark Day - Hands In The Dark 208 – Red Cat Dale Hawkins – Tornado     We glady accept tips! Get even mo

We got our Thanksgiving turkey a week or so ago. Kept it in the freezer until last night. For those who may know, the Smashin' Transistors digs share space with the Mr. Ripperpotamus; the figurehead of Bancroft Records. If there is one thing that dude obsesses over, it is turkey. Every time we go to the kitchen, he reminds us that there is a turkey defrost in the fridge. Tomorrow, he will set of camp in that very kitchen and remind us every ten minutes that there is a turkey cooking in the oven. We will not get any peace until some slivers of it are in his belly. Then he will sleep for ten hours. Barry Jones – Turkey Walk  Rearranged Face – Lonely Elevator  Les Fille de Illighadad – Innsegh Innsegh  The Byrds – What’s Happening  -words from your host-  Heavenly Blue – Shoplifter  The Pops – Heart Attack  The Control Freaks – Don’t Trust  Print Head – Sick  -words from your host-  Rat Columns – It’s Your Time (To Suffer)  Lil Ugly Mane – Benadryl Submarine  Sweeping Promises – Out Again  Power Supply – I

There were a couple of super duper lottery jackpots recently. I admit to throwing a couple of bucks down here and there on the "big ones" a time of two a month. I kinda got outta hand this October as I drop a total ten bucks over the month on playing the numbers.  I'd rather be not out of the ten bucks but what's two bucks a shot on a dream, right?  Often on time or two a week I am at the Circle K down the road from my house, I end up being behind a lady in her eighties who likes to read off her numbers to who is ever behind the counter. Since we seem to be in the store at the same time, we've come to this agreement. She knows I am on my way to work, so she often lets me go in front of her so I can be on my way.   I was behind her the other day and she turned to me, waving a 3x5in spiral notebooks and looking into my eyes. "Do you know what this is?" "You keep notes in it, right?" "Yes." she darted back in a much exasperated tone. "What kind of notebook?"   "A dream book?"   I've seen my share of them. M

I'll admit it, I've read a lot of poetry ever the years. Don't quiz me on of it though as it was years ago. Either way, your rock trivia fact for this episode of the Smashin' Transistors podcast is Bryan Ferry cops a line from Dorothy Parker's Resume in All I Want Is You.   Also in this episode you'll hear me say that Michael Beach's Dream Violence album came out on Goner in early 2001, It didn't. It came out early this year.    Vicious Visions - Beat You Fashion Pimps and the Glamazons – Jazz For Johnny Speed Stick – Knots Heavy Metal – Walking The Dog -words from your host- The Lipschitz – Computer Sun Michael Beach – Curtain Of Night Jason Eddie & the Centermen – Singin’ The Blues Smart Shoppers – Strange Vehicles -words from your host- Virvon Varvon – Allergies Midnight Steppers – Bleak Disco Blondie – Union City Blue Leopardo – Hardship -words from your host- Digital Leather – So Warm  Roxy Music – Thrill Of It All Fotomatic – Bipolarity Zurich Cloud Motors – Floorboard Occult -words from your host

After well over a year, the pool in my complex finally reopened about a month back. I sing the title of this episode of Smashin' Transistors to the tune of Kate Bush's Hounds Of Love every time I amble down to it. The pool is where I've been spending a lot of my limited free time since. I attempted to work on this episode a few times poolside but someone would always ask me if I was recording a podcast. And is a true-crime podcast. "Maybe true crimes against music" I've replied winkingly. I also told someone I am doing a podcast where I am breaking down the Monkees Pool It album, dedicating an episode to every song on the album. But that would mean I'd have to listen to the whole album. I heard it enough at a place I was working when it came out. The people in charge of the stereo were really into that and Aerosmith's Permanent Vacation. I lived my true crimes against music already, man! The thing is though, I am hanging out at the pool to be in the pool. Y'know, being like Mick Jagger in the jam Summer

Starting the next dance craze is not an easy task. I looked into it and studied all the angles. My spirit got broken though after many friends pointed out that though my intentions of making one happen may be pure, eventually, the line dance crowd would appropriate it.   "Wait. People still line dance?" "Yes," I was informed. "And now they do it to Kid Rock." That killed whatever idea I had for trying to get a new dance craze starting right then and there. What You'll Hear: The Split Ends – Rich With Nothing  Body Shop – Elevator  Fire Engines – Everything’s Roses  Nick & the Nod – Com ID  -words from your host-  Mini Skirt – With Your Hands  Toby King – Itch & Scratch  Tin Foil – Power Pointer  Can Kicker – Desire  -words from your host-  Leopardo – Tell Me  Bangzz – Love  Dream Syndicate – Some Kinda Itch  Blowers – Exterminate  -words from your host- Chemical Bank - The Inconsistent  Isaiah Owens – If It Wasn’t For The Lord  Red Krayola – Green Of My Pants  The Scientists – Naysayer  -words f

If a craft brewery run by hardcore Springsteen enthusiasts, you know they make an IPA called Dankness On The Edge of Town. The bigger question though is if they're torn between naming their Mexican lager Rosalita or saving it for the Sangria flavored hard cider they are working on.    Are they thinking of making a sour called Gose It All Night?    During the Christmas season, would you be game to try their peppermint stout called Candy's Room?    Also, if they brew one called JungleLambic are the raspberries REALLY were grown underneath that giant Exxon sign that brings this fair city light? What you'll hear Let’s Active – Ornamental Kneeling In Piss – I Love My Echo Chamber Fun Time Objects – Bug Eyed Mary Bell – Some Friendships Are Meant To End -words from your host- Worm Reducer – The One To Me Mononegatives – Today’s Adult Country Teasers – Mosquito Hue Blanc’s Joyless Ones – With All Due Respect -words from your host- Christopher Alan Durham – Gratiot Crawl Stereolab – Stomach Worm Mdou Moctar – Taliat

One summer weekend in northern Michigan years ago, I ate breakfast at a Bob Seger themed diner. Pretty much just a few Seger album covers framed and on the wall and an autographed photo signed by Alto Reed. The menu items did not have any Seeg related puns. Just regular breakfast item names.  They missed the boat on not naming something Kat-ham-du. What you'll hear. Gaunt – Insangel  Zurich Cloud Motors – Trails Of No Return  Giant Sand – Searchlight  Midnight Steppers – Diamonds On The Golden Road To Hell  -words from your host-  The Sueves – Mop Bucket  Daughter Bat and the Lip Strings – No Excuse For You  Spiritual Mafia – Hybrid Animal  Red Asphalt – Phone Call From God  -words from your host-  Mononegatives – Trauma  Cabaret Voltaire – The Set Up  Delilah Holliday – Feel  JSBX – Lovin’ Machine  -words from your host-  Collate – Genesis Fatigue  Nick & the Nod – New Content  Piranhas - Blinking Light  Germ House – Final Touches  -words from your host-  Reigning Sound – A Little More Time  Smirk – Vi

I have not worked in a retail setting in over twenty years. I kept good with continuing out of it. Well, until late 2020 that is. Not by choice and hopefully it is just temporary but bills gotta get paid, y'know. I forgot how churlish the general public can be. The pandemic seems to make the off-their-rocker types get even more cross.  Compulsive Gamblers – Bad Taste  Hue Blanc’s Joyless Ones – Burn To Run  Califone – Wade In The Water  Lewsberg – Through The Garden  -words from your host-  TJ Cabot and thee Artificial Rejects – On Off  Smirk – Eyes Conversing  Purrses – Wrong Tide  Church Mice – Babe, We’re Not A Part of Society  -words from your host-  Bobby Would – So To Say  Savoy Motel – Smooth Operator  Frank and the Hurricanes – I See A Ghost  Celebrity Handshake – Civilized People  -words from your host-  Penza Penza – Why Do We Care About Anything  Sex Tide – Medical Board  Psychedelic Furs – Mr. Jones  Iceage – Vendetta  -words from your host-  M.A.Z.E. – Psycho Eyes  Warm Exit – Crocodile In My

"A head fulla dust." Such a line has been a lyrical adumbration since at least the early 20th century. Though they aren't most likely talking about pollen, that such yellow dust is into its yearly ubiquitous showing. It's a way of life. Literally really. Trees, bees and everything that flowers. Things required to breathe and eat. Keeping hankies handy. The Gordons – Right On Time  Tin Foil – Loiter  GG King – Epoch Rock  Teenage Head – Picture my Face  -words from your host-  Chris Brokaw – Periscope Kids  Zurich Cloud Motors – Worry About the Hubcaps Later  The Bassholes – Born To Die  Tizzi – All Day I Work For Little Money  -words from your host-  The Stools – Half Track Mind  Patois Counselors – Let Beauty Be  Section 25 – Girls Don’t Count  Bumbo's Tinto Brass Band – Chewing Mom’s Blouse  -words from your host-  Gen Pop – My Apartment  Midnight Steppers – Lost In Dust  Smirk – Blind  TV Freaks – Capital Eye  -words from your host-  TOADS – Another Year  Spiritual Mafia – Smiles  Purrses – Hey Girl!  the

There was a spell there towards the end of the last century, that if you wanted to prove how punk rock your attitude was, you would suffix whatever the name of the project was with a "'77." It quickly became a running joke with some friends I hung out with. Taco Bell '77. Camel Lights '77. I'll be there around seven '77. I don't get paid til Friday '77 and so on.  It cracked us up for a couple months.  It was not a running joke with everyone I hung out with though. One evening, I was hanging out with some other group of friends. They were starting a band and were looking for a name.  "Dude! You should call yourself Apostrophe 77!" I blurted out. From the looks on their faces, you could tell they thought it was brilliant. "Yes, that's perfect. That's when punk rock really started. If people see our name on a flier, they'll know we play punk rock!" "Yeah, that the joke, man. It lets people know you are (air quotes) PUNK FREAKIN' ROCK, BRO!" "So, wait," one of them said in a puzzled tone "You weren't serio

Recently, the guy I worked with showed up in the shop with a wool cap on. Coming through the door he said "I tell ya, man. It sure was cold enough to get the toboggan out. I thought I misplaced it." "The snow has already melted. What good is a toboggan without it?" I asked. He looked at me like I was loony. "For the cold, man!" After a few hours of mental images of the ol' rock dog having the time of his life shooting down hills on a big wooden sled, I realized he was talking about his hat. You (and me) may know it as a toque. What you'll hear: Ian & Sylvia – You Were On My Mind Honey Radar – United Fox Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Radio Waves Gen Pop – Bright Light People -words from your host- TOADS – Not A Life Obnox – Cut Me A Switch Monoshock – Model Citizen (Nitroglycerine)  Savoy Motel – Crossword Puzzle -words from your host- Patois Counselors – Probably No One Chronophage – Destiny Falls MARV – Stingray The Cowboys – Saintlike Said -words from your host- Itchy Self –Playing MTV Jessie

No diamonds for number seventy five. In this year, it not even Cubic Zirconia. It might even be Moissanite.  Some solid sounds though. What you'll hear:  Eric’s Trip – Daylight Kaleidoscope – Deaths of Despair Penza Penza – Wunder City David Nance – This Side Of The Moon -words from your host- Quintron and Miss Pussycat -You Make It Weird Twinkeyz - Sweet Nothing Gen Pop – Pixel Glow Exploding Flowers – Far, But Never Gone -words from your host- Hank Wood and the Hammerheads – Strangers Lamps – Chest Mud City Manglers – One Of These Days Stonewall – Outer Spaced -words from your host- Patois Counselors – Give Me Voltage Lavender Flu – Romelas Guardian Singles – Midnight Swim Itchy Self – Reprobate -words from your host- The Smarts – Golden Arches Don Cherry – Degi Degi ADULT. – Human Wreck Shadows Of Knight – I’ll Make You Sorry -words from your host-    Get even more Smashin' Transistors action at  Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram

Like all thing this year, Halloween is pretty much canceled. No Butterfingers. No Baby Ruth's. No Snickers. No good candy at all. Yeah, 2020 is like going to every door and getting a nickel or a Brach's Candy Corn Treat Pack. What you’ll hear Yvonne Fair – Say Yeah Yeah Cherry Cheeks – No Ticket Oh Sees – Toadstool Pussy Cat – La la lu -words from your host- Brandy – Text Home Wire – Fly In The Ointment Zurich Cloud Motors – For The Beyond Horribly Wrong – The Living Nightmare -words from your host- The Stroppies – Sad Sorry Soul Nick Allison and the Player’s Lounge – Move Along The Pastels – Crawl Babies Era Bleak – Era Bleak -words from your host- Shark Toys – Black The Toeheads – Jane Doe #59 Public Eye – The Door Is Always Closed Henry Fiat’s Open Sore – I Don't Know -words from your host- Optic Sink – Dumb Luck CCR Headcleaner – Sweets Satanic Togas - Panic Room The Freeze - Halloween Night -words from your host-

Smashin' Transistors radio play of the foklore favorite Will-o'-the-wisp will not be heard tonight. In it's place, we present you this special program. Tompall Glaser – Pass Me By No Age – Turned To String Brigid Dawson & the Mothers Network – The Fool Hobocop – Walking Around Stoned -words from your host- Sweeping Promises – Cross Me Out Fun Time Objects – Autocratic Generator The Stroppies – Holes In Everything CCR Headcleaner - Oxygen -words from your host- Brick Head – Fed Up T. Rex – The Slider MARV – Unruly Garden Obnox – Avalanche Grave -words from your host- The Cowboy – Jellyroll Violent Change – Dreary Example The Leather Nun – Jesus Came Driving Dame – Cicadas -words from your host- Fertile Scum – Life in Dirt Satanic Togas – Customer Service SPK – Contact The Calico Wall – I’m The Living Sickness -words from your host-  

Did we even have a summer? No gatherings in backyards or beaches. No beer in garages in with pals. The days turn to gold. They grow few. What you'll hear: Girls At Our Best – Getting Nowhere Fast  Flat Worms – Market Forces  Krystian Quint – Rain  Photogenic – Destroyer  -words from your host-  The Dirts – Going Nowhere  The Charles – Motorcycle  Protomartyr – Modern Business Hymns  Loop – Torched  -words from your host-  Lifters – Bird Island Summer Girls  The Hunches - Your Sick Blooms  Thomas Leer & Robert Rental – Day Breaks, Night Heals  Paik – Strange Familiar  -words from your host-  Moving Objects – I Wanna Be Your Man  X - Lipstick  Devil Town – Rumble  Honey Bucket – Furniture Days  -words from your host-  Sweeping Promises – Falling Forward  Home Blitz – Final Decay  Mudhoney – Good Enough  Creedence Clearwater Revival - Potterville  -words from your host-   Tips are always appreciated. Especially in the currently job hunting times.   Become a Patron! Get even more Smashin' Transistors ac

In the wilds of Michigan’s Thumb, the sounds of the night bugs were mostly crickets. In my new surroundings of North Carolina’s Triangle, there are crickets as well but also many katydids. And for an added attraction right now, we got the cicadas too.  There are a lot of trees surround the digs I dwell. Hearing all of the night bugs going on at once here is a three drone band bill where they are doing some sort of concept set about spaceships landing in a lush green forest. Though I did not record this episode outside to capture some of those sounds, I seriously did consider it. Perhaps I even will some time down the road. What you’ll hear: Jefferson Airplane- Greasy Heart Obnox – Return Fire Medium Medium – Further Than Funk Dream PR Shake – Dust -words from your host- Personality Cult - Weigh Down The Zone V – I Cannot Lie Hobocop – Home Connect Celebrity Handshake – Don’t Wanna Talk About It -words from your host- Sonic Boom – Things Like This (A Little Bit Deeper) Clock DVA – White Cell Cool G