WSND DJ set list: Manic Monday – June 23, 2025

Thanks to all who listened to my latest all-1980s show, “Manic Monday,” on WSND. Here’s the set list:

  1. Missing Persons – Words (1982) (requested)
  2. A Flock of Seagulls – Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You) (1983) (requested)
  3. Falco – Rock Me Amadeus (12″ Salieri version) (1985)
  4. Duran Duran – Union of the Snake (1983)
  5. Elton John – Paris (1986) (requested)
  6. The Go-Gos – Fading Fast (1981)
  7. Belinda Carlisle – Mad About You (1986)
  8. Men without Hats – Safety Dance (1982) (requested)
  9. Toto – I’ll Be Over You (1986) (requested)
  10. Electric Light Orchestra – All Over the World (1980)
  11. The Human League – The Things that Dreams Are Made Of (1981)
  12. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’ (1981)
  13. Phil Collins – Against All Odds (1984)
  14. Claudio Simonetti – Demon (1985)
  15. The Gap Band – Big Fun (1986)
  16. Rick James – Give It to Me Baby (12″ version) (1981)
  17. Patti Labelle – New Attitude (1984)
  18. Animotion – Obsession (extended version) (1984)
  19. New Edition – Lost in Love (1984)
  20. Shannon – Do You Wanna Get Away (1985)
  21. Don Henley – All She Wants to Do Is Dance (1984)
  22. Bruce Springsteen – I’m on Fire (live) (1985)
  23. Boy Meets Girl – Oh Boy (1985)
  24. Atlantic Starr – Freak-a-Ristic (1985)
  25. Luther Vandross – ‘Til My Baby Comes Home (1985)
  26. Alison Moyet – Invisible (1984)
  27. Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Relax (12″ mix) (1984)
  28. Blue Öyster Cult – Shadow Warrior (1985) (requested)
  29. George Thorogood & The Destroyers – Who Do You Love? (live) (1980) (requested)
  30. The Rolling Stones – Emotional Rescue (1980)
  31. Rod Stewart – Love Touch (1986)
  32. Jesus and Mary Chain – Taste of Cindy (1985)
  33. The Psychedelic Furs – Wedding Song (1980)
  34. Alastair Riddell – Zero (1982)
  35. The Cure – Catch (1987)
  36. Fleetwood Mac – Hold Me (1982)

Manic Monday returns July 07th!

Keep your mind open.

Rewind Review: Pixel Grip – Arena (2021)

Just as we were starting to come out of the pandemic, Chicago’s Pixel Grip emerged from the weird state we were all in and gave us Arena – a wild record of dark wave, cold wave, techno, industrial grind, noise rock, and music designed to get us back into the groove of partying and screwing.

I mean, the album opens with throbbing bass and a song called “ALPHAPUSSY.” It’s a hot industrial track that grabs you by the throat (and crotch) and doesn’t let go for over three minutes. It picks up where Lords of Acid‘s “Pussy” left off. “Club Mania” thumps and bumps to keep the dance floor jumping. “Snap your neck, just to watch me walk up in the place,” says singer Rita Lukea – taking command of the club and your eardrums. “Take a break like a Kit-Kat candy bar,” she advises. You should probably take her up on it.

“Ruby” slides into sultry and spooky sounds, setting up perhaps a sexy liaison or a deadly encounter – your choice. The rolling synths (courtesy of Jonathan Freund and Tyler Ommen) of “Pursuit” sound great, and “Play Noble” is a neat switch for the band – briefly dabbling with electro-pop that mixes with dark synths in a cool combination as Lukea suggests, “Let’s stay up ’til the morning. This is your moment.” I hope you’re hydrated, not only for that invitation, but also for the following track, “Demon Chaser” (with guest vocals from MONĀE), which is nothing short of a hot, pulsing make-out track.

Just go ahead and put “Dancing on Your Grave” on both your Halloween and bedroom playlists. You’ll thank me and Pixel Grip later. The growling sound of it is like a panther circling you in the parking lot of a strip club while a murder of crows watches from the roof.

“Alibi” is brighter than most of the album’s tracks, and is a nice change because it shows off Lukea’s voice and how she can easily switch to lovely electro pop vocal stylings with seemingly no effort. They almost go full-synthwave on the closing track, “Double Vision,” which is another good showcase for Lukea’s voice and gives Freund and Ommen a great chance to show their love of Giorgio Moroder.

This whole record is dynamite. Get into this arena as soon as you can. You’ll like it there.

Keep your mind open.

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WSND DJ set list: Manic Monday – June 16, 2025

Thanks to everyone who listened and chimed in with requests for my latest all-80s music Manic Monday show on WSND. Here’s the set list:

  1. David Bowie – Blue Jean (1984)
  2. The Smithereens – Beauty and Sadness (1983)
  3. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time (1984)
  4. Kajagoogoo – Too Shy (Midnight mix) (1982)
  5. Hall & Oates – Out of Touch (1984) (requested)
  6. The Cars – Drive (1984) (requested)
  7. Bruce Springsteen – I’m on Fire (1984)
  8. Toto – Rosanna (1982)
  9. Michael Jackson – Human Nature (1982)
  10. Chicago – Waiting for You to Decide (1982)
  11. The Tubes – Talk to Ya Later (1981)
  12. Madonna – Crazy for You (1985)
  13. Christine McVie – Got a Hold on Me (1984) (requested)
  14. Stevie Nicks – Bella Donna (1981)
  15. Animotion – Obsession (1984)
  16. Bauhaus – Telegram Sam (1980)
  17. Duran Duran – New Moon on Monday (extended version) (1983)
  18. Christopher Cross – A Chance for Heaven (1984)
  19. Shannon – Give Me Tonight (1984)
  20. Laid Back – White Horse (1983)
  21. Red Rider – Young Thing, Wild Dreams (1984)
  22. Queen – I Want to Break Free (1984)
  23. Timmy Thomas – Gotta Give a Little Love (1984)
  24. Kim Carnes – I Pretend (1983)
  25. Tracy Ullman – They Don’t Know About Us (1983)
  26. Cameo – She’s Strange (1984)
  27. Culture Club – Miss Me Blind (1983)
  28. Queen – A Kind of Magic (live) (1986) (requested)
  29. René & Angela – I’ll Be Good (12″ mix) (1985)
  30. Echo & The Bunnymen (1984) (requested)
  31. Xmal Deutschland – Großsstadindianer (1981)
  32. Little Toni Marsh – Video Burnout (1983)
  33. The D.O.C. – It’s Funky Enough (1989)
  34. The Smiths – There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (1986)
  35. Killing Joke – Eighties (1984)
  36. The Alarm – The Stand (1981)
  37. Circle Jerks – Operation (1980)
  38. Red Alert – In Britain (1982)
  39. Oingo Boingo (1987)
  40. Missing Persons – Words (1982) (requested)

I’m back on June 23rd for another three hours of 1980s music. Don’t miss it!

Keep your mind open.

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Rewind Review: Mdou Moctar – Funeral for Justice (2024)

Mdou Moctar‘s most recent album, Funeral for Justice, was recorded after two years of touring with his band, hearing music from all over the world, and seeing injustices across the world. This all lit a fire under the band, resulting in a record that’s a mixture of Tuareg rock, psychedelia, and punk rage.

The opening title track wastes no time, bringing in Thin Lizzy-heavy riffs and then snappy, sizzling drums. “Imouhar” crushes on all levels. Moctar’s guitar burns hotter than the fires on the album’s cover, and his three-piece band is so locked in that even the Incredible Hulk couldn’t shake them loose. “Takoba” is excellent Tuareg desert-psych with percussion made for long walks across hot dunes.

Speaking of hot things, the opening guitar on “Sousoume Tamacheq” is like a flare going off to signal danger ahead. “Imajighen” pumps the brakes a bit, but still keeps you rolling at a smooth pace as a warm breeze moves over you. The vocals on “Tchinta,” particularly on the chorus, seem like praise, but might be cries of injustice (considering the theme of the album). Moctar’s closing solo on it is stunning.

“Oh France” has some of the wildest drumming on the record. It sounds like it’s being played by two people in a giant cavern with a secret temple in it. The album ends with the mind-altering “Modern Slaves,” a song about how slavery, somehow, still exists in this world and how many of us willingly become slaves to multiple masters.

Funeral for Justice feels like Moctar’s fiercest album to date. Use with caution. It might set your house on fire.

Keep your mind open.

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WSND DJ set list: Deep Dive of Waylon Jennings

Thanks to everyone who tuned in for my Deep Dive of Waylon Jennings on WSND. Here’s the set list:

  1. Waylon Jennings – The Dukes of Hazzard theme (Good Ol’ Boys)
  2. Bob Wills & His Texas Cowboys – Ida Red (live)
  3. Floyd Tillman – I Love You So Much It Hurts
  4. Ernest Tubb – Thanks a Lot
  5. Hank Williams – Lost Highway
  6. Carl Smith – If Teardrops Were Pennies
  7. Dean Martin – Ain’t That a Kick in the Head
  8. Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling in Love with You
  9. Carl Smith – Hey Joe
  10. Waylon Jennings, Buddy Holly, & King Curtis – Jole Blon (live)
  11. Buddy Holly – You’re the One
  12. Waylon Jennings – The Stage (Stars in Heaven)
  13. Waylon Jennings – Take Me Home (live) (requested)
  14. Waylon Jennings – Another Blue Day
  15. Don Bowman – The World’s Worst Guitar Picker
  16. Herb Alpert – Spanish Flea
  17. Waylon Jennings – Love Denied
  18. Waylon Jennings – Just to Satisfy You
  19. Patsy Montana – Cowboy’s Sweetheart
  20. Bobby Bare – Detroit City
  21. Chet Atkins and Dolly Parton – Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?
  22. Waylon Jennings – That’s the Chance I’ll Have to Take
  23. Waylon Jennings – Anita, You’re Dreaming
  24. Gordon Lightfoot – For Lovin’ Me
  25. Waylon Jennings – Norwegian Wood
  26. Waylon Jennings – Only Daddy That Will Walk the Line (live)
  27. Waylon Jennings and The Kimberlys – MacArthur Park
  28. Johnny Cash – Big River (live)
  29. Waylon Jennings – Ladies Love Outlaws
  30. Waylon Jennings – Gone to Denver
  31. Waylon Jennings – You Ask Me To
  32. Waylon Jennings – This Time (live)
  33. Waylon Jennings – Bob Wills Is Still the King (live)
  34. Waylon Jennings – Can’t You See
  35. Jessi Colter – I’m Looking for Blue Eyes
  36. Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson – Luckenbach, Texas (live)
  37. Waylon Jennings – Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit’s Done Got Out of Hand?
  38. Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson – Don’t Cuss the Fiddle
  39. Waylon Jennings – Working without a Net
  40. Waylon Jennings – Wrong
  41. Waylon Jennings and The Sesame Street Cast – There Ain’t No Road Too Long
  42. Waylon Jennings – Cowboy Movies
  43. Waylon Jennings – Wastin’ Time
  44. The Old Dogs – Rough on the Livin’
  45. Waylon Jennings – Waymores Blues / Shine (live)
  46. Waylon Jennings – Trouble Man (live)

Come back on June 22nd for a Deep Dive of Sly Stone!

Keep your mind open.

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Pearly Drops release “Ratgirl” from their upcoming third album.

Credit: Maria Kulina & Juuso Malin

Pearly Drops found their footing in an eclectic corner of the Finnish underground, going on to become rising stars in the global indie-electronic circuit. The forward-thinking duo of Sandra Tervonen and Juuso Malin has worked with artists including Nourished By Time and Vitesse X, in addition to receiving a Teosto Prize. Today, Pearly Drops announce their upcoming full-length The Voices Are Coming Back, which is out August 29, 2025 on Music Website. The album was conceived in Los Angeles through 2023-2024, draws inspiration from time spent during their travels in the “land of opportunity” and serves as a work of autofiction, a surreal, emotionally charged descent through an imagined Los Angeles, filtered through dream logic and internal chaos. Pearly Drops has also shared the single “Ratgirl,” which fully conveys the album’s shape-shifting surrealism. Lyrics about crawling through the walls as a rat tap into Lynchian mysticism, while grappling with themes of the Hollywood fantasy and surreal disillusionment. Supported by a propulsive, electro clash instrumental, “Ratgirl” embodies the sun-soaked weirdness at the heard of The Voices Are Coming Back.

On the track, Pearly Drops share: “‘Ratgirl,’ like the previous single ‘Mermaid,’ drifts further down Talmadge Street, now submerged in a feverish and uncanny night. With a full-on fantasy imagery and certain abruptness — ‘Ratgirl’ is like the weirdest scene in a David Lynch movie. Within this hallucination, becoming a rat crawling through the walls of a luxury Airbnb in Silver Lake feels less like a metaphor and more like a calling. 

“In the realm of the real world, ‘Ratgirl’ may be our first work that leans more towards Dance music, fragmentarily attempting to recall the New Rave and Electroclash of the early millennium. As always, Pearly Drops’ Indie Disco most likely feels more tailor-made for the record bag of an imaginary DJ. Think of a foggy, empty and dirty club with a strobe light tearing through the dark—kind of eerie, kind of intense. That’s the feeling we wanted to bring into the music video.“

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Andi at Terrorbird Media.]

Review: Paddang – Lost in Lizardland

Imagine you’re in a bleak future where you’re unsure of the loyalties of those around you, as they might be allied with beings intent on your surrender and supplication. Wait…are we already in this place?

Toulouse, France’s Paddang certainly thinks so, as their new album, Lost in Lizardland, is a cautionary tale of sinister forces out to enslave and / or destroy us. The three-man band of Thomas Boquel (guitar and vocals), Rémi Fournier (drums and vocals), and Guirec Petton (bass, synths, and vocals) unleash a wild mix of cosmic rock, psychedelia, and punk chaos to warn us of not just things to come, but also things happening in real time.

“The End of Hanoumane” (an altering of “The End of Humanity?”) is an interesting start, because the “end song” is a setup for an epic journey ahead of us. “Pressure” reminds you of Osees grooves mixed with King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard trippy tracks. Heck, “Draconite” even mentions an “altered beast” as the world of our story begins to unravel and reptilian beasts emerge. The slight Middle Eastern touches on Boquel’s guitar are sharp.

“Predator” has the beasts chasing after all of us…or maybe not. “Are they monsters, or are they true? Are they like me, are they like you? Shall we resist or surrender? Brothers, I wish we never become predator(s).” “Lizardland” is about waking up in a world that sort of looks like yours, but you feel something isn’t quite right or know everything is wrong. The breakdown for the outro is great.

“Moros Journey” is the tale of the album’s heroine, Moros, as she tries to navigate the crazy Lizardland world, avoid beasts, and figure just what the hell is happening…and if the golden city she saw in a dream is a real safe haven or a fantasy. It’s a fun, fast track that stomps the gas pedal for the rest of the album. “The Astral Flood” is the album’s heaviest psychedelic track, with lyrics about floating into another plane of existence and the album ends with “Agartha” – a song about finding “energies I can’t ignore, something hidden at the core” (of humanity? Of ourselves? Of the universe? It’s probably all three.). It has plenty of fuzz and fast beats, but there’s a fun pop-rock groove to it you can’t deny.

It’s a wild record, and, I suspect, one that needs to be heard live whenever possible. Get lost in this. You’ll come out of it a bit different.

Gardez l’esprit ouvert.

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[Merci à Angie à NRV!]

Rewind Review: Elephant Stone – Back into the Dream (2024)

I’m late to Elephant Stone‘s last album, Back into the Dream, but they’re certainly not late to their always sharp psychedelic grooves and uplifting lyrics on it.

Robbie MacArthur‘s guitar work on opening track “Lost in a Dream” is outstanding, reaching shining heights above sparkling clouds at some points as even shinier synths bounce like sunlight off a warm lake. “The Spark” features more great guitar work, and “Going Underground” has hints of the band’s love of The Rolling Stones (check out that drum beat by Miles Dupire-Gagnon), with Jason Kent‘s Hammond organ taking a full step forward on the track.

“History Repeating” is almost a shoegaze track with those background guitars and Rishi Dhir‘s smooth bass line throughout it, and “bae” is a shoegaze track with its distorted vocals and enough layers of reverb to make a birthday cake for Roky Erickson. If that track doesn’t take you out of your body, then “Godstar” will as Dhir’s sitar and Shawn Mativetsky‘s tabla pretty much levitate your speakers off the floor, desk, or car doors.

“The Imajinary, Nameless Everybody in the World” is the kind of song that only Elephant Stone can seem to pull off – psychedelic, spiritual, lovely, rocking, and multi-layered without coming off as noodling or tying to force some kind of sound or reaction. It starts off almost meditative and then floats into cosmic jam territory. It’s the rightful centerpiece of the album and is over seven minutes of psych-bliss (and check out that Adam Kinner sax solo!).

“Pilgrimage” is another lovely one, with the band’s synths, piano, and saxophone putting down perfect sounds for a late night trip that’s taking you to a sunrise you’ve wanted to see for quite some time. “On Our Own” has the band embracing their admitted love of The Beatles, and album closes with the soft, short, subtle “Another Year Gone” as Dhir reminisces about past prophets, past choices, past loves, and future joys and mysteries to come.

Elephant Stone have another gem in their catalog with Back into the Dream. It’s both another fun record for us long-time fans and a good entry point if you’re new to them. Sit back and enjoy it.

Keep your mind open.

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Rewind Review: Mavis Staples – Only for the Lonely (1970)

Mavis Staples‘ second solo album, Only for the Lonely, is a heartfelt, heartbreaking, and heart-lifting record, with the songs expressing a lot of emotions and moments Staples was living through at the time.

“I Have Learned to Do Without You,” with its slow-dance guitar and drums and soulful string arrangements, automatically lets you know this album is going to be full of songs to which anyone who’s been through heartbreak can relate. Staples sings, “I got over you!”, but you’re not sure if that’s 100% accurate. “How much water can you pour in a boat before that boat begins to sink?” Staples asks on “How Many Times” – in which her exasperation with a lover comes through in every note.

She finds better times on “Endlessly,” as she sings, “You were made for my arms to surround.” to a lover to whom she’ll be “as faithful as the sunrise.” The horn section on “You’re the Fool” is a great backup to Staples’ powerful and soulful voice. On “Since I Fell for You,” her gospel vocal training shines and makes you pay attention.

“What Happened to the Real Me” is a powerful anthem for jilted lovers everywhere, with Staples’ backing band putting down a solid groove while horns and strings charge behind her voice. “Since You Became a Part of My Life” and “It Makes Me Wanna Cry” are back-to-back, going from praise of a lover and how they changed Staples’ outlook on life to Staples being crushed after his departure. It shows how well she can sing either type and make you feel all those emotions. The closer, “Don’t Change Me Now” has Staples thanking her lover for taking the time to build the love they have, and pleading that he doesn’t screw it up. You’ll think, “Yep. That guy’s an idiot if he thinks he’ll find better.”

Only for the Lonely is a perfect title for the record, as Staples sings to those of us (all of us?) who have felt that emptiness and hope cycle of love again and again.

Keep your mind open.

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WSND DJ set list: Manic Monday – June 09, 2025

Thanks to all the listeners and those who made requests for my latest “Manic Monday” show on WSND. Here’s the all-80s set list:

  1. Blue Murder – Blue Murder (1989) (requested)
  2. Billy Idol – Eyes without a Face (1983)
  3. New Order – Blue Monday (12″ single) (1983)
  4. Johnny Cash – The Chicken in Black (1984)
  5. Black Sabbath – The Mob Rules (1981) (requested)
  6. The Meteors – Psycho for Your Love (1981)
  7. Wham! – Everything She Wants (1984)
  8. George Michael – Father Figure (1987)
  9. Berlin – The Metro (1982) (requested)
  10. Vangelis – Tales of the Future (1982)
  11. Maxi Priest – Wild World (1987)
  12. Public Image Ltd. – 1981 (1984)
  13. Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me) (1985)
  14. The Who – Baba O’Riley (live) (1982) (requested)
  15. Romeo Void – A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing) (12″ single) (1984)
  16. Nona Hendryx – Keep It Confidential (1983)
  17. Loz Netto – Fade Away (1983)
  18. Eddie Rabbitt – You Can’t Run from Love (1982)
  19. Robert Ellis Orrall & Carlene Carter – I Couldn’t Say No (1983)
  20. Barry Manilow – Some Kind of Friend (1982)
  21. Planet P – Why Me? (1983)
  22. Walter Egan – Fool Moon Fire (1983)
  23. Neal Diamond – Front Page Story (1982)
  24. Patrick Simmons – So Wrong (1983)
  25. Kenny Loggins – Heartlight (1982)
  26. Devo – Through Being Cool (1981)
  27. U2 – With or Without You (1987)
  28. Teena Marie – Behind the Groove (M&M 12″ mix) (1980)
  29. INXS – Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain) (1985)
  30. David Bowie – Up the Hill Backwards (1980)
  31. Motörhead – Emergency (1984)
  32. Goo Goo Dolls – Sunshine of Your Love (1987)
  33. Diana Ross – That’s How You Start Over (1983)
  34. Quarterflash – Harden My Heart (1981) (requested)
  35. Alice Cooper – Clones (1980) (requested)
  36. The Cramps – I’m Cramped (1980)
  37. Alphaville – Forever Young (1984)
  38. A Flock of Seagulls – Heartbeat Like a Drum (1986)
  39. Echo & The Bunnymen – Do It Clean (1980)

Manic Monday returns June 16th at 9pm Eastern!

Keep your mind open.

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