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 hol…

"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 Wor…

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 d…

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 Notwi…

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…

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? …

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 a…

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 s…

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 K…

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…

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. …

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 Ga…

"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 ha…

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…

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…

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 - …

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 …

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 ByNo Age – Turned To StringBrigid Dawson & the Mothers Network – The FoolHobocop – Walking Around Stoned-words from your host-Sweeping Promises – Cross Me OutFun Time Object…

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 Protomar…

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…

You know like how around Christmas time, people find those video loops of fireplaces or winter villages and show them on TV screens. Is there one for summer of burgers on the grill? Maybe with the sounds of people laughing and beers being open as the audio track. Given how enough morons (following the path of their King Moron) in this country refus…

Summer hasn't officially arrived here in the USA but things have gone well over the boiling point in recent weeks. Much of it stems back from a minority of idiots walking in line behind the most moronic of carnival barkers, in hopes that clocks would be set back to more ignorant times. The healing and fixing process is going to be a long and arduou…

Congrats to the graduated. Hang on tight. This ride keeps getting bumpier. What you'll hear. Blind Boy Fuller – Wires All Down Devil – Walk Alone Tyler Keith – Take Me Home Cheap Trick – Stiff Competition words from your host Zip It – Candycorn Guilty Razors – Hurts + Noises Mark Vodka Group – All That You've Done For Me Deaf Aids – Do That Again w…

Still have plenty to do before everything is settled in as these are topsy-turvy times, but this is the first episode done in the new digs. Everything made it all in one piece for the most part. Lots of things that were to be put in action are now on hold. Been through it before but still most strange days indeed. What you'll hear: RL Burnside – Go…

Seems I sold my house at the right time but absolutely the wrong time to move. Thing is though, we have to vacate this place and have already have our place in another state waiting. Seems if there wasn't absurdity, it would not be my life. We've been following the quarantine rules to a T. But next week we've gotta be "that guy" and drive across fo…

The world is in a emergency. The country is being led by a fraud. We're all in this together people. Try not to be a jerk. What you'll hear: Mekons - I'll Have To Dance Then (On My Own) Current Affairs – Worlds In Crisis Florida Brothers – Chicken Bucket Silver Apples – Gypsy Love -words from your host- Phone Jerks - Rubberhead Sherwin – Elusive Ra…

Let's say you're dj'ing a party and you play "Hellraiser" by Sweet. If a person turns up their noise about it in anyway, ask that person to leave the party because they don't like to have fun. What you'll hear: Sweet – Hellraiser Enchanters – High Heeled Roller Skates Demolition Doll Roads – Maverick Girl Product Placement – Eyes In My Head -words …

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is most likely best know for his more joyful and genial poems. The one he wrote for the shortest month of the year, Afternoon In February, as not one of those though. As a matter of fact, it was about death. Amid the grayness of the skies and all the things wrapped in it though here in the Great Lakes, slogging through it…

A new decade has dropped and it's rolling at a furious pace for your truly (here's a lot why) but I'm gonna do what I can to make sure you loyal listeners can get at least one of the fake radio shows a month until everything settles. 20/20 – Under The Freeway Comet Gain – Werewolf Suit Bad Weed – Down, Down, Down The Moodists – The Disciples Know -…

What a taxing year it's been. We somehow did out best and made it through even if likely we're worse for the wear. This whole Keep On Keepin' On thing ain't easy all the time. The next year has plenty of roller coaster rides ahead. Hold on tight. We need ya around! What you'll hear: Sandy Sarjeant - Can't Stop The Want Kool and the Gangbangers – I …

Anyone else taking bets until one of the coots in the family quotes memes as fact during this holiday season. With it Thanksgiving this week, the odds making are about to happen. What you'll hear: Flesheaters – River Of Fever Cochonne – Horror-Scope Dan Melchior – Hey Ya Birthday Party – Figure Of Fun -words from your host- Program - Show Me Michea…

Boxes and cartons. Figuratively and literally as both have a song about them in this episode. Appropriate as chipping away at sorting and packing, pitching and keeping for the relocation plan set for 2020. That, and as a cat owner, they always dig boxes. What you'll hear: Ian Hunter – Just Another Night Jack Oblivian – Girl On The Beach Parsnip – L…

This episode of the Smashin' Transistors fake radio show may try to entice you to take a psychedelic trip. If you chose to purchase a ticket, pack some condiments cuz your listening lobes will get deep fried! What You'll Hear: The Painted Ship – She Said Yes Vision 3D – Suel Ce Soir Spray Paint – Fleshy Boy Cereal Killer – You Punk Scene Suck It DA…

After getting home from week one day last week, I decided to put some records on and play them loud. I stepped out to my yard for a sec and my old biker neighbor decided to strike up a conversation with me about the dangers of "really hard drugs." What you'll hear: Muffs – I Need You Psychedelic Speed Freaks CR Dicks – The End Julie's Haircut – Eme…

Summer ended this weekend. That means it is time for a bunch of boomers to quote a lyric from "Night Moves." Talking smack about Bob Seger really seems to bum them out. What you'll hear: the Cars – Since You're Gone Honey Radar – Magnesium Blow Out Opossums – Love Machine Redd Kross – What's A Boy To Do Fat Tulips – Where's Clare Grogan Now? -words…

The last long weekend of the summer is upon us. Getting out and taking part of it may involve annoyances. Combat such things with a brand new episode of the Smashin' Transistors fake radio show. What you'll hear: Eagle - Pack Up the Failures - Why? Thin Lizzy - Sha La La Golden Pelicans - Pink Motels Science Man - Weaponizer - words from your host-…

On a scorcher of a summer day recently I had the thirst for a pop. A really sugary one. A Faygo Red Pop or Rock-n-Rye was on my mind. The party I stopped in didn't carry any Faygo. Is that even legal in the state of Michigan? What you'll hear: PP Arnold - if You Think You're Groovy Connie Voltaire - Picture Book Pscience - Chance Encounter Dream Bo…

Like a heatwave. Amid the one we had the past week, one way to keep cool was to find a big shade tree to sit under and put together a fake radio show. Or, at least, portions of one. That's what we did for a bit here at ol' Smashy T's. Anything misstated on this episode is the from wooziness from sunspots. Naked Raygun - Metastasis Christian Fitness…

Summertime and the, ummm, grass is longer. The snakes are more active because of it. Be sure to have a hammer and a jackknife handy at all times. What you'll hear: Squirrel Bait – Sun God Protruders – Tax 101 Nots – Built Environment Franky Shampoo and the City Creatures - Talk To Me Major Stars – Out In The Light -words from your host- Straight Ar…

Though I like to think I am reasonably well-read, sometimes my brain will go off in some direction where I think something that is probably a well-worn colloquialism (or a line from a David Lynch film) is actually just a lyric from some cheesy pop country song of the 1990s. What you'll hear: Cigaretz - Scared Of Girls Toeheads – Grad Registators – …

The 50th episode of Smashin' Transistors! That makes us gold, right? What you'll hear: The Beaubeins – Times Passed Hash Redactor – Open Invites To The Caves Red Mass – Show Me The Money Lassie – Deposit Bottles The Shifters – John Doe's Collegue -words from your host- The That's Thats – More Wolfmanhattan Project – Now Now Now Crosscut Sores – Dea…

"I got a truck that'll mess you up." 'Round here, those words aren't said much. The looks flashed from people in such trucks say it without even uttering a word. The Kid Rock CD they have blasting out the truck while giving such a stare is used as some sort of punctuation of the point. What you'll hear: Paul McCartney-Eat At Home Spiritualized – He…

The calendar is full of rumors. The Vernal Equinox corroborates. What you'll hear. Can - I'm So Green Cameo - Alligator Woman Obnox - Find My Way Celebrity Handshake - It Takes All Kinds of Bones Murderer - Tomorrow The World Is Yours -words from your host- Red Mass - Crooked DANA - Cupid Cold Feet - Buried in a Hole Primitiv Parts - Internet Ice B…

In this episode of Smashin' Transistors, you may experience some touched minds. You for sure will witness them being lost and racked. What you'll hear: Waylon Jennings - One of My Bad HabitsVanity - Glad To NotNutrition - Leave MeGino and the Goons - She Was CrushedBauhaus - The Dive-words from your host-Phylums - StungChronophage - She Paid the Ul…

Every winter I swear it's the most schizophrenic one we've had weather wise ever. This year it truly seems to be true. And February is hardly half over and it seems longer than its ever been too. A permanent change of scenery is on our to-do list indeed Servings of sound help daily travels through a grey expanse though. What you'll hear on this epi…

Did you make any resolutions for the new year? Mine is to try to never act like Veruca Salt. There's an attention loving blob in this country who acts that way enough for an entire planet already. What you'll hear: Lotti Golden - Get Together (With Yourself) Natural Man & the Flamin' Hot Band - Song About Your City Gargoyle Sox - Pink Little Playho…

How do we end the year Smashin' Transistors fake radio show style? Episode 44 might be it but don't hold me to it until 11:59 pm on December 31st, ok? What you'll hear: A Certain Ratio - All Night PartyRex Wonderful & The Silk Sheets - Mimosas A Moms - Modern Noise Rhys Bloodjoy - Reflections Of A Girl Neo Neos - It's Just That Easy -words from you…

Many across the nation will be in a serious tryptophan coma on Thursday. Like every year, I hope to be out of mine come Sunday though for Grep Cup viewing. What you'll hear on episode 43 Blacktop - Blazing Streets The Unholy Two - Moscow Doomsday Cloud Movietone - Mono Valley Roxy Music - Editions of You Mauvais Genre - Pour Toi -words from your ho…

Sizzle. They say ya gotta sell it. Hard sell tactics are not a strong point for yours truly. I can guarantee that there's plenty of sizzling soundwise on this latest episode of Smashin' Transistors. Bathe in the hiss! What you'll hear. Fly Ashtray - The Man Who Stayed In Bed All Day Mountain Movers - My Eyes Are Always Heavy Obnox - Enter The Hater…

Autumn makes hints of its arrival but never says exactly when. It may a subtle entrance. It can also crash down brazenly. What you'll hear in this October installment Necros - Peer Pressure Pious Faults - Field Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band - Petrified Forest Ruby Karinto - Chikotan P-Model - Art Mania -Words from the host Brandy - Life Jail G…