What is this radio show's format?
We circle back to that question every now and again. We do have a format, even if that format's not always discernible to folks looking at it from the outside. We oh-so-cleverly call the format This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio. Catchy! We use "power pop" as our hype, but it's really not a power pop format. It's certainly a rockin' pop format, generally favoring songs that are shorter in length and punchier in approach, embracing power pop and its periphery. We ain't exactly progressive or jazz, though we have played both.
We hold old records and new records in equal regard. Any record you ain't heard is a new record. Any record you already know and love is, by definition, something you know and love. Why not play 'em all?
Establishing a very broad parameter, we play hit singles, though we include hit singles that aren't always all that popular (or, in some cases, known at all) in the real world. They sound like hits to us, so we play them. That's the criteria. Power pop, soul, punk, country, bubblegum, folk, R & B, girl groups, ska, Top 40, left-of-the-dial, and--of course--the rock 'n' roll the show's name promises you. It's all pop music anyway.
There are things don't fit the format; we don't play those things...except if we feel like it, in which case they suddenly do fit the format, at least for one week. We're not exactly under oath here. But Dana and I understand what suits the TIRnRR concept, and we know it intuitively. You're not going to hear many lengthier tracks. You're not going to hear stuff lacking in pizazz. Forget that noise. We have a show to do. SHOW business! Anybody can play records. It's more fun for everyone if we put on a show.
That's our format. And here's a show. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! It's time to turn it up a notch, because we have a show to do. This is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on a Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, and on the web at http://sparksyracuse.org/ You can read all about this show's long and weird history here: Boppin' The Whole Friggin' Planet (The History Of THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
The many fine This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio compilation albums are still available, each full of that rockin' pop sound you crave. A portion of all sales benefit our perpetually cash-strapped community radio project:
PS: SEND MONEY!!!! We need tech upgrades like Elvis needs boats. Spark Syracuse is supported by listeners like you. Tax-deductible donations are welcome at
http://sparksyracuse.org/support/ TIRnRR # 1123: 4/3/2022
TIRnRR FRESH SPINS! Tracks we think we ain't played before are listed in bold
THE RAMONES: Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? (Rhino, End Of The Century)
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THE SONICS: The Hard Way (Re: Vox, This Is The Sonics)
NICO: I'm Waiting For The Man (Modern Harmonic, Drama Of Exile)
CURTIS MAYFIELD: Superfly (Buddah, VA: Dick Clark 20 Years Of Rock N' Roll)
THE RAMONES: I Love You (Radioactive, ¡Adios Amigos!)
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TAMAR BERK: Tragic Endings (single) GENE CLARK WITH THE GOSDIN BROTHERS: Elevator Operator (Sundazed, Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers)
MARY-CHAPIN CARPENTER/ROSANNE CASH/SHAWN COLVIN: You Ain't Goin' Nowhere (Columbia, VA: Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert)
THE SUPREMES: A Hard Day's Night (Motown, DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES: Anthology)
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THE SPONGETONES: Words And Music (Black Vinyl, Oh Yeah!)
PATTY SATURDAY: Ladies Choice (Sundazed, VA: Ladies Choice: The Pen Of Swan Records)
BROWNSVILLE STATION: Smokin' In The Boy's Room (Rhino, Smokin' In The Boy's Room)
GRIN: White Lies (Epic, The Very Best Of Grin Featuring Nils Lofgren)
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LAURIE BIAGINI: Do What You Gotta Do (single) THE ISLEY BROTHERS: Behind A Painted Smile (Motown, Greatest Hits And Rare Classics)
DAVE EDMUNDS: Trouble Boys (Rhino, The Dave Edmunds Anthology [1968-90])
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD: Twenty Four Hours To Tulsa (Mercury, A Girl Called Dusty)
PETE TOWNSHEND: Rough Boys (Hip-O, Empty Glass)
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DR. FEELGOOD: She Does It Right (EMI, Down By The Jetty)
EDDIE FLOYD: Things Get Better (Atlantic, VA: The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968)
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS & NINA DIAZ: No Action (Universal, Spanish Model)
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THE ENGLISH BEAT: What's Your Best Thing? (Shout Factory, Special Beat Service)
THE EVERYDAY THINGS: Just Out Of Reach (Not Lame, Lighten Up, Francis)
THE EVERLY BROTHERS: T For Texas (Warner Brothers, Walk Right Back)
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THE DAVE CLARK FIVE: Any Way You Want It (Hollywood, The History Of The Dave Clark Five)
GEORGE HARRISON: Cheer Down (Dark Horse, Best Of Dark Horse 1976-1989)
THE LADYBUGS: It's The Last Time (Del-Fi, VA: Del-Fi Girl Groups: Gee Baby Gee)
THE GO-BETWEENS: Love Goes On! (Beggars Banquet, 16 Lovers Lane)
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THE FUZZTONES: Bad News Travels Fast (Rhino, VA: Children Of Nuggets)
THE SEX PISTOLS: C'mon Everybody (Warner Brothers, The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle)
MAD MONSTER PARTY: No Matter What I Do (n/a, Mad Monster Party)
THE JAM: In The Street Today (Polydor, Direction Reaction Creation)
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THE GO-GO'S: Head Over Heels (IRS, Talk Show)
MILLIE SMALL: My Boy Lollipop (Caroline, The Best Of Millie Small)
THE GREENHORNES: Lies (V2, Sewed Souls)
GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS: I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Curb, Greatest Hits)
HOLLY GOLIGHTLY: Sally Go Round The Roses (Damaged Goods, MY First Holly Golightly Album) 1.4.5.: Let's Groove (Northside, 3 Chords & A Cloud Of Dust)
BIG STAR: In The Street (Big Beat, VA: Thank You, Friends)
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THE KINKS: This Time Tomorrow (Sanctuary, The Anthology 1964-1971)
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