10 SONGS: 10/29/2025

10 Songs is a weekly list of ten songs that happen to be on my mind at the moment. The lists are usually dominated by songs played on the previous Sunday night's edition of This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl. The idea was inspired by Don Valentine of the essential blog I Don't Hear A Single.

This week's edition of 10 Songs draws exclusively from the playlist for This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio # 1308

KISS: Talk To Me

Of the four founding members of KISS, late guitarist Ace Frehley would seem the least pop of the bunch. Guitarist Paul Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons were big fans of the Beatles, and also fans of power pop stalwarts the Raspberries, and those interests are evident within the flash and thunder of some of KISS's work. Drummer Peter Criss crooned the hit KISS ballad "Beth" and the Rod Stewart homage "Hard Luck Woman." Ace's style was emphatically that of a Big Rock guitarist, and maybe hooks and 45 rpm aspirations might not be the first things one would look for within the Space Ace's ouvre.

But the pop element is there, at least sometimes, and not just in his pop guitar power embellishing Simmons and Stanley on "Strutter," "Shout It Out Loud," "Rock And Roll All Nite," et al. It's certainly in evidence on the effervescent "Talk To Me," a Frehley-written and Frehley-sung track from KISS's 1980 album Unmasked. 

ACE FREHLEY: Hide Your Heart

When we decided to play several tracks in memory of Ace Frehley, this track from his 1989 album Trouble Walkin' was one of the first possibilities that came to mind. Frehley was looooong outta KISS by '89, but the song was written by his former bandmate Paul Stanley (with Desmond Child and Holly Knight), and the Ace-free KISS included it on their album Hot In The Shade, also in '89. It's said that Stanley and Simmons adamantly did not want Frehley to record and release a competing version of "Hide Your Heart"--hey, dueling KISSes!--and if that's true, Frehley was equally adamant that he was going to do whatever the hell he wanted to do. I like the KISS version just fine, and I saw Gene and Paul perform it in concert (in the Hot In The Shade KISS line-up with drummer Eric Carr and guitarist Bruce Kulick), but I do like Ace's version even more.

KISS: Rock And Roll All Nite [live]

The Greatest Record Ever Made!

BALLZY TOMORROW: Five Personalities

My big project this year was Big Stir Records' various-artists blockbuster Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes. As I began the process of recruiting acts and matching them with appropriate songs written by Syracuse's own power pop powerhouse the Flashcubes, I was immediately certain that I wanted rockin' pop wunderkind (und wonderboy) Robbie Rist specifically to sing one of my many favorite 'Cubes songs, "Five Personalities." Under his nom de bop Ballzy Tomorrow, our Robbie rose to that task. The members of the Flashcubes now prefer his version over their own!

Robbie's also a KISS fan, so it was a deliberate choice to include his "Five Personalities" in the same set as our Greatest Record Ever Made! spin of the live "Rock And Roll All Nite." You wanted the best. You GOT the best! And as Robbie's podcast The Spoon approaches its 600th episode, the GREM! spot in our next show will be a li'l something by another '70s rock act Robbie's mentioned on The Spoon a time or several. All right, all right, all right, all right....

KEN SHARP: Rock Show

Our long-time pal Ken Sharp is a writer and musician, the driving force behind Think Like A Key Music's superb new compilation Play On: A Raspberries Tribute, and quite possibly the biggest KISS fan I know. For his 2018 album Beauty In The Backseat, Ken enlisted none other than Ace Frehley hisself as guest guitarist on opening track "Rock Show." Impressive! And I tell ya, it was a match made in Cobo Hall. We know some people who know some people, man. Well done, Ken!

ACE FREHLEY: New York Groove

In 1978, the business of KISS was sufficiently huge to hatch an audacious plan for a simultaneous release of a quartet of solo albums. It probably wasn't a good idea at all, but it sure seemed impressive, right? I can't remember anything at all about the Peter Criss album (beyond thinking that I would never remember anything about it, and thinking that even when I was listening to it). Paul Stanley included the absolutely dynamic, Raspberries-influenced "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me," and Gene Simmons gave us a simply wonderful gem called "See You Tonite," which would have been worthy of Big Star. Gene also had a minor hit (# 47) with a song called "Radioactive."

But of the four, only Ace Frehley produced a genuine hit single, a cover of the British group Hello's 1975 UK hit "New York Groove." Ace's version said hello to the # 13 spot on Billboard's Hot 100, making it the fifth highest-charting single in the KISS canon (behind "Beth" [# 7], "Forever" [# 8 in 1989], "I Was Made For Loving You" [# 11], and the live "Rock And Roll All Nite" [# 12]). Guess whoever called him "Ace" was onto something.

sparkle*jets u.k.: Eyeball Eater (From Outer Space)

DOLPH CHANEY FEATURING THE SPEED OF SOUND: Zombie Century

We've been serving up tricky treats from Big Stir Records' epic Halloween compilation Chilling, Thrilling Hooks And Haunted Harmonies for as long as Rutles guitarist Stig O'Hara has been dead--for ages, honestly--and there's for damned sure no need to stop as All Hallows Eve approaches. This week's show included two more debut spins from this horrific-in-a-GOOD-way set, with sparkle*jets u.k.'s righteously boppin' novelty tune "Eyeball Eater (From Outer Space)" and Dolph Chaney Featuring The Speed Of Sound's atmospheric "Zombie Century." And even as we chill, thrill, and haunt our way past October 31st, we'll have another track from Chilling, Thrilling Hooks And Haunted Harmonies on our next show.

BARON DAEMON AND THE VAMPIRES: The Transylvania Twist

Syracuse's gift to Halloween, and to all seasons, courtesy of the best vampire ever. And like "Rock And Roll All Nite," it's also The Greatest Record Ever Made! Happy Halloween from This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl.

KISS: Shout It Out Loud [live]

And it wouldn't be Halloween without KISS. Godspeed, Ace

If you like what you see here on Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do), please consider a visit to CC's Tip Jar. You can also become a Boppin' booster on my Patreon page.

I compiled a various-artists tribute album called Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes, and it's pretty damned good; you can read about it here and order it here. My new book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) is now available, and you can order an autographed copy here. You can still get my previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books, OR an autographed copy here. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.

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, streaming at SPARK stream and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. You can read about our history here.

10 SONGS: 7/5/2025

10 Songs is a weekly list of ten songs that happen to be on my mind at the moment. The lists are usually dominated by songs played on the previous Sunday night's edition of This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl. The idea was inspired by Don Valentine of the essential blog I Don't Hear A Single.

This week's edition of 10 Songs draws exclusively from the playlist for This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio # 1292

BALLZY TOMORROW: Five Personalities

From the acknowledgements listed in the forthcoming various-artists blockbuster Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes (due September 12th from the good folks at Big Stir Records):

"Special thanks to Robbie Rist; two years ago, when I said that someone should put together a Flashcubes tribute album, he immediately replied (and I'm paraphrasing): "YOU do it. You know bands! And I'll be on it!" When Robbie speaks, power pop fans listen."

This power pop fan listened anyway. And as the Flashcubes tribute album moved from Wouldn't it be cool? to GO TIME!!, it was clear to me that our Robbie should use the great power and responsibility of his nom de bop Ballzy Tomorrow to do a cover of the Flashcubes' "Five Personalities."

"Five Personalities" was originally recorded by 'Cubes guitarist Paul Armstrong's group the Richards (as heard on This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 3), co-written by PA with Richards lead singer Norm Mattice and CNY guitar legend Mark Doyle. With some additional songcraft from Flashcubes bassist Gary Frenay, "Five Personalities" was subsequently recorded by the Flashcubes themselves for their 2003 album Brilliant, and that arrangement provides the basic template for Ballzy Tomorrow's Make Something Happen! entry.

And man alive, Mr. Rist runs with it. Hell, Gary Frenay recently declared Ballzy Tomorrow's (and I quote) "phenomenal" rendition of "Five Personalities to be "Best version of the song yet. So inspired!" PA chimed in with "Stellar!," and 'Cubes drummer Tommy Allen added a reverent "AWESOME!!!"

They are correct. But I expected nothing less. When Robbie Rist speaks, power pop fans listen. And when Robbie plays and sings? They listen even harder.

THE FLASHCUBES WITH MIKE GENT: Reminisce

The new digital single is out! Yeah, sure, "Reminisce" will be on Make Something Happen!, but you can't wait until September 12th--you want it NOW!! So GO BUY IT. Then, y'know, reminisce later, and at will.

ORBIS MAX AND TIM IZZARD: Further Down The Line

Great music for an eminently worthy cause. Pop Aid 3: A Pop Compilation To Benefit Those Affected By The California Wildfires) is a new 2-CD collection from our friends at Kool Kat Musik. Let's cede the podium to Brother Ray Gianchetti to speak on behalf of the project:

"Hot on the heels of Pop Aid 2,  which benefited people impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton, comes Pop Aid 3: A Pop Compilation To Benefit Those Affected By The California Wildfires), a 30 track, 2-CD collection of exclusive/previously unreleased tracks! Once again, pop artists/bands from around the world have stepped up to contribute exclusive tracks to Pop Aid 3. Participating artists are the Stewart Dolly, Go Time!, the Trafalgars, Scott McCarl (Raspberries), Robin Schell, Hanemoon, the Frisco Connection w/ guest vocals by Paul Kopf, True Hearts, Band Of Jays, the PoZers, Zig Zag Road, Herb Eimerman, Orbis Max and Tim Izzard, Richard Turgeon, the Lucky Shots (Brent Seavers’ new band), the Dreambots, the Junior League, Grant Lindberg, Terry Carolan, Coke Belda, Rob Bonfiglio, the Treasures Of Mexico, John Larson and the Silver Fields, Little Roger, Tim Izzard and the Distractions, the Red Sticks, Sunbourne Rd AND tracks from two new projects featuring Jeff Murphy (Shoes) -  Joywire and Evasive Species (Jeff plus ex-members of Material Issue)!  Longtime music collector and Pacific Palisades resident Mark Verheiden has contributed liner notes that provide insight from his perspective of what he and his family experienced on January 7 and after. And like Pop Aid 2, Pop Aid 3 will support the work of the American Red Cross, with 100% of net profits going directly to the American Red Cross!  Great music for a great cause at a great price from the leading pop-oriented, fundraising label!"

We received this wonderful set just in time to squeeze two tracks (by Orbis Max and Tom Izzard and John Larson and the Silver Fields) into an already-packed show, but it was well worth it. We'll have another Pop Aid 3 track on our next show, with more still to come in future weeks.

DOLPH CHANEY: Girl From Germany

TIRnRR Fave Rave Dolph Chaney was a late edition to the Flashcubes tribute album, as Dolph stepped in when circumstances forced another artist to withdraw from the project. And mein Gott, did Dolph ever deliver, and how! We suggested 'Cubes guitarist Arty Lenin's "Girl From Germany" as an appropriate Chaney choice, and faster'n you can say JAWOHL!, he responded with this inventive and engaging interpretation. As Dolph hisself explains:

"The idea was, 'what music would the Girl From Germany probably like, that might represent the gap the singer is feeling?' So I picked Kraftwerk, Blondie, Devo, and Berlin-era Bowie, and that inspired the synth approach."

Ich lieb es. Wunderbar! Danke schön, Herr Chaney. Danke schön.

CALLAN FOSTER: Insult To Injury

In addition to the four album tracks and one single we programmed from Make Something Happen! this week, we also wanted to play a non-'Cubes track by each of the other acts appearing on the Flashcubes tribute album. We made that particular something happen with assorted gems by Make Something Happen! participants sparkle*jets u.k., Librarians With Hickeys, Chris von Sneidern, Graham Parker, Joe Giddings, the Kennedys, Pop Co-Op, the Peppermint Kicks, Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas, Hamell On Trial, the Armoires, Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin, the Mayflowers, Super 8 Featuring Lisa Mychols, Sorrows, and the Spongetones, each of 'em proving with their own material why we wanted them on the Flashcubes salute in the first place.

Callan Foster's cover of the Flashcubes' "It's You Tonight" predates the Make Something Happen! project itself; it's an epic one-man-band production that Callan posted on YouTube last year. We've played that on the show in the past, but this week we wanted to go with one of Callan's own tunes, so we slapped on his superb single "Insult To Injury," and reveled in the glory of power pop. 

If you don't know Callan Foster yet, don't sorry. We're pretty confident you'll hear him a lot going forward.

THE CHOOSERS: Christi Girl

"Christi Girl" was the Flashcubes' very first record, released as a 45 in 1978, and later picked up by Bomp Records for inclusion on a 1979 sampler LP called Waves Vol. 1. It was an absolute priority for a version of "Christi Girl" to appear on the Flashcubes tribute album, and Gary suggested the Choosers be...er, chosen. After all, the Choosers had already covered "Christi Girl" in a 2021 video, so this was a natural pairing. The Choosers even gave us a fresh graphic emulating the look of the original Flashcubes 45, taking us once again to that special place nobody else can go.

THE VERBS: I Need Glue

Meegan Voss was a veteran participant in the same vibrant late '70s Syracuse music scene sparked by the Flashcubes, and her 1978-1980 group the Poptarts shoulda been stars. Now, she and her husband Steve Jordan perform together as the Verbs. I remember Meegan from the Poptarts days, and I remember watching Steve on TV in the '80s, when he was the drummer for the house band on Late Night With David Letterman. Steve has worked with just about everybody, though one suspects his current gig as the Rolling Stones' drummer kinda pops out on the ol' résumé with extra added satisfaction.

We are so fortunate to have Meegan and Steve involved in this Flashcubes tribute project, and it's such a unique kick to hear how the Verbs have taken "I Need Glue," a very early Flashcubes punk number, and made it their freakin' own. 

HEY! Speakin' of glue....

THE RAMONES: Carbona Not Glue

The Greatest Record Ever Made!

THE BEATLES: Getting Better

"Getting better...?!" Have ya seen the news lately? Man, it's time we got to fixing a hole where the razzafrazzin' pain gets in.

THE BEACH BOYS: Little Deuce Coupe

On Sunday night, TIRnRR presents GOOD VIBRATIONS! Brian Wilson and the Legend of Summer. We'll hear music from Brian Wilson with the Beach Boys and as a solo act, we'll hear covers of some of Wilson's work, some other artists' work that we feel was influenced by Wilson, and some otherwise-unrelated material (including, but not limited to, some summer songs) that just feels appropriate to fit in. 

Among the celebrants will be Gary Frenay, Michael Simmons, P. P. Arnold, Bruce Springsteen, Raspberries, Jan and Dean, the Krayolas, Lisa Mychols and Super 8, Nelson Bragg, Sly and the Family Stone, the Sunrays, America, the Rubinoos, Curt Boettcher, the Ramones, the Yellow Balloon, Mike Browning, the Isley Brothers, the Smithereens, the Flamin' Groovies, Rob Bonfiglio, Al Jardine, Carnie and Wendy Wilson, Laurie Biaginio, Sixpence None The Richer, the Trade Winds, the Tearjerkers, Euclid Beach Band, 20/20, Doug Powell, R.E.M., the Ronettes, the Records, the Honeys, Jeffrey Foskett, Brad Jones, Eric Carmen, the Beatles, Fraternal Order of the All, the Anderson Council, the Parade, Jason Byrd, First Class, Jason Harrod, Johnathan Pushkar and Richard Barone, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, General Johnson and Joey Ramone...

...and Brian Wilson. And the Beach Boys. Surf's up. Join us.

If you like what you see here on Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do), please consider a visit to CC's Tip Jar. You can also become a Boppin' booster on my Patreon page.

My new book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) is now available, and you can order an autographed copy here. You can still get my previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books, OR an autographed copy here. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.

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, streaming at SPARK stream and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. You can read about our history here.

10 SONGS: 2/29/2024

10 Songs is a weekly list of ten songs that happen to be on my mind at the moment. The lists are usually dominated by songs played on the previous Sunday night's edition of This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl. The idea was inspired by Don Valentine of the essential blog I Don't Hear A Single.

This week's edition of 10 Songs draws exclusively from the playlist for This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio # 1222. This show is available as a podcast.

THE FLASHCUBES: Baby It's Cold Outside

Baby, you can say that again. As I complete this blog entry, the temperature in Syracuse has plummeted from record high temps for February just hours ago to a frigid 'n' windy blechh  more typical for the month, with lake effect snow promised in the morning. The weather outside? Frightful. Yeah this blows, yeah this blows, yeah this blows.

So we turn to a little music to keep the home fires burning. The Flashcubes' Pop Masters was my favorite album of 2023, and this remake of Pezband's power pop touchstone "Baby It's Cold Outside" was its first advance single back in the summer of 2021. Y'know, when it was, like, warm. The song's author Mimi Betinis enlists as an honorary Flashcube for this great version, and the resulting shivers get a little bit more welcome as we acclimate. 

Even so, I've gotta ask: Can we have the sun back, please? Syracuse winters. The longest nine months of the year.

FANNY: Let's Spend The Night Together

A proposal to roll with the Stones. Fanny's cover of the Rolling Stones' "Let's Spend The Night Together" comes from their 1974 album Rock And Roll Survivors, the group's fifth and final album, and their only album for Casablanca Records. It was also their only album without guitarist June Millington, who had co-founded Fanny with her sister, bassist Jean Millington; Jean remained with the group for Rock And Roll Survivor, and Patti Quatro joined on six-string.

I don't remember if I'd heard of Fanny before this. I think I may have read about them in some rock mag or another--possibly Circus?--but my first conscious exposure to their music was when I saw them on American Bandstand, chatting with Dick Clark and lip-syncing two tunes from Rock And Roll Survivors: "Let's Spend The Night Together" and their ace cover of the Bell Notes' "I've Had It."

(It suddenly occurs to me that I saw and heard Patti Quatro even before I saw and heard her sister Suzi Quatro lip-sync "I May Be Too Young" on the British TV show Supersonic.)

Appreciation of Fanny's career and legacy has grown over the decades after the fact. And it's about damned time. But the Casablanca LP isn't always considered alongside the group's first four records. 

It deserves better. It was my gateway to Fanny's music, and it's pretty damned good in its own right.

Spend some time with it.

MERLE HAGGARD: Mama Tried

The Greatest Record Ever Made!

DOLPH CHANEY: Californiagain

TIRnRR Fave Rave Dolph Chaney has accrued some airplay on this little mutant radio show (as one would expect, given his "TIRnRR Fave Rave" status. Duh!). We've certainly played a few tracks from his splendid 2023 album Mug, and the recent release of the Mug track "Californiagain" as a single gives us an excuse to enjoy yet another quaff from that mug. Ah! Refreshing!

And it just so happens we'll be playing "Californiagain"...well, again on Sunday night. We'll also be playing a track from Steve Stoeckel, a track from Chris Church, and a track from Spygenius. Why is that worth noting here? Well! The fab four of Dolph, Steve, Chris, and Spygenius' Peter Watts have just joined rockin' pop forces to form a new power pop supergroup called the Electromagnates. The Electromagnates open our next show. Fave Raves, all.

THE O'JAYS: Love Train

Get on board. We could do worse. We have done worse. Please. Just get on board.

WONDERBOY: Girl Songs

Awright! Here's the third consecutive 10 Songs appearance of Wonderboy's definitive statement of intent "Girl Songs." From the group's originally unreleased 1990s album Hero Isle, "Girl Songs" is a contemporary TIRnRR Pick Hit 'cuz, y'know...GIRLS! And pop music. We've programmed the track for three straight weeks. We'll go for four weeks in a row on Sunday night. 

THE BEATLES: Why Don't We Do It In The Road?

When we told Wonderboy's Robbie Rist that we were going to follow this week's spin of "Girl Songs" with a track from the Beatles' White Album, he said it oughta be "Julia." Y'know...an actual girl song, dig? Our failure to do so isn't a reflection of our stubbornness, but evidence of our cluelessness. The show was already recorded by that time, and the thought of segueing "Girl Songs" into "Julia" didn't even occur to us. It's a good thing we have tenure.

On the other hand: Girl songs. Why don't we do it in the road. Upon further review, our decision stands. Sometimes we know what we're doing, even though we never know what we're doing.

PAUL COLLINS: I'm The Only One For You

PAUL COLLINS: Stand Back And Take A Good Look

THE BREAKAWAYS: Walking Out On Love

(Please forgive the labored basketball references to follow. It's that time of year for me. Go, Orange! Somehow....)

Hey, a three-pointer! And it's GOOD!

We opened and closed this week's extravaganza with music from power pop legend Paul Collins. At the top of the show, we scored first with "Will You Come Through?" from Paul's superswell new album Stand Back And Take A Good Look. In overtime at show's end, we came out of the time out with a rapid-fire set play commencing with "I'm The Only One For You," the irresistible lead single from Stand Back And Take A Good Look. SCORE!

With just enough time left on the shot clock, we threw in the new album's title track, and stole the ball back for a last-second put-back with "Walking Out On Love," the late '70s power pop classic Paul Collins wrote when he was with the Nerves and subsequently recorded with the Breakaways and the Beat.

Then the buzzer sounded at midnight. Game over! 

But the Beat goes on. We'll resume play this Sunday night. Our march to madness awaits.

If you like what you see here on Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do), please consider a visit to CC's Tip Jar. 

Carl's new book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones is now available, courtesy of the good folks at Rare Bird Books. Gabba Gabba YAY!! https://rarebirdlit.com/gabba-gabba-hey-a-conversation-with-the-ramones-by-carl-cafarelli/

If it's true that one book leads to another, my next book will be The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1). Stay tuned. Your turn is coming.

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, streaming at SPARK stream and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. Recent shows are archived at Westcott Radio. You can read about our history here.

I'm on Twitter @CafarelliCarl

10 SONGS: 10/26/2023

10 Songs is a weekly list of ten songs that happen to be on my mind at the moment. The lists are usually dominated by songs played on the previous Sunday night's edition of This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl. The idea was inspired by Don Valentine of the essential blog I Don't Hear A Single.

This week's edition of 10 Songs draws exclusively from the playlist for This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio # 1204.

THE GRIP WEEDS: Every Minute

As we prepare to welcome long-time TIRnRR Fave Raves the Grip Weeds for their first-ever Syracuse appearance this Friday, October 27th at The Lost Horizon, there was never any question that we would open this week's radio shindig with Grip Weeds music. It's the very situation for which the word DUH! was invented.

We've been playing the group's cover of the Byrds' "Lady Friend" (from the Grip Weeds' 2022 covers album DiG) a lot, and it's a shoo-in for a spot somewhere on the year-end countdown of our most-played tracks in 2023. This week, we saved "Lady Friend" for our post-sayonara WAITWAITWAITWAITWAIT! bonus spot at the very end of the show, and instead got the party started at the top with a spin of "Every Minute," from their 1998 album The Sound Is In You. If I had to pick a single favorite Grip Weeds track, it would be "Every Minute." The sound is in YOU!

But no need to pick a single favorite--the Grip Weeds have lots of favorites! And we'll hear a few of 'em Friday at The Lost Horizon, as the Grip Weeds join 1.4.5., Perilous, Preacher, and Kenne Highland Airforce for a transcendent evening of rockin' pop. You should oughta be there. Sound ain't gonna into you on its own, man.

DiG?

SANTANA: Oye Como Va

On last week's show, following my daughter's wedding earlier this month, we played War's "Low Rider," which was the entrance music for the proud fathers of the happy couple.at the reception. This week, we gave equal time to the newlyweds' mothers with a spin of their entrance music, "Oye Como Va" by Santana. For Susan in Florida, and for my dear Brenda in New York. We're ALL family now. Buena pa' gozar.

CARLA OLSON: Street Fighting Man

Another week, another turn for Carla Olson's rock-solid cover of the Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man." This coming Sunday night will present the start of another week, AND another turn for Carla Olson's "Street Fighting Man." See, revolutions thrive on consistency.

DOLPH CHANEY: Nice

We've been programming tracks from Dolph Chaney's current album Mug with Whac-A-Mole frequency. But for some unexplained reason, while other shows 'n' stations have jumped on the irresistible Mug shot "Nice," we...had not. Where the hell have we been all this time?

Oh, right. Playing "Ice Cream Embers" from the same album. We're not oblivious. We're focused.

No matter. We're here now. "Nice" makes its overdue TIRnRR debut on this week's playlist, and returns for an encore appearance next week. Nice. It's important to be nice.

THE FLIRTATIONS: Nothing But A Heartache

From my long-threatened book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1):

"Like Dusty Springfield's 'I Only Want To Be With You,' the Flirtations' 'Nothing But A Heartache' is a noisy explosion of girl-group popcraft, trading the romantic, near-orgasmic bliss of Dusty's record for a lover's lament that is still no less magnetic, no less exuberant, even as the singer pines for an unattainable lover, a clueless cad who, apparently, doesn't want to be with her.

"I say to hell with him."

NEW MATH: They Walk Among You

"Die Trying" has always been my # 1 New Math track, but the highlight for me at their recent farewell show in Rochester was the performance of this monster slice of psychedelic sci-fi paranoia. "They Walk Among You" is The Day Of The Triffids meets Wild In The Streets, but amped up to scary good measure. It's the title track from a 1981 EP, and it isn't on the recent New Math anthology Die Trying & Other Hot Sounds (1979-1983). Given that They Walk Among You was a step away from New Math's original model, I wasn't sure whether or not the group would include "They Walk Among You" in their final live show.

They did. Checking the basement for pods? Too late! They walk among you already. 

And you are lucky that they do.

DAVE KUCHLER: In It With You

Man, I dig this track. "In It With You" is from Love + Glory, the new Kool Kat Musik release by former Soul Engines guitarist Dave Kuchler, and something about it reminds me of the Rubinoos. That, my comrades, is a good thing indeed. We played it last week. We played it this week. And yep, we're playin' it again next week. I'm into it. It's the IN sound! Are you with us, or what?

THE ONLY ONES: Another Girl, Another Planet

The Greatest Record Ever Made!

JUNIPER: Ride Between The Cars

Juniper's absolutely ace 2023 album She Steals Candy has been among our top go-tos all year, and her She Steals Candy rendition of Amy Rigby's "Baby Doll" will be heard alongside the Grip Weeds' "Lady Friend" (and many other fine gems) in that year-end TIRnRR countdown show we mentioned a few paragraphs north of here. We have a brand new Juniper single to play next week, but this week was a prime opportunity for another romp through the She Steals Candy original "Ride Between The Cars." 

THE GRIP WEEDS: Rainbow Quartz

You guessed it! ANOTHER of my favorite Grip Weeds tracks, this one radiatin' off their 2015 album How I Won The War. Winners will gather at The Lost Horizon this Friday, October 27th. Be there! Musketeer Gripweed would accept nothing less.

If you like what you see here on Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do), please consider a visit to CC's Tip Jar. 

Carl's new book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones is now available, courtesy of the good folks at Rare Bird Books. Gabba Gabba YAY!! https://rarebirdlit.com/gabba-gabba-hey-a-conversation-with-the-ramones-by-carl-cafarelli/

If it's true that one book leads to another, my next book will be The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1). Stay tuned. Your turn is coming.

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, streaming at SPARK stream and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. Recent shows are archived at Westcott Radio. You can read about our history here.

I'm on Twitter @CafarelliCarl