MusicBoxPete Podcast

On today's all-new edition of the cast, we look over songs that had crossover appeal and had the rare distinction of being big hits both on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and on the Hot 100 chart. We look back on songs from the late 90's into the early 2000's which was the peak period of crossover success where acts were getting prime real estate coverage on FM radio both from pop and alternative. We look over hits from such acts as Third Eye Blind, Matchbox 20, Smash Mouth, Incubus, and The Calling and reminisce at how these songs made those carefree moments we had way back in the day that much more enjoyable. We also discuss how there's not any crossover hits anymore largely due to the domination of streaming and the waning days of FM radio that has proven there's no need to market new acts over the airwaves anymore. I also play you one of my favorite songs from 1998: Eagle Eye Cherry's crossover Top 10 hit, "Save Tonight".

On today's brand new cast, we take a look at the songs that held the reign for the longest stays at number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. We look at songs that were on top for 10 weeks or more, and talk about the impact that each of these songs had in music history and in the lives of music listeners most importantly. Songs like Marcy Playground's "Sex and Candy", Fuel's "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)", and Staind's "It's Been Awhile" stand the test of time of songs that defined the essence of modern rock radio and became the gold standards for the history of the chart. We also discuss how alternative music is being redefined and reimagined during the streaming era, and I also play you of my favorite songs that ruled during the day: Red Hot Chili Peppers massive 1999 hit, "Scar Tissue".

On today's edition of the cast, we switch gears and chat all things Northeastern hockey with my good friend Joey Maiullari as we preview the 2026-27 season. We talk about the return of Joaquim Lemay for a fifth year who was made captain along with Andy Moore and discuss how that will help maintain leadership stability. Joey and I also give our picks for 3 players to watch this year along with Giacomo Martino and Joe Connor and how the youth movement is having an immediate impact on the team. We also give our predictions as to where Northeastern will finish in the Hockey East this season, plus we give our choices for the 3 most underrated and hidden gems in Northeastern hockey season and how their sheer presence on the roster contributed in a positive way to the team's success.

On today's all new episode of the cast, I introduce a new recurring feature on the cast called Artist History, where I detail an artist's entire history on the Billboard Modern Rock Charts with all the songs that charted, where and when they peaked, and how many weeks they were on the chart for. On today's episode, we take a look at Incubus history on the chart, starting from when they first charted with "Pardon Me" and all of their massive hits that charted in between including "Drive", "Wish You Were Here", "Anna Molly", and my personal favorite "Love Hurts". I also give you my memories of listening to them over the years, along with my experience when I checked them out in concert during their Morning View tour a couple of years ago. I also play for you one of their songs that never charted on the Modern Rock Tracks chart but is an excellent song in its own right, "Are You In?"

On today's all new episode, we take a look at the chart for the week ending Sept. 8, 2001 just before the 9/11 attacks, and take a look at what music was popular before our world changed forever shortly thereafter. The chart featured music from the chart topper Alien Ant Farm, along with tracks from Sum 41, Incubus, and a whole host of others that represented the idyllic and innocent times we lived in back then, and how big of a role all of these songs played in our upbringing as well. I also give some interesting facts and tidbits with some of the 40 songs on the chart, including Jimmy Eat World changing the title of their just released "Bleed American" LP after the attacks, and Drowning Pool's "Bodies" disappearing from radio stations playlists understandably after the horrific attacks. I also play you a song that certainly uplifted lots of people's lives and spirits in the days that followed the attacks, Incubus and their brand new track at the time, "Wish You Were Here".

On today's all new cast, we take a look at the nu-metal acts that adorned the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts way back in the day, and further examine how these acts made an impact on the charts in the late 90's and early 00's. We revisit bands such as Korn, Limp Bizkit, Deftones, and Papa Roach who made an immediate impact on the charts with their early hits and how it started a movement that was intertwined with MTV's TRL and connected with the youth of that time with everything going on in their lives. We talk about some criticisms of the genre itself, including one where a Pitchfork critic said that it was a turning point in the chart's history and it became loathed by people alike for its cringe worthiness. I also play you Papa Roach's hit "Scars" at the end of the cast that also became their biggest crossover hit on the Hot 100 as well. 

On today's brand new cast, we travel back in time to the summer of 2003, and look back on the songs that were featured on the very first mix CD that I ever made. We take a look back at the entire original tracklisting, and how they fared on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and divulge some stories about each song's impact on me, and how the songs will be remembered during that era. Songs like AFI'S "Girl's Not Grey", Foo Fighters "Times Like These", Linkin Park's "Somewhere I Belong", and Thrice's "All That's Left" represented the amazing music that was omnipresent as I was getting ready to go off to college for the first time. At the end of the cast, I play you one of my fav songs from that era, The Ataris cover of Don Henley's hit "The Boys of Summer".

On today's all new cast, we take a look at the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks for the week ending June 26, 1999 and take a travel back in time to revisit some of the alternative classics that made the year so enjoyable. From Red Hot Chili Peppers "Scar Tissue" and Lit's "My Own Worst Enemy", the chart is a snapshot of all the events that happened during that period like the Women's World Cup and also draw a parallel with the Men's World Cup taking place right now. I talk about my memories of first listening to these songs, and how they have continued to have a lasting impact to this day. We also do a deep dive into Len's "Steal My Sunshine", and how this Canadian group quickly captured people's attention with this track that became the inescapable summer smash of '99 that I play for you in full at the end of the cast.

On today's all new cast, I give you my personal list of the Mount Rushmore of artists/bands in the history of the Modern Rock Tracks chart. I go through each artist and give you their individual stats and why they belong on this list. I also talk about some artists that almost made the list, and how the list gradually shifted to include the best of the best that represented the musical evolution and diversity of the chart also.

On today's edition of the cast, we take a gander at the Billboard Modern Rock Charts and recap artists who reached the top of the chart on their very first chart entry. It's a feat that was actually more difficult to accomplish than it looks way back in the day, with some artists unable to reach the summit in their first chart appearance. We take a look at all the artists that reached the summit for the first time, including the founding fathers Nirvana, Green Day, and The Offspring to name a few. Plus some other lesser, one hit wonders including Smash Mouth, Chumbawamba, Marcy Playground, and Fastball. We also talk about how it's been more of a common occurrence more recently with sombr, The Paradox, and Edgehill reaching the top with their song 'Doubletake" which I play for you at the end of the cast.