Now we are just Zoom-bombing along! Tales From The Drop Box Episode 155 is truly an embarrassment of musical riches. I have had some time i.e. several months to gear things up during the long cold winter and there is … Continue reading →

Happy Easter to you al! A new episode from my bunker. I am immediately following up last week’s episode with this new and improved version of the Pandemic Episodes of Tales From the Drop Box. Okay, it is not an improved version as Tales From the Drop Box was already perfect and this episode is perfect as well! Trust me this episode is going to kick some Covid-19 ass and if you are feeling a little blue from being involuntarily self-isolated this episode will bring a little sunshine into your room. This episode is new – most of these tracks are from this year, still available on Bandcamp, from various internet retail outlets in physical format, and various streaming services. If you like something I play on this podcast – go buy a record from these fine acts Continue reading →

I honestly didn’t think that it would take a real pandemic for me to restart production of these broadcasts albeit from an underground bunker where I am now holed up. But it did and I did. I am back for … Continue reading →

As I mentioned earlier this week, I have been able to line up a few shows with a selection of some cool tracks, some going back to last year. I am truly excited about the massive amount of genuinely interesting music coming out. Sure, it comes in all shapes and sizes. Some is hype worthy, but the majority of new music is missed in the wave that is releases on a daily basis. Thank goodness I am not a music-journalist. I think it would be difficult to come up with new ways to describe what must be heard. Tales From The Drop Box Episode 152 is must listening. Just like all of the episodes in this series - the goal is a humble one. To expose you to 15 tracks each week by bands you might have only heard in passing and are putting out songs that merit your attention. Sure, I genre hop around quite a bit. Everything I play can almost be classified as Rock - a pretty darn big descriptor. Sure, there is not much metal, hardcore, post-hardcore, djent, black metal, viking progressive metal and certainly no classical, country, rap or hip-hop. It is a very diverse world, and I tend to spend quite a bit of time in the center - a mix of punk, pop, folk, indie rock and alternative. I find it fascinating that you can with very little practice, neatly classify an accumulation of sounds as belonging to a particular musical genre. Genres are merely emotional filters to assist the listener in accessing the "fight or flight" response, or more aptly as the Clash put it - should I stay or should I go? Continue reading →

I'm having a little concern that my day job interferes with enjoyment. I have considered abandoning work. While I would definitely engage in having more fun i.e. doing things that give me pleasure, I just have to figure out how to eat. No one informed me that working and eating go together. But music and sex do! I'd like to spend my days f_ing around listening to music. It would be simple. However, until I can get the axis of my life to all rotate in the same direction, this is podcast is going to have to serve as the fun in between work. Like a sandwich. Tales From The drop Box Episode 151 sandwiches 15 songs into about an hour of time. It is fun. It is filled with a bunch of cool bands you've probably not heard much about or have yet to discover. So, strap in, play loud and shake a tale feather while immersing yourself into the groovy tunes.

I'm sorry I was away for a couple of weeks. I'm back. So are you. Are we good? Continue reading →

Wow! Tales From The Drop Box Episode 150! I am not sure how I arrived at this point, but I can guarantee you that I enjoyed the adventure. After 150 episodes of these podcasts, the sheer quality of new music being released never ceases to amaze and inspire me. It is truly sad that a number of these artists and bands will disappear because they didn't fit the format of whatever the heck radio wants to play. However, the more than 150 hours of these shows is evidence of what radio misses. Further, Tales From The Drop Box has captured approximately 2000 different bands over the past 4 years. Among them are a disproportionately large number of artists (many of which will never have the radio spotlight pointed their way) deserving to be heard! Maybe future generations will discover these lost gems and pay those discoveries forward. A society is represented by its music and culture and Tales From The Drop Box has presented over the past 4 years this most under represented segment of musical culture.

As I move on beyond these first 150 episodes, I hope to continue to bring you more of the unfiltered, poignant, catchy as hell, unexposed genius that catches my fancy - and hopefully yours as well.

Here is what you'll find in Episode 150: Continue reading →

I think I’m getting the hang of this. Tales From The Drop Box 149 contains the perfect song mix. Not really. I am playing a bunch of songs that I think you’ll like and perhaps if enough of you spread … Continue reading →

A little something for your Cinqo de Mayo after party, Tales From The Drop Box Episode 148 is a pop filled affair. Sure there is a sprinkling of puck rock, from Pkew Pkew Pkew, Priors and Free Throw but the main focus is on the indie rock, indie pop with some tunes from Halcyon Drive, Aqualung, And the Kids and Hooverphonic to lighten the mood. Don't worry, its still a traditional Tales From The Drop Box episode. i.e. filled with a selection of tracks not likely played on radio in your hometown unless you live in the most musically diverse rock town, ever.

Oh... and Game of Thrones S8 EP4? WTF? I though winter was coming. You mean it is over already? Continue reading →

So, I have a midweek episode for you! Tales From The Drop Box Episode 147 mixes up some pure pop in the form of a new track from Bad Bad Hats against some pure psychedelic garage from Ty Segall and this is juxtaposed against the pure post-pink/punk rock of the Viagra Boys. It's a good ride, and for a Wednesday should make the drive time home a much more pleasant experience. So, while you are parked in traffic, roll down your window, turn up the stereo, and share this latest episode with your neighbors!

As you already know and it bears repeating, if the music truly mattered then radio stations would actually play good music. Continue reading →

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 146 has a really good mix of juicy new music! This episode features a number of very recent releases, most from this past month. As you probably are a little worn out from Record Store Day (RSD) held on April 13, these tracks are from bands not involved in that special day, such as new Cherry Pickles, Band of Skulls, Audacity, Yawpers, Cage The Elephant, Clowns and D.O.A. Whew!

As for Record Store Day, I have found that the RSD releases, for the most part, miss the mark on bringing forth truly special offerings. The focus is clearly on reissues (although the Flaming Lips released a new album!) and this year there were very few gems to be found amidst the more than 500 releases that also justified the inflated prices. For me the following were the true gems: Continue reading →