May 5, 2010 (Playlist)

May 5, 2010 (Playlist):
"Our Forty-Seventh Show: Never Mind the Mainstream: The Final Show!"

R.E.M. – Pop Song 89
Big Star – Thank You Friends
The Alarm – Spirit Of '76
Pela – Cavalry
*"Punk Trunk!": Sex Pistols – The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle
*"Punk Trunk!": The Dead Milkmen – Punk Rock Girl
The Godfathers – Birth, School, Work, Death
Built To Spill – Big Dipper
Dire Straits – Money For Nothing
*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – Growin' Up (Live)
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": The Kingsmen – Louie, Louie (Richard Berry Cover)

Los Campesinos – It Started With A Mixx
Spoon – Written In Reverse
The National – All The Wine
The Doors – Light My Fire
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": Band Of Horses – The End's Not Near (The New Year Cover)
Bloc Party – The Once And Future King
Morrissey – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (Live)
The Who – Baba O'Riley
The Kinks – Waterloo Sunset
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Kiss Them For Me
The Mountain Goats – Sax Rohmer #1
The Beatles – I Saw Her Standing There
The Replacements – Left Of The Dial

*Background music consisted of various songs we featured on the very first edition of Never Mind the Mainstream, way back on September 12, 2008. Talk about a blast from the past.

So ends Never Mind the Mainstream, the tiny college radio station show that blew up to capture the attention of so many people around the world (that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but hey, I'm on a roll). It's all over. Kaput. Done. D-d-d-done. I apologize for posting this almost two weeks after the show originally aired, but believe me, my post-college life has been just as intense as my college career was, only now I have to worry about my two jobs. Not fun. Enough about me, let's dive into the music. Just look at that playlist. If you've been an avid follower of NMTM since it's beginning, then there is no way in hell you would have expected us to choose and play the tunes that we did. There's a lot of classic rock, mixed in with some legendary alternative rock anthems and indie rock gems. It truly was a great "mixx". Being that it may have been my final radio gig ever (God, I really hope not), I decided to pull the plug on our normal format, and play what many people may or may not have expect from me: some of my favorite songs of all time. "Spirit Of '76," "Money For Nothing," "Light My Fire," and "I Saw Her Standing There". I could not survive without those hits. They mean the world to me and each one is backed with a compelling story. Jim matched up my choices with some solid picks of his own, and together, like always, we put out a terrific broadcast. Our callers were ecstatic to be on the air for the grand finale and we thank them more than they will ever know. We also want to thank those who stopped in (all our fellow on-air personalities and close friends) and those who messaged us on AOL Instant Messenger. As we've been saying since day one, our fans make our show the great product that it truly is. Jim, the new president of the station, will be on the airwaves with 88.3 FM KUR this summer, so make sure you check out the website for his dates and times. I will be working my tail off, trying to make it as a professional somewhere in the real world. "This one's optimistic." Jim and I would like to thank every single person, from the bottom of our hearts, who ever listened to our show, promoted our show, and/or believed in us. I can honestly say that college radio was the greatest part of my college tenor. A bigger and more emotional essay is still to come here on our blog: nevermindmainstream.blogspot.com, as soon as I get a chance to write everything down. Thank you all so, so much. Keep discovering new and interesting music, and we'll catch you, "left of the dial."

R.E.M. - "Pop Song 89"


Spoon - "Written In Reverse"


Morrissey - "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"

The Final Show Airs Tomorrow.

The time has come to lay this show to rest. Jim Adair, Mike Pop, and present "88.3 FM KUR "Never Mind the Mainstream: The Final Show!" TOMORROW, 6-8 PM ET. Join us as we relive the past two years as Kutztown University Radio's greatest dynamic duo of all time. There's plenty of fun to be had as we expect an alarming amount ...of special guests to come into the studio. The playlist is a little "out there", but why not go a little unorthodox for the final show ever? We're excited about it, and we hope you are, too. Tune in. Tell your parents to tune in. Tell a random stranger to tune in. You will not want to miss our finest (two) hours ever. Stream the show @ kur.kutztown.edu. Call into the studio line: (610)-683-4058. IM us on AOL Instant Messenger: KURRequest. Never Mind the Mainstream: The best alternative and indie rock on college radio. We'll catch you for the finale tomorrow, left of the dial. Thank you all.

Dire Straits - "Money For Nothing"

April 30, 2010 (Playlist)

April 30, 2010 (Playlist):
"Our Forty-Sixth Show!"

Gogol Bordello – Pala Tute
LCD Soundsystem – Drunk Girls
Pixies – Tame
Heavenly – C Is The Heavenly Option
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": Death Cab For Cutie – Here Comes The Rain Again (The Eurythmics Cover) (Live)
The xx – Islands
M.I.A. – Born Free
Broken Social Scene – Forced To Love
The National – Afraid Of Everyone
Surfer Blood – Take It Easy
Jenny Lewis – Carpetbaggers (Feat. Jonathan Rice & Elvis Costello)
*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – The Promise

Tokyo Police Club – Wait Up (Boots Of Danger)
Field Music – Measure
*"Punk Trunk!": Black Flag – TV Party
*"Punk Trunk!": The Ramones – Do You Wanna Dance?
The Tallest Man On Earth – King Of Spain
Cake – Italian Leather Sofa
Foo Fighters – Oh, George
Band Of Skulls – Death By Diamonds And Pearls
The Smiths – Ask
Cold War Kids – Saint John
Flesh For Lulu – I Go Crazy

*Background music consisted of various instrumentals songs from Bloc Party's past three records: "Silent Alarm", "A Weekend In The City", and "Intimacy".

The penultimate show (which for those who don't know what that means, it's our second to last show - ever!). And what a show it was. Jim Adair and myself understand that for a crunch-time show, there needs to be a kick-ass playlist. As we have both been raving about the new music that came out last month and now in this month, we spun only the best of the best in alternative rock on Never Mind the Mainstream. New tunes this week featured Gogol Bordello, LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A., Broken Social Scene, The National, Surfer Blood, (brand spankin' new) Tokyo Police Club, and Field Music. We were also graced with some of our favorite callers in the show's history, specifically Redneck Jeff, who revealed himself, after two years of persistent call-ins, to be my own twin brother. Not terribly shocking, but still amusing nevertheless. We got to play a whopping 23 song set and participated in some crazy college antics on the air. You had to hear it to believe it. Tune in next week for another great set.

Oh, and did we mention that next week is our final show ever!? We'll be promoting the last hoorah like crazy over the next couple of days, so we hope you won't ignore us, rather you'll join us. Call in, IM us, hell, even show up at the station. We don't care how you do it, just celebrate two years of excellent college radio programming with us. Never Mind the Mainstream. The finale. You cannot miss this. Thank you so much for the support!

LCD Soundsystem - "Drunk Girls"


The xx - "Islands"


The Smiths - "Ask"

The Penultimate Show Airs Tonight!

All good things must come to an end, even yours truly and Jim Adair understand this. But we've got two more shows left in the tank until we retire this old college radio program for good. Rest assured, Never Mind the Mainstream will dominate 88.3 FM KUR for our final two editions. We are not messin' around - these shows will display some of the greatest alternative and indie rock from yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We kick-off this crunch-time show with new music from LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A., Broken Social Scene, The National, Surfer Blood, and more. Don't forget that we always pay tribute to the movers and shakers of alt. rock, and this week we do so with Pixies, Heavenly, Cake, and Flesh For Lulu. Mix that all up with the "Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week", "The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune", and the "Punk Trunk!" (with a newly acquired opening sound byte!). The party begins at 6 PM TONIGHT! Stream the show live @ kur.kutztown.edu. Call into the studio line: (610) 683-4058 or IM us on AOL Instant Messenger: KURRequest. Tune in to mellow out/rock out/or just plain hang out before final exams week.

Cold War Kids - "Saint John"

April 23, 2010 (Playlist)

April 23, 2010 (Playlist):
"Our Forty-Fifth Show!"

Phoenix – Lasso
Tegan & Sara – Don't Rush
Band Of Horses – Compliments
Josh Ritter – Rattling Locks
Goo Goo Dolls – We Are The Normal
The Mountain Goats – Palmcorder Yajna
New Order – Love Less
Pavement – Unseen Power Of The Picket Fence
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": Echo & The Bunnymen – People Are Strange (The Doors Cover)
The Hold Steady – The Weekenders
Pearl Jam – Hail, Hail

*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – Sherry Darling (Live)
Stars – Fixed
Bloc Party – The Marshals Are Dead
*"Punk Trunk!": Joe Jackson – I'm The Man
*"Punk Trunk!": Blondie – Hanging On The Telephone
Imogen Heap – Tidal
Titus Andronicus – Richard II
Sonic Youth – Star Power
Radiohead – Optimistic
Modest Mouse – Paper Thin Walls

*Background music consisted of various tracks featured on the Fired Up! Ultimate Dance Collection compilation. They ranged from Amber to Rockell. Cheesy, 90s club jams and roller rink anthems alike.

Mark it down: 45 shows (total) in the book! Your hosts, Jim Adair and myself (Mike Pop) added to the greatness of Friday's sunny afternoon by bringing you a superb edition of Never Mind the Mindstream. With only a few shows left to go in NMTM's lifespan, we're pulling out all the stops and bringing you the greatest programming a college radio frequency has ever seen. This week featured a few shockers, even for our show: Goo Goo Dolls, (a Doors cover via) Echo & The Bunnymen, Joe Jackson, and Blondie. New music brought to you by Tegan & Sara, Band Of Horses, The Hold Steady, Stars, and Titus Andronicus. Jim pulled out his vinyl collection and it was an absolute thrill to play those records on our player for the first time in our show's illustrious history. Thanks to everyone who tuned in. We know the weather is beautiful and everyone wants to be outside, so why not turn us on outdoors? We sound better in nature, anyway. There's only two shows left and the final two are going to be awesome, so you do not want to miss a single note. Tune in next week for another great set.

Phoenix - "Lasso"


The Hold Steady - "The Weekenders"


Sonic Youth - "Star Power"

45th Installment Tonight!

Because I'm lazy and woke up ten minutes ago...

Never Mind the Mainstream. LIVE, TONIGHT, 6-8 PM ET! Only on 88.3 KUR. Stream the show live @ kur.kutztown.edu. New music tonight from Band Of Horses, The Hold Steady, Stars, Titus Andronicus, and more. Tune in! Studio line: (610)-683-4058. AIM: KURRequest.

Band Of Horses - "Compliments"

April 16, 2010 (Playlist)

April 16, 2010 (Playlist)
"Our Forty-Fourth Show!"

The Black Keys – Next Girl
The Dead Weather – Die By The Drop
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": The Bird & The Bee – Rich Girl (Hall & Oates Cover)
Julian Casablancas – Out Of The Blue
Death Cab For Cutie – We Looked Like Giants
Nick Drake – One Of These Things First
Van Morrison – And It Stoned Me
The Pretenders – My City Was Gone
The Coat Hangers – Gettin' Mad & Pumpin' Iron
Pete Yorn – Last Summer
Fionn Regan – Lord Help My Poor Soul

*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – Tunnel Of Love
*"Punk Trunk!": The Replacements – Lookin' For Ya
*"Punk Trunk!": The Adverts – One Chord Wonders
Weezer – Holiday
Toro Y Moi – Talamak
Jamie T – Rawhide (Feat. Lily Allen)
Slow Club – Giving Up On Love
The Twilight Singers – Bonnie Brae
Gin Blossoms – Found Out About You
Rilo Kiley – Glendora
The Thermals – Returning To The Fold

*Background music consisted of various instrumental alternative rock tunes from the 1980s and 1990s. The list features acts the likes of New Order, Pixies, R.E.M., The Replacements, and Sonic Youth.

Returning to our normal time-slot (Fridays, 6-8 PM ET), Jim Adair and myself (Mike Pop) brought the best of yesterday's, today's, and tomorrow's alternative and indie rock to the college airwaves, only on 88.3 FM KUR. Last week's Saturday shift was a fun one-off show, but we really love our two hours on Friday nights (and we know you do, too). It was one our first shows in a long time that we were not graced with beautiful, sunny Spring weather. Instead we got hit with a booming thunderstorm and a pounding downpour. Good thing we broadcast in a basement. This week's show was as vibrant and uppity as The Thermals concert in Philadelphia the night before (Jim and I both attended, met the band, and were treated to a great punk rock setlist). So we gushed for a bit and retold some tales from that evening. Music-wise, we brought you the standard "Grade A" college rock we bring every week. New music featured The Black Keys, The Dead Weather, Pete Yorn, Fionn Regan, Toro Y Moi, and Slow Club. The "Cover" brought guilty pleasure Hall & Oats into the scene, the "Trunk" opened with an early 'Mats demo, and the "Boss-Tune" was my personal favorite Springsteen single of all time ("Gotta learn to live with whatcha' can't rise above!"). Thanks to everyone who tuned in and called into the studio. Tune in next week for another great set.

The Dead Weather - "Die By The Drop"


The Pretenders - "My City Was Gone"


Gin Blossoms - "Found Out About You"

Our 44th Show Is Tonight!

Hey guys, after last week's special Saturday edition, we're back where we belong tonight: Friday nights, 6-8 PM ET, only on 88.3 FM KUR. Jim and I are still buzzing from The Thermals' show last night. Those guys really put on an amazing punk set in Philadelphia. This week, we've got a wide variety of newer and older tunes, some upbeat, some down-tempo, but a great line-up no matter what you're into. There's always something for everyone on NMTM. Some featured artists include The Black Keys, The Dead Weather, Weezer, Toro Y Moi, and more. Call into the studio line all show long: (610)-683-4058, or IM us on AOL Instant Messenger: KURRequest. Stream the show live @ kur.kutztown.edu. We hope to hear from you. It's going to be a great show!

Pete Yorn - "Last Summer"

April 10, 2010 (Playlist)

April 10, 2010 (Playlist)
"Our Forty-Third Show!"

Belle & Sebastian – Another Sunny Day
Death Cab For Cutie – Photobooth
The New Pornographers – Your Hands (Together)
Bloc Party – Rhododendrons
*"Punk Trunk!": Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers – Chinese Rocks
*"Punk Trunk!": Hüsker Dü – Celebrated Summer
R.E.M. – So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)
Modest Mouse – Breakthrough
The Boat People – Born In The 80s
Dr. Dog – Unbearable Why

*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": Nada Surf – Electrocution (Bill Fox Cover)
*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – Crush On You
Doves – There Goes The Fear
The Elected – Would You Come With Me?
The Strange Boys – Be Brave
Harlem – Gay Human Bones
Local Natives – Sun Hands
Manchester Orchestra – I've Got Friends
Vampire Weekend – Holiday
Pixies – Debaser

*Background music consisted of various instrumental alternative rock tunes from the 1980s and 1990s. The list features acts the likes of The Meat Puppets, New Order, Pixies, R.E.M., and Sonic Youth.

This weekend marked the first ever Never Mind the Mainstream Saturday edition and Jim and I could not have been more pleased with how this landmark show turned out. The reason this was held on Saturday from 2-4 PM ET was because Friday night from 4-9:30 PM was 88.3 FM KUR's 5th Anniversary Party, in which alumni, young and old, came together to celebrate KUR's success. It was a great experience and we want to personally thank all of those who came out to support us. The cake was delicious, by the way. Onto the show. This week featured a handful of new tunes from the likes of The New Pornographers, The Boat People, Dr. Dog, The Strange Boys, and more. The "Punk Trunk!" came in early with The Heartbreakers and Hüsker Dü and two of their greatest tunes ever. "Boss-Tune" crushed it and "The Cover" showcased Nada Surf's ability to create epic covers. Jim and I were graced with some of our closest friends who were eager to get on the airwaves and talk about anything and everything from obtaining teaching degrees to bar advice. And we closed out the show with a scrambled sing-a-long to "Debaser" and left the station with a great feeling of accomplishment. A big thanks to all our listeners, callers, and messengers. Our fans make the show what it is. Tune in next week as we'll be back on Friday nights (6-8 PM ET). Tune in next week for another great set (and a report on the live The Thermals concert the preceding night in Philadelphia!).

Death Cab For Cutie - "Photobooth"


R.E.M. - "So. Central Rain"


Local Natives - "Sun Hands"

Show Postponed Til' Tomorrow

That's right. 88.3 FM KUR is having it's 5th Anniversary Party and the airwaves have been cleared for on-the-spot programming. We'll be live TOMORROW, 2-4 PM ET. So tune in then for some great college rock. See you then.

Indie Rock News (4/6/10)

(Photo taken from MySpace.com)

Hey, folks. After making my rounds through the web's most prestigious web sites recently (news-related and music-related), I found some pretty unique links that I'd like to share. This could be a new segment, but it may not be. Things are getting a little wild here in Kutztown as I begin to wrap up my college career, so you'll have to excuse me for my lack of posting. I generalize a lot of things here nowadays. The show posts are still pretty tight, though. Anyway, here's what I found.

• Ask Vampire Weekend a question!
• Bloc Party's Kele will be touring and releasing a new record this summer, The Boxer. (!)
• Eyrkha Badu in legal trouble over new video shoot.
  
• Lollapalooza 2010 Lineup has been announced. Big names taking the stage in Chicago this summer.
  
• She & Him have been hitting the late night circuit lately: Letterman and Kimmel.

Look forward to New Music Wednesdays tomorrow. This week has been great. The Spring 2010 music release season looks better with each passing day.

April 2, 2010 (Playlist)

April 2, 2010 (Playlist):
"Our Forty-Second Show!"

The Replacements – Bastards Of Young
Free Energy – Dream City
Fang Island – Daisy
Happy Birthday – Girls FM
Pavement – Range Life
Tape The Radio – Stay Inside
Wilco – Poor Places (Live)
*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – Radio Nowhere
Iron & Wine & Calexico – He Lays In The Reins
MGMT – Flash Delirium
Billy Bragg – Walt Whitman's Niece

The Sundays – Here's Where The Story Ends
*"Punk Trunk!": The Thermals – I Let It Go
*"Punk Trunk!": Fugazi – Waiting Room
Elliott Smith – Amity
Nirvana – Serve The Servants
Okkervil River – Pop Lie
Dum Dum Girls – Jail La La
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – If You Leave
Pinback – How We Breathe
Big Star – In The Street
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": Streetlight Manifesto (The Dead Milkmen Cover)

*This show was prerecorded due to a time conflict, so no background music was used.

Tune in next week for another great set.

The Replacements - "Bastards Of Young"


MGMT - "Flash Delirium"


Dum Dum Girls - "Jail La La"

Prerecorded Show For Tonight

Tonight's show has been prerecorded due to a time conflict.

Never Mind the Mainstream. TONIGHT, 6-8 PM ET! Only on 88.3 KUR. Stream the show @ kur.kutztown.edu. New music tonight from Free Energy, Fang Island, MGMT, Dum Dum Girls, and more. Tune in!

Fugazi - "Waiting Room"

March 26, 2010 (Playlist)

March 26, 2010 (Playlist):
"Our Forty-First Show!"

The Stars Of Track And Field – The Breaking Of Waves
Radiohead – Electioneering
OK Go – This Too Shall Pass
The Hold Steady – Hurricane J
Jane's Addiction – Stop
Tokyo Police Club – Breakneck Speed
Polaris – She Is Staggering
Rilo Kiley – With Arms Outstretched
Broken Social Scene – World Sick
The Good Life – I Am An Island
Fever Ray – When I Grow Up
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": The Fruit Bats – Never Tear Us Apart (INXS Cover)

The Vaselines – Son Of A Gun
Weezer – Why Bother?
*"Punk Trunk!": Nick Lowe – Heart Of The City
*"Punk Trunk!": The Clash – The Guns Of Brixton
The Radio Dept. – Heaven's On Fire
The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
Screaming Trees – Nearly Lost You
*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – Adam Raised A Cain (Live)
Spoon – The Mystery Zone
Beat Happening – Indian Summer
The Smiths – Rubber Ring/What She Said (Live).

*Background music consisted of various instrumental alternative rock tunes from the 1980s and 1990s. The list features acts the likes of The Meat Puppets, New Order, Pixies, R.E.M., and Sonic Youth.

Old dogs can learn new tricks. This old saying could be said for Big Jim and myself, as our mighty tandem radio force took an unorthodox approach to our forty-first installment of NMTM. The approach: we planned nothing in advance. This is because of a few reasons. One being that we simply could not settle on a time and date earlier in the week to put the show together. Another being that I was too focused on comprehensive exams to give the show a fair amount of my week's attention. And last, we wanted to test ourselves, to see how we could manage a spur-of-the-moment playlist. Jim said it right when we were flying by the seat of our pants. The show, however, was stellar. It also started on time with the both of us ready for action (unlike an hour later, as predicted earlier in the week). Check out that list. We couldn't have added more variety, new music, and risky numbers if we had tried (Beat Happening isn't entirely radio friendly, but hey, that's why we're college radio). We spoke about how excited we are for the Spring because some of the biggest names in the world of independent music are releasing new material. That being said, we sampled some of that music this week: The Hold Steady, Tokyo Police Club, Broken Social Scene, and The National all shined on our program. We also spun a breed of alt-rock classics: Jane's Addiction, The Vaselines, Screaming Trees, The Smiths, and more. We also threw in some live tracks. And as always, our special segments were important in their own way. Thanks again for tuning in to most random show ever. Tune in next week for another great set.

Radiohead - "Electioneering"


Broken Social Scene - "World Sick"


Spoon - "The Mystery Zone"

Short & Sweet: NMTM 41 Tonight!

Short and sweet, due to a hectic Friday schedule: Never Mind the Mainstream. LIVE, TONIGHT, 6-8 PM ET! Only on 88.3 KUR. Stream the show live @ kur.kutztown.edu. New music tonight from The Hold Steady, Broken Social Scene, OK Go, The Radio Dept., and more. Tune in! Studio line: (610)-683-4058. AIM: KURRequest.

The Stars Of Track And Field - "The Breaking Of Waves"

March 19, 2010 (Playlist)

March 19, 2010 (Playlist):
"Our Fortieth Show!"

Cold War Kids – Santa Ana Winds
Guided By Voices – The Best Of Jill Hives
She & Him – In The Sun
Neko Case – Red Tide
Gorillaz – Rhinestone Eyes
Broken Bells – Vaporize
Josh Ritter – Change Of Time
Hunters & Collectors – Throw Your Arms Around Me
Fionn Regan – Coat Hook
*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – Loose Ends
Teo Leo & The Pharmacists – The Mighty Sparrow
Paul Westerberg – Love You In The Fall

Big Star – Thirteen
Meat Puppets – Served Goddess Hand
The National – Terrible Love (Live)
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": The Autumn Defense – Paradise (Miracle Legion Cover)
*"Punk Trunk!": Titus Andronicus – Titus Andronicus Forever
*"Punk Trunk!": Dropkick Murphys – God Willing
The Tallest Man On Earth – Burden Of Tomorrow
Motion City Soundtrack – Disappear
Echo & The Bunnymen – Lips Like Sugar (Live)
The Strokes – Reptilia
The Church – Another Earth

*Background music consisted of various cult classic tunes from the 1980s. They ranged from The Cure to New Order, from cheesy to epic, covering multiple genres.

Once again, NMTM proves its commanding validity by bringing new music to the masses, even on a medium like college radio. This week, the rock 'n' roll duo of Jim Adair and myself (but more Jim) spun a profusion of new tunes from some of the biggest names in the game: Cold War Kids, She & Him, Gorillaz, Broken Bells, Fionn Regan, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, and much more. Older numbers had a strong showing, too: Hunters & Collectors, Meat Puppets, Echo & The Bunnymen, and The Church. We also felt it appropriate to honor a rock legend who passed away this week, Alex Chilton of The Box Tops, Big Star, and himself as a solo artist. Thank you for your years of great music, Mr. Chilton. Our return to the airwaves from Spring Break proved righteous to our fans, despite the beautiful northeastern weather that was calling so many of us away from our radios. Spring is now in session. Next week, Jim's got the show to himself for the first hour while I attend to a few graduation-required comprehensive exams. Weak. But we'll reunite for hour two and really kill it as we finish up the final show of March. Tune in next week for another great set.

She & Him - "In The Sun"


The National - "Terrible Love"


Echo & The Bunnymen - "Lips Like Sugar"

Tomorrow Night - NMTM Hits 40!

The two stars of 88.3 FM KUR's Never Mind the Mainstream, Jim Adair and myself, have returned to the airwaves after a two week hiatus. We both survived separate Spring Break adventures to host NMTM once again. The vacation was much deserved, but now it's back to business. This week, we're celebrating 2010 with some new tunes from some of the year's greatest albums thus far. And trust me, there have already been some monumental records released in the last couple of months. Tune in to hear new singles from Cold War Kids, She & Him, Gorillaz, Broken Bells, and much more in the line-up throughout the show. Also, did anyone ask for some classic jangle pop jams? Well, we've got 'em. Guided By Voices, Hunters & Collectors, Meat Puppets, and The Church make their way onto the show tomorrow night. Along with that solid mix, we'll have our usual specials and segments, like the "Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week", the "Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune", and the "Punk Trunk!". Do not miss our grand return to afternoon drive radio only on college radio. Tune in from 6-8 PM ET online @ kur.kutztown.edu. Call into the studio line at (610)-683-4058 or IM us on AOL Instant Messenger at KURRequest. Catch you then, fans.

Hunters & Collectors - "Throw Your Arms Around Me"

R.I.P. Alex Chilton

Alex Chilton (1950 - 2010)

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?
If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool?
Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a file?
Hangin' down in Memphis all the while

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song? I'm in love with that sound."

Cerebral rape and pillage in a village of his choice.
Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice.
Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchanging good lucks face to face.
Checkin' his stash by the trash at St. Mark's place.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song? I'm in love with that sound."

I never travel far, without a little Big Star.

Runnin' 'round the house, Mickey Mouse and the Tarot cards.
Falling asleep with a flop pop video on.
If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?
If he died in Memphis, then that'd be cool, babe.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song? I'm in love with that sound." - The Replacements ("Alex Chilton")

Big Star - "September Gurls"

February 26, 2010 (Playlist)

February 26, 2010 (Playlist):
"Our Thirty-Ninth Show!"

The Soft Pack – C'mon
Built To Spill – Center Of The Universe
The Black Keys – I Got Mine
Delta Spirit – Trashcan
Yo La Tengo – The Forest Green
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": Death Cab For Cutie (Feat. Mates Of State) – Free Fallin' (Tom Petty Cover) (Live).
Beach House – Norway
TV On The Radio – DLZ
Oasis – She's Electric
The Smiths – I Want The One I Can't Have
Throw Me The Statue – Noises

*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – Fire (Live)
My Morning Jacket – Aluminum Park
Ryan Adams – Do Miss America
*"Punk Trunk!": The Dead Boys – Sonic Recuder
*"Punk Trunk!": Bad Brains – Banned In DC
Talking Heads – Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
Vampire Weekend – Giving Up The Gun
The Daves – Not In England
Radiohead – Electioneering
Shout Out Louds – 1999
Elvis Costello – Radio, Radio

*Background music consisted of various cult classic tunes from the 1980s. They ranged from The Cars to Toto, from cheesy to epic, covering multiple genres.

Classes were canceled and the campus was a ghost town, but on 88.3 FM KUR, the liveliest duo on college radio roared through the airwaves. It was the 39th installment of the Philadelphia AIR Award-nominated Never Mind the Mainstream and it was one of our most upbeat shows ever. The setlist was vibrant and our flow was unmatchable. We had the opportunity to spin new tracks this week from The Soft Pack, Beach House, Throw Me The Statue, Vampire Weekend, and Shout Out Louds. And we couldn't just forget about the past, so we cued up vintage tunes from Yo La Tengo, Oasis, The Smiths, Talking Heads, and more. Jim treated us to a rare, live cover of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" by Death Cab For Cutie and Mates Of State. I dished out a birthday song for one of our faithful listeners, with Talking Heads' "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)". It was a solid show and a great one to go out on, heading into Spring Break. That being stated, we'll be off next week. Don't feel too bad, we'll be back in two weeks with more great sets. It's just about crunch-time and NMTM is delivering it's best effort yet. See you soon!

The Black Keys - "I Got Mine"


The Smiths - "I Want The One I Can't Have"


My Morning Jacket - "Aluminum Park"

Despite Snow, NMTM Is Go!

The roads may be icy, classes may be canceled, and most university buildings may be closed, but that is not going to prevent Big Jim Adair and Mike Pop from bringing you the 39th edition of 88.3 FM KUR's Never Mind the Mainstream. We arm ourselves with vinyl records and switchboards and laugh in Mother Nature's face. This week we're breaking out some newbies, including The Soft Pack, Beach House, Vampire Weekend, and Shout Out Louds. We'll also be spinning vintage tracks from Yo La Tengo, The Smiths, Bad Brains, and Talking Heads. A quick reminder: this will be our last show before we leave for Spring Break. The vacation is very exciting, though we will miss the show to a degree. This means you must to tune in tonight, 6-8 PM ET, for your weekly dose of awesome college rock. Studio line: (610)-683-4058. AOL Instant Messenger: KURRequest. See you to the left of the dial.

Julian Casablancas - "Out Of The Blue"