Running Playlists

Indie rockers love running.

Any time of year is a great time to begin a commitment, especially a healthy one. It just so happens that once the new year hits, it's all about resolutions. One of mine this year was to get back into solid running shape (like, to run 4-5 miles at a good pace and not be winded). For those who don't know me that well, I was a pretty serious runner for a number of years; I ran cross country and track in high school and reminiscent about it constantly. It's tough to stay dedicated to the regiment in college, with the demanding schedule, workload, and ... the beer. But I'm going to reach my goal, that's for certain. Running long distances is very soothing, once you build your base. It's mostly a love/hate relationship for me, but the euphoric feeling you get from finishing a long run is like none other. Runner's high, baby. So how does this correlate with music?

Each day this past week, I listened to a different band's album each time I hopped on the treadmill (f.y.i, I have a 30-day membership at a gym owned by some variation-of-Christianity Church and they blast Christian rock like Jesus is watching). Here are some bands that got me pumped up while racking up the miles. Give them a listen next time you lace up and hit the road.

Monday: Nirvana - Live At Reading Festival
Started the week off with some live, grunge fury. The band opens with "Breed", and then goes into "Drain You", "Aneurysm", "School", "Sliver" and "In Bloom". That's as far as I got, but other notable tracks from this '92 show are "Come As You Are", "All Apologies", "Dumb", and "Stay Away".

Tuesday: Alice In Chains - The Essential Alice In Chains
I needed some hard rock on the most unattractive day of the week. Songs like "Man In The Box", "Would?" and "Rooster" helped me out during a run that felt to have lasted 6 miles, not 2 and a half. Layne's painful moaning let me know I wasn't the only one doing something hard. A great "Essential" compilation.

Wednesday: The Replacements - Last Show Ever! (Bootleg)
Something about live recordings really gets me moving. The Mats bring out the rockin' guitars on their final gig, opening with "I Will Dare". Then it's on to "Bent Out Of Shape", "Achin' To Be", "Merry Go Round" and others. At this point, I'm a sweaty mess, but it feels good. A must-own bootleg for the serious Westerberg fan.

Thursday: The Clash - Live At Shea Stadium
Punk rock running. Recorded when they opened for The Who back in the early 80s. I will admit that some of their reggae tunes made me want to slow down and take a breather, but tracks like "London Calling" and "Rock The Casbah" got my legs revved up. Also, I daydreamed a bit during "Police On My Back" about being chased by cherry-tops.

Friday: Day off. (What? I needed it.).

Saturday: Say Anything - ...Is A Real Boy
Their only good album, which was also their first studio record. And good album - I mean great. One of my favorites of the decade. It had a bite to it upon first listen and it still does. Standouts on this Saturday afternoon jog were "Belt", "Woe", and "Spidersong". I should've listened to "Admit It!!!", a song about arrogant hipsters lights my fire.

Sunday: Well I'm writing this, isn't that enough of a strain?

The Clash - "Police On My Back"

For more information on running and working out, visit CoachPopFitness.com. That's my brother's site, which he should update more frequently. Maybe that will be his resolution. Oh, and check this out for more information regarding the benefits of music and fitness.

October 16, 2009 (Playlist)

October 16, 2009 (Playlist):
"Our Twenty-Eighth Show!"

Coldplay – Life In Technicolor II
Peter Gabriel – Red Rain
The Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger
*"Punk Trunk!": The Stooges – Search & Destroy
*"Punk Trunk!": Rancid – Last One To Die
Silversun Pickups – Substitution
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll
Muse – Uprising
Glassjaw – Cosmopolitan Blood Loss
Tool – Schism

Public Image Ltd. – Public Image
*"The Mighty Mighty Boss-Tune": Bruce Springsteen – Lonesome Day
The Replacements – Merry Go Round
Bloc Party – Tulips (Minotaur Shock Remix)
*"Allen Reed Memorial Cover Of The Week": Oasis – I Am The Walrus (Live) (The Beatles Cover)
Death Cab For Cutie – Meet Me On The Equinox
The Smiths – Frankly, Mr. Shankly
*Indie News
R.E.M. – Until The Day Is Done
The Clash – Train In Vain (Live)

*Background music consisted of various tunes from Tycho (Scott Hansen), a talented San Fransisco ambient DJ. His latest single is called "Cascade" and it's the opening track on the Ghostly Swim compilation.

After controlling the board, computers, and players in the on-air room for the entire 2 hours, I realized how tough it is to manage the show solo. Nevertheless, the 28th edition of NMTM rock and rolled this past Friday with little fault. Jim was absent from the program, as he witnessed Dead Man's Bones live in Philadelphia (and will see The Boss in Philly on Monday night; a report will follow on next week's show). Just as I was beginning to think I'd be by myself, KUR newcomer, Jay, popped in and shadowed my show for the first hour. Fair enough - I hope he learned a thing or two from me. Long tracks occupied most of the show. I was finally able to play a song I've been aching to play since the show began, with Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain". Fall tunes also appeared on the playlist in the form of The 'Mats and Bloc Party. I also included some classic standards (PIL, Tool), oven-fresh tunes (SSPUs, Muse, DCFC), deep tracks (Smiths, R.E.M.), and two recorded live (Oasis, Clash). Plus, the usual segments and specials. All in all, it was a very personal and fun program (with exceptions for the two requests: The Fratellis and Glassjaw). Tune in next week when Jim comes back to the program and we reign supreme from 6-8 PM. And as always, tune in for another great set!

Muse - "Uprising"


Tool - "Schism"


The Clash - "Train In Vain"

The Clash Tops RXP's First Major Countdown

Check it out, people: New York's Rock Experience, 101.9 RXP, conducted a list over Labor Day weekend consisting of the definitive 1,019 tracks that stand the test of time in rock 'n' roll history. Essentially, a best-of-the-bests kind of thing. The countdown was arranged by the combined efforts of both listener and RXP staff vote submissions. 1,019 songs - that's a pretty extensive list, but let me assure you, it was quite enjoyable to tune into the station throughout the weekend and catch up on the Definitive 1,019 List. Here's the Top 10:

10. The Ramones - "I Wanna Be Sedated"
9. Elvis Costello - "(What’s So Funny About)…"
8. The Rolling Stones - "Gimme Shelter"
7. Tom Petty - "American Girl"
6. Led Zeppelin - "Ramble On"
5. The Beatles - "A Day In The Life"
4. Bruce Springsteen - "Thunder Road"
3. The Smiths - "How Soon Is Now?"
2. The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"
1. The Clash - "London Calling"

Is this what you expected? RXP favorites Costello, Petty, and The Boss all make the cut in the Top 10. Legendary 80's indie band, The Smiths, capture 3rd place. And the late Joe Strummer and Co. claim numero uno. Keep in mind, the fans had most of the say on what went down. I, for one, agree with the Rock Republic and applaud 101.9 RXP on a job well done.

The Smiths - "How Soon Is Now?"


The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"


Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl, Elvis Costello, & Steve Van Standt - "London Calling"


Click here for the entire list, courtesy of DJ Steve Craig and 101.9 RXP.

It's Labor Day, Take The Day Off

Happy Labor Day. A big thanks goes out to all those 12-year-old kids who lost their fingers and innocence in textile mills during the turn of the century. I bet that sucked. But because of our hard-working forefathers, not only do we have weekends, but we also have a Monday off to reflect on how much we hate our 9-5's. Yet even still, some of us work on holidays, which only makes the rage inside of us flow higher to the brim, until we eventually repress it, becoming cancerous. Here's a couple of videos about working, but more truthfully, about despising your modern day slave labor. Enjoy:

Canibus (Feat. Biz Markie) - "Shove This Jay Oh Bee"

The Clash - "Career Opportunities"


The Offspring - "Why Don't You Get A Job?"


"Hmmm...yeah..."

Pinfield Back On RXP! & A Big Birthday!

After a brief stint in rehab, the legendary Matt Pinfield returned to radio and is back on the morning show and rockin' the airwaves on NYC's own 101.9 WRXP. What a great day for radio. Welcome back, Matt. We've missed you!


In other great news, I TURNED 21!!!

(Not me, but I did outlast my twin brother in a shots contest)

And while I was being served legally at a sports bar, I heard this song play over and over in my head throughout the night and all the way into the bitter hangover the next morning. Drinks on me, folks. I'll bring the beers.

The Clash - Spanish Bombs

Now off to being drunk and broke for the remainder of the summer.