| Song | Artist | Year | Pick | Genre(s) | Willis Notes | Gregg Notes |
| Caught In My Shadow | The Wonder Stuff | 1991 | Willis | Alt. Rock, Power Pop | I first heard them in college radio, associated with bands “from across the pond”,with a slight english folk sound – but that was all I knew. UK act started in 1986 that toured with Ned’s Atomic Dustbin along with Pop Will Eat Itself. Often combining elements of folk, ska, punk, and glam rock. Miles Hunt as the mainstay, the band broke up and then re-formed – still making music (last release 2019) with fairly consistent sound. The chorus is catchy with strong bassline, w/a rapping style interlude. Mandolin adds a folk feel. | Another band I caught up to while in college, and realized they were part of a whole “college rock”, left of center subculture that was built for people like myself. I had a difficult time figuring out if they were novelty, because some songs seemed quite overtly goofy in nature, but then I discovered several gems that have been with me for 30+ years. I remember this song, but only as part of the album track list. It never made it to mix tapes, which made this all the more enjoyable for me. I had “A Wish Away” in the queue, but this serves as a worthy selection for the DD listeners (and us). |
| We Don’t Speak Anymore | Thredd | 2026 | Gregg | Indietronica /Experimental Pop | My jaw dropped too on first listen, and still delivers. I hear the rhythmics and duet vocals of The XX, replacing the guitar and bass with way more electronics – Radiohead definitely. They seem new. looking forward to following this UK trio. | When i first heard this, I had to lift my jaw off the floor. It was the first new artist I’ve heard achieve a Radiohead-like effect with sonics, songwriting, and trippyness. In fact, I thought it WAS radiohead for a minute or 2 lol. After one listen, I had to give it the headphone test, and boy did it pass. I wish it was a bigger hit, so I could keep it around longer, but this will still find its way into future playlists, simply because it’s a pure fit. |
| Edge of the Edge | Panda Bear & Sonic Boom | 2022 | Willis | Psychedelic Pop, Electronic | The phone tones may be a thing of the past, but put an interesting date on this song. Panda Bear is Noah Lennox from Baltimore and the band Animal Collective – among other notable collabs: “Doin’ it Right “ w/Daft Punk on Random Access Memories Sonic Boom is Peter Kember from Spacemen 3 The nod to retro is so well executed. This could easily be mistaken for a Brian Wilson song. The lines of old and new blurred so much, I wasn’t sure if the do wop was them or samples. | Great damn song. Funny enough, it samples an old Doo Wop song called “Denise” by Randy & the Rainbows (a DooWop Drive essential). Couple years back it was in a TV commercial, and one night my father texted me to alert me that he heard “Denise” being sampled in a new song in a Honda ad – and it brought him such pride for some reason. I even sent him the full song, and his exact words were “this sounds like the Beach Boys” (good call on your part lol). Panda Bear is like Brian wilson on acid, as are most of his projects (including Animal Collective). This is a modern psychedelic masterpiece. |
| Aht Uh Mi Hed | Shuggie Otis | 1974 | Gregg | Psych Soul /Space Funk /Experimental | Literally never heard this name before, and kinda blows my mind how this stands up today. Warm vibes, sweet soulful vocals, sophisticated production, as you noted, to discover. Eagle crying. Sounds like he went dark for awhile after initial success, but then re-issue in 2013 revived his career. | So far ahead of his time. An artist worthy of a deep dive from any music-head – as you will discover a bevy of sounds and techniques that were used to some effect in future subculture music like Electronic, Trip Hop, Jungle, Neo Soul, Dub, etc. This beat is super simple, but essentially forms the foundation for dub and reggae that was bubbling under at this time. Artists like Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Thundercat and Flying Lotus have all cited Shuggie as a primary influence, and you’ll hear it all over his songs. |
| Rain In The Summertime | The Alarm | 1987 | Willis | Alt Rock, Post Punk | This week, a flash rainstorm hit our neighborhood for about an hour, which was the heaviest rain and hail I’ve experienced in over 50 years living in SJ. Milo and I ran outside and soaked it all up., sliding around on the ice pellets and being just dumped on. It was glorious. Of course the soundtrack for that moment was this song. As I’m typing this, learning that a “new” album released today called “Transformation”, but posthumously a year after the passing of lead singer from Cancer. I will never forget the 5th grade report I did on Wales, the “culture” section talked about Tom Jones but I should have included these guys. Like U2, their songs have a stadium rock quality that you feel like raising your arms and soaking in, just like rain in the summertime. | I always thought this was as good as any 80’s U2 song, but somehow wasn’t quite as mainstream. I’ve always gone back n forth on whether I should play this on HFD, but have resisted – thinking it was too “arena rockish”. But hearing it in the context of the DD, I probably shouldn’t be overthinking it. This is a great song, in the vein of the Simple Minds formula (melodic, rhythmic rock with a big, sing-along chorus). I always loved “Strength” more than this one, but both are classics. On air, I’ll tell you a couple great stories about Mike Peters, and all his charity work (in conjunction with Squeeze and Anchor & Hope). I was lucky enough to meet Mike and his wife after his first battle with cancer, and he was a saint. Sadly he passed away last year. |
| Somebody to Love | Dwight Twilley | 1981 | Gregg | Power Pop /Pre Indie | I thought maybe a familiar name, but actually no. All of his works are unfamiliar to me. I like this song’s varied structure, which I think makes it feel alternative or indie Although it is anchored with power-rock-rhythm with power chords is broken up with guitar riffs that decorate in a playful way, and how his vocals understate with pain up until he lightens up and stretches out with “lo-oh, oh, uh-oh, ove” I am curious now what was Uncle Jimmy’s profession, education and background that unlocked and fueled his passion for discovering and sharing music? | Another artist to chalk up as a Big Star disciple, he remained just under the radar for his whole career, but still maintained a long, solid career making music. He was “indie” before we knew what indie was. This song was on the famous Memorex Blue mixtape my Uncle Jimmy gave me in 1981. I remember listening to it repeatedly, amazed by how desperate he sounded. I believed he was truly aching for love. It stuck with me. When my Uncle passed and I inherited his record collection, this album was one of the first I was eager to play. So amazed that I finally owned it! The lyric that hits me hard: “Think about what won’t forget. Everyone that ever was, trying to find that piece of love” |
| Left Unsaid | Amélie Swann | 2024 | Willis | Trip Hop, Dark Pop | “Gritty but Pretty” is this artist’s tagline. She wants you to imagine combining Portishead with the opera singer from the Fifth Element. Although most will remember the extraction of stones from blue innards, I loved that performance. I totally get that and dig it. Dark bassline groove paired with bluesy female vocals. I only wish the song were longer and took a turn left or right – anywhere, just keep going! | Made me sad to see only 167 plays on a song released a year ago, considering how good this song is! Its confounding how so many crap artists have billions of streams, yet a hi-quality little nugget like this goes unnoticed. Her voice is powerful, almost operatic at times. I do wish it had a noticeable change, like a bridge or chorus that shifts the melody slightly. Still, this is a banger. |
| Too Little Too Late | Joris Voorn (Ft. Underworld) | 2019 | Gregg | Electronic /Ambient | I am ALL IN on this one! Robotic and dark, but the groove gives it soul. I wouldn’t have known the vocals coming from Joris or Underworld. A cool blend of vocals and a subtle trance sound and beat. It moves in energy waves that are I love the lines “My Name is Natasha, she says, slow the beat down”. Totally IG’able. | Dutch DJ & Producer – I discovered how legit he was during Covid. His sound design aesthetics were like a drug, but specifically hearing this song was a gamechanger. I love Underworld as u know, so knowing they considered Joris worthy of a collab told me all I needed to know. This would be in my dj set if i were to play an event in 2026, as it hits all the spots. The monotone vocals weave through the trancey fog like a motorcycle with high beams on. Even right now, I was even dancing in my seat. |
| Witness Mark | Silversun Pickups | 2026 | Willis | Indie Rock, Dream Pop | Played them over a year ago, they released this new album Tenterhooks in Feb, and now on world tour. I don’t want to let this new release get away! In Sept @Chase center w/Weezer and the Shins I like their blend of groovy downtempo rock, subtle guy/girl vocals and dynamic rhythmic expertise. Spacious, atmospheric, and a total vibe. | I’ve tapped into this new album for HFD, playing a few of the lead singles, even though I’ve shied away from playing their better known, classic material. For about 5-10 years, they were seemingly the lone “Shoegaze” and “Grunge” holdover, even though they came well “after” those movements. They carried that torch, when nobody seemed to care about distorted, washy guitars anymore. And they were HUGE. Hard to believe, with the resurgence of the sound they helped define, they didn’t generate more excitement with this new record. I’m glad you found this deeper cut, cus it fits the station even better than the others I played (and I didn’t bother listening to the full album, so I wouldn’t have found it). |
| Lifesavers | Kent | 1998 | Gregg | Indie Rock /Post Modern | A band I’ve never heard of before, but kinda wished I had! I hear more of a sad version of Smashing Pumpkins – same powerful sound pressure level with that bass, but with slightly airy-er, twangier guitars. Maybe it’s a sound of the grunge era? The pressure only releases at the very end when you can take a breath. | Highly acclaimed Swedish group that briefly crossed into the US, due to a similarity to Radiohead (at OK Computer’s peak). I remember finding this at a “Listening Post” in a local record store – and it was this song, the album’s opener, that blew my head to pieces. They had better known songs, but I heard these lyrics to Lifesavers: “I will save your life when you’re out and down. I will dim all the lights, to comfort your eyes. You would do the same, you’d do it all for me..” From that point forward, I was hooked. This whole album is a start to finish masterpiece. Sadly most of their other albums were mostly in Swedish, making it harder for me to connect w/ the lyrics. I will put this album up against just about any of the late 90’s. |
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