Rockin' the Suburbs

It’s back-to-back visits to the Book Nook this week on Rockin’ the Suburbs. In this episode, Patrick discusses a recent read, A Chance to Harmonize by Sheryl Kaskowitz. The book’s details the work of a little-known but influential part of FDR’s New Deal: The Music Unit. Learn how this project played a part in America’s musical history and the folk revival of the 1950s and 60s.  Rockin' the Suburbs...

It’s Book Nook time again, listener! Patrick takes you into the rock and roll literary world today with two hilarious, sharply written and observed volumes by Allan Jones. Jones wrote for Melody Maker starting in 1974 and went on to have a long career as a music writer and editor. These two volumes collect his best “Rock and Roll War Stories” and are both wonderfully entertaining.  Rockin' the Sub...

Welcome to Beach Boys Week! In the aftermath of Brian Wilson’s passing last month, Nick Scalera and Mike Wagner lead a discussion of the iconic and legendary California band. In the final episode of the series, the guys take you through the period following Smile, which encompasses many attempts to get Brian back to his creative best. There is some good music, some average music and unfortunately,...

Welcome to Beach Boys Week! In the aftermath of Brian Wilson’s passing last month, Nick Scalera and Mike Wagner lead a discussion of the iconic and legendary California band. We’ve arrived at the fourth installment in the series, in which Brian’s artistic ambition blossoms into commercial success on “Good Vibrations,” followed by an attempt to make a record so ambitious that it would drive him int...

Welcome to Beach Boys Week! In the aftermath of Brian Wilson’s passing last month, Nick Scalera and Mike Wagner lead a discussion of the iconic and legendary California band. In the third part of the series, Brian Wilson nears his artistic zenith as he responds to the Beatles Rubber Soul with his masterpiece, Pet Sounds .  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, in...

Welcome to Beach Boys Week! In the aftermath of Brian Wilson’s passing last month, Nick Scalera and Mike Wagner lead a discussion of the iconic and legendary California band. In the second installment, Brian Wilson’s growth (both chemically and musically) is the focus as he quits touring and finds his true home in the recording studio.  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast...

Welcome to Beach Boys Week! In the aftermath of Brian Wilson’s passing last month, Nick Scalera and Mike Wagner lead a discussion of the iconic and legendary California band. In part one, the band’s formation and early recordings are the focus.  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart,Stitcher and TuneIn...

Bud Verge joins the podcast as Jim hits shuffle on his playlist "Hey Baby It's the Fourth of July." Patrick Foster crashes the party. Get with Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, like audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart, and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com . Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. Visit...

In this episode we hear listeners Bob Peterson and Liam McIndoe give their thoughts on two musical giants who recently passed: Sly Stone and Brian Wilson. Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart,Stitcher and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com . Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcasts and share it...

The May 2025 New Music Train winds up it’s song-filled journey today with a jaunt through Midwestern America. On board are Scot Isom and Sunny Varney and they bring us new work from Menno Versteeg, Ezra Furman, Jesse Welles, Bibelhauser Brothers and Sam Bush, Deraps, Paralyzed and Slung.  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google...

In this episode, we find the May 2025 New Music Train chugging around the British Isles. First it picks up Liam McIndoe and then Roger Grace sprints down the platform just in time to hop on board. The twosome discusses new music from Voom, Orbit Culture, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Billy Nomates and Heartworms.  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platf...

The May 2025 New Music Train is riding the rails from Wisconsin to New York City today, with Bob Peterson and Jason Goebel on board (look in the bar car). They discuss new tunes from Ty Segall, Will Cullen Hart and Andrew Rieger, Tchotchke, Florry, Alex Orange Drink and Billy Woods in this episode. Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotif...

It’s a South Carolina trip for the New Music Train May 2025 New Music Train in this episode, in which Harris King takes over the driving seat. He discusses new music from Blondeshell, Deradoorian and Alan Sparhawk with Trampled by Turtles. Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart,Stitcher and TuneIn. Or l...

The May 2025 New Music Train is humming across Scotland to pick up Steven Routledge, then whipping back across the Atlantic to onboard Kevin Porter. Your intrepid new music conductors discuss new work from Blondeshell, Törzs, Samantha Crain and Alan Sparhawk with Trampled by Turtles. Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podca...

The New Music Train is leaving the station, heading for the UK, Australia and Hawaii before returning to Union Station. Jim makes his May new music picks, with songs by BC Camplight, Skegss and Apollo 66. Get with Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, like audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart, and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com . Please rate/r...

We continue to pay tribute to the groundbreaking work of Sly Stone, who passed recently at the age of 82. Today, Patrick asks Jim for his thoughts on Sly and listeners Mike Wagner and Jason Goebel offer their insights as well. Rest in Power, Sly.  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart,Stitcher and Tune...

The Airport 77s' Andy Sullivan joins the podcast to talk about the power-pop band's new album "Don't Let Go." Today, Jim and Andy go track by track on side two. (Side one was yesterday.) Buy the Airport 77s' new album "Don't Let Go" at theairport77s.bandcamp.com Get with Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, like audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHear...

The Airport 77s' Andy Sullivan joins the podcast to talk about the power-pop band's new album "Don't Let Go." Jim and Andy go track by track on side one. (Side two tomorrow.) Get with Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, like audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart, and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com . Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcas...

Jim, Patrick and the listeners discuss the life and legacy of the amazing Brian Wilson, who passed away last week at the age of 82. In the second episode of a two-part series, we hear from Craig Rosen, Mackensi Crenshaw, Peter Nordgren and Mike Wagner.  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart,Stitcher an...

Jim, Patrick and the listeners discuss the life and legacy of the amazing Brian Wilson, who passed away last week at the age of 82. In the first episode of a two-part series, we hear from Steven Routledge (with special guest his Dad!), Jesse Jackson and Phil Ingrassia (and of course, Jim and Patrick).  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Sp...

Suburbs Fest 2025 is approaching. And so we introduce you to one of the bands that will perform in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Aug. 2. Please welcome to Rockin' the Suburbs ... Money Soup. Learn more about Money Soup and purchase their music at moneysoup.bandcamp.com Learn more about Suburbs Fest at suburbspod.com/fest Get with Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms,...

We pay our respects to the great Sly Stone, who passed this week at the age of 82, and invite our listeners to share their memories of Sly and his music for a future episode.  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart,Stitcher and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com . Please rate/review the show on Apple P...

Come join Hunter Bennett as he recounts his journey to 100 concerts in 2024. Get with Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, like audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart, and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com . Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. Visit our website at SuburbsPod.com Email Jim & Patrick at...

Writer, musician and friend of the pod J. Hunter Bennett discusses his new book/zine/pamphlet (whatever you want to call it): "Upside Down Punks: The Strange but True Story of That Fugazi Basketball Hoop Show." Hunter is one of the few who really were at that iconic punk show at a YWCA in Philadelphia in 1988. Get with Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, like a...

We wrap up our series on the Paisley Underground with an episode discussing bands with country leanings (Long Ryders, Green on Red, True West), a Spector-like collaboration album and a reunion project. Many thanks to Paul Hayden for his work on these episodes.  Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart,Sti...