There were a handful of occasions to celebrate the first week of May. Cinco de Mayo. Kentucky Derby.The Friday of that week is one of the most important holidays for many people from my homeland. Yes, I am talking about Michigan. And, yes, I

Smashin’ Transistors 89: This Side Of The Daisies

Mar 26th, 2022 1h 5m

"Still on this side of the daisies" is now my new favorite response when asked how the day is going.Not sure if it's an actual southern colloquialism but a sassy Chapel Hill lady well into her eighth decade of living said that to me recently

Smashin’ Transistors 88: Sprinkled In Gold Dust

Mar 8th, 2022 1h 8m

Except it's not really gold in color. It's more of a weird bright yet sickly yellow. And it falls from the skies before doing the things it does in the earth. The seed plants of the US southeast have started have gone all on their yearly hor

Smashin’ Transistors 87: A New Year of the Same Ol’ Same Ol’?

Jan 31st, 2022 1h 3m

Here it is a new year. It's been since last year that Smashin' Transistors sent out a broadcast transmission. The work/life/the record company thang/world in general imposed exile is over. Never had any PTO available to use for it anyhow so I k

Smashin‘ Transistors 86: There‘s A Bird In The House

Nov 24th, 2021 1h 7m

We got our Thanksgiving turkey a week or so ago. Kept it in the freezer until last night. For those who may know, the Smashin' Transistors digs share space with the Mr. Ripperpotamus; the figurehead of Bancroft Records.If there is one thing t

Smashin‘ Tranistors 85: Boulevard Of Broken Dream Books

Nov 1st, 2021 1h 17m

There were a couple of super duper lottery jackpots recently. I admit to throwing a couple of bucks down here and there on the "big ones" a time of two a month. I kinda got outta hand this October as I drop a total ten bucks over the month on p

Smashin‘ Transistors 84: You might as well live

Sep 20th, 2021 1h 9m

I'll admit it, I've read a lot of poetry ever the years. Don't quiz me on of it though as it was years ago. Either way, your rock trivia fact for this episode of the Smashin' Transistors podcast is Bryan Ferry cops a line from Dorothy Parker's

Smashin‘ Transistors 83: Take Your Shirt Off And Throw It In The Pool

Sep 3rd, 2021 1h 10m

After well over a year, the pool in my complex finally reopened about a month back. I sing the title of this episode of Smashin' Transistors to the tune of Kate Bush's Hounds Of Love every time I amble down to it.The pool is where I've been s

Smashin' Transistors 82: How To Start The Next Dance Craze?

Jul 21st, 2021 1h 12m

Starting the next dance craze is not an easy task. I looked into it and studied all the angles. My spirit got broken though after many friends pointed out that though my intentions of making one happen may be pure, eventually, the line dance cr

Smashin' Transistors 81: Dankness on The Edge Of Town

Jun 20th, 2021 1h 8m

If a craft brewery run by hardcore Springsteen enthusiasts, you know they make an IPA called Dankness On The Edge of Town. The bigger question though is if they're torn between naming their Mexican lager Rosalita or saving it for the Sangria fl

Smashin' Transistors 80: Weather and Wonder and Wondering Whether

May 28th, 2021 1h 8m

One summer weekend in northern Michigan years ago, I ate breakfast at a Bob Seger themed diner. Pretty much just a few Seger album covers framed and on the wall and an autographed photo signed by Alto Reed. The menu items did not have any Seeg

Smashin' Transistors 79: Churlishness Prevalent

Apr 25th, 2021 1h 11m

I have not worked in a retail setting in over twenty years. I kept good with continuing out of it. Well, until late 2020 that is. Not by choice and hopefully it is just temporary but bills gotta get paid, y'know. I forgot how churlish the gener

Smashin' Transistors 78: Blanketed In Yellow Dust

Apr 6th, 2021 1h 17m

"A head fulla dust." Such a line has been a lyrical adumbration since at least the early 20th century. Though they aren't most likely talking about pollen, that such yellow dust is into its yearly ubiquitous showing. It's a way of life. Literal

Smashin' Transistors (Apostrophe) 77

Mar 12th, 2021 1h 9m

There was a spell there towards the end of the last century, that if you wanted to prove how punk rock your attitude was, you would suffix whatever the name of the project was with a "'77."It quickly became a running joke with some friends I h

Toque to Toboggan

Feb 9th, 2021 1h 15m

Recently, the guy I worked with showed up in the shop with a wool cap on. Coming through the door he said "I tell ya, man. It sure was cold enough to get the toboggan out. I thought I misplaced it.""The snow has already melted. What good is a

Smashin' Transistors 75: Zircon and On and On

Dec 1st, 2020 1h 9m

No diamonds for number seventy five. In this year, it not even Cubic Zirconia. It might even be Moissanite. Some solid sounds though.What you'll hear: Eric’s Trip – DaylightKaleidoscope – Deaths of DespairPenza Penza – Wunder CityDavid

Smashin' Transistors 74: Nothing But Candy Corn in the Treat Bag

Oct 28th, 2020 1h 1m

Like all thing this year, Halloween is pretty much canceled. No Butterfingers. No Baby Ruth's. No Snickers. No good candy at all.Yeah, 2020 is like going to every door and getting a nickel or a Brach's Candy Corn Treat Pack.What you’ll hearY

Smashin' Transistors 73: The Bacillus is Pumpkin Spiced?

Oct 10th, 2020 1h 3m

Smashin' Transistors radio play of the foklore favorite Will-o'-the-wisp will not be heard tonight. In it's place, we present you this special program.Tompall Glaser – Pass Me ByNo Age – Turned To StringBrigid Dawson & the Mothers Networ

Smashin' Transistors 72: And the days grow short

Sep 2nd, 2020 1h 12m

Did we even have a summer? No gatherings in backyards or beaches. No beer in garages in with pals. The days turn to gold. They grow few.What you'll hear:Girls At Our Best – Getting Nowhere Fast Flat Worms – Market Forces Krystian Quint –

Smashin' Transistors 71: Orchestrations of Night Bugs

Aug 1st, 2020 1h 16m

In the wilds of Michigan’s Thumb, the sounds of the night bugs were mostly crickets. In my new surroundings of North Carolina’s Triangle, there are crickets as well but also many katydids. And for an added attraction right now, we got the cicad

Smashin Transistors 70: Virtual Charcoal Briquettes

Jul 4th, 2020 1h 9m

You know like how around Christmas time, people find those video loops of fireplaces or winter villages and show them on TV screens. Is there one for summer of burgers on the grill? Maybe with the sounds of people laughing and beers being open

Smashin' Transistors 69: Heat

Jun 11th, 2020 1h 7m

Summer hasn't officially arrived here in the USA but things have gone well over the boiling point in recent weeks. Much of it stems back from a minority of idiots walking in line behind the most moronic of carnival barkers, in hopes that clocks

Smashin' Transistors 68: Sleep on your back and ash in your shoes

May 20th, 2020 58m 13s

Congrats to the graduated. Hang on tight. This ride keeps getting bumpier.What you'll hear.Blind Boy Fuller – Wires All DownDevil – Walk AloneTyler Keith – Take Me HomeCheap Trick – Stiff Competitionwords from your hostZip It – Candycor

Smashin' Transistors 67: G'down South

Apr 26th, 2020 1h 13m

Still have plenty to do before everything is settled in as these are topsy-turvy times, but this is the first episode done in the new digs. Everything made it all in one piece for the most part. Lots of things that were to be put in action

Smashin' Transistors 66: Otiose

Apr 2nd, 2020 1h 7m

Seems I sold my house at the right time but absolutely the wrong time to move. Thing is though, we have to vacate this place and have already have our place in another state waiting.Seems if there wasn't absurdity, it would not be my life.We'