Smashin' Transistors

Dale Merrill

Music from around the world, around the block and many decades read less
MusicMusic

Episodes

Smashin’ Transistors 90: Started Hummin’ a Song from 1862
May 13 2022
Smashin’ Transistors 90: Started Hummin’ a Song from 1862
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 am talking about the birth of Rockin' Robert Seger, born 177 years ago on May 6th. It's not an official holiday in the state but let's put it this way. If you are in a crowd of people and something like Katmandu comes on and you don't let out a giant Woo! or Yeah!, the crowd will look at you like you are some sort of malcontent and most likely an apostate of the Mitten State.  What you'll hear: Kim Weston – Soul On Fire Tha Retail Simps – Summertime The Neckbones – Eyeful The Drin – Move To Extinction -words from your host- Mr. and The Mrs. – Fukkkopps Loop – Isochrone Henry Flynt and the Insurrections – Go Down The Pinstripes – Fish On Land -words from your host- The Crawlies – Get On Down Sundog Summit – Whiskey Woman Jeremy Scott – Your Ice Cream’s Gonna Melt One Day Ian Hunter – Just Another Night -words from your host- Clinic – Miracles  The Salem Trials – Shutting Down Pylon- Dub Dom and the Wizards – Heavenly Sweet Little Skin Wrapped Skeleton -words from your host-  Jug and the Bugs – Hurrying Shawn David McMillen – Kick Off Your Shoes Waylon Thornton – Amnesiac Amber Boardroom The Saints – This Time -words from your host- We gladly accept tips! Get even more Smashin' Transistors action at    Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Tumblr.
Smashin’ Transistors 88: Sprinkled In Gold Dust
Mar 8 2022
Smashin’ Transistors 88: Sprinkled In Gold Dust
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 horndog already. Time to open the windows up to let the air in but only for a very short time. The gymnosperms don't give a damn where the goops of reproduction land. If you landed on this post through googlin' The Pollening, I guess it shows some of my SEO tools are still sharp. Now just don't go up hoarding the facial tissues for yourself, ok? What you'll hear:  XTC – Beattown Hue Blanc’s Joyless Ones – Winter Palace Gino and the Goons – I’m Your Man Tha Retail Simps – Rock n’ Roll -words from your host- Air Vent Dweller – Heat Wave Minor Threat – Screaming At The Wall Crash The Superyacht – Like A Rash The Statics – Can’t Get Enough -words from your host- Green/Blue – Bad Looks Zurich Cloud Motors – ‘56 Chevelle Kalemaris - Frk. Arm & Dr. Konto Hélène Barbier – You Little Nothing -words from your host- Power Flower – Whippet Schizos – Gross CIA Debutante – No To A Mirror Siouxsie and the Banshees – Trophy -words from your host- Honey Radar – Plum Scouts Exek – (I’m After Your) Best Interest NicFit – Flux The Persuaders – I Ain’t Your Daddy -words from your host-   We gladly accept tips! Get even more Smashin' Transistors action at Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tumblr.
Smashin‘ Transistors 86: There‘s A Bird In The House
Nov 24 2021
Smashin‘ Transistors 86: There‘s A Bird In The House
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 that dude obsesses over, it is turkey. Every time we go to the kitchen, he reminds us that there is a turkey defrost in the fridge. Tomorrow, he will set of camp in that very kitchen and remind us every ten minutes that there is a turkey cooking in the oven. We will not get any peace until some slivers of it are in his belly. Then he will sleep for ten hours. Barry Jones – Turkey Walk  Rearranged Face – Lonely Elevator  Les Fille de Illighadad – Innsegh Innsegh  The Byrds – What’s Happening  -words from your host-  Heavenly Blue – Shoplifter  The Pops – Heart Attack  The Control Freaks – Don’t Trust  Print Head – Sick  -words from your host-  Rat Columns – It’s Your Time (To Suffer)  Lil Ugly Mane – Benadryl Submarine  Sweeping Promises – Out Again  Power Supply – I Got Feelings Too  -words from your host-  The Courettes – I Can Hardly Wait  The Hot Blood – Something Is Bringing My Baby Down  Wayne, Pat and Keith – I’m Tired Of You Satan  Shop Regulars – Mischief  -words from your host-  Chemical Bank – In Cop Land  Fairyport Convent – High and Stoned Bluez  Blues Lawyer – Scenic Route  The Living End – Turkey Stomp  -words from your host-   We glady accept tips!
Smashin‘ Tranistors 85: Boulevard Of Broken Dream Books
Nov 1 2021
Smashin‘ Tranistors 85: Boulevard Of Broken Dream Books
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 playing the numbers.  I'd rather be not out of the ten bucks but what's two bucks a shot on a dream, right?  Often on time or two a week I am at the Circle K down the road from my house, I end up being behind a lady in her eighties who likes to read off her numbers to who is ever behind the counter. Since we seem to be in the store at the same time, we've come to this agreement. She knows I am on my way to work, so she often lets me go in front of her so I can be on my way.   I was behind her the other day and she turned to me, waving a 3x5in spiral notebooks and looking into my eyes. "Do you know what this is?" "You keep notes in it, right?" "Yes." she darted back in a much exasperated tone. "What kind of notebook?"   "A dream book?"   I've seen my share of them. My grandma kept one. All her friends at the plant where they made luggage racks for GM all kept one. The Dream book is pretty much where you write down combinations of numbers that may feel lucky. the come in different forms, sizes and schemes.  Most prosperity churches run some sort of elaborate and convoluted merchandising racket based on the dream book model. They're just keeping in the tradition of the old radio barkers of "the lord". It's an easier, flashier swindle nowadays but snake oil is still a same formula. We were both masked but her eyes gave away a friendly smile. She knew I understood. In a confiding tone, she said "Don't ever keep one of these. It's a bad, bad habit. It's made grow old and I gotta plan for my funeral."   "M'am, you are far too feisty to worry about that for quite a long time."  "Your funeral is the last time the people alive you still like will still be around" she pointed her finger at me and looked me straight and sternly into my eyes. "Give them AND only them good last memories. Remember that."   Duly noted, mam. duly noted What you'll hear. The Fall – Don’t Call Me Darling Worm Reducer – I Don’t Let You Down GG King – Melt On You BANGZZ – I’m Fine Thank You and You -words from your host- Smirk – Minuscule Amounts Bob – Thomas Edison Rolltreppe – Kuhltransporter Fashion Pimps and the Glamazons – LA County Critters -words from your host- Hue Blanc’s Joyless Ones – Breakfast In The Afternoon Drag Sounds – Blessed Style Shop Regulars – Put Those Things Away Terminal Babilonia – Thundra Is Coming -words from your host- Meatbodies – Reach For The Sunn Obnox – Molecule Hawkwind – Brainbox Pollution Strapping Fieldhands – The Hand That Plays Calliope  -words from your host- Men & Health – Planet Made Of You The Ruins – Take My Love and Shove It Up Your Heart Doms – Model Head Chubby Checker – My Mind Comes  -words from your host-   We glady accept tips! Get even more Smashin' Transistors action at    Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tumblr.
Smashin‘ Transistors 83: Take Your Shirt Off And Throw It In The Pool
Sep 3 2021
Smashin‘ Transistors 83: Take Your Shirt Off And Throw It In The Pool
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 spending a lot of my limited free time since. I attempted to work on this episode a few times poolside but someone would always ask me if I was recording a podcast. And is a true-crime podcast. "Maybe true crimes against music" I've replied winkingly. I also told someone I am doing a podcast where I am breaking down the Monkees Pool It album, dedicating an episode to every song on the album. But that would mean I'd have to listen to the whole album. I heard it enough at a place I was working when it came out. The people in charge of the stereo were really into that and Aerosmith's Permanent Vacation. I lived my true crimes against music already, man! The thing is though, I am hanging out at the pool to be in the pool. Y'know, being like Mick Jagger in the jam Summer Romance or something. Not working on a podcast. For those who were on the edge of their seat waiting for the next Smashin' Transistors transmission, I apologize if you completely fell off the chair waiting.  What you'll hear Jesse Floyd – Satan’s Wife  Birds Of Maya – Please Come In  Crash The Superyacht – Summer Solstice  Vintage Crop- No Praise  -words from your host-  Pale Horsey – Overlord  A Place To Bury Strangers – End of The Night  Spider Bags – Long White Desert Rose  Heather The Jerk – Hot  -words from your host-  Adam Pettis – Dark Road  Violent Change – Open Space  Rolling Stones – Moonlight Mile  Eric Nervous - Motivation  -words from your host-  Lysol – Can’t Win  Mononegatives – Deep Pockets  Dirtbombs – Alleys Of Your Mind  Mesh- Traveler  -words from your host-  Virvon Varvon – Nothing To Prove  The Freakees – The Middle  Strapping Fieldhands – Why Did You Fly  Tom T. Hall – That’s How I Got To Memphis -words from your host-   We glady accept tips! Get even more Smashin' Transistors action at    Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tumblr.
Smashin' Transistors 81:  Dankness on The Edge Of Town
Jun 20 2021
Smashin' Transistors 81: Dankness on The Edge Of Town
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 flavored hard cider they are working on.    Are they thinking of making a sour called Gose It All Night?    During the Christmas season, would you be game to try their peppermint stout called Candy's Room?    Also, if they brew one called JungleLambic are the raspberries REALLY were grown underneath that giant Exxon sign that brings this fair city light? What you'll hear Let’s Active – Ornamental Kneeling In Piss – I Love My Echo Chamber Fun Time Objects – Bug Eyed Mary Bell – Some Friendships Are Meant To End -words from your host- Worm Reducer – The One To Me Mononegatives – Today’s Adult Country Teasers – Mosquito Hue Blanc’s Joyless Ones – With All Due Respect -words from your host- Christopher Alan Durham – Gratiot Crawl Stereolab – Stomach Worm Mdou Moctar – Taliat Print Head – Crushin’ Memories -words from your host- Lousy Sue – Damaged The Sueves – Stare Chuck Bernard – Send For Me Rexxx- Lost Caus -words from your host- Qlowski – All Good Iceage – Dear Saint Cecilia  Personality Cult – Brazen Magazine- Believe That I Understand -words from your host- We glady accept tips! Get even more Smashin' Transistors action at    Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram
Smashin' Transistors (Apostrophe) 77
Mar 12 2021
Smashin' Transistors (Apostrophe) 77
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 hung out with. Taco Bell '77. Camel Lights '77. I'll be there around seven '77. I don't get paid til Friday '77 and so on.  It cracked us up for a couple months.  It was not a running joke with everyone I hung out with though. One evening, I was hanging out with some other group of friends. They were starting a band and were looking for a name.  "Dude! You should call yourself Apostrophe 77!" I blurted out. From the looks on their faces, you could tell they thought it was brilliant. "Yes, that's perfect. That's when punk rock really started. If people see our name on a flier, they'll know we play punk rock!" "Yeah, that the joke, man. It lets people know you are (air quotes) PUNK FREAKIN' ROCK, BRO!" "So, wait," one of them said in a puzzled tone "You weren't serious?" I think the band lasted a few practices and maybe a basement party. That's a standard punk rock story. they didn't use the name. There are no songs from '77 in episode 77 of the Smashin'' Transistors fake radio show.  What you'll hear: Tilahun Gessesse – Alegntaye Flying Saucer Attack – Present Midnight Steppers – The Method Singer Frankie Traandruppel – Hooray For The Frown -words from your host- Smarts – Cling Wrap Pensioner – The Night Boris – Furi  A Feast Of Snakes – Know Your Name -words from your host- Astute Palate – A Little Proof Neil and Crazy Horse – Barstool Blues The Lice – Daymare Town Feeling Figures – Never in Time -words from your host- ISS - (Met)forming Cathedral – Suicide Asteroid Sex Tide – Scorpion Chris Brokaw – The Heart of Human Trafficking -words from your host- Chronophage – Talking Android Eat Girls – All The Lovers Are Gonna Leave and Die Lavender Flu – Rake The Face Angst – Somethings (I Can’t Get Used To) -words from your host-