Saint Etienne, The Donnas, Edwyn Collins, Annie, Superchunk, The Fundamentals, Mates Of State, Waltz For Debbie, The Divine Comedy, Bill McGarvey, Peelander-Z, Crookston, and The Whatnots all rock you like a hurricane on Hoboken Rock City - Show #5. Still more glamorous indie rock & roll from New Jersey and far beyond.



Get the free download here.




Goods - MATES OF STATE

All Day, Polyvinyl, 2004

I'd missed this EP when it came out last year; never even heard this song until today, but I loved it so much I had to play it. You can download this and a few other songs by the organ/drums duo of Kori Gardner and Jason Hamel at their label Polyvinyl's website.



Me Plus One - ANNIE

Anniemal, 679/Vice, 2004

The Norwegian chanteuse's masterpiece will finally get a U.S. release later this year on Vice.



It Takes A Little Time - EDWYN COLLINS

The Magic Piper (Of Love) single, Setanta, 1997

Lost classic b-side, one of many by Edwyn. The most recent word on Edwyn's condition is that he's breathing on his own, eating real food, communicating, and struggling to become mobile. For someone who had a cerebral hemorrhage a little more than a month ago, that's significant progress.



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He Loves Anna - WALTZ FOR DEBBIE

Gone And Out, Parasol, 2000

Great Swedish electro-pop duo, Martin Permer and Annica Lundback. Pop as fuck!



Lose That Girl - SAINT ETIENNE

Good Humor, Sub Pop, 1998

One of the group's classic singles while we wait for their new album Tales From Turnpike House, due later in 2005. No word on whether any of the songs take place on the Jersey Turnpike. Read my interview with Saint Etienne's Sarah Cracknell.



Becoming More Like Alfie - THE DIVINE COMEDY

Casanova, Setanta, 1998

Neil Hannon, another dude that is a band/band that is a dude. He's reportedly working on new material.



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Dragon - PEELANDER-Z

Dancing Friendly, Eat Rice, 2005

They just brought their reportedly wild stage show to The Mercury Lounge on Easter. Keep your eyes on the skies; there are sure to be more area dates from the Japanese punk superhero trio soon.



Do You Wanna Hit It - THE DONNAS

The Donnas Turn 21, Lookout!, 2001

A tune from my favorite Donnas album in honor of their New York shows next week at Radio City Music Hall. Sure to be a rawkathon.



You Should Know Better - CROOKSTON

Troublemaker, no label, 2003

NYC rock & roll from ex-Honeydog Tommy Borscheid, who's also in The Pillcrushers, as featured in Show #3. Head Pillcrusher Greg Beshers returns the favor and plays with Crookston too.



Slack Motherfucker - SUPERCHUNK

Superchunk, Merge, 1990

An indie classic. Also appears on the singles compilation Tossing Seeds. Get it all at Merge Records, the iconic indie label the band founded and runs.



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JERSEY ROCK CITY SET - ALL HOBOKEN EDITION



Again - THE FUNDAMENTALS

Feeling Strange, P.O.S., 1989

Hoboken rock & roll from the late '80s, produced by Richard Barone. Half of this band ended up being two-thirds of The Gefkens. Do the math.



Retribution Kicks - THE WHATNOTS

Snug, no label, 1996

An unreleased Hoboken gem. Whatnots singer Jim Higgins teams with ex-Fundamental Matt Azzarto for a live set of music at The Goldhawk on Friday, April 15, opening up for Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens. And Whatnots drummer Paul Moschella bangs the skins for Shelby this Tuesday, April 5, 9 p.m. at Rothko.



Standing Next To Gloria Steinem - BILL MCGARVEY

Tell Your Mother, Thievery, 2003

A winsome ballad about subway courtship rituals in a post-feminist world. No, really. Buy it at the iTunes store.



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The Hoboken Rock City rock show / podcast is produced with the cooperation of the artists and record labels whose recordings appear on the show.



Thank you: Pat Pierson, Tris McCall, John and Frank Navin, Adam Shore, Chris Jacobs, Keith Cullen, Seth Hubbard, Michael Roux, MaiMai, Erin Smith, Tommy Borscheid, Greg Beshers, Frank Harkins, Christina Rentz, Fran Azzarto, Matt Azzarto, Paul Moschella, Jim Higgins, Bill McGarvey, all you crazy listeners, all you crazy kids who send comments.



See ya for next Wednesday for Show #6...

Lo Fi - RENO'S MEN
Step Up To The Stereo Slider, Quagmyre Shagpile, 2005
Jersey's favorite Scottish expats usher in the lo fi revolution. Buy it at the iTunes store or CD Baby.

Helicopter - BLOC PARTY
Silent Alarm, Vice, 2005
What's that humming sound? Oh, it's the biggest Brit buzz band of the moment. The album's out this week in U.S. The snooze-lose principle applies: their two shows at Bowery Ballroom in April are long sold out.

How We Know - THE THERMALS
Fuckin' A, Sub Pop, 2004
Punk as—well, duh—fuck! Okay, there's punker, but The Thermals are pretty punk. Download this track for free from Sub Pop or directly from the band, punk.

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Never Felt Like This - EDWYN COLLINS
Doctor Syntax, Setanta, 2002
Here's the latest encouraging news from Edwyn's wife Grace, writing on edwyncollins.com: "I think we can say that Edwyn is now virtually out of immediate danger. We are organising his next move, to intensive neuro rehabilitation, which should happen in the next few weeks at the latest. This is a tough challenge, but you know he's beaten the odds already and I fully expect him to go on in his customary stubborn manner... If you wish, you can send cards to him at: West Heath Studios, West Heath Yard, 174 Mill Lane, London, NW6 1TB."

Sickos - THE HARLEM SHAKES
demo, no label, 2004
They just played Southpaw with the heavily hyped Go! Team, and they're playing Sarah Lawrence College next Thursday, March 31.

Ungrateful After All - SMART BROWN HANDBAG
Little Things Are Everything, Stonegarden, 1999
The best little band in America. Buy their most recent at cdbaby.com.

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JERSEY ROCK CITY SET

Everybody Dies - DRAMARAMA
Made In N.J., johneasdale.com, 2004
Yes Virginia, there is new music from Dramarama, the first in more than ten years. Download this and more new tracks from bandleader John Easdale's site.

Shapes Of Things - THE CHRIS STAMEY EXPERIENCE
A Question Of Temperature, Yep Roc, 2004
The ex-dB leader teams with Yo La Tengo for an album recorded in Hoboken. Yes, this is a Yardbirds cover.

New York City - CRAYON ROSARY
Crayon Rosary, XOXO, 2004
Gorgeous twee pop from New Brunswick. Free download of this track from Bayonne's XOXO Records.

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Early Morning Fuzz - THE GENERAL STORE
Mountain Rescue, no label, 2005
The latest pop pastiche from British singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Tam Johnstone—that's son of Davey, Elton John's guitarist since Honky Chateau—is another gem. Buy The General Store's previous album Local Honey at the Not Lame store. Read about the afternoon we spent bopping around Brighton a few years back in this rambling travelogue.

Lipsill - DUNGEN
Ta Det Lungt, Subliminal Sounds, 2004
The incredible psychedelic fuzzed-out Swedish one man rock assault, in one of his more tender moments. More info at his label's site.

I've Got A Feeling - MR. ENCRYPTO
Hero And Villain, Death Barney, 2002
A brilliantly executed cover of an Ivy song by a '60s pop fan's '60s pop fan.


Thank you: Pat Pierson, Tris McCall, John and Frank Navin, Mr. Jim Murphy, Adam Shore, Chris Jacobs, Brent Katz, David Steinhardt, Keith Cullen, Chris Stamey, David Rose, John Easdale, Brendan & Keith of Crayon Rosary, Lola Emanuelli, Tam Johnstone, Bruce Gordon, Stefan Kery, MaiMai, everyone who sends comments, and everyone who listens. See ya for Show #5 next Wednesday!

Edwyn Collins, Dramarama, Bloc Party, The Thermals, Dungen, The Chris Stamey Experience, The Harlem Shakes, The General Store, Smart Brown Handbag, Reno's Men, Mr. Encrypto, and Crayon Rosary are all featured on Hoboken Rock City - Show #4. Yet another installment of glamorous indie rock & roll from New Jersey and far beyond.



Get the free download here.



Please vote for the show at Podcast Alley.



It's just a big ol' MP3. So if you wanna listen, just download it like you'd download any other MP3. Then listen in Windows Media, iTunes, what have ye.



Get comments off yer chest here.



As always, show notes with discographical info and links to come.

This Boy Is Exhausted - THE WRENS
The Meadowlands, Absolutely Kosher, 2003
The hard-luck band from Secaucus. They sold out two shows at Maxwell's this past Saturday. I caught the early show and was mesmerized. They're at SXSW this week.

Pure Convenience - THE HEAD SET
unreleased, no label, 2005
NYC four-piece. One of three new tracks from recent sessions produced by Richard Lloyd. You can download this track and others for free from the band's website. They're playing next Tuesday, March 22 at Crash Mansion, and Saturday, April 9 at Pianos.

I Love You 'Cause (You Look Like Me) - THE PONYS
Laced With Romance, In The Red, 2004
A track from my #5 album of 2004. They're on tour later this month and on into April, including two nights at The Bowery with Bloc Party and a date at the Mercury Lounge.

I'm In The Band - BRATMOBILE
Girls Get Busy, Lookout!, 2002
I predict a rrriot! A typically high-energy song from the most recent of their "comeback" albums.

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JERSEY ROCK CITY SET

Texas Is The Reason - SPIRALING
Challenging Stage, no label, 2004
My long-distance dedication to everyone in Austin this week. Spiraling is playing a benefit show for the Metuchen High School music program at the high school this Friday the 18th. That's at 400 Grove Avenue. All ages. $10, 7 p.m. They're also at The Court Tavern in New Brunswick this Saturday at 11:30, and at Club 218 in Philadelphia on April 10.

Anticipation - THE GEFKENS
Heroes, P.O.S., 1998
The trio that carried the torch of power pop in Hoboken throughout the '90s. Produced by Don Fleming.

Philos2k3 - TRIS MCCALL
Shootout At The Sugar Factory, Melody Lanes, 2003
Jersey City's favorite son.

Jenny Jump - THE ROADSIDE GRAVES
If Shacking Up Is All You Want To Do, War And Oats, 2004
Not as depressing as it sounds, though not far from it. They sound like nice boys from Metuchen. Honestly.

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SPCA - CERVERIS
Dog Eared, Low Heat, 2004
Michael Cerveris is probably the only Tony Award® winner I'm likely to be playing on the show for a while. In addition to his award-winning role in Assassins, he's graced the New York stage as Tommy and Hedwig. This track from his first solo album in indie-rock mode was co-written by Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker, who also sings on it.

Beautiful Release - THE PILLCRUSHERS
Welcome To The World, Not Lame, 2005
New York City power popsters. Download this and other fine tracks from their website; buy the CD from the Not Lame store.

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Sommes Bleues - DAVE'S TRUE STORY
Dave's True Story, Bepop, 1994 (reissued 2002)
A difficult band to classify, Dave's True story are a little bit folk-pop and a little bit '40s-style vocal jazz. Their new album Nature comes out in April; here's a track from their debut.

Gertrude - MISTY ROSES
Komodo Dragons, Frog Man Jake, 2004
Lush, sample-driven soundscapes from a transcontinental duo whose self-described style is "glamorous easy listening music." For fans of Goldfrapp, Portishead, and Ennio Morricone.

Make It Go Away - EDWARD ROGERS
Sunday Fables, Not Lame, 2004
A bit of a tearjerker from Rogers, the veteran of bands like Green Rooftops and Primrose Hill who issued his first solo album last year. Guest vocals on this track by Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent of The Zombies.

The Mattachine Society - THE ALUMINUM GROUP
Plano, Minty Fresh, 1998
One of my favorite songs from perhaps my favorite album of the last ten years. Which I'd like to think is pretty significant praise.


Thank you: Pat Pierson, Tris McCall, John and Frank Navin, Cory at Absolutely Kosher, The Ponys, Eliot Wadsworth, Jordan Blaugrund, Michael Blaugrund, Erin Smith, Dina Laura, Fran Azzarto, Matt Azzarto, Chris Gefken, Michael Cerveris, Claudia Chopek, Jeff Eyrich at Dave's True Story, Robert Conroy, Edward Rogers, John Gleason, MaiMai, everyone who sends comments, and everyone who listens.

Say it, don't spray it.

As always, it's one hour of glamorous indie rock & roll, including the famous Jersey Rock City set. Show #3 features music by The Wrens, The Head Set, The Ponys, Bratmobile, Spiraling, The Gefkens, Tris McCall, The Roadside Graves, Cerveris, The Pillcrushers, Dave's True Story, Misty Roses, Edward Rogers, and The Aluminum Group.



Please vote for the show. Hoboken Rock City is just a few votes away from being in the Top 50.



People keep asking, so I'll keep saying it: the show is just a regular ol' MP3, albeit a large one. Listen to it the same way you would listen to any MP3.



If it's inside ya, it's gotta come out. Send it here.



Show notes—with links—to come.

Dirty Old Town – TED LEO/PHARMACISTS
Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead, Lookout!, 2003
An Irish tune by a Jersey guy in honor of Hoboken's St. Patrick's Day parade, which blew through town like a natural disaster on the first Saturday in March.

Things Fall Apart – GROUP SOUNDS
Group Sounds, no label, 2005
A band that's really starting to happen around New York City. They played The Bowery Ballroom with Hot Hot Heat and Louis XIV last week. They're also playing the soon-to-be-defunct Luna Lounge this Saturday, March 19 with The Vitamen. Free downloads at their website.

Let Me Out – JONNY POLONSKY
The Power Of Sound, Loveless, 2004
A power pop god ever since his 1996 debut Hi My Name Is Jonny. Check out my interview with Jonny.

Mounds Of Money – THE CAPITOL YEARS
Let Them Drink, Burn And Shiver, 2005
Jersey-bred, Philly-based Shai Halperin's band. A former Rutgers guy and WRSU dj, in fact. The album just came out March 8. Currently touring the world and elsewhere—get the dates on the website.

Subdued – NUMBER TWELVE
Number Twelve, no label, 2004
Yowza! This New York/Strong Island female power trio kicks ass and takes names.

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So Here We Are – BLOC PARTY
Silent Alarm, Vice, 2005
Album came out in U.K. a couple weeks ago and debuted at #3. Out in the states March 22. A release so highly anticipated there may already be a backlash.

Up On Colours – CASIONAUTS
Bailamos! Murimos! Juntos!, Omega Point, 2005
Michigan new wave/punk crazies. They had a Jersey gig this past Saturday that may or may not have been at the Metuchen V.F.W. hall.

Ouija Me - COMMUNIQUE
Poison Arrows, Lookout!, 2004San Francisco-based synthie rockers.

Samantha Secret Agent – ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND
2, K, 2003
Super cool twee multi-culti female quartet out of the Pacific Northwest. Shout out to K Records, the legendary label from Olympia, Washington, for being the first label to grant this show blanket permission to use its music.

Happy Mondays – MY TEENAGE STRIDE
Major Major, Becalmed, 2004
Jedediah Smith from Brooklyn wrote and played the whole album himself. Reminds me a little of Stephin Merritt. Love the lyrics on this one.

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JERSEY ROCK CITY SET

Cherry Hi-Way – THE HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS
Heels ‘n’ Wheels, Get Hip, 2005Not an all-girl group. The new album is out the first week of April, and the band is playing at its record release party at Maxwell’s on Friday, April 22.

Elvis – SIT N’ SPIN
Doin’ Time With, Blood Red, 2004Female trio that started out a while back in New Brunswick and are still based out of Jersey. Fronted by Heidi Lieb, also of local alt-/old-timey country heroes The Lonesome Prairie Dogs.

The Day Roy Orbison Died – THE MARYS
Our Friends, no label, c. early 1990s
Written by the late Don Brody, one of the pillars of the Hoboken musical scene in the ‘90s. One of the most poignant songs I have ever heard.



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One of my favorite singers and songwriters, EDWYN COLLINS, had a cerebral hemmorhage on Feb. 20. He had emergency surgery on the Feb. 25. On his website's bulletin board, fans have been posting well wishes. His wife Grace has provided occasional updates. It sounds like Edwyn is going to recover, though to what extent is unclear at this point.

Recommended reading:
• The Sound Of Young Scotland, a wonderful primer on the early '80s Scottish scene with special attention to Edwyn's band Orange Juice.
• My 1997 interview with Edwyn.

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We’re Gonna Live In The Trees – ROBYN HITCHCOCK
Spooked, Yep Roc, 2004
Great acoustic-flavored album from the former Soft Boy. Tickets still available as of press time for his show at Maxwell's on Saturday, March 26.

7 Seas (live) – HAMELL ON TRIAL
Ed’s Not Dead: Hamell Comes Alive, Such-A-Punch, 2000
Must-have live album by a must-see live performer, the king of punk-folk.

Sammy’s Bat – DAN BERN
My Country II: Music To Beat Bush By, Messenger, 2004
Political parable with a Sammy Sosa reference. And I am so happy spring training is here.



On Saturday nights in March, you can see me spin live at The Goldhawk, located at 10th and Park in Hoboken. 10 p.m. till last call.



Thank you: Pat Pierson, Tris McCall, John and Frank Navin, Adam Shore at Vice, Erin at Lookout!, Amber at K Records, David at Yep Roc, Cynthia Santiglia, Lauren O’Reilly, Ed Hamell, Jonny Polonsky, Group Sounds, Shirley Halperin, Shai Halperin, Jedediah Smith, Tom Swope, Heidi Lieb, Jon Cendrowski, Miki in Dan Bern’s office, and all the listeners.

Send your comments here.

Like clockwork, I'm back with another hour of glamorous indie rock & roll in convenient MP3 form. This week's show features indie rock from Brooklyn, Manhattan, Strong Island, Philly, South London, San Francisco, Michigan, New Mexico, and of course Hoboken.

Listen with Windows Media Player, iTunes, or whatever you normally use to listen to digital music.

Get the free download here.

If you really want to get on my good side, vote for me here. Show notes to come. If you have comments, send them here.

I Want To Break Your Heart – PETER HOLSAPPLE & CHRIS STAMEY
Mavericks, RNA, 1991 (Out of print)
Straight outta the rock city. I said on the show that Stamey and Holsapple were founding members of the definitive '80s Hoboken power-pop band, The dB's. Actually, Stamey was a founder but Holsapple joined later. Holsapple did continue to lead the band after Stamey exited. The two ex-dB's reunited for this one brilliant album as a duo, recorded at Water Music in Hoboken.

Radio – PITTY SING
Pitty Sing, Or, 2005
"Radio" is one of the many highlights of their self-titled debut album, which came out in January. The song was also on their late 2004 EP Demons, You Are The Stars In Cars ‘Til I Die. My favorite song of 2004.

Half Worth Having – SMART BROWN HANDBAG
The Big Sigh, Stonegarden, 2004
Great tune from the eighth album by the criminally overlooked California band. Another screw-up I made for posterity on my inaugural show: I said they were from the San Francisco area; they're actually from L.A. The album is available at cdbaby.com.

Walking To Do – TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS
Shake The Sheets, Lookout!, 2004
The wizard of Bloomfield, N.J.

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JERSEY ROCK CITY SET
Jersey to the core.

Phantom Power – RENO’S MEN
Step Up To The Stereo Slider, no label, 2005
Also from the Bloomfield area, but via Scotland. New release from one of my favorite live bands ever. Get it at CD Baby.

The Night Bus – TRIS MCCALL
Shootout At The Sugar Factory, Melody Lanes, 2003
The dean of the Jersey scene.

Siren Song – CRAYON ROSARY
Crayon Rosary, XOXO, 2004
Wonderful twee pop duo from New Brunswick. EP released by Bayonne's XOXO Records.

Given The Reasons – HUMA
Huma, no label, 2003
Another great band from New Brunswick, another self-titled EP. Coed trio. Read the Hoboken Rock City interview.

Ah, Sugar – SPIRALING
Challenging Stage, no label, 2004
Dunellen's Tom Brislin is a genius songwriter and a gifted keyboardist who has even been a touring member of Yes. Power pop and prog live on in Jersey.

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Future Sightings – I AM THE WORLD TRADE CENTER
The Cover Up, Gammon, 2004
Coed duo from Athens, Georgia. Read my chat with the band's Dan Geller.

Heartbeat – ANNIE
Anniemal, 679/Vice, 2004
Norwegian dance-pop heaven. I said she was from Sweden on the broadcast, because until recently I kept forgetting that she was. That, and the fact that I'm a dope. I'd had a really long day before recording the show Tuesday night. Anniemal will finally get U.S. release later this year on Vice.

We Feel Good (Future’s Looking Fine) – ENDGAMES
single, Phonogram/Mercury, 1982 (Out of print)
British new wave manna produced by John Leckie.

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Two Lights – THE ALUMINUM GROUP
Happyness, Wishing Tree, 2002.
John & Frank Navin, the brothers from Chicago. All the background music in this edition of the show is also by them, from their 2002 Happyness instrumental tour CD. Read my 1999 and 2002 interviews with them.

One Foot In The Grave – PERNICE BROTHERS
Yours, Mine & Ours, Ashmont, 2003.

Some lighthearted existential angst to bring it all home.

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You can see me spin live at The Goldhawk, at 936 Park Avenue (corner of 10th Street) in Hoboken. I'll be there every Saturday night in March, rocking from 10 p.m. till last call.

Thank you: Pat Pierson, Tris McCall, Fran Azzarto, Erin at Lookout Records, David at Yep Roc, William Paris, John and Frank Navin, Dan Geller, Dina at Wildfire Publicity, Huma, Crayon Rosary, Mr. Jim Murphy, David Steinhardt, Shirley Halperin, Joyce Linehan, DJ Timmah.

And thanks to all the artists, labels, managers, publicists, and friends of musicians who have helped me obtain permission to play music that is not featured on this first edition of the show. There's so much more rock to come.

Got a comment on the show? Submit it here.

P.S. In my sign off I intended to say, "Keep on rockin' in the free world, or what's left of it." But I was so tired by the time I was recording the end of the show that what lazily slipped out of my mouth was "...or what's left to it." Next time, I hope to get more sleep the night before doing a show.

P.P.S. The wonderful iPod Lounge has probably the best, easiest to understand article I've read so far about podcasting. If you've read any of the previous podcast links I've posted and found them confusing, I encourage you to try this one by Alicia Bankhofer.

Whoomp, I'm a podcaster. It's a 57-minute show bursting with glamorous indie rock & roll and lots of Jersey love. I'm really happy with it.

Download the show and listen now.

Listen on your iPod. Listen on your hard drive. Listen wherever and whenever you want, as many times as you want.

Pause, rewind, fast forward. It's like TiVo on the internet.

No fee. No commercials. No RIAA content. No FCC restrictions.

To subscribe: 1. Download iPodder or iPodderX. 2. Install the software on your system. 3. Copy and paste the Hoboken Rock City podcast feed into iPodder or iPodderX. The software will automatically download new shows.

Show notes and playlist to come; it's been a long day and night. Thanks to all those who granted permission for the use of their music, and to those who helped me get all these oks. I'm proud to announce that I have blanket permission to play music from three kick-ass indie labels: Yep Roc, Lookout, and K. And there are many others in the works. This is just the beginning.

Check it out and let me know what you think.