Current Music - College Radio/Indie

[jholz]

Those of you who skated in the early 90's and remember The New Deal will remember these dudes. One of the best obscure bands of all time - The Odd Numbers. Their stuff is super difficult to find, but well worth the effort.

 

 

 

[jholz]

It's been a bit. Lots of good stuff being put out currently. I'm a couple of years late on these folks, but caught this recent track the other day. I'm pretty impressed:
 

 

[jholz]

As always, it has been a bit - and I've been giving these folks a few years to prove themselves. Not everythign they do is good. Super weird quasi-bogan vibes. 

 

But they produce a good song:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[XHoop24]

17 minutes ago, jholz said:

As always, it has been a bit - and I've been giving these folks a few years to prove themselves. Not everythign they do is good. Super weird quasi-bogan vibes. 

 

But they produce a good song:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice pull on Middle Kids.  I haven't dived deep into their catalog but have enjoyed what I've heard including the singles above. 

 

In 2024, I've really enjoyed the new Vampire Weekend and Waxahatchee albums. A couple of my favorites off the two albums: 

 

 

 

Excited to see both in concert this fall. 

[jholz]

23 minutes ago, XHoop24 said:

Nice pull on Middle Kids.  I haven't dived deep into their catalog but have enjoyed what I've heard including the singles above. 

 

In 2024, I've really enjoyed the new Vampire Weekend and Waxahatchee albums. A couple of my favorites off the two albums: 

 

 

 

Excited to see both in concert this fall. 

 

Two very great bands (individual creators - i.e. Ezra Koenig).  I'm a big Vampire Weekend fan. We hear a lot of Waxahatchee on WTMD. They are solid. Glad you enjoy the thread!

[jholz]

I've been about this track for a few weeks - a bit on the "poppy" side - but tough to deny the appeal. Apparently from the Asheville/Boone neck of the woods. If so, I'm in full support:

 

 

 

[TiScape]

8 hours ago, jholz said:

I've been about this track for a few weeks - a bit on the "poppy" side - but tough to deny the appeal. Apparently from the Asheville/Boone neck of the woods. If so, I'm in full support:

 

 

 

Big RKS fan! Most of my favs would get me “points”, so here’s this one 

 

Edited June 4, 2024 by TiScape

[XHoop24]

I am absolutely loving the TWOD new album 'Live Drugs Again'. Living Proof is a standout to me and the entire album is great if you are a fan.  

 

 

[jholz]

48 minutes ago, XHoop24 said:

I am absolutely loving the TWOD new album 'Live Drugs Again'. Living Proof is a standout to me and the entire album is great if you are a fan.  

 

 

 

An incredible band that has never spoken directly to me. But much respect.

 

I envision The War on Drugs becoming something like the Pixies - more people listen to artists influenced by TWOD than listen to the actual band. You just can't argue about the quality of the music. 

 

But, I find that I gravitate more towards things like this - which still has a TWOD connection:

 

 

[jholz]

Was introduced to this a couple of days ago via my much beloved WTMD, Towson, MD. Easily one of the best community supported, independent radio stations in the country. 

 

Shame on me that it took two years to find this track. Such beauty and brilliance...

 

 

[TiScape]

Def not current but heard it for the first time yesterday. Instantly resonated w/me. But… Damn, it sounds SOOOO much like Bon Iver who I like a lot. Almost makes it hard for me to get behind. But whatever, still a beautiful song IMO

 

 

[jholz]

23 hours ago, TiScape said:

Def not current but heard it for the first time yesterday. Instantly resonated w/me. But… Damn, it sounds SOOOO much like Bon Iver who I like a lot. Almost makes it hard for me to get behind. But whatever, still a beautiful song IMO

 

 

 

Nice. Chills from the start. Cool video too. 

 

I'm generally more upbeat in my tempo - that's the Minor Threat, Suicidal, and Pennywise - but I too greatly enjoy some Bon Iver. Those clean, plaintive guitar tones, the sparseness, and the richness of the voice. Tough to turn it down.

 

I'll have to check out more.

 

Thank you! 

[TiScape]

1 minute ago, jholz said:

 

Nice. Chills from the start. Cool video too. 

 

I'm generally more upbeat in my tempo - that's the Minor Threat, Suicidal, and Pennywise - but I too greatly enjoy some Bon Iver. Those clean, plaintive guitar tones, the sparseness, and the richness of the voice. Tough to turn it down.

 

I'll have to check out more.

 

Thank you! 

Pennywise ‘Bro hymn’. It’s an anthem! 

[jholz]

36 minutes ago, TiScape said:

Pennywise ‘Bro hymn’. It’s an anthem! 

 Hell yeah. 

 

These were my tracks:

 

 

This one never hurt anybody either:

 

[TiScape]

1 minute ago, jholz said:

 Hell yeah. 

 

These were my tracks:

 

 

This one never hurt anybody either:

 

Oh man. That Subhumans pic gives me major HS flashbacks! Cool upperclassman with a huge Mohawk had a leather jacket w/that album cover painted perfectly on the back. 

[jholz]

17 minutes ago, TiScape said:

Oh man. That Subhumans pic gives me major HS flashbacks! Cool upperclassman with a huge Mohawk had a leather jacket w/that album cover painted perfectly on the back. 

 

They played Ottobar in Baltimore like 8 months ago or something. It was $25. I just couldn't bring myself to go see it. 

 

Looking at them would have just reminded me of how old I am... bummer.🤣

[bladehunter]

Apologies if this has been mentioned or if I’ve misunderstood the title.     But I just ran across this guy.  And if this isn’t proof of time travelers I’m crazy ….  In the 90s we walked into bars and heard talent like this all over.  I don’t recall the last time I heard soul like this live and not famous.    This kid is just oozing  something real.  .  Listen to both songs. Won’t be sorry. 
 

 

[jholz]

On 1/2/2025 at 7:05 PM, bladehunter said:

Apologies if this has been mentioned or if I’ve misunderstood the title.     But I just ran across this guy.  And if this isn’t proof of time travelers I’m crazy ….  In the 90s we walked into bars and heard talent like this all over.  I don’t recall the last time I heard soul like this live and not famous.    This kid is just oozing  something real.  .  Listen to both songs. Won’t be sorry. 
 

 

 

Damn, sorry for taking some time to get back on this one. Good stuff.

 

Lyrically strong. Gotta love a three piece. Emotion expressed through the instrument. Can feel the Doug Martsch influence. . 

 

Reminds me of this - and I like this:

 

And this:

 

So much good music out there these days. What can we do to get these folks paid?

[TiScape]

Far from current. But at the time was def college radio/Indie. This was the demo version. Which I liked better than what ended up on the album. They made 2 records and called it a day. 

 

Edited January 16 by TiScape

[TiScape]

On 12/12/2024 at 10:25 AM, jholz said:

Was introduced to this a couple of days ago via my much beloved WTMD, Towson, MD. Easily one of the best community supported, independent radio stations in the country. 

 

Shame on me that it took two years to find this track. Such beauty and brilliance...

 

 

Track initially reminded me of The Shins. Great stuff thanks. 

[jholz]

On 1/16/2025 at 1:02 PM, TiScape said:

Far from current. But at the time was def college radio/Indie. This was the demo version. Which I liked better than what ended up on the album. They made 2 records and called it a day. 

 

 

That is a nice track. Reminds me a lot of Dashboard Confessional - who I never really followed, but my wife did. 

 

She always says this song reminds me of our early dating years.

 

Never fails to get a few tears from me, every time I hear it. Some beautiful sentiment and some good musicianship. 

 

This "Dear in the Headlights" track gave me a similar response. 

 

Appreciate it! I'll have to explore their catalog more.  

[jholz]

On 1/16/2025 at 4:36 PM, TiScape said:

Track initially reminded me of The Shins. Great stuff thanks. 

 

I've been trying to find out more about this guy. He appears to be Baltimore local. Has a super varied and admittedly weird catalog of work. This is the only song I've found that I really identify with. 

 

But, there are a ton of people/bands who managed to produce one perfect song (in my opinion) - then either fade out or produce a bunch of other stuff that doesn't speak to me. 

 

A classic example from my youth:

 

[haiduk]

One man death metal live

 

 

[jholz]

21 hours ago, haiduk said:

One man death metal live

 

 

 

Wow dude. Interesting stuff. I, myself, never crossed the bridge into Deathmetal, but I know the genre is appealing to a lot of folks. 

 

Back in the day, there was a point where hardcore punk and metal crossed - DRI and Corrosion of Conformity come to mind. 

 

I can appreciate some early Metallica and even a bit of ole' Dave Mustaine - but once we get into Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, and etc. the vocals, lyrics, riffs start to lose me. 

 

But, there is a huge market out there - and if you are pulling this off live - you've got larger cajones than myself. Much respect dude. 

 

Glad you found this thread. Hope you gain a few more followers. 

 

One final question, do you also play golf? If so, I've got to get a round in with you sometime. 

[TiScape]

9 minutes ago, jholz said:

 

Wow dude. Interesting stuff. I, myself, never crossed the bridge into Deathmetal, but I know the genre is appealing to a lot of folks. 

 

Back in the day, there was a point where hardcore punk and metal crossed - DRI and Corrosion of Conformity come to mind. 

 

I can appreciate some early Metallica and even a bit of ole' Dave Mustaine - but once we get into Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, and etc. the vocals, lyrics, riffs start to lose me. 

 

But, there is a huge market out there - and if you are pulling this off live - you've got larger cajones than myself. Much respect dude. 

 

Glad you found this thread. Hope you gain a few more followers. 

 

One final question, do you also play golf? If so, I've got to get a round in with you sometime. 

I’ve always associated “college radio” with the ‘alternative’ genre. Death metal, not so much! Haha 

[jholz]

2 hours ago, TiScape said:

I’ve always associated “college radio” with the ‘alternative’ genre. Death metal, not so much! Haha 

 

Yeah, at least in my opinion, the term "alternative" was completely ruined by grunge and the early 90's. There's still DC101, which plays all the hits you wish we could forget. 

 

"Indie music" almost gets to it, but tends towards the highly twee. Bunch of kids in sweaters and glasses following "The Field Mice."

 

For me, "college radio" was always something a bit more off the grid, open to lots of different styles, but highly antagonistic to corporate influence. It was local, do it yourself. As such, thoughtful lyrics and musicianship was all, production counted for little, and if you couldn't reproduce it live, then why bother?

 

And yeah, where the hell does Death Metal fall in. I seriously have no idea. But it remains popular. 

 

Here in the Mid-Atlantic, underground punk/hardcore still has a following. We have bands play at our skatepark and there are a few bars in town that host shows. My wife got socked in the face at one a few months back - it was her fault. 

 

I told her to stick to the wall. She didn't listen. Been there done that. I hang out at the bar with a nice High Life. 

Edited January 23 by jholz

[haiduk]

3 hours ago, jholz said:

 

Wow dude. Interesting stuff. I, myself, never crossed the bridge into Deathmetal, but I know the genre is appealing to a lot of folks. 

 

Back in the day, there was a point where hardcore punk and metal crossed - DRI and Corrosion of Conformity come to mind. 

 

I can appreciate some early Metallica and even a bit of ole' Dave Mustaine - but once we get into Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, and etc. the vocals, lyrics, riffs start to lose me. 

 

But, there is a huge market out there - and if you are pulling this off live - you've got larger cajones than myself. Much respect dude. 

 

Glad you found this thread. Hope you gain a few more followers. 

 

One final question, do you also play golf? If so, I've got to get a round in with you sometime. 

 

Thanks @jholz! 

Punk influenced early thrash metal and gave it that relentless speed. This is why I love metal, it has it all: heaviness, speed, and melody.

 

Early Metallica is great, as is Megadeth (my biggest inspiration). 

Getting into the heavier stuff like Cannibal Corpse happens when you just need something faster and heavier. Metal is like a drug.

 

I play golf but not as much as I used to. We'll definitely hit a round if you wanna come up to Calgary. 

 

[TiScape]

On 1/21/2025 at 4:38 PM, haiduk said:

One man death metal live

 

 

Ohhhh, THAT’S YOU?! 🤯

[TiScape]

 

Edited January 23 by TiScape

[TiScape]

On 1/22/2025 at 2:33 PM, jholz said:

 

Wow dude. Interesting stuff. I, myself, never crossed the bridge into Deathmetal, but I know the genre is appealing to a lot of folks. 

 

*Back in the day, there was a point where hardcore punk and metal crossed - DRI and Corrosion of Conformity come to mind. 

 

I can appreciate some early Metallica and even a bit of ole' Dave Mustaine - but once we get into Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, and etc. the vocals, lyrics, riffs start to lose me. 

 

But, there is a huge market out there - and if you are pulling this off live - you've got larger cajones than myself. Much respect dude. 

 

Glad you found this thread. Hope you gain a few more followers. 

 

One final question, do you also play golf? If so, I've got to get a round in with you sometime. 

Made me think of RKL. They def blurred the lines a bit between hardcore/punk and metal after their ‘Think Positive’ album.