Category: SmackSound blog (Page 1 of 23)

Recent Radio Shows on WRIR 93.7fm

Recent Shows on WRIR-LP 97.3 FM

These are the River City Limits and End of the Century shows I’ve hosted on WRIR-LP 97.3 FM over the past several months. The River City Limits episodes all feature bands and artists in  Richmond’s local scene, covering everything from indie pop and singer-songwriter fare to punk, doom, and metal.  The three End of the Century episodes took a historical turn based on bands and artists between 1975 and 1999 (hence the show title).  One traced the 1977 New York punk and new wave explosion centered on CBGB and Talking Heads, one honored recording engineer and musician Steve Albini, and one counted down ProgrAchives.com user-ranked polls of what was considered “progressive rock” from 1975 through 1999. Below are the artists featured on each show.

EOC 12-20-25 – Heads Up ’77
Description: Talking Heads, Ramones, Television, CBGBs and the influence of the New York punk and new wave scene in 1977.

Patti Smith, John Cale, Television, Ramones, Talking Heads, Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers, Dead Boys, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, Blondie, The Damned, Elvis Costello, Ultravox, The Clash, Iggy Pop, Sex Pistols, Wire, David Bowie, Roxy Music, Brian Eno, Devo, XTC, The Boomtown Rats, Kraftwerk, The Jam, Cheap Trick, The Runaways, Fela Kuti.
View playlist on WRIR website

RCL 1-3-26
Blue Spring, Butcher Brown & Bruce Hornsby, Catie Lausten, Charm Offensive, Dear Providence, Deau Eyes, Doll Baby, Drook, Earthling, Fight Cloud, Gusher, Halfcast, Keep, Madison Turner, Midlife Pilot, Murdersome, New Lions, PALM PALM, Rikki Rakki, Rocket 69, Shadow Age.
View playlist on WRIR website

RCL 2-7-26
Andy Jenkins, Bio Ritmo, Fight Cloud, Future Projektor, Midlife Pilot, Shane Cooley & Colt Wayne Keeney, Byzantine, Mark Stanley, Butcher Brown, David Judson Clemmons, Station Aires, Madison Turner, Shadow Age, Ten Pound Snail, Stray Fossa, Ostraca, Pyramid Mass, Irata, Helgamite, Night Battles, Prayer Group, Washers, Todd Herrington.
View playlist on WRIR website

RCL 3-7-26 (Newlin Prize Nominees and More)
The Newlin Music Prize revealed the 20 albums on its 2026 Short List in consideration for this year’s award that celebrates excellence in music from Richmond, Virginia by awarding more than $7,000 to local musicians.  The winner was announced on March 23, 2026, and the winning artist received a cash prize of $2,500. Additionally, each of the remaining artists on the 2026 Short List received $250 for their selection. (The 2026 winner was Weekend Plans).

Anna Leonard, Belly of the Heart, Brookhouse, CJ The Profit, Flora & The Fauna, Hotspit, Human Worm, IONNA, Laura Ann Singh, Mackenzie Roark and the Hotpants, Madison Turner, Palmyra, Pyramid Mass, Radio B, Ronnie Luxe, Shagg Carpet, Shera Shi, Ty Sorrell, Weekend Plans, Wrong Worshippers, PALM PALM, Prayer Group, Sea of Storms, Maximillian Colby, Shagwüf, Station Aires, Sleepwalkers, Andy Jenkins, Crack Fox.
View playlist on WRIR website

EOC 3-14-26 – Prog Slog 75-99
Theme: Songs from some of the most popular prog albums each year between 1975 and 1999 based on rankings at Progarchives.com (must be in top 20 of votes received for each year, no repeats).

Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Rush, Bruford, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Kate Bush, Swans, Univers Zéro, Dead Can Dance, Talk Talk, David Sylvian, Queensrÿche, Voivod, The Legendary Pink Dots, Mr. Bungle, Neurosis, Ozric Tentacles, Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, TOOL, Art Zoyd, Death, Opeth.
View playlist on WRIR website

RCL 5-2-26
Beya, Reppa Ton & Agent-X, Madly Backwards, The Potted Plants, Roslin, Sravani Kameswari, Erin Lunsford, Prabir, Greg Garner, Butcher Brown & Bruce Hornsby, Charm Offensive, Madison Turner, PALM PALM, Piranha Rama, The Ar-Kaics, The JOB (The Jim O’Ferrell Band), Windhand, FutureProjektor, Byzantine, Prayer Group, Pyramid Mass, Sleepytime Trio, Coral, Kepone, Long Arms, Helgamite.
View playlist on WRIR website

RCL 6-6-26
Windhand, Burn the Priest, Cannabis Corpse, Petrified Entity, Deathcrown, Birds of Prey, Battleghost, Those Manic Seas, Dynamic Truths, Navaeh, Mensrea, Wolf//Goat, Neon Graveyard, Gritter, Erik Larson, Demons, Municipal Waste, The Milkstains, Book of Wyrms, Valkyrie, Battlemaster, Hindu Affiliate, Enforced, Cough.
View playlist on WRIR website

EOC 6-20-26 – Steve Albini
Steve Albini was an American musician, recording engineer, and producer, and one of the most influential figures in independent rock music.  He was a member, recording engineer and/or producer for all of the bands and artists listed.

Big Black, Shellac, Pixies, PJ Harvey, Nirvana, Manic Street Preachers, The Breeders, The Jesus Lizard, Cheap Trick, Slint, Mogwai, Don Caballero, The Wedding Present, Superchunk, Low, Dirty Three, Jawbreaker, Neurosis, Cloud Nothings, Helmet, Fred Schneider, The Stooges, Labradford, Veruca Salt, The Auteurs, Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
View playlist on WRIR website

RCL 7-4-26
Blue Spring, Reppa Ton & Agent-X, Madly Backwards, Charm Offensive, The Seymores, Sravani Kameswari, Erin Lunsford, Mega Beardo, Spooky Cool, Station Aires, Crack Fox, Gusher, Madison Turner, RPG, Rikki Rakki, The Ar-Kaics, DJ Harrison, Windhand, Angelica Garcia, Night Idea, Prayer Group, Washers, Sleepytime Trio, Coral, Kepone, Inter Arma, Alter Natives.
View playlist on WRIR website

RCL 8-1-26
Justin Golden, Sleepytime Trio, Brookhouse, Human Worm, B4NK M4CHIN3, Maximillian Colby, Charm Offensive, Enforced, IONNA, Laura Ann Singh, Kepone, Madison Turner, Wrong Worshippers, Pyramid Mass, Radio B, Ronnie Luxe, Shagg Carpet, Shera Shi, Ty Sorrell, Burn the Breeze, Future Projektor, Gritter, Prayer Group, Sea of Storms, PALM PALM, Shagwüf, Station Aires, Sleepwalkers, Wolf//Goat.
View playlist on WRIR website

Show archives available at www.wrir.org/show/river-city-limits/

All playlists sourced from WRIR-LP 97.3 FM’s show archives at wrir.org.

Good Eye Podcast – Natalie Rainer – Bike Walk RVA

Natalie Rainer is the Engagement Manager for Bike Walk RVA, an organization that is part of Richmond Sports Backers. In this conversation we discuss pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, economic, health and environmental benefits of non-motorized travel, Vision Zero and more. Natalie also talks about the horrific event that changed the path of her life and led her to advocacy. She and Jonah Holland were struck from from behind by an impaired driver while cycling. As a result, Natalie suffered life-threatening injuries, but tragically, Jonah did not survive.

Bike Walk RVA

Good Eye Podcast

River City Limits on WRIR – 5-2-26

Click the image to go to the WRIR website.

Any new music links provided below go to Bandcamp.  If Bandcamp offers the song or album for purchase, it is purchased in order to support the artists.  Full Bandcamp collection.

The episode:

2026 0502 RCL

BED MUSIC from Richmond Synth Collective Demo Compilation Vol 2

NEW MUSIC

BEYA – Runaway
Spotify

REPPA TON, AGENT-X – Rock Bottomed (radio edit)
Spotify

MADLY BACKWARDS – Summer Denim
BC
https://www.madlybackwards.com/

THE POTTED PLANTS – Microplastics
Spotify

ROSLIN – Silver Tongue (demo)
BC

SRAVANI KAMESWARI – Seattle Speedrun
Spotify

ERIN LUNSFORD – Call Me If You Need Me
Spotify

PRABIR – Tomorrow
BC

GREG GARNER – Charmer
___

NOT NEW

Greg Garner – Lighthouse

Butcher Brown – Secret House

Charm Offensive – Misery

Madison Turner – & the days go by

Palm Palm – Automatic Attraction

Piranha Rama – Golden Blues

the Ar-Kaics – Fools are Gone

The J.O.B. – One Day In A Lifetime

Windhand – Shepherd’s Crook

FutureProjektor – Discovery-Eureka

Byzantine – Floating Chrysanthema

Prayer Group – Plagiarism

Pyramid Mass – Unrest

Sleepytime Trio – Butter Scaryflies

Coral – Pillowtalk – Figure 8

Kepone – Virginia Creeper

Long Arms – Crazy Bet

HELGAMITE – Æstrosion

Good Eye Podcast – Mark Brown – The Giving Notes Project

Mark Brown is a Richmond Virginia-area musician and entrepreneur.  He took a trip to Norway, saw a man playing accordian on the street and the man refused any money or contributions.  He just wanted to put the positive energy of creating music into the universe.  That experience set Mark and some collaborators on a path to give back through music.  They channel personal stories into original songs.

https://www.thegivingnotesproject.com/

Tom Tom Festival in Charlottesville

https://www.tomtomfoundation.org

April 22-26, 14th Annual

This year’s theme: Courage

Submit your Good Eye ideas, topics, feedback: jay@jaysmack.com

Bike MS 2026 – Year 23!

I’ve been riding in the Bike MS event to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research and programs since 2004 when a dear friend was diagnosed.  He has since lost his battle with MS, but that doesn’t mean we stop battling it.  If you’d care to support my ride this year please link the link below.  I am sincerely grateful for everyone who has supported my rides over the years.

We also have a team!  And YOU can join it.  It’s called Go Forward Cycling in honor of another organization doing the work to help our community face some of the many challenges life can throw at you.  The Forward Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to assisting working, single parents and their children in the Greater Richmond area who are experiencing a life change that has altered their finances.  If you’d like to join our team you don’t even have to ride with us.  We’re just happy to have you.  Register for the event, join our team, and choose your route.  Easy!

Please reach out if I can answer any questions or if you’d like to get involved with the MS Society or the Forward Foundation.  Thanks!

Click the image to sponsor me!

Click to sponsor me!

 

Dogs, Farmer’s Dogs, and Voiceover

In the immortal words of John “Hannibal” Smith, “I love it when a plan comes together.”

But in this case, it wasn’t really a plan.  Perhaps an inevitability.

The good folks at the dog food company The Farmer’s Dog had me in to voice some national spots for them – tv and radio.  And everything came together.  I have always had dogs.  We had them while I was growing up – Hannah (Collie), Rudy and Charlie (English Setters) and Barney (Chesapeake Bay Retriever).  Since then, I’ve had dogs of my own – Gracie (Yellow Lab mix), Jackie (Corgie mix) and Frankie (Lab/Collie mix).  I loved and love them all.  My dogs go almost everywhere with me.  I just love to see them happy, healthy and having fun. So Farmer’s Dog was a perfect match of passion and profession.  I’m grateful to TFD for the opportunity and grateful to dogs for reminding us what unconditional love looks like.

Jackie and Frankie living their best life.

 

 

Time and Space and Richard Feynman

“We are finite beings trying to comprehend the infinite using tools made of meat and electricity. It is a wonder we understand anything at all.” – Richard Feynman

What blows my mind more than the concept of time and the relationship between time and space is shutting down the idea of what is possible based on rules we developed on this tiny little rock in our tiny little sliver of existence just to make our tiny little selves feel better.

Do yourself a favor and engage in some brain yoga with this video of Richard Feynman attempting to explain the concept of time and space to a population obsessed with whom pop stars are dating.

Riding against Multiple Sclerosis, year 22!

 

I’m riding against MS again this year.  This is year 22 for me.  I can’t wait until our Go Forward Cycling team rolls out from Richmond on May 31 headed to Williamsburg.  Then we get up the next day and head back to Richmond.

MS is an insidious, debilitating disease.  I started riding for a dear friend after he was diagnosed.  He fought hard against MS for years, but last year his fight came to an end.  I will continue to ride for him and for all the people I have met who have MS or whose friends and family have it.  The list of people I ride for has grown over the years, but there’s always room for more.  Because while progress has been made and continues to be made, the fight is not over.

To sponsor me, join our team or to find out more please visit the links below.  Thank you for your continued support.

SPONSOR ME

JOIN THE GO FORWARD CYCLING TEAM

EVENT INFO

GO FORWARD CYCLING TEAM AT LAST YEAR’S RIDE

 

UPDATE:

The ride was this past weekend and it was another great couple days of cycling, fun, awareness of what we’re working for and appreciation of everyone who contributed – riders, volunteers, organizers and those fighting MS every day.  See you next year!

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