Pantheon - Home for Music Lovers

I'm taking a rare week off from bringing you MUSIC is not a GENRE, and using the opportunity to make a special announcement. It's pretty dang short, so listen if you can (hell, do it on 2.0). Once you have, please consider visiting any of these links: GoFundMe - I desperately need your support MxG & REC on Patreon REC on Bandcamp Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Shirts and mugs! Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 22 - TWO-Hit Wonders FEATURED SONG: NICK – “Scream” (from The Metrogrande Sessions) SCREAM IT EVERYWHERE You’ve heard of one-hit wonders, and you probably know at least a couple dozen of those songs. What you might not know is that many of those bands actually had more than one hit. In this episode, I bust the myth of one-hit wonders by using my criteria to show that most of those artists charted at least twice, if not more. I also talk about other well-known artists who had just a couple of hits. And I discuss how many of these artists had longer & more successful careers than you might think. Which songs or artists come to mind when you think of one-hit wonders? Can you recall those artists having another hit, or does that come as a surprise to you? What non-one-hit wonders did I miss? Discuss dammit! BONUS VIDEO: Live acoustic original song and cover of a song by The Romantics ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I spend an hour with educator, author, musician & songwriter, Pete Braidis. Pete is a high school teacher in Haddon Township, NJ. He's also the founder, guitarist and principal songwriter of the seminal South Jersey "alt" band, The Ape Cafe, for which I was the lead singer and keyboardist. Listen to Ape Cafe music And Pete is the author of three music books, including the forthcoming The Police: every album, every song, which you can preorder now. Get all his books here: The Police: every album, every song Asia: every album, every song Unstrung Heroes: Fifty Guitar Greats You Should Know FEATURED SONG: The Ape Cafe – “Granny" BONUS EPISODE - Outtakes! ~~~~ Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt or mug! Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Shirts and mugs! Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 20 - What’s an ALBUM?? And WHY?? – Part 4.2: The 1980s – Pop Vs. Indie FEATURED SONG: REC – “In Your Dreams Tonight” (cover of the Agent Orange song, from Syzygy for the Weird and IT WASN’T ME !) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE In the exciting conclusion of Part 4 of my history of albums, we close out the 1980s. We’ve already seen how quickly music changed in the first half of the decade. In the second half, popular music absorbed more of the underground sound and style, creating an even deeper divide that gave even more power to the industry, and drove indie scenes even deeper underground. And as the megastar machine became more and more top-heavy, the underground was preparing for a takeover that even they didn’t see coming. How do you feel about the second half of the 1980s as compared to the first half? Do you prefer it? Does it sound more ‘80s to you? Can you hear how the divide between the super popular and the indie was setting up a major shift in the next decade? Discuss dammit! BONUS VIDEO: The history of the CD! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Shirts and mugs! Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 19 - What’s an ALBUM?? And WHY?? – Part 4.1: The 1980s – Indie Vs. Pop FEATURED SONG: Business of Ferrets – “Komputers & Kognac” (feat. Nick DeMatteo & Pete Braidis, from IT WASN’T ME !) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE In Part 4 of my history of albums, we’ve made it to the 1980s. The 1980s are considered a big decade for singles, so we often forget that some of the greatest and biggest selling albums were released then. I talk about those albums, as well as lesser known notable albums, and how technology influenced their crafting. As synths and recording became more and more affordable, artists were able to take more control over how an album was produced and crafted. This created the first true underground scenes, and split music and album development between the big stars of the industry pop machine and smaller artists of the indie label scenes. NOTE: Because I know more about the 1980s than previous decades, I’m splitting this episode into two parts. This week’s episode will go to 1985. What are your favorite albums from the first half of the 1980s? Do you think these albums hold up to the greats from other decades? How do you feel about 1980s production values in comparison to the 1970s and 1990s? When you think of the 1980s, do you identify more with the first or second half of the decade? Discuss dammit! BONUS VIDEO: Cassettes! Their history, and their significance in different eras. ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I spend an hour with songwriter, composer and teacher, Jed Becker. Jed has composed music for Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go. He’s also the founder and songwriter for the band Joy Buzzer, whose new album, Pleased to Meet You, is coming out on Wicked Cool records later this year. Jed is currently accepting students in Brooklyn. If you want lessons in piano, guitar, electric bass, ukulele, Pro Tools or GarageBand, contact Jed here: https://www.beckersongs.com/ For more on Jed and his music: https://jedbecker.com/ https://joybuzzerband.com/ FEATURED SONG: Joy Buzzer – “Judy, Judy, Judy” (from the forthcoming album, Pleased to Meet You) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jggVSqkutzY BONUS MxTRA VIDEO - OUTTAKES! ~~~~ Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt or mug! Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ PODFAST #17 - Nick’s VIBEMATIC: 1. Playlist Jan 2024 FEATURED LINKS: Nick's January Playlist on Spotify Nick's January Playlist on YouTube GET THE SHIRT! ~~~~ For PODFAST 17, I’m starting something ELSE new. A playlist review. Every year I make a playlist of songs I like that I can imagine putting on at a party. Last year’s list was too huge to appreciate in any enjoyable way. So this year I’ve decided to make MONTHLY playlists instead. This PODFAST is all about my January 2024 playlist. I make it on Spotify, but for you I’ve also recreated it on YouTube. It’s NOT A MIX. There’s no flow to the sequence. It’s just a collection of songs I like this month, meant to be played on shuffle. As with all my playlists, it’s not just about stuff that recently debuted. It’s anything I ran across that I wanted to hear more than a few times. And it’s always hella eclectic. You’ll be surprised how much discussion this generates. Anything on my playlist that grabs you? What’s on your playlist this month? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro/outro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Shirts and mugs! Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 17 - The Kinks – The BIGGEST INDIE BAND in HISTORY FEATURED SONG: NICK – “Just the Same” (from 96 / 95) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE This week’s episode is on the Kinks, the most overlooked and underrated of the big four 1960s British Invasion bands. They have been acclaimed by critics and musicians, and have influenced disparate styles and bands in every decade since they formed. Punk, metal, chamber pop and Britpop are just a few of the genres they helped shape, and in some ways pioneered. I go through their history, their albums, make the case that they might have been more quietly influential than even the Rolling Stones, and argue that it’s possible they’re the biggest indie band in history. Are you a Kinks fan? Where do they fall for you in the British Invasion hierarchy? Do you think they deserve more recognition? Discuss dammit! BONUS VIDEO: Live acoustic versions of a Kinks song and an original ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Shirts and mugs! Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 16 - Bleep Boop – Video Game Music is SUPER EPIC LEGEND FEATURED SONG: REC – “Korean Pop Song” (from The Sunshine Seminar) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE Video games have been a part of our lives for almost 50 years. Almost all of those games have had music associated with them. Some of that music has become iconic, even to non-gamers. This week’s MxG is all about video game music. Where it came from. How it developed. What it has inspired. I go into the full history, and name check a bunch of legendary & favorite songs & soundtracks. What are some of your favorite video game songs? Can you hum one right now, even though you haven’t heard it in years? Do you think video game music can be as good as “regular” music? Discuss dammit! BONUS VIDEO: Genres Inspired by Video Game Music ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Shirts and mugs! Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 15 - Death is DUMB Volume 16: Death is DRUM FEATURED SONG: REC – “All On Me (lo-fi)” (from the upcoming album Kite To Camden (lo-fi)) https://www.nickdematteo.com/recsingleallonme This volume of Death is DUMB is dedicated to drummers. There have been way too many tragic drummer deaths over the decades. I go over as many of them as I can, including some recent deaths tragic or not, and do my best to pay tribute to these great musicians. Were any of these drummers your favorites? Which deaths hit you the most? Are there drummers I totally missed? Discuss dammit! BONUS VIDEO: Spinal Tap's many dead drummers ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Shirts and mugs! Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 14 - What’s an ALBUM?? And WHY?? – Part 3: The THREE DECADES of the 1970s FEATURED SONG: The Drop – “Stay With Me” (from It Wasn’t Me !) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE In Part 3 of my history of albums, we get to the big one: the 1970s. If the album can be said to have had a heyday (and I say nay), this is the decade when it happened. Sales rose. Creativity soared. Critics still look at this decade as a peak of the album as art. Many fans do too. I name check some of the big albums – creatively & commercially, and include some personal faves. I talk about how the album developed & expanded, as did genres both popular and underground. I also argue that the 1970s was really three decades in one. What are your favorite albums of the 1970s? Is this your favorite decade for albums, or do you feel it’s overrated? Can you hear the difference between early, middle & late decade music? Discuss dammit! BONUS VIDEO: Artists who went disco! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ FEATURED SONG: REC – “Different People” (from The Sunshine Seminar) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE https://www.nickdematteo.com/recthesunshineseminar This is the 31st edition of a subseries I call MUSIC is EVERYTHING, which focuses more on opinion, philosophy, and theories than hard facts. In this edition, I make the claim that no artist or genre actually has a heyday. The music’s quality, sales, and/or critical success all peak at some point, but not always at the same time. Often an artist’s or genre’s best work comes after the popularity has waned, and even after critics have stopped paying attention. How do YOU define heyday? Do you agree with my assessments? What artists do you think did (or are still doing) better work than when they were the most popular, or most beloved by critics? Are there artists/genres you think DID have a heyday, and everything after that doesn’t measure up? Discuss dammit! BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: THE OUTLIER SINGLE PHENOMENON ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 11 - Music Magazines – Believe EVERYTHING You Read FEATURED SONG: NICK – “What It Is” (from What It Is) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE Here comes the SIXTH catch-up episode, and it’s a big one. I had a TON of fan engagement in 2023, so there’s a lot to go over. As usual, I dive into fan & contributor comments, and go over a few things I missed and/or thought of after the fact. I ALSO share a bunch of great feedback from people into bands who you THINK would be well-known, but maybe not so much. Like the Bee Gees, Depeche Mode, New Order, and Duran Duran. If you’re one of those aforementioned commenters, thank you! If not, what topic would you like me to tackle in 2024 that you WOULD comment on? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 11 - Music Magazines – Believe EVERYTHING You Read FEATURED SONG: NICK – “It’s Almost Over” (from The Metrogrande Sessions) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE This week’s episode is on music magazines. I go over their history & heyday, delineate the five types of mags, name the current most popular mags both in print and online, and throw down on which ones actually do good journalism and are worth reading. Are you a music magazine reader? What are your faves? Which ones do you think cover music as even-handedly as possible? Discuss dammit! BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: THE HISTORY OF ZINES ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 10 - What’s an ALBUM?? And WHY?? – Part 2: Coming of Age in the 1960s FEATURED SONG: NICK – “Naked” (from Listen You People) – STREAM IT EVERYWHERE In the long awaited Part 2 of my series on the history of albums, we hit the 1960s. It’s when the album fully came of age, and set the stage for its dominance in the decade to come. I discuss how the album developed from a collection of songs into a work of art in its own right, and go over some of the decade’s greatest albums, including my favorites. I also talk about how the album – and music as a whole – became a vital part of the social & political culture at large. What are your favorite albums of the 1960s? Do you feel like that was the heyday of albums, or was that still on its way? Discuss dammit! BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: THE HISTORY OF 45s ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 9 - DURAN DURAN – They’re EVERYWHERE EVERYWHERE FEATURED SONG: REC - "Come A Little Closer (Scared Boy Remix)" (from Parts and Labour) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE This week is on Duran Duran, one of the most influential ‘80s bands, whose legacy & longevity rarely get the notice they deserve. I go through their entire career & discography, discuss their influence as one of the prime originators of electro power pop, and show how more bands owe a debt to them than we realize. Are you a Duran Duran fan fan? Are you aware that they’re still releasing new material? Have you heard bands since then who were clearly influenced by them? Discuss dammit! BONUS EPISODE: MY ACOUSTIC TAKES ON "ORDINARY WORLD" AND AN ORIGINAL! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Allen, a multi-faceted musician from Detroit, Michigan, has been an active and influential figure in the music scene since the early 1990s. Allen has been a part of too many groups to mention, but here is a sampling: Destroy This Place, Friendly Foes, Red Shirt Brigade, Ryan + Jono, and Thunderbirds Are Now! Far from an exhaustive list, each of these bands showcased different facets of Allen's musical prowess and interests, ranging from indie and punk to hardcore and alternative rock​ ​In 2011, Allen launched "Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms." What began as a solo project has evolved into a full-fledged band, now simply known as Extra Arms. This project allowed Allen to explore a more personal and memoir-esque musical style, reminiscent of post-hardcore troubadours like Ted Leo, and Bob Mould​ Allen's music often reflects his personal life and experience, featuring songs about his family, friends, and his journey through music over the years. Allen has also been involved in the band BIG LIFE, a group of seasoned local musicians creating Melodic Hardcore music inspired by Dischord Records' "Revolution Summer" era. BIG LIFE's sound draws influence from bands like Dag Nasty, and Fugazi​. Ryan Allen's career illustrates a dedication to evolving and experimenting within the realm of music, making him a distinctive and respected figure in Detroit's rich musical landscape. Well, we can now add writer to the list of things Ryan Allen excels at. In the Fall/Winter Edition of Remember the Lightning: A Guitar Pop Journal, Volume 2, Allen penned the piece “The Ties That Bind Hardcore Punk & Power Pop.” LINKS Extra Arms Big Life (band) Speed Circuit (band) Remember the Lightning: A Guitar Pop Journal Vol. 2 Thunderbirds Are Now Bracken Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 8 - The Beatles Part 8 – Infinite Influence FEATURED SONG: NICK - "Regular Day" (from The Metrogrande Sessions) STREAM IT EVERYWHERE https://www.nickdematteo.com/nickthemetrograndesessions In Part 8 of my ongoing Beatles series, I talk about their influence. From the moment they started getting attention, other artists knew the world of music could never be the same. I go decade-by-decade, using five elements that illustrate that, since at least 1964, every artist in one way or another has been influenced by them. I also talk about some of the great Beatles covers. What music would you add to my list? Or are there artists I mentioned that you don’t think belong in this group? And do you agree that all post-Beatles music has in some way been influenced by them? Discuss dammit! BONUS EPISODE: TWO ACOUSTIC SONGS! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this business of music, the battle to be seen and heard is tough. Luckily, Donny Dykowsky has emerged as a seasoned combatant. A champion, if you will.  The early two-thousands bore witness to Donny's heroic struggle for existence. It was a life-and-death duel, and during the arduous period of convalescence, ensconced in isolation, he embarked on the audacious endeavor of assembling a musical ensemble that would later be christened as Chesterwhite. Their debut drew comparisons to luminaries like David Bowie and T-Rex, infused with a dystopian tincture. The album wove a tapestry of a science-fiction odyssey, inspired by Donny's own life as a cancer survivor grappling with the tempestuous throes of a toxic relationship. Simultaneously, Donny was cultivating a sterling reputation behind the scenes. He lent his songcraft to a diverse array of artists, and initiated a foray into the realm of bespoke musical compositions for television and commercials.  The astonishing journey of singer, songwriter, and producer Donny Dykowsky unfolds in a sequence of sonic metamorphoses. Having weathered the crucible of cancer, endured tumultuous relationships, and embraced the mantle of fatherhood, Donny emerges on the other side with a voice that is both vulnerable and brimming with vitality. His latest offering, the eponymous EP "Mirrors On The Moon," balances precariously on the precipice of psych-rock and harmonious American.  Donny joined Keith in Thunderlove Studio to have a chat. This is their conversation.  LINKS Mirrors on the Moon Band on the Web MOTM on IG MOTM on FB MOTM on YouTube MOTM on Spotify MOTM on Bandcamp MOTM on distrokid Chesterwhite on Spotify The Ski Team Productions Alan Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Subscribe & see the videos! Listen to REC on Bandcamp Subscribe to REC on YouTube Get Nick's Newsletter! - WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 6 Episode 7 - BackTalk with Steve Erickson – ROUND 2: A Second Look at First Albums In Round 2 of BackTalk, Steve Erickson & I discuss early albums of famous artists, and whether or not they're worth a second listen. What famous artist do you think people should explore the earliest work of? Discuss dammit! BONUS BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO on how I put this (and many other) episodes together, including more thoughts on the subject. Find out more about Steve: http://steeveecom.wordpress.com http://callinamagician.bandcamp.com/ ~~~ *music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices