The Rise and Fall the Alternative Rock Movement (w/ Leslie Fram & Matt Pinfield)

[@shotgunrebels]

Fun watching the radio folks naturally bounce the conversation to each other keeping everyone involved and the audience engaged.

[@neven6125]

100%...This is fantastic!!

[@jlthiess]

@@edryba4867 just roaming the internet looking for something to be angry at, huh? I believe what they meant is that it's enjoyable to watch a couple of people skilled in their profession put those skills to use.

[@blah2blah65]

I noticed that too and was amazed! I'm used to "news" (more like "opinion") TV shows where panelists try to hog the conversation. Yet here are these two highly accomplished yet refreshingly humble people complimenting each other and asking each other questions.

[@darrylgoodwin7947]

Yeah seems like Leslie is interviewing these two.

[@literathos3171]

@@edryba4867 dude wtf? He was obviously pointing out that the radio gave em great talking skills

[@thomasknight7588]

Rick, you are the interviewer everyone should emulate. You let your guests speak. You make them the focus of the interview instead of you. Simply great.

[@scottallencarr]

Just to back that up: you were a perfect guest here!

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Quite different than an Eddie Trunk interview. 😂

[@GlenPridgen]

Leslie is a dear friend of mine and I love everything about her. A kind sweet soul. I've met Matt many times and he is always kind and humble. I can say the same about my friend Rick Beato...met him a half dozen times and always kind and humble...one of the most interesting people you will ever come across. One thing you've probably noticed about Rick while watching his videos...he is not an easy person to impress. The look on Ricks face throughout this interview is priceless. He is like a kid in a candy store. I love everything about this video. Well done Rick...these two deserve the respect they get.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

👉♥️ lucky dude

[@marcnelson1427]

First time hearing my band shouted out on Rick’s channel!! (band’s Dreamers, we’re in LA by way of Brooklyn) Matt is such an asset and advocate for the music community. He genuinely just loves music and respects it. Met up with him many times and he’s the real deal. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of modern music, countless stories to tell and a big heart

[@NatalieValentina6]

How cool that you're here! I found you guys years ago, randomly as an AI recommendation (I think from having Night Riots & Bad Suns in my feed), & never looked back. You have so many songs (e.g. Screws, The Last Love Song, & Sweet Disaster, etc.) that I listen to on the regular. Thank you for your music, it has helped to make quarantining demonstrably better😋. I'm sure you're chomping-at-the-bit to be able to perform live again. It's cool to see that you also enjoy Rick's Channel. It always astonishes me how interconnected he is to so many facets of the industry, from tracking down the stems for WMTSG?, to interviewing musical legends. And of course, through 120 Minutes, Matt Pinfield introduced me to so many artists of whom I became lifelong fans. We were lucky to grow up at a time when we had access to (& were influenced by) someone so knowledgeable...w/such passion for music, & just a great ear & taste level.

[@marcnelson1427]

@@NatalieValentina6 I watch all of Rick’s videos, a constant source of inspiration. I definitely miss performing at shows. It’s coming back soon though. Night Riots was one of my favorite bands to tour with, and we’ve toured with so many amazing bands and people, but I really vibed with what they do and who they are. Miss them!

[@koby8251]

Saw your post and went and checked you guys out...randomly picked Sweet Disaster....great tune....very cool lyrics...keep it up!

[@AlligatorArms]

First of all, “Painkiller” was one of my absolute faves of 2018; really dig what you guys are doing & it looks like you have a lot of fun making videos. I just discovered Rick’s channel recently and I’m amazed by how many real musicians I’ve seen in the comments section, and they’re just watching these videos for the same reason I am, when I’m just a regular music fan in rural mid-Michigan. A lot of the time it’s videos that aren’t even about current music. That just tells me that their heads are in the right place. I think that’s pretty awesome.

[@marcnelson1427]

@@AlligatorArms most of our favorite music is from before we were born!! The last sixties through early 70s, 90s grunge. There’s lots of great music happening now too. It can be harder to find because there’s so much of it, which is a good thing ultimately. We’ve played many many shows in Michigan, mostly Detroit but have driven through much of the state. We miss playing live shows but it’s coming back soon 🙏

[@SpookieVonDookie]

Matt Pinfield was the equivalent of My Cool Uncle in the 90s. I love that dude so much!

[@NickolaiVolkov]

I LOVE Leslie Fram's communication style and always try to do just that. Interject/participate a little bit and pass the baton so-to-speak to someone else in the group who either hasn't participated in a while or hasn't participated period. Love including others. :) This is wonderful and I'm only 5 minutes in!

[@debvalle7466]

The era I never got over! So important to analyze the downfall, too. Look forward to seeing this.

[@rsdemarco]

It was remarkable for me going to small clubs in early1991 when Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins were on their final small gig tour and everyone knowing instinctively that something big was about to happen. In less than a year we were hearing these bands on the radio and seeing them on MTV. It was an exciting time.

[@rsohlich1]

I'm 36 and always wished I was like 10-15 years older. By the time my generation came of age in the very late 90s/early 2000s the music was stale and cliched. Your extremely fortunate. I wish I could have seen AIC and Nirvana in 91.

[@markg0410]

I attended a show by Nirvana (pre-Nevermind) at Einstein A Go-Go in Jacksonville Beach. The audience was a grand total of maybe 15 people.

[@paulseitz672]

I was DJ and Music Director of WCCM radio in Randolph New Jersey in 1983-1985 and then I worked at I.R.S. Records from 1990-1991. This segment was so spot on and seeing Leslie and Matt reminded me of what was good about the music business. When you love music and musicians you find it, you look under rocks and check out the clubs and sit on youtube for an hour listening to likeminded music lovers - you do this because ultimately it's not a business decision it's a compulsion. Well done Rick!

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

🙏 Amen

[@williamlindblad3534]

I remember calling Matt up every Saturday morning in high school, chatting with him for up to an hour about music with regular calls to hold on because he had to cue something else. He already had a comprehensive knowledge of the field and could talk about anyone from Husker Du, REM and Kate Bush over to bands like A Drop in the Grey or Icicle Works or Guadalcanal Diary. Just a font of information and an incredibly nice guy.

[@chrislumpkin]

College radio was where one found new alternative rock in the ‘80’s and early ‘90’s. Mainstream radio was already dropping carts on scripted programming. It seems almost impossible for an unsigned band to get on the radio. New music requires a love of and persistent hunt to find. Commercial radio has turned its back.

[@OdaKa]

Dropping carts?

[@joeldf6859]

Yes. It was KLSU for me during the mid 80s while going to LSU. They are still at it to this day.

[@chrislumpkin]

@@OdaKa single and multi-song cartridges following a script made by the programming director. Very rarely did a DJ have the latitude to play their personal choices or listener requests (they took them, but what was played was scripted for most).

[@haolekoa737]

Attended one semester of community college, had a show on their radio station for three years... Thought about trying to be a DJ as a career, but then realized I already had it as good as it was gonna get. College radio was the only time I'd be able to play what I want and say what I want. Ended up with a career as an arborist & working musician. Never once regretted my decision, as commercial radio has only gotten worse in the 30 years since.

[@joeldf6859]

@@chrislumpkin , one of the stations in my town took requests - this was around '92 or so - a "classic rock" station - but they didn't want to play what I asked for and they suggested a few other (I assume approved) songs. I just wanted to see what they would do with my request for Blondie's "Die Young Stay Pretty". I told them "never mind"

[@greatleapforwards]

I grew up in the late 80s early 90s listening to John Peel on the BBC world Service. The number of people and musicians that man influenced over a period of 5 odd decades is unfathomable. Without a doubt the single most important radio DJ that ever was and ever will be

[@gavinreid5387]

I listened to him from the mid 70s. He was probably the only national DJ regularly playing the early Punk singles and real roots Reggae.

[@Veaseify]

He was also emblematic of the Music media's obsession with 'new and different' and the constant churning out of fads, particularly in British music. In Peel's world if you had been around more than 2 years you were old hat, an attitude that is completely at odds with the majority of music listeners who want everything to sound exactly like the stuff they were listening to when they were 15.

[@greatleapforwards]

@@Veaseify except for the Fall 😆

[@Veaseify]

@@greatleapforwards ha ha yes, he still thought they were cutting edge 30 years later. Its incredible if you think back to the 70's and 80's how many hundreds of obscure bands must have been played once on one of his shows and never heard of again. I still remember him introducing a song with 'This is Extreme Noise Terror...from er, Ipswich' deliberately enhancing the unlikelihood of anything with that name emanating from Suffolk :)

[@notpub]

Yes!!!! And "Peel Session" LPs are some of the best you can buy from a range of great artists!!!😎

[@Garythefireman66]

Great to see Pinfield. He had it rough for a couple of years, but he's sober and brilliant. Such a fan of his.

[@jamesreeves4600]

What happened?

[@SSs-ch4ey]

@@jamesreeves4600 yeah I'm curious too

[@chrisdc22]

Leslie Fram is an unsung hero in this business. I mean, she gets lots of credit, but she's so deferential (as you can tell in this interview as she keeps deferring to Matt) it's easy to overlook the fact that she has a GREAT musical mind.

[@robertsteinberger5667]

But if you are asked for examples when you say music is going in the wrong direction you should be able to give examples in a split second.

[@jsauce311]

99X was so great growing up in ATL and had a huge impact on my music influences. Big Day Out, Music Midtown, etc.. with diverse lineups you would only dream about.

[@scamster71]

Yeah, this really brought back a lot of memories for me also. I used to listen to the Morning X with Barnes, Leslie, and Jimmy on my drive in to work. I really miss that show.

[@PBRStreetgang]

As much as I hate some things about Atlanta, I grew up here in the 80s and 90s and am proud of the music scene here. 96 Rock, Z93, 99X....RIP

[@706wi11]

Are ANY left? Grew up listening to em all, plus WUOG 90.5 & Bulldog/Rock 103.7 in Athens. Now those Steve/Dave FM type things mostly all play the same setlist from iHeartRadio. My dad rented a van and took a large group of me and my friends to Big Day Out 97, my only regret being there was so much going on we mostly stuck to the main stage so we missed a lot of good, smaller punk bands on the side stages. but we saw/met Local H, then the Bosstones, Offspring, Foo Fighters... good times!

[@djdudemanhey]

@@scamster71 those guys had some of the best April Fools prank shows...fooled the entire city. Great times pre-internet

[@michaelhotten752]

"Radio underestimates its audience." So true. The redundant playlist is exhibit #1.

[@dwalden74]

Because it’s the same as network television - it’s about selling advertising to a dumbed down audience, not showcasing dynamic content.

[@surfsup5757]

Radio had sucked for 20 yrs. KZbin is the new music source.

[@dwalden74]

@@surfsup5757 Yeah except now youtube is filled with commercials.

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

no, radio knows that the majority of people aren't interested in music that is different, or that doesn't allow them to dance and so on... besides, all those "alternative" bands were crap or quite derivative, meaning they're doing the same stuff that was developed during the late 70s/beginning of the 80s, experimental stuff tough to listen to, not suitable for most of the listeners... I mean, who's going to explore Throbbing Gristle catalogue in deep? compare that to listening to Stockhausen instead of Richard Strauss. And compare listening to Can or some other Krautrock stuff instead of the more accesible Pink Floyd (at least the post DSOTM)... Nirvana was a lighter, more easy listening version of Mudhoney or The Pixies, and that's why they had commercial success. They were accessible and knew, or cared about, doing proper songs... The Pixies didn't.

[@mackenziebrewing8706]

Aside from the great topic and insights, hats off to Matt and Leslie for constantly deferring to one another and not co-opting an entire conversation. Mutual respect and great conversation.

[@somerandomhomeboy]

I think that's because they are actually listening to each other rather than just waiting to speak.

[@meattooth1303]

i have to say that this you tuber is awesome. breaking down songs i have been listening to since i was in mom's womb (born '70). songs i learned to play by listening to vinyl where i would pick up the needle, pull it back a mm and do this over and over until i figured it out. i been binge watching this channel since last night and again this AM.

[@EvanWeeks]

What a great topic, Rick! I'm loving the discussion so far, it's awesome to hear all of you weigh in on how that era developed and progressed.

[@fuse404]

I'm so grateful to have grown up in Atlanta during 99x's peak. I started my day with Barnes, Leslie, and Jimmy and had the radio on until I went to sleep. There is no way I could thank Leslie Fram enough for her role. And I don't think there is any way to overstate what was lost when local radio was killed.

[@ejstar8917]

It’s cool to hear the shout out to 91-X in San Diego, Ca! I remember getting turned on to the station in in ‘82 and there was a cool landscape of bands like The Smiths, The Cure and U2. It felt like every day something new and very different was happening. It was a great time.

[@seibervideo]

Love 91X from when I lived in San Diego 20 years ago. Still put it on Sunday mornings for Resurrection Sunday and Church of Bob. It’s my go-to streamed radio station.

[@mocatfish]

X, Rank and File, Violent Femmes, Dream Syndicate

[@map3384]

It definitely was.

[@rjpg]

SD in the HOUSE! KGB 101 was my primary station but wouldn't play anything after the 90s. 91-X took that audience and exploded.

[@Alejandrakoxxx]

Still rocks

[@digitaldosage1979]

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR YEARS! Thank you SOOOOOO much for sharing this! I agree 110% with ALL OF THIS info and have been wondering for years why nobody is talking about the matter... literally ruined the creative trajectory that music was going in and building to during the early to mid-90s. The telecommunications act destroyed the creative side of music almost overnight! The mainstream has never been the same ever since.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

great comment ☝️

[@chrisknowles64]

Great point on consolidation killing radio. Homogeny of formats and corporate process really squashed the life out of radio. There was no way for stations to have a unique personality.

[@infinitesonic6980]

such an inspiration for a little band in Bogots, Colombia to keep trying by hearing these legendary and powerful musical presences support and hopefully push programmers to invest a little time and take a risk on what "little bands" like us do......High hopes for our new album "Loose Ends - Volume 1"...and RB...thank you so much for posting quality and informative videos....You have helped us so much in producing our stuff by us watching WMTSG episodes and others! Un abrazo desde Bogota!

[@chitlitlah]

This was an amazing interview. Matt was a legend back in the 90s. I didn't know Leslie before this but she seems to have had a major impact on music of the time as well. And then there's Rick who we all love and adore.

[@msannthrope_2049]

College radio was the only alternative radio I knew of. Mainstream radio latched onto Nirvana and whatever else came after. College radio played the bands Nirvana liked.

[@markwilmeth3082]

Yes but even the college radio stopped playing the good stuff after a while. You don't hear any Nomeanasno, or Helmet, Steal Poll Bathtub. I could go on forever but the phone will not let me!!!

[@nachshonrorick]

Yup, Nirvana was the catchiest, cutest, most sellable object from the underground. See how that turned out...

[@706wi11]

the scene was already dead by the late 90s anyway, I grew up with mainstream 90s rock but by 97-98 it was done, esp after. Remember that Days of the New nonsense? oof. that's when I got into college radio, might have been a decade or 2 late for what most considered college rock but it still introduced me to stuff like Pavement & matador label bands, most of us weren't feeling nu metal. I feel like I got in on the last breath death rattle of college radio though, where indie still meant rock because by the early 00s it was all this fruity trash when indie became synonymous with emo

[@706wi11]

@@bradpirochta9293 wuxtry in Athens had a free sampler CD tray. Found some mighty good bands on the defunct Ng Records label sampler and later matador samplers

[@foto21]

Hair Metal was essentially all copies of Van Halen who premiered in 1977. By 1990, it was time for younger folks, so the turnover was inevitable based on age alone, plus people were tired of the mental vacuum of hair metal, so people went back to the 60s and 70s to make their music.

[@samwestonpotter]

Rick, I love your videos. As a 90’s kid (born in ‘78), your videos are right up my alley. I love the song breakdowns as well as the interviews. I watched the Lukather video which was amazing and now this! Awesome.

[@RichSad45]

Leslie referenced Sean Demery. He and I worked together at an Internet radio startup in San Francisco around 1999-2002. LOVE THAT GUY. Sean tragicly passed away recently. I was CTO, CEO was Eric Rhoads and SVP of Radio Programming was Steve Rivers, who we also lost recently. RIP Sean and Steve. You guys made my life in radio fantastic.

[@Weremoogle]

Sean Demery was great. He was my favorite to listen to in Atlanta.

[@RichSad45]

@@Weremoogle Working with him forming a pioneering Internet radio company was amazing. Sean even let my young daughter, around 10 years old, do a couple of voiceovers. I wish we could post pictures in comments. I have a couple fun pictures of Sean from the professionally shot executive photos from our website. I'll post it somewhere and put a link to it in a reply. It's cute. He was so good as a DJ, program directory, but he was also one of the nicest people I've ever known. A very sweet man. Taken from us far too soon.

[@Gongtopia]

We need more people in the business like Leslie and Matt who are still FANS of the music and not just accountants.

[@RB-bd5tz]

"Tin-eared graph-paper brained accountants, instead of music fans / Call all the shots at giant record companies now, the lowest common denominator rules" - Dead Kennedys, "MTV Get Off the Air," 1985

[@keithstonehart]

My band won The Morning X jingle contest in 2000! They had us come up to the studio and interview ...It was a cool moment!

[@bjbonin624]

the 1996 Telecommunications Act really fucked everything up, IMO more than streaming. Thanks for bringing light to this.

[@james6039]

Definitely that's what killed Radio.

[@pricila6511]

It's what I believe killed rock

[@russ254]

radio always sucked, and then died with the invention of the internet.

[@fernandogalindo5370]

Not sure Matt Pinfield was the most famous VJ from that particular Mtv era but definitely by far the most knowledgeable VJ Mtv ever had. The man was (maybe still is) a walking music encyclopedia.

[@liamfitzgerald7528]

I was a Kendall fan. Pinfield was alright, but I was cursed with that 90s kid distrust of enthusiastic people. We hated everything back then. Not always proud of that. He sure has passion for good music. We need more of that.

[@MEETMagazine]

Matt Pinfield is the music encyclopedia!

[@fernandogalindo5370]

Right? I posted something similar then I read your comment lol

[@skuhl]

Out of all the personalitys MTV put out there Pinfield by far was the most knowledgeable and relatable for me. He REALLY knew his stuff. Lived and Breathed rock industry. Need more of him, beato, etc doing these things.

[@travismiles5885]

He's not as pretentious as Eddie "name dropper" Trunk either. I'll listen or watch Eddie because I love 80s metal and unfortunately he seems to be the only person still talking about it. Its hilarious how much Steel Panther pisses him off too!

[@SB-ou5yp]

You're actually everywhere!

[@chitlitlah]

@@SB-ou5yp He is. I see him commenting on Aba and Preach's videos all the time. MEET is a man of taste.

[@antonbundschu5264]

What a great conversation! Awesome to see other old dudes (like me) so excited about new music. I almost feel sorry for my peers who are missing out on all the great new music. You can see and hear other geezers like this on KEXP in Seattle and on Indie 102.3 in Denver.

[@RFXLR]

My analogy for radio stations is like malls. You go to one mall in America, you’ve been to them all because they have the same stores. Every rock station pretty much plays the same bands.

[@TheLinuxYes]

all the consolidation ruined radio. only a few companies left that own them all.

[@mars-lpv3458]

Sad but true.

[@thebarf9235]

Thanks Bill Clinton.

[@clayz1]

The same fifty song playlist, every day.

[@mars-lpv3458]

@@officialWWM Or they're lazy and greedy.

[@ryanharvey7138]

Queen tried to tell us with the song “Radio Ga Ga.” the mono culture that radio has become is tragic. Hopefully enough people will be inspired by conversations like this one to take music forward again. I love what the three of you had to say about local programming and music scenes supporting each other. That’s exactly what this generation needs. Thanks for doing this interview! Great topic.

[@ronsworld250]

That was really a great time. I was fortunate enough to live in an area, DC, MD, Northern VA that had WHFS. A great time for bands and after 91, Smells Like Teen Spirit , the dam broke and all those cool bands hit. A magical time for music. I really look back fondly on those years, that time, those shows, etc. HFStivals in the 90s was a golden time. Matt Pinfield was a must watch on MTV.

[@TalleyrandsPuppet]

So many great bands at those shows. Still have the beer cooler with the WHFS stickers.

[@dewdew34]

I was friends with Neci back in the late 80's. What a trip...

[@ronsworld250]

@@dewdew34 My lady. Neci’s music knowledge was off the charts and she had one of the best voices in radio. Oh, do I miss the old HFS w/ Mr. Einstein, RIP, in charge. He had a dope roster of deejays in Neci, his son, Damian, Bob Waugh, Rob Timm, Aqu, Weasel, etc. The progressive format in the 80s, early 90s, pre-Nirvana was awesome. They played any and everything and their local music segments were excellent. Even the post, Nirvana boom was different but still cool. They dialed back the progressive feel and went to a more modern rock, Alternative format. I didn’t like that many of the classic deejays left and Mr. Einstein left as well. Actually, he started up another progressive station WRNR in Annapolis.

[@dewdew34]

@@ronsworld250 I moved away in 90 but have family in the area. Going back i caught RNR one day and it was great too. But nothing was like the days of all those you mentioned on the mic and even the World music on Sunday's, heard by many sobering up... I loved how they would mix different genres but a common theme sometimes, brilliant.

[@andrewdevlin2255]

Rick Beato, you have the ability to develop an artist. You have the knowledge and equipment and the following to enhance someone’s career in the right direction and make their music great. You also have the ability to showcase unsigned artists who do not have a huge following on social media, and find that diamond in the rough. You could also curate a Spotify playlist that would attract millions of listeners as well😁😁 food for thought. Thank you for the great content. Hope you stumbled upon my comment.

[@timbaxter9932]

Nothin' like walking into a dive bar and being pleasantly surprised hearing great music you never heard before!

[@arthurvalaer5306]

Or getting recommendations from record store clerks

[@seanbrooks2583]

NPR Tiny Desk and KEXP youtube videos are my gateway to new music.

[@infinitejest5117]

I found so many great new bands from those places. So true.

[@ChrisPuckett]

Once again Rick delivers exactly what I want to watch. You had to be alive during that era to understand the impact. I compare the late 80s early 90s to the late 60s, for its affect on music and culture. We haven’t lived through another era like that since. Radio is absolutely dead now, so let’s talk about the good old days. If you grew up in music at that time you remember the saying “corporate rock still sucks.” That saying was imprinted on my brain and I still view the world that way. I believe corporate radio and corporate music has taken over the music business since the mid 90s and not let go. You will not have another scene bubble up again like it did in the early 90s because of this. I know exactly what station format they were talking about. They popped up in the early 90s, WMMS had it for a minute. That was my local station. It was a mix of all music, 60s, 70s, rock, metal, etc. just good music led by the DJ. You could have Sarah McLaughlin in the same hour as Tool, followed up by Boz Skaggs, some rare Dylan acoustic set from the 70s, and Maggot Brain. And those weekly shows… Then you would have the hot local band mixed in every hour. In our city that was Nine Inch Nails…. Saw them as a local opening act. Our government and Republicans killed the radio industry. They literally ripped art away from kids growing up after 1995. Anyone still in corporate radio or corporate music, are doing it for a paycheck. There’s no art left in any of that. It’s a machine to make money. And a lot of the new music coming out are just propped up and selected to make money. Fortunately artists have the ability now to become their own publishing companies. And do all of their distribution. And do all of their tours and promotion. That’s what musicians have to do these days to avoid working with corporate tools.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

☝️ great comment

[@nandisaand5287]

Rick, I was listening to Primus on Pandora this morning and I realized that their drum tracks are NOT auto-tuned. Its because of your videos that I recognized that. Thanks for making music more accessible to uneducated folks like me.

[@jameslima9817]

Just love hearing Matt’s voice again. Been a while.

[@2bteachable2]

That was amazing! So I graduated from high school in suburban Maryland in 1984. In 1983, MTV introduced me to U2, and when I asked a friend in high school to make a cassette copy of "War," he put The Clash "Combat Rock" on the B side. Listening to WHFS followed close behind. (I can still hear the voices of the DJs Damien and Weasle.) In the early 1990s, when Alternative Radio became big, I was in heaven. True Alternative Radio is incredibly diverse. (Like 1985, when I was able to listen to songs like How Soon Is Now?, Running Up That Hill, Driver 8, Life's What You Make It, Cities In Dust, She Sells Sanctuary, and Take the Skinheads Bowling.) I feel that diversity is what is missing today. That diversity was the heart and soul of great radio. Everything was new and different. Now, so much sounds the same, and it feels soulless - probably because it's quantized and it doesn't swing. As for artist support, I wonder if record companies can even spell those words anymore. I miss real alternative radio (and good songwriting).

[@Darrylizer1]

Weasel is still on WTMD in Towson.

[@2bteachable2]

@@Darrylizer1 I heard that a while ago. I live in Western Massachusetts now, but I have the WTMD app. It lets me listen to radio the way it is supposed to be, passionate and musically intelligent.

[@gainbear8853]

Ned’s Atomic Dustbin!! God Fodder. Great record.

[@exerciserelax8719]

Yes!! Just had its 30th anniversary if you can believe it.

[@Deafeningstorm]

I was just listening to this album the other day at work. It's so catchy and good.

[@kevgamble]

Both the first two records were great. I kind of prefer Are You Normal?, but they're both excellent. Even the third one had some great moments on it.

[@timfoster6286]

Yes, the Madchester scene had amazing music. God Fodder by Neds Atomic Dustbin was a treasure and underrated (criminally) album!

[@glenhewton8414]

As an old timer listener and music appreciator, this is in my opinion one of the best shows you’ve done. Love the history. As Leslie said, I too am “a huge fan of what you’re doing”.

[@wordsandmusicstudio]

Love the respect you guys give Chris Cornell. He lives on in his music & remembrance. PS I interned at KROQ in Pasadena in 1982, wow was I lucky.

[@1anonymousb]

Matt Pinfield introduced me to so much great music. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. I used to tape 120 Minutes then go through and look for new music that opened up new worlds to me. It's probably not hyperbolic to say he changed my life.

[@tonttaana8930]

Rick you should do also The rise and fall the 80s hair metal rock movement!!!!!!!

[@RickBeato]

I was planning on it :)

[@tonttaana8930]

@@RickBeato oh yeah:). Love your videos from finland Rick:). Keep on rocking:)

[@marcalampi5036]

Also Punk Rock and also New Wave Music too that malted into Alternative

[@petebrown3715]

@Rick Beato- Don't forget the rise of thrash and speed metal which was the "alternative" to the pop rock known as hair metal.

[@gregh3248]

😝😆👍

[@OceanBacon24536]

This video is phenomenal, and I can't express how much I love learning about music, the skill and time that goes into making it, and who brings it into the spotlight. You guys are literally my idols

[@RC32Smiths01]

Always great for you to bestow us with a new insight and learning experience. Cheers Rick

[@marla591]

What a pleasure to meet your friend, Leslie Fram on here. She is so informative and such a class act! So much knowledge amongst the three of you. Thank you for taking us back and educating us all!

[@AlerieHightower]

This was such a cool conversation! KDGE "The Edge" in Dallas was in on the beginning of this movement, in 1989. I remember how thrilled I was to finally hear alternative bands and songs on the radio after years of toiling in obscurity. As exciting as it was, I have to wonder if that commercial success was a blessing or a curse... It was sold to the broadcast arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1996, and as you can imagine, it imploded almost immediately.

[@cherry_grove]

It was so wonderful to hear from these two industry veterans who were essential in boosting the careers of many incredible artists, bringing them to the fans they've had for decades now. I'd love to see more!

[@damienleimbach6574]

I miss 99x and Morning x so much. Amazing to hear Leslies voice...like I'm in high school all over again!

[@sajomide]

CFNY 102.1 in Toronto was the pioneer for alternative music in the late '70s and '80s. So many memories. So many great bands.

[@Nopleaseandthanks]

"you gotta love music more than anything else in the world"

[@canuck4life857]

What a fantastic hour! You’re the “bridge,” Rick Beato. You are fusing the past with the future. It is with that, I believe, that we will see a resurgence of really good rock and roll. Or at least another movement of raw rock like what we experienced in the early to mid 90’s. Congratulations on all of your success and it’s great to see a talent such as yourself rise to big time prominence. Patrick in Canada 🇨🇦 ps, I was an avid listener of KISW and KZOK in Seattle late 80’s/early 90’s.

[@rl-ub9hx]

I shed a tear the day I turned on 99.1whfs and they had changed to a Spanish station over night. No warning. So many great memories of HFSTIVAL and all the events they held

[@frankhoeppel2314]

Just wrote a very similar comment. Miss that station and those shows!

[@rl-ub9hx]

@@frankhoeppel2314 it was my coming of age man. 99.1 DC 101 and 98 rock. Late 90s into 2000s were my teen years

[@bronzeagekid8223]

WLIR on Long Island, NY was the best through the 80s and early 90s. One of the original local "new music" stations, which later became known as "alternative" music. There is nothing like local radio and that sense of community all of the listeners had to the station and DJs and the local clubs and venues. You could feel the sincerity.

[@anmana7]

Yes, I used to listen to WLIR in the 80s and early 90s. They played new wave and a lot of imports on Sunday nights.

[@johnsmith7140]

The shriek of the week

[@bronzeagekid8223]

@@johnsmith7140 and before that, it was the Screamer of the Week :-)

[@conshea7382]

Great documentary on showtime about WLIR

[@ChromaticHarp]

🎼 Honda of Mineola 🎶

[@theendistheend123]

RICK BEADO.....something you might encourage OR DO YOURSELF, do your own DJ'ing on youtube. Spend an hour playing new rock music. Stuff thats out there now but is getting ignored. Get people like matt and leslie to send you bands and just play them on youtube. I would listen. im ALWAYS looking for new music, but cant find much these days because the good stuff is essentially invisible.

[@FrankHerfjord]

yes. We need a new John Peel.

[@jarettmeyer4929]

Great idea

[@kevinoleary586]

GREAT conversation. Thanks for pulling this together, Rick. I used to see Matt Pinfield spinning records in New Brunswick back in the day and later see the local bands he played on WHTG at the Green Parrot in Neptune, NJ. While those are fond memories to me, I still hear great music that epitomizes variety, discovery and personality in the one bastion that got only the briefest of mentions during the conversation: independent, publicly funded radio stations dotted across the country. Station like the iconic WFUV out of Fordham Univ in NYC do everything these veterans pine for and they do it day in and day out. Stations like these are the gems that could use the juice that Rick and company have to get music fans to hear new music that is not the result of some algorithm. Explore the left end of the figurative radio dial and you may be pleasantly surprised. Thanks again, Rick.

[@haleyconant]

This is why I never know what one music provider calls "alternative" versus another. You can get anything from The Strokes to The Used to Dave Matthews. Thanks for driving into this Rick!

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

True. The classic rock stations will play The Beatles, but never play anything before 1966. The oldies stations will do that. And then there is what I cal “revisionist radio”, making artists and bands out to be one-hit wonders. Example: Marc Bolan and T. Rex. American radio only plays one song by them: “Bang A Gong (Get It On)”. Yet I used to listen to a UK radio station years ago and they played “20th Century Boy”, “Jeepster”, “Metal Guru”, “Ride A White Swan”, “Children Of The Revolution”, and “Hot Love” among others. American radio makes people think an artist or a band was a one-hit wonder when they are not.

[@haleyconant]

@Jay Emm yep, that's America for ya.

[@The_Obvious_Solution]

Matt Pinfield helped awaken my love of music when I was 13, watching 120 Minutes, and Pearl Jam "Alive" came on. I was hooked overnight to Pearl Jam, Alternative, and music in general from that night on. Thanks Matt!!

[@Gimpy2K5]

In all honesty, I was hesitant to click on this video because, I thought it was going to be just another, "X is dead". This however had some great insight from a couple of people that are FOR SURE just huge fans of great music and really try to further that everyday. There needs to be more outlets harping on the good that's still around instead of shining a light on all the things that are badly done now.

[@bnosel]

Great new format. Thank you Matt. Thank you Leslie!

[@HaXaW5150]

All Rick has to do is sit back and smile. These two are pro talkers, they could go on forever. LOL! ; )*

[@RickBeato]

True!!!

[@jasonbone5121]

@Luka Meah He had a label - he has a video about it. Search for "Why I Never Talk About My Record Label That Failed". Great video (as they all are).

[@5891jonathan]

This channel has the best content. Always informative and interesting. One idea that resonates is we need more Unplugged performances. Wouldn’t that be great? Also more exposure for new singer/songwriter artists and bands!

[@mitchweissman5045]

Great conversation and viewpoints. Yes, the mistakes on records and songs are so crucial to some of the biggest songs. The "Happy Accident" is priceless. Learning to play and write. All important. And having the support you need to develop your artistry. The powers that be, helping you become the best you can be.

[@kimjoan212]

Matt was my guy back in the MTV days .... love ❤️ him✊🏾✊🏾

[@andrewwhite1335]

What a fantastic discussion from people who still love and promote alternative music! And loved the quick shout out for WHFS! Moving around the country, I had the pleasure of listening to The Quake (105) in San Francisco in the early/mid 80s to WFNX in Boston and HFS in Baltimore. These days, in addition to Sirius, I love streaming WEHM (Long Island) and Lightning 100 from Nashville. Great platforms for new, and the classic, alternative artists.

[@alxra]

120 minutes back in the 80's was like a window to a far off world where this bizarre british dude would play this cool alternative music. It felt like pirate radio/video and he might get busted and taken off air any minute. I don't know if they kept the same vibe in the 90's but it was cool way back in the day.

[@arthurvalaer5306]

Early 90's it was still like that. Around the late 90's and early 00's it moved to MTV2 and was more about indie rock and the sort of British bands you'd read about in NME.

[@bushtucker66]

Love listening to passionate people. It's so important and interesting for people not in the industry to hear this stuff. Getting to see behind the curtain with people that have lived and breathed it, is priceless. Thanks guys.🤘

[@tomblaze2]

Fascinating- can’t wait until one day we can see a video - the rise and fall of trap beats 🎧 😜

[@chrisvaughn4399]

The setting is so naturally chill and relaxed. As a person who was a teenager when alternative exploded into the mainstream, I could watch this content endlessly. Commercialization and consolidation absolutely destroyed radio. Perfect guests for this topic. Thoroughly enjoyed this one for sure!

[@MegalonJonesSlattery]

In the late 80's, I got my fix on REM, The Clash, RHCP and Fugazi from a station coming out of Windsor, Canada. The ionization of the atmosphere had to be just perfect for me to get it in Michigan.

[@Schmidtty1974]

89x, which sadly, is now a country station....

[@rsohlich1]

@@Schmidtty1974 really? I was listening to 88.7 until I moved in 2010.

[@Schmidtty1974]

Yep, they changed their format to country at the beginning of this year. Same with 93.9 they were more of a alt pop station from Windsor, and now their more contemporary country.

[@misterknightowlandco]

Didn’t 98.7 start playing alternative rock right after 89x quit?

[@AlaskaKid1974]

Lovely episode and a vital topic for music fans both young and old, finding artists you love and supporting them. And above all, being grateful to have and share them with others.

[@tcarper]

Wow Matt Pinfield! What a legend!

[@epistemologicaldespair68]

only 63,000? This was a great episode friend, I just smiled the whole time, the love for music shared by the 3 of you emanated from my screen. Yuge Thanks Rick

[@ridgerunner4943]

We need more dingy bars willing to play new bands. Live music is key to regrow the fanbase.

[@johnvcougar]

Or bars in general, don’t hafta be dingy, but I like where you’re going with this.

[@larsscholz3762]

What a great pilot episode, Rick. There are great things coming, I'm sure! Thank you so very much for all you're doing for us music loving internet citizens!

[@nuwandawc]

Great to see all the 99X fans. Anybody remember The Swingin Velveeta Lounge on Friday's? RIP Sean Demery

[@GeeWhizbang]

Heeeell yes! I lived for it....I distinctly remember him playing a horn heavy remix of ‘Hey Man, Nice Shot’ that I’ve never been able to find since.

[@jamesreeves4600]

How did Sean die?

[@rhiannonleigh4223]

@@jamesreeves4600 stroke.

[@TheGarageRecordingSC]

I was hooked as soon as she said Ned’s atomic dustbin!!!! Absolutely awesome interview. I hope you get them on again.

[@kimoconnell1618]

I love that WHFS (DC) was recognized. That's all I listened to in the 80s and early 90s.

[@Darrylizer1]

Same, and went to the HSF Festivals as well.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Weasel has a Friday and Saturday show on WTMD (Baltimore-area college radio station). It's as good as his program was on WHFS.

[@Darrylizer1]

@@thedevilinthecircuit1414 That is a great radio station. The one saving grace as far as music radio in the DMV.

[@soulphoenix13]

What a fantastic interview! Thanks for sharing, Rick! It was nice to Matt Pinfield and Leslie Fram and their infectious passion for music.

[@2010xkr]

Since April 2013 I have made monthly playlists of music that I've discovered on Spotify. I would not have discovered even a quarter of it on the radio. But I agree with your guests that I'm missing the background info on the artists that a radio DJ would have provided. - Great interview!

[@HossJr]

What a PRIVILEGE to get honest insight from these professionals Thanks to you both and of course thanks to Rick

[@AnomieTrain]

WHFS was the station to listen to for new music when I was growing up. It was a low-powered station though, and it was hard to tune in. They eventually went to 50,000 watts though, but it wasn't too long after that that radio began to consolidate.

[@chadritchey1427]

Well Rick, you hit it out of the park on this one. I was a broadcast major in the late 80’s and DEVOURED college and alternative music. Matt and Leslie were very large heroes for me and especially Matt influenced my immense knowledge of musicology. I never missed 120 Minutes. I have lived in the Columbus, Ohio market my whole life... there is a station here WWCD that has been and stayed independent since 1990(?) There have been some amazing program directors there and have been blessed by their exposure to new music over the years. And yes, early OutKast was in their heavy rotation. So was Depeche Mode, Tori, SOAD, and they have stayed true to alternative. This is not a promo, but just much respect to you for not only interviewing Frampton, but in my book, Pinfield is just as influential. I remember an episode where Bowie was a guest and was doting on the Cult... my mind was blown.

[@Mike_Judas_Priest_Kalsek]

Clutch is one of those bands that should be played on the radio. They have been great for nearly 30 years and truly deserve support. Cheers!

[@ronsworld250]

I worked with a guy named Chuck briefly in 2006 and he introduced me to Clutch. A very good band.

[@eddiegarcia9657]

They're great on Pandora!

[@BucsFan9999]

This was so great. I could listen to Matt talk music all day long. Please do more of these.

[@jasonremy1627]

I remember growing up in the late 1980s early 1990s listening to WAAF in Boston. Great local radio. They had an overnight show, like midnight-3AM and they played only local bands. First time I heard groups and artists like Juliana Hatfield, the Lemonheads, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Throwing Muses, Tonya Donnelly, Dropkick Murphy's, etc. There's nothing like local radio back in the day.

[@kms311]

Same dude. Heard Pearl Jam’s “Alive” on WAAF driving home from a Bruin’s game when I was 13. That was a huge music moment for me. That was a great station during the 80’s and 90’s.

[@wtclifford]

Very interesting and inspiring talk. I hope you have both of them back together again with you.

[@laurenhoffen9930]

This was a great video I was having a trip down memory lane today listening to Tonic, Dishwalla, Remy Zero, Beck. There were so many great bands. I hope a focus on artist development comes back to music. I think you’re at least putting a spotlight on what’s lacking. I do like new artists too, but I think it’s much more challenging in some ways to be discovered.

[@silentfuryjazzrock]

Hell yes awesome guests!!!!!!!!!!

[@recklesstoboggan]

This KZbin video should be mandatory viewing at every radio station.

[@rebeccaj.wright3511]

What a great conversation. I love the passion for live music. Thanks Rick.

[@stephenryderjr7894]

WHFS 99.1 station drop. I was listening to this station in the 90s and was definitikey a big part of my life.

[@gospelballer33]

This conversation was so fascinating as an independent artist. So much musical wisdom in one conversation.

[@Draggoon12]

I remember listening to Matt on 106.3 Modern Rock at the Jersey Shore back in the early 90`s ....lot of good memories!

[@Bix103]

Me too!! I still miss it.

[@benzell4]

It is amazing. I am 58 years old, and did grow up on radio, at least, and best, and in the end, have had that experience for music, from a very early age. This would also put me in the ‘initial’ iPod era; yet, by the time that came out, I was still a ‘radio head’, and not yet an iPod “head.” Going forward; I think radio will resume leadership,; because, it will continue to be the most, widespread, and accessible format, especially as concerns post-apocalyptic, broadcast and preservative forms of music. Edit-I think you and I were born in the same year, being 58 as I am, Rick! You rock! Et. al., please keep the pedal to the metal!