Roots of Alternative Podcast

While discussing the music of the 90's, Jack & dXn have led it all up to this point. In this episode, we bring it all together and discuss the big four bands that defined the Grunge movement of the early 90's; Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden.

What else was defined as Grunge? Was Grunge truly alternative? In hindsight, should Grunge be considered Alternative by today's standards? These are all questions we will discuss in this special bonus episode to round out the decade.

Joining us in this episode is 95X's program director/midday guy, Joe D, who was active in the local music scene in Syracuse called Eddie Current. Joe gives his perspective on this genre and how it all fits in to today's Alternative.

The 90's biggest alternative hit was.... 🤔

For the last ten weeks, Jack & dXn have been discussing the biggest songs in alternative music from the 90's. In this recap they list off and rank thier favorites, beginning with thier top three from each year, followed by thier top ten from the entire decade.

As the 90's come to a close, Jack & dXn reflect on the biggest alternative songs from the year 1999.

Artists like Blink 182 brought their mega hit song "All The Small Things" to the scene with other huge hits by Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, and so many more.

Also, dXn schools Jack on an alternative album he’s never heard before with Alternative101. This week we dive into The Shiela Divine album, "New People."

We will soon dive into the 00's but before then, we will dive into some bonus episodes and feature our favorites from there decade, talk deeper about the grunge movement, and do an album review of Radiohead's "Ok, Computer." Look for these episodes in the coming weeks.

We continue to sail through the 90's with a stop in 1998. This year brought us hits from New Radicals, Marcy Playground, The Goo Goo Dolls, Hole, and so many more.

dXn also does a breakdown of the Barenaked Ladies hit song, "One Week" that will leave you speechless at the end of the show. You will never listen to that song the same way ever again after dXn fills you in on a little conspiracy theory about that song scouring the internet.

Also, dXn schools Jack on an alternative album he’s never heard before with Alternative101. This week we dive into Ben Folds Five album, "Whatever and Ever, Amen."

1997 was the beginning of another paradigm shift in Alternative Music. Bands like Third Eye Blind came onto the scene with their first album and Radiohead came out with their third album. We also get a taste of some timeless classics from The Verve, Green Day, Blink 182, Sublime, and so much more.

dXn also schools Jack on an alternative album he’s never heard before with Alternative101. This week we dive into The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' album "Let's Face It."

The 90's continue with a visit to 1996. Not only was this the year of the first DVD, it also gave us more timeless classics from Alanis Morissette, Beck, Oasis, Everclear, Weezer, and many more.

dXn also schools Jack on an alternative album he's never heard before with Alternative101. This week we dive into Weezer's album Pinkerton.

Jack & dXn are back from the holidays and we're officially halfway through the 90's!

1995 was a pivotal year in the Alternative music movement with some huge hits from a number artists, some who are still big today. Artists like Oasis changes the music landscape with their hit song "Wonderwall." The Goo Goo Dolls, Alanis Morissette, The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, and so much more had memorable songs that are still hits today.

dXn also school's Jack in an album he's never heard before with Alternative101. This week, it's Hum - You'd Prefer an Astronaut.

We're almost half way through the 90's! It' just getting better every year, and 1994 was no exception.

This year brought us hits from Weezer, Green Day, Tory Amos, and Pearl Jam. dXn also school's Jack on an album he's never heard before in Alternative101. This week, it's Ruby Vroom's album Soul Coughing.

1993 was another pivotal year that brought us more timeless classics from Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and the Smashing Pumpkins. Jack & dXn take a deep dive into those plus much more.

ALTERNATIVE 101 also continues where dXn schools Jack on an album he's never heard before. This week it's the Afghan Wigs with their album Gentleman.

In this BONUS EPISODE, Jack & dXn talk about the album Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

This was their fifth studio album released on September 24, 1991 (ironically the same day as Nirvana's Nevermind). The iconic album produced hits such as "Under the Bridge," "Give It Away," and "Suck My Kiss" to name a few, and it was also the subject of a documentary about the creation of the album called, Funky Monks.

In this bonus episode, Jack & dXn offer a frank, honest, and open conversation about the legacy of the band and this album, plus, a track by track breakdown of each song.

*Please note, some of the language used in this episode may not be suitable for work environments or children*

In 1992, we continue on the high note that the previous year gave us with even more memorable hits that have stood the test time.

Red Hot Chili Peppers shook up the scene with their album, Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik. The Cure return with their popular song "Friday I'm In Love," plus hits from Temple of the Dog, Beastie Boys, The Sugarcubes, and much more.

In this episode we also introduce a new segment called "Alternative101." dXn gives Jack a homework assignment to listen to an album he's never heard before and get his reaction. This week, Jack reviews the debut, self-titled album from Blind Melon.

It's reasonable able to say that this entire podcast has let up to this point. 

1991 was one of the most pivotal years of the alternative music movement as bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Red Hot Chili Peppers hit it big with songs that defined a generation. We also see the return of R.E.M. and U2 who have several memorable songs from pivotal albums.

A new decade is here as is a new movement in the alternative music world with new artists and sounds that defined a generation.

As we turn the corner into this new decade, 1990 was the transition to elements that became so popular, like grunge. Before we get there, however, we have some amazing songs to cover from Jane's Addiction, INXS, and Depeche Mode, plus so much more.

Jack & dXn reflect on the decade and recap the songs and artists that defined 80's. Jack, who had been hearing a lot of this music for the first time also shared some of his favorites.

As the 80's come to an end we revisit some landmark albums from The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, Nine Inch Nails, and we see our first glimpses of Nirvana.

1988 seemed to be another huge shift in the sound of the decade with glimpses into the sound of the coming decade with hits from Pixies, Jane's Addiction, R.E.M., INXS, and more. We also learn a new side to dXn and discover what song played a huge role in one of the most memorable moments of a young man's life!

Jack & dXn look back on one of the most influential albums of all time, U2's The Joshua Tree.

Take a deep dive look at this album with the help of fellow broadcaster and current ESPN/Baltimore Orioles play-by-play announcer, Kevin Brown. What do U2 and baseball have in common? Well.. not much, but Jack & Kevin go way back from their days of working on the Syracuse Chiefs broadcasts here in the 315. Basically, they're both huge U2 fans.

Jack, dXn, and Kevin talk about how they discovered the band, the legacy of the album, and then go track-by-track with a full analysis of each song form the album with some history, and maybe some little known facts.

Alternative music had some huge milestones in 1987 with new music from The Cure, R.E.M., and The Beastie Boys. It was also the year of U2's The Joshua Tree which we will cover in a special bonus episode next time!

So many influential names take shape in 1986 like Peter Gabriel and The Pet Shop Boys. We also learn about the looming downfall of The Smiths and impending fame of Oingo Boingo, who's frontman Danny Elfman, moves on to produce music for some of the biggest TV shows and movies to this day. Ever watch The Simpsons? You may know Danny Elfman pretty weak then!

1985 was a defining year in alternative music as we begin to hear the roots of grunge, metal, and punk as we know it today. Bands like The Smiths, Faith No More, The Cure, Simple Minds, and Tears for Fears set the tone of the year, and to Jack, it's not sounding as dark as 1984.

We'll also reflect on Live Aid, the legendary live music/benefit concert that has become known as "the greatest concert ever" and the very controversial cola wars of the decade. Yes, we said cola wars.

1984 brought along some changes in style with hits from Depeche Mode, Husker Du, and Sonic Youth. We also cover some big songs from David Bowie, R.E.M., and dare we say, Prince?!

It's 1983 and it was a mammoth year for alternative music! We'll hear hits from R.E.M., David Bowie, and dive head first into the new wave revolution. We also find out that Jack has no idea what Fraggle Rock is.

Jack & dXn reflect on the year 1982, the same year the first CD player was introduced in Japan. It also had some big hits from The Clash, A Flock of Seagulls, Billy Idol, Modern English, and much more.

Jack & dXn reflect on the year 1981 and some of the biggest hits from Depeche Mode, The Go Go's, The Squeeze, The Cure, and Duran Duran.

In our podcast premiere, Jack & dXn discuss the biggest and most influential alternative hits from 1980. Breakout hits from The Talking Heads, Joy Division, and U2 set the tone for the start of the decade and what was to come.