R is for Rag’n’Bone Man

Don’t you just love Rory Graham’s stage name? Listening to “Human” I would have never guessed in a million years that he hails from East Sussex, England. He really captures the soul of Mississippi Delta blues and I wish Rag’n’Bone Man much success.

Today’s faux artist goes by the name Robosexual, the term for a humanoid robot fetish I encountered via the British comic “2000 AD” character Lobster Random. Unlike the cranky, genetically modified cartoon torturer, the singer/songwriter/performance artist plays well with others. I liken his sound to Celldweller, who collaborated with Criss Angel (the magician singing in this video).

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All the real tunes air on member supported WNKU out of the University of Northern Kentucky. The web page features the current playlist and live streaming.

Q is for Queen

I tried to find another band for Q, going so far as to reach out to WNKU. But nobody responded (probably because the radio station folks are mostly volunteers, no doubt with busy lives). So I couldn’t find a lesser known band to tout. At least I stuck to my biggest rule for this challenge because the college station does play Queen.

My phony band for Q is Quiver. They play music like Queensryche. “Silent Lucidity” is sort of my ongoing lullaby. My partner downloaded the video to our DVR and I watch it before going to bed. ~grin~ Enjoy.

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All the real tunes air on member supported WNKU out of the University of Northern Kentucky. The web page features the current playlist and live streaming.

P is for Phantogram

Listening to the song “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore”, I would never have guessed this group to be a duo project. It’s fitting that Phantogram is also the name of an optical illusion. And some of the elements of “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore” remind me of Celldweller, Klayton’s latest solo project. Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter make amazing music together.



Love Stinks is my fake band honoring the J. Geils Band. My beloved older brother actually attained the nickname ‘Jay’ for reasons I won’t disclose. I lament the singer’s loss. The second tune is the whimsical B-side of “Love Stinks”.



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All the real tunes air on member supported WNKU out of the University of Northern Kentucky. The web page features the current playlist and live streaming.

O is for Frank Ocean

Never having developed a taste for R&B, I find “Pink + White” extraordinary. Rock and roll at its most cliché is about drugs, sex, and rock and roll. Frank Ocean’s “Pink + White” turns this inside out and back again, lamenting lost love and drug addiction in a most wrenchingly soulful manner. If you're interested, there is a great article at Bustle.com:

 Bustle



For fun after that heavy blurb, let’s hear from my little creation Otter Parade. This young quintet aspires to follow in the footsteps of the Violent Femmes. I really adore “Blister in the Sun”.


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All the real tunes air on member supported WNKU out of the University of Northern Kentucky. The web page features the current playlist and live streaming.

N is for The New Pornographers

I found myself trying to sing to The New Pornographers song “High Ticket Attractions” the moment the tune first played over my car speakers. The female vocalist echoing her male counterpart just flat-out hooked me. I feel the lyrics allude to the mystical, though the video is far removed. The theme is violent, but with humorous elements as a minor feud becomes the all-out destruction of a high school.


My phony band for today is Neon Dark. Thanks to kindly and talented blogger Nick Wilford's introduction I compare them to great Scottish indie band Idlewild.

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All the real tunes air on member supported WNKU out of the University of Northern Kentucky. The web page features the current playlist and live streaming.

I Need Professional Help

I am not tech savvy. It’s not a secret. My forte is writing fiction. It’s my passion and calling.

That said, I enjoy blogging as a way to connect with folks. And thank you to the many people who patiently tutor me on learning related computer processes. I don’t have the will or patience to take courses, even online.

But can someone please explain to me why the formatting is so difficult with Blogger? I thought I had everything down pat, then I go into preview mode and the text formatting is all wrong.

So I copy and past the proper HTML to correct that and find video missing. I swear I feel my blood pressure rise every time. Am I the only one?

Maybe I should use a different blogging platform. What do you think?

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M is for Mad Anthony

Mad Anthony’s “Sad Songs” does not have particularly compelling lyrics. However, I really appreciate the overall sound. Interestingly, I don’t understand how this tune fits the groups proclaimed genre mix of stoner rock, grunge, and punk.

Today’s sham is named Monkey Funk. My imaginary critics liken their sound to Blink 182.


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All the real tunes air on member supported WNKU out of the University of Northern Kentucky. The web page features the current playlist and live streaming.

L is for Ray LaMontagne

“Part One – Hey, No Pressure” was my introduction to Mr. LaMontagne and one of the first tunes I heard on WNKU. His sensual crooning and the song’s uplifting message make it an ongoing favorite. I really need to look into his six studio albums and find out if I should put them on a wish list.

For L, I’m going to create Lost Left Socks. Like with the letter D’s phony Dimensional Drift, the name was inspired by an old cartoon. In this case it’s “Ren and Stimpy” and these three irreverent musicians tend to spoof other artists like the hugely successful Weird Al Yankovic.

I know Mr. Yankovic has an extensive new catalog but I just adore "Fat".

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All the real tunes air on member supported WNKU out of the University of Northern Kentucky. The web page features the current playlist and live streaming.