Randy's Alternative Music

06/16/2026

Released on this day, June 16th, in 1986. A little under two months later The Smiths played here in Pittsburgh and blew away the audience with their incredible performance. It was an amazing, life changing experience for me. ❤️

06/12/2026

One of our favorite albums of the 90’s was released on this day, June 12th, in 1996. We must have played this fantastic album a couple hundred times at the record store! ❤️

06/09/2026

On this day, June 9th, in 1992, Catherine Wheel released their incredible album, Ferment. I think it’s one of the best debut albums in the history of rock music.

I vividly remember the day I first heard the lead single, “Black Metallic”. I arrived at WYEP FM an hour before my Friday night radio show, “Modern Times”. I had a stack of new CD singles to preview before the show. I randomly chose “Black Metallic” as the first song to listen to. The song absolutely mesmerized me. It truly blew me away. From that moment I knew Catherine Wheel were going to be a special band.

I began my show with the song. Before I played it I told my listeners that they were going to remember where they were, and what they were doing, the night they first heard the song. I KNEW the song was going to move and excite a lot of the people.

And it sure did! The phone at the station rang off the hook for at least a half hour after the song finished. People wanted to know more about this new band and their incredible song. I continued to receive calls throughout my show from folks who heard about, but missed the song when I played it at 7 PM. So, I cued it up again as the lead track for my last hour on the air at 11:00. Again, I told the listeners they would remember the magic moment they first heard the song. And, again, the phone rang off the hook once the song finished.

I’ve always loved the thrill of sharing music that I enjoy with others. It began when I was a kid. I’d make mix tapes for my friends. Then, I got to share that love of music on a much larger scale during the years I was on the radio, and when I owned my record store. It’s all come full circle, sharing my love of music with friends like you who are reading this missive. It’s as exciting and rewarding now as it was all those years ago. ❤️

05/27/2026

VERY exciting news! A new Durutti Column album is coming on July 31st!

‘Renascent’ marks the long-awaited return of legendary Manchester outfit The Durutti Column, their first new studio album in over fifteen years.

04/29/2026

Whirlpool, by Chapterhouse, was released on this day, April 29th, in 1991. I wish I could make one of their gigs this year!

04/28/2026

I know some folks who will be excited by this news of a Snake Corps CD reissue!

* First CD pressing in over 35 years!
* 7 bonus tracks, 3 for first time on CD
* Remastered by Maria Triana
* Liner notes by Mick Mercer based on newly conducted band interviews
* RIYL: early U2, The Chameleons, Sad Lovers & Giants, The Sound

Emerging from the post-punk band Sad Lovers & Giants, The Snake Corps formed in 1984 and quickly developed a sound that married dark, melodic atmospheres with sharp guitar lines and emotionally resonant vocals. With a style often compared to bands like The Chameleons, Echo & The Bunnymen, and early U2, they became a fixture in the underground indie rock scene across Europe. Debut album Flesh on Flesh returns to CD for the first time in 35 years: remastered, with expanded packaging, and 7 bonus tracks including the highly-coveted original version of "Testament."

Tracklist
1. Victory Parade
2. Animals All
3. Save My Heart
4. Man In The Mirror
5. Miracle
6. Science Kills
7. Another Monday
8. Look East For Eden
9. House Of Man
10. Flesh On Flesh
Bonus Tracks:
11. Party's Over
12. In Flux
13. Always Be The Same
14. Painted Ocean
15. Testament
16. Hit The Cat
17. Goodbye Forever

04/26/2026

Great news! First new album in over 30 years from power poppers The Greenberry Woods will be released on May 29th! Check out the first two singles, “Summer Song” and “Whenever You Want Me Too”. They sound like a breath of fresh air!

12 track album

04/14/2026

Another day, another anniversary of a classic album! Faith, by The Cure, was released on this day, April 14th, in 1981. A favorite. ❤️

04/13/2026

The debut album by The Church, Of Skins And Heart, was released on this day, April 13th, in 1981. Life changing. This was the beginning of my 45 year love affair with The Church. Their music has nourished and enriched me ever since. ❤️

The LP on the left is signed by Steve Kilbey and Peter Koppes.

04/08/2026

The Cure released their seminal song “A Forest” as a single on this day, April 8th, in 1980. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️