geeks and beats

There's no secret I am a huge fan of Canadian music nerd Alan Cross. Recently found out that the cities music trivia icon has started a podcast along with local newsguy, Michael Hainsworth. Gave it a listen to it today. It's good stuff. Exactly what you'd expect from pro's like Cross and Hainsworth. And if you have a good ear of spotting old Toronto radio sidekicks, you'll probably recognize the podcast's announcer, Andrea Rooz from CJEZ fame. All three talents sound great. I'm thinking this podcast will be sticking around for a while. Check out the first episode here.

guru tribute show

cross starts squish.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The internet is the future of regular radio. The radio we know and love disappeared a long time ago. Ages ago, in fact. The internet has slowly started to take over. More people are going to the world wide web to broadcast and showcase their talents along with new music. With no restrictions,  it's easier to be free with content. The content that's missing on terrestrial radio. Humble and Fred did it. And the big boys took notice. I've been doing it since last May. And now, Music nerd God Alan Cross has started it. The local pop culture hero has started Squish. An online radio station backed by Astral Media. Cross wrote about it yesterday. Here's what he had to say...

I'm most grateful to Astral Radio for giving me my own online radio station. After months of planning, this work-in-progress received a soft launch this week. It's called Squish.

Squish aspires to be the best alt-rock station you've ever heard with a mix of music that includes everything from the familiar and classic to the coolest and newest indie stuff. In fact, music discovery is a big part of Squish's mandate.

Here's what's going on.

I was approached by Astral to helm Squish last spring. Putting something like this together is a HUGE issue, not least of which is the acquiring the necessary licensing for all the songs. (It's not as simple as buying a download or ripping a CD. Trust me.)

But we're almost--almost--there.

The station is by no means in its final form. The sound and music mix is still being shaped. There's production, imaging, techincal improvements, segments from me and a lot more music that needs to be added to the system. But it's at least at the stage where it's time to take everything out for a shakedown cruise.

The cool thing about a station like this is that there are no content rules, no worries about bad language and no endless repetition of the same five songs. There's freedom to choose music from all corners of the alt-rock universe. And there are no commercials.

This kind of radio is still in its infancy, so there's a lot of blind guesswork going into what you, the music fan, really want from a such a service. As the adjustments continue, I hope you'll give things a listen and offer suggestions, critiques and feedback.

Ultimately, the programming of Squish is 100% my responsibility, so if you send me a note, you're sending it to the guy in charge. What can we do together to create an absolutely AWESOME alt-rock station?

Seriously. I want to know. My direct email address is alan@alancross.ca

Go here to check out Squish.  

humble and fred join rogers

It only took three months and 62 shows till blog buds, Humble Howard Glassman and Fred Patterson took their internet radio show to the next level. The duo announced this morning on CITY-TV's Breakfast Television that they'll be teaming up with Rogers Broadcasting.

(TORONTO – January 24, 2012) Rogers Radio today announced the debut of Humble and Fred Radio.com across 18 Rogers Radio websites and on mobile devices through the Rogers Radio app.

"We are thrilled to partner with Humble and Fred and are very excited and proud to be able to offer this unique, innovative show to our Rogers radio listeners." says Julie Adam, VP Programming. "It's like having a 56th station... it's just that this radio station lives solely in the digital space."


Humble and Fred Radio.com is an uncut, uncensored and irreverent podcast baked fresh daily and delivered to listeners around the world. “Humble” Howard Glassman and Fred Patterson offer up a variety of special guests, hot-topic discussions and very funny content.


“We’ve never had so much fun” says Patterson, “And to have Rogers recognize our efforts and want to give us access to their millions of listeners is flattering. Rogers vision of the future is very impressive.


“We’re very happy to be part of the Rogers Family” says Glassman, “In fact from now on we’re going to call Bob McCown dad, and Erin Davis can be our mom.”

The deal will also see the duo joining local sports guru, Bob McCown for bits on FAN 590 and a special little thing with 680News.

on with humble and fred..

The talk was short. It was great to catch up with my two radio pals, though. Laughs, jokes and memories through the podcast universe late yesterday morning. You can check out the episode featuring this very blogger Here.

on with humble and fred

Woke up to a nice e-mail from Jason the Producer of the Humble and Fred Show. Looks like I'll be on with the duo Monday. Will be talking Movember and catching up. Haven't spoken to Howard or Fred in years. Should be a good time. Looking forward to it.

the shane alexander show: with special guest imran haniff (the holiday crowd)

On this very special edition of the Shane Alexander Show, Shane sits down with leader singer of The Holiday Crowd, Imran Haniff and chat about community radio, song writing, and even breaks some news exclusively on the show regarding the band’s debut single release. Music wise, we take a trip through the 80s and also visit the Brit Pop for some classic records. Be sure to check out The Holiday Crowd performing during the North By North East festival June 16th.

Guess Who’s Back – Jay Z feat Beanie Segal (Inst)
It’s The End of The World – REM
Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
Tainted Love – Soft Cell
Do you Really Want to Hurt Me – Culture Club
Don’t You Want Me – Human League
London Calling – The Clash
Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer
Protection – Massive Attack
Common People - Pulp
Loaded – Primal Scream
She Bangs the Drums – Stone Roses
Step On – Happy Mondays
Eye Know – De La Soul
*Never Speak of It Again – The Holiday Crowd

*Denotes Canadian Material


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shane alexander show: the eclectic show

This week on the podcast we throw down on a hump day vibe giving you some music to help you get through the rest of the week before the long weekend. The music journey is eclectic this week where we go heavy on newer joints, album cuts and some forgotten classics. Shane talks about his love for REM’s “Automatic for the People” and we feature a mini-Toronto Hip Hop set to close off the show.


Bitch Please – Eminem, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg (Inst)
No Trust – The Black Keys
Someone Like You – Adele
And the World Laughs with You – Flying Lotus feat. Thom York
To Care (Like You) – James Blake
I Wish it would Rain – Mayer Hawthorne
DJ Culture – Pet Shop Boys
Purple Rain – Prince
Drums – J Dilla (Inst.)
Monty Got a Raw Deal – REM
Notion – Kings of Leon
Long Live the Notion – Beastie Boys
Every Solider in the Hood – Raekwon feat. Method Man
I Got a Love – Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Royalty – Gang Starr feat. K-CI and JoJo
Break my Heart – Estelle feat. Rick Ross
Fly – Nicki Minaj feat. Rihanna
Illusions of Grandeur – Lil B
*Take it Slow – Rich Kidd
Brutal Styles – Necro
*Graffiti Wall – D-Sisive
*Heartthrob – Maylee Todd (Circle Research Remix)
*Turnaroundagain – FAT Thursday feat. Theo 3
The Light – Common


* Denotes Canadian material.


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almost lost the faith.

Yesterday Blogger was down. Woke up and it was still down. I read that when it shut down, locking millions of bloggers, writers and occasional web doodlers out of their cyber offices, they also stole some of our work. Work that many spent hours on. I lost faith. I was thinking about switching servers. I thought I would start up a whole new page. But then I realized I have three years invested in this site. Everything I have is promoting this URL. I couldn't. Just happy it's back up and running. Anyway, all is done and it's Friday. It's hot out. Where is that rain, anyway? Working on some production stuff for the podcast today which has had me locked up in the basement all day re-working, beat matching and cutting and pasting mp3s together. I haven't done this type of work since broadcasting school. Back then we didn't have computer programs. Only a blade and reel-to-reel tape. Mark. Cut. Move. Tape. Repeat.



As you get ready to shut off the computer for another week, and put on the shades to start off the weekend, here's some Canadian talent for you to get motivated. If you live in Toronto, I'm sure you will recognize the sights. This weekend, also be sure to check out the Circle Research podcast.

guru tribute

I know I was supposed to post a special podcast for Guru. However, due to time and not enough memory left on my Soundcloud account, I won't be able to do it till later. However, here is a special two-hour tribute DJ Premier threw down last night on Funkmaster's show on New York's Hot97. Two hours of Guru tracks. Download and Turn it up. Doing it for Guru.

Guru 1 Year Anniversary Tribute Live On Hot 97 (04/19/2011) by Dj Premier Blog Radio on Mixcloud

the shane alexander show - episode 1

In this first episode we talk about the future of this experiment and Shane lets in on how he needs drugs. For ear popping. We also journey back to the Motown and old school Hip Hop


The Shane Alexander Show - episode #1 by ShaneFameAlexander

quote of the day

"My Myspace has been more neglected than the kids in the projects" - Big Tweeze from the Circle Research Show episode #44

fame-o-vision episode 2: winter session

On this weeks episode, I give you a sneak peak on how I make my podcast. Enjoy!

winter sessions

My latest podcast is up. We look at some wintery tracks and a little tribute to Lennon. Listen to it here.

humble and fred return for the xmas podcast

They'll be recording it Saturday afternoon. Humble and Fred haven't done a Christmas podcast in two years. The due did reunite last year for a little show downtown at the Dominion on Queen, where they invited old sidekicks, and listeners to listen to the live madness. I will keep you updated on when the show is posted on the interweb or check out Mike Boon's blog.

classic: you can't front (shit is real) - diamond d feat. sadat x

Once again, it's time for Classic where we throw it back and look at the Hip Hop gems of yesteryear that inspired the game today. We haven't done it for a while, so I thought I would give you a little refresher. In the past we've looked at such tracks as Erik B for President, and Proceed. Today's edition is going out to my Hip Hop homie, Tweeze. Have to thank him and Circle Research for putting on yet another great podcast. Rumor is that Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop is his favorite LP of all time. So here you go, Tweeze. Enjoy!

Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop is the debut album from hip hop producer-emcee Diamond D, released with his crew the Psychotic Neurotics. The album features some of the earliest appearances from Diamond's later D.I.T.C. partners Big L and Fat Joe, as well as production from popular beat makers such as Large Professor, Q-Tip, and DJ Mark the 45 King. The album features the singles "Best-Kept Secret" and "Sally Got a One-Track Mind." The album was not released on vinyl. However there were promotional copies pressed up with full artwork which were very highly sought-after. The vinyl edition was eventually made available as a reissue years later. The original promo has a sticker on it; the reissue had this sticker scanned into the artwork.

In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.