An Irreverent Fanzine.
Est. 1984

Our annual celebration of taking another trip around the sun.

WholesomeRadio would like to thank you all for listening in 2024.

As promised here are the results of the WholesomeRadio Legfish Awardz 2024:....

DJ π’s final Psych 68 show on WholesomeRadio’s Soul Station is a deluxe journey through 1968’s trippiest sounds. This hour-and-a-half adventure includes rare tracks from Spirit, The Chocolate Watchband, MC5, The Monkees, and more, culminating in two unforgettable sets. With an eclectic mix of original songs and deep cuts, DJ π concludes his Psych 68 series in style. Don’t miss this last deep dive into a pivotal year for psychedelic rock, only on WholesomeRadio.

Wholesome Movie Night (and Zack’s birthday) on Friday, November 22nd!

Legfish tries to search for a song they heard with a music finding app. Surely it functions properly...

I am so excited to start a new series exploring psychedelic soul. I go in time-order so this first show starts in 1967. Join me, DJ π on WholesomeRadio’s Soul Station for the launch of Psychedelic Soul, a new series tracing the fusion of soul and psychedelia. This first show takes us back to 1967 and features The Chambers Brothers, Pacific Gas & Electric, The Soul Survivors, Sly & The Family Stone, Isaac Hayes, and more. DJ π delivers backstories and rare finds in an exploration of this mind-expanding genre, showcasing the incredible depth and range of Psychedelic Soul. Tune in for this unforgettable first chapter! Be prepared!

DJ π’s Double Play Show 3 on WholesomeRadio’s Soul Station brings you double—and even triple—plays of your favorite tracks. This show includes originals and covers from legends like Bobby Vee, The Contours, and Petula Clark, alongside gems from Lee Dorsey, ? & The Mysterians, and The Isley Brothers. DJ π’s playlist is a thrilling journey through ‘60s and ‘70s classics, with some covers more famous than the originals. Don’t miss this unique take on the double play concept, only on WholesomeRadio. Be prepared to be wowed and surprised.

Voting for WholesomeRadio Legfish Awardz 2024 has started…

How y'all like the new showz? Give us some feedback, email us at: radio@wholso.me

Halloween Tarot Card Reading, The Moon, The Star, The Sun, The Fool, The Magician. Original Illustrations.

Wholesome Mash Dance!

How y'all like the new showz? Give us some feedback, email us at: radio@wholso.me

Kindergartener Clay finds their dream Halloween costume, the Barbie Princess Cat, and tries it on right when they get home. Powchie the cat thinks that Clay is a real life, huge pink cat and knows he has to protect Mom by growling at Clay and getting ready to attack. Mom tries to take the cat ears off of Clay so Powchie will realize it’s just Clay, but he’s not convinced, so Mom protects Clay by yelling.

While I do not remember exactly the first time I heard a Julie song, I do know that they have not left my listening habits since then. Their single 2020 “Flutter” Immediately captures the listeners attention with a cacophony of sounds that cannot be traced back to one single genre or a single influence. They are a mix of shoegaze, post-punk, and post-grunge all into one, needless to say I was hooked. Since then I have eagerly awaited the announcement of their debut album, and now “my anti-aircraft friend” has arrived and it is everything I was hoping it would be.

All the leaves are brown.

How y'all like the new showz? Give us some feedback, email us at: radio@wholso.me

Wholesome Movie Night on August 24th!

I hope everyone has been having a hot and fun summer.

How y'all like the new showz? Give us some feedback, email us at: radio@wholso.me

Wholesome Open House on July 25th!

Legfish tries to search for a song they heard with a music finding app. Surely it functions properly...

Halloween Tarot Card Reading, The Moon, The Star, The Sun, The Fool, The Magician. Original Illustrations.

Kindergartener Clay finds their dream Halloween costume, the Barbie Princess Cat, and tries it on right when they get home. Powchie the cat thinks that Clay is a real life, huge pink cat and knows he has to protect Mom by growling at Clay and getting ready to attack. Mom tries to take the cat ears off of Clay so Powchie will realize it’s just Clay, but he’s not convinced, so Mom protects Clay by yelling.

A little comic featuring 3 historical musical figures.

The Legfish struggles to navigate the city streets, but a familiar sound calls to it, leading to a mysterious shoppe…

The Legfish struggles to navigate the city streets, but a familiar sound calls to it, leading to a mysterious shoppe…

Check out this political cartoon!

Wholesome’s mascot, the Legfish, is on one of their daily adventures. If you’ve ever wondered how the Legfish gets wholesomely stylish, take a look!

Hot on the trail of the latest clue, the Legfish decides to ask the locals for directions. After all, on the journey to get Wholesome, we could all use a helping hand— or leg!

Pt. 2 The Story Continues…

The Legfish ventures into new territory and makes a surprising discovery! Could this clue lead our intrepid friend to Wholesomeness?

Zack enters wholesome to discover an intruder, he enlists the help of Stacy.

The adventures of Wholesome’s mascot, the Legfish, told in comic form! In this week’s strip, our red-finned hero finds a wise new friend, asks for some advice, and makes a big decision. Sometimes the path to Wholesomeness may take us out of our comfort zones…

The adventures of Wholesome’s mascot, the Legfish, told in comic form! In this week’s strip, we see the Legfish take its first steps (pun intended) on the journey to get wholesome. Take a closer look below!

WholesomeZine Brings You Wholesome Chats…

Rick Sniegowski of Lime Forest has a nice Wholesome Chat with Catriona a Creative Maker!

WholesomeZine Brings You Wholesome Chats…

Rick Sniegowski of Lime Forest has a nice Wholesome Chat with Justin Bell of ROOKIE

WholesomeZine Brings You Wholesome Chats…

Rick Sniegowski of Lime Forest has a nice Wholesome Chat with Nick Georgelos of The Tomblands!

a.k.a. nio.ninja..nuf said

Need top gear for tasty tones?! Rock N Roll Vintage

Need Apps, We Got Apps! A collaborative team of the best developers across the U.S. and the globe. Arrested Dev is brought to by people who care about making kick ass apps.

thee arthur layne..nuf said

While I do not remember exactly the first time I heard a Julie song, I do know that they have not left my listening habits since then. Their single 2020 “Flutter” Immediately captures the listeners attention with a cacophony of sounds that cannot be traced back to one single genre or a single influence. They are a mix of shoegaze, post-punk, and post-grunge all into one, needless to say I was hooked. Since then I have eagerly awaited the announcement of their debut album, and now “my anti-aircraft friend” has arrived and it is everything I was hoping it would be.

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

Julian Allen reviews “METRO BOOMIN PRESENTS SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (SOUNDTRACK FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE)” by Metro Boomin

Delaney Jaronik reviews ARENA by Pixel Grip.

ericdoa

things with wings

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

Amanda Burris reviews Flipturn’s newest EP, “Halfway / Brooklyn Baby.”

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

DJ Angel Ghost reviews “Emitt Rhodes” by Emitt Rhodes

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

Jeanne Dunn reviews “Structures” by Water From Your Eyes

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

Jeanne Dunn reviews “Came Down Different” by Pardoner

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

Jeanne Dunn reviews “Songs for a Scientist” by Post Office Winter

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

DJ Lobo reviews “You Thought We Left Because the Door Was Open but We Were Waiting Outside“by The Red Pears

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

DJ Cheddarwurst reviews Investments by Home Entertainment

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

DJ Lobo reviews Year of the Rat by Geezer Senior

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

DJ Cheddarwurst reviews Superstar by Caroline Rose

WholesomeRadio Album Feature

DJ Cheddarwurst reviews Anadolu Pop by Moğollar

Mambo Pa'Chango

Even in the context of 1940s and early 1950s Afro Cuban music history, Alberto Iznaga seems virtually forgotten. He led what he called "Su Orquesta Siboney" in NYC for many years, and he made many records for major American labels as well as for much smaller labels specializing in latin music and mambo. This side for Decca from 1950 is one hot mambo and it notes Chango/Shango an Orisha! It was written by Obdulio Morales, who researched Afro Cuban traditions, and was as well a pianist and composer. Too bad there does not seem to be any Iznaga collections, because much of his output was very jazz, quite sophisticated, and very strong!

Llorá

Chano Pozo's Llora was initially recorded by the famous Orquesta Casino de la Playa, in 1946, with Cascarita singing and Perez Prado leading the band. Before the 1940s ended, and perhaps while Pozo was still alive (he died 12/03/48) it was recorded by Jose Curbelo in the US with Tito Rodriguez singing. Curbelo had come to the US in 1939 and he bounced around from the better paying, latin hotel bands (including Xavier Cugat's band) until he formed his own. Many future latin stars worked in his band, including Tito Puente and of course, the singer and band leader Tito Rodriguez!

RINKY DINK

The late 1950s and early 1960s rock scene in the Pacific Northwest was in some ways extraordinary. Most of the bands were influenced by great r&b and r&b tinged jazz, and many of them were very influenced by the Bill Doggett sound and approach, which always included organ and tenor sax. This goes for Paul Revere and the Raiders. Though some of their earliest music shows surf aspects (Orbit, their cover of Moon Dawg) The Raiders also covered the organ and sax thing, doing Allnight Long (Joe Houston, Rusty Bryant), Night Train, and this cover of a Baby Cortez big hit. It might not have the slinky qualities of the original, but whoever the sax player is, he had a strong go at sounding like early King Curtis, especially after the two minute mark. And seriously, it could BE Mark Lindsay! Cut in 1963 for the Sande label, for which the band recorded Louie Louie before it was picked up by Columbia.

Echale Tierra Y Tápala

Myrta Silva began her singing career before she was a teen. She wrote a song that Daniel Santos had a hit with when she was 15. By 1947 she was recording with the orchestra of Julio Gutierrez and soon she was known as 'the queen of the guaracha'. And so we have a very lively guaracha on tap, with some mambo touches-flourishes and a great piano solo either from Gutierrez himself or perhaps his favorite other pianist, Peruchin!

Take Me Back (Destination 635)

Chicago rock group The Flock, when they were on Columbia in 1969, were very much a jazzy fusion of rock and minor classical strains via violinist Jerry Goodman. Goodman did not join and record with the band until their 45 on U.S.A. in mid 1968. The earlier 45s  reveal a band capable of some exacting, uptown soul, and sometimes they sounded like a cross of The Spiral Staircase and the more updated aspects of The Four Seasons. This side is a good example. It is really tight pop-rock-soul, with excellent horns, and no violin at all!

Dynamo A

While in Paris Don Byas continued to play and record with Peanuts Holland and Billy Taylor, and in January of 1947, he waxed this bebop gem. Everyone plays and makes this slice of bebop quite juicy! It should be pointed out that this tune is, by any other name Dizzy Atmosphere, and was actually first done by Dizzy Gillespie as Dynamo A and the original Byas 78 gave Gillespie credit.

Look What You've Done

For a time, the band Smokestack Lightnin' was popular at the Whiskey A Go Go in L.A. Taking the group name from a Howlin' Wolf song, they did feature blues, blues rock and some gnarly psyche. Their earlierst 45s were done in 1967 before they got signed to Bell. From the end of 1968 to the start of 1970 the band cut four 45s and an album. Much of their material is very good, in part because of producer Bones Howe and also because singer Ronnie Darling's raspy voice handles the material very well. This track is from their second 45 and once the organ enters, it gives off an early scent of The Doors. The guitar solo is also quite sharp and edgy. Perhaps their most commercial release was their last, a version of the Delaney Bramlett gem, Hello, L.A., Bye-Bye Birmingham, but it came out at the same time as the one by Blue Cheer.

Bongo Riff

On the same day that Dizzy Gillespie and his orchestra were recording Manteca, a milestone in Afro Cuban jazz and bop, Stan Kenton was recording Pete Rugolo's Bongo Riff. This was December 22, 1947. Other latin influenced tracks were cut by Kenton's orchestra the day before and a few earlier in the year. Bongo Riff is certainly brisk, aggressive jazz and shows some knowledge of guaracha--though I cannot think of one Cuban band that played anything this fast in the 1940s--and the mambo, too. It has some affinities with Manteca, though not that many, and it's themes are not as thoroughly developed. It is, however, a steamer and a step in an interesting direction for the coming together of two musical traditions.