WZBC 90.3 FM Newton
Boston College Radio, Chestnut Hill, MA
Student-run radio station at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Mass. USA
Carl Thien's previous playlists
Apr 16, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#619
The seventh week in the 12 week folk-like series on Gulls Window Circus covers the letters N-P. It is filled with unlikely artists [Leonard Nimoy, Nohelani Cypriano, Tubeway Army, The Only Ones, Orange Juice, Pest 5000] doing folk like tracks, some lesser known artists [Don Nix, Spooner Oldham, The Otto Show, Pale Man Made, Priscilla Paris, Ottilie Patterson, Dan Penn, Port Sulphur, Nancy Priddy], some side-projects [Al Perry & Dan Stuart from Green On Red, Robert Pollard from Guided By Voices] and The Only One’s Peter Perrett gone solo. These are all held together by a tight selection of artists that perfectly capture the mood of this series.
Apr 9, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#618
The sixth week of the 12 week folk-like series on Gulls Window Circus. We finish the letter L, fully cover the letter M, then start N. Nick Lowe covers Johnny Rivers, Steve Miller Band covers Robert Johnson, Mortimer cover Beatles. Tony Molina uses a phrase/feel from the Neil Young ‘Don’t Cry No Tears’ track. You can enjoy Slapp Happy’s Anthony Moore solo, and Moby Grape’s Bob Mosley solo. I’m glad to bring you Charlie McAlister, Movietone, Mink DeVille and The Moles. In fact, every track is a jewel.
Apr 2, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#617
The fifth week of the 12 week folk-like series on Gulls Window Circus. A few current artists I really like [Jordan Janes, KRGA, Inger Lorre], several artists I want you to hear [Kisswhistle, The Legendary Jim Ruiz Group, The Lee Riders, Claudine Longet, The Long Ryders, The Lotus Eaters, Love Tractor] and many others that provide the spice to this show and stand strong on their own, possibly ranking as your favorites of the set.
Mar 26, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#616
The fourth week of the 12 week folk-like series covers the letters F-H, with a starting track by Bob Dylan. Ruthann Friedman wrote 'Windy', which The Association turned into a classic, but you will hear a lesser-known track from her. This series is so carefully chosen, that to write a summary with less than every artist mentioned feels wrong. Check out Gontiti, an artist I discovered from the biopic about Klaus Nomi 'The Nomi Song'. Some longtime favorites are in this show: Friends Again, The Go-Betweens, Vic Godard, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, Danny Graham, Green On Red, Steve Harley, Robyn Hitchcock, Holsapple & Stamey, but every track is an ace.
Mar 19, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#615
The third week of the 11 week folk-like series on Gulls Window Circus, alphabetically covering the letters D-F. Stuffed with unlikely but fitting finds, even going so far as to unearth my sister’s private press West Virginia band in 2000, The Elktones. Names that should be known to regular listeners include Delaney & Bonnie, Ned Doheny, Durutti Column, Everything But The Girl, East River Pipe, The Farmer’s Boys, Felt, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Brigitte Fontaine, Robert Forster [Go-Betweens] and Free Design. Joys for those who love to dig further would be Karen Dalton, Luther Dickinson, Donna Regina, Donnie & Joe Emerson, Fairport Convention, and Flunk. As well as uncovering my sister’s band, we hear Firecat, the 1999 Tim Sprague band(of Crow Follow – we used to play together in GingerBread Men as well). Jay Ferguson, who used to front Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne is here, Bill Fox who used to front The Mice as well. A few treats you are unlikely to have met: Grandma Dixie Davis, Terry & The Pirates [Terry Dolan], Downsiders, Family, Family Of God, Fantastic!, Emmett Finley, Flying Norwegians, and Robert Lester Folsom, each more-than earning their spot on board.
Mar 12, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#614
The second week of the 11 week folk-like series on Gulls Window Circus. Last week the closing Michael Chapman track was cut short, so today I start with a different track by him. Then you get 15 tracks I uncovered since last week that precede ‘Ch’ in the alphabet. As I said last week, every track has a story as well as telling a story. Darryl Blood was the guitarist in my 90s band Turkish Delight, Beth Capper was vocalist in Oiler. Seana Carmody was in Swirlies. The City was Carole King’s band before going solo. The Colour Field was Terry Hall from The Specials/Fun Boy Three, and also includes Teardrop Explodes drummer Gary Dwyer. Hugh Cornwell was vocal/guitar in The Stranglers. Sarah Cracknell is vocalist for Saint Etienne. Each track gleams in this show.
Mar 5, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#613
The start of a new 11 week series on Gulls Window Circus, loosely called 'folk-like'. The series runs alphabetically and includes tracks that have folk-like qualities, some based on acoustic guitars, some related to the strumming structure. The choices include tracks I like from many genres and eras having a folk-like feel. If you are not a fan of folk, you may find you love this series. If you ARE a fan of folk you may question some choices, but enjoy all. I'm not sure how to summarize this week, as each track was singularly chosen and demands the presence your ears. Let's get started!
Feb 27, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#612
This week Gulls Window Circus presents a one-off vinyl non-rock show. There are a few 2000+ blasts for you [Yoko Mono, Peace Orchestra, Rick Wade, Titan], a few 2010+ ones [Panoram , Shpongle, Yves Tumor, Japan Blues, Tosca], a mid-80s track [RAH Band], along with some new stuff and welcome reissues by fave current labels. Everything fits together and complements each other.
Feb 20, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#611
A CD-only Gulls Window Circus show means we get to hear stuff that is only available (as physical product) on CD, or CD is the only format I have it on. This is a rock show. We get to hear tracks from several Raving Pop Blast! compilations (a Bristol label I first learned about from artists The Mudd Club), and the Caroline True Records comp ‘The Art School Dance Goes On: Leeds Post-Punk 1977-1984’. We also hear Barcelona-based Tarta Relena and Istanbul’s Gaye Su Akyol, a track from Chris Stamey’s latest, a self-released Gary Valentine CD (original Blondie bassist), recent reissues from New Math, Second Hand and LMNOP, the premier shoegaze band The Stargazer Lilies, and dug-up nuggets by Bone Of Contention, Further, Philip Rambow, William Carlos Williams, 10¢, Ivy and Silver Jews, and a couple of Harriet bands, The Coronets and Kisswhistle.
Feb 13, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#610
The eighth and final week of the Gulls Window Circus hard rock series: We complete the alphabetical series in the first 5 tracks, then we start a quick A-Z of CDs with this sound, bringing a lot of fun tracks that aren’t easily available on vinyl. Got the first 5 tracks in the show, White Zombie (Like Red Kross in week 6) cover Kiss, rather spectacularly. Black Sabbath make their 3rd appearance in this series, completing a view of the last 3 LPs Ozzy sang on, this time with the title song of the final Ozzy LP Never Say Die. In the CDs section, the recent movie The Creator had 2 Deep Purple tracks in it, and we hear Flight Of The Rat. Maggie Estep has a fun track (all hers are) that you will remember. 45 Grave is heard without Dinah Cancer singing in the epic track Slice O’ Life. Long Island 70’s band Good Rats sound just right. Inter Lorre’s original band Nymphs sound fine on one of their singles. Ten Foot Pole is really the HC band Scared Straight after they changed their name and sound (much like Ill Repute did back on show #606). 70’s artists in the CD portion include Cycle, John Du Cann, Terry Reid, Stray, Tear Gas, Thin Lizzy, Uriah Heep, and Vanilla Fudge. Permanent Green Light is the post-Three O’Clock band.
Feb 6, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#609
In this seventh week of the 8 week Gulls Window Circus hard rock series (I’ve been thinking more of it as ‘hardrock-like’) we speed through the letters S-W. Sonic’s Rendezvous Band is Fred Smith of MC5, The Split Squad includes Clem Burke, Keith Streng (Fleshtones) and Eddie Muñoz (Plimsouls). That Petrol Emotion is basically Undertones after Feargal Sharkey left. The Tourists is pre-Eurythmics, Tyla Gang is post Ducks Deluxe. Ronnie Spector rocks it out from her 1980 lp. I am very happy to bring you Spitboy, Starcrawler, The Strings, The Twinkeyz, The Velvet Monkeys, The Victims (The NYC ones, not the Aussie ones) and Wasted Youth (The English ones, not the California ones). Much to uncover, let’s get started!
Jan 30, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#608
The sixth week of the 8 week Gulls Window Circus hard rock series covers the letters N-S alphabetically, with stops such as pre-The New York Dolls band Actress, post Milk ‘n’ Cookies Ian North, Dwarve’s side-project Penetration Moon, pre-Chesterfield Kings Greg Prevost, pre-The Sound band Second Layer, pre-Detective band Silverhead, pre-Adverts band Sleaze, two versions of The Stooges track 1969 [by The Sisters Of Mercy and Joey Ramone], speaking of, a track from the often neglected ‘Instinct’-era Iggy Pop, the often-hated Sigue Sigue Sputnik shines, a Kiss cover by Redd Kross, latest PiL, and must-hear tracks by Out Of Band Experience, Novak, Planchettes, Ratcat, The Reactors, Shadow 15, Sic F*cks, Sixteen Deluxe, and Skeletal Family.
Jan 23, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#607
Fifth week of 8 in the Gulls Window Circus hard rock series covers the letters L-N. Several bands follow the artist from very popular previous bands [Screaming Trees > Mark Lanegan Band , Psychedelic Furs > Love Spit Love, Dead Boys > Lords Of The New Church, Nymphs > Inger Lorre, Codeine, Come, Volcano Sons > The Martha’s Vineyard Ferries, Hanoi Rocks > Michael Monroe, Husker Du > Bob Mould], a few of the artists went on to bigger fame in subsequent bands [The Living > Guns ‘n Roses, The Mike Gunn > Charalambides, Mother Love Bone > Green River > Pearl Jam]. All songs have mentionable aspects, but I want to draw your attention to the Menace Dement track, the fact that Map Of Africa is re-edit wizard DJ Harvey, and Manikins, who were formed as Cheap Nasties in Australia.
Jan 16, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#606
The fourth week of the Gulls Window Circus hard rock series covers the letters D-K alphabetically. I’m always happy when I can play an E.Coli track, and here one is, sounding a bit like Magazine (with numerous FCC edits). Also glad to have a chance to play an Ill Repute track from the period that they moved away from HC. Iron Prostate, the post-Ed Gein’s Car band have a great track, with an awesome Ivy Green track next to it. Tommy Jay makes a Neil Young cover fit into a hard rock show. Every track has quirks and sparkles, talked about after it is played in the show.
Jan 9, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#605
In this third week of the Gulls Window Circus hard rock series, we leave the 70s (after the first 4 songs, overflows from last week), letting the sound endure through time. It is in these coming weeks that amazing discoveries will be made. Hard rock by artists you might never expect to have dabbled in these waters. Special attention to Baby Grande (Steve Kilby pre-Church), Corpse Grinders, Arthur Kane (post-New York Dolls), Dark Carnival (Niagara, post-Destroy All Monsters). Every track has earned its place, details given after each 3 song set.
Jan 2, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#604
Second week of 7 in the hard rock series. This week completes the original 70s artists. Next week we will move on to bands that honor this sound in post-70s recordings. In this show there are only 4 well-known artists, with obscure tracks carefully chosen [Black Sabbath, Cactus, Frampton’s Camel, Spooky Tooth]. Outside of that, many fine discoveries to start the new year with, setting the stage for 5 more weeks of unexpected finds.
Dec 26, 2023 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#603
The first show in a Gulls Window Circus hard rock series, which starts with 2 weeks of late 60s to 70s artists, then moves for several weeks to artists drawing from the hard rock well in modern times. This week lesser known entities mingle with names you know, and 3 tracks deviate from the stated bounds: Kyuss with a ’95 track, Night Ranger with a 2011 one and Deep Purple (covering Love!) from 2021. The lesser-known (but must-hear) are: Coloured Balls. Cradle, Cromwell, Orang-Utan, Three Man Army, and Heavy Rain. The rest are names you will already know, but I chose less obvious tracks from each, so now… it is time to dig in …and rock.
Dec 19, 2023 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#602
A CD spinning’ rock show: all CDs by necessity/availability. The show starts with a song each to celebrate the lives of Shane MacGowan, Denny Laine and Scott Kempner. Then we move to a lesser-known Boston band that introduced both a notable WZBC DJ (Commodore Vic) and a Freeze Pop (Sean Drinkwater). I had forgotten that I play trumpet on the track, but I can’t even hear it so it doesn’t interfere with my ‘never play your own band’ rule. 4 other contemporary Boston bands appear too (Crow Follow, The Complaints, American Beauties, Audioscam). The 2 latest releases of the revived (and delivering the goods!) label Harriet Records (The Coronets, Kisswhistle). The final recordings of Only Ones drummer Mike Kellie, a pre-Stone Foundation Dance Stance, a post-Sally Skull The Nettelles, a post-Charles Brown Superstar Bennett and a post-Mott British Lions make appearances. Thanks to Frank for urging me to do tribute songs, and supplying me with the treat that closes out the second hour.
Dec 12, 2023 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gulls Window Circus
Specialty
With Carl Thien
#601
The second week in a row (and third in total) of Jazz shows on Gulls Window Circus. Quincy James, Wes Montgomery, Bob James, Pat Metheny, Don Cherry and Herbie Hancock would be the big names in the show. Artists from the past that may be big names to those familiar with them are Mundell Lowe, Charles Lloyd, Rudolph Johnson, Bobbi Humphrey, Lee Konitz, Kellee Patterson, Doug Carn, Gene Russell, Chester Thompson, Ahmad Jamal, and George Russell. Surprise (but fitting in well) appearances are by Chrissie Hyde and Deborah Harry.