MusicBoxPete Podcast

On today's all new episode, we take a look at the chart for the week ending Sept. 8, 2001 just before the 9/11 attacks, and take a look at what music was popular before our world changed forever shortly thereafter. The chart featured music from the chart topper Alien Ant Farm, along with tracks from Sum 41, Incubus, and a whole host of others that represented the idyllic and innocent times we lived in back then, and how big of a role all of these songs played in our upbringing as well. I also give some interesting facts and tidbits with some of the 40 songs on the chart, including Jimmy Eat World changing the title of their just released "Bleed American" LP after the attacks, and Drowning Pool's "Bodies" disappearing from radio stations playlists understandably after the horrific attacks. I also play you a song that certainly uplifted lots of people's lives and spirits in the days that followed the attacks, Incubus and their brand new track at the time, "Wish You Were Here".

On today's all new cast, we take a look at the nu-metal acts that adorned the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts way back in the day, and further examine how these acts made an impact on the charts in the late 90's and early 00's. We revisit bands such as Korn, Limp Bizkit, Deftones, and Papa Roach who made an immediate impact on the charts with their early hits and how it started a movement that was intertwined with MTV's TRL and connected with the youth of that time with everything going on in their lives. We talk about some criticisms of the genre itself, including one where a Pitchfork critic said that it was a turning point in the chart's history and it became loathed by people alike for its cringe worthiness. I also play you Papa Roach's hit "Scars" at the end of the cast that also became their biggest crossover hit on the Hot 100 as well. 

On today's brand new cast, we travel back in time to the summer of 2003, and look back on the songs that were featured on the very first mix CD that I ever made. We take a look back at the entire original tracklisting, and how they fared on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and divulge some stories about each song's impact on me, and how the songs will be remembered during that era. Songs like AFI'S "Girl's Not Grey", Foo Fighters "Times Like These", Linkin Park's "Somewhere I Belong", and Thrice's "All That's Left" represented the amazing music that was omnipresent as I was getting ready to go off to college for the first time. At the end of the cast, I play you one of my fav songs from that era, The Ataris cover of Don Henley's hit "The Boys of Summer".

On today's all new cast, we take a look at the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks for the week ending June 26, 1999 and take a travel back in time to revisit some of the alternative classics that made the year so enjoyable. From Red Hot Chili Peppers "Scar Tissue" and Lit's "My Own Worst Enemy", the chart is a snapshot of all the events that happened during that period like the Women's World Cup and also draw a parallel with the Men's World Cup taking place right now. I talk about my memories of first listening to these songs, and how they have continued to have a lasting impact to this day. We also do a deep dive into Len's "Steal My Sunshine", and how this Canadian group quickly captured people's attention with this track that became the inescapable summer smash of '99 that I play for you in full at the end of the cast.

On today's all new cast, I give you my personal list of the Mount Rushmore of artists/bands in the history of the Modern Rock Tracks chart. I go through each artist and give you their individual stats and why they belong on this list. I also talk about some artists that almost made the list, and how the list gradually shifted to include the best of the best that represented the musical evolution and diversity of the chart also.

On today's edition of the cast, we take a gander at the Billboard Modern Rock Charts and recap artists who reached the top of the chart on their very first chart entry. It's a feat that was actually more difficult to accomplish than it looks way back in the day, with some artists unable to reach the summit in their first chart appearance. We take a look at all the artists that reached the summit for the first time, including the founding fathers Nirvana, Green Day, and The Offspring to name a few. Plus some other lesser, one hit wonders including Smash Mouth, Chumbawamba, Marcy Playground, and Fastball. We also talk about how it's been more of a common occurrence more recently with sombr, The Paradox, and Edgehill reaching the top with their song 'Doubletake" which I play for you at the end of the cast.

On today's all new episode, we go over Billboard's list of the Top Modern Rock Songs of All Time list that originally came out back in 2013, and dissect some of the choices on there and go over which songs belong on the list and which shouldn't, plus songs that could have been moved higher up on the list. The best-of list has been updated several times since by Billboard to allow some newer songs to make the list, but this is the first one that Billboard issued. I also go over what I would do if I was in charge of the list, and use my own criteria of where I think some songs should rank higher than they initially appeared. I also give you my personal Best Songs of All Time list that I originally made during the pandemic, and talk about my Top Streamed Songs of All Time list that focuses on newer songs that I listened to when I first started listening to music on streaming services back in 2016.

On today's all new cast to kick off 2026, we talk about the history of Billboard Airplay Monitor and this short lived offshoot from Billboard magazine that was critical in determining how the Modern Rock Charts was formed based on audience impressions from modern rock & alternative stations across the country. We talk about its history and how the impressions were calculated, and how it illustrates the changing musical tastes of alternative listeners, and also showing how the current Alternative Airplay chart is formed today and further shows the growing disconnect of what alternative music actually is. We examine the year end playlists from WFNX from the early 00's, and the individual audience impressions from some songs showing the musical diversity present on the chart from well known national artists to upstart local Boston acts that defined FNX's aesthetic throughout much of their existence.

On today's special year-end edition of the cast, we wrap up 2025 with a pretty bow and give you my picks for the top songs of the past year, and also compare them with Billboard's Top Alternative Airplay year-end chart, comparing and contrasting the two charts seeing which songs are on both charts, and how they differ and are unique in their own way. I talk about some of my favorite albums of the past year, including my #1 pick The Starting Line's "Eternal Youth", sombr's "I Barely Know Her", Finn Wolfhard's "Happy Birthday", and Benson Boone's "American Heart". I also offer up some closing thoughts on how retooling this podcast was the best decision I ever made, and reaffirmed my focus and commitment to geeking out about all things related to music charts and just music in general. I also play some of my favorite songs from the past year from Henry Merit, Ace Enders, and Djo with my top song of the year, "Basic Being Basic".

On today's edition of the cast, we talk about Billboard's recent announcement that they're altering the recurrent rules for songs that have overstayed their welcome on the Hot 100 charts, changes that were largely made due to the current stagnation on the chart from tracks that have overstayed their welcome, and songs that were played relentlessly by FM radio and streaming algorithms. We talk about the nitty gritty of the rules, and how it's a breath of fresh air that will allow an influx of new songs to gain traction, and keep a level of continuity while allowing some newcomers to sniff their first taste of chart success. We also talk about how this rule correlates to the Modern Rock Charts and how they've been largely immune to the recurrent rule, and has in recent years improved somewhat in terms of the quality of the artists that are populating the chart. I also play you the latest tune from Yellowcard "Better Days" that became their first chart topper on the Alternative Airplay chart spending 3 weeks at #1 on the Alternative Airplay chart.

On today's all new episode of the cast, we take a look back at the Billboard Modern Rock Chart for the week ending October 31, 1998 and see what was popular on the chart around the time as we were getting ready for Halloween that year, and what artists and songs really mattered to use the most. We take a look at songs from the likes of Goo Goo Dolls, Eagle Eye Cherry, Hole, Barenaked Ladies, The Offspring, and so much more to provide an ultimate snapshot into such a eclectic and musically diverse lineup that checked all the boxes for me. We also talk about how the Billboard Hot 100 chart is aiming to prevent songs from overstaying their welcome on the charts and instituting a more tiered recurrent rule system that allows the chart to remain fresh and prevent songs from being oversaturated or overplayed, and keep the chart as current as possible.

On today's all new edition of the cast, we take a gander at the CMJ Top 250 Alternative Songs list from 1979-1988, and use that list to imagine what the Billboard Modern Rock Chart would look had it started way earlier back in the 1980's. We plug the gap with songs from the early 80's that defined the era such as Duran Duran's "Hungry Like The Wolf", Talking Heads "Burning Down The House", The Clash's "Rock The Casbah", The Smith's "How Soon Is Now" and so many others to create what is in my opinion the ultimate dream 80's alt-rock playlist. We talk about how these songs defined the era in which we grew up in, and also laid the seeds for what would become alternative music and further solidified and cemented what it meant to be an alt rock artist back in its early embryonic era, and how alternative music sets itself apart from rock music as a whole. I also play you a local tune from Worcester's own J. Geils Band and their mega hit "Centerfold".

On today's all new edition of the cast, we go over some of the hard-rock/metal acts that made an appearance on the Modern Rock Tracks chat over the years, and how their little foray into that world filled in the gap and found their niche among listeners who don't casually listen to their music in the first place. We talk about Metallica's reign on the chart, and how they found most of their success so late into their careers with "I Disappear" amidst the whole Napster controversy surrounding it. We also talk about bands such as Buckcherry who charted late into their careers with "Crazy Bitch", and it how showed the musical diversity of the chart, and the ability of bands from all different musical backgrounds to find a commonplace amongst all the different alternative acts of the era. We also look at how even AC/DC was able to chart late into their careers with "Rock N Roll Train" from their Walmart exclusive "Black Ice" album, and at the end of the cast talk about Worcester's own Godsmack and their chart history, along with playing you their Top 10 charted hit from 2001 "Voodoo". 

On today's all new episode of the cast, we take a look at some hip-hop songs that crossed over and appeared on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. We take a look at how the Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill, and Eminem enjoyed some crossover success on the chart and how it helped expose their sound to listeners from different musical backgrounds and increased their audience exposure in the process as well. We also take a deep dive into the Beasties and how they were able to merge the worlds of rap and rock to create a long and storied career, and were able to garner their first chart topper on the charts in 2004 with "Ch-Check It Out" that shows the massive longevity that they've had over their careers. We also take a look at Eminem and the huge impact he had on the chart with his songs "My Name Is", "The Real Slim Shady", and his biggest hit and highest chart topper "Lose Yourself" which I play for you at the end of the cast.

On today's brand new episode of the cast to kick off the new season, we take a look at the 9/11 Banned Songs list that was issued by Clear Channel in the aftermath of the Sept. 11th attacks that wasn't an outright order, but as a request to not play songs that were deemed insensitive and questionable that contained references with anything that was associated with 9/11. We take a look at the hundred or so songs on the list, and I give you my reaction to the songs that were included on the list, some that were obvious calls and some that were ridiculous that were total overreach and censorship, proving that Clear Channel was completely overreacting and not knowing what to do with itself. I also look at the Billboard Modern Rock Charts on the week before and after 9/11 to show the songs that were on the chart at that time, and how the tone and nature of music changed as a whole and how we all gravitated towards music to provide for some comfort and joy in the aftermath of an awful time in American history. I also play you P.O.D.'s "Alive", a song that became an anthem for many people in the months that followed after the attacks.

On today's brand new episode of the cast, we step back in time and check out the playlists for WFNX way back in the day, and find out what songs they were playing back then to the masses and how those songs mirrored what was on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart as well. We talk about the different representation of music genre wise, and how that played a big role in channeling WFNX's rise as a premier local Boston radio station that catered to the local artists and gave them a platform of which they could jump start their careers, bands like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones thrived off of. We also talk about how it was simpler time back then, back when music truly mattered and where local radio made a connection in the community and when stations like WFNX had different shows catering to fans of other genres, most notably Jazz Brunch and established a real, hyper-local attitude that continued throughout much of WFNX's existence.

On today's latest episode of the cast, we delve into the plethora of cover songs that graced its way onto the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks over the years, and talk about at how some of these artists made a name for themselves by tackling a cover song that can sometimes be a daunting task, but is definitely worth it in the long run by putting your own unique spin on it. We talk about how some cover songs show off the versatility of the artist, and give them a new perspective by looking at the song in a different light than they initially did. We also talk about rare instances where the cover is more popular than the original version of the song such as Nirvana covering David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World" and Johnny Cash with his haunting rendition of Nine Inch Nails "Hurt". I also play you a clever and inventive cover by Urge Overkill with their own clever twist on Neil Diamond''s "Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon". 

On today's all new cast, we break down some statistics and records as we go behind the leaderboards on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and talk about who holds the record for most #1 songs, most chart entries, longest time spent on the chart, and longest reign spent on top of the chart. We discuss some of the major record holders including Foo Fighters, Green Day, Linkin Park, and Red Hot Chili Peppers and talk about why these artists are considered to be the "Mount Rushmore" of the chart in terms of their sustained success and longevity, and their ability to have chart toppers over the span of multiple decades, something that is very difficult and rare to do these days for an extended period of time. We also go behind how some more current millennial bands like All Time Low are finding their place on top of the record books and what this signals in terms of the ever changing musical tastes of listeners, and their ability to be a major tastemaker and move up the pedestal of dominant acts.

On today's all new episode of the cast, we look at the plethora of female singer-songwriters that dominated on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks back in the day, and talk about at how their influence paved the way for future singer-songwriters to set the tone and edge for what was to come down the road. We discuss at how Sarah McLachlan got her start on the chart, and how she spearheaded the female revolution with the creation of the Lilith Fair in the late 90's that ushered in a renaissance and a breath of creative fresh air that dominated for most of the 90's. We mention other artists including Natalie Merchant, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette, and even Sheryl Crow who dominated in a big way on this chart before she crossed over and had success on the pop chart. We also talk about the shifting tides of music, and how radio programmers instituted sexist policies that eliminated all female singer-songwriters from alternative radio for most of the late 90's and all of the 2000's before slowly coming back in the 2010's. I also play you a lsong from Boston's Til' Tuesday and their huge hit "Voices Carry".

On today's all new episode of the cast, we chat about all the Boston bands that got their start and made their mark on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. So many legendary and established bands from the Bay State got their start on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and we chat about when they debuted, their first song to chart, where they peaked, and how they made their mark on the chart and on listener's lives as well. We run the gamut from The Pixies, Til Tuesday, Aimee Mann, Dinosaur Jr., The Breeders, American Hi-Fi, Powerman 5000, and so much more. We talk about how The Mighty Mighty Bosstones made their first commercial crossover hit with "The Impression That I Get" that put Boston on the map as a powerhouse for cutting-edge and breakthrough bands. At the end of the cast, we play Letters To Cleo and their 1995 breakthrough smash "Here & Now" that showed the melodic and emotional thunder power that resonated so strongly within Kay Hanley and the confines of the group.

On today's edition of the cast, we take a look at songs that dominated the summer going back to 1997 and continuing through 2008, and take a look at why songs get most of their chart life and success during the summer months than any other time of the year, and how these songs came to define our summers when we were hitting up the beach, on vacation, or partaking in any other summer activities that we liked to do. We also talk about songs such as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "The Impression That I Get", Sugar Ray's "Fly", and Red Hot Chili Peppers "Scar Tissue" that encapsulated those summers, and became recurring hits on throwback playlists for years to come. We also talk about the chart's inevitable decline, and how it's harder to have that surefire summer hit these days in the streaming era. We also play a song from Springfield, MA's own Staind and their monster smash from 2001, "It's Been Awhile".

On today's all new episode of the cast, we take a look at the songs that dominated on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart during the summer of '01, and talk about how these songs captured the essence of the idyllic, carefree world we lived in at that time when we had more freedom, more independence, and were beginning to get the first taste of adulthood with getting  your first learners permit, and how it captured the beautiful world we lived in before 9/11. We talk about the various songs that were omnipresent over the airwaves including Blink 182's "The Rock Show", Sum 41's "Fat Lip", Alien Ant Farm's "Smooth Criminal", Cake's "Short Skirt/Long Jacket", Incubus "Drive",  and so many others that gained a prominent place on our mix CD's way back in the day. We also take a gander at the debuts of some prominent bands that would dominate throughout the 00's including the debut of Jimmy Eat World with "Bleed American", and I also play a song that best encapsulates the serene and beautiful soundscape that existed at the time from The Calling with their eventual big hit "Wherever You Will Go". 

On today's all new cast, we take a look back at the Billboard Modern Rock Chart for this week back on July 4, 1998. We go over all 40 songs on the chart, and how all the tracks on this chart perfectly encapsulated the look and feel of the late 90's era with Goo Goo Dolls "Iris" moving into the #1 spot for the first time, and how it ushered in a whole new era of sonic bliss for many music fans. We encounter such riveting hits like Harvey Danger's "Flagpole Sitta", Fastball's "The Way", Eve 6's "Inside Out", Barenaked Ladies "One Week", and so many other terrific tunes that were a constant presence on our mixtapes way back when. We also discuss how this chart became a haven for many pop-friendly radio hits in the late 90's due to a Billboard chart policy that prevented these songs from charting on the Hot 100 chart simply for the fact that they weren't commercially available as a single. We also play a local song that featured on this chart from Somerville's own Guster called "Airport Song". 

On today's brand new episode of the cast, we take a look at all the Britpop bands that graced the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart back in the day highlighted most notably by Oasis, but I give you my take and my reason as why Blur is the greatest Britpop band of the era and talk about how their upbeat melodies and the genius of Damon Albarn's witty lyricism and calming vocal presence that ushered in a sexy swagger and confidence not seen by any other band of that era. We also take a gander as to why British bands were so popular in the early years of the chart and had a defining characteristic that American artists couldn't capitalize on for quite some time. We also take a look at some other bands that didn't get a whole lot of notice and a short chart history, highlighted most notably by Travis and their most prominent hit "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" which I play for you at the end of the cast.

On today's all new episode of the cast, we travel back in time to the early 2000's and the dawn of the pop-punk era and talk about some of those acts from our high school years that made their mark on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. We talk about how New Found Glory led the charge out of the gate, and were one of the first acts to gain initial notice which eventually propelled them and dozens of others to far reaching notice beyond their wildest dreams. We also talk about some of the other acts that made their mark on the chart including Brand New, Dashboard Confessional, Something Corporate, The Starting Line, Taking Back Sunday, and Yellowcard. It was truly a transformative and impactful era of music for those like myself who went to high school in the early 2000's, and one era that can't be duplicated ever again. I also play a song from local Boston pop-punk legends American Hi-Fi and their mega hit from 2001, "Flavor of The Weak".

On today's edition of the cast we talk about the plethora of one hit wonders that graced the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts over the years, and talk about how their contributions shaped the future of the chart to come. We discuss such artists like Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Butthole Surfers, Eagle Eye Cherry, Semisonic, Eve 6, Marcy Playground, and a whole lot more and how their one fleeting moment in the sun made for some of the most memorable and catchy tunes of the late 90's. One hit wonders aren't necessarily a bad thing, but for some artists it makes it hard to live up to the success and expectations from their prior hits. I also play a song from Boston's own The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and their massive 1997 breakout hit, "The Impression That I Get". 

On today's edition of the cast, we take a look at the origins of grunge music and its place on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts, and how Nirvana's debut on the chart back in 1991 signaled a seismic shift in music and created a whole new sub culture in the process. We examine how some other grunge acts including Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice In Chains flourished in this era, and made a name for themselves in the short lived era that grunge had. We also take a look at how some female singer-songwriters flourished on the chart in the mid 90's like Sarah McLachlan, and why they suddenly vanished from the airwaves as radio programmers shifted to a more male dominated sound that continued throughout the decade, further highlighting the sexism and ignoring women's contributions to music. We also play a tune from Boston's own Letters to Cleo, the classic "Here and Now".

On today's edition of the cast, we look over some of the early stars that dominated in the early years of Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart, including The Psychedelic Furs and Siouxsie & The Banshees, and discuss how foreign born musicians dominated the early years of the chart, which speaks volumes about how much more talent and influence they had over their American counterparts. We also talk about how big of a role college radio had to do with the start of this chart in the first place, and how other upstart charts like The Hard Report and CMJ strived to highlight alternative artists that weren't getting any love or notice from mainstream radio. We also take a look at some of the local artists that got a lot of visibility on the chart, including Boston's own The Lemonheads and their cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" which I play towards the end of the cast.

On this first episode of the relaunched and reimagined MusicBoxPete Podcast now dedicated to taking a look back at the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and discussing the chart's beginnings. We talk about some of the artists that first charted that helped define the alternative scene including The Cure, Depeche Mode, U2, and so forth. We talk about the evolution of the chart and how it showcased growing trends including the emerging grunge movement, the female singer-songwriter era of the mid 90's, alternative acts crossing over to pop radio, and how the chart's inevitable downfall culminated with the nu-metal movement that saw acts such as Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park ushering in the last days of the chart with a thud. We also talk about some of the lesser known acts that gained huge success in the chart's early years spotlighted today by The Ocean Blue and their track " Between Something and Nothing".