97X - Rumblings from the Big Bush

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Two former 97X DJs reminisce about the independent music and the dedicated people that made the station one-of-a-kind.

  1. MAR 8

    Rob Mason from Old Flame Records

    After discovering 97X as a Miami University student and interning for Barb Abney, Rob Mason channeled his love of music into founding and running a record label. Old Flame Records featured releases from a slew of bands, including Cloud Nothings, Twin Tigers, and Cincinnati artists such as Carriers, Moonbeau, Frontier Folk Nebraska, and Dawg Yawp. And he's our only guest (so far) to have released music from a group that won a Norwegian Grammy. Rob shares his stories (including babysitting Kings of Leon) and talks about how he's still helping cool bands get their music heard.

    26 min

  2. FEB 13

    Chuck and Lisa from Wussy

    Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker of the band Wussy are two of the best songwriters in the known universe. They're also an absolute blast to talk to about (in no particular order): music, their Forever Sounds radio show, bad movies, Swedish Eagle, the Eagles, TV show filling station characters, ball peen hammers, ascots, super-glued teeth, and other important matters. Oh, and fecal matter too - because we're erudite!  Wussy is doing a full band show at The Woodward Theater on Friday, February 27. Get tickets here.

    44 min

  3. JAN 21

    The Ultimate Modern Rock 500 Quiz (and how to fail it)

    97X superfan (and self-professed "data nerd") David Groff crunched the numbers on all* the Modern Rock 500s from 1989-2009 and in this episode, he quizzes Dave and Damian about it. How many different songs were #1? What band had the most different songs on the MR500 through the years? How many songs made the countdown every single year? How can Damian be so dense? Find all the answers --and a listener quiz too!   David's year-by-year Modern Rock 500 uber-list is here. And if you'd like to listen to the songs in chronological order from oldest to newest, check out the playlist Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.  *the list for 1998 is missing - please help us find it!

    36 min

  4. 12/26/2025

    Home Invasion memories with Rictile and Todd Butler

    DJs in PJs. Wiener dogs in chariots. Bowling in a pool. A surprise birthday party. Crab crawl contests. Jart dangers. A bogus wedding. And of course, Rictile in a Speedo. The 97X Breakfast Club "Home Invasion" live broadcasts were a way to take the insanity of the 97X DJs out of the studio and onto the road. Havoc and hilarity always ensued. We talk to former 97Xer Rictile -- who originated the Home Invasion idea at the station -- and longtime listener Todd Butler, who hosted one of the early home invasions. They share their  memories from the live broadcasts - and once again, havoc and hilarity ensue.

    20 min

  5. 12/13/2025

    Chris DeVille, author of Such Great Heights

    Chris DeVille is the managing editor of Stereogum and the author of a new book called Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion. He joins us to talk about his book, aptly billed as "the definitive history of 21st century indie rock—from Iron & Wine and Death Cab for Cutie to Phoebe Bridgers and St. Vincent—and how the genre shifted the musical landscape and shaped a generation. We discuss what "indie" means, the effect of easier access to music via streaming, how Stereogum is a kindred spirit of 97X, why the book title works on multiple levels, and the ongoing need for music curation.

    27 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    Undertow: Bringing great music to the people

    The Undertow Collective helps people make music and tour in a very indie way. They manage artists like David Bazan (Pedro the Lion), Will Johnson (Centro-matic), and Bad Bad Hats, and promote house concert tours for folks like Wussy, The Mynabirds, and Kevin Devine. Undertow partners Bob Andrews and Jayne Ballentyne join us to talk about how they got started (Uncle Tupelo was involved), how house shows happen, and why their model feels like "the future of rock and roll."

    38 min

  7. 11/14/2025

    Getting funky with Freekbass

    Legendary musician Freekbass got his start in Cincinnati bands like Sleep Theater and Shag. Both got airplay on 97X, and Sleep Theater played the 97X 10th Year concert at Bogart's with Barenaked Ladies, Too Much Joy and the Royal Crescent Mob. We talked to Chris about his roots (and The Roots), his friendship with Bootsy Collins, his Times Square billboard, the freek-y way that Jimmy Fallon wound up impersonating him on The Tonight Show, and his current gigs on TikTok and YouTube.

    45 min

  8. 11/01/2025

    Howard Cohen is the main Distraction

    Howard Cohen, lead singer of the "Rumblings from the Big Bush" house band Cereal Killers, joins to talk about a fun gig the night before Thanksgiving, when he and his bandmates will be covering Elvis Costello & the Attractions songs as "The Distractions." And they'll be joined on the bill by the band Dot.Dot.Dot. covering R.E.M. tunes, and Chalk Eye. Howard also talks about 97Xposure and why he and his bandmates keep on keepin' on.

    18 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
33 Ratings

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Two former 97X DJs reminisce about the independent music and the dedicated people that made the station one-of-a-kind.

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