The Electrical Radio Program

20/07/2025

Are LPs and CDs overpriced? Not really. I explain why not.

Hear me out, music fans, especially in the U.S. Contrary to popular perception, Records and Compact Discs are very affordable compared to the 1970's. Pat Bar...

09/07/2025

One began in a basement, another in a garage, and became an important new kind of musical instrument. My latest YT mini-doc!

Out of the basement, out of the garage! The colorful story of the first instruments to capture and replay all kinds of sounds: The Chamberlin, the Mellotron ...

27/06/2025

The 22 West studio is located in the CSULB Student Union building, which is being renovated. The station may be off air & off streaming in July or you may hear reruns of the same show for several weeks while we move to a temporary location. I suggest you play lots of CDs & LPs till we return in August!

13/06/2025

This weekend we celebrate 2 years on HD radio (& the 'net of course). Pat plays personal favorites-- so self-indulgent! Remember to click *HD3 FM* on the 22West website!

25/05/2025

Student radio staff graduate CSULB & interruptions follow. FM HD3 will return soon.

30/04/2025

Bon Voyage, David Thomas of Pere Ubu (1953-2025)

The frontman of the influential, avant-garde rock band was heralded for his untamable voice and spirit

17/04/2025

Good news from another of our local public radio stations with a focus on music: thesocalsound.org

14/04/2025

A long post about Record & CD prices 😜!
How expensive are discs these days?

Digging thru my old magazine ads, LPs were averaging $4.98 USD in '65 (min wage $1.25/hr) so a teenager might work about 4 hours to buy an album.

In 1974, the price was about $5.98 (min wage $2.00/hr) or maybe less with all the big record store chains competing, so around 3 hours got you a new record (8 Track tapes were $6.98).

By 1991, CDs sold for $12.98 to $15.98 (min wage $4.25/hr) so working 4 hours got you a new CD with change left over (a bit less of a bargain than the '70's).

California min wage is $16.50 in 2025. Taylor's Tortured Poets Soc'y is $45.99 (Target) & AC/DC LPs are $29.99 (Best Buy), Music Direct charges $37.99 for the remastered Wings Venus & Mars on LP or you can buy the Japan import deluxe Venus & Mars CD for $25.98 from Universal so you can do the math.
Have fun!

04/04/2025

April 4 & 5 show features tunes for Spring Break traveling, that new London Grammar cut I like & a few political protest songs-- is 2025 a bit like 1965?

04/04/2025

If you close your eyes & forget that most band members are kids, this is still a pretty respectable version!

Hey guys! We had a special request for tonight’s song. C**t and I both really like this song but forgot it existed. When we saw the request, we remembered al...

14/03/2025

St. Paddy's Day weekend coming up!
Listen Friday or Saturday from 6 to 8 Pacific. https://22westmedia.com
Remember to click FM HD 3 in the dropdown menu!

12/03/2025

*sigh* 2025 keeps getting worse. After 20 years, BBC music radio will be exclusive to UK citizens. It was fun while it lasted!