What ever happened to AM radio? What ever happened to the days before format driven conglomerates ruled the airwaves? And what ever happened to the days when the DJ at your favorite local station weren't actually coming to you live (via the "pipeline" as some of us call it) from a suite in an office building 2000 miles away? What ever happened to the radio that I grew up with?

I can't help but to feel a certain twinge of sadness to know that my radio listening in the car has de-evolved to the same "clicker" mentality that I approach in my television watching. I find myself in a constant state of readiness to change the dial as soon as the same old song (that I heard four times on the previous day) rears it's ugly head again. Radio used to be a safe-haven away from the repetition and over-abundance of shoddily made advertisements that actually seemed to be five times louder than the actual show you were watching or listening to. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case.

The complaint I hear most often is "there is no good new music!!!" Well...that is a pretty broad based statement, but not all together off base. The problem is that mainstream radio only covers a minor portion of new music being created. The big radio conglomerates play music provided for them by the big record labels and promotion companies. They are in the business of telling you what they think you should hear. This usually tends to be watered down contemporary pop music (or who ever is the "flavor of the month" in Spin Magazine). One needs to approach the search for good music like you would a bargain bin at your favorite record shop. Sometimes you need to dig... and dig deep. In this day and age of computers, cell phones, and other technology (that I can't even pretend to know how to spell or pronounce), you have millions of new songs and groups just waiting to be added to your MP3 collection. There is literally something for everyone out there. You need to keep in mind that just because you don't hear it on the radio, it doesn't mean doesn't exist!!!

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty by digging a little. Don't be afraid to try out a new independent music site that you've never heard of. Don't be afraid to take a chance on the suggestion of a new group from a chat room. And most importantly, don't be afraid to call your radio stations to let them know what you want to hear. What's the worst they can do, say no?

Fetish Lane is an American Roots Music Band. Members include Ken Held, Israel Lorimer, Ed Gliha, John Edick, Darrin Trass and Brian O'Connell.

Photography featured on this website was done in large part by friends, fans and family of the band including, but not limited to the following folks: Nikki Bisaha, Sarah Lewis, Aliscia Gaucher, Stacie Edick, Noelle Dasilva, and Johann Cash.

Website design and construction by: Thirsty Fish Graphic Design and Fetish Lane.