Aerial View was WFMU’s first regularly-scheduled phone-in talk show. Hosted by Chris T. and on the air since 1989, the show features topical conversation, interviews and many trips down the rabbit hole. Until further notice, Aerial View is only available as a podcast, available every Tuesday morning. Subscribe to the newsletter “See You Next Tuesday!” and find tons of archives at aerialview.me. (Visit homepage.)

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November 18, 2014: Punk Rock Saved My Life
My in-studio guest tonight is author Tony Rettman, whose new book - NYHC: New York Hardcore 1980 - 1990 - examines the people. bands, music, clubs and culture of that movement. It's a subject near and dear to me: I was a founding member of the band The Nihilistics, which most people didn't consider Hardcore, nor New York-based. They were probably correct. The Nihilistics were more punk rock than hardcore, if you're understanding of "hardcore" is music built for moshing. And thought Lindenhurst - where Mike Nicolosi and myself (pictured above) came from IS on Long Island, which IS part of New York State and only forty miles east of Manhattan, we had a hard time being considered "New York" for the purposes of "the scene".

The Nihilistics get their own chapter in NYHC, as do The Stimulators, Bad Brains, Even Worse, False Prophets, The Undead, The Misguided, Reagan Youth, Kraut, Agnostic Front and more. Tony also delves into the venues of the day, from Tim Sommer's Noise The Show on WNYU, to the CBGB's matinee.

It's nice to see that it's all been documented for future generations. So much of what we did and achieved impacted what came next but exists on the periphery, obscure despite its influence.

Tony and I would like you to join the conversation. Call 201-209-WFMU and tell us about your involvement in the NYHC scene.

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