This Halloween Eve the tricks and treats are all rolled into one on A Reasonable Alternative. We are featuring bands with scary names like Vampire Weekend (above left) and Monsters of Folk (above right). Not to mention tunes about Skeletons, Phantom Limbs and other frightful topics. But don't be fooled, the music isn't scary at all- just the usual low-key modern alternative rock you are used to hearing on our show. So be sure to tune in from 8-9 Friday, Oct. 30.

A Reasonable Alternative will be sending out good vibrations this Friday, September 4th on KRUU. In preparation for the upcoming Labor Day concert, I'll be spinning some of my favorite Beach Boys tunes, plus some covers by alternative artists like Sonic Youth (above), Jonatha Brooke and Gym Class Heroes. You'll also hear bands like Grizzly Bear, The Shins and Fleet Foxes, showing the Beach Boys profound influence on today's popular music. If that sound's like your idea of Fun, Fun, Fun, then tune in from 8 to 9 PM.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to ignore alternative rock bands which all sound like the others, and tune to the separate but not equal KRUU radio station.... for A Reasonable Alternative on Friday nights from 8 to 9 pm. That's right- we have declared independents, or "indie" music as something worth fighting for. Michael and I will celebrate Independence Day by playing music inspired by our great nation. Did you know that Tracy Chapman (above left), Simon & Garfunkel, Razorlight and M83 (above right) have all penned odes to "America"? Be sure to listen in.)

Mamma mia! To celebrate our show's involvement in this Friday's celebration, we've renamed it "All Musicians Italian- Alt Rock". Join us live on the Fairfield Square or over the airwaves as we pay tribute to great Italian American musicians such as Elvis Costello (above left), Bruce Springsteen, Chris Isaak, Nikka Costa (above right), Ani DiFranco and many more! So while you are at the All Things Italian Fairfield Art Walk enjoying ethnic food, art and people, complete the experience by listening to some great music from Italy (albeit indirectly). Look for Mike and I by the KRUU bus from 8 to 9, June 6.

This week A Reasonable Alternative makes a fun detour, honoring great lyricists with Smoky, a.k.a. Bill Godfrey. Smoky- talented poet, gardener and longtime Fairfield resident, as well as the father-in-law of host Matt Mullenneaux- celebrates his birthday today by paying a visit to the KRUU studio for a reading of his latest poetry. We'll also explore the music of some of America's greatest singer-songwriters, from Woody Guthrie to James Taylor to Ani DiFranco, and try to determine whether any of Bob Dylan's masterful storytelling abilities have been passed on to his progeny. Tune in to A Reasonable Alternative Friday night, March 27, from 8 to 9. Happy Birthday Smoky!

What better way to neutralize the dreaded Friday the 13th than with A "Lucky" Reasonable Alternative St. Patrick's Day tribute! That's right- as is our annual custom, "Mac" Halley and Matt O'Mullen will be playing an hour of songs by Irish musicians. And no, they're not Bono! OK, some of them are Bono...and The Edge, Adam and Larry. But in addition to playing some of U2's latest, "No Line on the Horizon", we'll also feature bands like Bell X1 (pictured) and the Cranberries, as well as artists like Damien Rice and Rufus Wainright (he's just a quarter Irish, but that still counts). So tune in to KRUU FM Friday evening from 8 to 9!

A Reasonable Alternative will celebrate the "Fire and Ice" theme this Friday, in honor of the First Friday's ArtWalk. You'll hear some blazing hot tracks, like Jimi Hendrix "Fire", as well as some cool down tunes, such as Sarah McLachlan's "Ice Cream". So if you are heading out in your car, or you are just going to stay in and hibernate, keep your dial at 100.1 FM from 8 to 9 PM, Friday, January 2nd.

As a belated Christmas present to our devoted listeners we will be featuring some of the finest alternative rock, pop and folk music to debut this year. Tune in to "A Reasonable Alternative- Best of 2008" show this Friday, December 26th, and you will hear some new artists, such as Meiko, and some new music from familiar faces like Conor Oberst (above right), and also reflections on the wild and wacky Year of the Rat, with some not-so-conventional "best of" lists.

Get into the spirit of the season this Friday, December 19, 2008 by listening to A Reasonable Alternativity Holiday Show. We'll tell you who has been naughty and who has been nice this year, and also play some alternative holiday rock, such as The Killers "Don't Shoot Me Santa", and Fiona Apple's rendition of "Frosty the Snowman". If we run out of tunes, Michael and Matt will start singing Christmas carols, so feel free to call in requests. You better watch out, you better think twice, and you better tune in from 8 to 9 PM this Friday, December 19th!