X/Z Song Trader: "Radiation Vibe"
A Gen X Rocker Discusses Music With His Gen Z Daughter
About X/Z Song Trader: Steve is a music journalist, author and musician. Lucy is a diehard music fan and college student. They have always enjoyed a father/daughter bond over music. Each week one of them picks a song and they both share their perspectives. These are casual conversations based on musical connections. Opinions are their own. Keeping it positive.
Check out the whole X/Z Song Trader series.
Steve’s Perspective
This song really caught me by surprise when I first heard it in 1996.
At the time I remember leaning into slightly darker alternative rock and punk such as Jawbreaker’s Dear You, Lagwagon’s Hoss, and Descendents’ Everything Sucks, but this sugary blast of power pop was too good to ignore. I was hooked from the moment I heard that stuttering guitar intro and the snarky opening lyrics.
I was playing in Ridel High back then and deeply involved with Hollywood’s Generation Blue geek rock scene, but looking back I think I had momentarily maxed out on Weezer-inspired alt rock after binging on the Blue Album, Return of the Rentals, Pinkerton and countless other excellent LA/Santa Barbara bands in a similar vein. Which makes it even funnier that an geeky New Jersey band like Fountains Of Wayne so easily lured me back from my brief retreat.
I was living in a truly terrible apartment across the street from LAX (down the street from a sewage plant) at the time. My roommate and I ended up with FoW’s album on repeat for several weeks, at home and in the car during many round trips between El Segundo and Hollywood. Tracks like “Leave The Biker,” “Survival Car” and “Sink To The Bottom” were instant favorites—but I always came back to “Radiation Vibe.”
“Radiation Vibe” is my idea of a perfect ‘90s alternative pop song, right up there with Matthew Sweet’s “I’ve Been Waiting,” Sloan’s “The Rest Of My Life,” and Teenage Fanclub’s “Sparky’s Dream.”
Thirty years later, I’m still thrilled by the simple genius of those “Radiation Vibe” choruses, the first one kicking in with a crucial snare hit followed by irresistible “Baby, Baby Baby” lyrics.
There’s also something uniquely evocative about the phrase “Radiation Vibe,” which—as far as I know—doesn’t really mean anything, but is somehow instantly relatable. The word “vibe” wasn’t as ubiquitous in the ‘90s as it is today, so including it in the song title almost felt like a kitschy nod to the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.”
But what really made me fall for this song (and ultimately led to my becoming a lifelong FoW fan) is the quirky specificity of the lyrics in the second verse:
I went to Pittsburgh
And joined a pro team
Talk about a bad dream
I broke a knee
It probably took a few listens before that subplot fully registered, but it has made me smile ever since. In four lines, the protagonist in this song goes from being a jealous, judgy proto-hipster to having one of the most colorful back stories imaginable—one that’s completely at odds with the somewhat nerdy persona of the band (especially when he follows up by bragging about his ability to “croon” and make girls “swoon”).
Which is a long way of saying that I have always really appreciated FoW’s smart, playful and earnest approach to power pop.
A few of my other favorites from their catalog include “Red Dragon Tattoo” and “It Must Be Summer” from Utopia Parkway, “Maureen” from Out-of-State Plates, and pretty much all of Welcome Interstate Managers.
I know I played Fountains of Wayne a lot when you were growing up (I’m guessing “Hey Julie” is the one seared into your memory from countless involuntary listens!), but I wonder if your current dive into indie rock has helped you develop any kind of personal appreciation for this song or band?
Lucy’s Perspective
First of all, I love the pattern of us exchanging our ‘perfect’ songs from various genres. That is such a fun way to show our true personalities.
I began writing this from a coffee shop where I was “doing homework.” In order to hear the song, I had to play it out loud with my friends. All three of us instantly started nodding along to the beat. I think that is a perfect representation of how this song is meant to be heard.
I know you mentioned Ridel High, but for some reason the beginning of this song (vibe wise) reminded me a lot of “Silver Shifter” by your other band Tsar. Maybe it’s just the way the music sounds, or maybe just because I associate both bands with you. In all honesty, this song really encapsulates your music taste to me. A little less hardcore than some of your favorite songs, but still chill and fun.
Yes, as your daughter, I have definitely heard many Fountains of Wayne songs, most commonly “Stacy’s Mom” or “Hey Julie.”
This is the music I remember you playing in the car on drives to Gramma’s house and probably the reason why I so heavily associate it with you. I don’t remember a ton of specifics about the songs I remember you playing for me as a kid, but I do remember in “Hey Julie” when they say:
Hey, Julie, look what they're doing to me
Tryna trip me up, tryna wear me down
Julie, I swear it's so hard to bear it
And I'd never make it through without you around
No, I'd never make it through without you around
I’ve always loved that lyric so much because it has the kind of “feel good” and sweet vibe that I crave from a lot of pop songs. And you know I love “Good Vibrations.” The Beach Boys were one of my favorite bands that you played as I grew up, so that nod to them is amazing in my eyes!
My current explorations with indie rock have honestly given me a deeper appreciation for this type of music and would allow me to listen to not only this song, but many other Fountains of Wayne songs on my own.
Although Fountains of Wayne definitely have a unique sound, their music reminds me of more modern songs such as “My Stove’s on Fire” by Robert Lester Folsom and “Black Memories” by The Growlers. The ‘vibe’ and sound of these songs is very similar to “Radiation Vibe” and “Hey Julie”—to me, at least.
The upbeat feel of the song while still incorporating fun lyrics is exactly what I am looking for in music these days. Although I love to listen to my “depressing” music, I am slowly starting to find myself loving more upbeat songs for different occasions.
All of this to say, great song choice and I approve!
Welcome Interstate Managers is my fave US power-pop concept album of all time (you could probably delete either of the two descriptives and it would still be number 1) but they made a hell of a debut too. Thanks to both of you for breaking down specific lyrics too. And much as I love both those albums (Utopia Parkway not quite as much), I especially love these discussions you are having with your daughter. I have similar ones with my son about music - not the same, similar - and wish he'd sanction them to become posts also. Thanks for sharing... and yes, the kids love Big Thief.
Also, Goddamn that was rough losing Adam at the start of Covid. NOt a fun fact, but his was the first Covid death - at least the first hospitalized one - in my county.
very cool project to do with your daughter!