MUSIC. IT’S POWERFUL STUFF

MUSIC. IT’S POWERFUL STUFF

Music. It’s Powerful Stuff Wednesdays 9–10 PM PT KPCR 92.9FM Los Gatos / 101.9FM Santa Cruz / KPCR.org Music handpicked by Mike Park (plus requests from listeners), founder of Asian Man Records and longtime voice in the PUNK scene. It’s community radio at its purest: no playlists, no corporate filter, just songs that move you. “I’ve always wanted to do a live radio show,” Mike says. “I trained to do one at San Jose State in the late ’80s, but life got busy… and it’s still busy, to be honest, but I’m doing this.” From the listener’s side, you feel that history in every track. One moment it’s rare ska 7-inches, the next it’s heartfelt indie cuts or stories from decades on the road. Mike’s enthusiasm pulls you in: “The clincher was that the radio station is only a 15-minute bike ride from my house. It’s also community radio, and I’m allowed to play the music that I want to play. Let’s do this.” Tune in live on FM or stream online. It feels personal because it is.

Episodes

July 24, 2025 87 mins

This episode features a lively discussion between the hosts and callers about pivotal musical experiences. One host recalls seeing Fishbone in 1985 as a life-changing event that ignited his passion for music. The other host mentions Louis Armstrong and Paul Simon's Graceland as early influences, along with the band Cheekface. The episode includes calls from listeners, one of whom discovered the band Korean Girls through TikTok, hig...

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A dynamic journey through punk, new wave, and even some folk, largely driven by listener requests! Host Mike Park fields calls from Bay Area listeners, including a "first-time caller" from Pacifica and the returning "Bob Records." Mike plays some unfamiliar tunes, offers real-time commentary, and even shares a few personal anecdotes, all while navigating the unpredictable nature of live radio. The show also pays tribute to the late...

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Mike Park hosts "Music, It's Powerful Stuff" every Wednesday from 8 PM to 10 PM Pacific Time on KPCR 92.9 FM in San Jose, California, and globally via kpcr.org. This episode, airing on Wednesday, August 14th, was his third show, and its theme was female artists/vocalists.

Show Highlights:

  • Personal Touches: Mike shares personal anecdotes, including his emotional reaction to the passing of Kim Shattuck of The Muffs, his newfound lo...
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This episode of "Music is Powerful Stuff," hosted by Mike Park, features his friend Bailey, the bassist from the band Scowl. They discuss the San Jose music scene, local food spots, and other "hidden gems" in San Jose. Mike also recounts his humorous regret about not signing Scowl to Asian Man Records. The episode is punctuated by various musical selections and lighthearted banter, including discussions about touring and past jobs.

...

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July 24, 2025 111 mins

This is the second episode of "Music, It's Powerful Stuff" hosted by Mike Park on KPCR.org, Pirate Cat Radio (92.9 FM in San Jose). The episode features Mike taking live calls from listeners, discussing music, bands, and personal anecdotes. He expresses his excitement for doing live, nonprofit community radio where he can play whatever he wants and interacts with callers, answering their questions and receiving feedback.

Songs Playe...

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July 24, 2025 117 mins

The debut episode of "Music It's Powerful Stuff," hosted by Mike Park, aired on 92.9 FM KPCR Pirate Cat Radio, with online streaming also available (though the website was experiencing issues). Mike, still getting the hang of the board, expressed his excitement for the show, which will run every Wednesday from 8 to 10 PM Pacific time. He also encouraged listeners to share the show and call in.

Setlist & Discussion Points

  • The ...
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December 26, 2024 118 mins

This special Christmas night episode of "Music is Powerful Stuff" features host Mike, joined by his friend Sim Castro, a multi-instrumentalist from the Fat and Funky crew, known for bands like Shinobu, Hard Girls, Terradon, and Albert Square. The duo dedicates the evening to playing a variety of Christmas music, taking live calls from listeners who share their holiday experiences and song requests.

Highlights include heartfelt discu...

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This episode of "Music is Powerful Stuff" hosted by Mike Park on Pirate Cat Radio (92.9 FM Los Gatos / 101.9 FM Santa Cruz and kpcr.org) is a festive blend of Christmas music and engaging listener calls. As the station approaches the final days of its winter pledge drive, Mike encourages donations to support the non-profit, volunteer-run community radio. He even offers a Pirate Cat Radio t-shirt for donations of $25 or more. The sh...

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This episode of "Music is Powerful Stuff" doubles as a "Frozen Frequencies Fundraiser" for Pirate Cat Radio (KPCR), a listener-supported, commercial-free community radio station. Host Mike Park urges listeners to donate to help cover bills and keep the station on air, offering a Pirate Cat Radio t-shirt for a $25 donation. Throughout the show, Mike takes calls from regular listeners, Izzy from Riverside (who always calls around the...

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This episode is a lively, albeit sometimes fumbled, journey through Mike's musical tastes and anecdotes. He candidly admits to making mistakes on air, including talking without his mic on, but embraces the learning process. The show features a mix of genres, from pop-punk to hardcore, and includes listener call-ins for song requests and discussions. Highlights include a talk with Izzy about Oingo Boingo, a check-in with Trash from ...

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This episode of "Music is Powerful Stuff" airs on the eve of Thanksgiving, with host Mike Park preparing to host the holiday. He plays a diverse setlist, sharing personal anecdotes about some of the bands, like his long-standing love for Seven Seconds. The show features multiple listener call-ins, including a question about Mike Park's solo album "North Hangook Falling" from a first-time caller, a request from a friend in Riverside...

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November 20, 2024 116 mins

This episode of "Music is Powerful Stuff" is an all-instrumental affair, with host Mike and co-host Randy Moore exploring a wide range of instrumental tracks. They take calls from listeners, including a regular caller Izzy from Riverside and a first-time caller from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Mike also shares humorous anecdotes about getting free movie tickets and popcorn. The hosts discuss the challenges of finding instrumental s...

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November 13, 2024 116 mins

This episode of "Music is Powerful Stuff" lives up to its ad-libbed opening with host Mike Park playing a diverse, free-form set of punk, indie, and alternative tracks, taking live requests from callers and Instagram. He shares anecdotes about the bands, expresses his appreciation for community radio, and even offers $10 to a listener who can prove they're tuning in from Santa Cruz on 101.9 FM. The show concludes, as always, with a...

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November 6, 2024 117 mins

This episode kicks off with a call from Izzy in Riverside, who shares her post-election feelings and discusses the recent Danny Elfman concert. The host then plays "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy, setting a tone of resilience. Throughout the show, the host encourages listeners to practice self-care and find healing through music, especially after the election. The episode features a diverse set of music, including punk, ska, and ...

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This special Halloween Eve episode of "Music is Powerful Stuff" features host Mike Park playing a variety of spooky-themed songs, from punk rock to classical. Mike entertains listeners with stories, including a humorous anecdote about attending a party at K-Star's house, and takes calls from listeners for song requests and general life advice. Despite some on-air technical mishaps, Mike keeps the festive spirit alive with a mix of ...

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October 16, 2024 126 mins

This episode of "Music is Powerful Stuff" sees DJ Bones Shredder (Randy Moore) filling in for the usual host, Mike Park, who is away rehearsing for his Bruce Lee Band shows. Bones Shredder brings listeners "Sunken Teeth Radio," playing a selection of his favorite punk, rock, and power-pop tracks. The show features a mix of Bay Area legends, underground bands, and a special "Asian Man Records Power Hour" dedicated to the influential...

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This episode of Pirate Cat Radio KPCR (101.9 FM Santa Cruz, 92.9 FM Los Gatos) was initially planned as a Halloween special, but due to a scheduling change, host Mike Park decided to make it a "just whatever" show with no particular theme. Joined by his friend Randy Moore, who was enjoying pizza and a Sprite, Mike celebrated their (approximate) six-week anniversary of doing the show.

Throughout the broadcast, Mike played a mix of pu...

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Mike Park and guest Carlos (a University of Pacific alum) battle the scorching Los Gatos heat, which hit an astounding 106 degrees. Despite technical glitches early on, Mike delivers a mix of punk, indie, and alternative tracks, sharing personal anecdotes like dancing with a "Leprechaun 2" actress and his love for "horrible food." They discuss classic punk venues and the evolving live music scene in San Francisco, alongside promoti...

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September 25, 2024 121 mins

Mike Park explores the fascinating world of cover songs versus their originals. Mike plays both versions of various tracks, sometimes starting with the cover and sometimes the original. He shares his enthusiasm for community radio, highlights the station's pledge month, and even offers Asian Man Records merchandise for donations. Throughout the show, Mike engages with listener requests and discovers new cover versions himself, maki...

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Featuring tracks from Dear Watcher and The Marked Men. Mike shares the trials and tribulations of fulfilling a large Alkaline Trio pre-order and emphasizes the joy of discovering new music through listener requests.

Mike interviews Elijah, a miniature model artist known for his punk-related creations, including models of CBGBs, 924 Gilman Street, and the 9:30 Club. He discusses his work, his models being featured in the Punk Rock Mu...

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