The Afternoon Rock Ride with Bilal

A new report says 66% of city drivers spend up to 15 minutes searching for a parking space. That's a lot of wasted gas and time! Bilal shares his own downtown parking hacks and Montrealers add theirs to the list, because we're all in this together. 

People have been sharing the funniest and most outrageous excuses they've heard someone use to get out of work early. Have you ever tried to dupe the boss with a doozie? These folks sure have, and you won't believe some of them actually worked!

A recent poll found that "backseat driving" was the most annoying thing a passenger can do in your car. What else drives you nuts when giving someone a lift? Bilal gets a plethora of answers and even calls out the wife on his biggest Passenger Pet-Peeve!

How much do you love this city? Enough to call out the most overrated landmarks? Bilal was surprised to hear Montrealers throw some of the city's most revered tourist attractions under the bus and (in some cases) jumps on the bus with them!

45 years ago today in 1981 - The Police's third album, Zenyatta Mondatta (1980) was certified gold. It's since been certified double-platinum! In the past, Sting has said "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" is one of his most misunderstood songs and guitarist Andy Summers tells you why.

Driving in Montreal is tough enough already. What's one special feature you would add to your car if you could to make life easier for you on the road? Bilal got some pretty wild and inventive responses!

After a burger joint in Preston, England put up a fake plaque stating.. "David Paich and Steve Porcaro of Toto wrote the song 'Africa' in this building in 1982." - the Preston Historical Society (who hands out the real plaques) called them out, but the owner already benefited from over 500,000 views on social media. Ever benefit from a little white lie? Bilal goes digging for the truth with some listeners!

Alex Van Halen says the album his late-brother Eddie and him were set to put out (before his death) is coming together, but they still need a singer! Would you pick a legacy rock singer, a former VH vocalist, or have someone younger take on the challenge? Bilal reveals your top picks!

A new study says the average couple has a "bedtime gap" of 80 mins - the time in between each person going to bed. Couples with shorter bedtime gaps or none at all tend to be happier together! Listeners share their bedtime routines on who stays up later and whether the science adds up.

We had a little fun on the CHOM socials today with a prompt that gave us some Michelin-star results. Who knew these simple typos would lead to some tasty band names, including Linkin Pork, Steely Flan and The Tragically Dip! Bilal reveals the most clever and delicious typos.

Over the weekend, Bilal discovered the on-ramp to Mercier bridge from Aut-20 (westbound) to the rue Clement exit was like driving on the moon! It seems to be getting worst, and Montrealers weighed in on the worst pothole-stretches in the city! 

Local artists get the spotlight today as one of our former CHOM Promotions teammates teases her new EP The Wax (Mar. 20) - Cinzia & The Eclipse is worthy of an international stage with new single "Thread" and plays Petit Campus, March 6th. Plus, Midnight Miles release blazing new single, "Ease My Mind" ahead of their show next Sunday Feb. 22 at Turbo Haüs!

Brad Arnold (47), lead singer of 3 Doors Down died after a courageous battle with kidney cancer. Songs like "Kryptonite", "When I'm Gone" and "Loser" spoke to a generation of kids who felt like they didn't fit in. Bilal pays tribute to Arnold, who talks about how he approached songwriting and how artists can charge fans a lot less for tickets by living simpler lives. RIP Brad.. 

There's nothing like making a meal for the whole family, getting together and sitting around the coffee table, eating and binge-watching Netflix! A recent survey found 1 in 5 people now eat in front of the TV. Has your dinner routine changed over the years? Hear what Montrealers had to say.

After 80 years, frozen cans of juice concentrate are being phased out from groceries stores due to decreasing demand. Which other food products should be pulled from store shelves? Hear what Montrealers would like to get rid of forever!

It's Groundhog Day! In the spirit of the classic film starring Bill Murray, who wakes up to relive the same day over and over - which song would you never get sick of, even if you played it on repeat forever? Bilal reveals the most popular picks and even plays his at the end! 

Montreal's darlings, The Damn Truth just scored a nomination for Rock Album of the Year at the 2026 Juno Awards in Hamilton on March 29th! Bilal caught up with them at the airport just before boarding a flight to their European tour. Hear the band's reaction to the news they didn't even know was coming! 

After some local bands cleverly used a guerilla-marketing technique to promote their show, claiming April Wine are the "..best band in town" - Bilal wondered, "Are they?!" So many great and globally-renowned names to choose from - hear which bands/artists got a nomination from Montrealers!

Now, let's go to the show.. only $10 - info here!

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck reveals why the song "Stand", from their 6th studio album Green (1988) marked a sonic evolution for the Athens, Georgia band.