If you've had your radio tuned into 96X (WROX) recently between 12am-1am on a Friday night, you probably caught "The Late Late Rock Show", a show that consists of indie rock and b-sides. We decided to catch up with the host of "The Late Late Rock Show", Chad Boykin, and see how this all got started. You can check out Chad's bio and if you don't live in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area you can hear the live webcast of "The Late Late Show" during it's airtime at www.96X.fm (interview by David Blevins).

Where did you come up with the idea for The Late Late Rock Show?

Chad: Most people have heard of The Punk Show with Michele Diamond and Justin Kredible, which is on 96X Sunday nights from 7pm-10pm. Hearing their show definitely gave me the knowledge that something similar was possible. It's also done very well in terms of the number of people who listen and are aware of it, so I thought that an indie rock show would be a good idea.

How did you get started in the radio biz?

Chad: I was invited to a 96X listener test a few years back and asked then how I could become part of their staff. I applied, interviewed for and got the job in their promotions department. In fact, most of what I do for the station is in promotions. I've been with the radio station for over three years total.

Do you play what you want on the show or does the station get to pick?

Chad: There's no playlist and no limitation on what I can play. As long as it's within the format (indie rock and b-sides), which is very inclusive, and it's "clean", meaning no "shit" or "fuck", then I can play it. I'm in the studio around 10pm on Friday nights to set up for the show, so I pick out a few songs to start with, then I cross my fingers and hope that someone will call in and ask me to play something. That's it. Everyone who listens and calls in determines what I play on a weekly basis. That's the way it should be.

What's your opinion on the recent success of one time indie bands such as Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional?

Chad: Obviously some bands just translate well and are more "listener friendly" than others. I think we all knew that Jimmy Eat World was going to break out; it was just a matter of time. Now you could go into the change in their sound, which some people refer to as "selling out", but it just comes down to writing music that many people can relate to, and the same goes for Dashboard Confessional. You listen to any of Chris's albums and you find yourself singing along after only a couple of listens. The hooks and melodies stay with you, and they're singing about things that everyone can relate to, which makes for lots of fans and success. It's good to see them being recognized for the talents that they have.

So what bands are the most important to you right now and which ones do you think are on the rise?

Chad: Well, I think that it's time for another shifting of musical paradigms. The garage sound is definitely on it's way into the mainstream with bands like The Strokes, The White Stripes and The Hives leading the way. I don't think that it's coincidence that Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional have recently had great success either. The Faint is doing quite a few dates with No Doubt and The Get Up Kids spent a few months opening for Green Day and Weezer. Of course these fews bands are simply the surface of what is indie rock, but I think it's the beginning of something. As for bands that I think are important and/or on the rise, And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead has just released their first major-label record. It's amazing. I think they've got a video on MTV2, so keep an eye out for them. Their new record, Source Tags & Codes, is a real rocker and definitely worth owning. ! Desaparecidos, which is Conor Oberst from Bright Eyes and his new rock and roll band, is also awesome. You should try to check out their newest full length from Saddle Creek. It's called Read Music/Speak Spanish. I'm not much on Bright Eyes, but this record is all about the rock, which is distinctly not Bright Eyes, so check it out. The Dismemberment Plan is going places. I think they're going to do some serious winning of hearts in the near future. Most of the indie rock crowd has heard of them, but I don't think that we're going to have them much longer. There are just a ton of awesome bands out there, so I can't go into all of them, but here are some honorable mentions: Damien Jurado and his new record, the new Casket Lottery CD rules for sure, and The Appleseed Cast has come a long, long way with their Low Level Owl albums.

Is there any chance for local indie bands to be played on The Late Late Rock Show?

Chad: Honestly, locality doesn't come into the equation for me when I'm deciding whether or not to play something. Quality is always what determines that. I don't think that bands should be given special consideration because of how close they live to the radio station. If you're writing quality music and have a nice-sounding recording of your music, then I'll put it on the show. Still, it's purely a subjective standard when it comes down to it, and I make the choice on a case-by-case basis. It's never personal, so I hope that any local musicians reading this will understand that. It's simply about playing good rock during the time I'm alloted.

I've heard you on the air during regular programming on the weekend, are you into the music you have to play and have you ever just sneaked an indie band in during those sets?

Chad: Yeah, I'm one of the "in case of emergency, break glass" DJs at the station. I'm never on regularly during the weekends, but occasionally I can help out when someone can't work. Like every other person who listens to the radio, I'm not into every song that I have to play during those shifts, or even during my show, but there are a lot of bands that I do enjoy. It's funny that you mention sneaking in songs. The want to share an amazing song with all of the people listening to the station during the day is there, but I definitely stick to the regular format while I'm doing another shift. Still, there's nothing wrong with a little temptation and maybe one day I'll be able to play some of it without having to sneak it in. We'll make it happen.

So when your not on the air, what do you in your spare time?

Chad: I'm a slacker. I go to the Portsmouth T.C.C. This summer I'll be spending most of it at summer camp. I'm a camp counselor at Camp Silver Beach on the Eastern Shore. Of course, a lot of my time is devoted to listening to new music. Just think of how much time it takes to truly sit down and digest an entire album. Now imagine yourself getting 4-6 new albums every week. It takes a ton of time. There are a few people who are willing to tolerate me. Those are my friends, so I try to hang out with them when they'll have me. I try to make it out to shows (see the driving comments below) as well. I'm a big fan of live rock. Pretty soon I'm going to break down, purchase a Playstation 2 and become a recluse. I thihk that's most of what my time is devoted to.

Anything else you want to say?

Chad: First off, my program director and boss, Michele Diamond, gets absolutely all of the credit for starting The Punk Show and allowing my show to happen as well. I may have had the idea for my show, but without her support it never would have happened. She's done something very important for our area by giving radio some true diversity and spontaneity. I hope that people recognize that. 96X is doing something that most radio stations are unwilling to do, which is give voice to a genre of music, not because of it's huge financial backing or connections, but because it should be heard and shared.

Also, my show is going to be very diverse. This is intentional on my part. I don't want my show to be predictable or limited in any way. Of course I'm going to play my fair share of "emo" or whatever you want to call it, but I'm also going to slow things down and speed them up. All rock, big and small, is welcome on The Late Late Rock Show, so I would encourage everyone to listen with an open mind and realize that it's about listening to something for the first time and figuring out why you do or do not like it. Unlike most of commercial radio, indie rock isn't always immediately gratifying nor is it supposed to be. I would like to think that a lot of what indie rock has to offer is just a little smarter, more sarcastic, and humorous than "regular" rock. Sometimes it takes a couple of listens before a song can start to grow on you, so give it a chance.

Having said that, there are a couple of things that listeners can do to help the show. One, you can actively participate by calling me up or emailing me with your requests. I know what I want to hear. I want to know what you want to hear. If you call for something that I don't have, which is very likely, I'll do my best to go out and buy it. I'm BROKE for buying new cds! It's not pretty, I swear. Two, you can spread the word about the show. It's on late at night when most people aren't listening to the radio, and I know that a good majority of people who listen to indie rock don't usually listen to the radio in any case because there was nothing there before. Well, now's your chance. That open-minded approach to the show also applies to the folks out there who are "too cool" for radio. You may not ever listen to the radio, but my show is a chance for us to take control for a period of time and make it ours, so don! 't waste that opportunity because you were unwilling to give it a shot.

Oh, and who's tired of driving to see good shows? I know I am. Chapel Hill, Richmond, and D.C. are very far away. It's possible for us to have those shows come here. It starts with making an effort to get out to the few shows that do make their way through. It also helps to email bands that you like and tell them to come through here, maybe even give them the name of someone you know who books shows and let them know that they're being played on the radio. Tell them to email me if nothing else. Oh, and speaking of emailing me, my station email address doesn't work well. If you want to get in touch with me for any reason by email, please email me at "thelatelaterockshow@yahoo.com".

Lastly, I just want to say thank you in the largest way possible to Dave and Facedownfall for taking an immediate interest in the show. This is where it all starts, people just trying to get the word out about something new. It's exciting for me to be a part of it. Thanks to anyone and everyone who listens and calls in. Rock on. Take care. Thanks.