DJ Robert Drake

Life's Path, Revisited

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:12:00 -0500

An average person crosses paths with tens of thousands of people in their lifespan. Some more, some less. Of those thousands upon thousands of bodies that step in and out of your world, only a select number leave any lasting impression.

In fall of 1986 I was at a major turning point in my life, having abandoned everything I knew as a young adult by leaving Center City Philly and retreating to the vast, anonymous area known as The Great Northeast.

I moved away to end one chapter and, thus, begin another. The problem was I had no idea where I was heading or what I would do next. I picked up a passionless gig as a night manager of a Wawa and cocooned myself in a small apartment overlooking the nonstop traffic of Roosevelt Boulevard when not at work.

I escaped my self-imposed exile with music - my collection of vinyl and my radio. I listened faithfully to stations like WXPN … to feed my desire for unique and different sounds.

A year later, the fall of 1987, I listened as WXPN debuted a program, Kids America, originating out of New York City. The show was designed for children but I enjoyed the creativity that it forced its young fans to have; use your imagination! It was hosted by a perky voice that was both charming and soothing. I instantly became a fan and listened whenever possible.

A few months later - the show was cancelled and in its place were announcements asking for volunteers to help WXPN create a local version of the now-cancelled national kids program.

Not having any direction in my life, I volunteered to help out.

I met the host of this new project; the charming, soothing voice that I had enjoyed months earlier - Kathy O’Connell. It was that day - Tuesday, January 5, 1988 - that my life’s destiny was being forged.

Of course, I had no clue at the time - no one did - that my life’s path was being paved. But the fact is, had I not met Kathy, I would not, today, be calling WXPN home for the past twenty-four years. I would not have established myself as an award-winning radio producer and host. I would not have been able to explore my love for all things New Wave the way I have, what with Land Of The Lost and even my personal projects like Sex Dwarf.

With the success of Kids Corner, my internal faith grew and allowed me to once -again believe in myself - which led to dozens of creative side projects over the decades.

I would not have met some incredible people, both professionally and personally; people who have helped shape, develop and mold me into the man I am today.

None of this would have happened to me - had it not been for Kathy and that fateful January evening in 1988.

Today Kathy celebrates her birthday.

And, although I am lucky to have a nice circle of friends, a life partner and an envious network of contacts - - I am most grateful to have Kathy.

Kathy jokes that I take care of everything else so she’s able to be who she is. Fact is, it goes both ways.

I’m able to be who I am because of Kathy O’Connell.

Much love Kathy - and Happy Birthday!

One of the many VHS tapes unearthed in our music room today; a...

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:08:00 -0500

One of the many VHS tapes unearthed in our music room today; a promo video reel from CEMA

70+ years later, Franklin D. Roosevelt still speaks the truth.

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:35:36 -0500

70+ years later, Franklin D. Roosevelt still speaks the truth.

M.I.A.

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:49:38 -0500

Every time there’s potential snow in the forecast, TV news reports a rush for shovels, etc. How do all these people lose their shovels from the last storm?!

Sometimes you just need a never-ending experience…

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:45:45 -0500

Sometimes you just need a never-ending experience…

Bloom! There are at least five bouquets of flowers being carried...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:21:02 -0500

Bloom! There are at least five bouquets of flowers being carried on the bus home tonight (including this one next to me) - I guess there was a special or something… hehe

A DJ's Work Is Never Done

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:23:54 -0500

Thanks to the fine folks at Philadelphia Weekly (specifically BC) for finding my interesting enough to toss under their spotlight today … a nice lil’ piece of info!

Enjoy!

http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/music/2012/02/01/qa-dj-robert-drakes-sex-dwarf-is-a-very-good-time/

My Toasty Warm Man. (Taken with instagram)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:14:01 -0500

My Toasty Warm Man. (Taken with instagram)

I LOVE THIS! It’s a wonderful report from the streets of...

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:24:52 -0500

I LOVE THIS!

It’s a wonderful report from the streets of NYC; October 1983 … hosted by Jools Holland & Leslie Ash. Follow them as they explore NYC underground nightlife. I love hearing KISS-FM in the cab; seeing the Klaus Nomi exhibit Danceteria did a few months after his passing; views of The Roxy, including a chat with Arthur Baker(!) and Nona Hendrix; all capped with a visit to Paradise Garage at 4am to chat with The Peech Boys and catch a live show from Quando Quango!

WHAT FUN!!

Sex Dwarf Playlist 1.6

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:22:59 -0500

Sex Dwarf Playlist
Friday, January 6
- Duran Duran Spotlight-

DJ Robert Drake 9:00 - 10:30pm

Gary Numan / Music For Chameleons
Art Of Noise / Close To The Edit
Duran Duran / Friends Of Mine
Kraftwerk / Tour de France
Blancmange / Don’t Tell Me
DEVO / That’s Pep
OMD / Locomotion
Human League / Hard Times
Human League / Seconds
Duran Duran / Sound Of Thunder
Eurythmics / Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This
Depeche Mode / Dreaming Of Me
Prince / Computer Blue
A Flock Of Seagulls / The More You Live, The More You Love
Duran Duran / New Religion
Talking Heads / And She Was
Book Of Love / Boy
Duran Duran / Fame
David Bowie / Because You’re Young
Thompson Twins / In The Name Of Love
The Jesus & Mary Chain / Head On
DEVO / Peek A Boo
The Ramones / Blitzkrieg Bop

DJ Marilyn Thomas 10:30 - 11:30pm

Cyndi Lauper / She Bop
Eurythmics / Missionary Man
Duran Duran / A View To A Kill
Arcadia / Election Day
Depeche Mode / Never Let Me Down Again
New Order / Temptation
Duran Duran / Planet Earth
Pete Shelley / Homosapien
Duran Duran / Notorious
Thompson Twins / Lies
Duran Duran / Union Of The Snake
Information Society / Pure Energy
Duran Duran / The Reflex
Human League / Love Action

DJ Robert Drake 11:30pm - 12:15am

The Flirts / Passion
Klein & MBO / Dirty Talk
Yazoo / Situation
Duran Duran / Wild Boys
Kid Creole & The Coconuts / Stool Pigeon
Raf / Self Control
Specimen / Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Pretty Poison / Catch Me, I’m Falling
Duran Duran / New Moon On Monday
Duran Duran / Please Tell Me Now
Human League / Don’t You Want Me

DJ Marilyn Thomas 12:15 - 1:00am

Duran Duran / Careless Memories
The Cure / Friday, I’m In Love
David Bowie / Suffrajette City
Duran Duran / Girls On Film
Duran Duran / Rio
New Order / Age Of Consent
Joy Division / Love Will Tear Us Apart
Duran Duran / I Don’t Want Your Love
Erasure / A Little Respect
Duran Duran / Hungry Like The Wold
Culture Club / I’ll Tumble For Ya
Madness / Our House
OMD / Tesla Girls
Level 42 / Something About You

DJ Robert Drake 1:00 - 2:00am

Common Sense / Voices Inside My Head
The Dead Milkmen / You’ll Dance To Anything
Depeche Mode / Everything Counts
Kate Bush / Cloudbursting
Duran Duran / Save A Prayer
Grace Jones / Pull Up To The Bumper
Prince / Kiss
Duran Duran / My Own Way
DEVO / Find Out
OMD / Forver Live Or Die
Depeche Mode / Stripped
Duran Duran / The Chauffeur - closing song

The Ultimate 80s Dance Party RETURNS!

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:11:48 -0500

I had such fun last October, that I’m coming back to World Cafe Live at The Queen for another ULTIMATE 80s Dance Party - Saturday, January 21!!

Tickets are just $10 both in person and online - so gather your friends and make it a party night; click and get yours now!

Last time we had over 200 people celebrating the Rock of the 80s … let’s make this the HOT Winter Party of Wilmington … spread the word and join us for a night of flashback fun!

Plus - we’ll have prizes for the most creative 80s outfits of the night!!

Sex Dwarf New Years Eve Playlist

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:12:30 -0500

Sex Dwarf Playlist
New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2011

DJ Robert Drake 8:00-8:30pm

Howard Jones / No One Is To Blame
Yazoo / Only You
Thompson Twins / King For A Day
Gang Of Four / I Love A Man In A Uniform
Human League / Hard Times
English Beat / I Confess

DJ Marilyn Thomas 8:30-9:30pm

King / Love & Pride
Blancmange / Don’t Tell Me
Sparks / Beat The Clock
Madness / House Of Fun
XTC / Generals & Majors
DEVO / Jerkin Back N Forth
Adam Ant / Strip
The Buggles / Clean Clean
Yello / Bostich
The Vapors / Turning Japanese
After The Fire / Der Komissar
Re-Flex / The Politics Of Dancing
Talking Heads / Once In A Lifetime
INXS / What You Need

DJ Robert Drake 9:30 - 10:30pm

Scritti Politti / Woodbeez
Tin Tin / Kiss Me
Yazoo / Situation
Laidback / White Horse
Depeche Mode / Just Can’t Get Enough
The Cure / Close To Me
English Beat / Tenderness
a-ha / Take On Me
Giorgio Moroder & Philip Oakey / Good Bye, Bad Times
Berlin / Sex (I’m A…)
Bronski Beat / Why
George Kranz / Din Daa Daa
Toto Coelo / I Eat Cannibals
Pat Benetar / Love Is A Battlefield

DJ Marilyn Thomas 10:30 - 11:30pm

David Bowie / Let’s Dance
The Clash / Mustapha Dance
Pigbag / Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag
Haircut 100 / Favorite Shirts
Naked Eyes / Always Something There To Remind Me
Frankie Goes To Hollywood / Relax
Dead Or Alive / Brand New Lover
Animotion / Obsession
Depeche Mode-New Order / Strange Love Triangle
Erasure / Chains Of Love
Smiths / Bigmouth Strikes Again
Julian Cope / World Shut Your Mouth
Echo & The Bunnymen / The Cutter
Romeo Void / Never Say Never
Duran Duran / Rio

DJ Robert Drake 11:30pm-12:30am

David Bowie / The Jean Genie
The Ramones / Teenage Lobotomy
Rocky Horror Cast / Time Warp
Prince / 1999
Eurythmics / 1984 (Sexcrimes)
Deodato / SOS (Fire In The Sky)
U2 / New Year’s Day
Selector / On My Radio
The Buzzcocks / Everybody’s Happy Nowadays
Men Without Hats / I Got The Message
New Order / Blue Monday
Duran Duran / Hungry Like The Wolf

DJ Marilyn Thomas 12:30 - 1:15am

Peter Godwin / Images Of Heaven
Peter Schilling / The Different Story
Japan / Quiet Life
Visage / Night Train
Classic Nouveaux / Guilty
Siouxsie & The Banshees / Spellbound
Killing Joke / Eighties
Simple Minds / Sanctify Yourself
OMD / So In Love
Psychedelic Furs / Heaven
Depeche Mode / Everything Counts
A Certain Ratio / Shack Up
Combo Audio / Romanticide

DJ Robert Drake 1:15 - 2:00am

Ministry / I Wanted To Tell Her
Tom Tom Club / Man With The 4-Way Hips
The Bollock Brothers / Harley David
Duran Duran / Please Tell Me How
Madness / Our House
The Waitresses / I Know What Boys Like
Captain Sensible / Wot
Love & Rockets / Ball Of Confusion
Tom Tom Club / Genius Of Love
Yazoo / Mr. Blue

LAND OF THE LOST PLAYLIST 12.30

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:17:38 -0500

LAND OF THE LOST Playlist
Friday, December 30
WXPN / Philadelphia

7pm

The B-52s - Planet Claire
U2 - New Year’s Day
Altered Images - I Could Be Happy
The B-52s - Party Out Of Bounds
Squeeze - Cool For Cats
Pylon - Volume
Romeo Void - Talk Dirty To Me
The Waitresses - Heat Night
The Psychedelic Furs - Fall
23 Skidoo - Last Words
Yellow Magic Orchestra - Firecracker
China Crisis - Orange Mutt Mutt Dance
Red Rockers - China
Japan - Quiet Life

8pm

Thompson Twins - When I See You
XTC - Life Begins At The Hop
Propaganda - Dr Mabuse
The The - Uncertain Smile
The Art Of Noise - Beat Box (Diversion One)
Pete Shelley - Witness The Change / I Don’t Know What It Is
Human League - Open Your Heart
Talk Talk - It’s My Life
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Monitor
Murray Head - One Night In Bangkok

9pm

Ultravox - Artifical Life
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Electricity
Duran Duran - My Own Way
Visage - Tar
Experimental Products - Love Changes
Visage - Mind Of A Toy
The Vels - Private World Dub
Book Of Love - Boy
Pure Hell - These Boots Are Made For Walking
Scott Goddard - Two Triple Cheese
The Ramones - Teenage Lobotomy
Bad Manners - Sansom & Delilah
The Specials - Gangster
Simple Minds - Don’t You Forget About Me

10pm

The Go-Go’s - Lust For Love
B-Movie - Nowhere Girl
Heavenly Bodies - Rains On Me
DEVO - Big Mess
Berlin - Dancing In Berlin
Dead Or Alive - There Is Something In My House
Shriekback - Lined Up
Talking Heads - Slippery People
Grace Jones - Slave To The Rhythm
Kraftwerk - Tour De France
Ministry - I Wanted To Tell Her
Plastic Bertrand - Jacques Cousteau
Gary Numan & Tubeway Army - Down In The Park

I know what I am doing New Year’s Eve — hosting...

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:42:12 -0500

I know what I am doing New Year’s Eve — hosting HAPPY NEW WAVE at Fluid Nightclub … care to join us??

Christmas 2011 … our tree!

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 09:24:28 -0500

Christmas 2011 … our tree!

ENJOY my musical contribution to the holiday season! See you on...

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:35:00 -0500

ENJOY my musical contribution to the holiday season!

See you on the radio Christmas Eve - for my 18th annual Night Before on XPN; 24 hours of me, on the 24th day of December!

The Night Before on XPN Facebook Page

Sex Dwarf Playlist 12.02

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:07:55 -0500

Sex Dwarf Playlist
Friday, December 2
- The Sex Dwarf Snowball-

DJ Robert Drake 9:00 - 10:30pm

Ultravox / Vienna
Thompson Twins / Love On Your Side
Heaven 17 / Let Me Go
Tom Tom Club / Lorelei
Book Of Love / I Touch Roses
Men Without Hats / Safety Dance
David Bowie / Fashion
Talk Talk / It’s A Shame
Tears For Fears / Pale Shelter
Blancmange / Blind Vision
Human League / Love Action
Re-Flex / The Politics Of Dancing
Depeche Mode / Personal Jesus
Duran Duran / Girls On Film
New Order / The Beach
A Flock Of Seagulls / More You Live, The More You Love
Marc Almond / King Of Fools
Spandau Ballet / Glow
Ultravox / Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
DEVO / Snowball
Frankie Goes To Hollywood / Relax

DJ Marilyn Thomas 10:30 - 11:30pm

Until December / Heaven
New Order / True Faith
Depeche Mode / Dreaming Of Me
Erasure / Chorus
Go West / We Close Our Eyes
DEVO / That’s Good
Adam Ant / Goody Two Shoes
Scandal / Goodbye To You
Sinead O’Connor / Mandinka
Bauhaus / Kick In The Eye
Ministry / Revenge
Billy Idol / White Wedding
Duran Duran / Planet Earth
The Cure / Close To Me
The Smiths / Charming Man
The Jam / Town Called Malice
Talking Heads / Psycho Killer

DJ Robert Drake 11:30pm - 12:15am

Siouxsie & The Banshees / Cities In Dust
Duran Duran / Please Tell Me Now
Bollock Brothers / Harley David
Madness / Our House
David Bowie / Let’s Dance
Human League / Don’t You Want Me
Shannon / Give Me Tonight
Belinda Carlisle / Heaven Is A Place Called Earth
Quando Quango / Love Tempo

DJ Marilyn Thomas 12:15 - 1:00am

Prince / Let’s Go Crazy
Bangles / Hazy Shade Of Winter
Icicle Works / Whisper To A Scream
Pet Shop Boys / It’s A Sin
Modern English / I Melt With You
Spandau Ballet / The Freeze
Sparks w/ Jane Wiedlin / Cool Places
Real Life / Send Me An Angel
a-ha / The Sun Always Shines On TV
OMD / Locomotion
Marc Almond / Memorabilia
Depeche Mode / Policy Of Truth
A Flock Of Seagulls / Telecommunication

DJ Robert Drake 1:00 - 2:00am

Echo & The Bunnymen / Do It Clean
Rocky Horror Cast / Time Warp
Grace Jones / Pull Up To The Bumper
Peter Godwin / Emotional Disguise
Yazzo / State Farm
Sheila E / A Love Bizarre
Herbie Hancock / Rockit
Patrice Rushen / Forget Me Nots
Kraftwerk / It’s More Fun To Compute
Pet Shop Boys / The Streets Have No Name
Tom Tom Club / Genius Of Love
Siouxsie & The Banshees / Peek-A-Boo
Gary Numan / Me! I Disconnect From You

LAND OF THE LOST PLAYLIST 11.25

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:12:18 -0500

LAND OF THE LOST Playlist
Friday, November 25
WXPN / Philadelphia

The B-52s - Planet Claire
Depeche Mode - Master & Servant
Heaven 17 - Penthouse & Pavement
Gang Of Four - At Home He’s A Tourist
Breakfast Club - Rico Mambo
DEVO - Freedom Of Choice
Was (Not Was) - Wheel Me Out
Gino Soccio - S-Beat
Blancmange - The Day Before You Came
Kissing The Pink - Certain Things Are Likely
Flash And The Pan - Media Man
The Adicts - Steamroller

Pretty Poison - Expiration
West End Company - Ave Maria
New Order - Mesh
Human League - Mirror Man
Fad Gadget - Ricky’s Hand
Godley & Creme - Sandwiches Of You
The Cure - Jumping Someone Else’s Train
Secession - Touch
Desireless - Voyage Voyage
Telekin - Imagination
Bananarama - No Feelings
80.2 - Shock Of The New

Wang Chung - Don’t Be My Enemy
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Her Body In My Soul
Prince - Controversy
Dave Ball - In Strict Tempo
The Stranglers - Nuclear Device
Elvis Costello - Lipstick Vogue
Elvis Costello - Moods For Moderns
Elvis Costello - High Fidelity
The Psychedelic Furs - India
XTC - Helecopters
Level 42 - The Chinese Way
Bush Tetras - You Can’t Be Funky

10p

Shriekback - Accretions
INXS - Stay Young
Blue Rondo a la Turk - Me & Mr. Sanchez
The The - Infected
The Teardrop Explodes - Second Hand
Fine Young Cannibals - Ever Fallen In Love
Boys Don’t Cry - I Want To Be A Cowboy
Wall Of Voodoo - Call Box
Joy Division - Leaders Of Men
Simple Minds - Don’t You (Forget About Me)
The Jazz Butcher - Girlfriend
Grace Jones - She’s Lost Control

I am psyched to bring both my collection of Nonstop New Wave...

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:15:51 -0500

I am psyched to bring both my collection of Nonstop New Wave nuggets, along with my 80s dance jamz to the infamous Kung Fu Necktie for a Thanksgiving Weekend throwdown! Joining me is resident DJ Dirty … should be crazy fun!! Click the flyer for details…

Sex Dwarf Playlist 11.04

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:29:12 -0500

Sex Dwarf Playlist
Friday, November 4
6th Annual Wig Party

DJ Robert Drake 9:00 - 10:30pm

The Cure / Close To Me
English Beat / Doors Of Your Heart
OMD / Locomotion
Depeche Mode / Leave In Silence
Berlin / Like Flames
The B-52’s / Downtown
The B-52’s / Dirty Back Road
The B-52’s / Cake
Erasure / Blue Savannah
Ultravox / The Thin Wall
Men Without Hats / Pop Goes The World
The B-52’s / Summer Of Love
Pete Shelley / Homosapian
Psyche / Unveiling The Secret
The B-52’s / Legal Tender
New Order / Dreams Never End
The Buggles / Clean Clean
Men Without Hats / I Got The Message

DJ Marilyn Thomas 10:30 - 11:30pm

Kim Wilde / Kids In America
The B-52’s / 52 Girls
Toni Basil / Mickey
The Go-Go’s / We Got The Beat
Bow Wow Wow / C-30, C-60, C-90, GO!
Adam Ant / Stand & Deliver
The B-52’s / Devil In My Car
Thompson Twins / Lies
Duran Duran / Careless Memories
Depeche Mode / People Are People
New Order / Regret
OMD / Tesla Girls
Delta 5 / Mind Your Own Business
Gang Of Four / Damaged Goods
Talking Heads / Once In A Lifetime
The B-52’s / Private Idaho
English Beat / Mirror In The Bathroom
The Cult / She Sells Sanctuary

DJ Robert Drake 11:30pm - 12:15am

The B-52’s / Party Out Of Bounds
The B-52’s / Whammy
The B-52’s / Give Me Back My Man
Fred Schneider & The Shake Society / Monster
The B-52’s / Planet Claire
The B-52’s / Strobe Light
The B-52’s / Butterbean
The B-52’s / Wig
Joy Division / Warsaw
The Clash / Rock The Casbah
Blondie / Atomic

DJ Marilyn Thomas 12:15 - 1:00am

The B-52’s / Rock Lobster
DEVO / Jerkin Back N Forth
David Bowie / Let’s Dance
The Cure / Jumpin’ Someone Else’s Train
Ministry / Effigy
Tin Tin / Kiss Me
Siouxsie & The Banshees / Cities In Dust
The B-52’s / Roam
The B-52’s / Love Shack
Katrina & The Waves / Walking On Sunshine
The Bangles / Walk Like An Egyptian

DJ Robert Drake 1:00 - 2:00am

The Specials / Gangsters
English Beat / Hands Off, She’s Mine
DEVO / Peek-A-Boo
Eurythmics / Sweet Dreams
The B-52’s / Deadbeat Club
Pet Shop Boys / Suburbia
Erasure / Breath Of Life
Talk Talk / It’s My Life
Depeche Mode / Master & Servant
Yello / Oh Yeah
Duran Duran / Girls On Film
Japan / Quiet Life
Human League / Sound Of The Crowd
Kajagoogoo / Only For Love
DEVO / Mr B’s Ballroom
OMD / Forever Live Or Die
Kraftwerk / Man Machine - closing song