Peace, Love, and Sonic Flashbacks: This Week on The Psychedelic Psnack on NEWHD
For those seeking a journey through the wild, colorful, and consciousness-expanding era of the late ’60s, The Psychedelic Psnack on NEWHD once again delivered a kaleidoscopic week of stories, music, and culture with the perfect blend of peace, protest, and power chords. Airing each weekday with bite-sized doses of nostalgia, this week’s show transported listeners to a time of revolution, revelation, and radical rhythms.
Monday, April 7 – Power to the Peaceful
The week kicked off with a powerful nod to activism and anti-war sentiment, opening with John Lennon’s timeless anthem “Give Peace a Chance.” Against the backdrop of wartime newsreels and commentary, the show’s first “psnack” segment explored the countercultural resistance to conflict during the Vietnam War era.
Host commentary linked the track’s impact to public figures like Spiro Agnew, showcasing the clash between establishment authority and youth-driven rebellion. Tommy James and the Shondells made an appearance with the dreamy “Crimson and Clover,” a fitting soundscape for the political undertones of the episode. NFL icon Joe Namath even got a mention, illustrating how pop culture and protest intertwined during this time of upheaval.
Tuesday, April 8 – Hair, Harmony, and Hope
Tuesday’s show was a full-on celebration of the groundbreaking rock musical Hair. Jungle sound effects set a tribal, back-to-nature tone before transitioning into the Hair soundtrack. Listeners were treated to an evocative spin of “Easy to Be Hard” by Three Dog Night, a track that cuts deep into themes of empathy, societal disconnection, and lost innocence.
Punctuated with trivia about Hair’s Broadway origins and cultural impact, the episode crescendoed with The Cowsills’ energetic rendition of “Hair,” highlighting how the counterculture’s wild locks symbolized freedom and rebellion.
Wednesday, April 9 – To the Moon and Back
Midweek, the show leapt into outer space, reflecting on humanity’s greatest leap: the Apollo 11 moon landing. The segment opened with Zager and Evans’ eerie prophetic hit “In the Year 2525,” which flowed seamlessly into archival clips from the launch and landing of Apollo 11.
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” brought a gritty, foreboding energy as the host discussed how music of the time reflected both optimism and anxiety surrounding the space race. Wednesday’s episode was a stirring sonic time capsule, merging celestial ambition with cultural introspection.
Thursday, April 10 – Rock Opera Rebellion
Thursday’s episode cranked up the amps with an in-depth celebration of Tommy, The Who’s pioneering rock opera. Starting with the sweeping instrumental “Overture,” the show explored the album’s themes of trauma, spiritual awakening, and societal dysfunction.
Special attention was given to “I’m Free,” as the segment highlighted frontman Pete Townshend’s vision of music as a force for liberation. Commentary from special guests gave personal insight into Tommy’s legacy, and how The Who bridged the gap between mod rebellion and rock mysticism.
Friday, April 11 – Woodstock Nation
The week wrapped up with a pilgrimage to the muddy fields of Bethel, New York—Woodstock 1969. Dave Herman’s historic broadcast audio brought authenticity and texture to the recap, while Santana’s electrifying “Soul Sacrifice” provided the perfect climax.
Guests recounted the chaotic magic of the event, where a generation came together to celebrate music, unity, and consciousness. Carlos Santana’s breakout performance was heralded as a defining moment of the festival, encapsulating the spirit of experimentation and pure musical energy that The Psychedelic Psnack seeks to channel every day.
With each episode lasting under 15 minutes, The Psychedelic Psnack proves that you don’t need a long trip to feel transported. Through expertly curated clips, music, and storytelling, the show distills the psychedelic era’s essence into digestible daily doses. Whether it’s revolution or revelation, every day brings something bold and mind-expanding to the table.
So tune in, turn on, and psnack out—only on NEWHD.
