When I was DJing country music at the storied punk rock bar Crash Palace/Delilah's, 1 AM would roll around and I would start what I called "The Unhappy Hour."

This playlist is listed as Appendix C in my book "The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low."

Enjoy it with someone you love. Or hate.

Here’s a snazzy playlist of songs and artists mentioned as influences or inspirations—-or merely as sonic signposts—-in “The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low.”

It can be loud, it can be weird, but I think you’ll find it entertaining. It might even get you to thinking, “Gee, how in the WORLD does that song/artist/album fit into this story?”

Hopefully you’ll keep coming back to it, find things you’ve never heard before, appreciate things you know in a new way, or just shake your head and wonder, “He’s quite mad, isn’t he?”

So, hit the randomizer, leave your phone in the other room, lock your door, put the dog/cat out (well, put the dog/cat out THEN lock the door), pour yourself a soothing libation, and turn it up.

People always ask, "What are your favorite songs you had a hand in releasing on your label?"

Here is a playlist that answers that question, at least for today. It always changes. Depends on the day, the mood, the vibe, and a dozen other things. A lot of them are obscure, and sometimes I overlook the obvious. I hope you discover so new favorites next to some familiar friends.

You can read about some of these artists and songs in my new book "The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low" available on University of Illinois Press.