What the Riff Next Gen
Every episode of “WHAT THE RIFF NEXT GEN” brings a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1995 and 2005. Four Classic Rock fans discuss the artist and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 3 additional “staff picks” of other artists that were also on the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear Classic Rock bands that were still producing new work, as well as some newer Alternative and Grunge bands that were gaining momentum during this Millennium Y2K Period. We encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from Apple Music, Spotify or your other favorite music service. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! In addition to “Next Gen” you can search our ORIGINAL “What the Riff?!?” episodes (1-373) covering 1965 - 1995. We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriff on Facebook.
Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights classic rock music through historical context, personal insights, and artist appreciation. We do not claim ownership of the songs featured, which remain the property of the original artists and rights holders. All music is used under the Fair Use doctrine for purposes of criticism, commentary, and education. We encourage our listeners to support the artists by purchasing and streaming their music legally.
Every episode of “WHAT THE RIFF NEXT GEN” brings a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1995 and 2005. Four Classic Rock fans discuss the artist and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 3 additional “staff picks” of other artists that were also on the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear Classic Rock bands that were still producing new work, as well as some newer Alternative and Grunge bands that were gaining momentum during this Millennium Y2K Period. We encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from Apple Music, Spotify or your other favorite music service. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! In addition to “Next Gen” you can search our ORIGINAL “What the Riff?!?” episodes (1-373) covering 1965 - 1995. We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriff on Facebook.
Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights classic rock music through historical context, personal insights, and artist appreciation. We do not claim ownership of the songs featured, which remain the property of the original artists and rights holders. All music is used under the Fair Use doctrine for purposes of criticism, commentary, and education. We encourage our listeners to support the artists by purchasing and streaming their music legally.
Episodes

May 18, 2026
442 1999 - SEPTEMBER: Sting “Brand New Day”
May 18, 2026
May 18, 2026
37 min
Bruce riffs on the sixth solo studio album by Sting Brand New Day from September 1999 (After The Rain Has Fallen / Desert Rose / Fill Her Up / Brand New Day).
STAFF PICKS:
All Star by Smash Mouth — Wayne
Higher by Creed— Rob
The Rockafeller Skank by Fatboy Slim — Brian
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from the television series The West Wing.
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
May 18, 2026
37 min

May 11, 2026
441 2003 - AUG: Janes Addiction “Strays”
May 11, 2026
May 11, 2026
35 min
Wayne riffs on the third studio album by Jane's Addiction, Strays from August 2003 (Strays / Everybody's Friend / Just Because / Price I Pay).
STAFF PICKS:
Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes — Rob.
The Boys of Summer by The Ataris— Bruce
Stacy's Mom by Fountains of Wayne — Brian
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Reload by Rob Zombie (from the motion picture The Matrix Reloaded )
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
May 11, 2026
35 min

May 4, 2026
May 4, 2026
38 min
Rob riffs on the third studio album By Alice in Chains, eponymously named “Alice in Chains” from April 1996 (Heaven Beside You / Again / Grind / Over Now).
STAFF PICKS:
A Walk by Bad Religion — Wayne
Hey Man, Nice Shot by Filter — Lynch
Too Much by Dave Matthews Band — Bruce
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Waiting (Phase Two) by Porcupine Tree.
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
May 4, 2026
38 min

Apr 27, 2026
Apr 27, 2026
31 min
Lynch riffs on the debut solo studio album from Chris Cornell, Euphoria Morning, recorded in October 1998 (Flutter Girl / Can't Change Me / Preaching the End of the World / Mission).
STAFF PICKS:
Whacha Gonna Do? by Cowboy Mouth — Wayne
Teardrop by Massive Attack — Rob.
My Father's Eyes by Eric Clapton — Clint Barret (friend of the show).
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
What is Love by Haddaway (from the motion picture A Night at the Roxbury.
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Apr 27, 2026
31 min

Apr 20, 2026
438 1999 - JUNE: Santana “Supernatural”
Apr 20, 2026
Apr 20, 2026
35 min
Bruce riffs on the eighteenth studio album by Santana “Supernatural” from June 1999 (Love of My Life / Corazon / Maria Maria / Smooth).
STAFF PICKS:
Let Forever Be by The Chemical Brothers — Rob
The Kids Aren't Alright by The Offspring — Wayne
Zip-Lock by Lit — Lynch.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Wild Wild West by Will Smith (from the motion picture "Wild Wild West").
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Apr 20, 2026
35 min

Apr 13, 2026
437 1996 - JUNE: Styx “Greatest Hits Part 2”
Apr 13, 2026
Apr 13, 2026
31 min
Wayne riffs on the compilation album from Styx entitled “Greatest Hits, part 2” from June of 1996 (Light Up / Mademoiselle / A.D. 1928 / Rockin' the Paradise).
STAFF PICKS:
Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand by Primitive Radio Gods — Bruce
Pepper by Butthole Surfers — Rob.
All I Know by Screaming Trees — Lynch
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main Title Theme from the motion picture “Mission Impossible."
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Apr 13, 2026
31 min

Apr 6, 2026
436 2006 - May: Tool “10000 Days”
Apr 6, 2026
Apr 6, 2026
35 min
Friend of the Show Clinton Barrett riffs on the dark 4th album from Tool entitled "10,000 Days" a ROGUE album outside our timeframe from May of 2006 (Vicarious / Jambi / The Pot).
STAFF PICKS:
Original Fire by Audioslave — Lynch
The Kill (Bury Me) by Thirty Seconds to Mars — Rob
Woman by Wolfmother — Wayne
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
The Kraken, by Hans Zimmer (from the motion picture Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest)
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Apr 6, 2026
35 min

Mar 30, 2026
435 1995 - January: Bush “Sixteen Stone”
Mar 30, 2026
Mar 30, 2026
32 min
Lynch riffs on the debut studio album from Bush entitled Sixteen Stone from January of 1995 (Machinehead / Everything Zen / Comedown / Glycerine).
STAFF PICKS:
Dancing Days by Stone Temple Pilots — Rob
She's A River by Simple Minds — Bruce
Stand Up by Thunder — Wayne.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Whiney Whiney (What Really Drives Me Crazy) by Will One Blood (from the motion picture "Dumb & Dumber").
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Mar 30, 2026
32 min

Mar 23, 2026
434 1995 - July: Natalie Merchant “Tigerlily”
Mar 23, 2026
Mar 23, 2026
32 min
Bruce riffs on the debut studio album from Natalie Merchant “Tigerlily” from July 1995 (San Andreas Fault / Wonder / Jealousy / Carnival).
STAFF PICKS:
Waydown by Catherine Wheel — Lynch
Wynona's Big Brown Beaver by Primus — Rob
I Walked by Wanderlust — Wayne
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main Theme from the motion picture "Apollo 13"
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Mar 23, 2026
32 min

Mar 16, 2026
433 1998 - September: Hole “Celebrity Skin”
Mar 16, 2026
Mar 16, 2026
31 min
Rob riffs on the third studio album by Hole “Celebrity Skin” from September 1998 (Celebrity Skin / Awful / Hit So Hard / Malibu).
STAFF PICKS:
Fire Escape by Fastball — Wayne.
Somehow, Somewhere, Someway by Kenny Wayne Shepherd — Bruce
Freak of the Week by Marvelous 3 — Lynch
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith (from the motion picture "Armageddon").
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Mar 16, 2026
31 min

Mar 9, 2026
432 2004 - JULY: Anchorman Soundtrack
Mar 9, 2026
Mar 9, 2026
32 min
Wayne riffs on the Soundtrack from the comedy motion picture “Anchorman” from December 2004 (Sunshine (Go Away Today) by Jonathan Edwards / Treat Her LIke a Lady by Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose / Groovy Situation by Gene Chandler / Afternoon Delight by the "Anchorman" cast).
STAFF PICKS:
The Reason by Hoobastank — Bruce.
Heaven by Los Lonely Boys — Rob
Cold by Crossfade — Lynch
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“If” by Bread (from the motion picture "Anchorman").
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Mar 9, 2026
32 min

Mar 2, 2026
Mar 2, 2026
25 min
Lynch riffs on the fifth studio album from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones entitled Let's Face It from March of 1997 (Let's Face It / The Rascal King / Desensitized / Noise Brigade).
STAFF PICKS:
Barely Breathing by The Duncan Sheik — Bruce.
The New Pollution by Beck — Rob
I Want You by Savage Garden — Wayne
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Slowblow by Depeche Mode
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Mar 2, 2026
25 min

Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
38 min
Rob riffs on the sixth studio album from the Goo Goo Dolls Dizzy Up the Girl from December 1998 (Slide / Broadway / Iris / Bullet Proof).
What the Riff?!? Lead Sponsor Frank Therrien joins us from Georgia Lighting for this episode.
STAFF PICKS:
Given to Fly by Pearl Jam — Lynch
Turn It Up by Moon Dog Mane — Wayne
Lullaby by Shawn Mullins — Bruce
Got You Where I Want You by The Flies — Frank Therrien
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Frostbite by Trevor Rabin (from the motion picture "Jack Frost").
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Feb 23, 2026
38 min

Feb 16, 2026
429 1997 - April: Toad the Wet Sprocket “Coil”
Feb 16, 2026
Feb 16, 2026
30 min
Show sponsor Frank Therrien of Georgia Lighting joins us to riff on the fifth studio album from Toad the Wet Sprocket - Coil from April of 1997 (Rings / Come Down / Crazy Life / Throw It All Away).
STAFF PICKS:
If You Could Only See by Tonic — Wayne
Song 2 by Blur— Rob
The Impression That I Get by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones — Bruce
Bound for the Floor by Local H - Lynch
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Hey Bulldog by Toad the Wet Sprocket (from the motion picture "I Know What You Did Last Summer").
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Feb 16, 2026
30 min
PLEASE NOTE
Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights classic and alternative rock music through historical context, personal insights, and artist appreciation. We do not claim ownership of the songs featured, which remain the property of the original artists and rights holders. All music is used under the Fair Use doctrine for purposes of criticism, commentary, and education. We encourage our listeners to support the artists by purchasing and streaming their music legally.






