Meet The Hosts: Drew Thompson of Les Temps Perdu

1. How long have you been with WNRN and how did you get started?
I joined WNRN as the Friday night 7-10pm host in 2005. I had been listening to the station for a few years prior to this and wanted to get more involved and I knew several of the DJs at the station from attending and DJing at a local Charlottesville club. One of those DJs, who was hosting Les Temps Perdu at the time, asked if I’d be interested in taking over the show. By August of 2005, I transitioned from Friday nights to hosting Les Temps Perdu on Sundays.

2. What should WNRN listeners know about your show, and/or your music tastes?
For me, Les Temps Perdu is a representation of the best in old school alternative music. We’ve got punk, rock, new wave, grunge, and so much more. My Les Temps wheelhouse is 90’s grunge and alternative, but I love 80’s new wave as well. I’m happy to add in some old school punk and roots of the goth subculture too. You’ll find me mixing in one hit wonders and semi-forgotten tracks alongside all the megahits that you love. Dan and Mike bring their own flavor as well to give a very well rounded take on the 70’s though the 90’s. My personal music tastes are far more eclectic than just that. From classical music to goth and from jazz to country, you’ll find just about everything in my collection.

3. What’s your favorite, recent music discovery?
My favorite new thing that I heard in 2024 has to be Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help.” It’s a fun song and I was pleasantly surprised at how well a rapper did when doing his take on a pop country song.

4. What might be an unexpected artist on your personal playlist?
If you are aware of how eclectic my music tastes are, then there may not be anything in there that’s too surprising. For everyone else…maybe New Kids On The Block (I have practically everything they did in the 80’s and 90’s) or Real McCoy (a German Eurodance/pop group).

5. A couple of firsts: What was the first concert you ever attended? What was the first album you ever bought?
My first concert differs slightly depending on which of my parents you ask. I’ve been told that Chicago was the first one, but I’ve also been told that I was in the womb for that one. On the other hand I’ve been told The Beach Boys was my first concert. I do remember seeing The Beach Boys when I was young so that was the first one I remember attending. As for the first one I bought my own tickets for, it was Type O Negative with The Electric Hellfire Club and Coal Chamber. I managed to get all the way to the front row for that and even have a souvenir candle that was used as a stage decoration that the lead singer tossed into the crowd at the end of the show.

My first album that I ever owned was Motley Crue’s Too Fast For Love. I was in a talent show in 3rd grade and we did a lip sync of “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” by Motley Crue, I portrayed Tommy Lee on drums and fell in love with Motley Crue after that, so I asked for any album by Motley Crue so I could listen to more from the band. I’m pretty sure I wore out the needle on my record player from playing that album as much as I did. The first album I bought myself is too hard to figure out. I joined the BMG music club in the 90’s and used to get dozens and dozens of CD’s for pennies on the dollar. My first batch likely included Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and more.

6. What would be your 1-3 Top ‘Desert Island’ albums? The ones you would want with you if stranded on a desert island. Why?
If I’m not allowed to pick compilation albums for this one, then my list will probably change almost every time you ask me. As of today it would be:
Type O Negative – October Rust – This album brings back so many memories for me from the late 90’s where I was discovering myself and becoming the early parts of the person I am today.
Alice in Chains – Grind – This album was my soundtrack for the video game Doom. I remember hunting down many monsters while listening to this album.
Tori Amos – From the Choirgirl Hotel – Tori has such a beautiful voice and the piano playing sounds absolutely wonderful. This is a great album to listen to when I just want to chill out.

7. What are some of your favorite hobbies/things to do outside of music and radio?
When I’m not doing music related things, I love to play board games and video games. I also enjoy spending time in my library reading.