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May 12, 2025: No space barred: Sun Ra Arkestra, local wrestling scene, Mr. Universe

Space is the place, but first we’re headed to the ring to find the local wrestling scene, because, oh yes, western Mass. has a wrestling scene.

Perry Von Vicious, a.k.a The Human Monster Truck, joins us in the studio to give insight beyond kayfabe, a lay of the local wrestling landscape, his start in the industry and what you can expect at the match up on Memorial Day Weekend to defend his title.

Then, we head to space as we hear that it is not only the place, but the homeland of Sun Ra Arkestra. The collective has been innovating in jazz, funk and beyond for over 7 decades and are stopping in Northampton on May 18. We check in with the team bringing the legends to the valley, Ruth Griggs of Northampton Jazz Festival and Jim Olsen of Signature Sounds about collaborating for this show, and about the sonic legacy Sun Ra engenders.

While we’re off in space, we talk to Mr. Universe, Salman Hameed of Kainaat Studios and Hampshire College, applies the scientific method to more terrestrial issues and shows us how you too can do the same.

The Human Monster Truck
Sun Ra Arkestra
Mr. Universe
May 12, 2025

Christopher “Monte'' Belmonte is host and executive producer of NEPM's The Fabulous 413. He was born and raised in Massachusetts and has been a radio host in western Massachusetts for the last 20 years — the last 17 of them as host of Mornings with Monte on The River 93.9/WRSI.
Kaliis Smith is a radio host and producer for NEPM's The Fabulous 413. She was most recently host and producer at The River 93.9/WRSI where she appeared on Mornings with Monte for the Nerdwatch segment and hosted weekday evenings.