Lenny Kaye's "Nuggets Live at The BBC" - E.P. Launch, Listening Party & Movie Screening at the Spice of Life, London April 18th

Alan Blizzard, Marty Love, Jim Jones, Joe De Lorenzo, Guy Griffin and Alan Clayton

Back in 2023, Patti Smith Group guitarist Lenny Kaye played some successful and well-received shows in the States to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of his iconic and hugely influential “Nuggets” compilation. Lenny was backed by a stellar line-up consisiting of some of his many musician friends, playing cover versions of some of those classic tracks that he had included on the album. The U.K. based Damned aficionado Kevin Shepherd, then suggested to his friend Joe De Lorenzo, the promoter and tour manager for The Damned, that Lenny should consider bringing the Nuggets show to London. Somehow, using his extensive contacts, Joe made it happen and he assembled an impressive Transatlantic cast for a two-night stand at the 100 Club back in April 2024. The core band backing Lenny featured bassist Dave Treganna of Sham 69 and Lords of The New Church, Jim Jones of Thee Hypnotics and Jim Jones All Stars on guitars and vocals, drumming duties were shared between Rat Scabies of The Damned and Marty Love of Wingmen and the Johnny Moped Band. The other ever presents were Derek Cruz from the Jesse Malin band on Guitars, Harmonica and Percussion and Greg Rice on the keyboards, who both did a superb job considering they were in for the long haul.

Joe with Richard England, Marty Love and Jim Jones

Jim Jones on stage at the Nuggets 100 Club show from Alan Blizzard's movie

We were also treated to various special guest vocalists including Clive 'The Doctor' Jackson of Dr & The Medics, Jon King from Gang of Four, Alan Clayton of The Dirty Strangers, Peter Coyne of The Godfathers, Anita Chellamah from Cherry Bombz and they were joined by New Yorkers, Roxanne Fontana and Amanda Cross. Then we had the guest guitarists, Cheetah Chrome from CBGB's legends Dead Boys, Japanese guitarist Tsuyoshi Kitagawa, otherwise known as Go Ohgami, Billy Shinbone from The Sinclairs and Guy Griffin of The Quireboys. Most memorably of all, it also featured Brian James of The Damned with what was to be his last ever live performance before he sadly passed away. If that wasn't enough, former Clash compatriot DJ Barry 'Scratchy' Myers warmed up the crowd perfectly and Go-Go dancers Moana Santana and Helene de Joie provided some suitably 60's style atmosphere.

Nuggets promoter Joe De Lorenzo

Brian James filmed at rehearsals by Alan Blizzard for his "Nuggets: The Movie"

Then recently it was announced that Johnny Depp’s record label IN-2, in conjunction with the U.K. based Cadiz Music, were going to release a “Lenny Kaye’s Nuggets Live at The BBC” E.P. consisting of a Marc Riley session that they had recorded while they were in London for the 100 Club shows in 2024. It was a special Record Store Day release, so on Saturday, we went along to the Spice of Life in London’s Soho for the E.P. listening and launch party organised by Joe De Lorenzo and Cadiz Music. The afternoon event also included an exclusive preview of the forthcoming LP “Riot On Oxford Street: Live at the 100 Club” and a screening of Alan Blizzard’s excellent behind-the-scenes documentary "The Nuggets Movie” filmed during the 2024 London trip. There was also the added bonus of a Q&A session with Jim Jones, Marty Love and Joe, hosted by Richard England of Cadiz, and there were appearances from ‘Nuggeteers’ Alan Clayton, Greg Rice and Guy Griffin who were happy to chat to members of the audience and sign copies of the E.P. 

Lenny Kaye at the 100 Club Nuggets show on April 4th 2024

It was a thoroughly entertaining afternoon and there was some good news too, there are plans underway for some gigs later in the year to promote the release of the live LP, so please keep an eye out for more information on that. Can’t wait! You can read all about one of the 100 Club gigs in our Retro Man Blog feature here, which also includes lots of photos and videos from a truly remarkable night. More videos from the gig can be found by visiting our Retromanblog65 YouTube channel here, it's totally free to subscribe. Here's an example of one of our videos, Lenny Kaye with "I Wanna Be Your Dog" featuring Brian James it what was sadly to be his last ever live performance, Cheetah Chrome of The Dead Boys, Rat Scabies of The Damned and Dave Treganna of Lords of The New Church...

Retrosonic Podcast - Gary Crowley "Lost 80's Volume 2: 1980-1986" Live Talk and Q&A from Sounds of The Suburbs Records

Last Sunday (August 1st) we went along to our favourite record store Sounds of The Suburbs in Ruislip to see Gary Crowley, the legendary DJ, TV and Radio show presenter, A&R man, schoolboy music journalist and former receptionist at the NME - give a talk and Q&A session to promote his excellent new compilation "Lost 80's Volume 2: 1980-1986". This has just been released via Demon Records as a beautifully packaged 65 track 4 CD deluxe edition all housed in a hardback cover including a lavishly illustrated booklet packed full of photos, notes and background information. The tracklist itself features an eclectic mix of hidden gems and unusual choices from some familiar and not-so familiar names. Gary's picks certainly highlight the diverse musical styles that made the early to mid-80's such an exciting time - from Post-Punk, jangly Indie-Pop, Ska and Reggae, Jazz and Soul to Rap and Electronica - this compilation covers all the bases. So, in the discussion you're about to hear, which was introduced by singer-songwriter John Donegan, Gary not only talks about the compilation itself but we were also treated to a thoroughly entertaining romp through his life in music. Along the way we find out who he interviewed for his school magazine (wearing his school uniform), which soon-to-be pop star he had a secret crush on, who were the nicest stars he's interviewed (and the worse...), who he wished he'd seen play live, why The Jam just shaded The Clash as his favourite band and why he dreams of a fifth ginger Beatle! To compliment the chat, the Podcast features clips of great music from Big Audio Dynamite, Altered Images, Style Council, Theatre of Hate, Working Week, Bananarama, Paul Blake & Blood Fire Posse and Leisure Process.

Gary Crowley with Tony Smith at Sounds of The Suburbs, Ruislip

"Lost 80's Volume 2" is out now from all the usual outlets but it'll sound even better if you pop along to Ruislip and buy yourself a copy from Sounds of The Suburbs Records. You can listen or download directly below or subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Soundcloud.

Retrosonic Podcast · Gary Crowley "Lost 80's Vol. 2" Talk and Q&A

This Podcast has been kindly authorised by Gary Crowley. Sincere thanks to Gary, Tony Smith at Sounds of The Suburbs and John Donegan. 

Sounds of The Suburbs Records, 110 Victoria Road, Ruislip HA4 0AL (open Thu, Fri & Sat)