Showing posts with label Retrosonic Podcast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Retrosonic Podcast. Show all posts

Thursday, 21 November 2024

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 54 "Keep Dancing" with The Courettes, Peter Perrett, The Prisoners, The Jackets, The Everlasting Yeah and more...


Welcome to Retrosonic Podcast Episode 54 "Keep Dancing" which features just a small selection of some of the great new music that's found it's way to us this year including The Courettes, Peter Perrett, The Prisoners, The Jackets, The Everlasting Yeah, The Guy Hamper Trio, The Woggles, Flesh For Lulu and more... You can listen and download direct from our SoundCloud site below or subscribe for free at Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Apple Music or Amazon Music.
 

Click on the highlighted links below for more information, please kindly check out our featured Bands, Artists and Record Labels - buy their records, see them play live, support Independent music!

Tracklisting and Links

The Guy Hamper Trio "Dog Jaw Woman" on Spinout Nuggets

The Courettes "Keep Dancing" on Damaged Goods Records

The Everlasting Yeah "Dylan '65"

The Prisoners "Something Better"

The Woggles "Telling Me Lies"

Thee Strawberry Mynde "Reflections"

Peter Perrett "Disinfectant"

Flesh For Lulu "Temptation" on Time & Matter Recordings

Les Envahisseurs "Milleniale"

Dot Dash "TV Radio"

The Jackets "Gambling Town" on Chaputa Records

GOLD "Psychedelic Days"

Deadly Spirits "Why Did You Do (Things You Did)"

Stupidity (featuring Keith Streng) "Monkey In A Suit"

IDestroy "100 Sounds"

The Beatpack "Wednesday's Calling" on Spinout Nuggets

Shadow Show "Baba Yaga" on Disques Rogue Records

Neil Sturgeon & The Infomaniacs "The Mistake"

The In-Fuzzed "Je Ne Comprends Pas"

Samya O'Grady (featuring Mick Head) "Perception"

Featured Record Labels

Damaged Goods Records

Spinout Nuggets

Disques Rogue Records

Time & Matter Recordings

Chaputa Records

Other Links...

A Taste of Ink: The Prisoners Sentenced by their Fans' book - Official FB page here

The Prisoners at The Roundhouse - Review, Photos & Videos here

The Woggles at The 100 Club - Review, Photos & Videos here

The Blue Aeroplanes at Lafayette London - Review, Photos & Videos here

The Everlasting Yeah "Staying Cool Staying Free" Album Launch Party - Feature by Buddy Ascott here

Cover Star: Flavia of The Courettes, photo by Lennon Couri. Retrosonic Theme by Adam Donovan. Retrosonic Podcast has a valid PRS Licence. All episodes are available for free at our archives at SoundCloud, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music, please subscribe for free so you don't miss out on any future episodes.

Wednesday, 4 September 2024

Retrosonic Podcast with DJ Scratchy Sounds "Road-Eyes 20-20 Double Vision: Photo Tales with The Clash and Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros"

Photos: top left Bob Gruen, t/r Celeste Urreaga, bottom l/r Retro Man Blog

Retrosonic Podcast is back with very special guest Barry Myers otherwise known as DJ Scratchy Sounds discussing his excellent limited edition photobook "Road-Eyes 20-20 Double Vision: Photo Tales with The Clash and The Mescaleros". In this thoroughly entertaining episode, Scratchy discusses his early days as a tour DJ and his residency at Dingwalls Dancehall as Punk exploded in London. He explains how he got to tour with The Clash and some of the great support acts he saw along the way such as Bo Diddley and The Cramps. There's his part in some legendary gigs such as the 1978 Rock Against Racism Carnival in Victoria Park and the Ramones 1977 New Year's Eve show at the Rainbow which was to result in the blistering "It's Alive" live album. We discover his affinity with Japan and the fact that he has two volumes of his memoirs written and ready for a publisher to snap up. Then later on reconnecting again with Joe Strummer and his band The Mescaleros joining them at gigs including the Fireman's benefit show at Acton Town Hall during what would sadly turn out to be Joe's last tour.

The episode is soundtracked by songs from The Clash, Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, The Man, Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, The Cramps, Dr. Feelgood and Ramones. You can see a video preview of the book and find out the details on how to order it at the Scratchy Sounds web-site here. You'll also find news on upcoming Scratchy Sounds live events and lots of excellent archived radio shows and podcasts. You can subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast for free at Spotify, iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, MixCloud or direct from our SoundCloud site below.

Tuesday, 21 November 2023

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 53 "Play It Cool" featuring 20 superb new releases from Jah Wobble, Pascal Comelade & The Limiñanas, Elephant Stone, Jim Jones All Stars and more...


Welcome to Episode 53 of Retrosonic Podcast, featuring 20 superb new songs by some of our favourite international Bands and Artists from as far afield as Canada, Sardinia, France, America, Sweden, Indonesia, the U.K. and Turkey. The episode is out now so please search and subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast at Spotify, iTunes, Apple Podcasts or direct from our SoundCloud site below: 

Tracklisting & Links

Big Boss Man "Do The Backstroke"

Jim Jones All Stars "Gimme The Grease"

Melody Fields "In Love"

Jah Wobble (featuring Jon Klein) "Fashion World"

Pascal Comelade & The Limiñanas "Le Riffifi Brille en Jaune"

Pete International Airport (featuring Rachel Goswell) "Tic Tac" (Anton Newcombe Remix)

Elephant Stone "Lost In a Dream"

Les Kitschenette's "Breuvage del Amor"

Crayola Eyes "Blacker Than Coal"

Jetstream Pony "Sixes & Sevens"

Hipbone Slim & The Kneejerks "Hey Catalina"

Gaye Su Akyol "Love Buzz"

def.fo "Play It Cool"

Spiders "Hanging On The Telephone"

Palooka 5 "Chetsworth Motel"

The Sound of Pop Art "Beach Life"

The Hangee 5 "Never Have You Ever"

Tiny Flaws (featuring Florence Joelle) "Hazy Recollection"

The Masonics "It's Time That I Moved On"

The Guy Hamper Trio "Cowboys Are Square"

Please click on the highlighted band names above for links to their official web-sites for further information and details on how to purchase the excellent music featured in this episode. For more details on our featured record label, Spinout Nuggets, please check out their official web-site here and their Bandcamp site here.


Allie Beaudouin's new book "Between It All" is available from Amazon here. You can see the live video of Allie joining dad Mick Head on stage in Tokyo for a superb version of "Broken Beauty" from the Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band album "Dear Scott" at our YouTube channel here. 


Thanks to all featured Bands and Record Companies, Lee from Spinout Nuggets, Shauna from Shameless Promotions, John Johnson and of course all listeners and subscribers. The Retrosonic Podcast archive is available at SoundCloud, Spotify, iTunes and Apple Podcasts. It would be very much appreciated if you could please like, subscribe, follow and share. Many thanks! This episode's cover star: Tom Powell of def.fo Photo Copyright: John Johnson For more details on John Johnson's excellent photography, which includes cover art for Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band, please check out his Facebook page here.

Monday, 23 October 2023

Retrosonic Podcast with Duncan Reid - "And It's Goodbye From Him..." Former Bassist and Vocalist with The Boys and (now) The Big Heads on his decision to call time on his musical career


Following our feature on Duncan Reid & The Big Heads final bittersweet show at The Lexington, I thought I'd invite Duncan into the Retrosonic Podcast virtual studio to get the lowdown on the shock decision to hang up his purple Duncanbacker bass for the very last time. The announcement came just as he released his fifth and arguably best album to date "And It's Goodbye From Him..." calling time on a musical career that started off in 1976 with spells in The Matinee Idols and The Hollywood Killers before a move to London at the very start of the U.K. Punk explosion in 1977 to join the melodic Punk Pop legends The Boys. In this episode, Duncan picks five songs from the new LP that cover the reasons behind his decision and we take a look back at each of the rest of his albums with The Big Heads, discussing some of his favourite hidden gems and overlooked tracks along the way. He also praises his Big Heads bandmates who contributed to making them one of the most visually exciting live acts of recent years. You can subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Amazon Music or download/stream direct from our SoundCloud site below.

Episode Tracklisting

Bill Gates (Finland Is a Myth) from "And It's Goodbye From Him..."

They're Dreaming About Me from "Little Big Head" (2019 reissue bonus track)

Would I Lie To You from "And It's Goodbye From Him..."

Just As Good As I Used To Be from "The Difficult Second Album" 

It Rains On The Good from "And It's Goodbye From Him..."

Confetti from "Bombs Away"

Gilded Cage from "And It's Goodbye From Him..."

Don't Blame Yourself from "Don't Blame Yourself"

Real Good Time from "And It's Goodbye From Him..."

To Live Or Live Or Live Not from "Don't Blame Yourself"

Our previous Retrosonic Podcast with Duncan, Episode 5 in the "Lockdown Lowdown" series, is still available in our archive and is a thoroughly entertaining romp through Duncan's life from his earliest childhood musical memories to his first exposure to Rock & Roll, the first record he bought and the first gig he went to. Along the way he picks some of his favourite singles and albums along with the Artists and gigs that had an impact and influence on him over the years. 

For more info on Duncan Reid & The Big Heads back catalogue and merchandise, please check out his official web-site here. You can see our feature with photos and videos from the final show at the Lexington in the Retro Man Blog archive here. Podcover photo of Duncan with Sophie and Karen of The Big Heads copyright Retro Man Blog. Retrosonic Podcast has a valid PRS licence. Here's a superb (but sad) reminder on what we will be missing from now on... All the best to Duncan and his Big Heads on whatever comes next.

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

The Undertones - Photos & Videos from The Electric Ballroom Camden, October 5th (plus links to our Retrosonic Podcasts with Mickey Bradley & Damian O'Neill


Well, I think I've run out of superlatives when it comes to writing about the joys of seeing The Undertones play live, so this time I'm just going to limit myself to sharing some photos and videos of yet another fantastic life-affirming night in the company of Derry's finest hit-makers. A packed-out Electric Ballroom was treated to a 32 song set-list crammed full of their perfect Punk pop nuggets that encompassed rarities such as "Emergency Cases" to great songs from the current Paul McLoone line-up including "Thrill Me" and "Dig Yourself Deep" and of course, all those timeless classics like "My Perfect Cousin", "Wednesday Week", "Here Comes The Summer" and "Teenage Kicks"...so, here we go, I hope you enjoy this little taster of a quite wonderful show...




Don't forget our thoroughly entertaining Retrosonic Podcast episodes with Damian O'Neill and Mickey Bradley are still available to listen/stream/download from Spotify, iTunes, Apple Podcasts or direct from our Soundcloud site.






...and here's one of three great shows we've recorded with Damian...








For more news and information on The Undertones, please check out their official web-site here, and don't forget the excellent Undertones Rocking Humdingers Club fan-site and resource on Facebook here. You can find more Retrosonic Podcasts with Damian discussing his solo music and side-projects The Everlasting Yeah and 5 Billion In Diamonds at our Soundcloud archive here.


All photos, videos and Podcasts are copyright Retro Man Blog.

Friday, 28 July 2023

Retrosonic Podcast with Music Photographer Paul Slattery - Part 2 with Link Wray, The Yardbirds, The Byrds, Stevie Wonder, The Grateful Dead, The Others, Tim Staffell and Paul Stewart


In part 2 of our chat with legendary music photographer Paul Slattery we cover what it was like growing up in West London in the mid-60's during the heyday of the British Beat and R'n'B scenes of Twickenham, Richmond and Ealing. We talk about the Eel Pie Island museum, the much-missed local venues and of seeing a young Stevie Wonder in concert in nearby Sudbury in 1966. There's the impact of his schoolmates The Others and their one and only single released by Fontana "Oh Yeah!" and he updates us on their reunion shows and current musical projects. Paul pays tribute to Jeff Beck and David Crosby and discusses the first stirrings of Psychedelia. Then we get to hear about how he got to know and photograph his musical hero Link Wray and finally, he discusses the use of his photos in the impressive new Grammy award winning box-set from the Grateful Dead. You can subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast for free at Spotify, Amazon Music, iTunes, Apple Podcasts or direct from our SoundCloud site below:

Track-listing

The Yardbirds "Shapes of Things" 

Paul's original 1966 US copy of "Shapes of Things"

The Byrds "Eight Miles High"

The Others "Oh Yeah!"

 "The Others, Geoff Coxon, Paul Stewart and Tim Staffell playing at the Crawdaddy Club, Richmond  March 2022." Click here for Paul's report and feature on The Others reunion shows.

Tim Staffell & Paul Stewart "Wrong Place Wrong Time"

Stevie Wonder "Uptight"

"Stevie Wonder playing a few songs during our photo session at his Hotel Room in London 1991"


"My original 1965 US copy of "Uptight" thumbprinted by Stevie at the same photo session. he just sang the song right there in front of me there and then and I was transported back to '65".

Link Wray "Rumble"

Link Wray "Beans & Fatback/I'm So Glad"

"The great Link Wray, Soho, London, Spring of 1979."

The Grateful Dead "Cream Puff War"

"My photo of Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead in the booklet accompanying the Grammy award winning CD box set "In and Out of the Garden" with amazing surrealistic artwork by Dave Van Patten."

For more information on Tim Staffell please check out his web-site here. Tim and Paul Stewart also have a Facebook page here. You can also listen/download Part 1 of our special episode with Paul where he talks about his work with Penetration, Sharpers, Subhumans, Joy Division, Empire, The Smiths and Kas Product.

Thanks to Paul, all photos copyright Paul Slattery.

Sunday, 8 January 2023

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 51 "2022 You're Wondering Now" with Buddy Ascott

Welcome to Episode 51 of Retrosonic Podcast where we welcome former drummer with The Chords Buddy Ascott into the 'studio' on New Year's Eve to look back on 2022. Buddy, now playing with The Fallen Leaves, is currently writing his memoirs and he treats us to a reading from a chapter about an unfortunate incident in Guildford Civic Hall in 1979 involving The Undertones, Jimmy Pursey and some ex-Sex Pistols. He also talks about more recent gig experiences which include drumming with The 79ers as specials guests at The Vapors' weekend event at the iconic Portmeirion village, location of the cult TV show The Prisoner. Then we cover The Fallen Leaves shows at the Dublin Castle and the Don Craine tribute at the Half Moon Putney, plus we get a sneak preview of a song from the Leaves' next album. We also take a look at some of Retro Man Blog's favourite LPs, Singles, Compilations and Gigs of the year and play a selection of great tracks from The Clash with Ranking Roger, Rhoda Dakar, The Limiñanas, The Prisoners and Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band. We also announce our Band of The Year - The Undertones - for some superb gigs, their compilation "Dig What You Need", Damian O'Neill and Billy Doherty joining Baby Shakes on stage for "Teenage Kicks" and related releases such as That Petrol Emotion's stunning box-set compilation and Damian's solo album "An Crann". Then there's a more sombre look at just some of the influential musicians who sadly passed away in 2022 including Chris Bailey, Wilko Johnson, Jet Black and Terry Hall but we celebrate their legacy with music from The Saints, Dr. Feelgood, The Specials and The Stranglers. Happy New Year to you and here's looking forward to more great music in 2023, we hope you enjoy the show! Please click the highlighted links in the tracklisting below for more info on the featured Bands and Artists and how to buy their music.

Tracklisting

The Undertones "Thrill Me"

That Petrol Emotion "Abandon" (Boys Own Re-Mix)

Damian O'Neill "Mas o Menos"

The Fallen Leaves "Rosalina"

The Prisoners "Better In Black"

Dr. Feelgood "Watch Your Step"

The Saints "Know Your Product"

The Stranglers "Hanging Around"

Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band "Kismet"

The Limiñanas "Funeral Baby"

The Clash & Ranking Roger "Rock The Casbah"

Rhoda Dakar "The Man Who Sold The World"

The Specials "You're Wondering Now"

This episode is dedicated to the memories and music of Terry Hall, Ronnie Spector, Jet Black, Wilko Johnson, Chris Bailey, Martin Duffy, Keith Levene, DH Peligro, Mark Lanegan, Taylor Hawkins and all those creative souls who sadly passed away in 2022. You can subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast for free at Spotify, iTunes, Apple Podcasts or Soundcloud. Retrosonic Theme by Adam Donovan. Retrosonic Podcast has a valid PRS certificate.


For more information on the forthcoming book "A Taste of Ink: The Prisoners Sentenced By Their Fans" compiled and edited by Thomas Buch, Michael Langer, Elinor Crockford and Jeremy Stride, as discussed in this episode, please check out the Facebook page here or official web-site here.

Friday, 23 December 2022

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 50 "Something New" - Best Wishes for Xmas & New Year!


Welcome to this milestone episode of Retrosonic Podcast - yes we've made it to 50 shows so thank you all for your support over the last ten years or so, it is very much appreciated. Of course thanks also to the great bands, artists and record labels who have been producing so such excellent new music that keeps us so busy! So, here's a little Xmas gift for you to celebrate 2022 with - 18 new releases which prove that despite all the hardships of the past year - nothing has stopped the creative force of these fantastic musicians. As always, if you like what you hear, please do check out the feature at Retro Man Blog .com for the full tracklisting and links to discover more about the featured bands - so check out their info, go and see them play live and most importantly - buy their merchandise and records.  Listen in here...

1. Jim Jones All Stars feat. Nikki Hill "It's Your Voodoo Working"

2. The Schizophonics "Won Your Love"

3. Wyld Gooms "Doesn't Matter To Me"

4. The Playn Jayn "It's Not Me"

5. Graham Day "The Memphis Train" (Spinout Nuggets)

 6. Wipeout "Miss Understood" (Spinout Nuggets)

 7. The Beatpack "Greek Street 2AM" (Spinout Nuggets)

 8. Gina Birch "Wish I Was You"

9. Ruts DC "Faces In The Sky"

10. The Jackets "Pie In The Sky"

11. The Jack Cades "Something New"

12. The Embrooks "Black Hatted Lady"

13. The Courettes "Daydream" (Damaged Goods Records)

14. Mimi & The Miseries "Stop Following Me 'Round"

15. AlterModerns "Mask"

16. Nervous Twitch "The History of The Wild West" 

17. Hipbone Slim & The Kneejerks "Lou Anne"

18. The Highmarts "Sorry" from their "Dodgy Demo Tape"

Subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast for free at SoundCloud, Spotify, iTunes and Apple Podcasts. Retrosonic theme tune by Adam Donovan, this episode's cover star Amy K-B. With thanks to Lee Grimshaw at Spinout Nuggets, this year's Retrosonic Podcast special guests Damian O'Neill, Suzi Moon, Pete & Michele at Eel Pie Island Museum, The Gruesomes and my occasional co-presenters Buddy Ascott & Paul Slattery.

Sunday, 14 August 2022

Retrosonic Podcast Special with Suzi Moon


In our latest interview special we catch up with Suzi Moon following her show at Bannerman's in Edinburgh and welcome her into the virtual Retrosonic Podcast studio for a thoroughly enjoyable jaunt through her career as a musician and life as a music fan. We talk about her love of the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, where she was soon to appear, and her affinity with European and U.K audiences. Suzi then takes us on an entertaining journey from her upbringing in Southern California and the influence of her older sister on Suzi becoming a musician, inviting her to join her band Civet and encouraging her to write songs of her own. Then there's Turbulent Hearts and the short-lived project L.A. Machina before Suzi finally embarks on her own solo career with the release of the excellent and well-received E.P. "Call The Shots". Suzi picks her own favourites from all aspects of her career right up to the brand new single from the hotly anticipated debut album "Dumb & In Luv" which is available to pre-order from Pirates Press Records now. Among many and various topics we also discuss her songwriting process, the connection between her mum and Alternative Tentacles Records, the New York CBGB's scene and much more. Suzi also plays some of the records that introduced her to Punk Rock and helped shape her own music along with some inspirational bands and people that have supported her along the way. The episode is soundtracked by great tracks from The Hives, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, The Stooges, The Heartbreakers, Nazi Bitch & The Jews, Teenage Bottlerocket, Minatore and Against Me! You can subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast for free at Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts or direct from our SoundCloud site below:


Tracklisting (please click the highlighted links for further information)

Suzi Moon "Sonic Attraction"

The Hives "Main Offender"

Elvis Costello & The Attractions "No Action"

Iggy & The Stooges "I Wanna Be Your Dog"

The Heartbreakers "Pirate Love"

Civet "Take Me Away"

Turbulent Hearts "The Runaround"

L.A. Machina "Go!"

Nazi Bitch & The Jews "Dead Porker"

Suzi Moon "Special Place In Hell"

Suzi Moon "Gold Record Autograph"

Teenage Bottlerocket "Bigger Than Kiss"

Minatore "The Hour"

Suzi Moon "I'm Not A Man"

Against Me! "1203"

Suzi Moon "Dumb & In Luv"

For more info on Suzi Moon, please check out her official web-site here or her Facebook page here. U.K. and European fans can pre-order the forthcoming album "Dumb & In Luv" here and US and worldwide fans can get the record from Pirates Press Records. With sincere thanks to Suzi.


Sunday, 7 August 2022

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 49 "A Tonic For The Soul" - 21 Song New Release Special with Graham Day, Giuda, The Coolies, Cyanide Pills and Much More...


Steve from Retro Man Blog picks out 21 of the best new Garage Rock, Psych, Indie, Power Pop and Punk releases from as far apart as the U.K., Canada, Sweden, Italy, USA, Japan and the Medway Delta! Includes spotlights on some of our favourite record labels Spinout Nuggets, Chaputa, Beluga and Damaged Goods and the episode is packed with killer tracks from former Prisoners frontman Graham Day's debut solo album, The Coolies featuring special guests Clem Burke from Blondie and Kathy Valentine from The Go-Go's and an unreleased song from Les Envahisseurs. Then there's Mimi & The Miseries, The Sound Station, Los Pepes, Deviation Days, Smalltown Tigers, Giuda, The Mourning After, The Sellwoods, The Speedways, Thee Escapees, K.S. & The Mystery Jet Set, Kurt Shirt, Dirt Royal, Cyanide Pills, Thee Moot, Cat & The Underdogs, Thee Strawberry Mynde and a sublime song from Paper Lips, the new solo project by Mike Whittaker of The Baron Four and The Jack Cades. Please support these fantastic bands, artists and record labels so do check out the highlighted links below for further information on how you can buy all this wonderful music. You can subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast for free at Spotify, iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and SoundCloud and you can stream and download direct from the SoundCloud archive below:


Track-listing & Links

Graham Day - A Rose Thorn Sticking In Your Mind's Eye


Thee Moot - Tonic For The Soul

Paper Lips - Monday Morning

Les Envahisseurs - Back 266

Thee Escapees - Lose Your Head

Thee Strawberry Mynde - Try As I Might

Cyanide Pills - The Kids Can't Be Trusted With Rock 'n' Roll

Los Pepes - Never Get It Right

The Sellwoods - Searchin'


The Coolies - King of Confusion

The Mourning After - She Left Me Today

Kurt Shirt - Imaginary Friend

Dirt Royal - Shoot Me Now



Deviation Days - Well of Trouble

Smalltown Tigers - Just Friends

The Speedways - Shoulda Known

Giuda - Roll On (live)

With thanks to Lee at Spinout Nuggets, Ian at Damaged Goods, Esgar at Chaputa Records, Melissa from The Sellwoods, Trevor at Beluga Records, Ake from Cat & The Underdogs and Hans Selander.


Thursday, 4 August 2022

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 48 "Why Don't You Smile Now?" with Special Guests Buddy Ascott & Rob Green of The Fallen Leaves. Features Exclusive New Unreleased Song by Thee Headcoats Sect


Steve from Retro Man Blog welcomes special guests Buddy Ascott and Rob Green from The Fallen Leaves into the studio to discuss their upcoming tribute and fundraising show in the memory of Deerstalker hat wearing guitar legend, Don Craine of Downliners Sect at The Half Moon Putney on Sunday August 21st. To help raise awareness of this very special event, Damaged Goods Records have very kindly granted us an exclusive unreleased new song by Thee Headcoats Sect featuring Billy Childish, Bruce Brand and original Downliners Sect band member Keith Grant. This episode also features news of Buddy's recent recording sessions with Speakeasy, The 79'ers and The Fallen Leaves and another charity show with Vox Pop. Steve chats about some of the gigs he's attended since the last episode including Baby Shakes at the Pump It Up Power Pop Weekender and The Undertones at the Camden Electric Ballroom where we also praise the merits of vocalist Paul McLoone. Then there's the stunning performance by Love Revisited with Johnny Echols at the Garage and The Gruesomes first ever U.K. show at Weirdsville. Steve also talks about his visit to Spinroad Vinyl Factory studio and pressing plant in Sweden and the problems for small bands and labels getting their vinyl pressed. There's music from The Masonics, The Undertones, Downliners Sect, Baby Shakes, Vox Pop, The 79'ers, Love, The Gruesomes, The Fallen Leaves and of course, that very special Thee Headcoats Sect exclusive! You can subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast for free at Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts or direct from our SoundCloud site below:

For tickets to the Don Craine Tribute Show at The Half Moon Putney on Sunday August 21st, please contact the venue at this link. Tickets and info for the Sound of Woking event can be found here. Here's the full track-listing to this episode, please click on the highlighted links for further information on the featured bands and how you can purchase their music.

The 79'ers "Maybe Tomorrow" (Live)

Vox Pop "Cor Blimey"

The Undertones "Dig Yourself Deep"

Baby Shakes "Really, Really"

The Gruesomes "Stop It, Girl"

Downliners Sect "Why Don't You Smile Now"

Thee Headcoats Sect "The Baker Street Irregulars" EXCLUSIVE NEW SONG

The Masonics "When You Cry At Night"

The Fallen Leaves "Green Eyes F.C."

Love "She Comes In Colours"

With sincere thanks to Buddy, Rob Green, Rob Symmonds and Ian at Damaged Goods Records. 

Podcover star: Amy K-B.

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Retrosonic Podcast with The Gruesomes, Canada's Legendary Tyrants of Teen Trash

For this very special episode of Retrosonic Podcast we caught up with all four members of the legendary Canadian Garage Rock band The Gruesomes as they rehearsed for their upcoming debut London show at Weirdsville on July 2nd, hard to believe this will be the first time the band have ever played the U.K. since forming in Montreal back in 1985. In this comprehensive and thoroughly entertaining show, singers and guitarists Bobby Beaton and Gerry Alvarez, bassist John Davis and drummer John Knoll take us on a wild ride from their formation in 1985 to their split in 1990 and right up to their resurrection and classic comeback album "Cave-In!" in 2000. Along the way we discuss their debut E.P. "Jack The Ripper" and how it became a favourite of The Horrors, along with their first album, the impeccably titled "Tyrants of Teen Trash". We play tracks from each of their albums and their latest single alongside a pick of various influences and favourite songs from The Haunted, The Chords, Kit & The Outlaws, The Prisoners and The Sorrows. We also cover Canadian culture and music including the Montreal scene that spawned The Gruesomes. There's life threatening road accidents, Buddy Ascott's drumming, touring Europe for the first time, why Spain loved The Gruesomes and the band's love of lemon curd! All this and lots, lots more in this teen-trash packed episode of Retrosonic Podcast. You can subscribe to Retrosonic for free at Spotify, iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or direct from SoundCloud below:

The Gruesomes play their first and only UK show at Weirdsville at the Fiddler's Elbow in Chalk Farm on Saturday July 2nd with support from Retro Man Blog favourites The Jack Cades and DJ's Keb Darge, Mr A and Miss A. Psychotronic visuals will be provided by Dave Taylor at Enjoy Yourself. Tickets are available from We Got Tickets here. Don't miss out! For more information on The Gruesomes please check out their official Facebook page here. With sincere thanks to The Gruesomes - Bobby, John, Gerry & John and especially to Grant Fisher.
 

Tracklisting

The Gruesomes "Bikers From Hell"

The Haunted "1-2-5"

The Prisoners "Hurricane"

The Chords "Maybe Tomorrow"

The Gruesomes "Leave My Kitten Alone"

Kit & The Outlaws "Don't Tread On Me"

The Gruesomes "Jack The Ripper"

The Gruesomes "What's Your Problem"

The Gruesomes "Je Cherche"

The Gruesomes "Way Down Below"

The Gruesomes "Hey!"

The Gruesomes "Stop It, Girl"

The Sorrows "No, No, No, No"

The Gruesomes "Make Up Your Mind"

The Gruesomes "Someone Told a Lie"

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 47 "This Is No Audition" with Special Guest, Rock Photographer Paul Slattery

Ronnie Mayor of The Tours/Da Biz - Photo by Paul Slattery
 
Welcome to Retrosonic Podcast Episode 47 where Steve is joined by Rock Photographer Paul Slattery to discuss "Retrospectively Yours", the excellent new compilation from Ronnie Mayor of The Tours, the criminally underrated, short-lived Power Pop/New Wave band who Paul first photographed and championed way back in 1979. There's a special feature on the album which highlights Ronnie's songwriting skills with The Tours and Da Biz and we pick a selection of songs from both bands. Steve talks about another great night of conversation at The Exchange in Twickenham hosted by Gary Crowley with his special guests Debsey Wykes from Dolly Mixture and Mick Talbot from The Style Council and we play a classic Dolly Mixture song. Then we have brand new releases from former bandmates in The Prisoners, Graham Day and Allan Crockford, Graham with his debut solo single and Allan with Sounds Incarcerated, the lockdown cover version project with Viv Bonsels. Then there's Autoramas, our favourite Space Age Garage Rockers from Brazil, some perfectly crafted modern day French Ye-Ye from Monsieur Paul et Les Solutions, there's the melodic Glasgow sound of Neil Sturgeon & The Infomaniacs and some blistering tuneful Punk Rock from Suzi Moon. Subscribe for free at Spotify, iTunes, Amazon music, MixCloud or direct from our SoundCloud site below:
 
Also in this episode, Paul tells us of the time he was kissed by Ronnie Spector and we have the photographic evidence to prove it as you can see below! Then he picks three of his favourite local bands from his time living in Boston including The J. Geils Band, Lyres and Duke & The Drivers. 
 
Paul in front of two of his iconic Smiths photos.


Paul also talks about a recent trip to Manchester and Stockport to see exhibitions featuring some of his iconic photos and picks a track by his favourite Mancunians, Howard Devoto and Magazine. "There's my Joy Division photos at The Stockport Museum where you can also see sound equipment used in the making of Joy Division's records. Here's some photos from the exhibition of Manchester Rock bands "There Is Light That Never Goes Out" which can be seen in the The Market, University Place, Manchester University, 176 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9QQ. In the photo of me with my two Oasis images there's also The Stone Roses by Kevin Cummins and Electronic by Steve Double."
 
 
 
Here Paul explains the early impact of Rock 'n' Roll on his life. "It must have been 1956 or '57. I was six but my neighbour Joe was a rocker and ten years older than me. He'd just got a new Dansette and he stacked up a load of his Elvis records for me to listen to. I'll never forget "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and after listening to that I knew somehow that rock and roll would play a major part in my life although at the time I didn't know actually quite how much that would be. It took me another couple of years before I bought my first Elvis record "Hound Dog" from saving my pocket money and doing odd jobs for neighbours and I bought records regularly after that. There was no pop music on the BBC and you had to listen to Radio Luxembourg if you wanted to hear anything that wasn't your mum and dad's era. My dad helped me string up an outside radio aerial so we could get a better Luxembourg signal. By 1960 we were listening to Elvis, the Shadows, Cliff Richard, Adam Faith, Duane Eddy and my favourite of the year must have been Johnny Preston's "Running Bear" the beat was just amazing. 1961 and '62 were more of the same although Billy Fury who I thought was so cool had crept in by then. So had the Everly Brothers, Chubby Checker, Ray Charles. My fave of 61 was John Leyton's "Johnny Remember Me" recorded in a bathroom by Joe Meek and my fave of '62 was Little Eva and "The Locomotion". 1963 though everything changed."
 
Ronnie Spector photographed by Paul Slattery

"For me it wasn't just The Beatles, I was just blown away by The Crystals. They were amazing cool black American girls with fantastic harmonies and a shimmy that was out of this world. "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me" were scorchers. I was thirteen and thought these were the most amazing records I'd ever heard. I went straight down to the record shop and bought them. One early Saturday night in the autumn I was watching "Juke Box Jury" with the family on the telly, there was always a couple of good records played every week but when "Be My Baby" came on I was just blown away. I went out and bought the record the next day and played it over and over and over again. I couldn't get enough of it, I must have worn the stylus out playing that record. I noticed the same name on the record as on The Crystals records but Phil Spector wouldn't mean anything to me until I got a bit older. I saw the Ronettes later on the TV and loved them, and that record eventually became my favourite pop record of all time. A few years after I started my rock photography career I found out that Ronnie Spector was going to play a gig at the Venue in Victoria London so I just had to go and take pictures of Ronnie. Halfway through the gig I noticed Ronnie was looking right at me, she crouched down right next to me and let me take a photo of her and the next thing planted her lips firmly against mine with the tenderest of kisses. I couldn't believe it but it was recorded on film by fellow rock photographer David Corio, who got this amazing shot of me and Ronnie."

Ronnie Spector & Paul Slattery photographed by David Corio

"I was so sad when I heard about Ronnie's death recently as memories of  me first hearing "Be My Baby" and that gig at The Venue flooded back. There is a great Wiki article on "Be My Baby" here, I didn't know that The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson also loved this song, as you can read in this article he was obsessed with it. I always knew Brian Wilson and myself would be soul brothers!" Ronnie Spector images. One by me and the one of me and Ronnie kindly donated by David Corio. For more info on David Corio's  photography please check out his official web-site or Instagram.
 
Tracklisting 
(Please Click on the highlighted links for info on how you can buy the featured music)
Tracks 1-6 from "Retrospectively Yours" by Ronnie Mayor

1. Da Biz "Can't Wait Till The Summer Comes"

2. The Tours "Language School"

3. Da Biz "This Is No Audition"

4. The Tours "Foreign Girls"

5. The Tours "Imagination"

6. Da Biz "Driven To Tears"

7. Graham Day "You Lied To Me"

8. Autoramas "Sem Tempo"

9. Neil Sturgeon & The Infomaniacs "I Just Wasn't Being Myself" 

10. Sounds Incarcerated "The Real Thing"

11. J. Geils Band "First I Look At The Purse"

12. Duke & The Drivers "What You Got"

13. Lyres "How Do You Know?"

14. Dolly Mixture "How Come You're Such a Hit With The Boys, Jane?"

15. Suzi Moon "Gold Record Autograph"

16. Monsieur Paul et Les Solutions "Pourquoi, Pourquoi"

17. Magazine "The Light Pours Out of Me"

18. The Ronettes "Be My Baby"

With many thanks to Paul Slattery and David Corio for the excellent photographs, copyright as stated. Retrosonic Podcast has a valid PRS Licence. Subscribe for free at Spotify, MixCloud, Apple Podcasts, iTunes or SoundCloud. You can also follow Retro Man Blog on Facebook & Instagram