Retro Man Blog's 25 Favourite Albums of 2025

Happy New Year to all Retro Man Blog supporters, subscribers and contributors. Here's our favourite 25 Albums of 2025, another great year for new music...

1. The Liminanas "Faded"

2 . Mandrake Handshake "Earth Sized Worlds"

3. The Minus 5 "Oar On, Penelope

4. WitchDoktors "Izzatso?"

5. Viagra Boys "Viagr Aboys"

6. David Byrne "Who Is The Sky?"

7. WITCH "Sogolo" 

8. Oh! Gunquit "Flex"

9. Sparks "MAD!"

10. The Penrose Web "The Least of Our Concerns"

11. Spiders "Sharp Objects"

12. Jetstream Pony "Bowerbirds and Blue Things"

13. Stereolab "Instant Holograms On Metal Film"

14. The Hives "The Hives Forever Forever The Hives"

15. Robert Forster "Strawberries"

16. The Guy Hamper Trio "Volume IV: The Goddess Tree"

17. Luke Haines & Peter Buck "Going Down To The River To Blow My Mind"

18. The Phobics "Gimme Cyanide"

19. Pink Nun "Pink Nun"

20. John McKay's Reactor "Sixes And Sevens"

21. The Capellas "Untamed"

22. MIEN "MIIEN"

23. Palooka 5 "MetroKino"

24. Paper Lips "Melodic Melancholic"

25. Proper "Meant To Say Something"

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: 

Retrosonic Podcast · Episode 53 "Play It Cool"

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.

Spiders at Camden Underworld, London, Tuesday June 9th

Spiders at Camden Underworld - photo copyright Retro Man Blog

Spiders were back in the U.K. for a rare show, this time supporting Black Moth at the Camden Underworld and it was great to see the band in action again. The last time I saw Spiders coincided with them signing a major record deal with Universal just before the release of their second album “Shake Electric” and they are now getting a pretty high profile in Scandinavia and around the rest of Europe. When I saw them for the very first time a few years back I commented that I had rarely seen a support band get such a good reaction from a London crowd and this trend continued at their next gigs in the capital. Tonight is no exception, what at first seemed a sparse Tuesday night gathering soon increased quite remarkably once the band took the stage and guitarist John Hoyles hit the Motorhead sized riff to “Hang Man”. Seguing straight into one of my favourite Spiders songs “High Society” was a great touch as both tracks highlight different facets to the band’s sound.

Spiders at Camden Underworld - photo copyright Retro Man Blog

Spiders at Camden Underworld - photo copyright Retro Man Blog

Spiders are on the surface I guess what could be termed a Heavy Rock act, a genre with which I know precious little about. However, as I have written on the Blog previously about Spiders, they have an innate groove and soul to their sound that elevates them far above many Heavy Metal or Rock bands; you can actually dance to Spiders, not just bang your head and pump your fists in the air. There are maracas and harmonicas and tambourines and melodies that stick in your head. John is certainly a great guitarist but thankfully, for my tastes at least, he’s not excessive. There’s no unnecessary meandering fretwork meaning the songs are short and punchy and perfectly formed. One of my highlights of the “Shake Electric” album is ironically what might be the biggest departure for the band so far, the soulful ballad of “Hard Times” and when it’s played tonight Ann-Sofie’s voice comes into its own and sends shivers up the spine. Strangely enough Suzi Quatro’s “Can The Can” has just come on the radio as I am typing and there’s certainly a touch of the leather clad legend’s influence on Spiders although I think they are probably growing out of the Shocking Blue, Runaways Glam-tinged sound of their earlier releases to something slightly more polished.

Spiders at Camden Underworld - photo copyright Retro Man Blog

Spiders at Camden Underworld - photo copyright Retro Man Blog

That's not to say the band are losing their edge, there's still no doubting the live energy of Spiders and Ann-Sofie is a great focal point. She's an energetic blur of flailing hair and she now plays rhythm guitar on a couple of tracks too which just adds to the power. Drummer Ricard and bassist Olle are an important factor in the equation, they are not the typical bombastic Heavy Rock rhythm section, but add the light and shade needed to do the songs justice particularly tonight on a brilliant “Love Me", which is another stand-out track. Let’s hope it’s not too long until Spiders return to the U.K. and surely next time it’ll be as headliners in their own right.

Spiders at Camden Underworld - photo copyright Retro Man Blog

Spiders at Camden Underworld - photo copyright Retro Man Blog

For more photographs of the gig then please head on over to the Retro Man Blog Facebook page and, if you are not already following, hit “Like” for access to the photo album. There's also a video featuring two songs from the show up at the Retro Man Blog YouTube channel now. Finally, there's a brief interview with Ann-Sofie and a selection of Spiders tracks played in our Swedish Music Special Retrosonic Podcast which is available to listen to or download for free from Soundcloud or iTunes.

Please note the Podcast above is from the archive, so any news will be well out of date by now...! For current news on tour dates and all other information please check out Spiders official web-site.

Retro Man Blog's Pick of 2014 - The Year's Best Albums, Gigs & Singles/E.P.s

2014 was another great year for gigs and new releases, and whilst we didn't quite top our average of one gig per week as we did in 2013, there were still loads of excellent live acts out there to get excited about. So, here's what floated our boat this past year. If you'd like to investigate further, please click on the highlighted link to take you to each band's web-site or to the relevant Retro Man Blog feature, review and photographs. Happy New Year and thanks for your support!

BEST ALBUMS OF 2014

01. THE LEN PRICE 3 - “Nobody Knows”
A little bit sneaky as we actually put on the exclusive album launch gig and already named it album of 2013 although it wasn't actually officially released until February of 2014. However, it's so good that it deserves top spot again and although The Galileo 7's "False Memory Lane" pushed it all the way, nothing this year could quite come close to beating "Nobody Knows". The album showed The Len Price 3 developing their already considerable songwriting skills, breaking out of their Garage Rock roots without losing their trademark aggression. "Nobody Knows" is a set of perfectly constructed, timeless songs which culminates in the band's undoubted masterpiece "The London Institute" which promises much for the future of the Medway based trio.

The Len Price 3 - Photo by Paul Slattery

02. GALILEO 7 - “False Memory Lane”
Allan Crockford is a busy man, at various points in time he has been a trusty sidekick and member of some superb bands such as The Prisoners, The Prime Movers, Graham Day & The Forefathers, James Taylor Quartet, The Solarflares, Phaze and The Stabilisers amongst others. With The Galileo 7 he stepped into the limelight as the main songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist and on this, the band's third album, he has produced a quite superb collection of top quality Psych Pop songs that are crammed full of scorching guitar riffs, catchy keyboard lines and melodic vocal harmonies. Think the Beatles, Syd Barrett, Julian Cope and The Left Banke and you might get the idea.

03. GRAHAM DAY & THE FOREFATHERS - “Good Things”
A refreshingly different take on a covers album as Graham Day has decided to cover his own songs! But this is not a collection of acoustic, orchestral or radically different versions of old classics, far from it, these are supercharged live-in-the-studio assaults on his back catalogue. Pretty much reforming The Solarflares to assist, Graham, Allan Crockford and Wolf Howard positively attack a choice set of songs from The Prisoners, The Solarflares, The Gaolers and The Prime Movers. Bursting with energy and vitality, the originals take a hell of a powerful beating! Oh, great cover photography by my Retro Man Blog colleague Paul Slattery too...!

04. BILLY CHILDISH & CTMF - “Acorn Man”
A resurgent Medway scene sees a clean Kentish sweep of the top four albums completed by a brand new release by Billy Childish under the guise of Wild Billy Childish & CTMF. Harking back to the more accessible sound of The Musicians of The British Empire, "Acorn Man" is full of that trademark guitar and has Nurse Julie taking on more of the lead vocal duties and backing vocal harmonies. For me this is definitely one of his best albums and he sure has a lot to choose from!

05. EBBOT LUNDBERG - “Be Careful What You Wish For!”
Low-key limited edition release of demos by The Soundtrack of Our Lives ex-front man Ebbot Lundberg that would go on to form the basis of his superb "Homo Futurus" E.P with The Indigo Children. This release went some way to filling that huge TSOOL shaped hole in my life, it's great to have the big Swede back on this form.

06. THE FLESHTONES - “Wheel Of Talent”
America's hardest working band have still got it and are sounding as fresh and vital as they did when they first formed nearly 40 years ago. The only thing to beat the energy in this record is the energy that they still have when they play live! In "Remember The Ramones" and "What You're Talking About" they have produced songs that can match anything in their impressive back catalogue.

07. VIC GODARD & SUBWAY SECT - “1979 Now!”
Northern Soul meets angular Post-Punk in this upbeat collection of short sharp dance songs. If you're good at multi-tasking and can sing along and dance at the same time then this album is for you.

08. EIGHT ROUNDS RAPID - “Loss Leader”
"Loss Leader" is the superb debut album of totally original and idiosyncratic music from the enigmatic Southend-on-Sea based four-piece. David Alexander's quick-fire half spoken vocals spit out some quite brilliantly observed lyrics and the band, featuring Wilko Johnson's son Simon on guitar, kick up a blistering racket behind him.

09. BUZZCOCKS - “The Way”
The Buzzcocks have been steadily releasing really strong albums since they reformed with 1993's superb "Trade Test Transmissions" and "The Way" certainly keeps the impressive track record going. Packed full of trademark Buzzcocks songs with Pete Shelley's melodic lovelorn songs battling with Steve Diggle's more traditional Mod influenced numbers.

10. OF ARROWE HILL - “A Conspiracy of Clocks"
Although this was only released a few weeks ago, this album still crashes into the Top 10 as it is so refreshingly different and the vinyl is beautifully packaged. Some songs are presented as mere sketches with the studio chat left in and it's that spontaneous feel that reminds me of Robert Pollard and Guided By Voices. Other times Of Arrowe Hill are pure English pastoral pop like XTC or Michael Head's album as The Strands. Whatever they are, these are nothing short of literary, intelligent little gems of songs crammed full of many melodic twists and turns.

11. THE DUSTAPHONICS - “Big Smoke London Town”
A huge joyful celebration of an eclectic mix of 1950s Rock 'n' Roll, Garage Rock, Soul, Blues and instrumental Surf music. The swinging rhythm section and Yvan Serrano-Fontova’s equally rhythmic scratchy Lo-Fi guitar lay down a hip-shaking groove that allows the stunning Hayley Red’s soulful vocals to shine throughout the album. 

12. WILKO JOHNSON & ROGER DALTREY - “Going Back Home”
Similar to the Graham Day & The Forefathers album, this is another legend looking back on his career and reviving some old classics. Wilko Johnson has finally found a vocalist in The Who's Roger Daltrey that can equal Lee Brilleaux's raw R'n'B growl. A stunning success made when Wilko wasn't even sure if he would live to see the album released. His subsequent against-the-odds recovery from cancer was definitely one of the most moving and inspiring stories of 2014.

13. VIV ALBERTINE - “Vermillion Border”
Excellent solo album from the former Slits guitarist that is both challenging and rewarding and features a cast of famous names including Mick Jones, Dylan Howe from The Blockheads and a different bassist on every track from Norman Watt-Roy and Jack Bruce to Tina Weymouth and Dennis Bovell. A perfect soundtrack to her recent searingly honest autobiography.

14. TV SMITH - “I Delete”
The legendary voice of The Adverts follows up the brilliant album "Coming Into Land" with another collection of his beautifully observed tales of modern life. A truly inspirational songwriter, this time TV has chosen to move away from the acoustic based sound of his live shows to release a shiny, polished and upbeat album that doesn't detract from the message within the songs. 

15. MUCK & THE MIRES - “Dial "M" For Muck”
Despite the name putting me off for some time I couldn't ignore the rave reviews this band were getting and this Dirty Water Records release certainly showed me what I've been missing. Power Pop sensibilities and good time Rock & Roll that evokes The Fleshtones and The Woggles at their best.

16. NINA PERSSON - “Animal Heart”
Nina's vocals just keep on getting stronger and stronger and this album of perfectly crafted pop songs highlights this in the best way possible. "Food For The Beast" and "Animal Heart" are what pop music should be all about.

17. THE TEAMSTERS - “The Teamsters”
Some great songwriting lifts this album head and shoulders above most of the samey Garage Rock music that gets sent into the Retro Man Blog. Thee Milkshakes, early Kinks and Hamburg-era Beatles are channelled into some excellent crunching pop songs such as "I'll Take What I Want" and "I Would Cry". Definitely a band to watch out for in 2015.

18. THE pUKES - “Too Drunk To Pluck”
Although it's impossible to capture on record the sheer exuberance of seeing a 20-piece Ukulele orchestra performing covers of Punk Rock classics, this debut album comes close. With some originals nestling between tracks by Ramones, Cock Sparrer, Wire and The Dead Kennedys, The pUKES prove they are far from a one-joke act.

19. THE YOUTH - “Nothing But The Youth”
Like The Teamsters, this Danish outfit are working in a quite traditional genre but have the songs to make them stand out amongst a sea of forgettable Garage Rock bands and this impressive debut promises much more great music to come.

20. STUPIDITY - “Fore!”
Raw and Rockin' R'n'B from the Stockholm based four-piece, they are pals of The Fleshtones and it shows as some of their boundless energy has certainly rubbed off on the songs on "Fore!" The double hit of "King Midas" and "On Fire" has to be one of the best opening salvos of many an album.

BEST GIGS OF 2014

01. GRAHAM DAY & THE FOREFATHERS + THE LEN PRICE 3 + GALILEO 7 - Half Moon Putney June 06th. For review and photos please click here.

Graham Day & The Forefathers - Photo by Paul Slattery

02. THE FLESHTONES + THE WITCHDOKTORS - Camden Underworld June 03rd. For review and photos please click here.

03. THE LEN PRICE 3 + LES KITSCHENETTE'S + THE PAST TENSE - Half Moon Putney September 26th. For review and photos please click here.

04. KING SALAMI & THE CUMBERLAND 3 + LES KITSCHENETTE'S + REVOX - Weirdsville September 27th.

05. THE MONOCHROME SET + THE FALLEN LEAVES - Half Moon Putney May 24th. For review and photos please click here.

06. THE DAMNED + RUTS DC + TV SMITH - The Forum April 24th. For review and photos please click here.

07. GRAHAM DAY & THE FOREFATHERS - The 100 Club February 08th. For review and photos please click here.

08. LES BOF + OH!GUNQUIT - Weirdsville October 25th. For review and photos please click here.

09. THE FALLEN LEAVES+ THE MYND SET + THE BEATPACK - The 12 Bar December 03rd

10. SPIDERS - Borderline May 06th. For review and photos please click here.

BEST E.P./MINI-ALBUM/7" VINYL OF 2014

01. EBBOT LUNDBERG & THE INDIGO CHILDREN - “The Homo Futurus E.P.”

Ebbot Lundberg at Heaven, London, September 2012 - Photo by Paul Slattery

02. LES KITSCHENETTE'S - “2e Etage: Lingerie Pour Hommes E.P.”

03. MICHAEL HEAD & THE RED ELASTIC BAND - “Artorius Revisited”

04. GRAHAM DAY & THE FOREFATHERS - “Love Me Lies”

05. BILLY CHILDISH & CTMF - “Punk Rock Enough For Me”

06. OH!GUNQUIT - “She Wolf At Work" 7" Single

07. FRENCH BOUTIK - “Mieux Comme Ca E.P.”

08. GROOVY UNCLE & SUZI CHUNK - “Barefoot In The Car Park”

09. THE MYND SET - “The Mynd Set E.P.”

10. THE PAST TENSE/THE LOOP - “Split 7” Vinyl E.P.

For a reminder of our pick of 2013 please check out the Blog Archive feature here.

Thanks to all the bands who played at our Retro Man Blog gigs in 2014 - and of course all those of you who have come along to the gigs, helped and supported us throughout the year. Retro Man Blog and Retrosonic Podcast are both non-profit making D.I.Y. ventures set-up purely to promote great underground music so your continued support is very much appreciated.

Spiders at The Borderline London May 06th

Spiders at London Borderline - Photo by Steve Worrall

Swedish melodic rock band Spiders finally made their long-awaited return to the U.K. last week, something I have been looking forward to very much ever since first seeing them back in December 2012 as support to Graveyard. I was so impressed with the band's stunning live show and I don't think I have ever seen an opening act get such a great reaction from a crowd, especially a London one. This time round, the only slight disappointment was that the band were here as a support act again, this time to Canadian band Blood Ceremony on their lengthy European tour. I was really hoping the band might have been venturing out as headliners especially since the many glowing reviews of their faultless debut album "Flash Point", but at least a support slot such as this should introduce them to an even bigger International audience.

Ann-Sofie of Spiders - Photo by Steve Worrall

The band hit the stage of The Borderline, Ann-Sofie resplendent in a shining gold cape and sequined top, a blaze of colour and energy and they blast off with a new song "Mad Dog". In fact the band take the somewhat brave step of following up with another unreleased song "Control", well it would be brave if the new songs weren't any good, but no need to worry, they are both excellent and fit in seamlessly with their more familiar numbers. Guitarist John Hoyles peers out from behind a straggly fringe, and with his inventive Bluesy riffing, steeped in late Sixties and early Seventies Rock, I'm reminded of Led Zeppelin. Spiders have that little bit of soul to them, there's a groove that's missing from many of their contemporaries. I discussed this side of their music with bassist Matteo Gambacorta last time they were in London and I was a bit disappointed to see that Matteo could not make this tour as he is a great bass player. Luckily his replacement, Olle proved a more than able stand-in, and complete with black Rickenbacker, he did an excellent job. 

Bassist Olle - Photo by Steve Worrall

His rhythm section partner Ricard Harryson is not a visually flamboyant drummer, he keeps a low profile with his trucker's cap pulled down low, but there's no doubting his immensely powerful and effective playing. A great version of the powerful "Loss & Trouble" leads into the title track of their forthcoming second album, "Shake Electric" which has a crunching guitar intro from John. It's another perfectly formed melodic masterpiece with a stunning harmonica break from Ann-Sofie, and I can really imagine this making a great new single in the build up to the new album.

Spiders (L/R) John, Ann-Sofie, Ricard & Olle - Photo by Steve Worrall

John plays a nice meandering riff before the mighty Motorhead-heavy "Hang Man" slams into the crowd with superb drumming from Ricard. "Nothing Like You" with it's inventive twists and turns gives way to the thunderous intro to the excellent "Rules of The Game", one of my favourite Spiders tracks. Another new song entitled "Only Your Skin" follows and it becomes clear that the next album is shaping up to be very promising indeed. "Above The Sky" slows the pace a bit and allows Ann-Sofie to show off her considerable skills on the harmonica, it's a great song that reminds me of late Sixties Jefferson Airplane and it highlights the diversity that makes Spiders stand out for me.

John and Ann-Sofie of Spiders - Photo by Steve Worrall

"Love Me" sees Ann-Sofie bashing a tambourine, shaking her hair and the crowd respond and start clapping along. She really is a great focal point for the band with a natural charisma and a ready smile, not to mention one of the best female voices around at the moment. "Fraction" is a great slice of flash Runaways Rock 'n' Roll and is a perfect way to bring the set to a close and the band leave the stage to rapturous applause and calls for more but that's the end to an excellent set, it's all over unfortunately. Let's hope we don't have to wait too long for the Spiders' return.

Spiders at The Borderline - Photo by Steve Worrall

John Hoyles of Spiders - Photo by Steve Worrall

I met up with Spiders vocalist Ann-Sofie and guitarist John before their set and we chat about the Gothenburg music scene, the first 7" singles they ever bought, touring Europe in a camper van and of course the new album. It turns out that earlier that afternoon they had been in advanced discussions with Universal Music about releasing their next album "Shake Electric" so, if all works out well hopefully that Spiders headlining tour might not be too far away..! 

Spiders at The Borderline - Photo by Steve Worrall

You can hear our chat in a future episode of Retrosonic Podcast, so please keep a check on the Soundcloud page or sign-up, register, like and follow the various Retro Man Blog social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter for news on when that will be available. You can listen to my previous chat with Ann-Sofie in our Retrosonic special on the Swedish music scene and hear a selection of great Spiders tracks too. Please note this is an archive episode from 2012.

You can read our report on Spiders first U.K. show featuring exclusive Paul Slattery photos here and some excellent photos by Josefine Larsson of the band at Sweden Rock Festival here. For more photos of the Borderline show please head on over to the Retro Man Blog Facebook page and hit "Like" for access to the exclusive photo album...

John & Ann-Sofie - Photo by Steve Worrall

With many thanks to John and Ann-Sofie, Ricard, Olle and Peter from the excellent Crusher Records.

Spiders at Sweden Rock Festival - Photos by Josefine Larsson

Ann-Sofie of Spiders - Photo by Josefine Larsson

The Gothenburg Non-Stop web-site has published some excellent pictures of our favourite "Retro Rockers", Spiders taken at the recent "Sweden Rock Festival" by the very talented photographer Josefine Larsson. Josefine had complete backstage and onstage access and her photos are certainly well worth checking out. Josefine has already contributed pictures of Mattias Hellberg and The Movements to Retro Man Blog and I am sure we will see much more from her in the future. You can check out the full set of Spiders photos on the Gothenburg Non-Stop site and see more examples of Josefine's work at her official web-site.


Ricard and Matteo warming up backstage - Photo by Josefine Larsson

John and Ann-Sofie backstage before the gig - Photo by Josefine Larsson

Spiders will play at Club Destroyer, Sundsvall in Sweden on June 29th before heading off on an Iberian Tour to continue promoting their superb debut album "Flash Point", with the first date in Barcelona on July 01st. They will then play at the Rockfest in Rengsdorf, Germany on July 27th and then there will be a couple more appearances at festivals in Sweden in August. Visit the band's web-site for all the dates, venues and ticket details. Spiders will hopefully start recording the follow up to "Flash Point" in Autumn. Their single "Fraction" is so good it even made it onto our Retro Man Blog "favourite 7" singles" header logo above, amongst some very exalted company...!

Taking the stage at Sweden Rock Festival - Photo by Josefine Larsson

You can check out our interview with Ann-Sofie from Spiders and hear some of their tunes in our special edition Retrosonic Podcast on Swedish music at the Soundcloud site.

With many thanks to Josefine Larsson.

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 6: "When The World Stops Turning..."

Episode 6 of Retrosonic Podcast is out and available to listen to, or download for free, at the Soundcloud  site now. Featuring Steve from Retro Man Blog, Adam from The Jetsonics and rock photographer Paul Slattery with the usual eclectic mix of tunes and chat. In this Episode we raise a glass to Wilko Johnson and pick a classic number from Dr. Feelgood, the first band that Paul ever photographed, back on the 1975 Naughty Rhythms Tour. We try to banish the cold and grey with the sunny sounds of Ansell Collins and blast each others' ears with some Sixties Psychedelia from the Texan band Homer and then some thoroughly British freak-beat courtesy of The Eyes. There's Vic Godard with his tribute to an American Punk legend and an instrumental Surf classic from Link Wray. In between there's the brand new single from The Travellers, some hotly tipped Retro Rock from Spiders, noisy guitar stuff from The Parents and some slinky Swedish Psych Pop from Caviare Days. If that's not enough we play a brace of Medway Delta Garage Rock tracks from Galileo 7 and Graham Day & The Gaolers and then to top it all off, there's an 80's Indie masterpiece from Felt.

Don't forget all previous Episodes are still available and as well as the regular shows there are various Special Editions featuring interviews with a wide range of personalities. TV Smith from The Adverts treats us to an exclusive live acoustic session, Mattias Bärjed takes us on a journey from the Nymphet Noodlers to The Soundtrack of Our Lives, his successful movie and TV soundtrack work to his brand new band Free Fall. We have some demo versions and unreleased tracks from Mattias Hellberg's forthcoming album, JC Carroll from The Members takes us on a little Punk Rock trip and there are exclusive unreleased solo songs from Ian Person from The Soundtrack of Our Lives. There are also special reports on various music related topics such as the Swedish music scene  which includes interviews with Ann-Sofie from Spiders, Bruce from MUG Music store and Wayne Lundqvist-Ford from the Gothenburg based Ice Cream Man Blog. There are looks into the contemporary Mod scene scene, Paul Slattery's adventures in Rock and Roll Photography and much more...

Spiders live at Islington Academy December 06th

Spiders by Paul Slattery

Spiders first ever London show was a resounding success, in fact I can't remember the last time I have seen a support act get such an enthusiastic response and the band were unlucky not to be allowed to play an encore that they richly deserved. Spiders are currently opening for fellow Gothenburg based rock outfit Graveyard on an 18 date European tour that is taking in Holland, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria as well as England, Wales and Scotland. The dates coincide with the release of their stunning debut album "Flash Point", which has just been nominated for the P3 Guld Swedish Music Awards in the Rock album of the year category.

Photo by Paul Slattery

The results will be decided in January next year, and I will be popping down the bookies very soon and putting a bet on it winning outright! Their label Crusher Records, seems to be doing a great job promoting the band and the album has had a high profile Japanese release. I can really see the band going down a storm over in Japan if they can get some gigs sorted. Anyway, this was my first time to see Spiders live and they did not disappoint. Vocalist Ann-Sofie is a super-cool pint-sized bundle of energy with an amazing, powerful voice. She plays a mean harmonica too, and adds some tambourine and maracas into the mix as she swirls her hair, and stalks the stage. Of course on the surface Ann-Sofie is the main focal point, but Spiders are a perfect mix of individuals that makes this a really top group in the true essence of the word. The rhythm section of bassist Matteo Gambarcorta and drummer Ricard Harryson lay down a cool groove that underpins John Hoyles' mean and lean guitar playing. Actually, I think it's that rhythm that gives Spiders the edge and made them stand out for me in a genre of music that I am generally not so enthusiastic about. Bassist Matteo swings his Rickenbacker, immersed in the music. After the show he talked to me about his love of Soul music and mentioned that he has played in a band with that master of the Psychedelic groove, Mattias Hellberg.

Spiders by Steve Worrall

Compared to his band-mates, Drummer Ricard looks pretty impassive behind his kit, there's no headache inducing bashing and crashing of cymbals that seems to come with a lot of heavy rock bands. He keeps that crisp and steady beat, more Charlie Watts than Keith Moon. John Hoyles is a really great guitarist, and again why I love Spiders is that there are no unnecessary and excessive guitar noodlings, it's concise and heavy on the catchy riffing. They kick things off with the headlong rush of "Hang Man" and then slam straight into one of the album's highlights, "High Society", it's a breathless start. If like me, you prefer your heavy rock in the vein of the R'n'B groove of early AC/DC or the Punk energy of Motorhead, the power hooks of Cheap Trick or the Glam stomp of Slade, then you will love this band. However, I don't want it to seem that I am reinforcing that "Retro Rock" tag.

Ann-Sofie by Paul Slattery

I must add that Spiders are very much of the now, the sheer quality of their song writing and the energy that they exude both live and from their records, means that they could develop into a classic and timeless band. "Rules of The Game" from the album, is certainly one of my songs of the year and that hasn't even been released as a single, and tonight it sounds awesome. They play the storming single "Weekend Nights", a joyous Runaways style stomper and "Love Me" starts off with a raw bass intro that winds around a stabbing guitar line. The set finishes way too soon with the  brilliant new single "Fraction" and I am pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic reaction from a very happy crowd. I am sure Spiders will be back again very soon, and next time I can pretty much guarantee they will be headlining.

Photo by Paul Slattery

John Hoyles by Steve Worrall

Spiders by Paul Slattery

Don't forget our Retrosonic Podcast Swedish Music Special Edition featuring an interview with Spiders vocalist Ann-Sofie, is still available to listen to or download free at the Retrosonic site.

Retrosonic Podcast Swedish Music special with Spiders, Eken, Division of Laura Lee, MUG Music store, The Oholics, Side Effects, Samling and much more...

Continuing our series of Retrosonic Podcasts on Sweden, the latest Episode features a spotlight on Gothenburg's thriving music scene. And what better way to start than to kick off with The Troublemakers' classic anthem and tribute to the City, "Staden Göteborg". There are interviews with Ann-Sofie from the hotly tipped Spiders, where we discuss the release of their excellent debut album "Flash Point" and their upcoming European tour with Graveyard. We also talk to Wayne Lundqvist-Ford from the Ice Cream Man Blog about life in the city, including his thoughts on local bands, venues and the Gothenburg Scooter Club. We play a pick of recommended Swedish bands such as Division of Laura Lee, The Moving Sounds, The Early Days, The Wild Shore, Arvidson and The Movements. Next, it's a quick pop into the legendary MUG Music Store for a brief chat with the equally legendary owner, Bruce Emms. Then there is a feature on local Record Union digital A&R man, Hans Selander, and we play a selection of excellent bands on his roster including Långfinger, Eken, Side Effects, The Sympathy, Headons and The Oholics, who had their latest album reviewed very favourably by respected journalist Andrew Perry in the latest issue of Mojo Magazine. As if that is not enough, there's even more music crammed in, with songs by Samling, Swedish Brilliance and The Wonder Boys.

- Tracklist & Links (please click the highlighted names to visit each band's web-site).

Troublemakers "Staden Göteborg"

Division of Laura Lee "Need To Get Some"

The Early Days "Flowers"

The Moving Sounds "Never Follow Through"

The Movements "She Said"

The Wild Shore "Chinese Birds"

Arvidson "I'd Hate To See You Go"

Spiders "High Society", "Rules of The Game", "Fraction"

Spiders at Truckstop Alaska, Gothenburg - Photo by Anders Magnusson

Långfinger "Clap Your Hands For The Troubadour"

The Oholics "Wasted Youth"

The Sympathy "Get Away"

Side Effects "Let's Take a Walk in The Space Between Us"

Eken "Tanto, Min  Gröna  Fru"

Headons "Million Ways"

Samling "Stackars Lilla Värsting"

Swedish Brilliance "Another Day"

The Wonder Boys "Conspiracy Theory"

Bruce Emms of MUG Music Store - Photo by Steve Worrall

With many thanks to:

Bruce Emms at MUG Music Store (Musik Utan GRÄNSER), Kaserntorget 9, Gothenburg SE-411 18

Hans Selander at Record Union A&R and Selander Art

Ann-Sofie from Spiders
Wayne Lundqvist-Ford at Ice Cream Man Blog

Also, thanks to Anders Magnusson.

For all previous Swedish Special Edition Podcasts please check out the Retrosonic Podcast web-site on Soundcloud. All are available to download for free, here's a guide to all the Episodes so far.

Part 1: Ian Person, guitarist with The Soundtrack of Our Lives talks about the decision to call time on the band at the end of 2012. We also discuss his own music and play a selection of tracks from Ian's debut solo album "Diamonds In The Rough" and from the soundtrack to the new IFK Gothenburg movie "Football's Last Proletarians". We are also extremely delighted to include some brand new, as yet unreleased, songs from his forthcoming solo album.



Part 2: Thomas and David from one of Sweden's best psychedelic-garage-space-rock bands, The Movements, take us on a trip through the band's story which includes chapters as diverse as writing a theme song for a German football team, to being the first band that legendary Union Carbide Productions and Soundtrack of Our Lives guitarist Björn Olsson produced. From rehearsing songs in a hospital ward while singer David recovered from cancer, they ended up being the first band to have their very own Space Rock album taken to Outer Space by Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang! Generously sound-tracked by loads of great Movements songs, you can find out more in this fascinating special edition podcast!



Part 3: Movie Directors Martin Jönsson and Carl Pontus Hjorthén tell us all about their stunning new documentary, "Football's Last Proletarians" (Fotbollens Sista Proletärer), a fascinating look back at IFK Gothenburg's 1980's European adventures under the management of Sven-Göran Eriksson. We are also joined by one of the stars of the team, and of course the movie itself, ex-IFK, Liverpool and Fiorentina defender, Glenn Hysén. The Podcast features some examples of The Soundtrack of Our Lives' guitarist, Ian Person's excellent music from the film.
 

Our final Episode in the Swedish Series will be a special feature on Mattias Hellberg where we talk about his fascinating career from his early days in Karlstad to the present day as he prepares to release his latest solo album. Mattias talks about putting on gigs in the college canteen for Union Carbide Productions to forming his own bands such as Ugly Jake and later The Nymphet Noodlers with Martin Hederos, Mattias Bärjed and Jan Martens. We chat about his various collaborations and projects including The Solution, The Hellacopters, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Hederos & Hellberg and more recently, with Nationalteatern. The Episode is generously soundtracked with lots of music from a selection of his many phases, including his solo albums and with The White Moose. We're also honoured to have some superb exclusive, unreleased songs from his forthcoming album. Please keep a check on the Retro Man Blog, Facebook page, Twitter feed @RetroMan65 or Retrosonic Podcast Soundcloud web-site for news of the release date of this great Mattias Hellberg Special Edition.

The Movements Podcast Cover Photo copyright Josefine Larsson 2012.

Ian Person Podcast Cover Photo copyright Paul Slattery 2012.

Spiders live Photo copyright Anders Magnusson 2012.