Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

From Britpop to Beanie Babies, 1995 was da bomb! So much so, in fact, that we thought it would be pretty phat if we revisited the albums of the year in a Volume 2 episode. As if! This week's Third Lad, singer/songwriter/guitarist Josh Caterer had a pretty memorable 1995 as well. His Chicago pop-punk band Smoking Popes signed a major label deal with Capitol Records, who re-released their second indie album, Born To Quit. The album featured the alternative smash "Need You Around," which received radio and MTV airplay, as well as a prominent placement in the hit film Clueless. Fast forward 30 years and things are once again heating up for Smoking Popes. They've just released a triumphant new album, Lovely Stuff, and are celebrating three decades of Born To Quit by playing the record live in its entirety this spring. This summer, they will embark on a tour with Bayside. https://smokingpopesmusic.com Josh joined us from a random rest stop somewhere in Florida to chat about '95 albums, the Popes' past, present, and future, hangin' out in Billie Joe Armstrong's basement, getting Morrissey's seal of approval, the pros and cons of sudden fame, faith, Wisconsin, and much more. We're Audi! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not Record Store Day without a special bonus episode from your friends at Only Three Lads. OK, so it is actually still is Record Store Day regardless on Saturday, April 12th…but hopefully we can help in some way as you get ready for the big day. Join O3L's Brett Vargo on a guided journey through this year's list, spotlighting the many releases from artists that we talk about on the show. This year could be one of the best we’ve ever had. Let us know where you’ll be this Record Store Day and what’s on your shopping list! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dedicated in loving memory of two of the greatest drummers of the O3L era: Blondie (among many others) drummer Clem Burke, who passed away the day prior to this episode's release; and The Jam's Rick Buckler, who we lost the week we recorded it. The title says it all: This week, we celebrate albums with super awesome drumming with Third Lads Evan Sult and Dave Eastman from The Open Flames! Evan Sult is the super awesome drummer behind Harvey Danger and their '90s alt-rock classic 'Flagpole Sitta' (c'mon, you know you've played air drums to it before). Plus, Harvey Danger's underrated second album, King James Version, is getting the deluxe vinyl treatment for its 25th anniversary on Record Store Day - April 12, 2025! Evan Sult and Paige Brubeck (who also make up the duo Sleepy Kitty) and bassist Len Bendel joined forces with singer/songwriter/guitarist extraordinaire Dave Eastman to form the literate pop noir band The Open Flames. Their new debut album, Same Time Next Year, rides a wild wave from crescendo to crescendo. Dave's novelist's eye tells narratives that he and co-vocalist Paige embody as characters which the band explodes into cinematic color via Evan's powerful drums, Paige and Len's inventive basslines, and a full spectrum of distorted guitar tones and harmonies. Same Time Next Year is out now on Subjangle: https://theopenflames.bandcamp.com Dave also treats O3L listeners to an exclusive live acoustic version of the album track 'My Birthday'. Oh, and did we mention it's super awesome?!? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Call it an O3L spin-off. Call it a new direction. But after 264 episodes discussing classic alternative music, we (Gregg Gunner and Brett Maverick) decided that it was finally time to devote ourselves to our true musical passion...modern bro-country. In this inaugural episode, we will cover our Top 5 Bro-Country Songs. This was a nigh-on-impossible task, as there are soooooo many great tunes in this genre. For those who may be less familiar with Bro-country, here's how the ever-reliable Wikipedia describes it: Bro-country is a form of country pop originating in the 2010s, and is influenced by 21st-century hip hop, hard rock, and electronica. Bro-country songs are often musically upbeat with lyrics about attractive young women, the consumption of alcohol, partying, blue jeans, boots, and pickup trucks. Truck yeah! That's like all of our favorite things rolled into one. Don't worry, we're still the same ol' "lads" - just in Stetson hats and cowboy boots. So come along on this ride...it's got more giddy up than an F150! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not to toot our own horns (so to speak), it's the undisputed truth that we've had incredible guests on O3L in the past. Our growing roster of "Third Lads" has collectively touched millions of lives. But is there any single person who has changed the very fabric of the music industry as indelibly as this week's Third Lad? Because this week we chat with Nick Holmstén, the man who revolutionized the modern playlist. In that spirit, we are going to "be your algorithm" and give you a wildly eclectic list of songs that you need to stream...RIGHT NOW! Well, OK, wait til after the podcast is done. Priorities, friends! With three decades of diverse experience in the entertainment industry, Holmstén’s transformation from a thriving artist, producer, and songwriter into a pioneering leader in the realms of music and technology showcases his dynamic career progression. His tenure as the Global Head of Music at Spotify is a testament to his significant impact on the digital music sphere. This role followed the strategic acquisition of his company, Tunigo, by Spotify in 2013, highlighting Spotify’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of the music discovery. He was instrumental in transforming Spotify into a global music powerhouse, introducing the modern playlist that revolutionized the way artists release music and reinvented how fans discover new music, thereby expanding the global reach of music artists. He also established TSX Entertainment, a groundbreaking entertainment company based in Times Square, with the TSX Stage and the TSX Billboard becoming significant cultural icons. The debut performance on the stage by Post Malone earned Six Clio Awards in 2023. Nick Holmstén’s journey is recounted in the book Fan Powered Futures, a compelling tale of passion, vision, and innovative spirit shaping the entertainment industry. His groundbreaking work in music, technology, and hospitality inspires a new generation of entrepreneurs, artists, and visionaries, cementing his role as a key figure in the evolution of modern entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we celebrate songs from the amazing roster of female artists who were a part of the Lilith Fair touring festival during its run between the summers of 1997 and 1999. The Lilith Fair was co-founded by Canadian songstress Sarah McLachlan after experiencing woes with concert promoters booking female artists and battling general sexism in the music business. Taking its name from the Jewish biblical origin story that Lilith was Adam’s first wife who refused to bow down to his every whim, the Lilith Fair became a huge success, highlighting a rotating lineup of talent at every stop. Joining us for this discussion is Sarah Seltzer, longtime executive editor at Lilith Magazine and now the author of her first novel, The Singer Sisters, on Flatiron Books (the Little Brown Book Group in the UK). About The Singer Sisters: It's 1996, and alt-rocker Emma Cantor is on tour, with her sights trained on a record deal. Emma's got no lack of inspiration for her confessional songs, chief among them her mother Judie, a 1960s folk legend who is bitterly disappointed by Emma's choice to skip college. Emma is baffled by Judie's coldness. Judie herself was only eighteen when she ran away to New York to pursue music, ahead of forming the influential folk duo the Singer Sisters with her sister Sylvia. But Judie has a long-kept secret about why she abandoned her music career at the peak of her success, which is about to unravel. This is an epic family saga that follows mother Judie and daughter Emma as they navigate the ups and downs of music stardom - asking what women artists must sacrifice for success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for a six pack of crisp, brand new tunes! Brett Vargo catches up with bassist CC Voltage from Canadian/American synth-driven power poppers Autogramm to chat about their new single and upcoming Spanish tour, plus new music by: 1) Autogramm - 'Randy' (single, Dirt Cult Records) 2) Real Sickies - 'Wild Imagination' (from Under A Plastic Bag, Stomp Records) 3) Rhymies - 'I Dream Watching' (from the I Dream Watching EP, Dandy Boy) 4) Brian Bilston & The Caternary Wires - 'Alexa, What Is There To Know About Love?' (from Sounds Made By Humans, Skep Wax) 5) Shriekback - 'Idiot Dancing' (from Monument) 6) Autogramm - 'Jenny's In A Sleep World' (single B-side, Dirt Cult Records) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yeah, we'll make the same disclaimer we made the last time we talked about shoegaze. We know the term is polarizing. We realize that it was coined by the press as a term of derision for what had previously been known as "the scene that celebrates itself." Legend has it that writer Andy Ross first used it in a Sounds review to describe how Moose singer/guitarist Russell Yates was constantly looking down at the lyrics he had taped to the floor and/or his guitar pedals. But, face it, you hear the term and you know exactly what it is...ethereal vocals, woozy melodies, ear-piercingly loud, effects-laden guitars, all awash in a psychedelic haze. Nowadays, the bands that play this kind of music wear the "shoegaze" badge with pride. But the O.G.s had to walk so you could run, kids. Hence, this week we are celebrating some of the great shoegaze albums of the 1990s. Joining us is the singer/songwriter/guitarist of '90s Vancouver cult shoegazers Movieland, Alan D. Boyd. Movieland has been honored with the first installment of an archival series from 604 Decades that takes a look back at Vancouver's rich, if unexplored arts history. This rarities and demos collection, Then & Now, proves that they should have been at the top of the marquee during their time. https://movieland1990.bandcamp.com/album/then-now After Movieland disbanded in 1994, Alan moved to the UK, and has enjoyed a long career as an acclaimed composer for TV ("Day of the Triffids") and film ("Four Strings Good"), as well performing in the folk trio Little Sparta (also featuring Susie Honeyman from the Mekons). As you would expect during an episode on shoegaze, we divert our attention to Canadian pop stars, the other Movielands, and have a rare (maybe the first time?) double Triple Crossover! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live performances often bring an energy and spontaneity that studio recordings can't fully capture. On stage, musicians interact with the audience, infusing the song with a palpable energy and improvisational flair. The live setting can also allow for reinterpretation of arrangements—extended solos, altered tempos, or unexpected twists—that make the experience feel more personal and vibrant compared to the polished, precise nature of studio versions. Just ask legendary bassist Mike Watt, who is about to embark on his 72nd tour over his 45 year career - a career that started with one of the greatest American punk bands ever, Minutemen, and countless projects including fIREHOSE, The Stooges, dos, and, currently, mssv. mssv is a post-genre supergroup consisting of watt, drummer Stephen Hodges (who played on some of Tom Waits's classic records, among others), and led by guitarist extraordinaire Mike Baggetta. Their new album, On And On is an exciting, trippy psychedelic fever dream featuring eight boundary-pushing tracks. It is out now on BIG EGO records on 12" vinyl LP, digital download, and streaming services. mssv's 52-date "haru tour 2025" starts in watt's hometown of San Pedro, CA on March 13th, and winds through the country before concluding at the Zebulon in Los Angeles on May 3rd. No matter where you are in the U.S., mssv will be close by this spring! Segment #1: The beginnings of Minutemen, playing with mssv, what is punk rock?, Walt Whitman...indie hero Segment #2: The real prac is front of a crowd, keeping an open mind, the tour van, gear Segment #3: His long running radio show/podcast the watt from pedro show, Rocky Horror Picture Show, "use a lot of manure" Segment #4: Playing with the Stooges, watt's next? Much like your favorite live recordings, this is a one-of-a-kind O3L that you won't want to miss! mssv: https://mainsteamstopvalve.com mike watt: https://mikewatt.com Special thanks to Howard Wuelfing at Howlin' Wuelf Media for the introduction and coordination. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts network. Be sure to take advantage of O3L Podperks, a curated selection of discounts for YOU with promo code 'O3L'. Visit http://onlythreelads.com and click on 'Promo Codes' to take advantage of these exclusive savings for O3L listeners! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're getting all investigative this week as we address songs that cover the "5 W's" - who, why, when, where...and WUT! Yes, that's right, W-U-T. Because our Third Lad this week is the utterly delightful Tracey Vath, bassist from the Vancouver indie pop trio WUT! It is an episode full of joyous laughter, the top 10 Satanic bands, and a brand new O3L game - "Wut 'chu Talkin' About, Brett?!?" Oh, and what happened in Vegas apparently didn't stay in Vegas. Since 2018, Vancouver BC’s jangle-pop meets riot-twee trio WUT have been making a local name for themselves with their joyfully heartfelt live performances. In 2020, the trio released ‘NOW’, an energetic cassette accompanied by 10 DIY music videos. These earnest and often humorous videos reflect WUT’s playful yet sincere songwriting. Recently, WUT recorded ‘Mingling with the Thorns’, their sophomore full-length album, out now on HHBTM Records. ‘Mingling with the Thorns’ was created during two years of intermittent quarantines which caused guitarist Kaity McWhinney (Knife Pleats / Love Cuts), bassist Tracey Vath (Knife Pleats / Love Cuts), and drummer Lauren Smith (Tough Age / Jock Tears), to write songs independently, and share their ideas through countless emails, dropbox folders, and Google drives. Long periods of isolation were consumed by experimentation with different arrangements, and often an idea would be re-worked over and over (and over) again. This resulted in a collection of carefully crafted pop songs that reflect the bands mutual love for c86 jangle pop and early Flying Nun Records bands, with lyrical content drawing up themes that grapple with patriarchy and late stage capitalism; specifically the struggle to find personal autonomy within these social systems. Also, we are pleased to introduce O3L PodPerks, where you can save just for being a part of the O3L Community! Use promo code 'O3L' at checkout at these fine vendors: Stand+ Shoes: Save 15% at www.standshoes.com and experience cloudlike comfort and slip resistant technology that is perfect for those who stand: medical professionals, retail workers, kitchen workers, and those of us who like to go to a lot of concerts!! Even better, you can use your HSA/FSA funds. Old Glory: Save 15% on your favorite band and team apparel at www.oldglory.com. Savorista Coffee: Enjoy 25% off of delicious "caffeine conscious" coffee at www.savorista.com. You save, and we receive a small commission on each order that goes right back into the show. When you think about it, isn't that really a double win for you?!? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waaaaay back in Episode 67 (Season 2), we discussed the albums from arguably THE most crucial year of the O3L era: the year two sevens clashed, 1977. It was such a fruitful, revolutionary time in music history that it's time we revisit some of the best records from '77. Our Third Lads this week are founding members Matt Piucci (guitar/vocals) and Steven Roback (bass/vocals) from one of the leading lights of the '80s Paisley Underground scene, Rain Parade. Along with guitarist David Roback (who would later form Opal and Mazzy Star), keyboardist/violinist Will Glenn and drummer Eddie Kalwa, Rain Parade's first album, 1983's Emergency Third Rail Power Trip remains one of the defining records of the Paisley Underground - an album that critic Jim DeRogatis would declare "...ranks with the best psychedelic rock efforts from any era." Shifting lineups (always anchored by Piucci and Roback) would produce the fantastic 1984 mini-LP Explosions in the Glass Palace and 1985's Crashing Dream - the latter of which has since been revealed as a souped up double LP reissue for Record Store Day on April 12, 2025! In 2012, Matt, Steven, and mid-80s guitarist John Thoman regrouped for live performances and new music. Now augmented by multi-instrumentalists Derek See and Mark Hanley, and Stephan Junca on drums, the current lineup has released 2023's full length Last Rays of a Dying Sun and the 2024 EP Last Stop on the Underground, both of which serve as vital reminders of why Rain Parade was - and is - so important and influential to legions of neo-psych, dream pop, and harmony-drenched jangle pop bands. https://rainparadelabel51.bandcamp.com Thanks to Josh Mills from It's Alive Media for the introduction and coordination. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 1980s saw an explosion of independent record labels across the US, shaping the sound and spirit of underground music to this day. This week, Daniel House from Skin Yard and C/Z Records joins us as we dive into some of the finest labels whose DIY ethos, fearless experimentation, and raw energy broke away from the corporate music machine. One of the crucial American indie labels of the era was C/Z Records, the Seattle imprint that will forever be remembered as the second most important label in the burgeoning grunge scene. That being said, it was C/Z, not Sub Pop, who released the defining document of the new sound of the Pacific Northwest with 1986's Deep Six compilation - introducing Soundgarden, The Melvins, U-Men, Green River, Malfunkshun, and Skin Yard. Founded in 1985 by Chris Hanzek and Tina Casale, Skin Yard bassist Daniel House took over operation of C/Z in 1987, subsequently releasing music by Nirvana, Henry Rollins, Built To Spill, The Gits, Hammerbox, Presidents of the United States of America, 7 Year B---h, Coffin Break and many more. Skin Yard was a foundational band in the development of the grunge movement, not only due to the groundbreaking music they recorded between 1985 - 1991, but also the band members' other contributions to Seattle music. Aside from the aforementioned impact that House made with C/Z Records, guitarist Jack Endino would go on to produce and engineer some of the most enduring records of the era - including Nirvana's Bleach, and music by Mudhoney, Tad, Soundgarden, L7, and Screaming Trees. Lead singer Ben McMillan would form the band Gruntruck, and sadly passed away in 2008 at the age of 46. Drummer Matt Cameron is a world class musician who has been behind the kit for Soundgarden and, for the past 25 years, with Pearl Jam. Skin Yard Select is the brand new, limited collection of 14 songs loving curated by Daniel House and Jack Endino, culling tracks from their four studio albums, but also featuring enough rarities to please long-time fans. This beautiful package consists of seven individual 7" singles, each in their own sleeve and pressed on limited edition colored vinyl (or good ol' fashioned black). Get your copy now from https://skinyardselect.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We recently covered the topic of "all killer, no filler" albums, but what about the perfect single side of a record? If the physical time and space limitations of a vinyl LP or a cassette must exist, why not do something compelling? Is it all poppycock...or cockypop?!? You make the call! Our Third Lad for this exploration is frontman/saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist Dan Voznick, aka Alec Tension from underground '80s post-punk band Afterimage. Referred to in the Los Angeles Times as "LA's Joy Division" back in the day, Afterimage created a sound that was hypnotic, skittery and chilly, but is also adventurous, playful and complex. The original lineup of the band (Alec Tension, A Produce, Rich Evac and Holland DeNuzzio) only stayed together for a couple of years and released a scant discography of one single ("Strange Confession"/"The Long Walk") and an EP (Fade In), both in 1981. Those original recordings, plus a generous helping of unreleased demos and live tracks, are now available from Independent Project Records on the new retrospective compilation Faces to Hide. Out now on double LP (available in both black and opaque white), special edition CD and digital formats, Faces to Hide proves as scathing, urgent, taut, angular and gripping as Afterimage’s scarce but unforgettable output must have sounded more than forty years ago. Packaged with extensive, career-spanning liner notes by noted journalist Richie Unterberger and previously unseen band photos, Faces to Hide also features Independent Project Records’ signature hand letterpress-printed custom design for the vinyl and CD packaging. Thanks to Josh Mills from It's Alive Media for the introduction and coordination! Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you ready for some football?!? Even if you're not, we've got the soundtrack for your Super Bowl weekend, with six new tracks to kick off your weekend (see what we did there??)! Sorrows - 'Out of My Head' (from Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow, Big Stir Records) Exploding Flowers - 'Crowded Streets' (from Watermelon/Peacock, Meritorio Records) Helen McCookerybook - 'Three Cheers for Toytown' (from Showtunes from the Shadows, Tiny Global Productions) Above Me - 'Grass Mouth' (from Above Me, Dandy Boy Records) Jetstream Pony - 'Bubblegum Nothingness' (from Bowerbirds and Blue Things, Spinout Nuggets/Shelflife) The False Dawns - 'The King of Bagel Mountain' (from Our Tanks, Your Lawn!, Subjangle) Forget about the Kendrick vs. Drake beef and Taylor Swift cutaways every two minutes...this is your Super Bowl entertainment! P.S. No, the guys in the episode cover image are NOT Uncle Gregg and Brett. In fact, if we knew more about football, we could tell you who they are. Coaches? Announcers? Anyway, we borrowed the picture from https://worldwideinterweb.com/the-stars-of-super-bowl-50-with-bowl-haircuts-gallery/ and thought it was funny, so credit where credit is due. P.P.S. Because we love you, we don't want you to live in pain and discomfort. Exclusively for O3L listeners, take advantage of a special offer on the cloudlike comfort of Stand Shoes. Get 15% off your order with promo code O3L at https://standshoes.com! "(Don't You) Forget About Me" be darned...because these shoes are so comfortable that you'll forget you put 'em on! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we tackle the lofty, ambitious, sometimes bombastic topic of rock operas and concept albums. Most acknowledge that the rock opera was the outgrowth of the psychedelic era where, particularly in a post-Sgt. Pepper world, the rock n’ roll album became an artistic statement. As musicians sought to expand and alter the fabric of pop music, “rock operas” with narratives, character development, and distinct movements were being explored on records like the Pretty Things’ SF Sorrow (1968) and the Who’s Tommy (1969). All rock operas are concept albums, but not all concept albums are rock operas. The concept album is a collection of songs that are tied together to present an overarching theme, going back as far as Woody Guthrie's Dust Bowl Ballads, a 1940 collection of 78 rpm records that stayed true to the title. Joining us as our Third Lad for this discussion today is Dave Gebroe, the creator & host of the music obsessives’ podcast Discograffiti. Dave dives into amazingly deep and immaculately researched discussions on the catalogues of a wide range of artists - if not with the artist themselves, then with a jaw-dropping roster of guests. Dave is also a filmmaker, writing, producing and directing the movies The Homeboy and Zombie Honeymoon. If that weren’t enough, he’s masterminded a 2 LP tribute to-slash-reimagining of Lou Reed’s much maligned album Metal Machine Music, and I believe is working on a rock opera of his own. Oh, and you thought Gregg ruins everything? Just wait until he meets his match...Berlin! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey baby. Yeah, you know we're chill. We can keep this whole thing casual. No strings attached. Oops...sorry, wrong post. Because we totally have strings attached this week, as Simon Chesterfield (aka Simon Barber) from UK indie pop faves The Chesterfields joins us to discuss our Top 5 Songs with Strings. The use of strings in pop music has traditionally been to contribute texture and dimension to a record. In the context of rock bands, it often symbolizes musical sophistication, grandeur, and the ambition to break outside of the standard band format. It's all very timely too, because Simon has just released his first solo album, Simon Chesterfield, in which he re-imagines six of his compositions as orchestral performances. This gorgeous album was co-produced by Ben Scott Turner, Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey) and Simon, and was orchestrated by Charles Harrison. It is now out on digital platforms and on limited edition 10-inch vinyl from Legere Recordings. Simon Barber is the co-founder, ever-present member, bassist, songwriter, and vocalist of The Chesterfields. Their jangling, exciting sound made them fixtures on the UK indie charts - with albums like their debut Kettle (1987, #5) and 1988's Crocodile Tears (#10), and singles like "Completely and Utterly" (1986, #16), "Ask Johnny Dee" (1987, #4), "Goodbye, Goodbye" (1988, #10), and "Blame" (1988, #11). Nearly two decades after lead singer Dave Goldsworthy's tragic death, Simon led a new lineup of The Chesterfields (featuring Loft guitarist and past O3L guest Andy Strickland, Helen Stickland and Rob Perry) on their first new album in 27 years, the marvelous New Modern Homes. Hey, think of us as your friends with benefits. Y'know, if those benefits are learning about cool music and stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everybody's feelin' groovy, because this week we're traveling way back to 1970 with bassist/vocalist Ron Flynt and guitarist/vocalist Steve Allen from legendary power poppers 20/20! Aside from remembering the staggering number of great records released during our year of focus, we celebrate the release of 20/20's new album Back to California, their first LP in over 25 years, out now on Spyderpop / Big Stir Records. Whether you're a newcomer to the band or an ardent fan of their classics like "Yellow Pills", "Cheri", "Remember The Lightning", and "Nuclear Boy", prepare to fall in love with the hooks n' harmonies of the new record, which hearkens back to their roots but maintains a fresh and modern sound. Plus, Steve and Ron talk about feeling the magic again, reminisce about the early days of the band, the recording of their signature track (1979's "Yellow Pills"), hanging out in Phil Spector's mansion, dancing with Linda Blair, rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars at Sunset Strip haunts...and did O3L turn into the High Times podcast?!? Finally, we give the guys their belated induction into the Power Pop Hall of Fame...which we're in no way authorized to do, but they weren't aware they were already in it! Great stories, lots of laughs, and amazing music...turns out hindsight really is 20/20! Thanks to Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko from Big Stir Records for the introduction. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ah, the "all killer, no filler" album. Records you can listen to from start to finish without a lull or dip in quality. It's a tougher exercise than one would think, as many of our favorite albums are flawed...perhaps beautifully or purposefully so, but that's not what this episode is about, kids. Joining us for this discussion is Ed Mazzucco and Laura Watling from Portland dream pop/shoegaze band Tears Run Rings. In September 2024, they released their fourth album, Everything In The End. And, true, to this episode's topic, it's a double album ("two hefty boys") that is a front-to-back modern classic., with each side having a distinct tone and feel. Everything In The End is out now of Shelflife Records, which, incidentally, is run by Ed and TRR singer/guitarist Matthew Bice. Since its 1995 roots in a Southern California bedroom, Shelflife has amassed an incredible catalogue of indie pop gems, including highly recommended releases by The Ocean Blue, Close Lobsters, Treasures of Mexico, Acid House Kings, The Caternary Wires, The Shermans, Souvenir, The Luxembourg Signal, Red Sleeping Beauty, Even As We Speak, Jetstream Pony, and much, much more. https://shelflife.com Thanks to Mike Turner from Crashing Through Publicity for the introduction! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"It's astonishing that a group as dedicated to quality and craft as California's Black Watch could go for...decades with a cult following the size of a kitchen sponge." So begins Michael Toland's entry of the black watch in the Trouser Press Record Guide. But what exactly is a cult band? It's something that we seek to define - with fifteen prime examples, natch - during O3L's Season 6 premiere! Joining us is the black watch's singer/songwriter/guitarist/prolific genius himself, John Andrew Fredrick! It should be noted that Toland follows up the kitchen sponge comment with "...the band's body of work is remarkably consistent, worth searching out by more than just epicures of obscurity." He's right, y'know. John Andrew Frederick has two dozen albums of stellar indie pop to his name since 1988, including a pair of fantastic records in 2024 - The Morning Papers Have Given Us the Vapours and Weird Rooms. You can find those and more at https://theblackwatch.bandcamp.com. What's it like to be a cult hero? What's the most "cultish" thing black watch fans have done? What beloved cult band can John not get behind? Did the lads give John some ideas for his upcoming double album? So whaddya say? Join the "Mark E. Smiths of podcasting" for an episode stuffed to the gills with epicures of obscurity, brilliant failures, and horrible pleasures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year! After a long 2024, you deserve a weekend six pack to ring in 2025. This week, we’re going to crack open six tunes that signify not only the changing of the calendar, but a sense of renewal and hope. And can't we all use a little bit of optimism this year? Imbibe this: SUPER 8 - 'Resolution (Happy New Year)' (single, Think Like A Key) The Okmoniks - 'He Left The Party With Me' (from Afterparty Fever!!!, Slovenly Recordings) The Che Men - 'So It Goes' (from Echoes of the 30s) sparkle*jets uk - 'This Will Be Our Year' (from Box of Letters, Big Stir Records) Brett Vargo - 'New Era' (single, Little Train Rec.) Librarians with Hickeys - 'Everything Will Be Alright' (from How To Make Friends By Telephone, Big Stir Records) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're working late...because we're podcasters. Happy New Year! Here we are at the end of season five. Before we jump back into the classic alternative era of the '70s, '80s & '90s, we bid farewell to 2024 by celebrating some of the best songs of the year! It's O-3-L-T-O-G-O! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your friends at Only Three Lads! In this brief bonus episode, Brett shares a seasonal message from O3L and his family's 2024 Musical Christmas Card, "Can't Believe It's Christmas". Wishing you a safe and joyous season filled with love, laughter, family, friends...and, of course, music! Thank you for being a part of our journey during our 5th season and beyond. We are filled with gratitude for allowing us to be a small part of your life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're brat(s). And, as we do every December, the most brat thing we can do is to step out of the O3L era and count down our favorite albums of the year. 2024 has provided a treasure trove of pop culture highlights - it was a big pop girl year with a new crop of superstars. There were massive albums (in terms of sales, impact, and length) like The Tortured Poets Department, COWBOY CARTER, and Cindy Lee's Diamond Jubilee, but also records that were "short n' sweet" (literally and figuratively). There was the Kendrick v. Drake beef. Everyone had a Brat summer (well, almost everyone). And did we mention Shaboozey?!? Oh, actually, we didn't mention Shaboozey, but we wish we had...because it is kinda fun to say. It's also become O3L tradition to have someone who actually created one of the year's best albums join us for this episode, and this year is certainly no exception. This year, we welcome prolific singer/songwriter/producer Tamar Berk to join us for this discussion. Tamar has played in numerous bands in the Chicago, Portland, and San Diego scenes since the mid-90s, and in September she released her fourth solo album, Good Times for a Change. The new album is another brilliant mix of power pop hooks, '90s-leaning indie rock, and introspective songwriting. Every one of the Tamar's records has made Brett's year end Top 100 Albums list for their respective years...if that ain't a feather in your artistic cap, we don't know what is. But she's also received a rave review in Creem magazine and has made a whole lot of other year end best of lists. We guess that's cool too. Can we get a big ol' "Shaboozey" to that?!? Next week: Our Top 5 Songs of 2024! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the most O3L time of the year...always one of our favorite episodes, it's time for the O3L Holiday Party! Every year, we invite listeners from around the world to join us for a special taping full of fun, frivolity, games, friends, and lasting memories. And maybe...just maybe...the Christmas miracle of an Uncle Gregg rant or two. We had a room full of veteran partygoers this year - Julie from LA; Julio from Pueblo, Mexico; Kimberly from Downey, CA; Paul from Stockton, CA; and Tarah from Scottsdale, AZ. But just because you didn't attend the recording doesn't mean you're not invited to the party! Just press play to join in on the fun! This year, we asked our guests to bring their favorite "holiday party starter" song to the shindig. Plus, we play two brand new world famous O3L games: "That's Soooo '24," in which we ruin classic alternative song titles with 2024 slang words, and "Bandagrams," where we scramble up the letters of some of our favorite bands to hi-larious effect! Who will take the crown this year?! Plus: We talk new musical discoveries in 2024! Uncle Gregg shows off his tattoos (and gives plenty of life lessons)! Brett's got balls (and a psychedelic Santa hat)! O3L awards! Fruitcake...yay or nay? Cookies...or disappointment biscuits? Desserts with vegetables! Plus, new seasonal tunes: Swansea Sound - '(I Wanna Wear A) Mirrored Hat Like Slade' The Chesterfields - 'Last Train To Christmas' Glenn Erb - 'Santa's In Jail' Mike Browning - 'It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year' A skibidi time is guaranteed for all! Just like we used to do in Killarney. Happy Holidays from your friends at Only Three Lads! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we celebrate the music of one of the most important bands of the '90s and beyond, Radiohead. Since the release of their first EP Drill over 32 years ago (!!), Radiohead continued to innovate and reinvent their music, challenging themselves and their fans. From their post-grunge anthem "Creep" (1992) to Britpop-era tour de force The Bends (1995) to the ambitious masterpiece OK Computer (1997) to the millennial sounds of Kid A (2000) to latter day masterpieces like In Rainbows (2007), the Oxford, England Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have inspired two generations of forward thinking musicians. Among those musicians are our Third Lads, Heather Dickson and Patrick Ahern* from the avant-garde pop duo Slender Dan. (*NOT "Dan," as Brett erroneously called him before the recording started.) Slender Dan debuted its first EP on KEXP in March of 2021. Since then, the band has released a full-length album, GESTALT, as well as several EPs and singles. As longtime musicians in the Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, and now Nashville music scenes, the members of Slender Dan have come together to create a sound that can best be described as some kind of Thom Yorke/Billie Eilish/Miike Snow/Aphex Twin lovechild. In what could be one of the more unhinged O3L episodes, "Safe Gregg" and "7-Inch Brett" naturally chat with Heather and Patrick about the lasting influence of Radiohead, but also about two-man luges, current pop girls, Kansas, Yo Yo Ma, Napoleon Dynamite, Chumbawamba, puppies, ODing on energy drinks, Electric Company parties, and the distinct possibility that Heather MAY actually be Brett's daughter. Plus, we also shout out a recommended podcast by friend of the show Dave Gebroe: Discograffiti. Extensive and meticulously researched deep dives into some of your favorite artists catalogues, Discograffiti is a music obsessive's dream. Check it out wherever you get podcasts! Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're not content to just talk about great synth-pop albums of the pivotal year of 1980...we wanted to share the discussion with musicians who created one of the great synth-pop albums of 1980! The album, you ask? Party In The War Zone by L.A. band Vivabeat, and we were fortunate enough to have bassist/songwriter Mick Muhlfriedel and keyboardist/vocalist Marina Muhlfriedel joining us. This surely must be one of the most remarkable stories we've heard of living on the precipice of the big time. They had the hooks and the looks. They were discovered by Peter Gabriel (who was inspired by the whistling hook in the band's "Man From China" to write "Games Without Frontiers) and signed to Charisma. Their song "The House Is Burning (But There's No One Home)" was prominently featured in the film Body Double, and the music video subsequently won an MTV Video Award. Their second incarnation included former Japan guitarist Rob Dean, contributing to their standing as the opening act to bands like Depeche Mode and Gary Numan. However, a series of unfortunate events and unscrupulous managers limited Vivabeat's shelf life. Fortunately, in 2024, Rubellan Remasters (www.rubellanremasters.com) re-issued Party In The War Zone on CD for the first time, as well as the vinyl-only compilation The House Is Burning: The Best of Vivabeat 1979-86. Mick Muhlfriedel went on to work on scores for films such as Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, and is currently the President of the wonderful youth organization Downtown LA Soccer Club. Marina Muhlfriedel also got into the film industry, starting as a Production Assistant for Danny DeVito, eventually getting a Producer credit on movies like Throw Momma From The Train. She is a highly experienced storyteller, writer, and producer, who is currently working on her memoir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday, November 29, 2024 is Record Store Day Black Friday - a day of exclusive releases and fun for record collectors everywhere! Join O3L's Brett Vargo for a brief bonus episode, as he helps you, the discerning classic alternative fan, to put together your shopping list. Happy hunting! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A well-placed song in a film holds the power to shape a viewer's emotions, heighten tension, set the tone, foreshadow events, provide insight into characters, or deepen the narrative. In essence, music is the heartbeat of the cinema that can elevate a film from good to sublime. Take it from someone who knows, like this week's Third Lad, Barry Andrews - he's had songs soundtracking pivotal moments in films such as Manhunter and Band of the Hand. Barry Andrews began his professional music career in the punk era lending his keyboard stylings to a little band that you may have heard of, XTC, giving them one of the most defining and distinctive features of their sound for their first two albums. After leaving XTC in 1979, he released a fine solo EP and single, formed the short lived Restaurant for Dogs, and played with Iggy Pop and Robert Fripp's League of Gentlemen before forming the band Shriekback with Gang of Four bassist Dave Allen and singer Carl Marsh in 1981. For the better part of the last 43 years, Barry has kept Shriekback alive through various incarnations, continuing to release music that’s daring, experimental, and artful, as well as maintaining an ambitious and rewarding solo career. Thanks to Paul Richison for the great guest suggestion and introduction. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artist. Poet. Friend. This week, we celebrate the music, life, and legacy of Leonard Cohen with someone who knew him well - Perla Batalla. Grammy-nominated Singer/songwriter Perla Batalla first came to prominence as a backing singer for Leonard Cohen during his 1988 I’m Your Man tour and on the 1992 album The Future, in the process forging a deep friendship. With Cohen’s encouragement, Perla stepped out as an artist in her own right, releasing a beautifully diverse range of magnificent albums such as Mestiza and Discoteca Batalla, performing at the world’s best venues, co-writing and appearing in two one-woman shows, honored by UN and Focus on the Masters. But she has always kept the words and works of Leonard Cohen close to her heart. Her latest album, A Letter to Leonard Cohen: Tribute to a Friend, is her second album of her unique interpretations of Cohen’s music, following 2005’s Bird on the Wire. It was released the day before what would have been his 90th birthday. Leonard Norman Cohen was born in Quebec on September 21, 1934. Spending the latter part of the ‘50s and first half of the ‘60s as a published poet and author, he shifted his focus to songwriting. From 1967 to 1971, he established himself as a major musical talent with the trilogy of classic albums Songs of Leonard Cohen, Songs from a Room, and Songs of Love and Hate, as well as interpretations by the likes of Judy Collins, Nina Simone, Joe Cocker, and Roberta Flack. He would continue to record and tour sporadically throughout the ‘70s and early ‘80s to widespread acclaim and with some commercial success in Europe. In the late ‘80s & early ‘90s, Cohen gained a new underground audience through his two synth-driven productions, I’m Your Man and The Future, prominent soundtrack placements, a beloved album of interpretations by Jennifer Warnes, Famous Blue Raincoat, and the 1991 high profile tribute album, I’m Your Fan, where a who’s who of alternative music disciples like REM, Ian McCulloch, Pixies, James, The House of Love, Robert Forster, Nick Cave, and John Cale paid their respects to the man. The latter artist, John Cale, performed a breathtaking piano version of a song from 1984’s Various Positions called “Hallelujah,” in an arrangement that would be borrowed and transcribed to guitar by Jeff Buckley a few years later, which further elevated Leonard Cohen’s already mythical status. After spending the latter half of the ‘90s in a monastery as an ordained Buddhist monk, Leonard Cohen returned in the twenty first century to finish what he started, adding six additional studio albums to his catalogue, including the album released weeks before his November 7, 2016 death, You Want It Darker, and the posthumous followup completed by his son Adam, 2019’s Thanks For The Dance, as well as multiple live albums, both archival and contemporary. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we focus on the bands who were at the precipice of becoming huge...rave reviews, prominent live gigs, radio support...yet, fame and fortune somehow eluded them. Our Third Lad is someone who knows all about this - in Alex Boucher's new memoir, Three and a Half Minutes of Fame, the seasoned writer draws from his firsthand experiences in "almost famous" indie/punk bands Three and a Half Minutes, Travis Cut, and Jaff, and boy band NV. "Three and a Half Minutes of Fame" takes readers on a compelling journey through the tumultuous music scene of the 1990s, as experienced by protagonist Alex, who embarks on a quest for fame after signing a record deal at the tender age of 17. Over the span of seven years, Alex finds himself on the cusp of stardom multiple times, rubbing shoulders with iconic bands like The Pogues, Suede, Blur, and Mansun, as well as encountering figures such as Patti Boyd. However, Alex's journey is far from glamorous. Along the way, he confronts neo-Nazis, navigates the gritty world of gangsta rap, accidentally smokes crack, and grapples with personal tragedies, mental health challenges, and the trauma of sexual abuse. Set against the backdrop of the 1990s—a decade marked by cultural shifts and the rise of alternative music scenes—this memoir offers an authentic glimpse into the highs and lows of pursuing fame before the era of social media. Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdowns, Boucher took the opportunity to document his memories of the 90s music scene, resulting in a poignant memoir that sheds light on the untold stories of those who strive for fame but ultimately fall short. "Three and a Half Minutes of Fame" offers readers an intimate and revealing account of one man's journey through the trials and triumphs of the music industry, ultimately serving as a testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring allure of chasing one's dreams. P.S. If Uncle Gregg rants are your bag, then this one's for YOU! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Out of all of the Third Lads that we've ever had, there is probably no one who has had a more profound impact on shaping our taste as alternative music fans and collectors than Ira Robbins. In 1974, young writer Robbins and two friends launched the fanzine Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press, later shortened to simply Trouser Press. Over the course of 10 years and nearly 100 issues, Trouser Press championed the eccentric outsiders, the punk pioneers, the new wave nerds, and the indie icons. The magazine ceased publication in 1984, but continued to publish record guides, which became the alternative music bible for Brett and Uncle Gregg. The contents of those essential books, as well as digitized copies of the magazine, have been lovingly archived at https://trouserpress.com. Today, Trouser Press Books continues to carry out the mission that drove the fanzine 50 years ago, releasing some of the best music-centric books on the market, including the new anthology Zip It Up! The Best of Trouser Press Magazine 1974-1984. Fittingly, this week we have an insightful, slightly nutty conversation about the eccentric geniuses of the O3L era. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**This is an O3L "rerun" - our Halloween Special from 2022! Happy Halloween! If you didn't get your fill of O3L this week (which strangely tastes similar to circus peanuts), here's a fun-size O3L Halloween Special. Uncle Gregg and Brett bring you their Top 5 songs to add to your spooky playlist. It's spoooook-tacular! OK, no more Halloween puns... There are two crucial rules at this time of year: 1) Don't feed Gremlins after midnight; and 2) Don't let the Lads record at night. If you've heard past "After Dark" episodes, it probably will come as no surprise that there is content in this one that may not be appropriate for sensitive listeners. Enter...if you dare! Oh, and P.S. Gregg ruins EVERYTHING! Now you can add Halloween to the list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jimmie Nicol was a well respected London session drummer living in relative anonymity until he got his lucky break. When Ringo Starr fell ill with tonsilitis in June 1964, The Beatles carried on with the first leg of their world tour, using Nicol as a temporary substitute. For 13 nights, Jimmie became the only person outside of John, Paul, George, and Ringo to really live as an honest-to-goodness Beatle during the height of Beatlemania - appearing in photos, at press conferences and as one of the four men standing on stage in front of thousands of screaming, adoring fans. Upon Ringo's return, Jimmie resumed his relatively quiet life...soon to retreat from the public eye altogether. What was his story? How was he chosen by The Beatles' camp? What did he do after experiencing the taste of fame? With no sightings for many years, is Jimmie Nicol even still alive?? These are the mysteries that our Third Lad, author, historian and Rock and Roll Detective Jim Berkenstadt seeks to unravel in his book The Beatle Who Vanished (https://thebeatlewhovanished.com). Jim has had a fascinating, multi-faceted career - from attorney to author to research and historical consultant for many music, film and TV projects for Apple Records and others. Jim shares stories of keeping it cool around Beatles (but not necessarily around Doors), jamming with a Beatle, and hearing Nirvana session tapes before they broke big. And, of course, we've got our Top 5 replacement or temporary band members. Yowsah! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ghoulish this last weekend of October with a six pack of new tunes! 1) Twin Ritual - 'Allie' (from the Allie LP - https://twinritual.bandcamp.com) 2) Shake Some - 'Every Little Noise' (single, Mondays Off Records - https://shakesome.bandcamp.com) 3) HotKid - 'Downtown' (from the Downtown EP, Fortune Stellar Records - https://hotkid.ca) 4) Dancer - 'You Saint' (from the Split LP, HHBTM Records - https://hhbtm.bandcamp.com) 5) Whisper Hiss - 'Movable Objects' (from the Split LP, HHBTM Records - https://hhbtm.bandcamp.com) 6) The Jack Rubies - 'Phantom' (single, Big Stir Records - https://bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Because we're readers and whatnot, this week we get literate on y'all and discuss some of our favorite rock n' roll memoirs. Our Third Lad knows a thing or two about great rock memoirs, because he just published one...singer, songwriter, guitar hero, baseball aficionado, and now author...Steve Wynn from The Dream Syndicate! His memoir, I Wouldn't Say It If It Wasn't True, is out now from Jawbone Press, covering his earliest days as a kid in LA falling in love with music, and down the road that took him to and through the first era of The Dream Syndicate. As a companion to the book, Fire Records simultaneously released Steve's first new solo album in 14 years, Make It Right, featuring songs that were inspired by the process of writing his memoir and reflecting on his life, from his beginnings in "Santa Monica" to present days on "Roosevelt Avenue". Steve is currently touring the eastern part of the US, with west coast and European dates to follow in early 2025, promising "a night of songs and stories" that you won't want to miss. Keep up on the latest news at https://stevewynn.net. During our conversation, we also cover: The Paisley Underground - the LA neo-psych scene that also spawned The Bangles, Three O'Clock, The Rain Parade, Green on Red, The Long Ryders! The lasting legacy of their classic 1982 debut The Days of Wine and Roses! What's in store for the out of print Dream Syndicate records Medicine Show (1984) and Ghost Stories (1988)? The 21st century return of the Dream Syndicate! Living with a drummer! (Don't worry, it's his wife Linda Pitmon, not Tommy Lee...) Little Steven's Underground Garage Cruise! Baseball! His supergroup The Baseball Project with Linda Pitmon, Scott McCaughey from Young Fresh Fellows / The Minus 5 and Mike Mills and Peter Buck from R.E.M. Also, who is Steve rooting for during the 2024 World Series? You won't want to miss this...and we wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Stir Records co-founders and Armoires' singers/songwriters Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko are back for part two of our adventures in Octoberland! Hot on the heels of their newly released fall classic, Octoberland, we partake in a lively discussion on some of the best October releases of the O3L era. A cocaine-addled, anal-leakin', Das Scorpiones-lovin', elephant-squawkin', National Merit Scholar-winnin' time is guaranteed for all!** **Our lawyers tell us we can't actually guarantee this. Then again, our lawyers have also informed us that they got their degrees from a Sally Struthers correspondence course. Get the Armoires' new album Octoberland at: https://bigstirrecords.com/the-armoires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travel with us down the snakehole into the magical world of Octoberland. In the first part of our two part autumnal extravaganza, Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko, co-founders of Big Stir Records and singers/songwriters in pop powerhouse The Armoires, join us to discuss their brand new fall classic Octoberland. Octoberland is an invigorating eleven-track collection of amped-up, richly detailed pop gems, accessible but still retaining the quirky, slightly eerie mystique of their unique sonic signature. Along with Christina (vocals, keys) and Rex (vocals, guitar), The Armoires also feature the intricate instrumental interplay between Larysa Bulbenko (viola) and the empathetic rhythm section of Clifford Ulrich (bass) and renowned music journalist/power pop expert John M. Borack (drums). It's a bright, brash amalgam of expansive New Pornographers-inspired lit-rock, '90s twee pop and dream rock, the college rock heights of R.E.M. and Echo & The Bunnymen, and a bedrock of Byrds and Jefferson Airplane electric folk roots. Along with getting deep into the many wonders of Octoberland, this very entertaining discussion covers the formation and evolution of Big Stir Records, music and animals, and so, so much more. We absolutely mean it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you hear the term "singer-songwriter", what the first thing that comes to mind? Sensitive '70s long-haired hippies strolling through Laurel Canyon with an acoustic guitar? Us too. But, amidst the explosion of alternative rock, grunge, Britpop, electronic music, and hip-hop, the '90s were a fruitful decade for the singer-songwriter. This crop of artists drew from a stylistically varied palette, but played music with passion, heart, honesty, vulnerability, and a knack for poetic storytelling. One of the most promising singer-songwriters of the '90s was this week's Third Lad Milo Binder, the musical alter ego of Todd Lawrence. Milo Binder's self-titled debut album was released in 1991 to universal critical acclaim, featuring a respected roster of legendary musicians including Garth Hudson from The Band, Sneaky Pete from Flying Burrito Brothers, and Victoria Williams, as well as studio pros like the late David Vaught (Rosebud, Tom Waits, Roger McGuinn) and Duane Jarvis. Milo was profiled on NPR, received folk radio airplay, and shared the stage with a range of artists from the Indigo Girls to Soundgarden. Naturally, with that auspicious debut, Milo Binder went on to a long, fruitful musical career. Right? Well, a series of life changing events caused Milo Binder to hang up the guitar and transform back into mild-mannered Todd Lawrence for the better part of 33 years (the Superman analogy isn't all that hyperbolic...you'll find out that Todd is pretty much a super hero!). Other than the occasional live appearance and 2019's wonderfully whimsical psychedelic pop fable Paisley and the Firefly written and recorded with his longtime musical partner and best friend Willie Aron, a true follow up to the Milo Binder album never materialized. Until now. August 2024 heralded the return of Milo Binder with his (verrrrrry) long awaited second album, The Unspeakable Milo Binder, on Heyday Again (distributed by Real Gone Music). It finds our hero not only in fine form, but it's a record that equals or surpasses its predecessor. Listen to Milo's remarkable story, plus: What '90s singer-songwriter was a triple crossover...but with three different albums? Where did Uncle Gregg bomb doing stand up? Who was Milo's toughest audience? What group of people did Cher offend? (According to our official staff fact checker, aka Brett's wife, it's NOT who we said it was.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we head back to '82 (when we could throw a pigskin a quarter mile) with special guest Jackson Reed. With his band Jackson Reed and the Silverbirds, the 26-year old Calgary rocker is mixing an irresistible blend of earnest '80s classic rock with modern pop smarts. Following the success of tracks like 2021's "Dangerous Lover" (featuring legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff) and 2023's "In My Head," their latest single is a cover of Prince's iconic 1982 hit "Little Red Corvette", offering up a take on the classic that's both faithful and fresh. It's garnered radio airplay coast-to-coast in both the USA and Canada. Reed also hosts the wonderful podcast Guess That Record, where he has interviewed luminaries such as The Police's Andy Summers, Dweezil Zappa, and Billy Joel drummer Chuck Burgi. And, in tribute to Jackson's pod, we play a brand new O3L game called "Back in 82, I Could Guess That Song!" Like good honorary Canadians, we partake in conversations about hockey, Rush, the Tragically Hip, Degrassi, Corner Gas...plus little red corvettes, Brett's drag club appearance, and Uncle Gregg's oddly specific sensual fantasies. Hey, it was Saturday night, we guess that makes it alright... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unwind with a new six pack of tunes on this final weekend of September. This month's theme is "September Gurls" (what, too obvious?), as we spotlight recent tracks from a few of indie music's finest female-fronted or female-prominent bands. This week, you'll hear: Scary Pierre - 'Piece of Mind' (from Boys Club) Lightheaded - 'Bright Happy Girls' (from Combustible Gems, Slumberland Records) Shapes Like People - 'When The Radio Plays' (single, Jangleshop Records) Whitney's Playland - 'Corridor of Dreams' (from the Martin Newell/Cleaners from Venus tribute Tales of a Kitchen Porter, Dandy Boy Records) Cinema Lumiere - 'Wishing It Was Sunday' (from Wishing It Was Sunday, Subjangle) Circe Link & Christian Nesmith - 'The Magician' (from Arcana) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holy O3L! No, that's not some sort of Batman-style exclamatory remark...it really is a Holy O3L. Or at least as close as we get. This week, we discuss spirituality in music, as we count down some of our favorite spiritual songs...which happens to run the gamut from Mahalia Jackson to Beastie Boys to the Grateful Dead, and many stops in between. Along the way, we talk about catfish Robert Plant, real Peter Frampton, Greeks in short shorts, F.A.'s, relationship advice, gators, and so, so much more with this week's Third Lad, Debra Cohen! This is Only Three Lads like you've never heard. Debra Cohen began her music career as a New Wave rocker in the early '80s. Her band opened up for Joan Jett & The Blackhearts at legendary Rathskeller ("The Rat") in Boston. They had a regional radio hit with their single "Boston Nights." Debra's song "Dreamin" was discussed to be covered by INXS. Everything seemed to be going her way, until the rock n' roll temptations of drugs and alcohol nearly cost Debra her life...and it was at her darkest moment that she found God. After a stint fronting a blues band in the '90s, she left the music business behind and studied Judaism. In recent years, Debra has rebranded herself as a spiritual pop/rock singer/songwriter. You can learn more about her musical journey at https://debracohenmusic.com. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey ho, let's go! This week, we're all about one of the most influential, important, and let's not forget, fun , bands of the era - Ramones. Joining us for our discussion is Dana Bonn and Carl Cafarelli from This Is Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio, airing Sunday nights from 9:00 pm - midnight ET on Syracuse’s SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, featuring the "best three hours of radio on the whole friggin' planet". Carl is also an incredibly gifted music scribe, writing the must-read daily music blog Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do) and in many fine publications. Relevant to today's topic, He has also published Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation with the Ramones, culled from his interviews with the band. His latest book, The Greatest Record Ever Made (Volume 1), features insightful, passionate, humorous essays on 145 of his favorite songs across all genres. The Ramones were an American punk rock band formed in New York City in 1974. Known for helping establish the punk movement in the United States and elsewhere, the Ramones are often cited as the first true punk rock band. The Ramones ranked number 26 in Rolling Stone magazine's 2004 list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time and number 17 in VH1's 2012 television series 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. In 2002, the Ramones were ranked the second-greatest band of all time by Spin, trailing only the Beatles. On March 18, 2002, the original four members and Tommy's replacement on drums, Marky Ramone, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. In 2011, the group was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. (Thanks, Wikipedia.) Stream This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio at: https://ec3.yesstreaming.net:4280/api/links/?t=web&l=ne&c=1&fbclid=IwAR2sdklgIfqVCG1_E3I-bkPwbCFqbnFPJbQ95V4bveYs1g5o4jHEQjZNVx0, or on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. Buy Carl Cafarelli's books at: Amazon.com : carl cafarelli Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do): Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do) (carlcafarelli.blogspot.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Which male singers do you feel deserve more love and respect? That, dear friends, is the question we ponder this week with someone who knows - veteran circuit singer Dave Dawson. Dave's new book, Pop Idle: 30 Years on the Road as a Professional Singer, is an honest, humourous, insightful look at life on the bottom rung of the showbiz ladder. Like hordes of others, best-selling author Dave Dawson has spent decades crisscrossing the UK as a solo full-time professional musician. During his 30 years on the road, he has performed thousands of shows before tens of thousands of people, yet still remains one of the army of anonymous entertainers who literally sing for their supper, as part of the Never Ending UK Tour. From pubs to clubs, dives to luxury hotels, theatres to gardens, and hen nights to care homes, there’s hardly a live environment that he hasn’t encountered, enjoyed or endured. Along the way, he’s had brushes with fame and fandom, strippers and stalkers, crooks and colourful characters, pissed-up punters and prima donnas… and has banked a wealth of experience at the brunt of the live music circuit. You may also know Dave Dawson as Dave Philpott, who appeared with us last season to discuss his bestselling book series of bonkers letters to pop stars with real replies - Dear Mr. Kershaw, Dear Mr. Pop Star, Grammar Free in the UK, and Dear Catherine Wheel. Oh, and despite the tendency to poke a little fun at Hanson's ubiquitous 1997 earworm 'Mmm Bop', Taylor Hanson probably is underrated. Listen to the Tinted Windows album for proof of that! But we won't let that fact stand in the way of a bit. Proudly part of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**Part 2! Hear our Top 3 Albums of 1973. More music! More fun! More infectious Lisa laughs! We're havin' a party this week! Joining us for a lively, laugh-filled exploration of 1973 albums is the heart and soul of The BellRays, singer Lisa Kekaula and guitarist Bob Vennum, who have been gloriously blending high octane punk, powerful soul music, deep blues, gritty garage rock, and whatever else they want to throw into the stew, since 1990. This is a band that defies expectations or pre-conceived notions and transcends any one genre or scene. Their music is all about energy and feel, and that makes them authentic no matter what the style is. To quote their 2020 compilation, It’s Never To Late To Fall In Love With the Bell-Rays. For some of you, it may be this very day when you listen to this podcast. In fact, it’s actually the perfect time to fall in love with the BellRays, because they have a brand new album of blazing rock n' soul, Heavy Steady Go!, and are embarking on a tour on September 5, 2024 - playing some headlining dates on the west coast before heading out for a North American tour with Social Distortion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**Part 1 of 2! The second half of our conversation comes out on September 5, 2024.** We're havin' a party this week! Joining us for a lively, laugh-filled exploration of 1973 albums is the heart and soul of The BellRays, singer Lisa Kekaula and guitarist Bob Vennum, who have been gloriously blending high octane punk, powerful soul music, deep blues, gritty garage rock, and whatever else they want to throw into the stew, since 1990. This is a band that defies expectations or pre-conceived notions and transcends any one genre or scene. Their music is all about energy and feel, and that makes them authentic no matter what the style is. To quote their 2020 compilation, It’s Never To Late To Fall In Love With the Bell-Rays. For some of you, it may be this very day when you listen to this podcast. In fact, it’s actually the perfect time to fall in love with the BellRays, because they have a brand new album of blazing rock n' soul, Heavy Steady Go!, and are embarking on a tour on September 5, 2024 - playing some headlining dates on the west coast before heading out for a North American tour with Social Distortion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head into your long weekend with six recent tracks that we think you will L-U-V! The Ekphrastics - ‘A Good Day For Sailing’ (Harriet Records) Wut - ‘Mingling with the Thorns’ (HHBTM Records) Eighteen Hundred and Froze To Death - ‘Old Painful’ (Resident Recordings) Greaser Phase - ‘Lonely Hearts Killers’ (Shambotic) Eljin Marbles - ‘Art Is Love Is God’ (Intellectual House of Pancakes) Sunset Rubdown - ‘Cliche Town’ (Pronounced Kroog) Thank you for helping us support new music! Show your love to these artists by buying physical media or merch, going to see some live shows...heck, social media follows and streams help as well! Americans, have a great Labor Day weekend...everyone else, have a great regular weekend! L-U-V, Brett & Uncle Gregg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Top 5 Winter Songs? A winter themed episode, lads? In August?!? Good timing, doofuses!" We hear you, imaginary (and, frankly, rather rude) podcast critic. And our retort is that our friends in the southern hemisphere are still firmly in the grips of winter. For example, our Third Lad this week, one of the greatest songwriters that Australia has ever produced (and an artist who is on the short list of Brett's musical heroes), Peter Milton Walsh from The Apartments! PMW has led the Apartments in various incarnations since 1978, starting with the spiky indie pop of the EP 'The Return of the Hypnotist' on The Go-Betweens' Able Label. After brief stints with The Go-Betweens and Ed Kuepper's post-Saints band The Laughing Clowns, the Apartments reformed in 1984 with the classic single "All You Wanted." Their first full length, 'The Evening Visits...And Stays For Years', followed in 1985 on Rough Trade, with the 1987 single "The Shyest Time" featured on the John Hughes soundtrack for Some Kind of Wonderful. Among the Apartments' string of breathtakingly gorgeous, diverse records are 'Drift' (1993), 'A Life Full Of Farewells' (1995), 'Apart' (1997), 'No Song No Spell No Madrigal' (2015), and 'In And Out Of The Light' (2020). For the uninitiated, Welcome to Walsh World! Peter stopped by in between sessions for a forthcoming record. Just as a small forewarning, we recorded our lists afterwards...so any juvenile, off-topic or off-colour side conversations about pillows, tank tops, getting lost in department stores, or Art Garfunkel lookalikes are no reflection on the pure class of Mr. Walsh. Hopefully, to quote the man himself, we didn't "take something good and make a mess of it". Special thanks to Marc Shea from the great fellow Pantheon show Performance Anxiety for the introduction, and much gratitude to Peter's wife Kate for the coordination. This was an incredible thrill for us! Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you will dare, we will dare. "Children by the millions" have been waiting for the episode where we cover the music of one of the most influential and pioneering bands of the alternative era - heck, one of the greatest rock n' roll bands ever, period - The Replacements. And what better Third Lad could we hope for this week than the man who discovered, signed, managed, and co-produced the Mats, Twin/Tone Records co-founder Peter Jesperson?! Peter stops by to recount the early days of the Twin Cities scene and Twin/Tone; the moment Paul Westerberg handed him the Replacements' first demo; his biggest disappointments and surprises among Twin/Tone artists; the Mats' transition to a major label; getting the Replacements into the Rock Hall; an update on late era guitarist Slim Dunlap; and many more memories, as we reveal our Top 5 Replacements Songs. Peter's essential memoir, Euphoric Recall, is out now. Euphoric Recall: A Half Century as a Music Fan, Producer, DJ, Record Executive, and Tastemaker: Jesperson, Peter, Fricke, David: 9781681342719: Amazon.com: Books Many thanks to Josh Mills from It's Alive! Media & Management for the introduction and coordination. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For those of us in the Northern Hempishere, we are deep into the "Dog Days of Summer." Is anyone else sick of the heat?!? Well, before the dog days are over (to quote Florence & The Machine), cool off with a six pack of new tunes from: The Meringues - 'Shambles' Sissyhiya - 'Kristen Stewart' (Skep Wax Records) Gregorov - 'Gasterbeiter ide za Beč' LMS8 - 'Love Connection' (The Beautiful Music) Giant Day - 'Ignore The Flood' (The Elephant 6 Recording Company) Greg Williams - 'This Life' Enjoy your weekend! Thank you for supporting new music, including the artists on this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our newest member of the 'Three Timer Club,' renowned music journalist / author / photographer Michael Goldberg, joins us this week to discuss some of the most iconic images of the classic alternative era. What are some of the photos, logos, and icons that come to YOUR mind? The first-ever collection of Addicted To Noise founder and former Rolling Stone senior writer Michael Goldberg's photographs, Jukebox: Photographs 1967-2023 (Hozac Books), features an impressive array of underground figures and outcast luminaries captured in their natural habitat, most seen here for the first time anywhere. Bridging the gaps between the late ‘60s psychedelic era, primitive first-wave ‘70s punk and soul & reggae, as well as never-before seen images of country & folk iconoclasts and rule-breakers across the spectrum of all that is captivating, and even including some modern artists still making waves, Jukebox is a riveting photography collection that truly feels as good as it looks. The photos in JUKEBOX are drawn from the thousands he’s taken over the years. Included are photos of the Sex Pistols, Crime, the Ramones, the Avengers, Devo, the Nuns, the Clash, Tom Verlaine, Lou Reed, John Cale and the Dils as well as Tom Waits, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile, Janis Joplin, Ben Gibbard, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Muddy Waters, Toots and the Maytals, Patti Smith, Bettye LaVette, the Who, Neil Young, Jonathan Richman, Townes Van Zandt, the Flamin’ Groovies, and many many more. Photos from JUKEBOX will be on display from July 25 through September 22, 2024 at the Haight Street Art Center in San Francisco, where the exhibition, We Are the One: San Francisco Punk 1970s & 1980s, curated by Goldberg, will also be featured during those two months. Oh, and bonus! We play the latest in a series of world famous O3L games, "Record Rack of the Mind." Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices